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PurposeThe aim of this study is to identify the association between leadership styles (LS) and employee commitment(EC) among employees working in the mechanical manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), mediated by job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThe research is cross-sectional and the survey method was used, and Pearson correlation analyses, regression analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used to examine the hypothesis. A sample of 911 responses was collected from 102 mechanical manufacturing SMEs in and around Bangalore, India.FindingsEC depends on the age, the experience of employees, LS of the superior and job satisfaction of employees who are working in the mechanical manufacturing SMEs. The research found out that job satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between LS and EC.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is cross-sectional in nature; it measures and quantifies the different variables at a single point period; therefore, the research does not offer outcomes over a long period.Practical implicationsTo enhance the commitment of employees working in the mechanical manufacturing SMEs, managers/superiors should make an effort to exhibit a holistic view of LS that enhances job satisfaction and improves the pleasant relationship in the work environment.Social implicationsIn the competitive business environment retaining skilled and talented employees is the major challenge for the organization. Many research studies explored that committed employees will retain in the organization for a long tenure. Thus, our study contributes to the body of the literature on predictors of EC. It is noted that the involvement of employees by the leaders during the decision-making process, creates an effective working ambience for the employees and establishes a pleasant relationship among employees. The leader will motivate the employees to work efficiently and effectively, in addition to that they motivate employees to continue working with the same organization. Hence there is a need for the mechanical manufacturing firms to design and implement strategies of motivating employees to remain in the organization. Our study was cross-sectional in nature; it measures and quantifies the different variables at a single point period; therefore, research does not offer outcomes over a long period. Hence a longitudinal study over some time gives more accurate outcomes, and it is more appropriate. This study focused on employees working in the mechanical manufacturing firms, in and around Bangalore, India; therefore, findings cannot be generalized to all employees of the mechanical manufacturing firms.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the existing literature by exploring further evidence and support for the relationship between LS and EC in mechanical manufacturing SMEs. And research also reveals that job satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between the LS and EC in mechanical manufacturing SMEs.

Thermoacoustic refrigeration, a novel technology, uses eco-friendly gases like helium, air or the mixture of noble gases as working substances in the absence of moving parts. The design, optimization and analysis of thermoacoustic refrigerators using helium and air as oscillating gases are discussed. Pure helium is chosen since it is proven as the best and economical working gas compared to the alternate pure or the mixture of noble gases. Air is chosen since it is abundant in nature and the least cost of the pressurized dry air cylinders. The design optimization strategies discussed in this paper serve as a guide for aspiring researchers in the design and development of thermoacoustic coolers. Cooling power as a function of stack diameter is discussed. Theoretical results of the optimized coolers are compared with DeltaEC simulation results for validation and are in agreement with each other.