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The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence the development of human capital by examining the interplay between different organizational mechanisms, including leadership, organizational culture and human resources management (HRM) practices. This study aims to enhance our understanding of how knowledge exchange influences human capital, with a specific focus on the unique context of Dubai, an area and context that have been underexplored in this research domain.

This study used a survey-based approach, involving 611 participants working across different sectors based in Dubai. This study used partial least squares structural equation modeling as the statistical analysis method.

The results of the study indicate that leadership behaviors have a predictive influence on organizational culture. In turn, organizational culture significantly affects knowledge exchange. Additionally, the study reveals that commitment-based HRM practices play a significant moderating role in the relationship between organizational culture and knowledge exchange.

This study contributes to the existing literature by providing valuable insights into the interplay between leadership, organizational culture and commitment-based HRM practices. By exploring these factors and their influence on knowledge exchange and human capital, the study enhances both the theoretical understanding and practical application in this field.

Although the reinforcement of concrete and brick masonry with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) has been extensively researched, its application and impact on natural stone, especially in historic preservation, have received less attention. This study aims to examine the bond-slip characteristics of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) with two types of natural stone masonry, aiming to enhance their effectiveness in reinforcing historic structures. The stones studied include one from the Chouf-Lekdad region (A) and another from a historic structure in Sétif City (B). Both stones were strengthened using CFRP and carbon fiber fabric (CFF) through near-surface mount (NSM) and external bonding (EBR) techniques.

The interaction was assessed during the pull-out test by analyzing the stress transfer mechanisms, adhesion and deformation. This study also examines the effects of the following parameters on the bond between CFRP and stone: type of stone (A and B), type of reinforcement (plat CFRP and CFF), various notch shapes and sizes (bp, tp and Lb), and reinforcement techniques (NSM and EBR).

This study demonstrated the practicality and effectiveness of enhancing natural stone masonry of old buildings by integrating NSM and EBR techniques with CFRP. With a bond length of 30 mm, the pull-out force correlates with the strength of the stone. This indicates the importance of stone strength in obtaining better adhesion. The CFF–resin interface is more cohesive than the CFRP plate–resin interface because the resin penetrates the flexible CFF strip, ensuring better adhesion. In contrast, the CFRP plate interface is rigid and smooth. The results suggest that natural stone–CFRP adhesion is more effective than CFRP bonded to concrete and brick masonry due to the stone's strong resistance.

This experimental investigation provides new study into the bond-slip behavior of CFRP-reinforced natural stone masonry, filling the gap in existing research. The findings offer useful direction for creating FRP strengthening solutions that are specifically adapted to the properties of natural stone used in historic constructions. This study helps to improve preservation procedures by guiding the selection of reinforcing techniques, such as NSM versus EBR, and finding ideal bond lengths. This work's novelty stems from its ability to improve the structural integrity of culturally significant buildings while preserving their historical authenticity.

This study assesses the impact of microfinance experience on rural households’ subsequent bank credit access, defined as the stepping-stone effect. We evaluate the average impact, heterogeneity and mechanisms of this effect and draw policy implications.

Based on 2018 survey data from 2,347 rural households in six Chinese provinces, this study uses the IV-Probit model to evaluate the stepping-stone effect.

The microfinance experience increases rural households’ probability of obtaining subsequent bank credit by six percentage points. Whether distinguished by social capital or economic wealth, this effect is at least as significant among households previously excluded from bank credit as it is among those originally favored by bank credit. Two mechanisms behind this effect are identified: (1) the microfinance experience provides financial education, transforming hidden demand for bank credit into effective demand and (2) the microfinance experience creates a credit record in the National Credit Information System, increasing the ability to obtain bank credit by providing banks with credible credit information.

This study provides evidence of a progressive relationship in which microfinance acts as a stepping stone to deliver “credit graduate” clients to bank credit. And we also provide a different perspective for understanding MFIs’ relatively high interest rates. We may treat a part of the interest payment as a tuition for financial education and a price for credit information.

• (1)

  We study whether microfinance in China had the stepping-stone effect of improving a rural household’s subsequent access to bank credit and investigate the likely mechanisms behind it.

• (2)

  Microfinance served as a stepping stone to bank credit: the microfinance experience increases rural households’ probability of obtaining subsequent bank credit by six percentage points.

• (3)

  Whether distinguished by social capital or economic wealth, this effect is at least as significant among households previously excluded from bank credit as it is among those originally favored by bank credit.

• (4)

  On the credit demand side, the microfinance experience provides financial education, transforming hidden demand for bank credit into effective demand.

• (5)

  On the credit supply side, the microfinance experience creates a credit record in the National Credit Information System, increasing the ability to obtain bank credit by providing banks with credible credit information.

We study whether microfinance in China had the stepping-stone effect of improving a rural household’s subsequent access to bank credit and investigate the likely mechanisms behind it.

Microfinance served as a stepping stone to bank credit: the microfinance experience increases rural households’ probability of obtaining subsequent bank credit by six percentage points.

Whether distinguished by social capital or economic wealth, this effect is at least as significant among households previously excluded from bank credit as it is among those originally favored by bank credit.

On the credit demand side, the microfinance experience provides financial education, transforming hidden demand for bank credit into effective demand.

On the credit supply side, the microfinance experience creates a credit record in the National Credit Information System, increasing the ability to obtain bank credit by providing banks with credible credit information.

This study aims to investigate the behavior of different types of stone columns, including the short and floating columns, as well as the ordinary and the geosynthetic encased stone columns (OSC and GESC). The effectiveness of the geosynthetic encasement and the impact of the installation using the lateral expansion method on the column performance is evaluated through a three-dimensional (3D) unit cell numerical analysis.

A full 3D numerical analysis is carried out using the explicit finite element code PLAXIS 3D to examine the installation influence on settlement reduction (ß), lateral displacement (U_x) and vertical displacement (U_z) relative to different values of lateral expansion of the column (0% to 15%).

The findings demonstrate the superior performance of GESC, particularly short columns outperforming floating counterparts. This enhanced performance is attributed to the combined effects of geosynthetic encasement and increased lateral expansion. Notably, these strategies contribute significantly to decreasing lateral displacement (U_x) at the column’s edge and reducing vertical displacement (U_z) under the rigid footing.

In contrast to previous studies that examined the installation effect of OSC contexts, this paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the effect of geosynthetic encasement and the installation effects using the lateral expansion method in very soft soil, using 3D numerical simulation. The study emphasizes the significance of the consideration of geosynthetic encasement and lateral expansion of the column during the design process to enhance column performance.

The purpose of this work is to study the relationship between the fabric’s mechanical properties such as tear strength (T_S), breaking strength (B_S) and cloth’s dimensional stability (Sh), particularly, after industrial launderings (stone wash, enzyme wash, mixed wash and rinse). Hence, we select the most interrelationships using the principal component analysis (PCA) technique. In this study, the treatments of finishing garments during washing are the important parameters influencing the cloth’s dimensional and the fabric’s mechanical properties. To improve the obtained results, the selected significant inputs are also analyzed within their influence on shrinkage. The polynomial regression model relating the tear strength and the shrinkage of denim fabric proves the effectiveness of the PCA method and the obtained findings.

To investigate the matter, the type of washing, and their contributions to shrinkage, four types of fabrics manufactured into pants were used. These fabrics differ not only by their basis weights (medium and heavy weight fabrics) but, also by their compositions (within and without elastane) and their thread count (warp and weft yarn count, twist and density. To evaluate significant results, a factorial design analysis based on an experimental design was established. The choice of these treatments, as well as their design mode, led us to make a complete factorial experimental design.

According to the results, the prediction of shrinkage behavior as a function of the process washing input parameters seems significant and useful in our experimental design of interest. As a consequence, it was also concluded that after these input parameters, we can find the relationship between the shrinkage (Sh_warp and Sh_weft) and the mechanical properties such as tear strength (T_Swarp and T_Sweft) and breaking strength (B_Swarp and B_Sweft). Thanks to the PCA, it is very easy to reduce the number of the influent output parameters, and knowing these significant parameters, the prediction of mechanical properties knowing the shrinkage of denim garment, during the process of washing seems successful and can undoubtedly help industrial to minimize the poor workmanship of the finishing quality.

This study is very interesting for finishing denim garments. The shrinkage is very important for correcting measures in sewing, considering that a high shrinkage may cause the cancellation of the fit from the client. This type of defect cannot be repaired in the major part of the cases and causes a big loss for the company, moreover the mechanical properties. For this reason, analyzing the value of shrinkage before starting the production cycle is of great importance to apply the right balance to the pattern. The model of predicting the mechanical properties behaviors as a function of the shrinkage denim garment leads manufacturers to eliminate the test of mechanical properties that remain as destructive tests. Moreover, according to the results obtained, it may be concluded that prediction is still accurate through the shrinkage test which is an inevitable test. Even though, these results can bring a huge gain for the garment wash industries.

This work presents the first study predicting a relationship between the mechanical properties and denim garment shrinkage, applying the PCA technique to minimize the all-output parameters that are not significant or correlated with each other. Besides, it deals with the relationship developed between the fabric’s mechanical properties such as tear strength (T_S), breaking strength (B_S) and cloth’s dimensional stability (Sh), particularly, after industrial launderings (stone wash, enzyme wash, mixed wash and rinse). Moreover, it is notable to mention that the originality of this study is to let to the garment wash industries to save in production time of orders and also in quality.

The stone dust column was used to strengthen the sample and had a significant effect on improving the shear strength of the kaolin clay. The application of stone columns, which can improve the overall carrying capacity of soft clay as well as lessen the settlement of buildings built on it, is among the most widespread ground improvement techniques throughout the globe. The performance of foundation beds is enhanced by their stiffness values and higher strength, which could withstand more of the load applied. Stone dust is a wonderful source containing micronutrients for soil, particularly those derived from basalt, volcanic rock, granite and other related rocks. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the properties of soft clay reinforced with encapsulated stone dust columns to remediate problematic soil and obtain a more affordable and environmentally friendly way than using other materials.

In this study, the treated kaolin sample's shear strength was measured using the unconfined compression test (UCT). 28 batches of soil samples total, 12 batches of single stone dust columns measuring 10 mm in diameter and 12 batches of single stone dust columns measuring 16 mm in diameter. Four batches of control samples are also included. At heights of 60 mm, 80 mm and 100 mm, respectively, various stone dust column diameters were assessed. The real soil sample has a diameter of 50 mm and a height of 100 mm.

Test results show when kaolin is implanted with a single encased stone dust column that has an area replacement ratio of 10.24% and penetration ratios of 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0, the shear strength increase is 51.75%, 74.5% and 49.20%. The equivalent shear strength increases are 48.50%, 68.50% and 43.50% for soft soil treated with a 12.00% area replacement ratio and 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 penetration ratios.

This study shows a comparison of how sample types affect shear strength. Also, this article provides argumentation behind the variation of soil strength obtained from different test types and gives recommendations for appropriate test methods for soft soil.

The objective of this study is to determine how biophilic designs in study areas affect the productivity of students at the University of the Witwatersrand. The study also seeks to evaluate study areas at Wits in terms of biophilic design, determine whether biophilic design contributes to the preference of students and their study productivity.

This is a cross sectional study that used a mixed methodology. Five study areas were identified and evaluated in terms of biophilic design. At each study area, nine students participated in an open- and close-ended questionnaire regarding their perceptions on study areas and productivity.

The five study areas scored the following results according to the biophilic test: 29.09%, 34.55%, 36.36%, 80.00% and 85.45%, respectively. The students prefer to study in biophilic study areas as it prompts positive emotions and make them feel rejuvenated and energized. However, there are still students studying in the non-biophilic areas due to convenience or due to the biophilic areas that are noisy and lacks monitoring.

With the small sample size, the generalizability of the findings are limited, but does create a foundation for further research.

Universities can learn from the findings and benefit greatly from many biophilic study areas. This could also encourage architects and interior designers to include biophilic design more so in general buildings/rooms.

Study areas at the University of the Witwatersrand was evaluated in terms of biophilic design, while determining whether biophilic design contributes to the preference of students and study productivity.

This study aims to compare the local climate characteristics of Angkor Wat, Borobudur and Prambanan parks and determine effective strategies for mitigating thermal conditions that could suit Borobudur and Angkor Wat.

The study employed local climate zone (LCZ) indicators and ten-year historical climate data to identify similarities and differences in local climate characteristics. Satellite imagery processing was used to create maps of LCZ indicators. Meanwhile, microclimate models were used to analyze sky view factors and wind permeability.

The study found that the three tropical large-scale archaeological parks have low albedo, a medium vegetation index and high impervious surface index. However, various morphological characteristics, aerodynamic properties and differences in temple stone area and altitude enlarge the air temperature range.

Based on the similarities and differences in local climate, the study formulated mitigation strategies to preserve the sustainability of ancient temples and reduce visitors' heat stress.

The local climate characterization of tropical archaeological parks adds to the number of LCZs. Knowledge of the local climate characteristics of tropical archaeological parks can be the basis for improving thermal conditions.

The aim of this work is to enhance workplace diversity and inclusion by exploring and addressing unique barriers faced by veterans during their transition from military service to civilian occupations.

Building on existing expatriate theory, we introduce the Veteran Employment Transition (VET) model. Drawing parallels between veterans and expatriates, the model illustrates key antecedents crucial for a successful transitional adjustment.

The proposed VET model outlines essential factors contributing to successful veteran transitions. These factors include individual factors such as language skills, job and organization factors such as role clarity and nonwork factors.

The VET model establishes a foundation for future research on veteran transition and answers the call for theory development in the field.

The insights derived from the VET model offer practical recommendations for designing interventions and transition support programs tailored to the unique needs of returning veterans.

The contribution of this paper lies in the development of the VET model, offering a novel perspective for understanding and addressing the distinctive challenges faced by returning United States (US) military veterans.

This study aims to enhance the precision and efficiency of English Bond brick masonry by developing three unified templates: Tc, T1, and T2. These templates are designed to address the complexities in the placement of bricks, particularly queen closers and brickbats, in English Bond patterns.

The research introduces a unique numbering system integrated within each template to facilitate accurate brick placement. Template Tc is designed explicitly for corner masonry, while T1 and T2 are developed for linear masonry along the X and Y directions, respectively. The approach standardizes the bricklaying process, ensuring proper alignment and bricks overlap.

Applying these templates significantly improves the efficiency and pace of English bond brick masonry. They simplify the construction process, reduce errors, and enhance the overall quality of masonry work. The study demonstrates that using these templates results in consistent and high-quality brickwork, surpassing traditional speed, efficiency, and accuracy methods.

This study contributes a novel, systematic approach to bricklaying in English Bond masonry. The introduction of unified templates aids in skill acquisition for professionals and learners, ensuring flawless execution of masonry projects. This innovative approach holds great value in modern construction practices, promoting standardization and excellence in masonry work.