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1 – 10 of 367Md. Asadul Hoque, Md. Anwarul Kabir Bhuiya, Md. Saiduzzaman, Md. Ashadul Islam and Mubarak A. Khan
This paper aim to comparatively study of mechanical properties of gamma radiation treated raw and polyethylene glycol modified bleached jute reinforced polyester composite. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aim to comparatively study of mechanical properties of gamma radiation treated raw and polyethylene glycol modified bleached jute reinforced polyester composite. The natural fiber-reinforced composite has been a wide area of research, and it is the preferred choice due to its superior physical and mechanical properties like low density, stiffness and light weight. Among several natural fibers, jute is one that has good potential as reinforcement in polymer composite. Jute fibers biodegradability, low cost and moderate mechanical properties make it as a preferable reinforcement material in the development of polymer matrix composites.
Design/methodology/approach
In the present work, raw jute fabrics-reinforced polyester composite (as RJPC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified bleached jute fabrics-reinforced polyester composite (as MBJPC) were fabricated by the heat-press molding technique at 120°C for 5 min at a pressure of 5 tons. Prior to the composite formulation, low lignin content bleached jute fabrics were chemically modified with PEG for the better compatibility of the fabrics with the polyester matrix and enhancing elongation properties. All the composites irradiated with different gamma radiation dose in the range of 2 to 14 kGy.
Findings
The irradiated composites showed highest improved of mechanical properties at the 10 kGy γ-radiation dose. However, the hard and sunlight-sensitive high lignin content γ-RJPC showed higher mechanical properties except elongation properties compared to that of low lignin content γ-MBJPC.
Originality/value
After the γ-ray irradiation, both the γ-RJPC and γ-MBJPC developed high degree of cross-linking among the polyester molecules and thereto fabrics with the consequence of significant changed of surface morphology as observed by atomic force microscopy.
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Francis Olawale Abulude, Domenico Suriano, Samuel Dare Oluwagbayide, Akinyinka Akinnusotu, Ifeoluwa Ayodeji Abulude and Emmanuel Awogbindin
This study aimed to characterize the concentrations of indoor pollutants (such as carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), as well as…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to characterize the concentrations of indoor pollutants (such as carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), as well as particulate matter (PM) (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10) in Akure, Nigeria, as well as the relationship between the parameters’ concentrations.
Design/methodology/approach
The evaluation, which lasted four months, used a low-cost air sensor that was positioned two meters above the ground. All sensor procedures were correctly carried out.
Findings
CO2 (430.34 ppm), NO2 (93.31 ppb), O3 (19.94 ppb), SO2 (40.87 ppb), PM1 (29.31 µg/m3), PM2.5 (43.56 µg/m3), PM10 (50.70 µg/m3), temperature (32.4°C) and relative humidity (50.53%) were the average values obtained. The Pearson correlation depicted the relationships between the pollutants and weather factors. With the exception of April, which had significant SO2 (18%) and low PM10 (49%) contributions, NO2 and PM10 were the most common pollutants in all of the months. The mean air quality index (AQI) for NO2 indicated that the AQI was “moderate” (51–100). In contrast to SO2, whose AQI ranged from “moderate” to “very unhealthy,” O3's AQI ranged from “good” (50) to “unhealthy” (151–200). Since PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 made up the majority of PC1’s contribution, both PM2.5 and PM10 were deemed “hazardous.”
Practical implications
The practical implication of indoor air pollution is long-term health effects, including heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases such as emphysema. Indoor air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people’s nerves, brain, kidneys, liver and other organs.
Originality/value
Lack of literature in terms of indoor air quality (IAQ) in Akure, Ondo State. With this work, the information obtained will assist all stakeholders in policy formulation and implementation. Again, the low-cost sensor used is new to this part of the world.
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Muhammad Qamar Zia, Muhammad Sufyan Ramish, Syeda Tayyaba Fasih, Muhammad Naveed and Zilong Wang
Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study seeks to investigate how job embeddedness (JE) and job frustration (JF) as serial mediators linking abusive…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study seeks to investigate how job embeddedness (JE) and job frustration (JF) as serial mediators linking abusive supervision (AS) to project performance (PP) in the construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were gathered from 297 respondents working in six organizations involved in large-scale construction projects. The respondents were project managers, field engineers, consultants and civil engineers. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for data analysis and hypothesis testing.
Findings
The study findings indicate that JE and JF mediate AS’s impact on PP. The findings further reveal that JE and JF serially mediated the linkage between AS and PP.
Originality/value
This manuscript contributes to the relevant knowledge by investigating the overlooked psychological mechanisms of JE and JF between the linkage of AS to PP. The results of this study hold significant implications for both theoretical research and management practices.
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Patricia Ahmed, Rebecca Jean Emigh and Dylan Riley
A “state-driven” approach suggests that colonists use census categories to rule. However, a “society-driven” approach suggests that this state-driven perspective confers too much…
Abstract
A “state-driven” approach suggests that colonists use census categories to rule. However, a “society-driven” approach suggests that this state-driven perspective confers too much power upon states. A third approach views census-taking and official categorization as a product of state–society interaction that depends upon: (a) the population's lay categories, (b) information intellectuals' ability to take up and transform these lay categories, and (c) the balance of power between social and state actors. We evaluate the above positions by analyzing official records, key texts, travelogues, and statistical memoirs from three key periods in India: Indus Valley civilization through classical Gupta rule (ca. 3300 BCE–700 CE), the “medieval” period (ca. 700–1700 CE), and East India Company (EIC) rule (1757–1857 CE), using historical narrative. We show that information gathering early in the first period was society driven; however, over time, a strong interactive pattern emerged. Scribes (information intellectuals) increased their social status and power (thus, shifting the balance of power) by drawing on caste categories (lay categories) and incorporating them into official information gathering. This intensification of interactive information gathering allowed the Mughals, the EIC, and finally British direct rule officials to collect large quantities of information. Our evidence thus suggests that the intensification of state–society interactions over time laid the groundwork for the success of the direct rule British censuses. It also suggests that any transformative effect of these censuses lay in this interactive pattern, not in the strength of the British colonial state.
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Sadia Mehfooz Khan, Muhammad Ali, Chin-Hong Puah, Hanudin Amin and Muhammad Shujaat Mubarak
This study aims to investigate two primary objectives. First, this study examines the influence of modified service quality dimensions on Islamic bank customer satisfaction using…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate two primary objectives. First, this study examines the influence of modified service quality dimensions on Islamic bank customer satisfaction using a compliance, reliability, empathy, assurance, tangible, operational efficiency, responsiveness (CREATOR) model. Second, the study explores the relationship between customer satisfaction, trust, loyalty and word of mouth (WOM) in Islamic banking of Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model was analyzed using PLS-SEM-based approach. A total of 312 usable responses were used for data analysis.
Findings
The results indicate that all CREATOR dimensions have a significant positive impact on Islamic banks’ customer satisfaction. Similarly, this study also found a significant positive relationship between customer satisfaction, trust, loyalty and WOM. Overall, this study modified a well-established service quality framework by successfully implementing the CREATOR model in Islamic banking.
Originality/value
This study will provide helpful policy guidelines for Islamic bank managers improve their service quality and strengthen their relationships with existing and new customers. The authors are also sure that their proposed model will add value to the ongoing service quality literature by indicating the role of operational effectiveness in increasing customer satisfaction and promoting positive WOM.
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Namra Mubarak, Jabran Khan, Samyia Safdar, Shah Muhammad and Asim Riaz
This study aims to examine the relationship between ethical leadership and project success directly and indirectly through psychological empowerment along with the moderating role…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the relationship between ethical leadership and project success directly and indirectly through psychological empowerment along with the moderating role of Islamic work ethic.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a time-lagged design, data were gathered from 202 employees working in project-based organizations of Pakistan. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the distinctiveness of variables used in the study.
Findings
Consistent with the cognitive evaluation theory, the findings supported the hypotheses other than the moderating role of Islamic work ethics between psychological empowerment and project success. The results confirmed that ethical leadership promotes project success directly and indirectly via psychological empowerment. Furthermore, theoretical and practical implications are also discussed highlighting the importance of ethical leadership for researchers and practitioners.
Originality/value
Literature is insufficient on the topic of ethical leadership in the project management domain with the effect of Islamic work ethics and psychological empowerment. Therefore, the current study explored unanswered research questions in the project management domain.
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Namra Mubarak, Jabran Khan, Sajid Bashir and Samyia Safdar
The success of projects is a major challenge for information technology (IT) project-based businesses (PBOs). Employees' negative emotions (NE) disrupt the employees' usual work…
Abstract
Purpose
The success of projects is a major challenge for information technology (IT) project-based businesses (PBOs). Employees' negative emotions (NE) disrupt the employees' usual work activities by creating obstacles to routine operations. Organizations should take steps to lessen these NE. The current study assessed the mediating role of NE and the moderating influence of employee mindfulness in the association between despotic leadership (DL) and IT project success (PS).
Design/methodology/approach
Time-lagged data were collected from 341 employees working in various IT-based project organizations in Pakistan using purposive sampling.
Findings
Results were consistent with the authors' hypothesized framework, as DL increases employees' NE, which in turn negatively affects IT PS. In addition, mindfulness plays a buffering role in mitigating the damaging impact of DL on NE.
Originality/value
Previous researchers focused on the positive aspects of leadership and its influence on PS and paid limited attention to the dark leadership style. The authors' study's findings help understand how project-based organizations can reduce employees' NE.
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Helena Bulińska-Stangrecka, Anna Bagieńska and Anuradha Iddagoda
The issue of trust in Industry 4.0 is extremely important from an organization’s perspective. The dynamic development of 4.0 technologies implies wide-ranging changes, which, in…
Abstract
The issue of trust in Industry 4.0 is extremely important from an organization’s perspective. The dynamic development of 4.0 technologies implies wide-ranging changes, which, in order to be implemented effectively, require cooperation based on trust. The purpose of this literature analysis is to identify key research areas regarding trust in Industry 4.0 and to identify further research directions.
Based on a comprehensive literature analysis, the most prominent areas of research on trust issues in Industry 4.0 will be presented (k=36). This chapter will also identify and discuss directions for further research.
The results of the analysis enable to illustrate the trends of science development in the area of Industry 4.0, as well as to identify key issues related to trust. Moreover, the research problems for further studies on the analyzed issue will also be indicated.
The research presented here identifies key Industry 4.0 technologies that are based on trust.
The review provides a valuable resource for practitioners regarding the critical aspects of implementing Industry 4.0 with respect to trust.
This is the first comprehensive literature review diagnosing research areas, technologies, and directions for future research on trust in Industry 4.0.
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Muhammad Qamar Zia, Muhammad Sufyan Ramish, Iram Mushtaq, Syeda Tayyaba Fasih and Muhammad Naveed
This study aims to theoretically discuss and empirically test the mediating mechanism of psychological distress and the moderating effects of Islamic work ethics (IWE) in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to theoretically discuss and empirically test the mediating mechanism of psychological distress and the moderating effects of Islamic work ethics (IWE) in the relationship between despotic leadership and adaptive performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A three-wave survey was used to gather the data from middle managers and their supervisors of construction firms in Pakistan. The final sample consisted of 304 respondents and data analysis was performed through SEM analysis.
Findings
Despotic leadership enhances employees’ psychological distress which results in a negative impact on adaptive performance. In addition, IWE played a buffering role in mitigating the harmful impacts of despotic leadership on adaptive performance.
Originality/value
The study is among the pioneers that have investigated how despotic leadership impacts employees’ adaptive performance via the underlying mechanism of psychological distress through the conservation of resources and social exchange theory lens.
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Namra Mubarak, Jabran Khan, Robina Yasmin and Atasya Osmadi
Through the lens of social exchange theory, this study aims to assess the relationship between proactive personality and innovative work behavior by incorporating the mediating…
Abstract
Purpose
Through the lens of social exchange theory, this study aims to assess the relationship between proactive personality and innovative work behavior by incorporating the mediating role of work engagement and moderating role of transformational leadership between proactive personality and work engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 259 employees working in Pakistani small-medium enterprises (SMEs). The purposive sampling technique was used to collect data. For hypothesis testing, Preacher and Hayes process macro was employed.
Findings
Confirmatory factor analysis verified the distinctiveness of the variables used in this study. The findings show that a proactive personality had a positive influence on innovative work behavior directly and indirectly through work engagement, and transformational leadership positively moderates the relationship between a proactive personality and work engagement in such a way that with high transformational leadership behavior relationship will be strengthened.
Originality/value
This study has addressed three research questions that have been left unanswered in the literature. The initial research question is “how proactive personality enhances innovative work behavior?” This study found that proactive personality enhanced innovative work behavior. The second research question is “what are the suggested mechanisms for proactive personality to promote innovative work behavior?” This study has proven that a proactive personality enhanced innovative work behavior through an important mediating mechanism, namely work engagement. Finally, the third question of the study is “does transformational leadership moderate the relationship between proactive personality and work engagement? The study shows that transformational leadership positively moderates between proactive personality and work engagement.
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