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1 – 10 of 901Amna Akhound, Aseem Majeed Rizvi, Waqar Ahmed and Muhammad Nadeem Khan
Energy-saving behavior of individuals is essential to minimize energy use and reduce the emission of toxic gases. This study's actual focus is to find out the determinants of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Energy-saving behavior of individuals is essential to minimize energy use and reduce the emission of toxic gases. This study's actual focus is to find out the determinants of the energy-saving behavior of individuals in the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
As a theoretical research model, the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been used to analyze the determinants of energy-saving intentions. A survey method is used to collect 289 valid data, and structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to analyze the data.
Findings
The final result shows that the variables attitude at home, subjective norm (SN) and descriptive norms positively impact intention to save energy at the workplace. In contrast, the construct attitude and perceived behavior control is insignificant in this research. On the other hand, the personal moral norm (PMN) is a powerful predictor of individual energy-saving intentions at the workplace.
Originality/value
This research provides insights that will help the organizations understand the behavior of individuals at the workplace for energy-saving intentions to formulate such policies that will enhance individuals' practice for energy savings.
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A.Z. Zaher, Khalid K. Ali and Kh. S. Mekheimer
The study of the electro-osmotic forces (EOF) in the flow of the boundary layer has been a topic of interest in biomedical engineering and other engineering fields. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
The study of the electro-osmotic forces (EOF) in the flow of the boundary layer has been a topic of interest in biomedical engineering and other engineering fields. The purpose of this paper is to develop an innovative mathematical model for electro-osmotic boundary layer flow. This type of fluid flow requires sophisticated mathematical models and numerical simulations.
Design/methodology/approach
The effect of EOF on the boundary layer Williamson fluid model containing a gyrotactic microorganism through a non-Darcian flow (Forchheimer model) is investigated. The problem is formulated mathematically by a system of non-linear partial differential equations (PDEs). By using suitable transformations, the PDEs system is transformed into a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations subjected to the appropriate boundary conditions. Those equations are solved numerically using the finite difference method.
Findings
The boundary layer velocity is lower in the case of non-Newtonian fluid when it is compared with that for a Newtonian fluid. The electro-osmotic parameter makes an increase in the velocity of the boundary layer. The boundary layer velocity is lower in the case of non-Darcian fluid when it is compared with Darcian fluid and as the Forchheimer parameter increases the behavior of the velocity becomes more closely. Entropy generation decays speedily far away from the wall and an opposite effect occurs on the Bejan number behavior.
Originality/value
The present outcomes are enriched to give valuable information for the research scientists in the field of biomedical engineering and other engineering fields. Also, the proposed outcomes are hopefully beneficial for the experimental investigation of the electroosmotic forces on flows with non-Newtonian models and containing a gyrotactic microorganism.
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Nadeem Ahmad Khan, Saif Ullah Khan, Sirajuddin Ahmed, Izharul Haq Farooqi, Arshad Hussain, Sergij Vambol and Viola Vambol
The purpose of this paper is to cover some aspects about the disposal and regulatory standard around the world toward hospital effluent discharge, its managements and treatment…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to cover some aspects about the disposal and regulatory standard around the world toward hospital effluent discharge, its managements and treatment technologies that are adopted and best suitable nowadays.
Design/methodology/approach
Due to large and variety of antibiotics available in the market nowadays it is difficult to control its use, thereby risking the whole ecosystem and its components. The regulation pattern is variable depending upon the various factors in different countries. The permissible limit of these emerging pollutants found in sewage as compared to in hospital effluent streams having active pharmaceutical ingredients is very narrow and is a debatable issue.
Findings
The disparity in the available legislation for hospital waste management in different countries makes it difficult to compare pro’s and con’s of methods adopted. Strict laws need to be framed for hospital wastewater management and its treatment, as it contains harmful compounds in higher concentrations resulting in development of resistant genes. The guideline applicable nowadays makes it clear that, specific management guidelines with respect to HWW, but also indicate certain characteristics that can be represented to specify their nature and indicator.
Research limitations/implications
Determination of effluent characteristic for each specialized treatment need to be analyzed for meeting the framed regulatory standards. Up-gradation of existing treatment facilities, adopting new technologies and improving operation, maintained is a viable option. As there are no specific treatment schemes available hence combination and optimization of treatment methods may solve the problem to certain extent.
Practical implications
There is some flexibility also there so that law framework can be modified accordingly. For any health facilities direct discharges into natural water bodies it effluent need to follow national discharge standards. These are quite strict as compared to indirect standards and generally not meet by such facilities. This is quite logical because they are not being monitored or treated by municipal systems.
Social implications
The law indicates that hospital needed to collect and treat effluent according to the treatment standards. But on other hand the law was made making it consideration about the HWW collection in water bodies.
Originality/value
The best way of management as described, is to treat HWW onsite-dividing into primary, secondary and tertiary. The document also provides details about sludge disposal, possible reuse, including the application of new and innovative treatment technologies for HWW. It also provides guidance for minimum approach for HWW management because developing countries patients do not have proper sanitation facilities.
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Hadi Hussain, Jun Wen, Renai Jiang, Junaid Waheed, Waheed Ali and Nadeem Akhtar Khan
In light of the shift in focus from information communication technology (ICT) access (access divide) and skills (skills divide) to the tangible impacts of ICT use (impact…
Abstract
Purpose
In light of the shift in focus from information communication technology (ICT) access (access divide) and skills (skills divide) to the tangible impacts of ICT use (impact divide), a growing number of scholars have called for further investigation into the inter-territorial and multi-dimensional aspects of the digital divide in China. This study aims to address these gaps by examining the disparities across 31 provinces, particularly emphasizing the transition from the traditional access and skills divides to the impact divide.
Design/methodology/approach
Multivariate regression analysis extensively investigates the transition from the access and skills divides to the impact divide across 31 provinces. Additionally, ArcGIS software is used to analyze spatial agglomeration and the auto-correlation (Moran-i) and predict mapping patterns in the data corresponding to all three levels of the digital divide.
Findings
According to the study's findings, poverty is a significant factor in the digital divide between different regions in China. The research shows that provinces with advanced administrative systems, such as Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing, Jiangsu, Shandon and Zhejiang, have high scores on the digital development index (DDI). However, regions with poverty-ridden and rural areas, primarily located in southwest, central and western China, tend to have lower DDI scores.
Originality/value
This study offers a novel contribution to the literature by presenting an innovative conceptual framework that explores the impact divide within China's provinces. The authors also address this lacuna in the literature by developing and testing two dimensions to examine the relationships statistically under a wide range of socioeconomic and ICT indicators.
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Waheed Ali, Jun Wen, Hadi Hussain, Nadeem Akhtar Khan, Muhammad Waleed Younas and Ihsan Jamil
In the era of knowledge economy, the significance of intellectual capital has been increasing globally. Similarly, recent studies have focused on the importance of green…
Abstract
Purpose
In the era of knowledge economy, the significance of intellectual capital has been increasing globally. Similarly, recent studies have focused on the importance of green intellectual capital in mitigating environmental degradation. However, only a few studies have analysed green intellectual capital and its impacts in the specific case of Pakistan. Hence, this study aims to investigate the effects of green intellectual capital on green innovation adoption in Pakistan’s manufacturing small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
We used a data sample of 235 SMEs, gathered from the four manufacturing sectors of Pakistan including: textile, chemical, pharmaceutical and steel and analysed using a multiple regression analysis approach.
Findings
The empirical results of this research indicate that green human capital and green structural capital significantly increase green innovation adoption. However, it must be noted that green relational capital has a positive but insignificant impact on green innovation adoption in manufacturing SMEs in Pakistan.
Originality/value
The findings and recommended policy measures of this study are important for the managers of manufacturing SMEs and policymakers to mitigate environmental destruction and achieve sustainable development through green intellectual capital.
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Wen Jun, Waheed Ali, Muhammad Yaseen Bhutto, Hadi Hussain and Nadeem Akhtar Khan
Currently, environmental and social concerns have made green innovation more popular among researchers and practitioners around the globe. Developed countries tend to focus more…
Abstract
Purpose
Currently, environmental and social concerns have made green innovation more popular among researchers and practitioners around the globe. Developed countries tend to focus more on this issue, compared to developing countries. However, the reality shows that small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are considered as high contributors to environmental pollution. This study is designed for, and conducted on, SMEs in a developing country, Pakistan. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the main determinants of green innovation adoption in SMEs in Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
A data sample of 288 SMEs from five different sectors was collected and analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique.
Findings
The results of the study indicate that organizational and human resource factors, market and customer factors, and government support and technological factors have a positive and significant impact, whereas external partnership and cooperation, and rules and regulatory factors have an insignificant impact on green innovation adoption in SMEs in Pakistan.
Originality/value
The outcomes of the study have important implications for managers as well as for government policy makers regarding framing better policies to promote green practices in SMEs.
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Andrew Kakabadse, Nadeem Khan and Nada K. Kakabadse
This paper aims to present the outcomes from 40 one-to-one semi-structured interviews and 12 focus group sessions with company secretaries, chairmen, CEOs, chief financial officer…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present the outcomes from 40 one-to-one semi-structured interviews and 12 focus group sessions with company secretaries, chairmen, CEOs, chief financial officer (CFOs), senior independent director (SIDs) and NEDs, about the role of the company secretary.
Design/methodology/approach
Lukes’ (1974, 2005) third dimension of power is engaged in thematic analysis of this strategic leadership role and its contribution to Board effectiveness.
Findings
The findings identify “discretionary capacity” as being critical to effective role contribution.
Research limitations/implications
Whilst the inquiry included international participants, e.g. multi-national Board members and company secretaries, it was conducted within the UK.
Practical implications
Having a range of discretion is particularly necessary at this time, when the new governance regime is broadening its demands on the role of the company secretary to interact with wider stakeholders.
Social implications
Better Board effectiveness is critical to broader sustainability of business in society.
Originality/value
An emergent model of the company secretary role is offered as a tool for building discretionary capacity, based on key technical, commercial and social characteristics, in their contexts – understood together as “Breadth” and “Majesty”. Breadth establishes a competency, whereas majesty, the refined high-level social qualities. This study concludes that the company secretary role is highly dependent on the preferences of the chairman, in enabling them to make an effective contribution to the Board.
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Noreen Sher Akbar, O. Anwar Beg and Z.H. Khan
Sheet processing of magnetic nanomaterials is emerging as a new branch of smart materials’ manufacturing. The efficient production of such materials combines many physical…
Abstract
Purpose
Sheet processing of magnetic nanomaterials is emerging as a new branch of smart materials’ manufacturing. The efficient production of such materials combines many physical phenomena including magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), nanoscale, thermal and mass diffusion effects. To improve the understanding of complex inter-disciplinary transport phenomena in such systems, mathematical models provide a robust approach. Motivated by this, this study aims to develop a mathematical model for steady, laminar, MHD, incompressible nanofluid flow, heat and mass transfer from a stretching sheet.
Design/methodology/approach
This study developed a mathematical model for steady, laminar, MHD, incompressible nanofluid flow, heat and mass transfer from a stretching sheet. A uniform constant-strength magnetic field is applied transversely to the stretching flow plane. The Buongiorno nanofluid model is used to represent thermophoretic and Brownian motion effects. A non-Fourier (Cattaneo–Christov) model is used to simulate thermal conduction effects, of which the Fourier model is a special case when thermal relaxation effects are neglected.
Findings
The governing conservation equations are rendered dimensionless with suitable scaling transformations. The emerging nonlinear boundary value problem is solved with a fourth-order Runge–Kutta algorithm and also shooting quadrature. Validation is achieved with earlier non-magnetic and forced convection flow studies. The influence of key thermophysical parameters, e.g. Hartmann magnetic number, thermal Grashof number, thermal relaxation time parameter, Schmidt number, thermophoresis parameter, Prandtl number and Brownian motion number on velocity, skin friction, temperature, Nusselt number, Sherwood number and nanoparticle concentration distributions, is investigated.
Originality/value
A strong elevation in temperature accompanies an increase in Brownian motion parameter, whereas increasing magnetic parameter is found to reduce heat transfer rate at the wall (Nusselt number). Nanoparticle volume fraction is observed to be strongly suppressed with greater thermal Grashof number, Schmidt number and thermophoresis parameter, whereas it is elevated significantly with greater Brownian motion parameter. Higher temperatures are achieved with greater thermal relaxation time values, i.e. the non-Fourier model predicts greater values for temperature than the classical Fourier model.
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Hammed Abiodun Ogunseye, Sulyman Olakunle Salawu, Yusuf Olatunji Tijani, Mustapha Riliwan and Precious Sibanda
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dynamical behavior of heat and mass transfer of non-Newtonian nanofluid flow through parallel horizontal sheet with heat-dependent…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dynamical behavior of heat and mass transfer of non-Newtonian nanofluid flow through parallel horizontal sheet with heat-dependent thermal conductivity and magnetic field. The effects of thermophoresis and Brownian motion on the Eyring‒Powell nanofluid heat and concentration are also considered. The flow fluid is propelled by squeezing force and constant pressure gradient. The hydromagnetic fluid is induced by periodic time variations.
Design/methodology/approach
The dimensionless momentum, energy and species balance equations are solved by the spectral local linearization method that is employed to numerically integrate the coupled non-linear differential equations.
Findings
The response of the fluid flow, temperature and concentration to variational increase in the values of the parameters is graphically presented and discussed accordingly.
Originality/value
The validity of the method used was checked by comparing it with previous related article.
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