Search results

This chapter explores the role and impact of adaptive thinking and transformational leadership in developing and leading an enabling culture that aligns with a school’s vision and mission. This chapter will also probe the varying dimensions that enable or inhibit a school culture and the tools needed to shape and maintain it including the challenges posed in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In this chapter, examples of adaptive challenges, data-driven instructions, and effective use of technology, will be referred to as one dimension of a culture that shows alignment or lack of it with the school’s vision and mission, the role and impact of transformative adaptive leadership on school’s overall culture, especially in the UAE, and MENA region. Finally, this chapter will examine the impact of adaptive and distributed leadership in leading a cultural change.

The purpose of this research is to apply the theoretical frameworks of resource-based view (RBV) and Social Creativity to elucidate insights related to food cultures and creative tourism in the context of Brunei. This addresses an important gap in the literature to unpack how food cultures and creative tourism can become a vehicle for the diversification of a country’s reliance on oil and gas as primary industries.

A case study approach was taken in this research, utilising both primary and secondary data such as social media posts, media reports and semi-structured interviews to shed light on an emerging niche market in Brunei tourism.

The research revealed the entrepreneurial mindset of local food chefs and enthusiasts in showcasing Bruneian heritage and cultures, supported by government campaigns and technological advances. This lends further evidence that food cultures and creative tourism can be a lever for a national economic diversification strategy and can be validated elsewhere.

This is one of the first studies to investigate the intersection of the RBV and Social Creativity to advance the theory and practice of tourism in South East Asia.

The intersection of food cultures and creative tourism within Brunei is dovetailed into the theoretical frameworks of the RBV and Wilson’s Social Creativity Framework. This is evidenced in a diversification strategy emerging from the case study of Brunei, where food is earmarked as a heritage resource and leverages individual, and in particular, young people’s creativity to generate a niche tourism market for the country.

The paper illuminates the role of technology as a vehicle for the discourses of creativity, reflexivity, education and economy to flourish. Through co-created content on social media, food heritage and creative tourism experiences are foregrounded and assisted by the entrepreneurs in reaching their desired audiences. Arguably, such tools helped the country alleviate the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and thrust domestic food tourism experiences into the spotlight, like other destinations.

This is one of the first studies to investigate the intersection of the RBV and Social Creativity to advance the theory and practice of tourism in South East Asia.

This study aims to investigate and understand the purchasing intentions and behaviors of Indian Muslim consumers toward halal products. Specifically, it seeks to explore how consumer awareness, perceptions and attitudes influence the purchasing intentions of Indian Muslim consumers regarding halal items.

Data were collected via a self-questionnaire from consumers of halal products in India, with a sample of 550 consumers. This study used a structural equation model technique to analyze these data.

The descriptive analysis demonstrated high religious awareness, positive perceptions, favorable attitudes, strong intentions to purchase and corresponding buying behavior among respondents. Structural equation modeling validated the proposed model, with goodness-of-fit indices falling within acceptable ranges. Significant relationships were found between religious awareness, attitude and purchase intention. There was no apparent connection between perception and purchase intention.

The study contributes insights for businesses and policymakers striving to accommodate distinct requirements and inclinations of Muslim consumers in India, emphasizing the importance of targeted marketing and educational initiatives.

This study may be the first to examine consumers’ purchasing habits for halal products in India’s retail market. The study’s conclusions are significant for Islamic and halal product marketing.

Facilities management (FM), which is crucial for the operation and sustainability of buildings and infrastructure across the world, covers a wide range of competencies that may vary across regions. Focusing on Sri Lanka and Hong Kong, this study aims to reveal and compare the importance and current competency levels of FM competencies in these regions, based on which appropriate education and training can be formulated to enhance the growth of their FM sectors.

After an extensive literature review, 12 FM competency attributes (CAs) were identified. A questionnaire survey in Sri Lanka and Hong Kong solicited the industry practitioners’ perceived importance and current levels of the CAs. The survey responses, 126 from Sri Lanka and 148 from Hong Kong, were analysed by a modified Importance-Competency Analysis matrix, followed using the Mann−Whitney U test to identify any differences in the responses between the two regions.

Between Sri Lanka and Hong Kong, significant differences were found to exist in the importance and current competency levels of over half of the CAs. Among the CAs requiring priority attention, “operation and maintenance” and “leadership” are the top two in Sri Lanka while the top two in Hong Kong are “technology” and “leadership”.

This study yielded insightful results on the importance of FM competencies and the current competency levels in a developing region and a developed region, which are useful for the development of FM education and research.

This paper explores the experiences and strategies that have emerged from an Islamic university in Brunei Darussalam in its efforts to adapt to the new normal. It aims to provide a comprehensive post COVID-19 teaching and learning strategies framework and understand how the principles of Islam can be harmonised with modern practices, offering valuable lessons for educational institutions worldwide.

The study employed a three-fold methodology. Initially, the authors conducted a comprehensive review of the post-COVID-19 experiences within Islamic universities. Subsequently, they administered a structured questionnaire to academic staff and students at an Islamic university in Brunei, utilising Google survey forms. Based on the insights from the data analysis, strategies were carefully formulated. Ultimately, this informed the development of a framework grounded in the established strategies.

The significant findings from this study include the adoption of “e-Talaqqi” and how this can be related to Maqasid Shariah to produce a conceptual framework of post-COVID-19 strategies adaptable for Islamic Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and how that can be related to Maqasid Shariah in line with the values of Islamic-based universities.

The applicability of the framework developed from data gathered at an Islamic university in Brunei might have certain limitations when extended to other Islamic HEIs. Future research should aim to cover more Islamic HEIs across various countries, thereby strengthening a broader applicability of the framework. Moreover, it is advisable that the developed framework undergoes statistical validation to fortify it.

The study's implications encompass theory, researchers, educators, policymakers, and all stakeholders concerned with the past, present, and future of HEIs, particularly in facilitating the adaptation of post-COVID-19 norms within Islamic HEIs.

This paper holds the potential to significantly benefit society by providing invaluable insights to educators and various sectors, aiding them in enhancing their learning pedagogies.

This study has developed a conceptual framework that offers strategies tailored for Islamic HEIs in the post-COVID-19 era, harmonising with the principles of Islamic-based universities, in alignment with Maqasid Shariah. Consequently, this research serves as a significant contribution to the evolution of new theoretical paradigms because of COVID-19.

This study examines the dynamics of financial institution development among economies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and how volatility in forex-adjusted price of key globally traded, commodities and macroeconomic risk influence such development.

The study is based on data collected from the period starting 2001 to 2019 for relevant variables; and the empirical test was performed using the two-step system generalized method of moments (TSS-GMM) estimation method.

Empirical estimates suggest that volatility in forex-adjusted prices of crude oil and cocoa are inimical to development of financial institutions among economies in the sub-region. On the other hand, volatility in the price of gold is found to have a significant positive effect on development of financial institutions. Additionally, political instability is found to exacerbate the adverse effect of volatility in the price of globally traded commodities on the development of financial institutions in the sub-region.

The study verifies how volatility in forex-adjusted prices of key traded commodities on the global market influence development of financial institutions in the sub-region. Additionally, the study examines the impact of macroeconomic risk, a principal component analysis (PCA) constructed index on the development trajectory of financial institutions. Finally, the authors examine the moderating role of institutional quality and political instability in the relationship in question.

This study aims to explore the factors influencing Muslim behavior toward halal nutraceutical products in Malaysia.

This study used a quantitative survey approach to 400 Muslim respondents in Malaysia who have experience in consuming or purchasing nutraceutical products. The sampling technique used was multistage stratified sampling, and the data was analyzed using structural equation modeling.

This study revealed that perceived safety is the most influential factor contributing to Muslims’ behavior toward halal nutraceutical products in Malaysia, followed by Islamic values, trust, religiosity, maqasid al-Shariah and halal literacy.

This study has only focused on halal nutraceutical products from the perspective of Muslim consumers in Malaysia.

This study contributes to understanding the factors that influence Muslim consumers’ behavior toward halal nutraceutical products by adopting the Social Cognitive Theory and Islamic Theory of Consumer Behavior.

This study examines how CEOs-elect navigate power dynamics with incumbent CEOs during leadership transitions, focusing on their strategic choices – cooperate, defect or disengage – based on perceptions of the incumbent’s behavior.

Using the game theory framework and insights from 22 interviews with executives from large Canadian organizations, we analyze CEOs-elect’s decision-making from nomination to ascension.

CEOs-elect cooperate when they anticipate the incumbent to cooperate and defect when they anticipate defection. When faced with uncertainty or signs of disengagement from the incumbent, CEOs-elect strategically choose to disengage, adopting a “No Play” strategy to preserve board trust and organizational stability.

Findings are based on large Canadian organizations, which may limit applicability to smaller firms, family businesses or different cultural contexts. Future research should examine CEO transitions across diverse organizational and cultural settings.

Boards should recognize proactively manage power struggles during transitions, ensuring support for CEOs-elect and promoting cooperation with incumbents. Understanding perceived incumbent strategies can improve transition planning, minimize conflicts and improve organizational outcomes.

This research introduces “No Play” as a novel strategic option in CEO transitions, contributing to game theory and power dynamics literature. It also bridges gaps in understanding by linking strategic choices of CEOs-elect to perceptions of incumbent behavior and stakeholder trust.

This paper aims to examine a range of factors that may influence the intention of ultra-micro-SMEs in Indonesia in choosing the type of microfinance facilities in the case of getting better offerings.

Drawing from the theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework, religious elements factors include religious leader endorsements, religiosity and Sharia compliance, whereas socially/commercially driven factors include social and rational sociodemographic indicators. Data was obtained from 319 ultra-micro-SMEs in emerging economies such as Indonesia, and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the survey data.

The findings reveal that commercial aspects, as rational variables, have a negative influence on the intention to switch from Islamic to conventional microfinancing. On the contrary, social influence from peers and family positively influences the intention to switch from Islamic to conventional microfinancing. Religious aspects, however, have no influence on the intention to switch or actual switching behavior from Islamic to conventional. Intention to switch was shown to positively influence actual switching behavior as per the prediction of the TPB.

There is a lack of research on the choice or behavior of ultra-micro-SMEs when deciding whether to use Islamic or conventional microfinance. This study enriches the literature by providing empirical evidence on the factors affecting this choice-making.

The present work aims to prepare biocomposites blend based on linear low density polyethylene/ starch without using harmful chemicals to improve the adhesion between two phases. Also, the efficiency of essential oils as green plasticizers and natural antimicrobial agents were evaluated.

Barrier properties and biodegradation behavior of linear low density polyethylene/starch (LLDPE/starch) blends plasticized with different essential oils including moringa oleifera and castor oils wereassessed as a comparison with traditional plasticizer such as glycerol. Biodegradation behavior forLLDPE/starch blends was monitored by soil burial test. The composted samples were recovered then washed followed by drying, and weighting samples after 30, 60, and 90 days to assess the change in weight loss. Also, mechanical properties including retention values of tensile strength and elongation at break were measured before and after composting. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to evaluate the change in the morphology of the polymeric blends. In addition to, the antimicrobial activity of plasticized LLDPE/starch blends films was evaluated using a standard plate counting technique.

The results illustrate that the water vapor transition rate increases from 2.5 g m⁻² 24 h⁻¹ for LLDPE/5starch to 4.21 g m⁻² 24 h⁻¹ and 4.43 g m⁻² 24 h⁻¹ for castor and moringa oleifera respectively. Also, the retained tensile strength values of all blends decrease gradually with increasing composting period. Unplasticized LLDPE/5starch showed highest tensile strength retention of 91.6% compared to the other blends that were 89.61, 88.49 and 86.91 for the plasticized LLDPE/5starch with glycerol, castor and M. oleifera oils respectively. As well as, the presence of essential oils in LLDPE/ starch blends increase the inhibition growth of escherichia coli, candida albicans and staphylococcus aureus.

The objective of this work is to develop cost-effective and environmentally-friendly methods for preparing biodegradable polymers suitable for packaging applications.