Search results

This study aims to focus on the main materials used in consolidation processes of illuminated paper manuscripts and leather binding.

For each material, chemical structure, chemical composition, molecular formula, solubility, advantages, disadvantages and its role in treatment process are presented.

This study concluded that carboxy methyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, nanocrystalline cellulose, funori, sturgeon glue, poly vinyl alcohol, chitosan, chitosan nanoparticles (NPs), gelatin, aquazol, paraloid B72 and hydroxyapatite NPs were the most common and important materials used for the consolidation of illuminated paper manuscripts. For the leather bindings, hydroxy propyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, oligomeric melamine-formaldehyde resin, acrylic wax SC6000, pliantex, paraloid B67 and B72, silicone oil and collagen NPs are the most consolidants used.

Illuminated paper manuscripts with leather binding are considered one of the most important objects in libraries, museums and storehouses. The uncontrolled conditions and other deterioration factors inside the libraries and storehouses lead to degradation of these artifacts. The brittleness, fragility and weakness are considered the most common deterioration aspects of illuminated paper manuscripts and leather binding. Therefore, the consolidation process became vital and important to solve this problem. This study presents the main materials used for consolidation process of illuminated paper manuscripts and leather bindings.

This study aims to investigate the tendency that Malaysian consumers will choose the recombinant collagen-like protein (RCLP) from bacteria as an alternative source of collagen in their consumption and the determinants of the consumer acceptance.

Quantitative approach is adopted in the study. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression are used to analyze primary data collected from a survey.

The likelihood of consumers choosing RCLP as an alternative source of collagen is higher among elderly and females. The choice is significantly influenced by the idea that the collagen should support maqasid al-syariah, approved by national Islamic body, should clear on the ingredients used and could boost local economic activities in the future.

An ethical halal policy should be outlined as the guiding principles to the potential producers of RCLP.

An alternative source of collagen using bacteria as proposed is not yet being introduced in Malaysian industry, and the analysis on probability that consumers will accept this new sourced collagen product is using primary data from survey.

This paper aims to investigate technostress and information and communication technology (ICT) usage among librarians in Nigerian universities.

Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The data generated were analyzed using mean, frequency count and percentage.

A moderate extent of psychological, emotional and physical technostress was found among the librarians. The findings further revealed that technostress among the librarians could be reduced through organizational and technical support and the involvement of librarians in the ICT implementation process. The hypotheses tested revealed that there was a significant relationship between technostress and ICT usage among the librarians; female librarians exhibit a higher extent of technostress than male librarians, and there is no difference in the extent of ICT usage between male and female librarians in Nigerian universities.

Librarians cannot effectively use ICTs if they exhibit technostress.

The work is a creative attempt to know the difference in the extent of technostress and ICT usage among male and female librarians in Nigerian universities.

This study investigates the impact of top management’s networking capabilities on the organizational networking and absorptive capacities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Puerto Rico. This study aims to enhance understanding of how top management influences the networking behaviors that drive SME performance.

Data were collected from Puerto Rican SMEs and analyzed using multi-item reflective indicators on a five-point Likert scale. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses and explore relationships between networking capabilities and absorptive capacities.

The study finds that top management’s networking capabilities are predominantly reactive, significantly impacting information acquisition, opportunity enabling and weak-tie resource mobilization. Both potential and realized absorptive capacities are critical for SMEs to leverage resources for competitive advantage.

Further research is needed to explore how these findings apply to other regions or industries and expand on the role of proactive networking in enhancing SME competitiveness.

The study underscores the importance of refining proactive and reactive networking capabilities to sustain competitive advantage in dynamic environments.

Puerto Rico’s unique economic context, including natural disasters and economic downturns, makes the findings relevant for SMEs in similar regions that rely on strong networks for resilience.

This research contributes to the dynamic capabilities literature by confirming SMEs’ proactive and reactive networking dimensions. It also offers a unique perspective by focusing on Puerto Rican SMEs facing distinct economic and social challenges.

Este estudio investiga el impacto de las capacidades de networking de la alta dirección en las redes organizacionales y las capacidades de absorción de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYMEs) en Puerto Rico. La investigación tiene como objetivo mejorar la comprensión de cómo la alta dirección influye en los comportamientos de networking que impulsan el desempeño de las PYMEs.

Se recopilaron datos de PYMEs puertorriqueñas y se analizaron utilizando indicadores reflexivos de múltiples ítems en una escala Likert de cinco puntos. Se empleó el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales de mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS-SEM) para probar las hipótesis y explorar las relaciones entre las capacidades de networking y las capacidades de absorción.

El estudio encuentra que las capacidades de networking de la alta dirección son predominantemente reactivas, lo que impacta significativamente en la adquisición de información, la habilitación de oportunidades y la movilización de recursos a través de vínculos débiles. Tanto las capacidades de absorción potenciales como las realizadas son fundamentales para que las PYMEs aprovechen los recursos para obtener una ventaja competitiva.

Esta investigación contribuye a la literatura sobre capacidades dinámicas al confirmar las dimensiones proactivas y reactivas de networking en las PYMEs. También ofrece una perspectiva única al centrarse en las PYMEs de Puerto Rico que enfrentan desafíos económicos y sociales particulares.

Se necesita más investigación para explorar cómo estos hallazgos se aplican a otras regiones o industrias y para profundizar en el papel del networking proactivo en la mejora de la competitividad de las PYMEs.

El estudio subraya la importancia de perfeccionar las capacidades de networking proactivas y reactivas para mantener una ventaja competitiva en entornos dinámicos.

El contexto económico único de Puerto Rico, incluidas las catástrofes naturales y las recesiones económicas, hace que los hallazgos sean relevantes para PYMEs en regiones similares que dependen de redes sólidas para su resiliencia.

Este estudo investiga o impacto das capacidades de networking da alta gestão nas redes organizacionais e nas capacidades de absorção das pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs) em Porto Rico. A pesquisa visa melhorar a compreensão de como a alta gestão influencia os comportamentos de networking que impulsionam o desempenho das PMEs.

Os dados foram coletados de PMEs porto-riquenhas e analisados usando indicadores reflexivos de múltiplos itens em uma escala Likert de cinco pontos. Foi utilizado o modelo de equações estruturais de mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS-SEM) para testar as hipóteses e explorar as relações entre as capacidades de networking e as capacidades de absorção.

O estudo conclui que as capacidades de networking da alta gestão são predominantemente reativas, impactando significativamente a aquisição de informações, a habilitação de oportunidades e a mobilização de recursos através de vínculos fracos. Tanto as capacidades de absorção potenciais quanto as realizadas são fundamentais para que as PMEs aproveitem os recursos para obter vantagem competitiva.

Esta pesquisa contribui para a literatura sobre capacidades dinâmicas ao confirmar as dimensões proativas e reativas de networking nas PMEs. Também oferece uma perspectiva única ao focar nas PMEs de Porto Rico, que enfrentam desafios econômicos e sociais distintos.

Mais pesquisas são necessárias para explorar como esses achados se aplicam a outras regiões ou indústrias, além de expandir o papel do networking proativo no aumento da competitividade das PMEs.

O estudo destaca a importância de aperfeiçoar as capacidades de networking proativas e reativas para manter a vantagem competitiva em ambientes dinâmicos.

O contexto econômico único de Porto Rico, incluindo desastres naturais e crises econômicas, torna os achados relevantes para PMEs em regiões semelhantes que dependem de redes sólidas para sua resiliência.

Safety interventions are a crucial component of organizational strategy, which are aimed at mitigating factors that compromise workplace safety. In the construction industry, these interventions are vital owing to the high-risk nature of construction activities. For developing effective safety interventions, the underlying factors that drive the need for these interventions must be understood. This study identifies and analyzes the critical factors driving safety interventions in Thai construction projects, focusing on both situational and organizational factors.

A survey conducted with a questionnaire among medium- to large-sized building contractors in Bangkok and nearby areas garnered 98 project responses. To validate the constructs of reasons for safety interventions and identify critical safety practices, the data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

The results indicate that organizational factors, positively influenced by situational factors, have a direct effect on safety interventions. Successful safety interventions can be obtained by focusing on five key organizational factors: safety as a core value, continuous improvement plans, leadership and management support, safety strategies and policies and safety committees.

These results provide valuable insights for construction site management, providing guidance on improving safety interventions via the effective utilization of these critical factors.

This research paper aims to explore the concerns and determinants of travelers’ behavior toward ChatGPT in the hospitality and tourism context. It also examines the weight of risk factors versus that of motivation and innovation characteristics influencing travelers’ approach behaviors toward ChatGPT.

A cumulative prospect theory was used to determine travelers’ responses to ChatGPT. This study, using a fuzzy-set qualitative approach, explored risk, motivation and innovation factors as determinants of approach behaviors for ChatGPT.

Findings revealed that risk, motivation and innovation factors were the key triggers of approach behaviors for ChatGPT. An intricate combination effect of the perceived risk, motivation and innovation characteristics was found, and the necessary predictors were determined.

The findings of this study will expand our current knowledge and offer practical insights for the development of ChatGPT in the hospitality and tourism sector.

This study makes a significant contribution to the existing literature by providing a nuanced understanding of the intricate interplay between the various factors that shape customer behavior in the context of technology adoption in hospitality and tourism studies.

This study aims to construct comprehensive index of Tahfiz empowerment taking into account various factors such as social, intellectual, physical and religious, as well as economical. According to Maqasid Shariah, Malaysia has to establish a Tahfiz Empowerment Index (TEI) for the implementation of National Tahfiz Education Policy (NTEP) to ensure that Tahfiz institutions assist students’ development in a productive and meaningful way consistent with Islamic values and national educational objectives.

This study proposes the TEI using Maqasid Shariah to offer an organized framework for evaluating and improving the quality and social relevance of Tahfiz institutions. The TEI weaves the five fundamental aims of Maqasid Shariah – preserving religion, protecting life, fostering intellect, preserving lineage and ensuring economic sustainability – into measurable indicators. Comprehensive review of the literature supports the TEI and its using experts, and the TEI assigns equal weightage to each dimension and has provisions to address biases.

The TEI consists of five fundamental aspects: preservation of religion, life, intellect, lineage and economic sustainability. The results imply that systematic way of evaluating and enhancing performance of Tahfiz institution is crucial as the study proves the institution’s importance in the development of its students.

The TEI provides a systematic framework to be used in future empirical research that searches for the operation of Tahfiz institutions and their outcome. Moreover, it serves as a theoretical basis for further research on Islamic education and its alignment with Maqasid Shariah. It also propounds a holistic and inclusive approach encompassing improvement in educational possibilities.

The TEI has useful managerial and policy implications for the improvement of Tahfiz institutions. It can be used as a benchmark whenever the policymaker is in doubt about the quality, safety and equitable distribution of resources in education to achieve Malaysia’s NTEP objectives. The TEI also provides practical, tangible performance indicators for evaluation and benchmarking, resource allocation and strategy planning. It integrates Maqasid Shariah principles, focusing on areas like spiritual and intellectual development, economic sustainability and community engagement.

The TEI as part of Sustainable Development Goals 2030 contributes to social benefits: integrating the principles of Islamic education and human dignity and social welfare. It erases the existing gaps by providing the necessary means through such practices as offering vocational training to underprivileged students, contributes to social responsibility by enhancing mental health and encouraging services to the community, and ultimately improves community involvement through volunteerism and collaborations. Also, TEI directs the distribution of funds toward programs that should benefit underprivileged learners, thus maintain sustainable fund allocation as well as promoting social responsibility as per NTEP objectives.

This study presents a novel index grounded on Maqasid Shariah which is useful for assessing and improving the Tahfiz institutions. It gives a definite and systematic method of evaluating these institutions’ degrees of empowerments to meet all the diverse roles they play in the society.

Cash waqf is a powerful financial instrument that deals with the issue of liquidity constraints in waqf institutions. While there are several models of cash waqf operating in different countries, there is increasing demand for innovative cash waqf models, especially within the financial technology context. This paper aims to propose a practical alternative model of funding for waqf institutions using the concepts of crowdfunding and cash waqf.

This study evaluated the literature relevant to cash waqf models that have been implemented in different countries and proposed a new viable alternative model.

Results offer an alternative financing model, named crowdfunding cash waqf model, for waqf institutions to overcome monetary constraints and enable development projects to be completed.

The current study has important implications for both officials and relevant stakeholders. It is sought to bring better consistency between cash waqf donors, solving the liquidity problem faced by waqf institutions, enhancing the transparency of waqf institutions and their use of waqf funds, wealth circulation and financing businesses without interest-based loans (riba). By incorporating a crowdfunding and investment mechanism in the model, this method of collecting funds will assist governments in reducing their expenditure on waqf institutions and other social development programmes.

The proposed model differs from current methods of generating cash waqf, including those are also internet-based. The proposed model is devised to help waqf institutions achieve financial sustainability by including an investment mechanism in the model to sustain the development of waqf projects.

While extant research has increasingly examined minority entrepreneurs, less attention has been paid to Eastern European immigrant entrepreneurs and the role that marketing agility and risk propensity play in their resilience and survival in Nordic countries. This paper aims to highlight the importance of these factors for Eastern European immigrant entrepreneurs in the developed Nordic economy of Denmark.

This paper adopts the dynamic capabilities view as a theoretical framework and uses a qualitative research approach with interviews as the main data collection method. The empirical sample comprises 12 entrepreneurs originating from Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania, who operate in Denmark.

The findings show that contrary to prior studies that have highlighted a reliance among the migrant entrepreneurial community on ethnic networks as their dominant target market, Eastern European immigrant entrepreneurs located in Denmark, in contrast, focused on attracting Danish consumers as their target market audience. Leveraging multiple networks was therefore found to be critical to the survival of these immigrant ventures. Additionally, the entrepreneurs' marketing agility, underpinned by their optimistic approach, growth ambitions and passion for entrepreneurship, was found to play a pivotal role in their survival. Finally, despite the stable institutional environment in Denmark and the ease of doing business (both of which are influential factors in shaping the risk propensity and risk perception of entrepreneurs), the authors found immigrant entrepreneurs' risk propensity to be rather low, which was contrary to the expectations.

The current paper is one of the first studies that explicitly analyzes the roles of marketing agility and risk propensity in the resilience and survival of the ventures of relatively skilled immigrant entrepreneurs from Eastern Europe in a developed Nordic economy (Denmark). The paper's findings also challenge the notion associated with immigrant entrepreneurial ventures being primarily focused on ethnic customers or enclaves. The paper also specifies the peculiarities of marketing agility in immigrant entrepreneurial contexts and solidifies the importance of diverse networks in immigrant business survival and development.

Measuring the extent of digital inclusion is a complex task. This study aims to monitor existing digital inclusion indices at the national level, compare their consistencies and differences and based on this, develop a more comprehensive measurement framework.

The study selected the existing digital inclusion indices that met the screening criteria through a literature survey. Eight digital inclusion indices were included in the final selection and their measurement methodologies were collected. Thereafter, the study adopted a content analysis method to examine and compare the methodologies of the selected digital inclusion indices, with the coding framework grounded on the literature review.

Results suggest that five dimensions of digital inclusion – Access, Skills, Usage, Acceptance and Impact – were measured. Access is the first priority dimension that all digital inclusion indices pay attention to. Skills and Usage are under-measured by methodological limitations in practical measurement tools. Acceptance and Impact are the least covered dimensions both in academic research and practical measurement. Based on this, we propose three suggestions for developing a more comprehensive global framework: designing from the national lens, using more objective and original data sources and improving the framework and indicators with theory.

The study provides scholars and policymakers in the field of digital inclusion with a reference point to create a more comprehensive measurement framework for digital inclusion.