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Increasing humanitarian disasters and the need for financial support – specifically within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries – has forced global humanitarian agencies to consider alternative funding sources. The victims of disaster and those disadvantaged that remain below the poverty line in much of the OIC countries remain concerned about the source of the funding they receive, based on their beliefs. Furthermore, institutions responsible for managing the funding for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets in their respective countries have also been considering alternative funding. The World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) suggest that the Islamic social finance is largely untapped, with significant potentials for more effective collection and distribution of compulsory alms called zakah and endowments known as waqf within the OIC countries. This chapter assesses the current challenges and opportunities for the Islamic social finance and covers some of the successful cases of the Islamic social finance deployment. The authors review approaches where world-renowned institutions have applied interest-free loans for poverty reduction, banking products for agricultural social financing, the utilization of cross-border social funding for socio-economic development and property management using social finance principles. The authors also assess capital market instruments integrated with the Islamic social finance for managing SDG funding gaps.

Religious education (RE) in Northern Ireland (NI) is taught according to the Core Syllabus produced by representatives of the region’s four main Christian churches and, at primary level, is exclusively Christian in content. In this chapter, the authors apply the lens of epistemic injustice to examine the implications of this given an increasingly diverse society and pupil population. Drawing on a recent study of educational experiences among minority ethnic and migrant groups, the authors suggest that the primary RE curriculum may perpetuate epistemic injustice in three ways: (1) by impeding children from minority faith traditions from sharing their experiences in a way meaningful to their peers; (2) by reducing the resources available to children to make sense of encounters with other religious traditions; and (3) through a lack of appropriate alternative arrangements for pupils whose parents withdraw their children from RE. The authors conclude with recommendations to increase epistemic justice within the primary RE curriculum.

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected market, companies must adapt to the evolving demands of their customers. Therefore, it is essential to examine the impact of online reviews on potential customers' intent to purchase. This study seeks to identify the characteristics of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) that influence a buyer’s intention to purchase goods and services.

We used the snowball sampling method to collect data using a pre-tested survey instrument with a five-point Likert scale. We received 696 usable responses. We conducted assumption tests to ensure that we could use covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) for data analysis. The collected data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to compute the latent variables. We then tested our research hypotheses using CB-SEM.

Eight latent constructs – perceived persuasion, perceived information, image aesthetics, ease_of_experience, eWOM_credibility, eWOM_usefulness and eWOM_adoption – have been identified, which determine the influence of eWOM on purchase intent (PI) for both tangible and experiential products. Though the structural model emerged relatively similar, the constructs had differential impacts on PI for commodities and services. The perceived information quality and source trustworthiness had a greater impact on eWOM credibility in the case of services than in the case of commodities, while image aesthetics played a more crucial role in determining the eWOM credibility for commodities than services. In both cases, credible eWOM was found useful, but a persuasive eWOM influenced its perceived usefulness more in the case of commodities. The likelihood of adopting a useful eWOM and converting it to positive PI is present in the case of both services and commodities, but the impact is much higher in the case of services.

The study has examined the interplay of three theoretical consumer behaviour models: elaboration likelihood model (ELM), stimulus-organism-response model (SOR), and information adoption model (IAM). Thus, it adds to the existing literature on the characteristics of eWOM that influence the PI of online buyers.

This study’s findings demonstrate how eWOM influences consumers' perceptions of the utility of goods and services, impacting their intention to purchase. It also provides valuable insights into marketing and consumer behaviour in the Indian market. Thus, this study assists marketers in adjusting their digital marketing strategies to ensure the effective use of eWOM characteristics to positively influence the PI of the target audience in the Indian market.

This research study examines the relationship between eWOM characteristics and PI for both goods and services sectors. Most existing literature is skewed towards specific service sectors, such as hospitality and health care. A generalised comparative study is what makes this research work unique.

Generative pretrained transformers (GPTs), soaring to one million users at lightning speed, outpaced social media giants (15 times faster) (Buchholz, 2023). Despite this, scant research explored GPT’s impact on the digital entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) of students and tech-savvy generations. This study aims to pioneer a fusion of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), bridging the gap in research.

In this bold quantitative quest, business administration students became fearless participants, engaging in a survey of profound significance. Guided by the mighty powers of G*Power and Stata’s structural equation modeling builder, the intricate relationships within a robust sample of (n = 400) were unraveled.

The mediating power of GPT usefulness and GPT ease of use part of the TAM emerges, paving the way for a future brimming with digital entrepreneurship (DE) boundless possibilities. Predictably, the study found that TPB constructs also affect the EI of students.

This groundbreaking study brings together the powerful combination of TAM and TPB, while pioneering the exploration of GPT models’ mediating role. Its findings offer invaluable contributions to the field of DE and policymakers.

Recent advancements in technology have led to the exploration of solar-based thermal radiation and nanotechnology in the field of fluid dynamics. Solar energy is captured through sunlight absorption, acting as the primary source of heat. Various solar technologies, such as solar water heating and photovoltaic cells, rely on solar energy for heat generation. This study focuses on investigating heat transfer mechanisms by utilizing a hybrid nanofluid within a parabolic trough solar collector (PTSC) to advance research in solar ship technology. The model incorporates multiple effects that are detailed in the formulation.

The mathematical model is transformed using suitable similarity transformations into a system of higher-order nonlinear differential equations. The model was solved by implementing a numerical procedure based on the Wavelets and Chebyshev wavelet method for simulating the outcome.

The velocity profile is reduced by Deborah's number and velocity slip parameter. The Ag-EG nanoparticles mixture demonstrates less smooth fluid flow compared to the significantly smoother fluid flow of the Ag-Fe3O4/EG hybrid nanofluids (HNFs). Additionally, the Ag-Ethylene Glycol nanofluids (NFs) exhibit higher radiative performance compared to the Ag-Fe3O4/Ethylene Glycol hybrid nanofluids (HNFs).

Additionally, the Oldroyd-B hybrid nanofluid demonstrates improved thermal conductivity compared to traditional fluids, making it suitable for use in cooling systems and energy applications in the maritime industry.

The originality of the study lies in the exploration of the thermal transport enhancement in sun-powered energy ships through the incorporation of silver-magnetite hybrid nanoparticles within the heat transfer fluid circulating in parabolic trough solar collectors. This particular aspect has not been thoroughly researched previously. The findings have been validated and provide a highly positive comparison with the research papers.

The study was conducted to understand how the moral identity of employees mediates the relationship between servant leadership and the moral disengagement of employees. Additionally, the study explores whether servant leadership's ability to build the moral identity of employees is contingent upon employees' perception of organizational politics.

The data were collected from 500 service sector-employed knowledge workers. Data analysis was done through structural equation modeling.

The study found servant leadership to be related to the moral identity of employees. Additionally, moral identity and moral disengagement were found to be negatively related. Moral identity was found to mediate the relationship between servant leadership and moral disengagement. Finally, the study found that the relationship between servant leadership and employees' moral identity was contingent upon their perception of organizational politics.

The study explored the previously unexplored mediating role of moral identity linking servant leadership to the moral disengagement of employees. The study also explained how the relationship between servant leadership and the moral identity of employees was contingent upon employees' perception of organizational politics.

This study aims to investigate the impact of gender diversity in top management teams and boards on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. The authors propose a corporate social responsibility (CSR) committee as a moderating variable in this relationship, drawing on resource dependence and legitimacy theories. This study is crucial in understanding the dynamics of gender diversity and its impact on ESG performance in the banking sector.

The study examines a sample of Islamic and conventional banks from 10 Middle Eastern and North African countries during 2008–2022. Initial analysis was conducted using fixed effects panel regression, whereas the robustness test used the generalized method of movement dynamic system.

The findings, which are significant for both conventional and Islamic banks, indicate that female directors are crucial in promoting ESG performance in conventional banks. In contrast, female executives do not appear to contribute significantly. However, for Islamic banks, neither board nor executive gender diversity significantly affects ESG performance. Moreover, the find that the positive moderating role of the CSR committee is significant only for the nexus between board gender diversity and conventional banks’ ESG performance and for the connection between executive gender diversity and Islamic banks’ ESG performance.

Despite the widespread belief that gender diversity in top management teams is pivotal in promoting ESG performance, empirical studies supporting these claims are scarce, particularly in the banking sector. The study, therefore, brings a novel perspective to this discourse. These findings have the potential to significantly assist stakeholders in evaluating how gender diversity in top management teams influences banks’ sustainability practices, thereby empowering them to make more informed and impactful investment decisions.

The study aims to develop a hierarchical model for innovative work behaviour (IWB) that can capture the complex associations among the factors contributing to IWB within the information technology (IT) sector. To accomplish this, the authors rely on an abductive approach using a graph theoretic model, often called interpretive structural modelling (ISM).

After conducting an in-depth literature review and using the Delphi method, the authors identified 12 factors (11 enablers and IWB as an outcome). The authors collected data through the Delphi approach by sending the questionnaire to 11 experts from academia and the IT sector who have extensive experience and knowledge relevant to the study. The authors then used the ISM method to analyse the relationships among these factors and understand their driving forces.

Based on the ISM model and the Matrice d'Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement analysis, the authors have identified that inclusive leadership, proactive personality and knowledge creation ability are the variables with strong driving power but weak dependence. Conversely, IWB has strong dependence but weak driving power. These findings suggest that to foster IWB, the organisation should prioritise inclusive leadership, proactive personality and knowledge-creation ability to succeed in challenging times. The study’s findings contribute to the social exchange theory, which explains IWB in a dynamic setting. Additionally, the study helps address the significant concerns that most IT companies face during times of crisis.

The study provides valuable guidance for managers and policymakers who are grappling with the challenges of improving IWB in the IT sector. This study is particularly relevant as the industry is currently navigating an economic recession and facing intense competition from other tech companies launching new products and services.

This research holds great significance for top executives, line managers and policymakers in the IT industry. It sheds light on the relevance and importance of various factors facilitating millennials' IWB.

Researchers have widely explored and associated corporate social responsibility with firm success. Measuring the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR), service quality, corporate reputation, and brand preference by drawing on the stakeholder theory in healthcare industry and developing countries remains a substantial research gap.

Based on quantitative research and convenience sampling, data for the study were collected from 320 patients who have undergone treatments in 5 different private hospitals in Tehran, Iran. We analyzed the data using the Smart PLS 3.0 structural equation modeling technique.

The survey revealed that service quality and CSR are positively linked with corporate reputation, leading to brand preference in the healthcare sector. In addition, the mediating role of brand reputation in the relationship between corporate social responsibility, service quality and brand preference were confirmed.

The survey was performed in the context of the healthcare industry; however, additional studies are necessary to extrapolate the results to other fields, such as education and food. This research helps guide policymakers, administrators, healthcare managers, and researchers by highlighting the contribution and role of service quality, corporate social responsibility, and corporate reputation in achieving a hospital’s performance.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study also extends research in the diverse literature by examining the relationship between CSR, service quality, corporate reputation, and brand preference by illustrating the stakeholder theory in the context of the healthcare sector.