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1 – 10 of 18Bushra Rafique, Mudassir Iqbal, Tahir Mehmood and Muhammad Ashraf Shaheen
This review aims to focus on recent reported research work on the construction and function of different electrochemical DNA biosensors. It also describes different sensing…
Abstract
Purpose
This review aims to focus on recent reported research work on the construction and function of different electrochemical DNA biosensors. It also describes different sensing materials, chemistries of immobilization probes, conditions of hybridization and principles of transducing and amplification strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
The human disease-related mutated genes or DNA sequence detection at low cost can be verified by the electrochemical-based biosensor. A range of different chemistries is used by the DNA-based electrochemical biosensors, out of which the interactions of nanoscale material with recognition layer and a solid electrode surface are most interesting. A diversity of advancements has been made in the field of electrochemical detection.
Findings
Some important aspects are also highlighted in this review, which can contribute in the creation of successful biosensing devices in the future.
Originality/value
This paper provides an updated review of construction and sensing technologies in the field of biosensing.
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Salman Bashir Memon and Claire Seaman
Women entrepreneurs are considered here as a backbone of economic growth and development. This research is conducted to explain the role of microfinance banks in women's…
Abstract
Women entrepreneurs are considered here as a backbone of economic growth and development. This research is conducted to explain the role of microfinance banks in women's financial, socioeconomic, and political empowerment. The sample was gathered from the customers of microfinance banks operating in the specific areas of Sukkur, Pano Aqil, and Khairpur districts of Sindh province. Women perception about the microfinance bank was found to be positive as they give positive feedback about the banks. According to the findings, limited knowledge about business and financial matters make it highly challenging for women entrepreneurs to start and run business smoothly. However, most of the women are living separate with their husbands, and due to more children, women enjoy freedom of mobility.
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Muhammad Hasan Ashraf, Anis Triki and Mehmet G. Yalcin
This study examines the impact of third-party logistics (3PL) supervisors’ paradoxical leader behavior (PLB) on the relationship between logistics digitalization and 3PL…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the impact of third-party logistics (3PL) supervisors’ paradoxical leader behavior (PLB) on the relationship between logistics digitalization and 3PL blue-collar employee performance. 3PLs often lag in digitalization due to blue-collar employees struggling with learning paradoxes, i.e. the tension between abandoning the known methods in favor of new ones. In such situations, 3PL supervisors play a crucial role in helping their subordinates manage these tensions. By incorporating a paradox theory lens, we propose that 3PL supervisors’ PLB acts as a supportive tool, motivating blue-collar employees to address learning paradoxes, thereby improving their operational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
We conduct a scenario-based behavioral experiment in which participants assume the role of a package sorter in a fictional 3PL hub setting. Participants engage in a custom-designed package sorting game that mimics a real-life hub sorting operation.
Findings
The results indicate that digitalization combined with supervisors’ PLB significantly improves blue-collar employee performance, with the most substantial improvement observed in the high digitalization and high PLB condition than all other conditions.
Originality/value
Our research examines the impact of digitalization on blue-collar employees’ performance through a paradox theory lens. We demonstrate that 3PLs can maximize digitalization benefits by ensuring supervisors exhibit high PLB. Also, we introduce a package sorting game for researchers to conduct experiments related to digitalization and hub operations.
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The purpose of this paper is to systematically review knowledge hiding (KH) behavior in higher education institutions (HEIs). KH is regarded as an unethical and antisocial…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to systematically review knowledge hiding (KH) behavior in higher education institutions (HEIs). KH is regarded as an unethical and antisocial behavior by many scholars, which should not be prevalent in HEIs.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-phase analysis through quantitative scientometric analysis and qualitative systematic literature review method through the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) model was applied. In phase 1,174 articles were analyzed using the VOSviewer through co-word and co-citation analyses. In Phase 2, 20 related studies on KH in HEIs were qualitatively analyzed on the fundamental concept of KH. The main themes were determined based on current research findings, through the identification of relevant gaps in the context of higher education.
Findings
In Phase 1, co-word and co-citation analyses resulted in six and three clusters, respectively. Subsequently, in Phase 2, five themes were discovered: terminology of KH, scale of KH, cultural and geographical context, KH among academics and students and relevant theories. Further, discussion on the institutional factors of individuals, organizations, technology and culture is presented.
Practical implications
This review lays out a practical guide to facilitate HEIs in managing KH behavior among academics, employees, and students. Strategies can be planned and implemented to foster and inculcate knowledge sharing behavior to circulate knowledge while at the same time diminishing KH behavior in HEIs.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to review KH behavior in the context of HEIs through quantitative and qualitative analysis.
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The purpose of this paper is to systematically review knowledge hiding (KH) behaviors in the team context. KH behavior is regarded as unethical and antisocial behavior…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to systematically review knowledge hiding (KH) behaviors in the team context. KH behavior is regarded as unethical and antisocial behavior, detrimental to team development and performance. The nature of its existence should not be allowed in team activities.
Design/methodology/approach
Applying a systematic literature review, this study investigated 39 related quantitative studies on KH behavior of employees in team and group contexts. This study discusses the fundamental concept of KH, analyzes current research findings, identifies relevant gaps in the team and group context and sheds light on future direction.
Findings
Findings observed that the KH phenomena had gained the interest of scholars since the year 2010. Five main research streams identified in this systematic review are role of leadership, team creativity and innovation, underlying theory, multilevel modeling and KH scale.
Research limitations/implications
The value of this paper is subjected to the specific notion of KH in team background where knowledge sharing should have been promoted instead of KH. This systematic review serves as insight and recognition on the importance of mitigating KH in team. Existing current literature, future research work and trends of KH in the organization may benefit from this new and anticipated behavior within the knowledge management field.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this review is the first to review KH behavior in the team context.
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Aisha Aziz, Jawad Iqbal, Muhammad Hamid Murtza, Shahzad Ali Gill and Iqra Yousuf Cheema
The breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments all over the globe to bring radical changes to all walks of life. Strict lockdowns are not only adversely affecting…
Abstract
Purpose
The breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments all over the globe to bring radical changes to all walks of life. Strict lockdowns are not only adversely affecting the social, economic, and psychological wellbeing of individuals but also questioning the sustainability of most businesses. In wake of the current scenario, this study is aimed at exploring how the COVID-19 pandemic is influencing the sustainability of entrepreneurship particularly from a female perspective and further providing insights into the role of Islamic financial institutions in the sustainability of businesses during COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a qualitative study that takes social constructivism approach to study the underlying phenomenon. Semi-structured interviews are conducted to collect primary data. Secondary data are also utilized in this study to theoretically define various concepts relating to entrepreneurial sustainability. The application of thematic analysis revealed various risks associated with sustainability. The interviews reveal the ground realities and tell us about the hardships being faced by the entrepreneurs due to ongoing crises. The participants of the study also shed light on the role of Islamic financial institutions during the pandemic.
Findings
The study results revealed that it may look impossible for women entrepreneurs to halt or avoid the adverse consequences of the pandemic; however, a few female entrepreneurs strived to guard their existing portfolios with the help of Islamic microfinance institutions. Whereas, several women, especially those running home-based businesses, lost their income streams. Despite these rapid challenges, most female entrepreneurs are working on inventive online systems to sustain their business activities during the crisis. Finally, guidelines are suggested which can help achieve sustainability of the entrepreneurial startups.
Research limitations/implications
The outcomes of this study are expedient for funding agencies, government authorities and Islamic financial institutions as well as for non-government institutions to establish sustainable and broader policies for women to become successful entrepreneurs during severe disasters like COVID-19. Moreover, the study is a helpful tool for women entrepreneurs to avert the worst impact of the pandemic with the help of Islamic microfinance institutions. The themes of this study help generate realistic information to appraise the strategies to create facilitating business environments that drive the women to carry out the entrepreneurial activity during any crisis like the COVID-19.
Practical implications
The results of this study provide evidence that crisis can be anticipated up to some extent if entrepreneurs become able to take proactive decisions in case of expected or identifiable threats. The study may also help the women entrepreneurs to comprehend the serious consequences of the pandemic by shifting their mode of financing to Islamic finance. Although this pandemic is a cause of physical discomfort instead this research may encourage the female entrepreneurs not to lose heart, just find the potential opportunities for their home-based and small businesses and manage funding from the Islamic microfinance institutions.
Originality/value
The study adds to the existing literature on entrepreneurial sustainability with a particular focus on the role of Islamic microfinance institutions for women entrepreneurs' sustainability in Pakistan. Secondly, the study employs the entrepreneurial sustainability model (ESM) that, according to the best of our knowledge, has not been used by the researchers earlier to study the given research phenomenon. Thirdly, the study findings are expedient for funding agencies, government authorities and financial institutions as well as for non-government institutions to establish sustainable and broader policies for women to become successful entrepreneurs during disasters like COVID-19.
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Fehid Ishtiaq, R. Ellahi, M.M. Bhatti and Sadiq M. Sait
Cilia serves numerous biological functions in the human body. Malfunctioning of nonmotile or motile cilia will have different kinds of consequences for human health. More…
Abstract
Purpose
Cilia serves numerous biological functions in the human body. Malfunctioning of nonmotile or motile cilia will have different kinds of consequences for human health. More specifically, the directed and rhythmic beat of motile cilia facilitates the unidirectional flow of fluids that are crucial in both homeostasis and the development of ciliated tissues. In cilia-dependent hydrodynamic flows, tapering geometries look a lot like the structure of biological pathways and vessels, like airways and lymphatic vessels. In this paper, the Carreau fluid model through the cilia-assisted tapered channel (asymmetric) under the influence of induced magnetic field and convective heat transfer is investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
Lubrication theory is a key player in the mathematical formulation of momentum, magnetic field and energy equations. The formulated nonlinear and coupled differential equations are solved with the aid of the homotopy perturbation method (HPM). The graphical results are illustrated with the help of the computational software “Mathematica.”
Findings
The impact of diverse emerging physical parameters on velocity, induced magnetic field, pressure rise, current density and temperature profiles is presented graphically. It is observed that the cilia length parameter supported the velocity and current density profiles, while the Hartman number and Weissenberg number were opposed. A promising effect of emerging parameters on streamlines is also perceived.
Originality/value
The study provides novel aspects of cilia-driven induced magnetohydrodynamics flow of Carreau fluid under the influence of induced magnetic field and convective heat transfer through the asymmetric tapered channel.
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Ahmed M. Galal, Muhammad Zeemam, Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Abdul Basit, Madeeha Tahir, Saima Akram and Jihad Younis
Nanofluids are used in technology, engineering processes and thermal exchanges. In thermal transfer processing, these are used for the smooth transportation of heat and mass…
Abstract
Purpose
Nanofluids are used in technology, engineering processes and thermal exchanges. In thermal transfer processing, these are used for the smooth transportation of heat and mass through various mechanisms. In the current investigation, we have examined multiple effects like activation energy thermal radiation, magnetic field, external heat source and especially slippery effects on a bioconvective Casson nanofluid flow through a stretching cylinder.
Design/methodology/approach
Several studies used non-Newtonian fluid models to study blood flow in the cardiovascular system. In our research, Lewis numbers for bioconvection and the influence of important parameters, such as Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis effects, are also considered. This system is developed as a partial differential equation for the mathematical treatment. Well-defined similarity transformations convert partial differential equation systems into ordinary differential equations. The resultant system is then numerically solved using the bvp4c built-in function of MATLAB.
Findings
After utilizing the numerical approach to the system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), the results are generated in the form of graphs and tables. These generated results show a suitable accuracy rate compared to the previous results. The consequence of various parameters under the assumed boundary conditions on the temperature, motile microorganisms, concentration and velocity profiles are discussed in detail. The velocity profile decreases as the Magnetic and Reynolds number increases. The temperature profile exhibits increasing behavior for the Brownian motion and thermal radiation count augmentation. The concentration profile decreased on greater inputs of the Schmidt number and magnetic effect. The density of motile microorganisms decreases for the increased value of the bio-convective Lewis number.
Originality/value
The numerical analysis of the flow problem is addressed using graphical results and tabular data; our reported results are refined and novel based on available literature. This method is useful for addressing such fluidic flow efficiently.
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Reuel Johnmark Dakung, Robin Bell, Laura Aseru Orobia, Kasmwakat Reuel Dakung and Lemun Nuhu Yatu
This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurial passion, entrepreneurial support programs and entrepreneurial intention, and the moderating role of entrepreneurial…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurial passion, entrepreneurial support programs and entrepreneurial intention, and the moderating role of entrepreneurial support programs in the relationship between entrepreneurial passion and entrepreneurial intention, among students with physical disabilities in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a closed-ended questionnaire survey, composed of previously validated scales, to sample 209 students with physical disabilities at tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Hierarchal regression was performed to assess the relationships between the variables and test the hypotheses.
Findings
Both entrepreneurial passion and entrepreneurial support programs were found to be significantly positively related to entrepreneurial intention, and entrepreneurial support programs also moderated the relationship between entrepreneurial passion and entrepreneurial intention.
Research limitations/implications
This research paper identifies that developing entrepreneurial passion and providing accessible and inclusive entrepreneurial support programs are valuable in supporting and facilitating a passage into entrepreneurship for those with disabilities.
Originality/value
This research paper addresses calls for further understanding of how those with disabilities can be supported into entrepreneurship, by identifying supporting factors. The research paper provides further understanding of the entrepreneurial passion and intention nexus by exploring the relationship within those with a physical disability, where significant barriers exist and within a developing country context where entrepreneurship might be a necessity rather than driven by passion.
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Muhammad Waseem Bari, Misbah Ghaffar and Bashir Ahmad
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between knowledge-hiding behaviors (evasive hiding, playing dumb and rationalized hiding) and employees’ silence…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between knowledge-hiding behaviors (evasive hiding, playing dumb and rationalized hiding) and employees’ silence (defensive silence, relational silence and ineffectual silence). Besides, this paper investigates the relation mediated by psychological contract breach.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected with three-time lags (40 days each) through a structured questionnaire from 389 employees of registered software houses in Pakistan. The structural equation modeling (partial least squares) approach is used for data analysis.
Findings
The findings of this study confirm that knowledge-hiding behaviors have a significant and positive relationship with employees’ silence, and psychological contract breach significantly mediates the relationship between knowledge-hiding behaviors and employees’ silence.
Practical implications
The implications of this study are very supportive to the knowledge-intensive organizations, i.e. software houses. The management should increase the knowledge sharing and trust culture among employees to discourage the knowledge-hiding behaviors among employees. Moreover, supervisors should develop trust among employees, motivate them to avoid knowledge hiding and encourage the employees to raise their voices against their problems in a formal way.
Originality/value
The present study highlights the impact of different dimensions of knowledge hiding on employees’ silence and the role of psychological contract breach as a mediator in this scenario.
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