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Article
Publication date: 5 January 2015

A.E. Okoronkwo, S.J. Olusegun and O.O. Oluwasina

The purpose of this investigation was to study the inhibitive action and adsorption potential of chitosan extracted from Archachatina marginata snail shells on the corrosion of…

216

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this investigation was to study the inhibitive action and adsorption potential of chitosan extracted from Archachatina marginata snail shells on the corrosion of plain carbon (mild) steel in acid media.

Design/methodology/approach

Weight loss and thermometric methods were used during this investigation. Characterization of the obtained chitosan was accomplished with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The effects of parameters influencing the inhibition process (concentration and temperature) were evaluated, and the sorption isotherms and thermodynamic parameters were derived.

Findings

The results obtained showed that chitosan has good inhibition potential with an efficiency of 93.2 per cent. The inhibition efficiency decreased with an increase in temperature but increased with increasing concentration of chitosan. Test results best fitted the Langmuir Isotherm with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.999. The thermodynamic parameters studied reveal that the adsorption of chitosan on the surface of mild steel is spontaneous.

Originality/value

The paper fulfills an identified need in finding solutions to the problems of metal corrosion using agricultural wastes.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 62 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

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Article
Publication date: 6 March 2017

Santiago Flores Merino, Juan José Caprari, Luis Vasquez Torres, Luis Figueroa Ramos and Antonella Hadzich Girola

The purpose of this paper is to study the ability of commercial tara powder to convert rust into iron tannate and evaluate their use as raw material for the formulation of water…

322

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the ability of commercial tara powder to convert rust into iron tannate and evaluate their use as raw material for the formulation of water based rust converter.

Design/methodology/approach

Water-borne acrylic primers were formulated with tara powder and aqueous tara extract and applied on steel rusted by three different methods. The conversion of rusted steel by tara tannins was studied by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The acrylic primers, containing hydrolysable tannins, were coated with alkyd finish and were evaluated in comparison to commercial systems in accelerated corrosion tests. The corrosion inhibition effects of tara powder on mild steel in 0.1M NaCl were studied by DC electrochemical techniques.

Findings

Tara tannin converts rust to ferric tannate and increases the magnetite content of rusted steel. The water-based acrylic primer formulated with aqueous extract of tara, alkyd-coated finish, showed performance equivalent to pure alkyd system.

Research limitations/implications

The chlorides content in the commercial tara powder can be screened the beneficial effect of hydrolysable tannins to convert rust. Furthermore, the water-based rust converter formulated with acrylic resin may be sensitive to salt contamination of rust.

Originality/value

Hydrolysable tannins from commercial tara powder have not been studied yet in its application to the development of rust converters. A water-based primer formulated with commercial tara powder developed for the effective treatment of rusted surfaces can be of interest as an environmentally friendly to current commercial approaches.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 64 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

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Book part
Publication date: 9 December 2024

Choon Sen Seah, Yin Xia Loh, Mohammad Falahat, Wing Son Loh and Ahmad Najmi Amerhaider Nuar

The exponential rise of digital payments has underscored the critical importance of digital payment security, particularly in payment gateway systems. This chapter delves into the…

Abstract

The exponential rise of digital payments has underscored the critical importance of digital payment security, particularly in payment gateway systems. This chapter delves into the vulnerabilities within these systems and proposes a comprehensive security enhancement framework to address them. Recent security breaches, such as those at SONY and Ontario’s birth registry, have emphasised the urgent need for improved protective measures. The proposed framework integrates advanced technologies like data encryption, next-generation firewalls (NGFWs), unified threat management (UTM), network traffic analysis, and multi-factor authentication (MFA). It aims not only to defend against current cyber threats but also to remain adaptable to future vulnerabilities, ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of transactional data. Moreover, aligning with regulatory standards such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is crucial for building trust and ensuring security in the digital transaction ecosystem. This chapter also highlights the importance of balancing security measures with user experience and advocates for user education and user-centric security solutions. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are proposed for real-time fraud detection and maintaining immutable transaction records, offering innovative solutions to contemporary security challenges. Empirical analysis supports the efficacy of the proposed framework, showing improvements in data loss prevention, user satisfaction, and fraud mitigation. This framework, termed ‘Guardians of Trust’, represents a paradigm shift in payment gateway security, providing a scalable and forward-looking model that balances robust security protocols with user experience and compliance considerations. This chapter contributes significantly to the academic discourse on digital payment security.

Details

Augmenting Retail Reality, Part A: Blockchain, AR, VR, and the Internet of Things
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83608-635-2

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Article
Publication date: 9 October 2019

Taghrid Saleh Suifan, Salah Alhyari and Rateb J. Sweis

Teamwork is important for firms’ innovation and effectiveness, but often within-team conflicts arise. Prior literature reported inconsistent associations between conflict and team…

1507

Abstract

Purpose

Teamwork is important for firms’ innovation and effectiveness, but often within-team conflicts arise. Prior literature reported inconsistent associations between conflict and team outcomes. This study aims to clarify these relationships and examine if team reflexivity improves outcomes and weakens intragroup conflict tendencies.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a survey questionnaire of 288 team members working on projects at 41 different high-tech firms in Jordan. The authors then built a model of intragroup conflict effects and used structural equation modeling to test for both direct and indirect effects.

Findings

Indirect effects of intragroup conflict were significantly associated with teamwork quality. Teamwork quality was also significantly related to improved team outcomes, and team reflexivity moderated this relationship. Furthermore, it was found that the direct effect of intragroup conflict was not significantly related to either teamwork quality or effectiveness. Finally, results supported the idea that some conflict is required for teams to remain viable, self-critical and innovative.

Research limitations/implications

This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a single country and business industry, which limits the generalizability of results.

Practical implications

Team leaders should use reflexivity to create a sense of openness for collaborative interaction to improve group performance and member satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study provides a verified model to determine the circumstances in which conflict benefits team innovation and effectiveness. A central study contribution is that reflexivity reduces the negative impact of intragroup conflict.

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 1996

Dave Crick and Shiv Chaudhry

Although a large body of literature exists on the export activities of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), once a criterion for determining the size of firm has been…

949

Abstract

Although a large body of literature exists on the export activities of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), once a criterion for determining the size of firm has been established, e.g. number of employees, there has been a tendency for studies to categorize these firms as homogeneous. This has meant that subsequent quantitative analysis has frequently treated SMEs in aggregate terms without exploring their background characteristics further and therefore these studies are potentially constrained by the limited categorization of the constructs in the research. Addresses the gap in the literature by discussing comparative empirical results from a study which explores differences between SMEs based on the ethnic origin of the owners of the firms. Provides comparative empirical evidence of the export marketing practices of Asian and indigenous (white) SMEs in the UK clothing industry. Claims the results provide a foundation on which future academic work can build in addition to offering managers and policy makers a comparative insight into particular aspects of the behaviour of these firms.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

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Article
Publication date: 11 September 2017

Saheed Adewale Omoniyi, Michael Ayodele Idowu, Abiodun Aderoju Adeola and Adekunle Ayodeji Folorunso

This paper aims to review the chemical composition and industrial benefits of oil extracted from dikanut kernels.

114

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the chemical composition and industrial benefits of oil extracted from dikanut kernels.

Design/methodology/approach

Several literatures on chemical composition of dikanut kernels, methods of oil extraction from dikanut kernels and chemical composition of oil extracted from dikanut kernels were critically reviewed.

Findings

The review showed that proximate composition of dikanut kernels ranged from 2.10 to 11.90 per cent, 7.70 to 9.24 per cent, 51.32 to 70.80 per cent, 0.86 to 10.23 per cent, 2.26 to 6.80 per cent and 10.72 to 26.02 per cent for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash and carbohydrate contents, respectively. The methods of oil extraction from dikanut kernels include soxhlet extraction method, novel extraction method, enzymatic extraction method and pressing method. The quality attributes of dikanut kernel oil ranged from 1.59 to 4.70 g/100g, 0.50 to 2.67 meq/Kg, 4.30 to 13.40 g/100g, 187.90 to 256.50 mg KOH/g and 3.18 to 12.94 mg KOH/g for free fatty acid, peroxide value, iodine value, saponification value and acid value, respectively. Also, the percentage compositions of oleic, myristic, stearic, linolenic, palmitic, lauric, saturated fatty acids, monosaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids ranging from 0.00 to 6.90, 20.50 to 61.68, 0.80 to 11.40, 0.27 to 6.40, 5.06 to 10.30, 27.63 to 40.70, 97.45 to 98.73, 1.82 to 2.12 and 0.27 to 0.49 respectively. The results showed that dikanut kernels has appreciable amount of protein, carbohydrate and high level of fat content while oil extracted from dikanut kernels have high saponification value, high myristic acid and high lauric acid.

Research limitations/implications

There are scanty information/published works on industrial products made from oil extracted from dikanut kernels.

Practical implications

The review helps in identifying different methods of extraction of oil from dikanut kernels apart from popular soxhlet extraction method (uses of organic solvent). Also, it helps to identify the domestic and industrial benefits of oil extracted from dikanut kernels.

Originality/value

The review showed that oil extracted from dikanut kernels could be useful as food additive, flavour ingredient, coating fresh citrus fruits and in the manufacture of margarine, oil creams, cooking oil, defoaming agent, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 47 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

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Article
Publication date: 12 March 2021

Augustina Chiwuzie and Daniel Ibrahim Dabara

Cost of construction of residential properties as well as its subsequent rent trends remain a major challenge to stakeholders in the property rental markets of emerging economies…

399

Abstract

Purpose

Cost of construction of residential properties as well as its subsequent rent trends remain a major challenge to stakeholders in the property rental markets of emerging economies. This study examined the relationship between housing construction costs and house rents fluctuations in Osogbo, Nigeria, to provide information for informed investment decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a survey, where three sets of questionnaires were administered on building contractors; estate surveyors and valuers and private residential property owners. The data required comprise the estimated average construction costs and average market rents for two and three-bedroom bungalows in the study area from 2008 to 2018. These data were respectively sourced from all the 15 firms of building contractors and 25 firms of estate surveyors and valuers in Osogbo, Nigeria. Stratified random sampling was employed to select 180 property owners from three medium-density residential districts of Osogbo. Secondary data on macroeconomic variables were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools.

Findings

The authors found a significant positive relationship (0.749) between construction costs and house rents trends; both variables maintained ascending trends. Construction costs and house rents inflation rates exhibited random fluctuations with the former having a higher mean inflation rate (10.47%). However, the difference was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.317 > 0.05). Respondents identified consumer price index (CPI) inflation among other macroeconomic variables as the strongest predictor of both construction costs and house rents fluctuations. However, evidence from further analysis of the time series suggested otherwise.

Practical implications

The result confirms construction cost as one of the vital supply factors of the housing market, which is often pass through to house rents. The positive relationship between construction costs and house rents trends should trigger new development which, will, in turn, allow rental housing investments to expand into new areas with prospects for profits that could be earned by domestic and foreign investors.

Originality/value

This study to the best knowledge of the researchers is the first to relate housing construction cost to house rent in Osogbo, Nigeria; thereby adding to the body of knowledge in this field.

Details

Property Management, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 19 September 2020

Matt Fossey, Lauren Godier-McBard, Elspeth A. Guthrie, Jenny Hewison, Peter Trigwell, Chris J. Smith and Allan O. House

The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges that are experienced by staff responsible for commissioning liaison psychiatry services and to establish if these are shared…

1741

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges that are experienced by staff responsible for commissioning liaison psychiatry services and to establish if these are shared by other health professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed-methods design, the findings from a mental health commissioner workshop (n = 12) were used to construct a survey that was distributed to health care professionals using an opportunistic framework (n = 98).

Findings

Four key themes emerged from the workshop, which was tested using the survey. The importance of secure funding; a better understanding of health care systems and pathways; partnership working and co-production and; access to mental health clinical information in general hospitals. There was broad convergence between commissioners, mental health clinicians and managers, except in relation to gathering and sharing of data. This suggests that poor communication between professionals is of concern.

Research limitations/implications

There were a small number of survey respondents (n = 98). The sampling used an opportunistic framework that targeted commissioner and clinician forums. Using an opportunistic framework, the sample may not be representative. Additionally, multiple pairwise comparisons were conducted during the analysis of the survey responses, increasing the risk that significant results were found by chance.

Practical implications

A number of steps were identified that could be applied in practice. These mainly related to the importance of collecting and communicating data and co-production with commissioners in the design, development and monitoring of liaison psychiatry services.

Originality/value

This is the first study that has specifically considered the challenges associated with the commissioning of liaison psychiatry services.

Details

Mental Health Review Journal, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-9322

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Article
Publication date: 29 January 2024

Prakash Shrestha, Dilip Parajuli and Bibek Raj Adhikari

This paper aims to examine the current quality of work-life (QWL) situation and the effectiveness of labor laws for promoting QWL in the context of Nepalese workplaces.

200

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the current quality of work-life (QWL) situation and the effectiveness of labor laws for promoting QWL in the context of Nepalese workplaces.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses a descriptive-interpretative-qualitative approach to analyze the responses. Information is gathered through discussions with 85 higher- and middle-level managers of large and medium-sized organizations.

Findings

The majority of Nepalese organizations accept safe and healthy working conditions, social relevance of work-life, social integration in the work organization, and work and total life space as the key aspects of QWL. They have become even more critical as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they face challenges in providing employees with opportunities for continued growth and security, immediate opportunity to use and develop human capacities, adequate and fair compensation and constitutionalism in the work organization. QWL-related provisions in Labour Act, 2017, play a vital role in promoting the QWL situation. The QWL programs offer many benefits to employees’ private and working lives. The lack of such programs would undoubtedly have negative consequences for Nepalese companies. Compliance with labor laws will promote a better QWL situation at Nepalese workplaces.

Research limitations/implications

Only managerial perspectives are considered for examining the current situation of QWL and the effectiveness of QWL-related provisions of the Labour Act, 2017. It excludes the views of union leaders.

Practical implications

This paper indicates that labor laws’ QWL-related provisions are effective. It also provides several policy measures for promoting a better QWL in Nepalese workplaces.

Originality/value

This study presents QWL-related legal provisions and the actual situation at the workplaces of Nepal. It also presents the key aspects of QWL in the context of Nepal.

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 66 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

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Article
Publication date: 1 November 2003

Shiv Chaudhry and Dave Crick

This paper investigates the importance of cultural factors within ethnic minority‐owned firms’ business practices. In doing so, it provides a contribution to the growing body of…

2253

Abstract

This paper investigates the importance of cultural factors within ethnic minority‐owned firms’ business practices. In doing so, it provides a contribution to the growing body of knowledge at the marketing/entrepreneurship interface and reports specifically on an empirical investigation into the retail marketing practices within a sample of Asian‐owned small firms operating in the UK. The findings from 20 in‐depth personal interviews provide an insight into the practices of ethnic minority‐owned retail businesses indicating that factors associated with key decision makers together with cultural networks, balanced against resource constraints, had a major impact on firms’ operations. Strategies used by the firms in order to enable them to survive in a competitive environment are identified and these contribute to knowledge by questioning the relevance of “break‐out theory” to ethnic minority‐owned firms.

Details

Marketing Intelligence & Planning, vol. 21 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-4503

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