Omar Mubin, Mauricio Novoa and Abdullah Al Mahmud
This paper narrates a case study on design thinking-based education work in an industrial design honours program. Student projects were developed in a multi-disciplinary setting…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper narrates a case study on design thinking-based education work in an industrial design honours program. Student projects were developed in a multi-disciplinary setting across a Computing and Engineering faculty that allowed promoting technologically and user-driven innovation strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
A renewed culture and environment for industrial design (ID) students emphasised seeking functionality and fidelity, user and society value over beauty and form factors alone. The pedagogical approach sought to determine the new industrial products reality with an increasing contribution by design thinking, and its associated methodologies that are currently advancing typical ID.
Findings
In conclusion, the authors propose a number of reflections as recommendations, which may be useful for educational institutions contemplating similar curriculum makeovers to their design degrees.
Originality/value
Our research provides valuable lessons to other design courses that wish to invigorate their curriculum with technical and design thinking-based advances.
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Sani Reuben Akoh, Ming Sun, Stephen Ogunlana and Abba Tahir Mahmud
Construction projects, and particularly highway infrastructures, are known to be major contributors to the socio-economic growth of developing countries. However, these types of…
Abstract
Purpose
Construction projects, and particularly highway infrastructures, are known to be major contributors to the socio-economic growth of developing countries. However, these types of projects are infamous for being highly risky due to the interplay of numerous risk factors. This study aims to explore the key risk factors impacting on the performance of highway infrastructure projects in Nigeria from the contextual viewpoint of key industry stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative data was collected using semi-structured interviews. Specifically, 17 in-depth expert interviews were conducted with experienced stakeholders in the highway sector of the Nigerian construction industry. The collected data was transcribed and analysed using an established coding framework (grounded on case study approach, principles of thematic analysis and saliency analysis).
Findings
Overall, 17 key risks were identified from the data analysis process, and 6 risks were recognised as the most significant, based on the combination of prevalence of occurrence and significance of the coded information. The six top risks were: change in government, corruption, cost of construction materials, inflation, project funding issues and construction project delay. However, the first two of these risks (change in government and corruption) are politically related, which is specific and unique to the setting of Nigeria and thus might be seen as discouraging indicators that could have an impact on attracting foreign investors/contractors to Nigeria.
Originality/value
The study addressed the gap related with identifying context-specific risk factors impeding the performance of highway projects in Nigeria from the viewpoints of industry experts. It is expected that the findings will provide a better insight into the various risk factors and thus aid relevant policymakers to provide context-specific mitigating strategies.
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Haruna Babatunde Jaiyeoba, Abideen Adeyemi Adewale and Mahmud Oluwaseyi Quadry
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) using data collected from stakeholders in Malaysia. While…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) using data collected from stakeholders in Malaysia. While Islamic scholars have developed the Islamic CSR from the Qur’anic verses, the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and from the western ideologies, the focus of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of the developed Islamic CSR practices.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative research design was adopted for this study. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and other analyses are performed on the data collected from 193 stakeholders in Malaysia.
Findings
Based on the data collected and analyzed, the results show that stakeholders view the Malaysian Islamic banks’ CSRs as effective.
Research limitations/implications
This study investigates the effectiveness of Malaysian Islamic banks’ CSR based on the survey data collected. However, future studies could explore this in greater depth using mixed methods.
Practical implications
The research findings have great implications for researchers. Since this study is among the few research studies that investigate the effectiveness of Islamic CSR, the researchers have paved ways for further investigation in this area. In addition, the study encourages the Malaysian Islamic banks and other Islamic financial institutions to contribute more to the society.
Originality/value
The study examines the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ CSR and contributes to the growing discussions on the Islamic CSR. The study has opened up this area for further investigations by other researchers.
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Mahmud Akhter Shareef, Yogesh K. Dwivedi, Vinod Kumar, Gareth Davies, Nripendra Rana and Abdullah Baabdullah
The purpose of this paper is to understand the integrated impact of the application of protection measures against identity theft on consumers’ synergistic perception of trust…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the integrated impact of the application of protection measures against identity theft on consumers’ synergistic perception of trust, the cost of products/services and operational performance (OP) – all of which in turn is postulated to contribute to purchase intention (PI) when shopping online.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to accomplish the specified aim, this study first conducted an experiment by involving the students from a university in Bangladesh. Then a survey was conducted to capture their opinion based on the previous experiment.
Findings
The study identified that in e-commerce, OP and trust have potential impact on pursuing consumers’ PI. Traditionally, price is always an issue in marketing; however, for e-commerce, this issue does not have direct impact on PI.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation of this study is that a less established e-commerce example was utilized to conduct the experiment and survey for validating the model. Also, the study was conducted only in the context of Bangladesh and a student sample was utilized. Future studies can test the model in different contexts (particularly to verify the impact of privacy) by utilizing data from consumers.
Practical implications
This study has resolved a controversial issue by generating clear guidelines that the overall conjoint effect of OP, trust, and price on PI is neither negative nor neutral. Synergistically, the application of these controlling tools of identity theft can substantially enhance consumers’ trust, which is the single most predictor to pursue consumer PI.
Originality/value
This study has provided in-depth insight into the impact of different controlling measures in e-commerce PI. Practitioners have potential learning from this study that if consumers find the application of different controlling mechanisms against cybercrimes, particularly identity theft, enhancing the reliability, authenticity and security of transactions in this virtual medium, they do not mind paying a higher price. Such insights have not been provided by existing studies on this topic. Developing trust on e-commerce purchase is the driving force, not the price.
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Mohammadhossein Hajiyan, Shohel Mahmud, Mohammad Biglarbegian, Hussein A. Abdullah and A. Chamkha
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the convective heat transfer of magnetic nanofluid (MNF) inside a square enclosure under uniform magnetic fields considering…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the convective heat transfer of magnetic nanofluid (MNF) inside a square enclosure under uniform magnetic fields considering nonlinearity of magnetic field-dependent thermal conductivity.
Design/methodology/approach
The properties of the MNF (Fe3O4+kerosene) were described by polynomial functions of magnetic field-dependent thermal conductivity. The effect of the transverse magnetic field (0 < H < 105), Hartmann Number (0 < Ha < 60), Rayleigh number (10 <Ra <105) and the solid volume fraction (0 < φ < 4.7%) on the heat transfer performance inside the enclosed space was examined. Continuity, momentum and energy equations were solved using the finite element method.
Findings
The results show that the Nusselt number increases when the Rayleigh number increases. In contrast, the convective heat transfer rate decreases when the Hartmann number increases due to the strong magnetic field which suppresses the buoyancy force. Also, a significant improvement in the heat transfer rate is observed when the magnetic field is applied and φ = 4.7% (I = 11.90%, I = 16.73%, I = 10.07% and I = 12.70%).
Research limitations/implications
The present numerical study was carried out for a steady, laminar and two-dimensional flow inside the square enclosure. Also, properties of the MNF are assumed to be constant (except thermal conductivity) under magnetic field.
Practical implications
The results can be used in thermal storage and cooling of electronic devices such as lithium-ion batteries during charging and discharging processes.
Originality/value
The accuracy of results and heat transfer enhancement having magnetic field-field-dependent thermal conductivity are noticeable. The results can be used for different applications to improve the heat transfer rate and enhance the efficiency of a system.
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Eijaz Ahmed Khan, Md. Maruf Hossan Chowdhury, Mohammad Alamgir Hossain, A.K.M. Shakil Mahmud, Abdullah M. Baabdullah and Yogesh K. Dwivedi
Society's concerns about environmental degradation have tightened competitive pressure and brought new challenges to small firms. Against this backdrop, this study develops a…
Abstract
Purpose
Society's concerns about environmental degradation have tightened competitive pressure and brought new challenges to small firms. Against this backdrop, this study develops a decision model to determine a suitable configuration for entrepreneurial orientation to help small firms manage circular economy challenges and improve their performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a multi-study and multi-method approach. Study 1, through qualitative in-depth interviews, identified a portfolio of circular economy challenges and entrepreneurial-orientation components. Study 2 applied the quality function deployment technique to determine the most important components of entrepreneurial orientation. Study 3 adopted a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to determine the best configuration for challenges and components.
Findings
The findings reveal a set of challenges and identify the salient need to combine the negation of these challenges with the components of entrepreneurial orientation; this combination will improve the performance of small firms. The research extends the current knowledge of managing circular economy challenges and offers decision-makers insights into improving their resilience.
Originality/value
The use of the dynamic capability view, together with the multi-study and multi-method approach, may lead to an appropriate reconfiguration of entrepreneurial orientation, which, to date, has received limited empirical attention in the small-business-management discipline.
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Munawwaruzzaman Mahmud, Muhammad Hisyam Hassan and Nur Fathin Khairul Anuar
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the issue of bayʿ wa salaf (the combination of sale and loan contracts in a single arrangement) from the Sharīʿah perspective. Based on the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the issue of bayʿ wa salaf (the combination of sale and loan contracts in a single arrangement) from the Sharīʿah perspective. Based on the Sharīʿah findings on the issue, the paper examines the existing Islamic banking products and services that use these two specific contracts to determine whether the current practice is in line with Sharīʿah.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses the qualitative method by reviewing and analyzing relevant literature and operational structures to comprehend the issues pertaining to bayʿ (sale) and salaf (loan). It then provides Sharīʿah parameters for bayʿ wa salaf before applying them in assessing some existing Islamic banking products and practices. Subsequently, the compliance status of the banking operations that use these contracts in a specific product structure can be ascertained.
Findings
The paper finds that the bayʿ wa salaf arrangement in the existing Islamic banking products and services, as elaborated in the paper, does not fall under the prohibited category. This deduction is made in accordance with the parameters derived from jurists’ discussion on the issue of bayʿ wa salaf. It also takes into consideration other factors influencing the existence of such arrangements.
Research limitations/implications
This conceptual research highlights the jurists’ discussion on the issue of bayʿ wa salaf and the compliance status of the current products and services that use the contracts in a single arrangement (specifically in the case of Malaysia) without discussing other possible structures that can be applied as an alternative to the bayʿ wa salaf arrangement.
Practical implications
Thorough understanding of the issue can strengthen the industry’s confidence in executing operations that conform to Sharīʿah principles.
Originality/value
The paper provides comprehensive deliberation on the ruling of bayʿ wa salaf from various schools of thought and exhaustive elaboration on existing Islamic banking products that apply bayʿ wa salaf in their structures. This contributes in reinforcing the stakeholders’ confidence in the operations of Islamic banking and finance.
Details
Keywords
M. Mahruf C. Shohel, Md. Ashrafuzzaman, Arif Mahmud, Farhan Azim and Md. Shahadat Hossain Khan
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically transformed higher education policy and practices across the globe, including Bangladesh. Higher education institutions (HEIs) were forced…
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically transformed higher education policy and practices across the globe, including Bangladesh. Higher education institutions (HEIs) were forced to deliver teaching and learning online. This chapter discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching and learning practice in higher education in Bangladesh and highlights the cultural transformation of policy and practice. In addition, it proposes future directions on how to be prepared and addresses the challenges of emergencies and draws implications of the findings beyond the national context. In the beginning of the pandemic, most universities in Bangladesh had to initially shut down their operations without offering any alternatives. However, a number of universities gradually rolled out some online teaching and learning activities as the lockdowns kept extending. A large portion of the HEIs struggled to continue their online teaching and learning due to the lack of resources, i.e., devices, technological skills and training, lack of policy, negative mindset, poor network infrastructure, and high cost of internet. This unprecedented situation ushered in by the pandemic showed the lack of preparedness and below-par capacity to respond to emergencies for the continuation of higher education in Bangladesh. Furthermore, it highlighted that improving the higher education sector requires tremendous effort from the government, researchers, policymakers, practitioners, the universities, and other industries directly or indirectly related to the sector.
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Taofeeq Durojaye Moshood, Fatimah Mahmud, Gusman Nawanir, Mohd Hanafiah Ahmad, Fazeeda Mohamad and Airin AbdulGhani
The study explores the sustainability of biodegradable materials as an eco-friendly substitute for traditional plastics across diverse applications. These materials decompose…
Abstract
Purpose
The study explores the sustainability of biodegradable materials as an eco-friendly substitute for traditional plastics across diverse applications. These materials decompose harmlessly within a specific timeframe, contributing to a holistic lifecycle. Yet, their widespread adoption depends on convincing consumers, manufacturers and regulators of their effectiveness. An empirical study was undertaken to investigate the determinants impacting the sustainability of biodegradable plastics.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a quantitative approach, seeking to discern the factors shaping the endurance of these materials in Malaysia. The study encompassed 316 viable responses, with outcomes from the PLS-SEM analysis offering partial support to the research framework.
Findings
The study reveals that individual characteristics strongly influence the sustainability of biodegradable plastics and are essential factors in determining behavioural intentions related to sustainability, such as purchasing environmentally friendly packaged food products.
Practical implications
The study provides practical implications for government and corporate sectors to design effective strategies encouraging consumers to choose biodegradable plastics. Regular awareness campaigns should be conducted to increase consumer engagement in environmental concerns and reduce the use of non-eco-friendly packaging in the public sector.
Originality/value
Previous literature has overlooked the sustainability aspects of the biodegradable plastics market, leaving a gap in understanding the influential factors and their sustainability, especially in the Malaysian context. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the determinants that govern the sustainability of biodegradable plastics.
Details
Keywords
Norhana Mohd Aripin, Suhaidah Hussain, Lee Khai Loon, Fatimah Mahmud and Nur Sofia Nabila Alimin
This study aims to review recent advancements in solar energy generation and identify future research trends, with a focus on integrating energy storage systems to enhance the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to review recent advancements in solar energy generation and identify future research trends, with a focus on integrating energy storage systems to enhance the reliability and efficiency of solar power.
Design/methodology/approach
This study involved conducting a review of 313 articles published between 2014 and 2024 in the Scopus database. The research applied bibliometric analysis techniques, which are bibliographic coupling and co-occurrence analysis, to examine recent advancements and future trends in solar energy generation.
Findings
This research highlights recent field contributions through bibliographic coupling, indicating that solar PV is the most environmentally sustainable renewable energy source, with energy storage systems, particularly hydrogen, critical for stability. In addition, co-occurrence analysis on the future research avenue highlights optimizing green hydrogen production and hybrid storage systems while exploring innovative financing models to enhance grid stability and facilitate a sustainable energy transition.
Research limitations/implications
This review recognizes some limitations in bibliometric analysis, such as relying solely on the Scopus database, subjective interpretations of themes and the challenge of distinguishing self-citations from external ones, which can give a misleading impression of a publication’s influence.
Originality/value
This study focuses on exploring how energy storage systems can be integrated with solar energy generation. Although there has been extensive research on renewable energy, this specific intersection has been largely overlooked. By using bibliometric analysis, this study aims to highlight recent developments and future directions in this critical area, ultimately providing valuable insights that can help shape both academic research and practical policy decisions.