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1 – 10 of 49Hebatallah Abdulhalim Mahmoud Abdulfattah, Ahmed Ahmed Fikry and Reham Eldessuky Hamed
The study aims to tackle Egypt's rising electricity consumption due to climate change and population growth, focusing on the building sector, which accounts for up to 60% of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to tackle Egypt's rising electricity consumption due to climate change and population growth, focusing on the building sector, which accounts for up to 60% of the issue, by developing new energy-efficient design guidelines for Egyptian buildings.
Design/methodology/approach
This study comprises six key steps. A literature review focuses on energy consumption and efficiency in buildings, monitoring a single-family building in Cairo, using Energy Plus for simulation and verification, performing multi-objective optimization, comparing energy performance between base and controlled cases, and developing a localized version of the Passive House (PH) called Energy Efficiency Design Criteria (EEDC).
Findings
The research shows that applying the (EEDC) suggested by this study can decrease energy consumption by up to 58% and decrease cooling consumption by up to 63% in residential buildings in Egypt while providing thermal comfort and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This can benefit users, alleviate local power grid strain, contribute to Egypt's economy, and serve as a model for other countries with similar climates.
Originality/value
To date, no studies have focused on developing energy-efficient design standards tailored to the Egyptian climate and context using the Passive House Criteria concept. This study contributes to the field by identifying key principles, design details, and goal requirements needed to promote energy-efficient design standards for residential buildings in Egypt.
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Tarek Eldomiaty, Ahmad Soliman, Ahmed Fikri and Marwa Anis
The purpose of this paper is to examine the financial aspects of high vs low-ranked firms in the Corporate Responsibility Index in Egypt, and to construct a Z-score model to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the financial aspects of high vs low-ranked firms in the Corporate Responsibility Index in Egypt, and to construct a Z-score model to discriminate between high- and low-ranked firms in the Corporate Responsibility Index.
Design/methodology/approach
This study empirically examines a comprehensive list of financial ratios for 24 firms listed in EGX30 for four fiscal years, 2007-2010. The authors calculate 90 financial ratios to provide better insights and evaluation of the firms’ financial performance. The ordinary least square regression method and discriminant analysis are utilized to explain differences between the low- and high-ranked firms regarding their corporate social governance index.
Findings
The results show that corporate governance and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are positively related to the firms’ financial performance in terms of sales turnover and customer loyalty. This suggests that in the long run, the market mechanism should be able to provide additional resources to those companies that are better at maximizing a widely defined bottom line of their social governance. The results also show that highly ranked firms are characterized financially by: strong bargaining power with suppliers; financing growth in fixed assets using debt mainly.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the literature in terms of providing practical insights on the financial strategies that help support effective CG and CSR in Egypt. In addition, this study offers a unique quantitative attempt to measure and examine the benefits of incorporation of socioeconomics into business practices.
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Sharfuddin Ahmed Khan, Amin Chaabane and Fikri Dweiri
Existing supply chain (SC) performance models are not able to cope with the potential of intensive SC digitalisation and establish a relationship between decisions and decision…
Abstract
Purpose
Existing supply chain (SC) performance models are not able to cope with the potential of intensive SC digitalisation and establish a relationship between decisions and decision criteria. The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated knowledge-based system (KBS) that creates a link between decisions and decision criteria (attributes) and evaluates the overall SC performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed KBS is grounded on the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP), which establishes a relationship between short-term and long-term decisions and SC performance criteria (short-term and long-term) for accurate and integrated Overall SC performance evaluation.
Findings
The proposed KBS evaluates the overall SC performance, establishes a relationship between decisions (long-term and short-term) and decision criteria of SC functions and provides decision makers with a view of the impact of their short-term or long-term decisions on overall SC performance. The proposed system was implemented in a case company where the authors were able to develop a SC performance monitoring dashboard for the company’s top managers and operational managers.
Practical implications
The proposed KBS assists organisations and decision makers in evaluating their overall SC performance and helps in identifying underperforming SC functions and their associated criteria. It may also be considered as a tool for benchmarking SC performance against competitors. It can efficiently point to improvement directions and help decision makers improve overall SC performance.
Originality/value
The proposed KBS provides a holistic and integrated approach, establishes a relationship between decisions and decision criteria and evaluates overall SC performance, which is one of the main limitations in existing supply chain performance measurement systems.
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Alaa Mashan Ubaid and Fikri T. Dweiri
This research paper aims to develop and validate an enhanced business process improvement methodology (EBPIM) by integrating the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve and…
Abstract
Purpose
This research paper aims to develop and validate an enhanced business process improvement methodology (EBPIM) by integrating the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve and control) and the comprehensive business process management (CBPM) methodologies.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review and analysis were conducted to prove the novelty of the research approach and identify the similarities, differences, strengths and weaknesses of the DMAIC and the CBPM methodologies. The EBPIM was proposed based on the analysis results. Then, a focus group approach was used to evaluate and validate the methodology.
Findings
The EBPIM consists of nine activities: preparation, selection, description, quantification, modeling, enactment, improvement opportunities selection, analysis and improvement and monitoring. The proposed methodology adopted the systematic and structured process of the DMAIC methodology by having one tollgate between every two activities to check the progress and authorize the team to go to the next activity. At the same time, it has the ability of the CBPM methodology to enhance the interaction between human activities and business process management systems (BPMS).
Research limitations/implications
The EBPIM was evaluated and validated by a focus group of academic professors. However, the main limitation of the proposed methodology is that it is still theoretical and needs to be empirically tested. Therefore, future work will focus on testing the EBPIM in different industries and organization sizes.
Practical implications
From the theoretical perspective, the proposed methodology adds value to the knowledge in the scope of business processes improvement methodologies (BPIMs) by integrating the DMAIC and the CBPM methodologies. It takes advantage of and combines the strengths of the DMAIC and CBPM methodologies. From the practical perspective, the proposed methodology presents a valuable tool that can facilitate the organization’s mission to improve the areas that need improvement using a systematic improvement methodology that will effectively enhance organizational performance (OP).
Originality/value
The BPIMs literature analysis proved that most of the reviewed methodologies could not support all phases of the business process improvement (BPI) activities. It was concluded that integrating the DMAIC and the CBPM methodologies is a novel approach. The proposed methodology will enhance the efficiency of both methodologies, fill the gaps that may exist in both of them and lead to better results in terms of BPI.
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Zahid Iqbal, Muhammad Akram and Zia Ur Rehman Rao
This study aims to investigate the relationship between bank policy-related practices and green financing sustainability in Pakistan. The study uses a mediating-moderation…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationship between bank policy-related practices and green financing sustainability in Pakistan. The study uses a mediating-moderation analysis to examine how the influence of bank policies on green financing sustainability is mediated by green banking activities and moderated by the employees’ green value and green knowledge sharing.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, a structural questionnaire was used to gather data from Pakistani bank personnel through stratified sampling. A two-stage structural equation modelling approach was used in this investigation. The measuring scale’s validity and reliability are assessed using the measure model. A structural model was used to ascertain the connection between the underpinning constructs.
Findings
This study found a positive significant effect on bank employed related practices on green banking activities, besides the mediate role of green banking activities between the bank policies-related practices and green financing. In addition, this study also found the moderating role of employees’ green value and green knowledge sharing on the relationship of bank policies-related practices and green banking activities as well as green banking activities and green financing, respectively.
Originality/value
As environmental sustainability becomes more and more important on a worldwide scale; the study looks into the ways that financial institutions may become more environmentally conscious and help create a more sustainable future. To shed light on the ways in which financial institutions can be crucial in advancing green sustainability in an emerging economy such as Pakistan, this study used sophisticated statistical tools.
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Islamic finance and Halal product sectors are thriving successfully. This chapter is a general review of the perception of Asian consumers on Islamic finance and Halal sectors in…
Abstract
Purpose
Islamic finance and Halal product sectors are thriving successfully. This chapter is a general review of the perception of Asian consumers on Islamic finance and Halal sectors in the global Halal economy.
Methodology/approach
The first section will briefly describe the Halal concept in both Islamic finance and Halal industries, and the growth of both sectors in Asian countries. The second part highlights the review of Asian consumers’ perception towards Islamic finance products and Halal products.
Findings
The review found that the consumers’ perception towards the Islamic finance products and Halal products is distinctive. This is due to the diversity of Asian countries in terms of geography, religion, culture, ethnic, school of thoughts (madzahib), income per capita and government’s involvement.
Originality/value
The third part of the chapter concentrates on planning towards Halal marketing, which involves the move and future challenges in different layers of industries to gear up and strengthen the Halal economy.
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Murniati Mukhlisin, Nurizal Ismail and Reza Jamilah Fikri
This study aims to analyse whether theories and views of classical Islamic scholars are widely adopted as references in Islamic accounting and finance (IAF), Islamic economics…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyse whether theories and views of classical Islamic scholars are widely adopted as references in Islamic accounting and finance (IAF), Islamic economics (IE) and Islamic business management (IBM) research studies as part of their contribution to solving current economic and financial problems.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopts a qualitative meta-analysis methodology using NVivo 12 with selected data from 474 international journal articles published between 1981 and 2021. The study considers 172 IAF articles, 111 IE articles and 191 IBM articles.
Findings
The results of the study show that the use of theories and views of classical Islamic scholars is not widespread among the examined research papers. The findings show that 90% of researchers tend to acquire modern economics, management, psychological and sociological theories instead of classical theories. Both modern and classical theories have been discussed in the studied articles namely agency theory, stakeholders' theory, ḥisbah (accountability), maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (objectives of Islamic law) and waʿd (unilateral promise). The gaps prevail not only in the taxonomy of terms but also in the choice of paradigm references. It is found that 66% of the 474 journal articles adopt a positivist paradigm, followed by interpretivism (19%), post-structuralism (9%) and critical orientation (6%).
Research limitations/implications
This paper considers only ABS ranking journal articles. Future research may consider other journal articles from different ranking groups such as Scopus or Thomson & Reuters.
Practical implications
The paper sheds light on how Islamic educational institutions can develop strategies for the Integration of Knowledge (IOK) in their curriculum.
Social implications
This paper helps to shape the Muslims' way of thinking within an Islamic worldview which will lead to an Islamic way of expressing knowledge, skill and behaviour.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the model of IOK that has been deliberated among Islamic universities, especially those that develop IAF, IE and IBM studies.
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Wahidah Shari, Asmadi Mohamed Naim, Mohamad Yazid Isa, Mohd Fikri Sofi, Nurul Aini Muhamed, Selamah Maamor and Shahrul Nizam Ahmad
This paper aims to investigate consumers’ preferences regarding the distribution channels for subscription, contribution payment and compensation claims of microtakaful scheme in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate consumers’ preferences regarding the distribution channels for subscription, contribution payment and compensation claims of microtakaful scheme in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
Consumers’ preferences were explored through questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGD) conducted among the bottom 40% income classification households (B40) in five zones: northern, central, eastern, southern and Sabah and Sarawak.
Findings
Empirical findings from cross-tabulation analysis revealed that takaful company is the preferred distribution channel for purchasing protection plans and making compensation claims. However, the online platform is the favoured channel to make contribution payments. Further investigation through FGD suggested that the selection of a channel for subscription, contribution payment and compensation claim is influenced by consumer trust, cost-effectiveness and simplicity of procedure.
Research limitations/implications
Limitation is pertaining to only cross-tabulation analysis used in explaining the choice of distribution channel for microtakaful among B40 group. Thus, advanced analysis is required to strengthen the findings.
Practical implications
Findings of this study would help marketers and practitioners to formulate strategies to promote their microtakaful protection to enhance subscription among the low-income population.
Originality/value
Empirical findings offer academic contributions to the existing body of knowledge on microtakaful area as the primary data collected will eventually allow future researchers to explicate the contribution of the current study to understand the important of distribution channel for microtakaful from the perspective of subscribers and potential subscribers.
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Surekha Nayak, Anjali Ganesh, Shreeranga Bhat and Roopesh Kumar
The present research focuses on improving the awareness related to soft total quality management (TQM) practices by looking from the viewpoint of strategic human resources (HR)…
Abstract
Purpose
The present research focuses on improving the awareness related to soft total quality management (TQM) practices by looking from the viewpoint of strategic human resources (HR). In addition, it is intended to reflect on the resulting soft TQM-HR outcomes and determine the mediating effect between soft TQM-HR strategies and organizational effectiveness (OE).
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory research methodology with an online survey technique was adopted for the study. Three hundred and three managerial-level personnel from nine large Indian manufacturing organizations participated in the research. A theoretical model is projected and verified using correlation and mediation analysis.
Findings
The results show that commitment, reduced turnover intentions and satisfaction levels of employees mediate the relationship between resources, development and retention strategies and OE. However, the retention strategy has the strongest association with the OE of the three strategies. Also, of the three HR outcomes, satisfaction was strongly associated with OE. The analysis proved that the proposed model is an acceptable fit.
Practical implications
Implementing HR-related TQM strategies will likely impact OE since it elicits positive HR outcomes such as commitment, reduced turnover intention and satisfaction. Recognizing human resources as a unique strategic asset will help HR managers devise adequate resourcing, development and retention strategies instrumental in executing TQM.
Originality/value
The present micro study is unique in scrutinizing the influence of soft TQM-HR practices on organizational effectiveness by analysing the mediating effects of commitment, reduced turnover intention and satisfaction in Indian large-scale manufacturing organizations. The study is unique since no literature deciphers the linkages between HR strategies and organizational effectiveness in the Indian manufacturing sector.
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