Amine Zaidi, Ouarda Izemmouren, Bachir Taallah and Abdelhamid Guettala
Earthen construction does not meet today’s requirements due to certain limitations such as low water resistance and its high vulnerability to cracking damage. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
Earthen construction does not meet today’s requirements due to certain limitations such as low water resistance and its high vulnerability to cracking damage. The purpose of this study is to improve the mechanical properties and low durability of adobe blocks by incorporating date palm wastes as a natural reinforcement and lime as a stabilizer.
Design/methodology/approach
Soil from the region of Biskra in Algeria was mixed with sand and lime in suitable ratios. Then, date palm wastes were added to the previous mixture at different ratios (0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%) by dry mix weight to manufacture adobes. Cubical and cylindrical specimens were prepared and tested in a laboratory to investigate the curing time, mechanical and durability characteristics of the formulated blocks. In addition, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were used to identify the materials.
Findings
It has been observed that the addition of lime to the soil is very beneficial for its stabilization, in particular for an optimum of 12%. The presence of date palm waste in the mixture (soil + lime) generated a significant improvement in tensile strength reaching a rate of about 67%. The same observation was made for the tests of resistance to dry abrasion, resistance to erosion, attack by external sulphate and wetting/drying. However, for cases of compressive strength, water absorption and swelling an unfavorable effect was recorded.
Originality/value
Based on the above-mentioned findings, this paper presents a novel solution to increase the durability of adobe materials using date palm wastes with oven curing at 65°C for about nine days. Adopting such an approach would certainly encourage building durable mud housing on a large scale. This can contribute to solving the acute housing shortage, particularly in poor countries.
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Mohammed Waleed Alswaidan, Arief Daynes and Paraskevas Pasgas
This paper aims to reviews Sukuk risk classification schemes based on extending and adapting the risk classification schemes of conventional finance. It is then argued that risk…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to reviews Sukuk risk classification schemes based on extending and adapting the risk classification schemes of conventional finance. It is then argued that risk classification schemes based on Sukuk structure provide significant insights into Sukuk risk not obtainable from conventional schemes. This is because Sukuk structure risk classification schemes link Sukuk risk more directly to the fundamental causal factors creating those risks. These links are less evident in conventional risk classification schemes. It is hypothesised that Sukuk structure risk factors will prove to be highly significant in multifactor expected return regressions.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper argues that, given the paucity of the empirical data currently available to researchers in Islamic finance, greater care needs to be taken in hypothesis development than is necessary for conventional finance. The limited data available should be used for testing hypotheses and not “wasted” in hypothesis formation. Through a meta-analysis of the existing literature on Sukuk risk, it is hypothesised that Sukuk structure risks will be highly significant in explaining Sukuk returns and returns volatilities in empirical tests.
Findings
The main Sukuk structures, debt based, equity based, assets based, agency based and hybrid structures, arise directly from the requirement of Sukuk to conform to the Shariah and to the fundamental ethical principles of Islamic finance and business. Further, Sukuk risk profiles are directly related to Sukuk structures. Thus, Sukuk structure risks are essentially Shariah risks. The paper presents a Sukuk risk classification matrix based on an evaluation of Sukuk structure risks.
Research limitations/implications
The findings on the relation of Sukuk risks to Sukuk structures require corroboration by rigorous empirical tests.
Social implications
The paper contributes to work on the creation of evidence-based risk management techniques in Islamic finance and to the expansion of ethical financial management.
Originality/value
The paper is one of the early detailed academic studies on the evaluation of risks arising from Sukuk structures.
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Muhammad Nouman, Muhammad Fahad Siddiqi, Karim Ullah and Shafiullah Jan
This paper aims to conceptualize the nexus between the participatory finance and the higher ethical objectives within the Islamic moral economy, also termed as Maqasid al Shari’ah.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to conceptualize the nexus between the participatory finance and the higher ethical objectives within the Islamic moral economy, also termed as Maqasid al Shari’ah.
Design/methodology/approach
Insights from the extant Islamic economics and finance literature are integrated through an interpretative systematic review using the principles from critical interpretative synthesis (CIS).
Findings
A coherent framework is synthesized comprising the typology of the Maqasid al Shari’ah, the axioms of participatory finance and their nexus which is formulated by theorizing the common thread of meaning through the axioms of participatory finance and Maqasid al Shari’ah at the interpretative level. This framework postulates that the participatory finance fits well in the ethos and the value system of Islam. Moreover, “social well-being” invariably provides the nexus between the Maqasid al Shari’ah and participatory finance.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the Islamic economics and finance literature by integrating the dissenting views from the divergent literature related to the basic philosophy of Shari’ah and participatory finance and provides grounds for policy implications, particularly, for designing the financial products. Moreover, it demonstrates an application of interpretative systematic review in Islamic banking and finance research.
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Muslim Amin, Zaidi Isa and Rodrigue Fontaine
The purpose of this study is to investigate customer satisfaction and its effect on image, trust, and customer loyalty for Islamic banks.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate customer satisfaction and its effect on image, trust, and customer loyalty for Islamic banks.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses data from Islamic banks and dual‐window Islamic banks, pertaining to two different customer segments (Muslims and non‐Muslims).
Findings
The results indicate that customer satisfaction has a significant relationship with image, image has a significant relationship with trust, and trust has a significant relationship with customer loyalty for both customer segments. Furthermore, significant differences occur in the effect of customer satisfaction on image, image on trust, and trust on customer loyalty between Muslim and non‐Muslim customers.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that Muslim customers establish relationships with Islamic banks because they trust that Islamic banks are Shariah compliant. Therefore, providing secure banking products that are fully compliant with Islamic principles are necessary.
Originality/value
This research is important as it clearly demonstrates that the loyalty of Muslim and non‐Muslim customers to Islamic banks is influenced by customers being satisfied, as well as the image of and trust in Islamic banks. In this context, when customers are unwilling to trust Islamic banks, they are also unwilling to be loyal.
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Sadiq and Muhammad Salman Ahmad
The aim of this empirical study is to examine how religiosity, animosity and ethnocentrism interact to influence judgment about US products and purchase actions of young consumers…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this empirical study is to examine how religiosity, animosity and ethnocentrism interact to influence judgment about US products and purchase actions of young consumers in a conservative Islamic country like Pakistan. Many studies have been conducted before in progressive Islamic countries such as Malaysia, Jordan, Turkey and Tunisia but not in conservative Islamic countries like Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
A validated questionnaire derived from literature is used for data collection. Data were collected from 381 college students in four provincial capital cities of Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar). Structural equation modeling is used to test the framework.
Findings
This study reveals key significant cause and effect relationships like consumers religiosity on foreign product judgment, consumers animosity on foreign product judgment, consumers religiosity on ethnocentric tendencies of consumers, consumers ethnocentric tendencies on foreign product judgment and foreign product judgment on purchase action of consumers.
Originality/value
This study attempts to add value to the existing literature on consumer behavior, especially the role of religiosity, animosity and ethnocentrism in young consumers. This study is the first of its kind on examining religiosity, animosity and ethnocentrism among young consumers in Pakistan. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study will guide the marketing managers to formulate appropriate strategies when targeting young consumers, especially when they decide to boycott US products.
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Louise Patterson, Damodharan Sowmya Varadarajan and Beena Saji Salim
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a meta-analysis of existing research on gender discrimination/gender gap and women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a meta-analysis of existing research on gender discrimination/gender gap and women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the UAE, specifically, and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in general because of very limited number of articles published on the subject. It will give future researchers insights into the topics, methodologies and findings of such research from 1999–2019.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducts a meta-analysis of 72 articles using the Wildcard operator search method and the Boolean operator to perform an integrative literature search related to gender discrimination studies done in relationship to or specific to the UAE.
Findings
In total, 88 papers related to the UAE and gender gap and women were identified. The articles were narrowed down to the ones published in high-ranked or Scopus journals (72). The findings suggest a decreasing trend in gender discrimination, but the issue still persists, requiring efforts from policy-makers, society and government to ensure gender parity is achieved. Academic research on women in STEM/SET workplace, specific to the UAE and the region, continue to slowly advance, with very few articles published in the same.
Practical implications
The study provides insights into gender gap research done in the past ten years specific to the UAE national women and gender gap in general and their career choices and prospects in the STEM/SET domain.
Social implications
There is a need to focus research on Emirati women in STEM careers to develop more insights into gender gap perceptions of Emirati women and identify challenges and methods to close the gender gap in STEM careers.
Originality/value
This paper brings a holistic perspective to the meta-analysis of research on the gender gap and women in the UAE’s STEM domain.
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This paper aims to feature preparation and characterization of thiokol oligomer functionalized MWCNTs/epoxy nanocomposites using low molecular weight polyamide as curing agent.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to feature preparation and characterization of thiokol oligomer functionalized MWCNTs/epoxy nanocomposites using low molecular weight polyamide as curing agent.
Design/methodology/approach
First, thiokol oligomer functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNTs-TO) were prepared through hydroxylation, silanization and graft modification of MWCNTs. The nanocomposite specimens were fabricated through sonication and cast moulding process. The authors then investigated the impact of MWCNTs-TO content on mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites.
Findings
MWCNTs-TO with grafting ratio of 17.5 Wt.% was synthesized and characterized with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy. The obtained epoxy nanocomposites exhibit improved mechanical properties and thermal stability with MWCNTs-TO added. Moreover, desirable results were obtained at 0.75 Wt.% of MWCNTs-TO loading: the young’s modulus, tensile, flexural and impact strength increased by 24.6,72.8,34.8 and 82.7%, respectively, compared to the neat epoxy. The improvement of mechanical properties is mainly attributed to enhanced interfacial interaction and dispersion between the covalent functionalized MWCNTs and epoxy matrix.
Research limitations/implications
A flexible thiokol oligomer was successfully grafted onto MWCNTs via a mild route. Nanocomposites with excellent interfacial interaction and dispersion between MWCNTs-TO and the epoxy matrix have been successfully fabricated and investigated.
Practical implications
This method provided a mild and practical approach to improve the performance of MWCNTs epoxy nanocomposites.
Originality/value
A flexible thiokol oligomer was successfully covalent grafted onto MWCNTs via a mild route. Nanocomposites with excellent interfacial interaction and dispersion between MWCNTs-TO and the epoxy matrix have been successfully fabricated and investigated.
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Nurul Hazwani Daud, Siti Nurbaya Oslan, Thean Chor Leow and Abu Bakar Salleh
The main purpose of this study is to demonstrate the development of an enzyme-based sensor for haloalkane detection. Haloalkane is a toxic compound that is found as genotoxic…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to demonstrate the development of an enzyme-based sensor for haloalkane detection. Haloalkane is a toxic compound that is found as genotoxic impurities in pharmaceutical products and contaminants in waste. The need to investigate the genotoxic level in pharmaceutical manufacturing is very crucial because of its toxicity effects on human health. The potential of mini protein as an alternative bioreceptor was explored with the aim to be more effective and stable under extreme conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
Mini proteins of haloalkane dehalogenase (HLD) were computationally designed and experimentally validated. Tapered multimode fiber (TMMF) was bio-functionalized with a bioreceptor either native (positive control) or mini protein. The absorbance-based sensor resulting from the binding interaction of mini protein with haloalkane was monitored through a wavelength range of 200-1,300 nm.
Findings
An increment of the UV absorption is observed at 325 nm when haloalkane interacted with the immobilized bioreceptors, native or mini protein. Both biosensors displayed a continuous response over the range of 5-250 µM haloalkane. They also had the capability to detect haloalkanes below 1 min and with an operational stability of up to seven days without significant loss of sensitivity.
Practical implications
The results indicate the potential viability of the enzyme HLD-based sensor to monitor the existence of haloalkane in both pharmaceutical and environmental products.
Originality/value
The paper describes an outcome of experimental work on TMMF-based biosensor coated with HLD for label-free haloalkane detection. Mini protein can be used as an effective bioreceptor with some structural modification to improve functionality and stability.
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Yanhua Zhang, Jiyou Gu, Xiankai Jiang, Libin Zhu and Haiyan Tan
The purpose of this paper is to study the effective procedure for blocking and deblocking isocyanate by sodium bisulphite with special cosolvent and dropwise method.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the effective procedure for blocking and deblocking isocyanate by sodium bisulphite with special cosolvent and dropwise method.
Design/methodology/approach
A number of analytical techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo gravimetric analyser (TGA) were employed to assess the reactions between isocyanates and sodium bisulphite, water, cosolvent, also the deblocking temperature of blocked isocyanates.
Findings
The blocked isocyanates reacted with sodium bisulphite, water and cosolvent via a special procedure. It was found that the − NCO functional groups of the isocyanates were completely blocked by sodium bisulphite and a new method for determining the lowest deblocking temperature of the blocked isocyanates was described. It was revealed that the deblocking temperature of blocked isocyanates by sodium bisulphite was lower than others.
Practical implications
The paper provides some useful information about the blocking and deblocking of isocyanate, which would be helpful for the preparation of blocking and deblocking isocyanate, and guiding the practical applications of blocked isocyanate.
Originality/value
The investigation found that the sodium bisulphite was a very efficient blocking agent for isocyanates at the room temperature via the special procedure developed. On the basis of emulsion polymerisation theory, polymer isocyanates were blocked by sodium bisulphite, which realised the new breakthrough effectively by means of controlled temperature, stirring speed and optimum dropwise speed in the whole reaction system. Meanwhile, the special cosolvent could improve the intermiscibility of isocyanate in sodium bisulphite aqueous solution, reduce the side reaction of isocyanate with water and accelerate reaction rate of isocyanate with sodium bisulphite. If no cosolvent was present, the blocked system would not be homogeneous.