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Article
Publication date: 1 July 1992

Adel El‐Kurdey and Ashraf Y. Hosny

The corrosion of reinforcing steel is considered the most critical problem for the durability of reinforced concrete structures. This study shows the experimental results of the…

163

Abstract

The corrosion of reinforcing steel is considered the most critical problem for the durability of reinforced concrete structures. This study shows the experimental results of the corrosion of steel bars in mortar, using an accelerated test. The results indicate that increasing water/cement ratios accelerate the corrosion of reinforcing steel. In addition, increasing curing times decrease steel corrosion rates. The results also show that the cover to bar diameter ratio plays a significant role in determining the corrosion intensity. For the same cover thickness, the corrosion intensity increases as the steel bar diameter increases.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 39 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

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Book part
Publication date: 9 September 2024

Reham ElMorally

Abstract

Details

Recovering Women's Voices: Islam, Citizenship, and Patriarchy in Egypt
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83608-249-1

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 5 October 2020

Zeinab Abbas Zaazou

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between citizen participation and the level of trust in government’s decisions and policies; as well as examining the…

1677

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between citizen participation and the level of trust in government’s decisions and policies; as well as examining the impact of disclosure of information on the level of citizens’ engagement with governments’ projects. In addition, testing the real motives behind Egyptian citizens’ participation in financing national projects. The study is applied to the “New Suez Canal,” which was finished in only one year opposing the three years implementation period suggested by some studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher depended on secondary and primary data as well in working on this paper. She used secondary data gathered from scholars and from domestic and international institutions. Then, she conducted a field study and collected data through distributing 384 Likert Scale questionnaires containing 34 self-administered among respondents to test the following: 1. Citizens perceptions regarding the level of trust in government’s decisions and policies. 2. The impact of citizens’ trust on their willingness to participate in governments’ projects. 3. Is ‘public service motivation’ (PSM) behind citizens’ willingness of participating in national projects. 4. Is the ‘high expected profit of Suez Canal Investment Certificates’ behind citizens participation in national projects.

Findings

H1 and H2 have been accepted as trust, transparency and citizen participation proved to be important pillars of building a participatory government. Moreover, citizens’ participation in national projects encouraged national and international enterprises to invest in the canal provision. H3 and H4 are accepted and the statistical study revealed dual contradicting results regarding the motive of citizens’ financial participation in the New Suez Canal project. The justification for the contradiction is that right after the 2011 up-rise, Egyptian citizens were overwhelmed with patriot emotions and feelings pushing them to participate in national projects. At the same time this patriot drive was moderated by the “performance-based rewards and citizens” self-interests’ pushed by the Egyptian government (offering a high-interest rate for Suez Canal Certificates at that time). Citizens might be motivated to participate in national projects triggered by many factors: public service drive – patriotism or self-interest.

Research limitations/implications

The study needs further deeper investigation and empirical pieces of evidence to answer the following questions: would different participatory actions result differently in other circumstances? Do individuals’ levels of PSM vary over time? Besides, the researcher needs to find ways to test PSM against various motives such as self-interest, which needs to be confirmed empirically.

Practical implications

The author came up with important recommendations for central government and decision-makers in Egypt and is based upon the study’s statistical results. The most important recommendations were: central government and decision-makers should frame a policy designed to promote citizens’ participation in decision-making drawing on the guidelines for civil participation in political decision-making. Decision-makers in the central government should work local and regional authorities to update and improve local and regional regulations concerning the participation of citizens in local public life and promote a culture of democratic participation shared by communities and local authorities. Performance-based rewards (high-interest rate) are moderating the citizens’ public service motivation (PSM – patriot sense) and citizens may be motivated by different factors such as public service drive – patriotism or self-interest.

Social implications

The study is tackling an important issue, which is civil participation in political decision-making. It is also discussing promoting cultural awareness regarding the importance of democratic participation shared by communities and local authorities. The study came up with certain findings proving Egyptian civil society’s willingness in participating with the government in national projects; believing in its socio-economic benefits.

Originality/value

Finally, the study is of value, as it could be considered a pilot study representing the outcomes of citizen participation in national projects; in addition, it can be considered as a road map to policymakers. Moreover, the findings provide a set of recommendations and policies for governments and decision-makers to undertake tangible actions to accelerate citizen participation in further projects and decisions and be able to establish a democratic system in developing countries.

Details

Review of Economics and Political Science, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2356-9980

Keywords

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Book part
Publication date: 23 September 2019

Shahar Robinstain

State leaders’ decision-making calculus is often attributed to external factors. The political arena, international community pressure and a country’s military stance all take…

Abstract

State leaders’ decision-making calculus is often attributed to external factors. The political arena, international community pressure and a country’s military stance all take centre stage in the analysis of national security decisions. Little weight is given to personal aspects of a leader’s psyche in explaining these decisions; this is true to the bulk of the research regarding this topic. This study theorizes and tests a positive link between Israeli leaders’ combat military experience and their propensity to enter into ‘peacemaking’ decisions namely, peace talks, cease fires and unilateral withdrawals. This research uses a new database comprising all peacemaking decision points in Israel’s history, looking at the pressure put on a leader from outside factors and his military experience to explain the decision taken. It finds a strong significant link between combat experience and the tendency to enter in a peacemaking decision with little regard to ideological affiliation, shedding a new light on Israeli politicians from both sides of the aisle.

Details

How Do Leaders Make Decisions?
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-394-6

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 April 2024

Johann Valentowitsch, Michael Kindig and Wolfgang Burr

The effects of board composition on performance have long been discussed in management research using fractionalization measures. In this study, we propose an alternative…

546

Abstract

Purpose

The effects of board composition on performance have long been discussed in management research using fractionalization measures. In this study, we propose an alternative measurement approach based on board polarization.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an exploratory analysis and applying the polarization measure to German Deutscher Aktienindex (DAX)-, Midcap-DAX (MDAX)- and Small Cap-Index (SDAX)-listed companies, this paper applies the polarization index to examine the relationship between board diversity and performance.

Findings

The results show that the polarization concept is well suited to measure principal-agent problems between the members of the management and supervisory boards. We reveal that board polarization is negatively associated with firm performance, as measured by return on investment (ROI).

Originality/value

This exploratory study shows that the measurement of board polarization can be linked to performance differences between companies, which offers promising starting points for further research.

Details

Baltic Journal of Management, vol. 19 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5265

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 May 2002

1361

Abstract

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

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Article
Publication date: 15 July 2022

Saleh Abu Dabous, Tareq Zadeh and Fakhariya Ibrahim

This study aims at introducing a method based on the failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) to aid in selecting the most suitable formwork system with the minimum…

500

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims at introducing a method based on the failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) to aid in selecting the most suitable formwork system with the minimum overall cost.

Design/methodology/approach

The research includes a review of the literature around formwork selection and analysis of data collected from the building construction industry to understand material failure modes. An FMECA-based model that estimates the total cost of a formwork system is developed by conducting a two-phased semi-structured interview and regression and statistical analyses. The model comprises material, manpower and failure mode costs. A case study of fifteen buildings is analysed using data collected from construction projects in the UAE to validate the model.

Findings

Results obtained indicate an average accuracy of 89% in predicting the total formwork cost using the proposed method. Moreover, results show that the costs incurred by failure modes account for 11% of the total cost on average.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is limited to direct costs and costs associated with risks; other costs and risk factors are excluded. The proposed framework serves as a guide to construction project managers to enhance decision-making by addressing the indirect cost of failure modes.

Originality/value

The research proposes a novel formwork system selection method that improves upon the subjective conventional selection process by incorporating the risks and uncertainties associated with the failure modes of formwork systems into the decision-making process.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 42 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 10 September 2019

Khaled Sayed Asfour

The purpose of this paper is to discuss architecture that produces spatial experience with which children and young adults are able to interact, giving them a great sense of…

1824

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss architecture that produces spatial experience with which children and young adults are able to interact, giving them a great sense of positive energy that translates into actual healing. This type of architecture is few in number but can create a transition toward sustainable healing.

Design/methodology/approach

Spatial experience was evident in the architectural practice of the ancient world. Back then architects considered what moods should they give to spaces that best suit their functions. In our contemporary world, this trail of thinking is replaced by architecture that do not connect with the user’s psychology. The paper will prove that there are few architects today who are willing to exert an effort in providing the right moods for their buildings with a sustainable vibe. The paper will discuss this point by taking four examples of architecture specialized in healing young adults and children.

Findings

Through analysis of the case studies, the paper reveals the importance of spatial experience approach in producing meaningful architecture that connects with the user. The paper shows that it is through this approach that important moments of architectural history was made as well as the works of famous architects of our times.

Originality/value

The research redefines how should we look at architectural history through spatial experience analysis. It also gives us an insight into how architects become famous today through their unique design process that continue to be successful and admired by ordinary users not just specialists. The research is not limited to this paper, but currently expanding to include other case studies of different building types.

Details

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2631-6862

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 8 May 2023

Daniel E. Ufua, Muktar Itai, Ajay Kumar and Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh Al-Faryan

This study is focused on achieving operational resilience through the practices of kaizen across the operational structure. The research is based on a case study of a commercial…

320

Abstract

Purpose

This study is focused on achieving operational resilience through the practices of kaizen across the operational structure. The research is based on a case study of a commercial livestock farm in Nigeria. The study views the practice of kaizen from the perspective of the commitment of the members of the case study organisation who are directly involved with the operations of the organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a qualitative approach to explore the topic, engaging members of the case study organisation in the research to gather relevant data on the implementation of kaizen practices and the drive to attain resilience in the case study organisation. Semi-structured personal interviews and workshops were used for data collection. The study adopts systems theory to explore the topic, identifying and engaging relevant stakeholders.

Findings

Parts of the findings relating to kaizen are the issues with the livestock production process, aggressive leadership and the issue of livestock mortality in the case study organisation. These were discussed based on extant literature. The study affirms the importance of organisational members' commitment and adequate leadership support to achieve sustainable kaizen practices. The study highlights the need to align kaizen practices with relevant organisational practices, such as reward systems and contextual requirements for its implementation in an operational process. The study suggests that further study can focus on the dynamics of the legal system on the implementation of kaizen, especially from a developing economic background like Nigeria, where this study was conducted.

Originality/value

The study projects learning about the spatial factors that can affect the practices of kaizen in critical sectors like livestock management.

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Article
Publication date: 10 July 2023

Surabhi Singh, Shiwangi Singh, Alex Koohang, Anuj Sharma and Sanjay Dhir

The primary aim of this study is to detail the use of soft computing techniques in business and management research. Its objectives are as follows: to conduct a comprehensive…

402

Abstract

Purpose

The primary aim of this study is to detail the use of soft computing techniques in business and management research. Its objectives are as follows: to conduct a comprehensive scientometric analysis of publications in the field of soft computing, to explore the evolution of keywords, to identify key research themes and latent topics and to map the intellectual structure of soft computing in the business literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This research offers a comprehensive overview of the field by synthesising 43 years (1980–2022) of soft computing research from the Scopus database. It employs descriptive analysis, topic modelling (TM) and scientometric analysis.

Findings

This study's co-citation analysis identifies three primary categories of research in the field: the components, the techniques and the benefits of soft computing. Additionally, this study identifies 16 key study themes in the soft computing literature using TM, including decision-making under uncertainty, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), the application of deep learning in object detection and fault diagnosis, circular economy and sustainable development and a few others.

Practical implications

This analysis offers a valuable understanding of soft computing for researchers and industry experts and highlights potential areas for future research.

Originality/value

This study uses scientific mapping and performance indicators to analyse a large corpus of 4,512 articles in the field of soft computing. It makes significant contributions to the intellectual and conceptual framework of soft computing research by providing a comprehensive overview of the literature on soft computing literature covering a period of four decades and identifying significant trends and topics to direct future research.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 123 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

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