Hossam Altaher, Yehia H. Magdy and Anwar F. Al Yaqout
The disposal of wastewater containing silver is an environmental concern. Due to the toxicity of silver, treatment of such wastewater is necessary. Real wastewater contains a…
Abstract
Purpose
The disposal of wastewater containing silver is an environmental concern. Due to the toxicity of silver, treatment of such wastewater is necessary. Real wastewater contains a complex matrix of pollutants. The purpose of this paper is to study the adsorption behavior of silver in single and binary systems (with nickel) onto granular activated carbon.
Design/methodology/approach
The effect of silver ions concentration and the mass of adsorbent on the adsorption behavior were analyzed. Five two-parameter isotherms (Langmuir, Elovich, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Temkin) were applied to investigate the adsorption mechanism. Both linear and nonlinear regressions were tested for the first three isotherms. The experimental data were also fitted to Redlich–Petersons, Sips and Toth models.
Findings
A direct relationship between the initial silver ion concentration and its adsorption capacity was observed, whereas an inverse relationship between the adsorbent mass and the adsorption capacity was documented. The Langmuir model was found to best-fit the data indicating monolayer adsorption behavior. The maximum uptake was 2,500 mg/g in the single adsorption system. This value decreased to 909 mg/g in the binary system. The adsorption was found to have an exothermic chemical nature.
Originality/value
The study of the silver adsorption in a single system is inaccurate. Real wastewater contains a complex matrix of pollutants. This research gives a clear insight into the adsorption behavior in binary systems.
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Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to improve the protective and comfort properties of both woven and knitted acrylic fabrics by applying a hybrid waterborne polyurethane/fluorocarbon hydrophobic finish.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, it was found that the transportation of water from fabrics is one of the important textile parameters. To improve this property, a polyurethane-based finish (Dicrylan BSRN®) and an oil- and water-repellent finish (Oleophobol ZSR®) were applied by using the pad-dry-cure method. After applying the finishes, the resultant fabric samples were investigated for various textile properties.
Findings
The application of Oleophobol ZSR® increased the absorbency time, indicating that the fabric became hydrophobic, whereas the application of Dicrylan BSRN® finish improved the moisture management properties of the woven acrylic. The tensile strength of the woven acrylic fabric was not significantly affected by the application of these finishes. The contact angle of treated knitted fabrics increased and air permeability decreased with an increase in the concentration of Oleophobol ZSR®.
Practical implications
Moisture management is one of the crucial performance criteria in today’s apparel industry. Therefore, fluorochemicals are one of the major precursors used in water-repellent finishes and waterproof membranes in outdoor garments. Based on this fact, this research work focused on the textile sector, where moisture management is required.
Originality/value
This is the first report about the combined application of waterborne polyurethane and fluorochemical-based finishes on acrylic fabrics to tune their comfort and hydrophobic properties.
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Sadia Bibi and Amjad Ali
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of motivation to share, interpersonal trust, job involvement, job satisfaction and continuance commitment on knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of motivation to share, interpersonal trust, job involvement, job satisfaction and continuance commitment on knowledge sharing behavior of academics in higher education institutes.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were conveniently collected through a self-administered questionnaire from 369 academics working in six public sector universities of Pakistan. Correlation and incremental regression analyses were run to draw the results.
Findings
Results reveal that 24 percent of the variation in KSB is due to the changes in all the independent variables – intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, interpersonal trust, job involvement, job satisfaction and continuance commitment. The study also identifies job involvement and continuance commitment as strong determinants of knowledge sharing behavior among academics.
Research limitations/implications
To facilitate knowledge sharing behavior among academics, management of the universities must provide the ways for improving the levels of job involvement, continuance commitment and job satisfaction.
Originality/value
This is the first study that investigated the combined effect of intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation to share, interpersonal trust, job involvement, job satisfaction and continuance commitment on knowledge sharing behavior of teachers in public sector universities in Pakistan.
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Gisela Demo, Ana Carolina Rezende Costa and Karla Veloso Coura
Considering the significant increase in researchers’ interest in human resource management (HRM) in the public sector domain, this study aims to focus on producing a scale of HRM…
Abstract
Purpose
Considering the significant increase in researchers’ interest in human resource management (HRM) in the public sector domain, this study aims to focus on producing a scale of HRM practices customized for the context of public organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
Experts and semantic analysis were performed for the scale development (qualitative stage), and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis through structural equation modeling was conducted for the scale validation (quantitative stage).
Findings
The public HRM practices scale (public HRMPS) is composed of 19 items, distributed along four factors/dimensions, named training, development and education; relationship; work conditions; and competency and performance appraisal. The scale showed evidence of internal and construct validity (convergent, divergent, criterion-related and discriminant), as well as reliability and content validity.
Research limitations/implications
The public HRMPS can be applied in relational studies to test structural models of prediction, mediation and moderation to evaluate relationships with organizational behavior variables, such as leader-members exchange, engagement at work, life quality at work and well-being at work, among others.
Practical implications
The public HRMPS may also serve as a useful diagnostic tool for the decision-making process made by public managers so they can promote a strategic, evidence-based HRM. Furthermore, the transforming role of strategic HRM can be operationalized by adopting practices gathered in the public HRMPS, advancing toward new HRM strategies to promote healthier and more productive work environments.
Social implications
Healthier and more productive environments translate into real impacts for society, the first beneficiary of public services with more quality, efficiency and accountability.
Originality/value
The public HRMPS is the first attempt to produce an operationally valid and reliable measure to evaluate strategic HRM practices, responding to calls in the literature concerning the need for an integrated, comprehensive and customized HRM practices scale for the public service context.
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of e-service quality and e-trust on customer e-satisfaction and, subsequently, on customer e-loyalty towards a website in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of e-service quality and e-trust on customer e-satisfaction and, subsequently, on customer e-loyalty towards a website in the online shopping environment of Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
The research employed a quantitative approach and utilised structural equation modelling to investigate the relationship between e-service quality and e-trust on consumers’ e-satisfaction and e-loyalty. The data were collected from 250 individuals who actively use online shopping websites to purchase products in Pakistan.
Findings
The findings revealed that e-service quality and e-trust offered on e-commerce websites significantly impacted customer e-loyalty. However, it was found that both e-service quality and e-trust do not have a significant impact on customer e-satisfaction. In addition, the findings showed that customer e-satisfaction positively impacts e-loyalty.
Research limitations/implications
Overall, these findings emphasise the importance of e-service quality, e-trust and customer e-satisfaction and their role in cultivating customer loyalty within the context of the online shopping environment in Pakistan.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing literature on online shopping in Pakistan by exploring the factors influencing consumer behaviour in this context. The findings add to the academic understanding of consumer behaviour and provide valuable insights for e-commerce businesses in Pakistan.
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Hanan Ahmed Al-Balushi, Harcharanjit Singh and Irfan Saleem
This study, using stakeholder theory and diffusion of innovations (DOIs), aims to examine the readiness of Omani health-care firms to adopt artificial intelligence (AI). This…
Abstract
Purpose
This study, using stakeholder theory and diffusion of innovations (DOIs), aims to examine the readiness of Omani health-care firms to adopt artificial intelligence (AI). This adoption is seen as a key step towards ensuring green innovation and sustainable performance (SP) in the health-care sector.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted convenience and referral sampling techniques to enhance the response rate for the limited number of health-care firms using AI. Using explanatory research design, structure equation modelling and employees as the unit of analysis, a random sample technique is used to distribute the structured questionnaire to five hospitals in North Al-Batinah, including Shinas, Liwa and Sohar cities. Smart PLS 4.1 analyses the responses.
Findings
The research demonstrates that AI could significantly enhance SP, a finding that is of utmost importance in the current health-care landscape. This study also tested green knowledge sharing as a boundary condition. Furthermore, the study’s findings indicate that AI leads to the emergence of green innovation and SP, suggesting that firms are willing to adopt AI and achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Practical implications
This study implies that stakeholders, including the Omani Government and Middle Eastern firms, should prioritize investments in AI technologies tailored to sustainability initiatives.
Originality/value
This research study makes three significant and unique contributions. Firstly, it uniquely integrates stakeholder and DOIs theories to explain the mediating function of green innovation and the moderating effect of green knowledge sharing. Secondly, it provides a unique Middle Eastern context, where the government’s focus on the health sector is crucial. Finally, this study outlines a clear and actionable pathway for the Middle East to achieve the SDGs, thereby enlightening the reader on the potential of AI in the health-care sector.
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Sherani, Jianhua Zhang, Muhammad Riaz, Fredrick Ahenkora Boamah and Sher Ali
The study aims to explore the impact of tacit knowledge sharing (TKS) factors and its consequences in the form of technological innovation capabilities (TICs) within Pakistani…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to explore the impact of tacit knowledge sharing (TKS) factors and its consequences in the form of technological innovation capabilities (TICs) within Pakistani software small–medium enterprises (SSMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing upon the social exchange theory (SET), the study used a quantitative approach and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test hypotheses with 220 valid data collected from 23 Pakistani software SSMEs.
Findings
The peer influence (PI) has positive and significant effect on collaborative culture (CC), willingness to share tacit knowledge (WSTK) and TICs. Organizational trust (OT) has a positive and significant impact on CC and TIC. Whereas, CC possessed positive and significant effect on WSTK and insignificant on TIC. Furthermore, WSTK has positive and significant effect on TIC. Finally, WSTK partially mediates the relationship between PI and TIC whereas WSTK fully mediates the relationship between CC and TIC.
Research limitations/implications
The study enriches the research on knowledge sharing and TIC. This research investigates the precursors of tacit knowledge-sharing willingness and their consequences in software SMEs; future studies need to examine tacit knowledge-seeking willingness and its consequences not only in software enterprises but also in other industrial sectors. Besides, it needs to evaluate types of innovative capabilities in software SMEs.
Practical implications
The study suggested that the practitioners need to strengthen TKS in the form employees’ updated skills and expertise which ultimately fosters software enterprise’s innovative capabilities to attain competitive advantages in a specific industry.
Originality/value
This research is one of the few studies to examine the potential antecedents of WSTK and their final effects within software SMEs in the form of TICs. As currently it is observed, an incredible increase of skills oriented innovations in firms particularly in the software domain and IT industry. Therefore, this study emphasizes how PI, OT and WSTK positively affect TIC of Pakistani software SMEs. However, the study could be considered as a guideline for the academia and practitioners who attempt to strengthen the technological innovations capabilities in software SMEs.
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Juliet Owusu-Boadi, Ernest Kissi, Ivy Maame Abu, Cecilia Dapaah Owusu, Bernard Baiden and Caleb Debrah
The construction business is widely recognised for its inherent complexity and dynamic nature, which stems from the nature of the job involved. The industry is often regarded as…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction business is widely recognised for its inherent complexity and dynamic nature, which stems from the nature of the job involved. The industry is often regarded as one of the most challenging industries globally in terms of implementing environmental, health and safety (EHS) practices. However, in the absence of EHS, the construction industry cannot be considered sustainable. Therefore, this study aims to identify the trends, knowledge gaps and implications of EHS research to enhance construction activities and knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a science mapping approach involving bibliometric and scientometric analysis of 407 construction EHS publications from the Scopus database with the VOSviewer software. The study is based on journal articles from the Scopus database without restriction to any time range.
Findings
The main focus of construction EHS research identified in the study includes sustainability-related studies, risk-related, environmental issues, EHS management, integrated management systems studies, health and safety related and EHS in the construction process. Some emerging areas also identified include productivity, design, culture, social sustainability and machine learning. The most influential and productive publication sources, countries/regions and EHS publications with the highest impact were also determined.
Research limitations/implications
Documents published in the Scopus database were considered for analysis because of the wider coverage of the database. Journal articles written in English language represent the inclusion criteria, whereas other documents were excluded from the analysis. The study also limited the search to articles with the engineering subject area.
Practical implications
The research findings will enlighten stakeholders and practitioners on the focal knowledge areas in the EHS research domain, which are vital for enhancing EHS in the industry.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this review-based study is the first attempt to internationally conduct a science mapping on extant literature in the EHS research domain through bibliometric and scientometric assessments.
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Julia Anwar-McHenry, Lesley Murray, Catherine F. Drane, Julie Owen, Amberlee Nicholas and Robert J. Donovan
Indigenous Australians report mental health problems at a much higher rate than non-Indigenous Australians. However, rather than more services, it has been proposed that there…
Abstract
Purpose
Indigenous Australians report mental health problems at a much higher rate than non-Indigenous Australians. However, rather than more services, it has been proposed that there should be a positive, socially based approach to improving mental health in Indigenous communities. The population-wide Western Australian Act-Belong-Commit mental health promotion campaign appeared to be consistent with such an approach. Hence, after consultation with Indigenous community members, a culturally adapted version of the campaign was developed and launched in a largely Indigenous remote Australian community. A survey of Indigenous community members was conducted two years later to assess campaign impact. The aim of this paper is to report on the impact on community members of this cultural adaptation.
Design/methodology/approach
Intercept interviews were conducted with Indigenous community members (n = 31) to assess respondents’ awareness of the campaign elements and activities, understanding of campaign messages and whether respondents had undertaken activities to improve their own or their family’s social and emotional well-being as a result of the campaign.
Findings
There was universal awareness of the adapted campaign in this sample, with 81% reporting doing something for their own social and emotional well-being, 74% reporting doing something for the social and emotional well-being of their family or friends and 48% reporting doing something for community well-being, as a result of campaign exposure.
Originality/value
The cultural adaptation of the Act-Belong-Commit campaign in the Australian Roebourne community is the first reported Indigenous adaptation of a population-wide mental health promotion campaign.
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Abdul Farooq, Ahsan Anwar, Muhammad Ahad, Ghulam Shabbir and Zulfiqar Ali Imran
This research aims to inspect the existence of the “environmental Kuznets curve” (EKC) in the presence of foreign direct investment (FDI), financial development (FD) and…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to inspect the existence of the “environmental Kuznets curve” (EKC) in the presence of foreign direct investment (FDI), financial development (FD) and urbanization throughout 1972–2018 for Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
For time series analysis, Phillips and Perron (PP) and Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) unit root tests are used to confirm the level of integration. For robustness, Kim and Perron (2009)’s structural break unit root test is employed, which identifies the order of integration in the presence of structural break years. Further, combined cointegration analysis is performed to confirm the existence of a long-run association between underlying variables. Furthermore, autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) analysis is employed for the robustness of the cointegration approach.
Findings
The cointegration analysis confirms the existence of a long-run association among variables. The authors find a positive and significant impact of urbanization, FD and foreign development on environmental degradation in the long run. Similarly, only FDI increases environmental degradation in the short run. In addition, the authors find an inverted U-shape relationship between economic growth and environmental quality which, further, confirms the presence of EKC in Pakistan.
Originality/value
This research contributes to applied economics in many ways: the combined effect of urbanization, FD, FDI and economic growth on carbon dioxide (CO2) emission is checked simultaneously. To avoid ambiguity, this study constructs the FD index through the principal component analysis (PCA). Moreover, the role of structural breaks has been considered through the analysis. Novel Bayer-Hanck combined cointegration analysis is employed to detect the existence of long-run relationships among underlying variables.