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The purpose of this numerical study is to analyse the character of transition from laminar to chaotic convection in a fluid layer bounded by no‐slip walls in two space dimensions for varying aspect ratio odd‐shaped enclosures consisting of two rectangular chambers, with a linking horizontal enclosure. For a medium Prandtl number fluid (Pr=7), the numerical solution of two‐dimensional Navier‐Stokes momentum and energy equations with Bousinessq approximation has been carried out. It has been found that there are finite Rayleigh numbers Ra₁, Ra₂ and Ra₃ for the onset of single, two and multiple frequency oscillatory motion at different spatial locations in the enclosure. As Ra is further increased period doubling is observed. The onset of strong chaos appears when Ra=Ra₃. This system does not revert to steady state convection at high Ra as observed by other researchers for the case of Rayleigh‐Benard convection. Moreover, the period doubling transition process is consistent with the scenario of Ruelle, Takens and Newhouse. As Ra increases, the power spectrum, and time series of various dynamical variable signals, etc. all show an increasing degree of characteristics of chaos.

We empirically investigate the impact of fintech innovation on dividend payout (DP) decisions. In addition, we also examine the mediated and moderated role of intellectual capital (IC) and board characteristics (BC) respectively in the fintech innovation-DP relationship.

Using a sample of 9,441 firm-year observations over the period 2014–2022, we develop a structural model that encompasses fintech innovation, IC, BC and DP decisions. We utilize fixed effects regression to empirically test the model. A battery of tests such as the two-step Generalized Method of Moment, Heckman’s two-stage selection correction and Difference-in-Difference regression are used to check the robustness and sensitivity of the estimates.

Our results suggest that fintech innovation significantly and positively impacts DP decisions and IC partially mediates the fintech innovation–DP relationship. In addition, BC such as independence, age and gender diversity are found to moderate this relationship.

This study’s originality lies in its micro-level analysis of the impact of fintech innovation on DP decisions, considering a novel firm-level innovation metric derived from patent applications. To our knowledge, no previous work has empirically examined the mediating role of IC and the moderating influence of BC in the fintech innovation–DP relationship, offering a unique perspective on the complex interactions shaping dividend policies in the digital era.

This study aims to investigate the association of FinTech innovation (FinTechINN) and firm performance (FP) by considering the role of knowledge assets (KA) as a causal mechanism underlying the FinTechINN – FP association.

In this study, the authors consider panel data of 1,049 Chinese A-listed firm and construct a structural model for corporate FinTech innovation, knowledge assets and firm performance while considering endogeneity issues in analyses over the period of 2014–2022. The modified value added intellectual capital (VAIC) and research and development (R&D) expenses are used as a proxy measure for knowledge assets, considering governance and corporate performance measures.

According to the findings of this study FinTech innovation (FinTechINN) has a positive significant effect on firm performance. Particularly; the findings disclose that FinTech innovations has a link with knowledge assets, FinTech innovations indirectly affects firm performance, and the association between FinTech innovation and firm performance is partially mediated by knowledge assets (MVAIC and R&D expenses).

Rooted in the dynamic capability and resource-based view, this study pioneers an empirical exploration of the association of FinTech innovation with firm performance. Moreover, it introduces the novel dimension of knowledge assets (on firm-level), acting as a mediating factor with in this relationship.

The purpose of this paper is to study whether the presence of women directors on the corporate board influences financial performance (FP). To examine the underlying causal mechanism, the authors modeled firm-level intellectual capital efficiency (ICE) in the relationshipbetween board gender diversity (BGD) and FP.

Using a sample of 5,879 US firms, a structural model of BGD, IC and FP is conceptualized by accounting for the endogeneity issues and alternative measures of the key variables in the empirical framework. In the model, the percentage of women directors is taken as BGD measures and value-added intellectual coefficient as an IC performance measure, considering governance and corporate performance measures.

The authors find a significant impact of BGD on FP. In particular, the results suggest: BGD is linked to IC; the influence of board gender diversity on the FP is indirect; and ICE fully mediates the relationship between BGD and FP.

To the best of the author’s knowledge, no study has empirically investigated whether the firm-level IC performance explains the influence of BGD on FP. Drawing on the resource-based view and organizational learning theory of the firm, the authors empirically modeled the relationship between BGD and FP through a mediation mechanism of firm-level ICE to fill the void in the literature.

This study aims to empirically investigate the effect of financial reporting quality (FRQ) and audit quality (AQ) on the investment efficiency (IE) for the firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange during the period 2007-2014.

The authors use pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) regression which cluster at the firm and year level to test the hypotheses. For sensitivity check, the authors also account for reverse causality and cross-sectional dependence by using the GMM and FGLS regression methods. Furthermore, the authors built their theoretical arguments based on alignment hypothesis of the agency theory and resource-based view of the firm.

The findings suggest that higher FRQ and AQ are associated with higher IE. The results for these particular estimates are robust when tested using alternative estimation techniques. Overall, the outcomes of this study are in line with the arguments presented by the alignment hypothesis of the agency theory and resource-based view of the firm.

This study is fruitful for policymakers’ and investors. This study finds that the audit done by the Big 4 also reduces the information gap and, thus, reduces the moral hazard and adverse selection problems, thereby enhancing the IE.

The authors extend the debate on determinates of IE and highlight two monitoring mechanisms: FRQ and AQ. The authors further extend the literature on the economic consequences of AQ in terms of IE, as proposed by Francis (2011). For the first time, this study investigates the impact of AQ on IE in a setting where minority shareholder risk of exploitation is high relative to other markets in Asia.

The purpose of the study is to analyse the occurrence and distribution of different tree species in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, as a baseline for further inventories, and estimate the biomass per species and plot. Furthermore, it aims to measure forest biodiversity using established formulae for tree species diversity index, richness, evenness and accumulative curve.

Field data were collected, including stratification of forest sample plots. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out, and locally appropriate allometric equations were applied for biomass estimation.

Representative circular 556 forest sample plots of 1,000 m² contained 13,135 trees belonging to nine tree species with a total aboveground biomass of 12,887 tonnes. Sixty-eight per cent of the trees were found between 2,600 and 3,400 masl; approximately 63 per cent had a diameter at breast height equal to 30 cm, and 45 per cent were less than 12 m in height. The Shannon diversity index was 1.82, and Simpson’s index of diversity was 0.813.

Rough terrain, long distances, harsh weather conditions and location of forest in steep narrow valleys presented challenges for the field crews, and meant that fieldwork took longer than planned.

Estimating biomass in Gilgit-Baltistan’s forests using locally developed allometric equations will provide transparency in estimates of forest reference levels, National Forest Monitoring System in Pakistan and devising Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation national strategies and for effective implementation.

This paper presents the first detailed forest inventory carried out for the dry temperate and semi-arid cold region of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

Sustainable development is the part of every context of life. However, these is a lack of serious attention on the concept of sustainable tourism. Therefore, issues like cultural disintegration, inequality of shared benefits and lack of conservation of resources for future have been evident regularly. Similar is the case of Asian market although lack of research and publication under this vein is one of the major reasons for lack of user or readers knowledge. Therefore, this chapter has been written purposively in order to discuss the concept, theories, problem as well as factors behind sustainable tourism with special focus towards the factors that are causing problem in development and managing of tourism destination. Although to make the chapter interesting and important, authors try to relate the work with hurdles in India and Pakistan. Therefore, the significance of the study has many folds as it does not only initiate further research work but also optimize policymaking and entrepreneurial activities in way that will suit and support sustainable tourism practices.

This study aims to examine the influence of the talent management (TM) process on employee ambidexterity (EA) and the moderating role of learning organizations in Indian IT and ITes organizations.

The study is descriptive and based on empirical data from 390 IT and ITES employees from India. Data were collected using three valid and reliable questionnaires. Data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

The findings show that the TM process significantly impacted EA. The moderating effects of the four dimensions of learning organization (LO) on the relationship between the TM process and EA were also noteworthy, even though no direct association was found to be significant. Regarding demographic variables, male and female employees do not vary considerably in their perception of TM process and EA in LO.

The study’s novelty lies in creating and discussing a synthesis of exploration and exploitation stemming from EA in learning organization.

This paper aims to empirically investigate the sources of real exchange rate fluctuations in Egypt using structural vector autoregression (SVAR). The data covers the period between 1980 and 2016, where exchange regime has been changed more than once.

This paper investigates the source of real exchange rate fluctuations for the period between 1980 and 2016 using the SVAR method. The SVAR method will incorporate real gross domestic product (GDP), real effective exchange rate (REER) and price level in a multidimensional equations system. However, impulse response function (IRF) and error variance decompositions (EVDC) will be generated by the system to have a behavioral insight of real exchange rate in response to economic shocks.

The IRF and EVDC results indicate a significant impact of demand shocks over the real exchange rate relative to supply shocks and monetary shocks in the period between 1980 and 2016. On the other hand, monetary shocks will have a negligible effect on the real exchange rate in the short run and converging to its previous level in the covering period of the study.

In the best of the authors' knowledge, the topic of the source of the real exchange rate fluctuations in Egypt has not been discussed in a wide range due to the lack of time series data. However, this study provides constructed data for REER for Egypt with the published method in the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Furthermore, the study involves theoretical and econometric modeling to ensure the reliability of the economic results.

The purpose of this study is to fabricate an ultraviolet (UV) metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetector based on zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) grown on seeded silicon (Si) substrate that was prepared by a low-cost method (drop-casting technique).

The drop-casting method was used for the seed layer deposition, the hydrothermal method was used for the growth of ZnO NRs and subsequent fabrication of UV MSM photodetector was done using the direct current sputtering technique. The performance of the fabricated MSM devices was investigated by current–voltage (I–V) measurements. The photodetection mechanism of the fabricated device was discussed.

Semi-vertically high-density ZnO (NRs) were effectively produced with a preferential orientation along the (002) direction, and increased crystallinity is confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Photoluminescence results show a high UV region. The fabricated MSM UV photodetector showed that the ZnO (NRs) MSM device has great stability over time, high photocurrent, good sensitivity and high responsivity under 365 nm wavelength illumination and 0 V, 1 V, 2 V and 3 V applied bias. The responsivity and sensitivity for the fabricated ZnO NRs UV photodetector are 0.015 A W-1, 0.383 A W-1, 1.290 A W-1 and 1.982 A W-1 and 15,030, 42.639, 100.173 and 334.029, respectively, under UV light (365 nm) illumination at (0 V, 1 V, 2 V and 3 V).

This paper uses the drop-casting technique and the hydrothermal method as simple and low-cost methods to fabricate and improve the ZnO NRs photodetector.