Enoch Owusu-Sekyere, Helena Hansson, Evgenij Telezhenko, Ann-Kristin Nyman and Haseeb Ahmed
The purpose of this paper was to assess the economic impact of investment in different animal welfare–enhancing flooring solutions in Swedish dairy farming.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to assess the economic impact of investment in different animal welfare–enhancing flooring solutions in Swedish dairy farming.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors developed a bio-economic model and used stochastic partial budgeting approach to simulate the economic consequences of enhancing solid and slatted concrete floors with soft rubber covering.
Findings
The findings highlight that keeping herds on solid and slatted concrete floor surfaces with soft rubber coverings is a profitable solution, compared with keeping herds on solid and slatted concrete floors without a soft covering. The profit per cow when kept on a solid concrete floor with soft rubber covering increased by 13%–16% depending on the breed.
Practical implications
Promoting farm investments such as improvement in flooring solution, which have both economic and animal welfare incentives, is a potential way of promoting sustainable dairy production. Farmers may make investments in improved floors, resulting in enhanced animal welfare and economic outcomes necessary for sustaining dairy production.
Originality/value
This literature review indicated that the economic impact of investment in specific types of floor improvement solutions, investment costs and financial outcomes have received little attention. This study provides insights needed for a more informed decision-making process when selecting optimal flooring solutions for new and renovated barns that improve both animal welfare and ease the burden on farmers and public financial support.
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Muhammad Hammad Masud, Faisal Anees and Haseeb Ahmed
The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of corporate diversification on earnings management.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of corporate diversification on earnings management.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on listed firms regarding non-financial sector of Pakistan, the study runs mean comparison test along with panel least squares regression analysis.
Findings
The results of the study suggested that locally diversified firms and combination of industrial and geographical diversified firms mitigate earnings management. In support of the earnings equalizing hypothesis, managers of diversified firms have less need for accruals management because diversified firms had more free cash flows which naturally reduces earnings variability. This study also found that diversified firms had no informational asymmetry problems which reject the asymmetric information hypothesis. In addition, debt ratios are also associated with large organizations, but it shows that the more debt ratios are negatively associated with earnings management. Mean comparison test is also conducted, but the results are same as the regression results which does not confirm asymmetric information hypothesis.
Research limitations/implications
Different business segments are affected by the world financial crisis in 2008. Because of those financial shocks, the diversified firms are affected more. In future studies, results will become more favorable in context of diversified firms.
Practical/implications
The main function of earnings management is to make up the company for investors point of view to look healthier than it really is. But it may cause to disappointment for investors regarding loss of investment. It shows future projections of the company and has vital importance for investor’s perspective.
Social/implications
The misallocation of resources caused by earnings management refers to the value loss for society. Because the misallocation of funds will make that particular segment or division more vulnerable which ultimately make shareholders to go for entrenchment or liquidation. At the end, un-employment rises after entrenchment or liquidation and the society suffers.
Originality/value
This research makes an important contribution to the accounting and management literature by providing new and significantly different evidences on the relative roles of corporate diversification and earnings management.
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Saima Shaikh, Andre Brown and Wallace Imoudu Enegbuma
Rural building practices, especially in developing communities, are often plagued by inadequate local construction knowledge and a limited understanding of the best building…
Abstract
Purpose
Rural building practices, especially in developing communities, are often plagued by inadequate local construction knowledge and a limited understanding of the best building practice guidelines. This has contributed significantly to compounding the effect of significant catastrophic events. The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential impact of disaster knowledge management (DKM) on improving housing resilience and makes particular reference to the 2005 earthquake in rural Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
Our research uses a comprehensive literature review that involves a qualitative approach to research aimed at understanding the 2005 earthquakes, their impacts, reconstruction challenges and DKM. Conventional published journals, articles, previous case studies and books were included. But importantly, to take in relevant local information, the review also took in published government reports, disaster mitigation policy documents, national and international NGOs publications, conference proceedings and news articles. More than 80 research papers and conference proceedings over 21 years, from 2001 to 2021, were analyzed in eight major online databases. These include Google Scholar, Science Direct, Research Gate, Scopus, Jstor, Springer, Emerald and Semantic Scholar.
Findings
The investigation identified that DKM has an important role to play in capacity building and technical knowledge transmission relating to seismic guidelines aimed at improving housing resilience. Consequently, a theoretical framework was developed, focused primarily on the post-2005 rural reconstruction mechanism and the identification of key challenges to disseminating seismic guidelines effectively in relation to rural construction practices.
Originality/value
This paper makes an original contribution by developing a DKM framework via the identification of key challenges that need to be addressed, in relation to rural construction practices, generally, but particularly in the Pakistan context.
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Ervina Efzan Mhd Noor, Amares Singh and Yap Tze Chuan
Recently nanoparticles reinforced lead free solders are vastly developed in electronics packaging industry. Studies and investigations have been conducted to learn and investigate…
Abstract
Purpose
Recently nanoparticles reinforced lead free solders are vastly developed in electronics packaging industry. Studies and investigations have been conducted to learn and investigate the types, properties, method, availability and importance of nanoparticles in this field.
Design/methodology/approach
Mechanical properties, melting temperature and microstructural conditions are taken into major considerations in any of the preparation on nanoparticles and being reviewed in this paper. Segregation of the types of nanoparticles being added together with their properties is summarized in this paper. High temperature reliability is crucial in providing a good viable solder and hence addition of nanoparticles have been seen to give a positive outcome in this particular property.
Findings
This paper reviews on the beneficial of the various nanoparticles addition in the solder. Briefed explanations and the factors are revealed in this review.
Originality/value
This paper reviews on the beneficial of the various nanoparticles addition in the solder.
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Sameera Zaman, Serat Ahmed Sara, Taranna Tabassum, Tahsin Tabassum, Samiya A. Selim and Haseeb Md. Irfanullah
Considering that knowledge, skills and behavior can influence sustainability efforts, this study aims to assess which personality traits influence one’s sense of feeling connected…
Abstract
Purpose
Considering that knowledge, skills and behavior can influence sustainability efforts, this study aims to assess which personality traits influence one’s sense of feeling connected to nature and presumably make more sustainable choices. The study also explores the situational factors that might pose barriers, despite an individual's preference for a sustainable lifestyle.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 54 faculty members from six Higher Education Institutions in Bangladesh were interviewed based on a semi-structured questionnaire on the barriers to a sustainable lifestyle in Dhaka city, while their personality traits were assessed using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, the Big Five Factors and the Connectedness to Nature Scale through a survey.
Findings
The results state that Empathic Concern and Fantasy, as dimensions of empathy, have strong positive correlations with feeling connected to nature. The physical, social and psychological challenges also cause fewer people to lead a sustainable lifestyle, despite feeling highly connected to nature.
Research limitations/implications
Sustainability efforts need to be context-specific due to localized challenges the people face. While educators play a key role in mainstreaming sustainability, generalizing the findings of the study to the wider population is limited. Further investigation to explore demographic and socioeconomic factors will provide key insights to the determinants of sustainable behavior.
Practical implications
The findings highlight that educational institutions can play a key role in the development of empathy and sustainability education, while addressing the need for good governance and policies in mainstreaming sustainability for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030.
Originality/value
Few studies have been conducted to understand sustainable behavior in Bangladesh and identify effective methods to promote sustainability. This study provides insights to sustainable behavior in the context of a least-developed country. Additionally, it will support educational institutions to work toward sustainable development by enabling empathic skills development in curricula, leading to more concrete sustainability efforts.
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Sarfraz Zaman, Hina Ahmed, Muhammad Haseeb Shakil, Muhammad Rafiq and Faiza Ali
This study is an attempt to explore the determinants of entrepreneurial intentions in the context of family business background. There is a dearth of studies on the relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
This study is an attempt to explore the determinants of entrepreneurial intentions in the context of family business background. There is a dearth of studies on the relationship between family business and entrepreneurial intentions. Three constructs of social cognitive theory (SCT) have been applied as mediators: self-efficacy, subjective norms and outcome expectations.
Design/methodology/approach
To measure entrepreneurial intentions, the data have been collected from the postgraduate students of three universities in Pakistan. The questionnaire was distributed among the respondents, and 416 complete responses were taken from the students. Simple random sampling has been applied, and measurement and hypothesized models are tested by using the structural equation modeling technique in WarpPLS.
Findings
The results of this research reveal that family business background significantly affects the three elements of SCT (self-efficacy, subjective norms and outcome expectations), which further develop the individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions (EIs). The results showed that social cognitive elements are the underpinning mechanism that explains the relationship between family business background and EIs.
Originality/value
The similarity of the study is less than 18%.
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Basharat Ullah and Faisal Khan
This paper aims to present an overview of permanent magnet linear flux-switching machines (PMLFSM), field excited LFSM and hybrid excited LFSM (HELFSM) topologies as presented in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present an overview of permanent magnet linear flux-switching machines (PMLFSM), field excited LFSM and hybrid excited LFSM (HELFSM) topologies as presented in literature for transportation systems such as high-speed trains and maglev systems.
Design/methodology/approach
The structural designs of different configurations are thoroughly investigated, and their respective advantages and disadvantages are examined. Based on the geometry and excitation sources, a detailed survey is carried out. Specific design and space issues, such as solid and modular structures, structure strength, excitation sources placement, utilization of PM materials, and flux leakage are investigated.
Findings
PMLFSM provide higher power density and efficiency than induction and DC machines because of the superior excitation capability of PMs. The cost of rare-earth PMs has risen sharply in the past few decades because of their frequent use, so the manufacturing cost of PMLFSM is increasing. Owing to the influence of high-energy PMs and magnetic flux concentration, the efficiency and power density are higher in such machines. PM is the only excitation source in PMLFSM and has constant remanence, limiting its applications in a wide speed operation range. Therefore, the field winding is added in the PMLFSM to flexibly regulate the magnetic field, making it a hybrid excited one. The HELFSM possess better flux linkage, high thrust force density and better flux controlling ability, leading to a wide speed range. However, the HELFSM have problems with the crowded mover, as PM, field excited and armature excitation are housed on a short mover. So, for better performance, the area of each excitation component has to compete with each other.
Originality/value
Transportation of goods and people by vehicles is becoming increasingly prevalent. As railways play a significant role in the transportation system and are an integral part of intercity transportation. So, this paper presents an overview of various linear machines that are presented in literature for rail transit systems to promote sustainable urban planning practices.
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Gomaa M. Agag, Mohamed A. Khashan, Nazan Colmekcioglu, Ahmed Almamy, Nawaf S. Alharbi, Riyad Eid, Haseeb Shabbir and Ziad Hassan Saeed Abdelmoety
Despite the increasing utilization of webpages for the purposes of information seeking, customers’ concerns have become a crucial impediment for online shopping. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the increasing utilization of webpages for the purposes of information seeking, customers’ concerns have become a crucial impediment for online shopping. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of the effectiveness of web assurance seals services (WASS) and customers’ concerns on customer’s willingness to book hotels through perceived website trust and perceived value.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was administrated to measure the study variables. Using partial least squares–structural equation modeling approach to analyze the data collected from 860 users of online hotel websites.
Findings
The results indicate that WASS influence positively on perceived website trust and negatively on consumers’ concerns. As well as, perceived value and trust play a mediating role in the link between WASS and consumers’ concerns and their intentions. Finally, perceived website trust and perceived value have greater effect on intention to book hotel for low-habit consumers.
Research limitations/implications
This study ignored the cross-culture issue as it concentrates on the customers from developing countries, so further research may need to compare between two or more than two samples from different societies that could give a significant insights. Second, this study stresses on the WASS to predict customers booking intentions that indicates significant results, so further research may need to examine the role of online reviews as a predictor of customers purchase decision as well.
Originality/value
To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first empirical research that investigates and examines the influence of the effectiveness of WASS and consumers’ concerns on consumers’ intentions through perceived value and trust. This research also investigates the moderating role of habit in the link between perceived website, perceived value and consumers’ intentions.
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This chapter empirically investigates the dynamic effects of globalisation on carbon emission in developing countries across the globe, experiencing a high-speed engine of…
Abstract
This chapter empirically investigates the dynamic effects of globalisation on carbon emission in developing countries across the globe, experiencing a high-speed engine of globalisation over the last two decades. The allied existing literature discussed this issue mainly from the angles of economic expansions and integration of the global economy. However, some relevant factors like trade, financial, interpersonal and informational issues and cultural and politics should be highlighted in order to explore their possible influences on the high rate of carbon emission in the developing world under the modern epoch of globalisation. In this regard, this chapter utilises the World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) (2020) and KOF Globalisation Index (2020) databases on selected 75 developing nations over the period of 2001–2018 to employ the dynamic panel econometric methods. The robust difference in generalised method of moments (GMM) estimates implies that trade is more harmful to high levels of carbon emissions in developing economies than all other components of globalisation.
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Muhammad Waqas, Abdul Haseeb Tahir, Hussain Tariq and Ayesha Rashid Khan
We investigate how green transformational leadership (GTL) influences green innovative service behavior (GISB), particularly in the hospitality sector, which faces significant…
Abstract
Purpose
We investigate how green transformational leadership (GTL) influences green innovative service behavior (GISB), particularly in the hospitality sector, which faces significant environmental challenges. Drawing from social identity theory (SIT), we introduce green organizational identity (GOI) as a mediating mechanism through which GTL fosters GISB. Furthermore, we propose a moderated mediation model whereby a green knowledge-sharing climate (GKSC) serves as a first-stage moderator to further understand how and when GTL fosters GISB through GOI.
Design/methodology/approach
We employed a multi-study design (i.e. two independent studies across China) to test the hypothesized relationships. Study 1 involved full-time employees from the service industry in China, including healthcare, telecommunication, and insurance sectors (N = 313). Study 2 employed a time-lagged dyadic design, collecting responses from employees and their managers at three different time points in the hospitality sector (N = 419).
Findings
In Study 1, the simple mediation results demonstrate that GTL positively influences GISB through the mediating role of GOI. Moreover, in Study 2, the moderating effect of GKSC was supported, showing that in organizations with strong green knowledge-sharing climate, the indirect effect of GTL on GISB via GOI is amplified.
Originality/value
In our work, we address a critical gap in the literature by identifying both the mechanisms and contextual factors that explain how GTL influences GISB. By introducing GOI as a mediator and GKSC as a first-stage moderator, the study advances understanding of how leadership, organizational identity, and a green-supportive climate interact to promote eco-friendly innovation in service organizations. This contributes both theoretically and practically to the development of effective strategies for advancing green initiatives in the service sector.