Zulfiqar Ali Raza, Faiza Anwar, Irshad Hussain, Sharjeel Abid, Rashid Masood and Hafiz Shahzad Maqsood
This study aimed to present fabrication of novel poly(lactic acid) (PLA) mediated chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) and their impregnation on cotton fabric for enhanced antibacterial…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to present fabrication of novel poly(lactic acid) (PLA) mediated chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) and their impregnation on cotton fabric for enhanced antibacterial and physical properties.
Design/methodology/approach
The PLA-CNPs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and zeta size analysis. The prepared PLA-CNPs were impregnated on cotton fabric via pad-dry-cure method. The finished cotton fabric was then characterized for its antibacterial activity, functional and other physical textile properties.
Findings
The spectral and optical properties demonstrate that the NPs expressed spherical morphologies with an average particle diameter of 88.02 nm. The antibacterial activity of treated fabrics ranged between 75 and 90 per cent depending on the concentration of PLA-CNPs.
Practical implications
Because of enhanced awareness and desire for ecofriendly products, the use of sustainable and functional textiles is increasing day by day. For the said purpose, industries are using different chemical treatments to achieve desired end functionality. Currently, different synthetic antibacterial agents are in practice, but they lack sustainable approach to save the environment. In this study, the researchers have developed PLA mediated CNPs for sustainable antibacterial and physical properties of treated cotton fabric.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is first attempt to fabricate PLA-incorporated CNPs for application on cotton fabric followed by a detailed characterization.
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Sobia Bhutto, Alamin Mydin, Kamran Hyder, Irshad Hussain Sarki and Gul Muhammad Rind
This study aims to investigate the relationship between workplace spirituality (WPS) and faculty critical thinking (CT) and the mediating effect of knowledge management (KM) among…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationship between workplace spirituality (WPS) and faculty critical thinking (CT) and the mediating effect of knowledge management (KM) among faculty at public universities.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional research design to attain the objective. Using simple random sampling, the data were collected from 295 faculty members working in public universities in Sindh, Pakistan. The hypothesized relationships were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) based on covariance and mediation analysis was conducted using Preacher and Haye’s (2008) approach.
Findings
Findings revealed a significant positive association between WPS, KM and faculty CT. In addition, the results indicated that KM played a partial mediating role in the relationship between WPS and CT.
Practical implications
Encouraging WPS can cultivate an environment of transparency, teamwork and knowledge exchange, promoting and enhancing faculty CT abilities.
Originality/value
Rare research exists regarding the connections between WPS, KM and CT in the Pakistani higher education system.
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Abdul Hakeem Waseel, Jianhua Zhang, Muhammad Usman Shehzad, Irshad Hussain Sarki and Muhammad Wajid Kamran
This study examines the link between the knowledge creation process, ambidextrous innovation, and competitive advantage. Further, this study also tested the moderating role of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the link between the knowledge creation process, ambidextrous innovation, and competitive advantage. Further, this study also tested the moderating role of organizational agility on the relationship between the knowledge creation process and ambidextrous innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical study’s data were collected by surveying 306 respondents employed in 140 Pakistani Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The questionnaire was designed according to the study’s requirements and was based on theoretical knowledge and findings from previous research on the knowledge-creation process, ambidextrous innovation, and competitive advantage. All hypotheses were tested using a structured regression method.
Findings
The study indicates that the knowledge creation process significantly impacts a firm’s competitive advantage. Additionally, this study demonstrates that ambidextrous innovation can moderate the relationship between the knowledge-creation process and competitive advantage.
Research limitations/implications
Future studies should examine mediating factors, such as organizational culture, leadership style, and industry characteristics, as well as moderating variables, such as environmental turbulence.
Practical implications
This study guides SME leaders on the importance of knowledge creation and ambidextrous innovation in achieving operational success and gaining a competitive advantage.
Originality/value
This study explores how the knowledge creation process directly and indirectly, enhances organizational capacity for competitive advantage through the mediating roles of ambidextrous innovation and the moderating role of organizational agility.
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Priya Saha, Md. Shakhawat Hossain, Nirmal Chandra Roy, Abdullah Al Masud and Ruhul Amin
This study aims to evaluate students’ intention and actual use (AU) of artificial intelligence (AI) tools’ to discover how the power of AI influences learning and academic success.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate students’ intention and actual use (AU) of artificial intelligence (AI) tools’ to discover how the power of AI influences learning and academic success.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper used the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to develop a structural equation model (SEM) and used convenience sampling to measure 304 students’ five-point Likert scale responses. The model was tested with AMOS-24 and SPSS-25, and the study found that AI boosted students’ learning experiences and explain importance of AI skills and knowledge.
Findings
Performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence and facilitating condition directly and indirectly affect AU via intent to use (IU), while subjective norms determining the use of AI tools’ and have no substantial influence. Attitude (ATT) moderates PE and EE, although the data show that ATT has no substantial effect on EE.
Originality/value
These insights may help student to understand how AI tools’ benefit them and what factors affect their utilization. When correctly designed and executed, UTAUT provides an appropriate integrated theoretical framework for robust statistical analysis like SEM.
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Hanan Eid Badwy, Sikandar Ali Qalati and Mohamed Fawzy El-Bardan
Environmental concerns and the urgent issues of climate change have shifted the organization’s focus toward achieving sustainability. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the…
Abstract
Purpose
Environmental concerns and the urgent issues of climate change have shifted the organization’s focus toward achieving sustainability. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the complex relationships among green human resource management (GHRM), green innovation (GI), green human capital (GHC) and sustainable performance (SP).
Design/methodology/approach
To investigate the relationships, the study employed partial least square structural equation modeling to run an analysis on 384 managers working in the hotel sector in Egypt, selected through a simple random sampling technique.
Findings
The results demonstrate that GHRM positively influences both GI and GHC. Additionally, GI and GHC have a positive impact on SP. Furthermore, GHRM directly contributes to SP, with GI and GHC acting as significant mediators in the relationship between GHRM and SP.
Practical implications
This study advances theoretical understanding and offers practical insights by employing the resource-based view theory and the ability-motivation-opportunity theory.
Originality/value
This research introduces and empirically tests a novel conceptual framework that comprehensively assesses the impacts of GHRM, GI and GHC on SP.
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Sabeen Hussain Bhatti, Rabia Irshad, Nazia Shehzad and Gabriele Santoro
This study aims to explore the underlying mechanisms of the less studied relationship between perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) (both internal and external) and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the underlying mechanisms of the less studied relationship between perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) (both internal and external) and creative deviance (CD). Based on the signalling and social capital (SC) theories, this study proposes that the relationship between CSR and CD is mediated by both the prosocial motivation and SC of the employees.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducted a survey approach to gathering data and implemented a structural equation modelling technique for analysis.
Findings
Data collected from telecom employees supported the sequential mediation of both SC and prosocial motivation on the relationship between internally and externally perceived corporate social responsibility and CD.
Research limitations/implications
The in-depth analysis of the similarities and differences in the internal and external dimensions of CSR is valuable for understanding the antecedents of CD.
Practical implications
The in-depth analysis of the similarities and differences in the internal and external dimensions of CSR is valuable for understanding the antecedents of CD. Managers can use this knowledge to improve their performance by following better CSR practices that in turn foster SC and CD. By supporting SC, companies will be able to increase their intellectual capital (IC), which is necessary to compete in today's markets.
Originality/value
The present literature is mostly silent on the differences and similarities between perceived CSR and employee creative behaviour: CD. The present study fills this gap by investigating this important relationship and testing its underlying mechanisms for internally and externally perceived CSR separately. The paper puts forward the key role of SC, which is part of IC, in reinforcing the relationship between CSR and CD.
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Qinqin Wu, Sikandar Ali Qalati, Kayhan Tajeddini and Haijing Wang
This research aims to investigate the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption on the innovation dynamics of Chinese manufacturing enterprises, with a specific focus on the…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to investigate the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption on the innovation dynamics of Chinese manufacturing enterprises, with a specific focus on the intricate interplay with the labor structure.
Design/methodology/approach
Leveraging panel data of listed companies from 2010 to 2022, this study employs the two-way fixed effects (TWFE) model to examine the influence of AI adoption on Chinese manufacturing companies' innovativeness. Firm-level AI adoption is measured by constructing a three-dimensional attention, application and absorption index.
Findings
The results indicate that (1) AI adoption has a positive impact on both internal innovation capability and external innovation interaction, (2) AI adoption has dual effects on the education and skill structure of labor in manufacturing enterprises and (3) enterprises with a highly educated and skilled workforce exhibit a stronger influence of AI adoption on innovativeness.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the academic and practical discourse by unveiling the underlying mechanisms of AI affecting innovation and introducing a new measurement of the AI adoption index. The findings emphasize the need for a highly educated and skilled workforce to navigate the complexities of AI-driven innovation, offering valuable theoretical and practical implications for policymakers and enterprises.
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Kashif Irshad, Amjad Ali Pasha, Mohammed K. Al Mesfer, Mohd Danish, Manoj Kumar Nayak, Ali Chamkha and Ahmed M. Galal
The entropy and thermal behavior analyses of non-Newtonian nanofluid double-diffusive natural convection inside complex domains may captivate a bunch of scholars’ attention…
Abstract
Purpose
The entropy and thermal behavior analyses of non-Newtonian nanofluid double-diffusive natural convection inside complex domains may captivate a bunch of scholars’ attention because of the potential utilizations that they possess in modern industries, for example, heat exchangers, solar energy collectors and cooling of electronic apparatuses. This study aims to investigate the second law and thermal behavior of non-Newtonian double-diffusive natural convection (DDNC) of Al2O3-H2O nanofluid within a C-shaped cavity emplacing two hot baffles and impacted by a magnetic field.
Design/methodology/approach
For the governing equations of the complicated and practical system with all considered parameters to be solved via a formidable numerical approach, the finite element method acts as an approach to achieving the desired solution. This method allows us to gain a detailed solution to the studied geometry.
Findings
This investigation has been executed for the considered parameters of range, such as power-law index, baffle length, Lewis number, buoyancy ratio, Hartmann number and Rayleigh number. The main results reveal that isothermal and concentration lines are significantly more distorted, indicating intensified concentration and temperature distributions because of the growth of baffle length (L). Nuave decreases by 8.4% and 0.8% while it enhances by 49.86% and 33.87%, respectively, because of growth in the L from 0.1 to 0.2 and 0.2 to 0.3.
Originality/value
Such a comprehensive study on the second law and thermal behavior of DDNC of Al2O3-H2O nanofluid within a C-shaped cavity emplacing two hot baffles and impacted by magnetic field has not yet been carried out.
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Boris Orlowsky, Pierluigi Calanca, Irshad Ali, Jawad Ali, Agustin Elguera Hilares, Christian Huggel, Inamullah Khan, Raphael Neukom, Arjumand Nizami, Muhammad Abbas Qazi, Carmenza Robledo, Mario Rohrer, Nadine Salzmann and Kaspar Schmidt
Although the importance of climate change is generally acknowledged, its impacts are often not taken into account explicitly when planning development projects. This being due to…
Abstract
Purpose
Although the importance of climate change is generally acknowledged, its impacts are often not taken into account explicitly when planning development projects. This being due to limited resources, among others, this paper aims to propose a simple and low-cost approach to assess the viability of human activities under climate change.
Design/methodology/approach
Many human activities are feasible only within a narrow range of climatic conditions. Comparing such “climate corridors” with future climate projections provides an intuitive yet quantitative means for assessing needs for, and the viability of, adaptation activities under climate change.
Findings
The approach was tested within development projects in Pakistan, Peru and Tajikistan. The approach was shown to work well for forestry and agriculture, indicating positive/negative prospects for wheat in two districts in Pakistan, temperature constraints for maize in Peru and widening elevation ranges for walnut trees in Tajikistan.
Practical implications
Climate corridor analyses feed into the preparation of Local Adaptation Plans of Action in Pakistan.
Originality/value
The simplicity and robustness of climate corridor analysis allow for efficient analysis and communication of climate change impacts. It works when data availability is limited, but it can as well accommodate a wide range of complexities. It has proven to be an effective vehicle for mainstreaming climate change into adaptation planning.