Ali Awni and Karim Shafei
A project was launched in December 2005 to assess the export readiness of Egyptian apparel companies registered for the Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) protocol, a market access…
Abstract
Purpose
A project was launched in December 2005 to assess the export readiness of Egyptian apparel companies registered for the Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) protocol, a market access agreement between Egypt, the USA and Israel. The main objective of the project is to gain a better understanding of those companies, their nature, their capabilities and their potential to export.
Design/methodology/approach
An export readiness score is introduced to determine the export maturity of the QIZ apparel companies. A structure questionnaire was designed to measure the company's ability to address the various requirements of exporting. Furthermore, a brief tour of the facilities was used to assess health and safety measures, and to validate the data.
Findings
The export maturity is classified into four stages, and it was found that on average companies in the same export readiness maturity stage exhibit similar strengths and weaknesses.
Practical implications
This finding enables the development of upgrading policies to improve the export capabilities of companies according to their stage of maturity.
Originality/value
The paper presents an export readiness score that enables top management of each company and upgrading organizations to target the areas that will result in improving the score, and thus the export capability of the companies.
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Yahya Skaf, Charbel Eid, Alkis Thrassou, Sam El Nemar and Karim S. Rebeiz
This research addresses the critical challenge of fostering customer loyalty within the highly competitive landscape of the insurance industry. The study investigates the…
Abstract
Purpose
This research addresses the critical challenge of fostering customer loyalty within the highly competitive landscape of the insurance industry. The study investigates the interplay between customer satisfaction, loyalty, and the influence of technology and service quality in the context of insurance services and in periods of crisis.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research approach was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire distributed among diverse insurance customers in Lebanon during crisis conditions. The data were analyzed using SPSS-Amos, incorporating descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM).
Findings
This research emphasizes the crucial role of customer satisfaction in fostering loyalty in the insurance sector, especially during crises. High satisfaction levels, influenced by user-friendly online platforms, positively correlate with increased customer loyalty. Technology plays a vital role in maintaining and improving satisfaction, making it a key driver during challenging times. Positive interactions between service quality and satisfaction further highlight the multifaceted impact of technology on shaping customer loyalty.
Practical implications
The research findings provide valuable insights with practical implications for insurers aiming to boost customer loyalty. The study recommends strategic investments in critical areas like claims processing, customer service, communication strategies, digitalization initiatives, and employee training. The study provides insights applicable particularly to insurance companies navigating crisis conditions.
Originality/value
This research contributes both to academic understanding and practical applications by shedding light on the distinctive challenges and opportunities faced by insurers in cultivating customer loyalty within the insurance industry during crisis. The elucidations provided serve as a foundation for developing targeted strategies to address these challenges and to leverage opportunities for enhanced customer loyalty.
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Alfonso Vargas-Sánchez and María Moral-Moral
Halal tourism is a growing segment that represents a potentially attractive niche. However, although increasing, it is still a young and residual area of academic research. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Halal tourism is a growing segment that represents a potentially attractive niche. However, although increasing, it is still a young and residual area of academic research. This paper aims to explore its concept, boundaries and various streams to offer a clarifying vision for researchers and tourism managers.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematization of the state of the art was carried out based on the papers contained in Web of Science and Scopus databases. Moreover, papers not indexed in these repositories (conference papers, book chapters, etc.) were searched through scientific social networks mainly.
Findings
In spite of recent efforts, halal tourism is a field of study still in a very early stage; however, on a practical level, the number of halal products and services is starting to increase worldwide. Nevertheless, there are challenges for the tourist industry in moving towards the authentication of the halal tourism offer, including among them the role of new technologies and the digital economy.
Originality/value
This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of halal tourism research. It highlights its main areas, gaps and questions for debate. In this line, a research agenda is proposed.
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Mehran Nejati, Yashar Salamzadeh and Cheng Kong Loke
The association between ethical leadership and employees’ ethical behaviors is well-established. But can ethical leadership go beyond this and drive employees’ corporate social…
Abstract
Purpose
The association between ethical leadership and employees’ ethical behaviors is well-established. But can ethical leadership go beyond this and drive employees’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement? The purpose of this study is to examine the association between ethical leadership and employees’ perception of their engagement in CSR activities while exploring the mediating role of person–organization fit.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a quantitative research design, data were collected via self-administered questionnaires from 142 employees of multi-national companies in Malaysia. This study used partial-least squares structural equation modeling to test and validate the research model and hypotheses posited.
Findings
The results reveal that ethical leadership has a positive impact on employees’ CSR engagement, mediated through person–organization fit. Moreover, analyses were carried out to assess the predictive performance of the proposed model. Our results confirmed the predictive capability of the proposed model.
Research limitations/implications
This study has provided a better understanding of employees’ CSR engagement, which is a crucial factor for effectiveness of CSR implementation in any organization. Finding evidence on the positive role of ethical leadership in driving employees’ CSR engagement extends both the leadership and CSR literature and offers new avenues for future research studies.
Practical implications
This study has shown that ethical leadership can stimulate employees’ CSR engagement through creating a better person–organization fit. This understanding can help managers in finding ways for more effective involvement of employees in a company’s CSR activities and creating a better working environment.
Social implications
Organizations can find better ways to involve employees in CSR activities through having ethical leaders who lead by example and champion social causes. Although ethical leadership will benefit society, it will also help employees experience a better fit between their values and those of the organization.
Originality/value
Despite extensive research on CSR, its drivers and outcomes, there is still limited knowledge on the role of leaders in driving employees’ CSR engagement. Findings from an emerging economy (i.e. Malaysia) will offer fresh insights into the growing CSR and leadership literature.
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The generality of the universe is “everything.” In this regard, the Qur'an declares abundantly on the ultimate and perfect domain of the divine law in creation. This also means…
Abstract
The generality of the universe is “everything.” In this regard, the Qur'an declares abundantly on the ultimate and perfect domain of the divine law in creation. This also means the profundity of the divine law in explaining and applying to all things in the knowledge–time–space dimensions of the conscious universe. Such observations or insights that span the complete universe comprise the Signs of Allah (ayath Allah).1
Masudul Alam Choudhury, Mohammad Shahadat Hossain and Mohammad Taqiuddin Mohammad
The purpose of this study of this methodological abstraction is erected the nature of the well-being function as evaluative criterion. The well-being function (maslaha) evaluates…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study of this methodological abstraction is erected the nature of the well-being function as evaluative criterion. The well-being function (maslaha) evaluates the interrelationships between long-run investment (real sector), the corresponding financial instruments (financial sector) and the embedded socioeconomic variables and ethical values conveyed by extensive complementarities and participation in a systemic approach of unity of knowledge. Among the financing variables to be selected will be the transformation of debt-instruments into equity instruments. All financial instruments are to be transformed into a holistic participatory pooled portfolio.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper establishes the point that, the idea of long-run is appropriately that of a juncture of Islamic change during which the objective of well-being (maslaha) is evaluated (estimation leading to simulation) with long-run investment and Islamic financing instruments on the basis of the Islamic methodological worldview. This methodological worldview is premised on the ontological foundation of the episteme of organic unity of knowledge and the resulting world-system. The Qur’an refers to this foundation of knowledge as Tawhid. Tawhid is used in this paper to mean the Primal Ontological Law of Unity of Knowledge.
Findings
The most critical long-run investment program focused on is poverty alleviation and its equity-based financing instruments that reduce debt progressively to attain sustainable grassroots development with the ability to own, and the social capability to distribute resources and enable the grassroots. The corresponding interaction, integration and evolutionary dynamics of learning that emanate from the interrelationship of poverty alleviation as the focus of long-run investments and their attenuating financing instruments, along with the implications of inter-causal socioeconomic variables and the embedded episteme of unity of knowledge in the well-being function (maslaha). This paper is thus an abstracto-empirical contribution to the literature of Islamic finance, long-run investment and socioeconomic development with global significance.
Research limitations/implications
The choice of long-run investment for poverty alleviation and the corresponding Islamic financing instruments are summarized by the following Tawhidi epistemic schema (an extractive picture). Upon this epistemic methodological worldview, the entire structure of well-being and sustainability of socioeconomic development lies.
Practical implications
The paper brings out many of the properties that ought to be the truly moral/ethical and thereby the conformable analytical nature of the model of financing and investment in a combination of short-, medium- and long-term mobilization of resources to attain levels of social well-being as the objective criterion. Empirical work is done to bring the objective criterion to an applied level and to critically examine the work in the same field being carried out by many other ones, including authors and institutions. The empirical work done here can be widely extended to the case of estimating of the maslaha function (well-being).
Social implications
This paper carries an essentially moral and social perspective in its methodological orientation that is derived from the Islamic epistemological foundations of unity of knowledge (Tawhid) and applied to Islamic finance and investment theory with the well-being objective criterion.
Originality/value
This is an original paper that combines methodological abstraction with applied financing and investment perspectives. Such an abstracto-empirical approach has not been done in Islamic research writings.
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Jun Wen, Hadi Hussain, Junaid Waheed, Waheed Ali and Ihsan Jamil
Recent research validates an increasing knowledge of environmental concerns in manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs). However, only a few studies maintain that green…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent research validates an increasing knowledge of environmental concerns in manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs). However, only a few studies maintain that green human resource management (HRM) practices and corporate social responsibility (CSR) play an important role, especially in the case of developing economies. Thus, this study aims to examine the direct and indirect relationship between green HRM practices and environmental sustainability (ES) through the mediation of CSR in SMEs in Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
The cross-sectional design of this study considers the mechanism by which green HRM practices affect ES through CSR in the context of Pakistani SMEs. The authors collected data from 320 manufacturing SMEs and used the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique to examine the relationship between variables.
Findings
The empirical findings of this study suggest green HRM practices have a positive and significant impact on ES. Further, the second hypothesis is not supported. In addition to the direct impact, the indirect effect of green HRM practices on CSR is positive and significant. Finally, the authors determine that green HRM practices affect ES through the partial mediation of CSR.
Originality/value
To date, this study is the first to use CSR as a mediator between green HRM practices and ES in the context of Pakistani SMEs. The study has important implications for HRM and government policy makers, suggesting they should improve strategies in favour of the green economy. Furthermore, developing countries could design similar studies with different future sustainability factors.
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Tuba Kavas Akarca, Merve Karayol and Isinay E. Yuzay
The purpose of this study is to develop a multifunctional coating layer based on nitrocellulose (NC)/acrylic resins containing precipitated silica and kaolin and investigate its…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a multifunctional coating layer based on nitrocellulose (NC)/acrylic resins containing precipitated silica and kaolin and investigate its suitability for use in packaging applications.
Design/methodology/approach
Different loading levels (1 and 5 Wt.%) of precipitated silica or kaolin particles were incorporated into NC/acrylic-based coating formulations and applied on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films. The coatings and coated LDPE films were characterized in terms of structural, physical, mechanical, thermal, optical, surface, morphological and water vapor barrier properties.
Findings
The glossiness of the coating formulations decreased by increasing the precipitated silica and kaolin content. The incorporation of kaolin (1 and 5 Wt.%) and precipitated silica (1 Wt.%) had no significant effect on the melting temperature of LDPE film; however, with the addition of 5 Wt.% precipitated silica, the melting and crystallization temperatures were significantly changed. The incorporation of 5 Wt.% precipitated silica and kaolin also enhanced the water vapor barrier properties of LDPE films. The light transmittance declined with the precipitated silica and kaolin addition, especially in the ultraviolet (UV)-A/UV-B spectrum regions indicating an excellent UV light protection.
Originality/value
It was concluded that NC/acrylic resins coatings containing precipitated silica and kaolin exhibit improved thermal stability, UV and water vapor barrier properties and have the potential for use in packaging applications.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide an extension of a previous study by the author into compliance by Islamic banks in Bahrain with accounting standards issued by the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an extension of a previous study by the author into compliance by Islamic banks in Bahrain with accounting standards issued by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI).
Design/methodology/approach
A number of compliance indexes are constructed to better understand compliance by the sample banks. The use of multiple indexes addresses methodological shortcomings identified in the previous study.
Findings
Compliance is found to be higher for some Islamic issues than for others. In a relative sense, compliance is found to be similar to that for the region with standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Research limitations/implications
The sample is limited to Islamic financial institutions in Bahrain. This is necessitated by the lack of adaptation elsewhere. The relatively high compliance found in Bahrain suggests broader adoption would be successful and would contribute to the overall regulation of the Islamic financial sector.
Originality/value
The AAOIFI has existed for over 20 years, but little empirical research had been conducted into compliance with the standards developed by this body. This paper, along with the previous study by the author, helps address this gap.
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Studies Ghazzali’s and Kant’s metaphysical epistemologies in comparative perspectives to bring out their consequences on the central issue of unification of knowledge. Addresses…
Abstract
Studies Ghazzali’s and Kant’s metaphysical epistemologies in comparative perspectives to bring out their consequences on the central issue of unification of knowledge. Addresses the problem posed by either of these epistemologies towards unifying knowledge. Shows the central issue of reality as a universal is to be premissed in unification, which is in turn explained to be the direct function of interaction and creative evolution from lower to higher levels of certainty. Shows the unification epistemology to be uniquely premissed in the Qur’anic roots of Oneness of God. Explains this concept substantively in analytical terms. Thus the concept of unification of knowledge means the circular continuity by evolution of the interactions and integration that occur by linkages between the purely a priori and the purely a posteriori domains. This is also meant to convey the phenomenon of epistemic‐ontic continuity of the process towards comprehension and the resulting materiality of forms that subsequently reinforce newer levels of comprehensions. Unification takes place in the plane of such interlinkages, complementarity and convergence or integration. Invokes the problem of unification of knowledge in the contrasting modes of all the three cases, namely Ghazzali, Kant and the unification epistemology, to address the issues of moral market transformation taken up in the midst of human sustainability. Discusses some contemporary issues relating to globalization, economic interlinkages and evolution for world development, in light of the topic of moral market transformation and sustainability. Studies both of these analytically in the unification epistemology paradigm in contrast to the consequences implicative of Ghazzali’s and Kant’s epistemologies.