Search results

The American University of Beruit has generated a model for student success that builds on Kuh's five benchmarks of academic practice. The purpose of this study is to investigate the psychometric properties of the measures used to assess effectiveness of the benchmarks.

Using a database of student responses to the College Outcomes Survey, scalelets representing each of the five benchmarks were constructed. Confirmatory factor analysis, correlations, and structural equation modeling were used to test the measurement model and overall fit of the data, assess the extent the constructs are interdependent, and investigate influence of benchmarks on valued student outcomes.

Results provided evidence of reliability and construct validity of the measures. The university needs studies addressing the psychometric properties of the measures used to answer fundamental questions about its institutional effectiveness and needs to know whether these findings represent true relationships or measurement error. Without psychometric information, the university cannot monitor its institutional effectiveness in meeting its goals nor the impact of new policies and practices on student outcomes.

The study provides insight on meaning and components of various benchmarks and their impact on desired outcomes that the university has for its students, and thus provides more useful representations that meet its needs.

This study aims to explore the emergence of workplace spirituality (WPS) in Indian organisations through a systematic literature review by unwrapping the past, present and future state of WPS research in the Indian context. The data was covered for 15 years (2008–2023) and spread across 116 studies screened from Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCO.

Theory-context-characteristics-methods (TCCM) framework analysis and topic modelling (bidirectional encoder representations from transformers [BERT] analysis) techniques were adopted for a systematic exploration of theoretical underpinnings, contextual relevance, characteristic features and methodological rigour within the domain of WPS and analysis of the literature’s emerging trends and thematic patterns, respectively.

Using the TCCM framework, this study analysed the dominant theories applied in WPS literature within the Indian context, including social exchange theory and self-determination theory. In addition, this review highlights the key industries, variables and methodologies that have been the focus of prior research. Using BERT, this study clustered the textual data and identified three thematic patterns in the literature. By analysing past and current studies, this study identified potential gaps that future research could address, as guided by the TCCM framework.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the initial literature reviews focused on country-level studies adopting two techniques to bring more rigour: TCCM and BERT analysis.

Soya milk possesses dietetic properties, which include lower contents of saturated fat, cholesterol and lactose, and can reduce the risk of cardio vascular diseases. Partial substitution of milk solids with soya solids during the preparation of yoghurt further enhances its dietetic features.

Attempt has been made to highlight the nutritional and therapeutic properties of soya milk and its suitability for the manufacture of soyoghurt with enhanced dietetic properties. Basic steps for the manufacture of soyoghurt, such as preparation of soya milk base, addition of stabilizers, sweetening agents, starter cultures and flavors and storage stability of the finished products are described.

Soya solids in various forms such as soya milk, soya bean paste, soya protein concentrate and soya bean flour may be adopted during the manufacture of soyoghurt, but their concentration must be kept within the limits to sustaining the acceptability of the product. Problem of objectionable bean flavour and slower metabolic activity of starter cultures in soya milk can be solved with starter manipulation and introduction of sweetening agents and flavours.

Possession of nutritional and therapeutic qualities by soya beans have led to their exploitation for the manufacture of soyoghurt. Consumption of soyoghurt among health conscious people and allergic sufferers in search of meat replacer and dairy alternatives should be encouraged.

Despite being a Muslim-dominated country, Bangladesh has widely embraced traditional microfinance since its inception in the mid-1970s. However, Islamic microfinance, which has a lot to offer to the poor, is still in its infancy and has yet to gain momentum in the country. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the importance of Islamic microfinance and propose alternative Shariah-compliant microfinance models in Bangladesh.

This study is based on the desk research method, which relies on existing literature to collect secondary data on key concerns of traditional microfinance programs. In addition, institutional-level secondary data were also collected from the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) of Bangladesh. Guided by the Maqasid-al-Shariah, this study then proposes several Islamic microfinance models to overcome selected challenges faced by the microfinance industry in Bangladesh.

This study suggested three composite Shariah-compliant microfinance models, which are likely to help the underprivileged and thus ensure the achievement of the sustainable development goals in Bangladesh. The first model explained how the operational strategy of incumbent microfinance institutions (MFIs) could be restructured, while the second proposed the organizational strategies for establishing a new MFI. The third model used the notion of Sadaqah (charity) to address the multiple borrowing issues of the industry. Meanwhile, the successful transformation of the conventional microfinance industry to an Islamic one is dependent on the effective collaboration between the regulatory authorities, practitioners and MFIs.

Albeit the paucity of literature on the topic, the findings of this study will guide policymakers/practitioners in designing relevant microfinance models to help transform conventional microfinance into Islamic microfinance in Bangladesh.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are vital for economic growth in developing countries. Yet, little research has explored the link between Islamic principles and MSME performance, especially in Uganda. This study aims to investigate the relationship between Islamic financial principles and MSMEs’ performance in Makindye Division Kampala – Uganda.

This study used a correlational research design involving 86 respondents from 30 MSMEs between January and May 2023. Data collected through questionnaires was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences, examining three independent variables: ethicality, Halal investment and prohibition of riba, in relation to MSME performance.

The results revealed significant relationships between these variables and MSME performance. Prohibition of riba (r = 0.296, n = 86, p = 0.006), Halal investments (r = 0.308, n = 86, p = 0.004) and ethical principles (r = 0.283, n = 86, p = 0.008) all exhibited a statistically significant relationship. Regression analysis with R = 0.405, R² = 0.164 and adjusted R² = 0.134 indicated that all hypothesized variables were significant predictors of MSME performance. Based on findings, this study rejected the null hypothesis, confirming a moderately positive and significant relationship between Islamic financial principles and MSME performance.

This study underscores the importance of active involvement from key stakeholders such as the Uganda Halal Bureau, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Islamic financial institutions and government agencies in integrating robust support mechanisms for MSMEs into their strategic frameworks. Such efforts could enhance Uganda’s economic landscape, aligning with the experiences of Malaysia and Indonesia in leveraging Islamic principles for economic growth.

This paper aims to study the role of organobentonite (OB) as a filler to improve the mechanical strength of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). Organoclay was first prepared by modifying bentonite with different concentrations of N-cetyl-N, N, N-triethyl ammonium bromide. A series of SBR composites reinforced with OB were prepared using master-batch method.

The curing characteristics, mechanical properties, thermal behavior, dielectric properties and morphology of SBR/OB composites were investigated.

The elastic modulus and tensile strength of composites were increased by inclusion of OB, while the elongation at break was decreased, due to the increase in the degree of cross-linking density. Thermal gravimetric analysis revealed an improvement in the thermal stability of the composite containing 0.5 cation exchange capacity (CEC) OB, while the scanning electron micrographs confirmed more homogenous distribution of 0.5CEC OB in the rubber matrix. Also, SBR/0.5CEC OB showed low relative permittivity and electrical insulating properties.

Bentonite has been recognized as a potentially useful filler in polymer matrix composites because of their high swelling capacity and plate morphology.

OB improves the cured rubber by increasing the tensile strength and the stiffness of the vulcanizate.

Using cheap clay in rubber industry lead to production of low cost products with high efficiency.

The clay represents a convenient source because of their environmental compatibility. The low cost and easy availability make the modified clay used as fillers in rubber matrices, and the resultant composites can be applied in variety industrial of applications such as automobile industries, shoe outsoles, packaging materials and construction engineering.

While the influence of individual beliefs on decision-making has been widely acknowledged, the interaction of different types of beliefs remains an under-researched topic. This study analyses how the simultaneous influence of religious beliefs and nonreligious beliefs shapes individual decision-making. This study aims to contribute to inform organizational decisions on topics potentially associated with these two types of beliefs, including corporate social responsibility matters. This study also aims to provide insights to ethical decision-making in situations of absence of social consensus, a subject that is relevant for individuals, organizations and policymakers.

This study uses fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to identify how different configurational groupings of Christian beliefs and humanistic beliefs lead to the acceptance or nonacceptance of euthanasia in a sample of individuals who identify as Catholic.

Among individuals sharing a Catholic religious affiliation, the authors identify three different configurations of beliefs – Cultural Catholics (religious beliefs are absent and humanistic beliefs are present), Observant Catholics (religious beliefs are present and humanistic beliefs are irrelevant) and Secular Catholics (both religious beliefs and humanistic beliefs are present).

Previous research has put forward the role of religion-related variables, such as religious affiliation and level of religiosity, for views on euthanasia. This study provides a more detailed analysis of the role of belief systems, identifying how different configurational groupings of beliefs lead to a decision grounded in moral and ethical considerations but for which there is an absence of social consensus.