Kavitha Krishnamoorthi and Srinivasan Jagannathan
The purpose of this paper is to present a laboratory-based test method to evaluate colourfastness of silk fabrics when perfumes are applied on it.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a laboratory-based test method to evaluate colourfastness of silk fabrics when perfumes are applied on it.
Design/methodology/approach
Three different simple methods like simple spray method, rubbing and perspirometer were used. In simple spray method, standard quantity was sprayed from constant distance. In rubbing fastness tester, perfume sprayed fabric was subjected to rubbing. Similarly, perfume sprayed fabric was kept in perspirometer similar to perspiration fastness testing method. As a new method, perfume applied fabric was again treated with perspiration solution and colour change and staining were observed.
Findings
On comparing the different methods, it is suggested that method using fabric applied with both perfume and perspiration solution kept in perspirometer will simulate actual wearing condition and will give the actual effect of Perfume on fabric colour.
Originality/value
So far, no standard method is available. Hence, this test method will enable fabric manufacturers, perfume manufacturers and customers to be aware of effect of perfumes on fabric colour and aesthetics.
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Abdullah Alajmi and Andrew C. Worthington
This study aims to examine the link between boards and audit committees and firm performance in Kuwaiti listed firms in the context of recent and extensive corporate governance…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the link between boards and audit committees and firm performance in Kuwaiti listed firms in the context of recent and extensive corporate governance regulatory reform.
Design/methodology/approach
Panel data regression analysis with fixed effects and clustered standard errors of firm performance for 61–97 listed industrial and services firms in Kuwait over a seven-year period. The dependent variables are the returns on assets and equity, the debt-to-equity ratio and leverage and Tobin’s Q and the independent variables comprise board of directors and audit committee characteristics, including size, the number of meetings and the numbers of independent and outside board and expert committee members. Firm size, subsidiary status and cash flow serve as control variables.
Findings
Mixed results with respect to the characteristics of the board of directors. Board size and independent and outsider board members positively relate only to Tobin’s Q and insiders only to debt to equity. For audit committee characteristics, committee size, independence and expertise positively relate to the return on equity and committee size and expertise only to Tobin’s Q. Of the five performance measures considered, board and audit committee characteristics together best determine Tobin’s Q.
Research limitations/implications
Data from a single country limits generalisability and control variables necessarily limited in a developing market context. Need for qualitative insights into corporate governance reform as a complement to conventional quantitative analysis. In combining accounting and market information, Tobin’s Q appears best able to recognise the performance benefits of good corporate governance in terms of internal organisational change.
Practical implications
The recent corporate governance code and guidelines reforms exert a mixed impact on firm performance, with audit committees, not boards, of most influence. But recent reforms implied most change to boards of directors. One suggestion is that non-market reform may have been unneeded given existing market pressure on listed firms and firms anticipating regulatory change.
Social implications
Kuwait’s corporate governance reforms codified corporate governance practices already in place among many of its firms in pursuit of organisational legitimacy, and while invoking substantial change to audit committees, involved minor change to firm performance, at least in the short term. Some firms may also have delisted in expectation of stronger corporate governance requirements. Regardless, these direct and indirect processes both improved the overall quality of listed firm corporate governance and performance in Kuwait.
Originality/value
Seminal analysis of corporate governance reforms in Kuwait, which have rapidly progressed from no corporate governance code and guidelines to an initially voluntary and then compulsory regime. Only known analysis to incorporate both board of directors and audit committee characteristics. Reveals studies of the corporate governance–firm performance relationship may face difficulty in model specification, and empirical significance, given the complexity of corporate governance codes and guidelines, leads in changing firm behaviour and self-selection of firms into and out of regulated markets.
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Savita Rani, Rakhi Singh, Rachna Sehrawat, Barjinder Pal Kaur and Ashutosh Upadhyay
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a rich source of nutrients as compared to the major cultivated cereal crops. However, major factors which limit its utilization are the…
Abstract
Purpose
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a rich source of nutrients as compared to the major cultivated cereal crops. However, major factors which limit its utilization are the presence of anti-nutritional factors (phytate, tannins and polyphenols) which lower availability of minerals and poor keeping quality because of higher lipase activity. Therefore, this paper aims to focus on the impact of different processing methods on the nutrient composition and anti-nutritional components of pearl millet.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a literature review study from 1983 to 2017, focusing on studies related to pearl millet processing and their effectiveness in the enrichment of nutritional value through reduction of anti-nutritional compounds.
Findings
From the literature reviewed, pearl millet processing through various methods including milling, malting, fermentation, blanching and acid as well as heat treatments were found to be effective in achieving the higher mineral digestibility, retardation of off flavor, bitterness as well as rancidity problems found during storage of flour.
Originality/value
Through this review paper, possible processing methods and their impact on the nutrient and anti-nutrient profile of pearl millet are discussed after detailed studied of literature from journal articles and thesis.
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Ashish Dwivedi, Dindayal Agrawal and Jitender Madaan
Sustainability is an integrating concept and demands strategic attention in developing countries like India. Due to strict environmental regulations and ongoing government…
Abstract
Purpose
Sustainability is an integrating concept and demands strategic attention in developing countries like India. Due to strict environmental regulations and ongoing government sustainable policies such as “Namami Gange,” leather industries are extensively facing challenges to conform themselves toward these sustainable policies. The major challenge faced by leather industries is the exponentially increasing cost of adaptation to sustainable product and process. Under these operational constraints, survival of Indian leather industries has become a major challenge. In this context, this paper aims to identify and evaluate sustainable manufacturing policies. The key performance indicators (KPIs) based on triple bottom line of sustainability can assist leather industries that are about to initiate adopting sustainable practices.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper demonstrates the role of KPIs for evaluating sustainable manufacturing policies for leather industries in India. Initially, an in-depth literature review analysis has been carried out to identify indicators for evaluation of sustainable manufacturing policies. In this work, an integrated methodology has been developed to refine the priority map of the aforementioned KPIs based on consensus building among experts using Kappa analysis. Total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) has been used to demonstrate relationships which explain the significance of the KPIs. Further, Matriced Impact Croises Multiplication Applique analysis has been carried out to explore the relationships amongst KPIs.
Findings
Based on above analysis, identified interactive relationships among the KPIs will assist managers and decision-makers to incorporate effective sustainable policies in leather industries.
Practical implications
It is expected that these identified interactive interrelationships between KPIs will certainly facilitate the leather industry to achieve higher sustainable performance and competitiveness.
Originality/value
This study carries out an in-depth literature review analysis of sustainable manufacturing policies in leather industry. The author proposes an integrated methodology using kappa analysis, consensus building and TISM for evaluation of sustainable policies based on the literature review analysis and expert opinion.
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Anchal Gupta and Rajesh Kumar Singh
The purpose of this paper is to understand how logistics service providers manage their operations for sustainable service quality and operational excellence. This study is also…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand how logistics service providers manage their operations for sustainable service quality and operational excellence. This study is also trying to propose a framework for measuring service quality index along with some research propositions for analyzing service quality and operational excellence.
Design/methodology/approach
The detailed case analysis on sustainable practices of Indian logistics service providers (LSPs) has been done on the basis of case study approach suggested by Eisenhardt (1989). After this case analysis, service quality index is evaluated for the given company based on Cleveland et al. (1989) framework. The SWOT and performance analysis of the case organization has been also done, which is further followed by development of framework and propositions for analyzing service quality and operational excellence for LSPs.
Findings
It can be observed from in-depth case analysis that LSPs are making use of green practices to conserve resources for long-term sustainability. LSPs optimize their resources and use sustainable practices in the form of use of reusable and recyclable packaging materials, rain water harvesting, use of solar panels, innovations such as trucking cube, safety concern toward goods and contribution toward environment and society.
Practical implications
Resources optimization and green management practices are essential for LSPs for benchmarking environmental performance and for improving service quality and operational excellence.
Originality/value
This study has tried to analyze green logistics practices for sustainable service quality and proposed a framework for quantifying sustainability.