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This paper aims to demonstrate the synthesis of polyesterification reaction of non-edible jatropha seed oil (JO) and acrylic acid, which leads to the production of acrylated epoxidised-based resin. To understand the physico-chemical characteristics when synthesis the JO-based epoxy acrylate, the effect of temperature on the reaction, concentration of acrylic acid and role of catalyst on reaction time and acid value were studied.

First, the double bond in JO was functionalised by epoxidation using the solvent-free performic method. The subsequent process was acrylation with acrylic acid using the base catalyst triethylamine and 4-methoxyphenol as an inhibitor respectively. The physico-chemical characteristics during the synthesis of the epoxy acrylate such as acid value was monitored and analysed. The formation of the epoxy and acrylate group was confirmed by a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis.

The optimum reaction condition was achieved at a ratio of epoxidised JO to acrylic acid of 1:1.5 and the reaction temperature of 110°C. This was indicated by the acid value reduction from 86 to 15 mg KOH/g sample at 6 hours.

The JO-based epoxy acrylate synthesised has a potential to be used in formulations the prepolymer resin for UV curable coating applications. The JO which is from natural resources and is sustainable raw materials that possible reduce the dependency on petroleum-based coating.

The epoxidised jatropha seed oil epoxy acrylate was synthesised, as a new type of oligomer resin that contains a reactive acrylate group, which can be alternative to petroleum-based coating and can used further in the formulation of the radiation curable coating.

The purpose of this study is to investigate consumers’ cryptocurrency adoption through the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and complexity theory.

By using a purposive sampling method, a configurational model was developed and a questionnaire-based survey was conducted to gather responses from a Malaysian sample. A total of 223 responses were obtained. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) were adopted to analyze the data.

The PLS-SEM indicated that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and affinity for technology interaction were positive cryptocurrency adoption predictors, whereas regulation was a negative predictor. Based on the fsQCA, cryptocurrency adoption could be explained by six configurational paths, which comprised combinations of the proposed causal conditions: the UTAUT factors (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating condition and social influence), environmental factor (regulation) and individual factors (financial knowledge and affinity for technology interaction).

This study offers contributions to the theoretical body of knowledge by articulating the relevance of extended UTAUT and extending the established UTAUT model by integrating external environment and personal factors, also showing the linear and nonlinear interplays of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, social influence, regulation, financial knowledge and affinity for technology interaction.

The findings facilitated practitioners’ (cryptocurrency brokers, governments and businesses) fostering of cryptocurrency adoption through the joint consideration of different factors. The factors spanned technological attributes and individual characteristics to regulation. Practitioners should acknowledge that different combinations of the aforementioned antecedents can be equally effective to increase cryptocurrency adoption. The findings suggested that these causal conditions should be considered holistically and that there is no best predictor.

In social terms, the research is expected to contribute to the dissemination of cryptocurrencies and help governments and central banks to develop, regulate and supervise digital currencies, as well as in the implementation of a digital currency ecosystem aligned with sustainable development goals. Economically, the results might foster a high cryptocurrency adoption rate and stimulate crypto-token-based business models and investment opportunities that present new means of revenue generation at individual, organizational and national levels.

This study offers unique perspectives for the body of knowledge and practice in the cryptocurrency domain, using both symmetric and asymmetric methodologies, by delineating the configurational logic involving technological capabilities, social influences, regulation and individual characteristics in facilitating more efficacious dissemination of cryptocurrencies.

The aim of this study was to measure the apparent viscosity, flow behavior and density of melon juice as a function of temperature and juice concentration and to obtain simple equations to correlate experimental data.

Melon juice was concentrated in a rotary evaporator to 40±1, 52.5±1 and 65±1°Brix at 50°C, 80 rpm and stored at 4°C until analysis. Density of melon juice was determined with 25 ml pycnometer at 15, 25 and 35°C and was expressed as kg/m3. All experiments were conducted in triplicate. Experimental data were fitted to different models (linear, quadratic, exponential, quadratic exponential and polynomial) using Minitab 16. Significant differences in the mean values were reported at p<0.05. The flow behavior of melon juice was determined using a concentric cylinder rotational viscometer at shear rate range of 13.2-330 s−1 and temperatures of 15, 25 and 35°C. The experimental data were analyzed Slide Write V7.01 Trial Size (p<0.05) and the rheograms was plotted by Microsoft Excel 2007.

Results showed that the four-term polynomial model is the best model for computing density values from temperature and concentration (R2=0.999). The measured shear stress was within 1.69-780 Pa, corresponding to viscosity range of 0.016-0.237 Pa · s. Within the tested conditions, the concentrate exhibited a pseudo plastic behavior. Temperature had an inverse effect on shear stress and apparent viscosity.

No research had been done on production of melon juice concentrate.

This study examines the effect of occupational stress on turnover intention of employees working in the banking industry. The authors examine the mediating effects of service climate and emotional regulations of the employees in the relationship between occupational stress and intention to leave the organization.

This study followed stratified sampling technique for data collection from employees of ten commercial banks based on the banks' financial performance of top 5 and bottom 5 out of 27 banks. Data were collected at 2 stages, first from 465 employees for occupational stressors and second from 408 employees among the participants in the first stage for turnover intention, service climate and emotional regulation. Harman’s one-factor test was conducted to examine the common method bias. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), regression analysis and Preacher and Hayes Process Macro approach were used to examine mediation effect.

Three factors, namely workload (WL), role ambiguity and growth opportunity expectations were identified as the occupational stressors in the banking industry, predicting a positive relation of overall occupational stress to the intention to turnover. Service climate and the employees’ emotion regulation ability mediate the relationship between stress and turnover intention. Results also revealed no significant role of control variables in predicting occupational stress and turnover intention.

This study implies that the WL, role ambiguity and growth opportunity expectations of the employees cause stress in employees which may lead to have turnover intention. In order to get success in competitive environment, managers of banking industry can address stressors by enhancing service climate and formulating policies and programs to strengthen the emotion regulation which is evidence to strengthen the reciprocity approach of social exchange theory in employees’ commitment.

This study contributes to the social exchange theory and attempts to fulfill the gaps in empirical research on personnel psychology, human capital\ and organization management in developing countries.

This study is the maiden attempt to understand the influence of four specific sources of employee support (SES), on the life insurance agents’ retention (AR) with the mediation of felt obligation (FO) in the context of the life insurance industry.

This study adopted a quantitative methodology and used the partial least squares-structural equation modelling to test the hypotheses of the study. Using convenience sampling method and a web-based questionnaire, this study gathered data from agents (n 265) of life insurance companies located in the central region of Malaysia.

The results reveal a positive relationship between all SES and AR. This means when agents perceive higher levels of support from their supervisors, peers, technology and mentors, they are more likely to remain in the industry. Contrary to the expectations, FO does not mediate the relationship between SES and AR, indicating that SES directly influences AR without the involvement of FO.

This study is the first to explore how an integrated model of SES influences AR within the Malaysian life insurance industry. The model takes a comprehensive approach, incorporating various SES including the less studied perceived technological support in influencing AR through the framework of social exchange theory.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of banana peel flour as fat replacer on rheological, physico-chemical, textural, mineral content and sensory properties of chicken patties.

Ultra low fat chicken patties were prepared with incorporation of banana peel flour at 0% (C), 1% (BP1), 2% (BP2) and 3% (BP3) levels separately to replace 50% externally added vegetable fat in formulation and evaluated for various quality characteristics and sensory attributes.

Highest G' and G''? modulus were observed in banana peel powder incorporated emulsion. No cross-point was observed at all ranges of frequency in meat emulsions prepared with banana peel. Among physico-chemical properties, control had significantly (p < 0.05) higher emulsion pH, emulsion stability, product pH, water activity values, fat and cholesterol content; however, cooking yield, moisture and ash content, fat retention and moisture retention values increased significantly (p < 0.05) in treatment patties. Mineral, textural and colour parameters had a significant (p < 0.05) effect except on manganese content and a* values. Various sensory scores decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increased level of banana peel flour.

Sensory scores of 3% banana peel powder incorporated patties were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than other treatments. There was no significant difference between 1 and 2% banana peel incorporated chicken patties. Therefore, an ultra low fat chicken patties incorporated with 2.0% banana peel flour to replace 50% vegetable fat were selected as the best treatment.

Present global trend and life style are currently driving ready-to-eat healthy meat products and factors include extended working hours, increasing number of single-person households and perception of food as reward. Fat is an important component of meat products and imparts tenderness, improving flavor and mouth feel to processed meat products, like chicken patties. However intake of excess energy in form of saturated and unsaturated fat may lead to various life style diseases in consumers. Hence development of ultra low fat chicken patties with incorporation of fruit waste without adverse effect on sensory properties may be a significant challenge.

The purpose of this study is to examine job engagement and creativity of employees in the hospitality industry of Pakistan as outcomes of empowering leadership through the mediating role of creative self-efficacy.

An electronic survey was conducted to collect data from 373 employees of food-chain restaurants in Pakistan. The data was analyzed by applying structural equation modeling (SEM) through Smart PLS 3.

Results indicated that empowering leadership has a positive association with job engagement and employee creativity in the hospitality industry. Further, creative self-efficacy has been found as mediating the relationship of empowering leadership with job engagement and employee creativity.

The study has substantial implications for the employees, managers and organizations of the hospitality industry as well as for the scholars of services industry research.