Abstract
Owing to present and expected future regulations on the use of polluting antifouling compounds, there is a growing need for alternative methods for the prevention of biofouling. Some experiments on the effect of iron benzoate, as a possible biocide agent, on nauplii of Balanus amphitrite were carried out. This pigment was used because it is rapidly hydrolysed and consequently it produces a pH decrease. Although anion benzoate has an intense narcotic effect on nauplii, the results clearly demonstrated that the combined action of this compound and a pH decrease (generated by iron benzoate hydrolysis) produce a pronounced antifouling activity, i.e. the synergic effect is greater than separate effects.
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Mónica García, Mirta Stupak, Miriam Pérez and Guillermo Blustein
The purpose of this paper is to reduce the amount of copper in antifouling paints by using eugenol as an additive. Biofouling leads to deterioration of any submerged material. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to reduce the amount of copper in antifouling paints by using eugenol as an additive. Biofouling leads to deterioration of any submerged material. The most widespread method for control is the application of cuprous oxide antifouling paints which are toxic. First of all, the paper describes the effect of eugenol on larvae of Balanus amphitrite (fouling organism) under laboratory conditions and then the preparation, application and performance of different types of antifouling paints in field trials.
Design/methodology/approach
Three types of soluble matrix antifouling paints were prepared with different pigments. The first one containing 16 per cent v/v copper, the second with 1.6 per cent copper and the third with 1.6 per cent copper + 2 per cent eugenol.
Findings
After 12 months of immersion in Mar del Plata harbour paints containing 1.6 per cent copper + eugenol and 16 per cent copper were the most effective. Although these formulations showed a similar performance, copper + eugenol-based paint contains 90 per cent lesser copper than a traditional copper-based formulation.
Originality/value
The use of antifouling paints with copper + eugenol combination as pigment is a promising alternative due to its performance, low cost and reduction in copper leaching to environment.
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Sampson Kofi Kyei, William Iheanyi Eke, Godfred Darko and Onyewuchi Akaranta
This study aims to synthesize pigment and resin from agro-wastes and use them in the formulation of eco-friendly surface coatings.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to synthesize pigment and resin from agro-wastes and use them in the formulation of eco-friendly surface coatings.
Design/methodology/approach
The pigments and resin were synthesized through a chemical modification of agro-wastes. The pigments were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and were screened for their antimicrobial activities. The physicochemical characteristics of the cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL)-modified resin were evaluated. These precursors and other natural additives were used to formulate surface coatings, and their drying and adhesive properties were evaluated using international testing methods.
Findings
It was observed that the curing of the CNSL-modified resin depended on time and temperature. The pigments exhibited antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus and had high melting points, affirming their stability. The chemically modified precursors successfully yielded surface coatings with acceptable drying times and adhesion to the base substrate.
Practical implications
The use of agro-wastes as the main components of the surface coatings implies waste valorization, a reduction in production costs and the creation of job opportunities for sustainable development. To increase the chemical, physical, corrosion resistance and antimicrobial qualities of paint compositions, chemically modified peanut skin extracts and CNSL can be used as pigments and resins, respectively. This could be a green approach to achieving the targets of Sustainable development goals 11 and 12.
Originality/value
The paper outlines a prospective approach to use unwanted waste (peanut skin, cashew nutshells) and other natural additives as industrial raw materials. These novel surface coating precursors are cost-effective, readily available, eco-friendly and could replace conventional precursors.
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Katariina Juusola and Reem Srouji
The purpose of this study was to use legitimacy theory to discuss three important aspects of sustainability accounting and reporting practices: the historical building of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to use legitimacy theory to discuss three important aspects of sustainability accounting and reporting practices: the historical building of legitimacy for such practices, how organizations have adhered to them when building organizational legitimacy in a new legitimacy context (the Middle East and North Africa [MENA] region) and how sustainability professionals assess the legitimacy of them in this context.
Design/methodology/approach
The study applied an exploratory qualitative design and a paradigm-type approach to organizational discourse analysis. It used a document analysis and eight expert interviews as data sources.
Findings
The findings revealed that sustainability accounting and reporting face considerable challenges in the MENA region. Four discourses on organizational sustainability in the region were identified, namely, the normative/pragmatic, compliance, restrictive and performative discourses.
Practical implications
Awareness of the challenges and mechanics of sustainability accounting and reporting practices is important for managers, policymakers and consumers, who typically lack in-depth understanding of such practices and so would benefit from being better able to assess companies’ sustainability performance. The four identified discourses facilitate stakeholders’ understanding of sustainability practices in the MENA region.
Originality/value
The legitimacy of sustainability accounting and reporting has not previously been comprehensively investigated in non-Western contexts. This study discusses three important aspects of legitimacy: legitimacy of an object, legitimacy of a subject and legitimacy from an evaluator’s perspective. In doing so, it identifies the paradoxical nature of organizations’ attempts to comply with sustainability reporting practices.
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The purpose of this paper is to explain the reasons and development trend of the new round of restructuring of regional division of labor in East Asia after the global financial…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explain the reasons and development trend of the new round of restructuring of regional division of labor in East Asia after the global financial crisis and the role of China in the process.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper probes into four factors leading to the adjustment of regional division of labor in East Asia before analyzing its development trend trough comparing the change of roles of China and ASEAN in the process.
Findings
After the flying-geese division and regional production network, East Asia’s regional division of labor is getting a new round of structural adjustment. The analysis of this paper shows that this adjustment is mainly due to global financial crisis, post-crisis de-globalization, the rebalancing of East Asian economies and China’s economic transformation. From the adjustment direction, the main trend is ASEAN gradually replacing China to become the new assembly plant area, while China becomes a new manufacturing power by its rising status in the global value chain.
Originality/value
The paper describes the development trend of the new round of restructuring of regional division of labor in East Asia in the future and gives the policy implications for the East Asian countries.
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John D. McCollough, Gevorg Sargsyan and Zhe Luo
This paper focuses on one vital consequence which is that future infrastructure maintenance cost per capita will increase. Using a sample of 23 developed countries, this paper…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper focuses on one vital consequence which is that future infrastructure maintenance cost per capita will increase. Using a sample of 23 developed countries, this paper looks at rail line maintenance cost per capita in the year 2020 versus rail line maintenance cost per capita in the year 2100. This analysis can be applied to most other infrastructure maintenance costs in the future.
Design/methodology/approach
However, this paper focuses on one vital consequence which is that future infrastructure maintenance cost per capita will increase. Using a sample of 23 developed countries, this paper looks at rail line maintenance cost per capita in the year 2020 versus rail line maintenance cost per capita in the year 2100. This analysis can be applied to most other infrastructure maintenance costs in the future.
Findings
The findings show that trail line maintenance costs per capita in the year 2100 will increase significantly for most developed countries.
Research limitations/implications
This research shows the negative consequences of declining birth rates in a very vital and important area.
Practical implications
Despite declining birth rates and population decline in the future, many infrastructure systems still need to be maintained.
Social implications
Maintaining the infrastructure will extract increasing amounts of vital national resources away from other societal concerns.
Originality/value
From an extensive literature review, very little, if any, has been written on this subject. Yet, this topic is highly important and will continue to get more focus in the future.
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M.S. Sai Vinod, Pranav Umesh and N. Sivakumar
Prior research studies have discussed the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) during crisis situations in increasing the resilience and sustainability of the companies…
Abstract
Purpose
Prior research studies have discussed the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) during crisis situations in increasing the resilience and sustainability of the companies. There are two basic models of crisis management – reactive and proactive. When a crisis occurs, suddenly firms tend to act reactively and progressively take proactive steps to manage the crisis. CSR can also be reactive and proactive during crisis situations. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to explore whether CSR during the COVID-19 pandemic moved from a reactive to a proactive stance, with specific focus on CSR legislation, corporate CSR response and corporate thinking about CSR.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a mixed methods approach, using both qualitative and quantitative research designs. This study draws upon both primary and secondary data.
Findings
The results highlighted the change in the CSR approach from being reactive to being proactive as the pandemic progressed. This was observed through the increase in frequency of CSR legislation, and the shift in the intent of CSR legislation from “prompting to donate” to “prompting to volunteer.” Similarly, the shift in reactive to proactive CSR corporate response was observed through the increased spending on CSR and improved COVID-related CSR reporting.
Practical implications
This study recommends companies to manage crises by becoming more proactive. CSR activities need to be closely aligned with national developmental objectives, and collaborate with various stakeholders to achieve the intended outcomes of the activities.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research paper is one of the few to study the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on CSR in India at a time when India went through three waves of the pandemic. This study corroborates with other studies in terms of managing crisis.
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Augustine Senanu Kukah, Andrew Anafo, Richmond Makafui Kofi Kukah, Andrew Victor Kabenlah Blay Jnr, Dominic Benson Sinsa, Eric Asamoah and David Nartey Korda
Inefficiencies in the power sector resulting from underinvesting and underselling reduce the ability of governments to adequately finance energy projects. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
Inefficiencies in the power sector resulting from underinvesting and underselling reduce the ability of governments to adequately finance energy projects. The purpose of this paper is to explore mechanisms of energy financing, benefits and challenges associated with innovative financing of energy infrastructure as well as strategies to improve innovative financing of energy infrastructure.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaires were used to elicit responses from respondents. Seventy-eight responses were retrieved. Mean score ranking, Kruskal–Wallis test and discriminant validity were the analysis conducted.
Findings
Partial credit guarantee; partial risk guarantee; credit enhancement; and loan guarantees were the significant mechanisms. Production efficiency; reduce pressure on public budgets; access to management expertise; and self-sustainability of infrastructure facilities were the significant benefits. Lack of transparency and adequate data for risk assessment; high up-front cost; heterogeneity, complexity, and presence of a large number of parties; and lack of a clear benchmark for measuring investment performance were the severest challenges. Complete transparency and accountability; political stability and public view on private provision of energy infrastructure services; and macroeconomic environment were the significant strategies.
Practical implications
This study is beneficial to energy sector as the current government of Ghana hints on willingness to involve private sector in management of the power sector.
Originality/value
The novelty of this study is that it is a pioneering study in Ghana on innovative financing of energy infrastructure.
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Maciej Paszkowski and Sylwia Olsztyńska-Janus
The thixotropy of lubricating grease thickened with lithium 12-hydroxystearate with mineral base oil was investigated. The thixotropy has a significant influence on the flow…
Abstract
Purpose
The thixotropy of lubricating grease thickened with lithium 12-hydroxystearate with mineral base oil was investigated. The thixotropy has a significant influence on the flow resistance and pressure drop in the structural components of lubrication systems, which is of major importance as today the latter are being centralized and automated. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Rheometer studies on thixotropy were carried out and the grease microstructure was visualized using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was used to study the physicochemical interactions which indicate the disintegration and recovery of the grease microstructure.
Findings
A qualitative assessment of the physicochemical interactions between lithium soap floccules was made and a theory of the self-ordering effect of lithium 12-hydroxystearate associated molecules during shearing and their aggregation and flocculation during relaxation has been proposed.
Originality/value
Because of the complexity of the disintegration and recovery of the lubricating grease thickener microstructure, there is still limited physical understanding of the mechanism of this process. Therefore, the present research was undertaken to identify the phenomena involved.
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This study aims to shed light on defining precisely variables of logistics costs model in Indonesia’s cement projects and generally other projects scientifically. The variables…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to shed light on defining precisely variables of logistics costs model in Indonesia’s cement projects and generally other projects scientifically. The variables have previously so far been identified based on pragmatism and practical experience without rigorous scientific and empirical findings. The models are deeply awaited by every project practitioner, especially project controllers, in Indonesia.
Design/methodology/approach
Data for the period 2010–2018 of eight cement projects were taken in quarterly and tested with a statistical tool EVIEWS10 to develop a robust proposed model. Investigating models were done by literature studies and empirical studies, and the results had been examined by statistical tests to be determined as robust or not-robust models. The certain period taken due to the availability data of the cement projects in which after 2018 was unavailable because the cement product is overcapacity in Indonesia.
Findings
The model proposed is resulted by synthesizing logistics literature and empirical from the cement projects in which the model consists of foreign logistics costs, domestic manufacture, and domestic logistics costs as the best findings to develop logistics model for the cement projects with a-10 independent variable. It significantly found the variable of foreign logistics costs have taken higher portions in the model, and therefore must be prior carefully anticipated.
Practical implications
To guide investors to alert with several important variables of logistics in Indonesia. As education that to invest in Indonesia, the best logistics model must prior be known to anticipate further uncertainty.
Originality/value
This study is advanced applied research of logistics models developed by author for future possibility implementation in the sector beyond cement projects.