Dominika Maison, Marta Marchlewska, Rizqy Amelia Zein, Dewi Syarifah and Herison Purba
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of the halal label on product perceptions among Muslims high (vs low) in the centrality of their religion.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of the halal label on product perceptions among Muslims high (vs low) in the centrality of their religion.
Design/methodology/approach
It was hypothesized that a halal label would predict positive product perceptions, especially among those Muslims who scored high in the Centrality of Religiosity Scale (CRS). The study was conducted among 187 Muslims in Indonesia, a country in which Islam is the dominant religion. We used an experimental design where two products (cake and energy drink), with (n = 85) or without (n = 102) the halal label (depending on the experimental condition), were displayed. The participants were randomly assigned to the research conditions. Following product exposure, the participants evaluated products on perception scales (e.g. tasty, healthy). Finally, the centrality of religiosity (moderator variable) was measured.
Findings
The results of the analysis showed that the halal label increased positive product perceptions among those Muslims who scored high in the CRS. A similar pattern of results was obtained for both products (cake and energy drink), though the described effect was even more pronounced in the case of the energy drink.
Originality/value
Results shed light on the role of religiosity in consumption, especially in consumers’ responses to the halal label.
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Hoda Sabry Othman, Maher A. El-Hashash, S.H. El-Sabbagh, A.A. Ward and Galal A.M. Nawwar
Calcium and Zinc lignates were proven to be good antioxidants for rubber composites. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the copper lignate antioxidant activity along with…
Abstract
Purpose
Calcium and Zinc lignates were proven to be good antioxidants for rubber composites. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the copper lignate antioxidant activity along with evaluating its electrical conductivity in rubber composites.
Design/methodology/approach
The antioxidant activity of the Cu-LSF complex was compared with that of standard commercial antioxidant additives as a green alternative. The rheological characteristics, thermal aging and mechanical and electrical properties were evaluated for the NBR vulcanizates containing the different antioxidants in the presence or absence of coupling agents.
Findings
Results revealed that the Cu-LSF complex (5 phr) can function as a compatibilizing, antioxidant and electrical conductivity agent.
Originality/value
The new copper complex prepared from paper-pulping black liquor of wastes could be used as a green antioxidant and electrical conductivity agent in rubber composites.
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Emily J. Solari, Nancy S. McIntyre, Jaclyn M. Dynia and Alyssa Henry
Academic outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain poor, especially in the area of reading, in particular, reading comprehension. In recent years…
Abstract
Academic outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain poor, especially in the area of reading, in particular, reading comprehension. In recent years, researchers have begun to investigate subcomponent skills of reading comprehension for children with ASD in order to better understand its development and potential interventions to enhance outcomes. This chapter highlights the current knowledge in the field in regards to the key cognitive and language skills associated with reading development for individuals with ASD. These include emergent-literacy skills, word-reading and decoding, reading fluency, oral language, and social cognition. Additionally, the chapter makes suggestions for future research in this area, in particular the need to conduct research to establish evidence-based practices to better support the syndrome-specific reading needs for this population.
Junaid Aftab, Huma Sarwar, Nabila Abid, Muhammad Ishtiaq Ishaq and Fahad Aftab
The severity of global competition and vast hostile challenges is compelling the information and communications technology (ICT) industry to focus on internal organizational…
Abstract
Purpose
The severity of global competition and vast hostile challenges is compelling the information and communications technology (ICT) industry to focus on internal organizational factors to excel in performance. This study investigates the influence of shared responsibility, perceived identifiability and workplace spirituality on employees’ performance through work engagement. In addition, the moderating influence of work orientation on the relationships between shared responsibility, perceived identifiability and workplace spirituality with employee performance was also investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
Time-lagged and multisource data were acquired from 267 followers and their 69 immediate supervisors/managers of ICT firms. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data.
Findings
The findings reveal that the impact of shared responsibilities, perceived identifiability and workplace spirituality on performance (e.g. extra-role and in-role) is mediated by work engagement. Additionally, the positive association of perceived identifiability and workplace spirituality with work engagement is more pronounced when work orientation is high, indicating a positive moderation of work orientation.
Originality/value
This is among the initial studies that examine the impact of shared responsibility, perceived identifiability and workplace spirituality on overall employee performance through work engagement. The moderation of work orientation in these proposed relationships has not been previously examined. This study suggests novel theoretical and managerial implications for the ICT industry based on the results.
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Charith Dilshan De Silva, Piumi Dissanayake, Nayanthara De Silva and Geethmi Thisakya
Sewing machine operators face a significant health risk in the form of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Although the importance of adopting dynamic postures to…
Abstract
Purpose
Sewing machine operators face a significant health risk in the form of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Although the importance of adopting dynamic postures to alleviate musculoskeletal symptoms is researched, a substantial proportion of operators still experience WMSDs. This study aims to fill a gap in the literature by analysing the impact of dynamic posture, as opposed to static ones, on musculoskeletal symptoms among sewing machine operators.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research approach was used for this study. Data were gathered from 1,543 sewing machine operators in Sri Lankan textile and apparel manufacturing sector, encompassing seated, standing and dynamic working postures. The participants were selected using stratified random sampling, and data collection was conducted via a pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire based on the extended translated version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. To analyse the data, a one-way analysis of variance was performed to examine the impact of current working postures on pain and discomfort, considering various demographic variables such as age and gender.
Findings
The results indicate that 58.24% of sewing machine operators reported suffering from pain/discomfort due to work activities. Individuals in dynamic postures (21%) reported the least pain (52.7%), while majority of female sewing machine operators declared of having pain/discomfort as a result of work activities they perform. However, foot/ankle pain was common across postures. In summary, the discussion reveals the nuanced relationship between working postures and musculoskeletal pain/discomfort among sewing machine operators.
Originality/value
Enhancing ergonomics through dynamic postures has implications that extend beyond the textile and apparel manufacturing industry, offering valuable insights applicable to a wide range of workplace environments. This study highlights the importance of further research, particularly in assessing the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions designed to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms among sewing machine operators. It also underscores the importance of incorporating anthropometric data, adopting a holistic approach that considers factors such as the work environment, equipment design and worker health, and ensuring a more balanced or gender-specific sample in future studies.
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The purpose of this study is to address the relevance of archaeological heritage in the context of supply chains for the tourism industry. It does so by providing converging…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to address the relevance of archaeological heritage in the context of supply chains for the tourism industry. It does so by providing converging ideas on the usefulness of individual sites, not in their strict scientific or latent value but as an enhancer for optimizing cultural production in a wider scenario of aggregate demand.
Design/methodology/approach
While examples from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) illustrate this reasoning, the underlying principles have a widespread application and point to a need for defragmenting and realigning tangible heritage as a key production factor. Methods used consist of an inductive approach, based on secondary sources and semi-structured interviews.
Findings
Results indicate that, while archaeological resources remain central to the promotion of cultural tourism in the UAE, suppliers face challenges when incorporating particular sites into consumer-friendly packages.
Practical implications
The study contributes to the identification of common risks and opportunities for archaeological resource management in the development of UAE tourism products.
Originality/value
This represents an original angle, given the focus on the specific regional, cooperative added value of archaeological resources and the need for optimizing them in a functional supply chain.
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M. El‐Fadel, M. Zein, I. Nuwayhid, D. Jamali and S. Sadek
Urban tropospheric ozone (O3) concentrations can reach 40 folds its background level due to traffic‐induced emissions and extensive industrial activities. As such, O3 has become a…
Abstract
Urban tropospheric ozone (O3) concentrations can reach 40 folds its background level due to traffic‐induced emissions and extensive industrial activities. As such, O3 has become a pervasive air pollution problem in urban areas despite major efforts to control its precursors. In this paper, O3 formation mechanisms are briefly described, countrywide emissions with emphasis on O3 precursors are summarized, and field measurements of O3 background levels and its precursors in an urban area are presented. Simulation results using a photochemical air quality model including a sensitivity analysis with respect to design ratios and mixing heights are then presented. Mitigation alternatives and policies to control O3 formation are examined in the context of country‐specific characteristics.
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Salman Ahmed Shaikh, Abdul Ghafar Ismail, Mohd Adib Ismail, Shahida Shahimi and Muhammad Hakimi Mohd. Shafiai
This chapter looks at the relationship between governance and economic development in selected Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries. This chapter outlines…
Abstract
This chapter looks at the relationship between governance and economic development in selected Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries. This chapter outlines the concept of good governance in Islamic faith and episteme and provides some empirical evidence on the governance development nexus in the literature. It also describes the state of governance in OIC countries through descriptive statistics on some indicators. It looks at the relationship between governance and economic development. In contrast, it explores the relationship between governance and economic growth. The results highlight the need for reforms in the quality of institutions, establishing rule of law, emphasising on governance in the policy agenda and bringing strong accountability mechanisms.
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Ghulam Abbas and Shouyang Wang
The study aims to analyze the interaction between macroeconomic uncertainty and stock market return and volatility for China and USA and tries to draw some invaluable inferences…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to analyze the interaction between macroeconomic uncertainty and stock market return and volatility for China and USA and tries to draw some invaluable inferences for the investors, portfolio managers and policy analysts.
Design/methodology/approach
Empirically the study uses GARCH family models to capture the time-varying volatility of stock market and macroeconomic risk factors by using monthly data ranging from 1995:M7 to 2018:M6. Then, these volatility series are further used in the multivariate VAR model to analyze the feedback interaction between stock market and macroeconomic risk factors for China and USA. The study also incorporates the impact of Asian financial crisis of 1997–1998 and the global financial crisis of 2007–2008 by using dummy variables in the GARCH model analysis.
Findings
The empirical results of GARCH models indicate volatility persistence in the stock markets and the macroeconomic variables of both countries. The study finds relatively weak and inconsistent unidirectional causality for China mainly running from the stock market to the macroeconomic variables; however, the volatility spillover transmission reciprocates when the impact of Asian financial crisis and Global financial crisis is incorporated. For USA, the contemporaneous relationship between stock market and macroeconomic risk factors is quite strong and bidirectional both at first and second moment level.
Originality/value
This study investigates the interaction between stock market and macroeconomic uncertainty for China and USA. The researchers believe that none of the prior studies has made such rigorous comparison of two of the big and diverse economies (China and USA) which are quite contrasting in terms of political, economic and social background. Therefore, this study also tries to test the presumed conception that macroeconomic uncertainty in China may have different impact on the stock market return and volatility than in USA.
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Marhanum Che Mohd Salleh, Mohammad Abdul Matin Chowdhury, Eko Fajar Cahyono and Tika Widiastuti
The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of takaful operators in Malaysia.
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of takaful operators in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
The study applied the data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique and the ratio analysis, using secondary data available on Malaysian Takaful operators’ annual reports. The study period for the analysis ranged from 2013 to 2016.
Findings
Based on both analyses, the performance of Takaful operators was affected due to the additional cost imposed by the goods and services tax (GST) implementation. Results showed a decline in average technical efficiency for takaful operators upon GST implementation.
Research limitations/implications
The data were taken from the annual audited reports for selected firms that were available on the firm’s website only, which was limited. The data were taken till 2016, even though the GST is omitted from Malaysia on 1 June 2018. This study has applied Ratio analysis and DEA constant returns to scale (CRS) technique; the future study may adopt both DEA CRS and DEA carrying returns to scale model to evaluate along with other methods to identify the specific factors.
Practical implications
These findings may associate policymakers in identifying the shortcomings of GST or new tax implementation in a new and emerging industry. So, the policymakers and central banks may adopt necessary initiatives to support the industry. Because the Malaysian government is trying to push the takaful industry along with Islamic banking and finance in the competitive market, takaful operators may be exempted from the current sales and service tax (SST). In addition, takaful operators may use these findings to enhance their operational activities efficiently to improve performance. This paper might help the researchers and practitioners to learn the impact of GST. Even though GST seems not relevant anymore as the government has replaced it with SST, the trick is still the same as it is a kind of tax or costs incurred by the Takaful operators in running their business. Takaful managers may identify their efficient level in managerial aspects as well as the optimal scale of resources by the findings of this study.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is original in terms of data that is gathered directly from the annual report of the company during the GST period.