Search results

As recycling is associated with various environmental benefits, it is important that it is encouraged in Malaysia. Taking the disappointingly low recycling rate in Malaysia as its backdrop, the purpose of this paper is to examine recycling intentions and behaviors among micro-entrepreneurs in Kelantan, Malaysia, drawing on the theory of planned behavior.

The study adopted a cross-sectional design and stratified random sampling method to select 200 informal micro-entrepreneurs from Kota Bharu, Kelantan; then, quantitative data were collected through structured interviews. For data analysis, this study adopted variance-based structural equation modeling, i.e. PLS–SEM.

The findings indicated that environmental awareness had a significant positive effect on micro-entrepreneurs’ attitudes toward the environment. They also confirmed a positive and significant effect of attitude and perceived behavioral control on intention toward recycling and the effect of intention toward recycling on recycling behavior among the study sample.

Policies and programs focused on environmental awareness could nurture a positive attitude toward the environment, which, together with the capacities and resources available, could significantly influence the adoption of recycling behavior among informal entrepreneurs.

It is recommended that both public and private environmental protection and socio-economic development organizations combine their efforts to formulate and enforce policies and programs to promote recycling behavior among Malaysian entrepreneurs, which could spread the recycling spirit among all Malaysians.

As structural members, circular helicoidal bars are frequently used in the construction industry for a variety of practical and/or aesthetical reasons. While these bars (curvilinear beams) might represent the most practical alternative for carrying loads in a specified structural configuration, the three dimensional structural response has been found to be superior compared to that of other forms of structural members under a general state of loading. Presents the results of a study that has been designed to investigate the free vibration characteristics of this type of bar. The study reported is limited to the analysis of free vibrations utilizing the method of dynamic transport matrix (DTM), and the finite elements method (FEM). A comparative study of the results provided by the DTM is presented to assess the vibration characteristics of circular helicoidal bars and circular bars. The results indicate: the inherent structural superiority of the three dimensional behaviour of circular helicoidal bars; and the computational efficiency of the DTM as compared to the FEM.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the risks associated with outsourcing production to emerging countries with lower labour costs, namely China, and study actions and plans used to reduce the influence of factors/drivers that induce these risks.

This research uses a multiple case-study methodology, involving seven Canadian manufacturing firms that have chosen an outsourcing strategy in China. It is based on a particular approach of classifying factors/drivers that may generate risks related to this strategy and on interviews with two managers per firm to reduce personal bias.

In each of the seven cases studied, outsourcing was chosen to take advantage of lower labour costs in China, but in reality, costs were higher than expected due to unforeseen factors inherent to the risks involved. This study reveals that risks generated by factors/drivers such as lack of experience, reduced control over foreign operations and cultural differences are of major concern for managers outsourcing part of their production to China. However, according to some executives that were interviewed, certain actions can be taken by firms to overcome the negative influence of these factors/drivers. Furthermore, some risks may have multiple causes or be induced by other risks.

The sample of this study was composed of firms from different industrial sectors, and the authors were therefore unable to analyse sector-specific risks. As the industrial sector has an impact on the technical complexity of the products and their components, it would be appropriate to reconduct our research using samples drawn from similar sectors.

These findings can help guide the decisions of managers wishing to outsource some of their activities to China and other emerging countries. They will contribute to the success of outsourcing strategies to these countries, as they reveal the risks associated with these strategies and the ways to deal with factors/drivers that can induce them. For example, building long-term relationships with Chinese partners based on collaboration, trust and mutual benefit as well as conducting a rigorous prospecting phase and taking time to select the right subcontractor can have a major impact on reducing risks.

The main contribution of this work is the analysis of risks associated with outsourcing to China, based on a categorisation of factors/drivers that can generate these risks, and the study of how firms manage these factors/drivers and control their negative effects. The nature of the practices and actions used to manage important risks depends on the characteristics of the companies, their size, resources and the products they outsource.

Most developing countries, such as Sri Lanka (SL), are now looking for the support of foreign construction companies for large-scale infrastructure projects in return for expertise and resources. Thus, foreign companies may enter into agreements with local contractors through joint ventures (JVs). However, the priorities of construction project stakeholders may differ, which may ultimately end up in conflicts. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the most suitable conflict management strategies for international construction JVs (ICJVs) considering the SL context.

The mixed method was used for the research choice by selecting a questionnaire survey and expert interviews. Completed questionnaires (n = 78) were analysed using statistical techniques. The expert interviews with six industry practitioners were piloted to increase the validity and credibility of survey findings through a triangulation process where the collected data was analysed through content analysis.

The findings confirm that JV parties should first seek collaborative solutions in a conflict and seek legal redress only when those efforts are unsuccessful. Collaborating and compromising were recommended as the most appropriate tactics if an informal approach to conflict management was chosen. Alternative dispute resolution and litigation were identified as formal conflict management strategies.

This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, will be the first of its kind in SL, which will lead to a better understanding of conflict management in IJCVs and will encourage other researchers to extend this study through further work.

Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic analyses of basic structural elements from the theoretical as well as practical points of view. The range of applications of FEMs in this area is wide and cannot be presented in a single paper; therefore aims to give the reader an encyclopaedic view on the subject. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains 2,025 references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations dealing with the analysis of beams, columns, rods, bars, cables, discs, blades, shafts, membranes, plates and shells that were published in 1992‐1995.

Women's empowerment is nothing new; it has been acknowledged as an essential element of eradicating poverty and advancing the economy. However, it remains problematic in most developing countries, such as Afghanistan. This research evaluates women's empowerment experiences by utilising Self-Help Groups (SHGs) as a fundamental development method to empower women economically and socially. This study adopts a qualitative research style, with data mainly acquired from rural areas (Kabul province). The findings indicated that SHG involvement is closely associated with families' socio-economic well-being, meaning that SHG participants are more empowered than those who do not engage or are oblivious to SHGs. SHGs confront various obstacles in Afghanistan, including (but not limited to) erroneous cultural norms, security issues, inadequate financial assistance and poor member participation, all of which influence operations. This study makes important recommendations for promoting and achieving women's integration and active participation in SHGs, including increasing social awareness, support from civil society and the government, laws and regulations that support women, strategies to increase women's economic and social empowerment and linking groups to commercial banks.

The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for design, analysis and evaluation of cam‐follower systems used for the control of valve movement in internal combustion engines. The strategy begins with the inverse engineering of existing motor parts, designing them with the CATIA CAD Software and consequentially the created assembly is simulated using real time conditions in SimDesigner software, with the Adams Solver.

The cam profile is generated and the kinematic and dynamic analysis of the variable valve mechanism is presented. The whole mechanism is verified in a dynamics analysis to check the validity of the criteria for the follower‐cam system design. Comparisons with standard profiles of motion were made, while it is also evaluated in an experimental device, where the actual valve displacement was measured.

The variable valve lift mechanism is designed to have maximum lifts greater than the lift of the conventional mechanism, with the geometrical constraints, profile of forces, velocities and accelerations to be better, in terms of stresses and work required, than the design of conventional mechanisms.

The novelty of the paper is consisted in presenting an integrated simulation methodology in order to precisely model, in component and assembly basis, the follower cam mechanisms with variable valve lift, and using the available software to perform the kinematic and dynamic analysis. The proposed simulation methodology can be easily adapted by a design engineer to model and to analyzed kinematically and dynamically moving components and assemblies found in internal combustion engines and not only.

The purpose of this paper is to present the comprehensive literature review on 5S and suggest possible gaps from the point of view of researchers and practitioners. The manuscript presents the overview of 5S implementation and highlights the achievements realized from deployment of 5S initiatives for sustainable performance of organizations.

The paper critically examines the literature on 5S, analyzes and reviews it systematically. The study highlights the critical barriers and success factors for sustainable 5S implementation in the organizations in the competitive world.

5S is an outstanding Japanese philosophy for the development of any type organization all over the world. This study bring out the concept of 5S, requirements for its holistic implementation, relationship with other lean tools, benefits, success factors and obstacles in 5S implementation. The significant contributions through 5S initiatives in the organization like production, quality, safety and effective utilization of workspace for the sustained organizational improvement have also been highlighted in the study.

The literature on assortment of 5S technique has been so far very limited. The present paper reviews large number of research publications related to 5S to highlight the significance of 5S philosophy in the sustainable organizational improvement across the world. It foregrounds the approach advised by the various researchers, practitioners and appraises censoriously the reason behind the demand of 5S program in the organization. The needful steps and obstacles are also foreground for the effective implementation of 5S in the organization.

The paper presents a comprehensive review of literature publications in the area of 5S and their assortment to develop an understanding of the significance and implementation of 5S in the organizations. The paper will be helpful or useful to researchers, safety executives, development professionals and managers in the organizations.

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that granting general amnesty to thousands of black-money holders in Bangladesh has failed to make any positive impact on the development of its securities market. Rather, such a move or mercy by the successive governments over the years has basically increased corruption in the country.

The article relies on both primary and secondary materials. An archival analysis of the materials has been carried out in this research.

The major findings are that whitening black money is legally flawed, morally indefensible and economically unsound; the ultimate outcome of the whitening opportunity appears to be the protection of corruption, the prevention of which is imperative for the sustainable development of the national economy of Bangladesh; and no credible evidence has been found to support the underlying assumption that this immunity offered over the past four decades has benefited the economy.

Its originality is evident in the analysis of the materials in a cohesive way to prove a hypothesis that the immunity granted to the black-money holders has been a flawed initiative of the successive governments of Bangladesh to increase investment.

This paper aims to examine the prevailing Rohingya refugee crisis from political and humanitarian perspectives and explores the political and humanitarian aspects of the Rohingya refugee crisis.

Relevant literature has been reviewed for conceptual understanding. This study is descriptive and qualitative in nature and based on secondary sources of data.

The main causes of the Rohingya crisis such as political and humanitarian aspects. Issues such as discrimination and homelessness, and national security concerns that regional politics scapegoated the Rohingya to exacerbate regional tensions. Moreover, armed conflicts, political radicalization, security concerns, human rights violations and low media attention compared to other displaced families have made the future of the Rohingyas very uncertain.

The Rohingya crisis has far-reaching implications for domestic and regional politics as well as for relations with major world powers. In the context of regional security and geopolitics, this study provides insight into the polarization and politicization of the Rohingya minority.

This research offers a vital exploration of the Rohingya refugee crisis, delving into its multifaceted political and humanitarian dimensions, contributing fresh insights to address a pressing global concern.