Khasan S. Karimov, Zubair Ahmad, Noshin Fatima, Muhammad Mansoor Ahmed and Muhammad Abid
The paper aims to study the effects of humidity on the electrical properties of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) thin films deposited at different gravity conditions.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to study the effects of humidity on the electrical properties of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) thin films deposited at different gravity conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
Surface-type samples were fabricated on glass substrates with preliminary-deposited copper electrodes. The CuPc solution was prepared in benzene. The thin films of CuPc were deposited on these substrates at diverse gravity conditions by drop-casting and centrifugation at 1 × g and 70 × g, respectively. Impedance and capacitance of the fabricated devices were measured against the different relative humidity ranging from 32 to 98 per cent.
Findings
The impedance and the capacitance of the CuPc film were found to be dependent on the ambient humidity levels (32-98 per cent) and the gravity conditions (1 × g and 70 × g) opted during the fabrication process.
Research limitations/implications
The centrifugation technique can potentially be used in the instrumentation industry for the fabrication of humidity sensors.
Practical implications
The results of the investigations can potentially be used in the instrumentation and optoelectronics industry for the fabrication of humidity sensors.
Originality/value
CuPc films were deposited from a solution in benzene using drop-casting and centrifugation. The electrical properties of the films were found to be dependent on film fabrication conditions and ambient humidity levels. Growth-dependent electrical properties of the CuPc films can be explained by considering their structure.
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Mansoor Ahmed and Lorenzo Lucianetti
The research study provides empirical insights on the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership (EL), entrepreneurial passion for founding (EPF), entrepreneurial bricolage…
Abstract
Purpose
The research study provides empirical insights on the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership (EL), entrepreneurial passion for founding (EPF), entrepreneurial bricolage (EB) and project success (PS), in the case of freelancers. The study aims to get a better understanding of whether freelancers, who behave like entrepreneurial leaders, can successfully complete projects through EB.
Design/methodology/approach
The study collected data from 209 freelancers through snowball sampling, in two waves, with a time-lag of fourteen days, to better examine the causality of variables. Data were analyzed by Model No. 4 and 7 (i.e. mediation and moderation, respectively) of Process macro.
Findings
Drawing on the effectuation theory, the results show that EB mediates the relationship between EL and PS and EPF moderates this relationship.
Practical implications
The freelancers can formally establish businesses later, after knowing whether they can complete these new types of projects. These online freelancing platforms can provide special services to freelancers who first want to test their skills on unrelated projects. In sum, the paper suggests that freelancers can be successful entrepreneurial leaders.
Originality/value
The EL, EPF, EB and PS are studied in the context of the informal sector, i.e. freelancing, which is the emerging working style in the world. It provides an in-depth understanding of phenomena in freelancers that lacks background literature.
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Gul Afshan, Muhammad Kashif, Firdous Khanum, Mansoor Ahmed Khuhro and Umair Akram
Based on the conservation of resources theory, this study aims to investigate high involvement work practices (HIWP) as an antecedent to burnout with a mediating role of perceived…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the conservation of resources theory, this study aims to investigate high involvement work practices (HIWP) as an antecedent to burnout with a mediating role of perceived work–family (WF) imbalance. Moreover, this study examines whether humble leadership moderates the relationship between HIWP and WF imbalance.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a time-lagged survey approach, data are collected from 200 employees working in the Indian services sector organizations.
Findings
The findings demonstrate that HIWP has a direct negative effect on burnout and an indirect effect via WF imbalance. Also, humble leadership moderates the relationship between HIWP and WF imbalance.
Originality/value
By studying the pessimistic view of HIWP in the Indian context, this study contributes to the scant studies available on its effect on burnout in collectivistic societies. Furthermore, humble leadership's moderating role in the relationship between HIWP and WF imbalance is unique to this study.
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Ahmed Mansoor Alkhan and M. Kabir Hassan
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the Islamic finance segment within the Updated Commercial Transactions Law in the UAE and opine whether the new alterations will have a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the Islamic finance segment within the Updated Commercial Transactions Law in the UAE and opine whether the new alterations will have a significant impact on the Islamic financial industry in the UAE.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a qualitative methodology, and the UAE as a case study. A single/embedded case study design is adopted, to analyse several chapters within the Updated Commercial Transactions Law in the UAE (multiple units of analysis).
Findings
The study revealed that the introduction and incorporation of fiqhi and Islamic financial principles within the Updated Commercial Transactions law in the UAE was done so in its rudimentary form, indicating that its purpose was to enhance the UAE’s position as a leading global Islamic financial hub – as opposed to the sole purpose of its usage during disputes between counterparties.
Research limitations/implications
This research is limited to the UAE as a case study and thus does not provide a comparative analysis with other GCC countries. A separate study would be required for a comparative analysis.
Originality/value
Given that the Updated Commercial Transactions Law in the UAE is relatively new, limited research papers have analysed this segment of the updated law in particular. This research, thus, contributes to knowledge by paving the way for future research pertaining to the same matter.
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Ahmed Mansoor Alkhan and M. Kabir Hassan
This paper aims to provide an analysis on how takaful operators choose, which takaful model to adopt when managing their insurance operations.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide an analysis on how takaful operators choose, which takaful model to adopt when managing their insurance operations.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses a qualitative methodology and uses the Kingdom of Bahrain as a case study. A single/holistic case study design is used to holistically analyse how a takaful operator chooses which takaful model to adopt when managing its insurance operations.
Findings
The results reveal that generally, takaful operators adopt either the hybrid wakala-mudharaba or wakala model of takaful, depending on whether a takaful operator is managing/investing the participants’ general or family fund, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
As the empirical data and results pertain to one jurisdiction, it may be difficult to generalize the empirical findings upon other jurisdictions.
Originality/value
This research may have contributed to knowledge by adding to literature empirical data and results in relation to takaful in the Kingdom of Bahrain that may have not previously existed in literature.
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Ahmed Mansoor Alkhan and M. Kabir Hassan
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis on whether takaful operators actually maintain separated and segregated accounts between the operator and participants’ funds…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis on whether takaful operators actually maintain separated and segregated accounts between the operator and participants’ funds, thereby conforming to Shariah compliance requirements or not.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses a qualitative methodology by analysing secondary data relating to two takaful operators in each of the jurisdictions of the Kingdoms of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Findings
The findings generally reveal that the financial statements and Shariah Supervisory Board annual reports of the takaful operators in the Kingdom of Bahrain confirm the Shariah-required maintenance of separate accounts between the operator and participants, as well as reveal transparency-related issues and Shariah governance weaknesses for takaful operators in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Research limitations/implications
Generalizing based on a single case study may affect the accuracy of the findings. It may also be argued that qualitative researches are generally considered as less valid than quantitative researches.
Originality/value
This research may have provided empirical data that did not previously exist in the literature.
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Gul Afshan, Carolina Serrano-Archimi, Amir Riaz, Muhammad Kashif and Mansoor Ahmed Khuhro
Building on social exchange and deontic justice theory, this study aims to examine the relationship between supervisory justice (i.e. interactional, procedural and distributive…
Abstract
Purpose
Building on social exchange and deontic justice theory, this study aims to examine the relationship between supervisory justice (i.e. interactional, procedural and distributive) and conflict (i.e. relationship, process and task) through subordinates’ perceptions of psychological safety. Moreover, the authors hypothesize that interactional justice differentiation (IJD) within a workgroup at the group level interacts with supervisory justice at the individual level, affecting subordinates’ psychological safety and conflict.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using a survey conducted among 378 service sector (banks, hospitals and universities) employees working under 54 supervisors.
Findings
Multi-level data analysis demonstrates that supervisory justice positively influences psychological safety, negatively affecting conflict. Moreover, psychological safety mediates the supervisory justice–conflict relationship. A cross-level interaction partially supports the conditional indirect effect of IJD in the supervisory justice–conflict relationship via psychological safety.
Originality/value
Following moral principles based on a deontic perspective, this study stretches the understanding of how to treat employees in a workgroup while creating a healthier working environment to minimize conflict fairly. This study extends the limited research on supervisory justice by conceptualizing employees’ perceptions of justice beyond an individual-level analysis.
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Gul Afshan, Zubaida Ashraf, Maryam Kalhoro, Sonia Sethi, Qurat-ul-Ain Memon and Mansoor Ahmed Khuhro
The incorporation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability is essential for higher education institutions' (HEIs') future development as they deal with more…
Abstract
The incorporation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability is essential for higher education institutions' (HEIs') future development as they deal with more societal and environmental concerns. The current status of research on CSR and sustainability in HEIs is examined in this systematic review, which also identifies major themes and trends for future development. This review emphasizes the complex characteristics of CSR and sustainability in the higher education environment, spanning aspects like university's social responsibility (education, community engagement, research, and internal management and organization), Sustainable Development Goal (environment, social, and economic), student's perceived self-efficacy, students' intention to implement sustainability, students' engagement for sustainability. It does this by assessing a wide range of scientific works. Additionally, it reveals the advantages and disadvantages of applying CSR and sustainability strategies in HEIs. The results highlight the significance of all-encompassing initiatives that cover governance, accountability, and openness in order to promote a sustainability culture inside HEIs. The paper ends with suggestions for further study, highlighting the necessity of interdisciplinary methods and successful collaborations to promote CSR and sustainability initiatives in HEIs and consequently contribute to sustainable development generally.
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The offshore boom in campus branches has produced enough evidence to make an initial assessment of how well academic freedoms are being observed in the illiberal locations – East…
Abstract
The offshore boom in campus branches has produced enough evidence to make an initial assessment of how well academic freedoms are being observed in the illiberal locations – East Asia and the Gulf states – that are now hosting Anglophone universities. Reviewing the history of American Association of University Professors (AAUP) policy making on the topic, and the circumstances under which a “gold rush” developed, this chapter analyzes the crackdown on speech in China and focuses on the case study of New York University Abu Dhabi, where a vigorous debate about freedoms and labor standards was followed by a series of conflicts with state authorities, resulting in violations of AAUP principles. Though it may be too early to offer conclusive arguments, the record of the liberal arts in illiberal places so far suggests that Herbert Marcuse’s “repressive tolerance” may be cropping up in new versions.