Maryam Hosseini and Mohammad Saleh Owlia
The purpose of this paper is to present a model for measuring relational capital in banks by using measurement indicators defined in previous studies and according to the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a model for measuring relational capital in banks by using measurement indicators defined in previous studies and according to the conditions of the banking industry and in particular the Ansar bank in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
The study identifies measurement indicators of relational capital from the related resources and articles and uses content analysis and factor analysis methods. It also measures the selected indicators through a questionnaire analyzing them using the SPSS software to create a model to measure relational capital in the bank.
Findings
By using the measurement model created in this research, relational capital in Ansar bank is determined to be comprised of eight principal components. The total score of these components is the starting point of promoting the relational capital in the banking industry.
Research limitations/implications
This study may not have thoroughly covered the peer- reviewed articles on intellectual capital, but it can be assumed with high confidence that it has made a serious attempt at studying the most important papers on the subject as of date. Moreover, the model presented in this study is valid only when applied in comparing banks. It should further be noted that time limitation, non-availability of relevant experts as well as the required data may have affected the accuracy and reliability of the results. However, the final model has been utilized to try to optimally minimize each limitation according to the existing resources, and through their proper management.
Practical implications
This study provides a new approach that can significantly help bank managers in comparing their banks in the field of relational capital and reacting to their weaknesses and performance advantages of relational capital over its rivals.
Originality/value
In addition to creating a new framework for relational capital indicators, this study offers a model for measuring relational capital in the banks.
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Aidy Ali, Maryam Hosseini and Barkawi Sahari
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the fatigue behavior of rubber using dumb‐bell test specimens under uniaxial loading.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the fatigue behavior of rubber using dumb‐bell test specimens under uniaxial loading.
Design/methodology/approach
The material used is a vulcanized natural rubber with a formulation typical for engine mounts and an international rubber hardness degree of 60. Fatigue tests are conducted under the displacement controlled condition with a sine waveform of 0.1 Hz and the load ratio of zero.
Findings
In modeling fatigue damage behavior, a continuum damage model is presented based on the function of the strain range under cyclic loading. The Ogden strain energy potential is used to define the constitutive relation of the natural rubber. A good agreement is obtained between fatigue experimental data and theoretical predictions.
Originality/value
Fatigue analysis and lifetime evaluation are very important in design to ensure the safety and reliability of rubber components. The design of rubber against fatigue failure is an important topic that must be considered for safety during operation.
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Razie Hormoznejad, Anahita Mansoori, Seyed Ahmad Hosseini, Marzie Zilaee, Maryam Asadi, Mojdeh Fathi and Fateme Kiany
The purpose of this paper with meta-analysis is to clarify the effects of cranberry consumption on features of the metabolic syndrome of interest of all relevant randomized…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper with meta-analysis is to clarify the effects of cranberry consumption on features of the metabolic syndrome of interest of all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature search was conducted on ISI web of science, PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library and Google Scholar databases, to include trials published up to March 2019. Weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated from a random or fixed-effects models. Between‐study heterogeneity was assessed by Cochrane’s test and I2 index.
Findings
Ten RCTs were included in this review which involving a total of 371 subjects. Our meta-analysis showed that cranberry consumption had beneficial effects on waist circumference (WMD −0.49, 95% CI −0.96 to −0.036; p = 0.034). No significant effect of cranberry consumption on fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure was found in this meta-analysis.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic review with meta-analysis of RCTs that investigate the effect of cranberry consumption on features of the metabolic syndrome.
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Mohammad Iranmanesh, Maryam Mirzaei, Seyed Mehrshad Parvin Hosseini and Suhaiza Zailani
The purpose of this paper is to extent the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), when extended by self-identity and religious commitment (RC), and is able to predict Muslim…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to extent the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), when extended by self-identity and religious commitment (RC), and is able to predict Muslim consumers’ willingness to pay (WP) for certified halal food.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 277 Muslim consumers in Malaysia was conducted and the cross-sectional data were analysed using the partial least squares technique.
Findings
Attitude (ATT) and religious self-identity (RSI) were found to have a positive impact on WP for certified halal food. Additionally, RC has a positive effect on ATT and RSI and has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between perceived behavioural control and WP.
Practical implications
The findings can benefit halal food companies by offering an insight into the willingness of Muslim consumers to pay for certified halal food.
Originality/value
The findings contribute to the research on halal foods by illustrating the factors that determine Muslim consumers’ WP for certified halal food. This study also extends the understanding of the TPB to the halal food context.
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Seyed Mehrshad Parvin Hosseini, Maryam Mirzaei and Mohammad Iranmanesh
This study aims to investigate the factors that motivate Muslim consumers to pay for halal-certified food.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the factors that motivate Muslim consumers to pay for halal-certified food.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through a survey of 272 Muslim consumers in Malaysia. The data were analyzed using the partial least squares technique.
Findings
The results showed that animal slaughter, halal logo, food quality and religious commitment have a positive effect on the willingness to pay for halal food. Religious commitment positively moderates the relationship between storage and transportation and the willingness to pay for halal-certified food.
Practical implications
Policy makers as well as managers of halal food companies can benefit from this study which provides insight into ways to increase demand for halal food.
Originality/value
The findings contribute to the literature on halal foods by illustrating the factors that determine Muslim consumers’ willingness to pay for halal food. This study also extends the literature by testing the moderating role of religious commitment.
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Zahra Mohebbi, Maryam Azizi-Lalabadi, Sayyed Javad Hosseini, Sajjad Abdi Nowrouzani, Mohammad Alizadeh and Aziz Homayouni
The enrichment of bread with non-digestible prebiotic ingredients may exert health-promoting effects and provide healthier food choices for those suffering from metabolic…
Abstract
Purpose
The enrichment of bread with non-digestible prebiotic ingredients may exert health-promoting effects and provide healthier food choices for those suffering from metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ß-glucan and resistant starch incorporation on the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of white bread.
Design/methodology/approach
Seven different formulations of prebiotic bread were produced using different proportions of ß-glucan (0.8, 1 and 1.2 per cent), resistant starch (5.5, 8 and 10.5 per cent) and the combination of resistant starch and ß-glucan in a ratio of 4:0.5.
Findings
The GI and GL of the prebiotic bread prepared with 1 per cent ß-glucan (w/w) were 55.7 and 7.8, respectively, whereas those of the prebiotic bread prepared with 8 per cent resistant starch (w/w) were 64.8 and 8.42, respectively, with both breads having significantly lower GI and GL values than the control (P < 0.05). It was concluded that the incorporation of 1 per cent ß-glucan may be beneficial in producing prebiotic bread with both low GI and low GL.
Originality/value
Although white bread is a main food source in human diet, its high GI and GL make it an unhealthy food choice. The incorporation of ingredients with prebiotic effects, such as ß-glucan and resistant starch, can improve the nutritional value of this product by lowering its GI and GL.
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Seyed Reza Zeytoonnejad Mousavian, Seyyed Mehdi Mirdamadi, Seyed Jamal Farajallah Hosseini and Maryam Omidi NajafAbadi
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an important means of boosting the agricultural sectors of developing economies. The first necessary step to formulate effective public policies…
Abstract
Purpose
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an important means of boosting the agricultural sectors of developing economies. The first necessary step to formulate effective public policies to encourage agricultural FDI inflow to a host country is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the main determinants of FDI inflow to the agricultural sector, which is the main objective of the present study.
Design/methodology/approach
In view of this, we take a comprehensive approach to exploring the macroeconomic and institutional determinants of FDI inflow to the agricultural sector by examining a large panel data set on agricultural FDI inflows of 37 countries, investigating both groups of developed and developing countries, incorporating a large list of potentially relevant macroeconomic and institutional variables, and applying panel-data econometric models and estimation structures, including pooled, fixed-effects and random-effects regression models.
Findings
The general pattern of our findings implies that the degree of openness of an economy has a negative effect on FDI inflows to agricultural sectors, suggesting that the higher the degree of openness in an economy, the lower the level of agricultural protection against foreign trade and imports, and thus the less incentive for FDI to inflow to the agricultural sector of the economy. Additionally, our results show that economic growth (as an indicator of the rate of market-size growth in the host economy) and per-capita real GDP (as an indicator of the standard of living in the host country) are both positively related to FDI inflows to agricultural sectors. Our other results suggest that agricultural FDI tends to flow more to developing countries in general and more to those with higher standards of living and income levels in particular.
Originality/value
FDI inflow has not received much attention with respect to the identification of its main determinants in the context of agricultural sectors. Additionally, there are very few panel-data studies on the determinants of FDI, and even more surprisingly, there are no such studies on the main determinants of FDI inflow to the agricultural sector. We have taken a comprehensive approach by studying FDI inflow variations across countries as well as over time.
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Maryam Ehteshamzadeh, Taghi Shahrabi and Mirghasem Hosseini
In this paper, the main aim is to study the synergistic effects of alkanethiols upon inhibition of Schiff bases, N,N′‐ethylen‐bis and N,N′‐ortho‐phenylen‐bis in 0.5 M sulphuric…
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, the main aim is to study the synergistic effects of alkanethiols upon inhibition of Schiff bases, N,N′‐ethylen‐bis and N,N′‐ortho‐phenylen‐bis in 0.5 M sulphuric acid solutions.
Design/methodology/approach
Measurements were carried out in a three‐electrode cell assembly connected to the corrosion measurement system using software for Tafel polarization. Impedance measurements were carried out at open circuit potential using an electrochemical interface and frequency response analyzer at frequencies from 100 kHz to 10 MHz.
Findings
Results obtained revealed that at high concentrations, each of the investigated Schiff bases and 1‐dodecanethiol (DT) were good inhibitors when added separately to the corrosive media. The decrease in corrosion rate was associated with an increase in their concentrations. It was found that the presence of DT together with Schiff bases in corrosive medium increased inhibition effect, especially at low concentrations. Synergistic effect is discussed from viewpoint of their co‐adsorption. The adsorption of combined inhibitors was found to follow Langmuir isotherm. Thermodynamic calculations revealed that adsorption of combined inhibitors had a physical nature.
Research limitations/implications
In order to improve further the performance of Schiff bases and identifying their synergistic effects with other additives it is suggested that some more researches on other Schiff bases with other alkanethiol molecules must be done.
Practical implications
The results of this paper can be used for acid cleaning of carbon steel in which suitable inhibitor systems with the highest efficiency is required.
Originality/value
This paper reveals that the presence of DT molecules in solution encourage the adsorption of Schiff bases by facilitating the electrostatic co‐adsorption of Schiff base molecules through a synergistic effect.
Maryam Ehteshamzadeh, Taghi Shahrabi and Mirghasem Hosseini
Aims to investigate the inhibitive effect of the new series of Schiff base molecules, namely, N, N′‐ethylen‐bis(salicylidenimine) [S1], N, N′‐isopropylen‐bis(salicylidenimine…
Abstract
Purpose
Aims to investigate the inhibitive effect of the new series of Schiff base molecules, namely, N, N′‐ethylen‐bis(salicylidenimine) [S1], N, N′‐isopropylen‐bis(salicylidenimine) [S2] and N, N′‐Ortho‐phenylen acetyl acetone imine, (2‐hydroxy Benzophenone imine) [S3] on corrosion of copper during acid pickling treatment in 1 M HCl solution. Effects of concentration and temperature on the inhibition efficiencies of the selected Schiff bases have been studied systematically.
Design/methodology/approach
All inhibition experiments were conducted on copper sample in 1 M HCl solution. Weight loss measurements were carried out according to the ASTM standard procedure. Polarization curves and impedance spectra were carried out in a three‐electrode cell assembly connected to an EG&G potentiostat M273 and frequency response analyzer M1025.
Findings
Results obtained revealed that the studied Schiff bases act predominantly as cathodic inhibitors. The variations in inhibition efficiencies mainly depend on the type and nature of the inhibitors. Polarization and ac impedance measurements carried out at different concentrations of studied Schiff bases revealed that these compounds are adsorbed on copper surface and the adsorption obeys Langmuir adsorption isotherm. From the adsorption isotherms, the values of equilibrium constant, Kads, and the free energies of adsorption, ΔGads, were calculated. The associated activation energy of corrosion and other thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpies and entropies have also been determined.
Practical implications
The presence of high efficiency and low cost inhibitors is essential in acid pickling treatments for protection of copper and lowering of acid consumption. In comparison with conventional copper corrosion inhibitors such as benzotriazole, this result would be considered as a step forward in determination of new corrosion inhibitor.
Originality/value
This paper reveals that Schiff bases can be successfully used for protection of copper surface in acid pickling solutions.
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Maryam Mani, Seyed Mehdi Hosseini and Aldrin Abdullah
The goal of this study is to investigate the importance of safety issues in playgrounds, related to type of equipment and undersurface and their potential impacts on property…
Abstract
Purpose
The goal of this study is to investigate the importance of safety issues in playgrounds, related to type of equipment and undersurface and their potential impacts on property values.
Design/methodology/approach
The population of this study was drawn from neighborhood residents in Taman Sri Nibong Park, one of the biggest neighborhood parks in Penang, Malaysia. A total of 173 questionnaires related to playground injuries were distributed and collected. The data were analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics.
Findings
Drawing from the experiences of children with playground injuries, the present study concludes that more effort should be taken to establish particular qualities in designing playgrounds to attract more visitors and investors. Most playground‐related injuries are related to swings (50 percent) followed by slides (22.2 percent). Moreover, the findings revealed that 41.2 percent of injuries identified by parents occurred on sand, which is used as the undersurface of playgrounds. Swings, climbing frames, slides and monkey bars are the types of equipment that attract more children or, in other words, are the instruments found in most ordinary playgrounds that cause the most casualties. Therefore, particular attention needs to be given to ensure safety in designing the parks.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited in its scope due to the lack of time and budget. Moreover, it focused only on one playground and therefore it cannot be generalized. Hence, further research about safety issues in playgrounds is needed to allow a better understanding. In addition, more studies are needed to explore how new equipment designs should be incorporated to ensure safe playgrounds, which in turn can increase property values.
Practical implications
This research would enable government, the private sector and equipment designers, as well as society in general, to benefit from new approaches in considering the effects of the safety of equipment in playgrounds and its important effects on playgrounds, which could be a key determinant of property value. It can affect development strategies by attracting more investment in equipment safety design. This new way of thinking can also affect the quality of life of society and its sustainability.
Originality/value
The paper provides a new way of thinking about the effects of playgrounds on property values by looking strategically at safety aspects in playgrounds.