Bataa Sayed Mohamed Mazen, Badawi Mohamed Ismail, Rushdya Rabee Ali Hassan, Mahmoud Ali and Wael S. Mohamed
The purpose of this study is to detect the effect of some natural cellulosic polymers in their nano forms with the addition of zinc oxide nanoparticles on restoring the lost…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to detect the effect of some natural cellulosic polymers in their nano forms with the addition of zinc oxide nanoparticles on restoring the lost mechanical strength of degraded papyrus without any harmful effects on the inks.
Design/methodology/approach
In the current study, the USB digital microscopy, scanning electron microscope, measurement of mechanical properties (tensile and elongation), pH measurement, color change and infrared spectroscopy were undertaken for the samples before and after treatment and aging.
Findings
In the current study, the USB digital microscopy, scanning electron microscope, measurement of mechanical properties (tensile and elongation), pH measurement, color change and infrared spectroscopy were undertaken for the samples before and after treatment and aging.
Originality/value
The effect of strengthening materials was studied on cellulose and carbon ink, which makes this study closer to reality as the manuscript is the consistent structure of cellulose and inks, whereas most of the literature stated the impact of consolidation materials on the strengthening the cellulosic supports without attention to their impact on inks.
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Bataa Sayed Mohamed Mazen, Badawi Mohamed Ismail, Rushdya Rabee Ali Hassan and Mahmoud Ali
The purpose of this study is to determine the nature of archaeological papyrus damage and monitoring the mechanics of damage caused by black inks to the chemical properties of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the nature of archaeological papyrus damage and monitoring the mechanics of damage caused by black inks to the chemical properties of ancient papyrus.
Design/methodology/approach
This study the papyrus surface with a digital microscopy “USB,” examination and analyzing by “Scanning Electron Microscope,” characterization of black ink used in writing the ancient papyrus using “Scanning Electron Microscopy” with (EDX). Detection of changes in the chemical bonds of ancient papyrus samples by “Fourier transform infrared” FTIR.
Findings
The result confirmed that SEM examination showed the organization of the parenchyma cells that make up papyrus tissue. Characteristic waveform appears, it indicates the ancient Egyptian manufacturer’s use of the (Strips Method) in the process of manufacturing the archaeological papyrus. Also, the appearance of (Over Lapping) stacking of papyrus slides. EDX analysis showed that the black ink used to write the papyrus was (Carbon Ink). High oxygen content in the papyrus sample analysis indicates deterioration of the cellulose fibers. FTIR spectrum showed that Arabic gum is the bonding material for carbon ink particles, it also showed that archaeological papyrus suffers from hydrolysis due to exposure of papyrus fibers to high moisture content or direct water, resulting in smudge, bleeding and fading of carbon ink on the archaeological papyrus support.
Originality/value
The study is archaeological papyrus with black ink scripts from the excavation of the Qasr I brim.
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Mohammad Osama, Aly Sherif and Mohamed Badawy
This paper aims to enlighten the importance of the risk management process which is considered as a major procedure to effectively handle the potential inherent risks in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to enlighten the importance of the risk management process which is considered as a major procedure to effectively handle the potential inherent risks in the construction industry. However, most traditional risk analysis techniques are based on theories that deal with each risk factor as an independent, which does not take into consideration the causal relationships between risk factors.
Design/methodology/approach
This study aspires to identify the overall risk of the administrative construction projects in Egypt and to recognize the most influencing risk factors through the project life cycle by using Bayesian belief networks (BBN). Through a review of the literature, 27 risk factors were identified and categorized as the most common risk factors in the construction industry. A structured questionnaire was performed to estimate the probability and severity of these risks. Through site visits and interviews with experts in the construction field, 200 valid questionnaires were collected. A risk analysis model was developed using BBNs, then the applicability of this model was verified using a case study in Egypt.
Findings
However, the outcome showed that critical risks that manipulate administrative construction projects in Egypt were corruption and bribery, contractor financial difficulties, force majeure, damage to the structure and defective material installation.
Practical implications
The proposed study presents the possibilities available to the project parties to obtain a better forecast of the project objectives, including the project duration, total project cost and the target quality by examining the causal relationships between project risks and project objectives.
Originality/value
This study aspires to identify the overall risk of the administrative construction projects in Egypt and to recognize the most influencing risk factors through the project life cycle by using BBNs.
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Change orders in construction projects may lead to an increase in time and cost highlighting the need for a systematic analysis of the causes of change orders. Each cause of…
Abstract
Purpose
Change orders in construction projects may lead to an increase in time and cost highlighting the need for a systematic analysis of the causes of change orders. Each cause of change orders has a probability of occurrence and impact; therefore, there is a need to reassess the causes of change orders based on the probability and impact. The purpose of this paper is to determine the risk score for each factor and develop a model for estimating the overall change orders based on the measured and latent variables.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology consists of four parts. The first part identifies the causes of change orders in road projects from a literature review and develops the final list using the Delphi technique. The second part includes designing the final questionnaire to determine the probability and impact of each factor on the five-point Likert scale and 237 questionnaires received validity. The data were divided into training and testing sets and analyzed using AMOS software.
Findings
The proposed structural equation model presents an insight into the influence of measured and latent factors, which are not obvious in the traditional equations. The main cause for change orders was a change in design.
Originality/value
The results of this research are expected to improve the execution of road projects by identifying the main causes of the change orders and hence the project manager can develop a proper risk response plan.
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Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are vital for economic growth in developing countries. Yet, little research has explored the link between Islamic principles and…
Abstract
Purpose
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are vital for economic growth in developing countries. Yet, little research has explored the link between Islamic principles and MSME performance, especially in Uganda. This study aims to investigate the relationship between Islamic financial principles and MSMEs’ performance in Makindye Division Kampala – Uganda.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a correlational research design involving 86 respondents from 30 MSMEs between January and May 2023. Data collected through questionnaires was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences, examining three independent variables: ethicality, Halal investment and prohibition of riba, in relation to MSME performance.
Findings
The results revealed significant relationships between these variables and MSME performance. Prohibition of riba (r = 0.296, n = 86, p = 0.006), Halal investments (r = 0.308, n = 86, p = 0.004) and ethical principles (r = 0.283, n = 86, p = 0.008) all exhibited a statistically significant relationship. Regression analysis with R = 0.405, R2 = 0.164 and adjusted R2 = 0.134 indicated that all hypothesized variables were significant predictors of MSME performance. Based on findings, this study rejected the null hypothesis, confirming a moderately positive and significant relationship between Islamic financial principles and MSME performance.
Originality/value
This study underscores the importance of active involvement from key stakeholders such as the Uganda Halal Bureau, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Islamic financial institutions and government agencies in integrating robust support mechanisms for MSMEs into their strategic frameworks. Such efforts could enhance Uganda’s economic landscape, aligning with the experiences of Malaysia and Indonesia in leveraging Islamic principles for economic growth.
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– The purpose of this paper is to decrease the traffic created by search engines’ crawlers and solve the deep web problem using an innovative approach.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to decrease the traffic created by search engines’ crawlers and solve the deep web problem using an innovative approach.
Design/methodology/approach
A new algorithm was formulated based on best existing algorithms to optimize the existing traffic caused by web crawlers, which is approximately 40 percent of all networking traffic. The crux of this approach is that web servers monitor and log changes and communicate them as an XML file to search engines. The XML file includes the information necessary to generate refreshed pages from existing ones and reference new pages that need to be crawled. Furthermore, the XML file is compressed to decrease its size to the minimum required.
Findings
The results of this study have shown that the traffic caused by search engines’ crawlers might be reduced on average by 84 percent when it comes to text content. However, binary content faces many challenges and new algorithms have to be developed to overcome these issues. The proposed approach will certainly mitigate the deep web issue. The XML files for each domain used by search engines might be used by web browsers to refresh their cache and therefore help reduce the traffic generated by normal users. This reduces users’ perceived latency and improves response time to http requests.
Research limitations/implications
The study sheds light on the deficiencies and weaknesses of the algorithms monitoring changes and generating binary files. However, a substantial decrease of traffic is achieved for text-based web content.
Practical implications
The findings of this research can be adopted by web server software and browsers’ developers and search engine companies to reduce the internet traffic caused by crawlers and cut costs.
Originality/value
The exponential growth of web content and other internet-based services such as cloud computing, and social networks has been causing contention on available bandwidth of the internet network. This research provides a much needed approach to keeping traffic in check.
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Nor Hawani Wan Abd Rahman, Mustaffa Mohamed Zain and Norashfah Hanim Yaakop Yahaya Al‐Haj
The main aim of this study is to assess the level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure of 44 government‐linked companies (GLCs) listed on Bursa Malaysia and to…
Abstract
Purpose
The main aim of this study is to assess the level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure of 44 government‐linked companies (GLCs) listed on Bursa Malaysia and to ascertain the relationship of certain company characteristics; namely size, age, profitability and leverage on the total CSR disclosure from the year 2005 to 2006.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis is deployed to determine CSR disclosure. A disclosure index consisting of 16 items was developed based on four general themes: human resource, marketplace, community and environment to assess the disclosure level. The relationship between company characteristics and total disclosure was examined using multiple linear regression analysis.
Findings
The major finding of this study is that the theme of disclosure has shifted from human resource to marketplace. This is followed by human resource, community and, finally, environment. Ironically, companies are not only disclosing good news, but also bad/negative news. This study provides further evidence that is, to a certain extent, some GLCs have influenced other companies' practices to disclose CSR information. Company size was found to be positively significant associated with the total disclosure. The remaining variables were found to be insignificant in explaining the total disclosure.
Originality/value
This is the first paper that looks into CSR activities, extent, themes and the determinants of CSR disclosure in the annual reports of Malaysian GLCs. The Malaysian Government, Bursa Saham, Security Commission and other relevant parties could take heed of the findings to further improve CSR awareness, practices and disclosures and quality in GLC.
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Mohamed A. Saleh and Yasmine M. Ragab
This paper aims to empirically examine the determinants affecting audit fees in the Egyptian context concerning different organizational forms and governance mechanisms.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to empirically examine the determinants affecting audit fees in the Egyptian context concerning different organizational forms and governance mechanisms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts financial and non-financial data from 62 Egyptian firms listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange from 2015 to 2020. The proposed audit fees model is developed by adopting panel data analysis to examine the effect of auditee, auditor and engagement attributes on audit fees. The validity of the proposed equation for determining audit fees on an annual basis was established by applying the fixed effect model results for the year 2020.
Findings
The results revealed that the most significant determinants that affect audit fees are liquidity, audit committee independence, audit report lag and the status of the audit firm. Audit fees of 95.7% are determined by these factors. The validation test proved that the proposed model was more accurate and closer to the estimated data at nearly 90.2%.
Practical implications
The results of this paper would send early signals to audit firms, stakeholders and regulators regarding the determinants of audit fees, and provide an objective standard for fee-setting to be used by stock market regulators and professional bodies, in determining a minimum amount of audit fees that ensure a reasonable level of audit quality.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, for the first time, this paper empirically examines the determinants of audit fees in an emerging market like Egypt and presents evidence for a period of six years.
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The aim of the paper is to analyse the prevalence of corruption in Malaysia since 2004 in relation to political leadership, implementation of anti-corruption measures and the…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the paper is to analyse the prevalence of corruption in Malaysia since 2004 in relation to political leadership, implementation of anti-corruption measures and the political and business culture based on money politics.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws from the information and data provided by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Malaysian government, international organisations, media reports, and academic papers.
Findings
The paper analyses the perceived extent of corruption in Malaysia by examining how successive governments have dealt with the problem through a wide range of measures. Corruption remains widespread because of ineffective implementation, a culture of money politics based on mutually beneficial crony associations between political actors and business leaders, political interference to frustrate enforcement against corruption offenders, especially prominent personalities, and the mixed impact of corruption prevention measures. The paper concludes that the political and business culture and the nature of political leadership have eroded the political will to combat grand corruption in Malaysia.
Originality/value
This paper builds on previous research on corruption in Malaysia and highlights the combined negative impact of political leadership and a business and political culture that tolerates and espouses corruption, especially through money politics, and the consequent weak political will for tackling grand corruption.
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Naresh Kumar and Raduan Che Rose
The purpose of this paper is to present an in‐depth analysis of the knowledge sharing enablers and the moderating role of Islamic work ethic (IWE) on the relationship between…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an in‐depth analysis of the knowledge sharing enablers and the moderating role of Islamic work ethic (IWE) on the relationship between knowledge sharing and innovation capability in the public sector organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
The foundations of knowledge sharing capability, IWE and innovation capability were assessed using a validated survey instrument. A total of 472 Administrative and Diplomatic Service Officers from the Malaysian public sector organizations participated in the survey.
Findings
The empirical results indicate that the intrinsic motivation to share knowledge is significant in the public sector organizations. The relationship between knowledge sharing capability and innovation capability of employees in the public sector organizations was found to be contingent on IWE.
Research limitations/implications
While the study was salient and confined to the Malaysian public sector organizations, it has considerable implications for the development of an optimistic workforce in other regions and across sectors. Cross‐sectional studies are encouraged to further confirm the results.
Practical implications
An understanding of the pledge of the workforce to knowledge sharing, IWE and its consequences for innovativeness facilitates public sector organizations in designing and implementing modernization initiatives.
Originality/value
In response to the substantial need to examine IWE and workplace outcomes in a non‐Western environment, the paper embraces the extent to which IWE sways the link between knowledge sharing and innovation capability in the public sector organizations. Both scholars and practitioners will find the study valuable.