Political tussles between the current and former presidents of Mauritania
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB249978
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
MAURITANIA: President tightens grip over ruling party
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-ES249695
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Asmae Bouoidina, Mehdi Chaouch, Abdelfattah Abdellaoui, Amal Lahkimi, Belkheir Hammouti, Fadoua El-Hajjaji, Mustapha Taleb and Ayssar Nahle
The inhibition effect of Foeniculum vulgare seeds’ (FVS) extract on the corrosion of mild steel in acidic medium was studied using weight loss, electrochemical impedance…
Abstract
Purpose
The inhibition effect of Foeniculum vulgare seeds’ (FVS) extract on the corrosion of mild steel in acidic medium was studied using weight loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel polarization, as well as the surface morphology of the mild steel.
Design/methodology/approach
Weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy analysis of FVS extract were performed.
Findings
FVS extract acts as a good inhibitor for the corrosion of mild steel in 1.0 M HCl. The inhibition efficiency increases with the increase in inhibitor concentration but decreases with the increase of temperature.
Practical implications
FVS extract was observed to play an important role in the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in acidic solution.
Originality/value
This paper is intended to be added to the family of green inhibitors which are highly efficient inhibitors and can be used in the area of corrosion prevention and control.
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Wael M.A. Abdelmaksoud, Mohamed M.M. Aboaly and Said M. Taleb
The purpose of this study is to prepare new pigments derived from Red Lake C (RLC) to be applied in the inks industry and to identify their chemical nature, as well as their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to prepare new pigments derived from Red Lake C (RLC) to be applied in the inks industry and to identify their chemical nature, as well as their physical properties.
Design/methodology/approach
A number of pigments that could be applied in special printing were prepared via the reactions of RLC with appropriate Ni(II) and Zn(II) salts in aqueous and ethanolic solutions. The obtained pigments were prepared as solid compounds and characterized using different instrumental analysis such as Ultraviolet-Visible, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectra and magnetic measurements. The physical properties of these pigments were investigated using “American Standard Testing Methods” (ASTM). After that, the pigments were applied in ink formulations to test their performance and open the way to their real applications in the printing inks industry.
Findings
The results of this work revealed that the performance of the new prepared pigments is closer to the performance of the commercial pigments which are already used in ink industry.
Research limitations/implications
Red lake C, as well as the new pigments, can be applied in other different industries such as coated papers, crayons, rubber and baking enamels.
Originality/value
The prepared pigments will be economically feasible and a good alternative to the original expensive commercial pigments which are already used in the inks industry.
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Olugbenga Ayo Ojubanire, Mohamed Amine Marhraoui, Hicham Sebti and Sabrina Berbain
This study aims to explore the challenges and opportunities of adopting Industry 4.0 technologies in Africa, specifically focusing on the automotive industries in Morocco and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the challenges and opportunities of adopting Industry 4.0 technologies in Africa, specifically focusing on the automotive industries in Morocco and Nigeria. By comparing these two leading African countries in Industry 4.0 adoption, the research seeks to identify key factors influencing the implementation of smart manufacturing technologies and to provide insights into the potential benefits and challenges faced.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses a multiple case study design with a quantitative approach, collecting data through structured questionnaires from 167 participants across five automotive companies in Morocco and Nigeria. Regression analysis assessed the impact of opportunities and challenges. Statistical analysis identified significant differences between the two countries.
Findings
The study reveals significant differences in the perceived challenges and benefits of Industry 4.0 adoption between Morocco and Nigeria. In Morocco, key challenges include high implementation costs and resistance to change, whereas, in Nigeria, lack of skilled workforce and high implementation costs are predominant barriers. Both countries recognize the benefits of improved productivity, better product quality and enhanced supply chain agility.
Research limitations/implications
While focused on two countries and the automotive industry, the study provides valuable insights into Industry 4.0 adoption in Africa, with potential for expanded future research.
Practical implications
The insights provided by this study can guide policymakers in developing tailored strategies to support Industry 4.0 adoption in Africa. For organizations, understanding the specific challenges and benefits can aid in designing effective Industry 4.0 implementation plans, enhancing competitiveness and achieving sustainable growth.
Originality/value
By providing a comparative analysis of Morocco and Nigeria, the study offers unique insights into the specific factors influencing Industry 4.0 implementation in different African contexts with differences between North and West of Africa.
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Mohamed H. Elmagrhi, Collins G. Ntim, Richard M. Crossley, John K. Malagila, Samuel Fosu and Tien V. Vu
The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which corporate board characteristics influence the level of dividend pay-out ratio using a sample of UK small- and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which corporate board characteristics influence the level of dividend pay-out ratio using a sample of UK small- and medium-sized enterprises from 2010 to 2013 listed on the Alternative Investment Market.
Design/methodology/approach
The data are analysed by employing multivariate regression techniques, including estimating fixed effects, lagged effects and two-stage least squares regressions.
Findings
The results show that board size, the frequency of board meetings, board gender diversity and audit committee size have a significant relationship with the level of dividend pay-out. Audit committee size and board size have a positive association with the level of dividend pay-out, whilst the frequency of board meetings and board gender diversity have a significant negative relationship with the level of dividend pay-out. By contrast, the findings suggest that board independence and CEO role duality do not have any significant effect on the level of dividend pay-out.
Originality/value
This is one of the first attempts at examining the relationship between corporate governance and dividend policy in the UK’s Alternative Investment Market, with the analysis distinctively informed by agency theoretical insights drawn from the outcome and substitution hypotheses.
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Ali Taleb, Catalin Ratiu and Rick Molz
In this study, we explored the behaviour of two Canadian multinational companies operating in the context of Arab Spring events in Egypt in 2011.
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, we explored the behaviour of two Canadian multinational companies operating in the context of Arab Spring events in Egypt in 2011.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted a fine-grained analysis of 171 documents of various secondary sources to understand the behaviour of the two firms in Egypt between 25 January 2011 and 30 June 2012.
Findings
We suggest that corporate diplomacy should be viewed as portfolios of interdependent actions rather than reactions to discrete events. We also underline the importance for organisations to have a proactive, holistic and inclusive corporate diplomacy strategy, with the objective to secure and balance both explicit political/legal licence and implicit social licence.
Research limitations/implications
We intentionally focused our empirical analysis on two Canadian firms operating in the same host country and belonging to the same industry. It would be useful to carry similar research in different organisational and institutional contexts.
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Mohamed Tiss, Zoubeida Souiy, Lotfi Achour and Khaled Hamden
This study paper aims to evaluate the Phytochemical Composition, anti-obesity, anti-antipyretic and analgesic effect of Ephedra alata (Ea) extracts.
Abstract
Purpose
This study paper aims to evaluate the Phytochemical Composition, anti-obesity, anti-antipyretic and analgesic effect of Ephedra alata (Ea) extracts.
Design/methodology/approach
Obesity was induced in male Wistar rats through a high-fat/fructose diet (HF/FD). Control rats received a standard diet.
Findings
Results of this study showed that the Ea methanol extract (MEEa) exhibited a prominent selective inhibitory effect against lipase activity (IC50 = 1.29 mg/ml) as compared to water and ethyl acetate extracts (with IC50 = 1.63 and 1.89, respectively). Also, MEEa exert antipyretic and analgesic activities. In high-fat-high-fructose diet rats, the administration of MEEa inhibited lipase activity in the intestine, pancreas and serum by 53%, 40% and 53%, respectively. It was found to significantly decrease body weight by 20% (p = 0.09) and delay the absorption of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and increase HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C). In addition, MEEa efficiently decreased a-amylase activity in the intestine, pancreas and serum by 43%, 26% and 46%, respectively, and blood glucose level by 35% (p = 0.06).
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study demonstrates for the first time that MEEa are efficient in preventing obesity and hyperglycemia, pain and fever.