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The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new homotopy perturbation method (NHPM) to solve Cauchy problem of unidimensional non‐linear diffusion equation.

In this paper a modified version of HPM, which the authors call NHPM, has been presented; this technique performs much better than the HPM. HPM and NHPM start by considering a homotopy, and the solution of the problem under study is assumed to be as the summation of a power series in p, the difference between two methods starts from the form of initial approximation of the solution.

In this article, the authors have applied the NHPM for solving nonlinear Cauchy diffusion equation. In comparison with the homotopy perturbation method (HPM), in the present method, the authors achieve exact solutions while HPM does not lead to exact solutions. The authors believe that the new method is a promising technique in finding the exact solutions for a wide variety of mathematical problems.

The basic idea described in this paper is expected to be further employed to solve other functional equations.

This study aims at enhancing the performance of a 16-stage axial compressor and improving the operating stability. The adopted approaches for upgrading the compressor are artificial neural network, optimization algorithms and computational fluid dynamics.

The process starts with developing several data sets for certain 2D sections by means of training several artificial neural networks (ANNs) as surrogate models. Afterward, the trained ANNs are applied to the 3D shape optimization along with parametrization of the blade stacking line. Specifying the significant design parameters, a wide range of geometrical variations are considered by implementation of appropriate number of design variables. The optimized shapes are analyzed by applying computational fluid dynamic to obtain the best geometry.

3D optimal results show improvements, especially in the case of decreasing or elimination of near walls corner separations. In addition, in comparison with the base geometry, numerical optimization shows an increase of 1.15 per cent in total isentropic efficiency in the first four stages, which results in 0.6 per cent improvement for the whole compressor, even while keeping the rest of the stages unchanged. To evaluate the numerical results, experimental data are compared with obtained data from simulation. Based on the results, the highest absolute relative deviation between experimental and numerical static pressure is approximately 7.5 per cent.

The blades geometry of an axial compressor used in a heavy-duty gas turbine is optimized by applying artificial neural network, and the results are compared with the base geometry numerically and experimentally.

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the existence of one suitable oxide phase concurrent with deposition for fabricating a titanium (Ti)/p-silicon (Si) Schottky diode by direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering method.

In this paper, a Ti/p-Si Schottky diode has been fabricated by depositing a Ti film on p-Si substrate by DC magnetron sputtering. Electrical properties of a Schottky junction include three main parameters: ideality factor (n), series resistance (R_s) and barrier height (Φ_b), which were determined by three analysis methods: current–voltage (I-V), Cheung function and Norde function.

As result outcomes of the calculated values by three analysis methods, average values were obtained equal to 2.475, 27.07 kÙ and 0.88 ev. With comparing direct calculation of series resistance with the achieved average value of three analysis methods, it illustrates that without X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis consideration, it’s possible to deduce at least one oxide phase forming on the Ti layer.

This work fabricates Ti/p-Si Schottky diode by DC magnetron sputtering. By use of downward-arch region of the LnI-V curve, two functions that are known as Norde and Cheung were made with which this study applies these functions and linear region of LnI-V plot each values of n, Φ_b and R_s, except n calculated two times. With comparison of calculated values from two parts of plot, it is clear that Norde and Cheung functions are accurate and the applied method is correct. Also, with direct calculation, the value of R_s and as compared with result from analysis, this study has proved that without XRD plot, certainly simultaneity deposition at least one oxide phase was forming on Ti layer.

The primary objective of the current study is to examine the role of leadership styles and Industry 4.0 in organization performance. In addition, the direct and indirect effect of job satisfaction, competitive advantage and business sustainability is also examined. For this purpose, a cross-sectional research design was selected. Population of the study were based on the manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of Thailand. Employees of these SMEs were selected to collect the data. Therefore, respondents of the study were employees of Thai manufacturing SMEs. Various close ended questions related to the concerned study were asked on a five-point Likert scale. Furthermore, this study analyzed the data with the help of Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results of the study revealed that both leadership styles and Industry 4.0 have significant role in organization performance. Leadership styles and Industry 4.0 influence positively on job satisfaction and competitive advantage, respectively. Further, job satisfaction and competitive advantage influence positively on business sustainability. Finally, business sustainability significantly improves organization performance. Therefore, the current study has vital importance for practitioners to enhance organization performance through leadership styles and Industry 4.0.

This study aims to examine the link between corporate social responsibility orientation (CSRO) and competitive advantage (CA) in the context of emerging economies. More specifically, the mediating role of intangible resources, namely, trust and corporate reputation (CR), is investigated to explain the above linkage.

This study considered a sample of 326 Saudi Arabian businesses that have extensive business-to-business operations across international markets. The analysis uses the partial least-squares-based structural equation model, involving first- and second-order constructs and mediation tests using the Hayes PROCESS macro.

The results confirm that the relationship between CSRO and CA is partially mediated. Moreover, CSRO does have a direct as well as an indirect positive impact on CA via the two intangible resources, e.g. trust and CR. In addition, results support the serial mediation model where CSRO was found to exercise its influence on CA via trust and CR in a sequential manner.

This study enriches the limited literature on CSRO in the context of emerging economies. However, further studies should explore the opposite relationship, i.e. the impact of CA on CSRO. In addition, the authors believe that it would also be useful to study the moderating role of the industry sectors.

From a practical point of view, this study suggests new applications with respect to the link between CSRO and CA. To enhance their company’s CA, managers need to ensure that intangible resources are managed efficiently.

This paper contributes to the literature by examining how a firm’s intangible resources mediate between CSRO and CA. Second, originality is related to studying the link between CSRO and the trust and reputation of business organizations in emerging economies. Third, the findings suggest that the scope of a business is more than being responsible to its stakeholders, and stakeholder-driven CSRO leads to sustainable CA.

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumer behavior toward halal food purchase in Bangladesh. Specifically, how do individual beliefs about trustworthiness of the halal food products affect individual intentions to purchases and actual purchasing behavior?

To answer this question, a theoretical framework using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as its basis was established. Using measurement scales created to assess different aspects of trustworthiness, and perceived behavioral control and subjective norms, a survey instrument was developed to test the various relationships implied by TPB. Data were collected from the households located in the metropolitan city of Dhaka during the months of November and December 2017, and the analysis of this data helps answer questions about the different relationships of the constructs of the study.

The findings of the study revealed that four factors, namely, trustworthiness, attitude, normative structure and self-efficacy, significantly influence halal food purchasing. The results also demonstrated that trustworthiness of halal food is one of the most important variables of food marketing in Bangladesh.

In reality, there is a serious lacking of halal food marketing particularly in Bangladesh. In this respect, this study can be a pioneer one and may have some limitations in terms of research procedures.

It is crucial for the halal food marketing and its management organizations to provide their products and services in Islamic way, because it is different from the conventional way of modern marketing.

This result specifically implies that like normative structure and self-efficacy, trust in the authenticity of halal food is particularly important to influence attitude toward halal food purchase in Bangladesh.

This study is perhaps the first study in the context of Bangladesh food market that deals with the halal food purchase behavior of the consumers. In this regard, the findings of the study are important in Islamic marketing and halal food marketing.

This paper aims to examine the influence of perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) on purchase intention in the short-term and corporate reputation in the long-term while taking into consideration of the mediating role of brand image and customer satisfaction.

The research sample comprising 482 participants was selected at random. Hierarchical multiple regression and the PROCESS Macro for SPSS were used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Perceived CSR was found to have significant direct and mediated effects of purchase intention and corporate reputation through brand image and customer satisfaction. The proposed causal chain is pivotal for understanding how CSR perceptions influence, as well as shape purchase intention and perceived reputation.

There are three major implications. First, it is important for consumers to be able to perceive CSR initiatives, to consider them as a strategic investment. Second, firms must develop strategies that promote CSR as being positive for society and the environment, as well as for the firm. Third, perceived CSR is an important predictor in the causal chain of relationships that promote brand image and customer satisfaction, which contributes to reputation and purchase intention. One of the major limitations of this study, although COVID-19 is an ongoing global pandemic in this study, is that cross-sectional data were collected within a single economy. Hence, a longitudinal study with samples from other economies in the region may be conducted to compare and generalize the findings.

At a time when corporate objectives are predominantly designed to satisfy stakeholder interests and to increase return on investment, there is mounting social pressure on shifting managerial mindsets to address issues such as poverty, health and well-being, education for all, social equality, unhealthy consumption, hedonic advertisements, global peace and environmental concerns. Marketing has been criticized for its narrow focus on fulfilling the social needs of a particular target market while ignoring society at large, and this study argues that, through responsible marketing, firms can improve their reputation and at the same time can promote sustainable living.

Direct and mediated relationships that have previously been studied separately are considered together in a serially mediated unified model. This approach provides a better understanding of how perceived CSR can transform purchase intention and reputation.

Finding an efficient way for enhancing brand reputation by using social media among customers and business partners has long been the main purpose of every business. However, due to micro and macro changes in the business field, strategies to find a way to improve brand reputation with business partners and customers have altered from transaction marketing to newer approaches such as employing a social media platform. However, not all brands make use of social media to enhance their reputation. The present study uses Apple as an example of the one of the best known brands which does not benefit from social media platforms as to the degree expected.

This study aims to link environmental disclosure quality (EDQ) to firm performance and examine the moderating role of board independence in this relationship.

Drawing on agency theory and stakeholder theory, the authors developed and tested hypotheses using original survey data from 720 firm-year observations collected from 120 Iranian companies over six years between 2011 and 2016. In this paper, they conducted static and dynamic panel data analysis.

After correcting for endogeneity bias, the results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between EDQ and firm performance. The results also showed that board independence significantly reinforces the positive effect of EDQ on performance, and firms with more independent board members are involved environmental disclosure for improved performance. This is consistent with agency theory, which posits that a more independent board of directors can better monitor the CEO and reduce incentives for pursuing personal interests, which in turn improves performance. The results are robust after performing sensitivity tests.

This paper takes the perspective of corporate governance to empirically examine the effect of EDQ on firm performance. This study makes a contribution to the literature by showing that board independence moderates the effects of EDQ on firm performance.

The evidence supports the emphasis that recent policy statements have put on increasing the number of independent directors on corporate boards. This study offers insights to policymakers interested in enhancing the monitoring role of corporate boards.

The study adds value to the understanding of the effect of the EDQ on performance and how board independence influences this relationship, particularly in an emerging economy like Iran.