Emad Abouel Nasr, Abdurahman Mushabab Al-Ahmari, Khaja Moiduddin, Mohammed Al Kindi and Ali K. Kamrani
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the route to digitize the customized mandible implants consisting of image acquisition, processing, implant design, fitting rehearsal…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the route to digitize the customized mandible implants consisting of image acquisition, processing, implant design, fitting rehearsal and fabrication using fused deposition modeling and electron beam melting methodologies.
Design/methodology/approach
Recent advances in the field of rapid prototyping, reverse engineering, medical imaging and image processing have led to new heights in the medical applications of additive manufacturing (AM). AM has gained a lot of attention and interest during recent years because of its high potential in medical fields.
Findings
Produced mandible implants using casting, milling and machining are of standard sizes and shapes. As each person’s physique and anatomical bone structure are unique, these commercially produced standard implants are manually bent before surgery using trial and error methodology to custom fit the patient’s jaw. Any mismatch between the actual bone and the implant results in implant failure and psychological stress and pain to the patient.
Originality/value
The novelty in this paper is the construction of the customized mandibular implant from the computed tomography (CT) scan which includes surface reconstruction, implant design with validation and simulation of the mechanical behavior of the design implant using finite element analysis (FEA). There has been few research studies on the design and customization of the implants before surgery, but there had been hardly any study related to customized design implant and evaluating the biomechanical response on the newly designed implant using FEA. Though few studies are related to FEA on the reconstruction plates, but their paper lacks the implant design model and the reconstruction model. In this research study, an integrated framework is developed for the implant design, right from the CT scan of the patient including the softwares involved through out in the study and then performing the biomechanical study on the customized design implant to prove that the designed implant can withstand the biting and loading conditions. The proposed research methodology which includes the interactions between medical practitioners and the implant design engineers can be incorporated to any other reconstruction bone surgeries.
Details
Keywords
Abstract
Details
Keywords
Abdullah Mohammed Al Shukaili, Kawther Al Kindi, Norizan Mohd Kassim, Zunaith Ahmed and Khdija Al Hosni
Promoting and supporting entrepreneurship is a critical pillar of Oman’s vision 2040. The need to understand to what extent the effectiveness of public funds given to micro and…
Abstract
Purpose
Promoting and supporting entrepreneurship is a critical pillar of Oman’s vision 2040. The need to understand to what extent the effectiveness of public funds given to micro and small enterprises in Oman as well as to understand the characteristics of the funds that can drive the impact of such government financial support programs on those enterprises motivated us to conduct this study. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the government loan support programs on job creation in micro and small enterprises in Oman.
Design/methodology/approach
Hypotheses were tested using data collected from 1,127 micro and small enterprises that received loan supports from the Government of Oman. The authors explored the impact of a set of predictors on a dependent variable (job creation) to understand to what extent do the supported micro and small enterprise characteristics significantly influence job creations in the enterprises. Multiple regression and General Linear Model Multivariate Analysis statistical techniques were used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
There is a positive relationship between government supported firms’ characteristics and job creation for both nationals and expatriates’ employment. The empirical results suggest that, when compared with the micro enterprises, the small enterprises were able to create more jobs for nationals than for expatriates, although the effect of the support program on job creation was significant for both groups.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature debate on the effectiveness of Oman’s entrepreneurship policy. Using multivariate analysis, the study analyzes the public support program for enterprises in Oman and how it can be improved to support the Oman 2040 Vision.
Details
Keywords
Abrar Mohammed Al Alawi, Kawther Al Kindi, Abdullah Al Shukaili and Essia Ries Ahmed
This study aims to explore the influence of innovation in entrepreneurial activities and job creation, examine the influence of innovation in entrepreneurial activities on jobs…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the influence of innovation in entrepreneurial activities and job creation, examine the influence of innovation in entrepreneurial activities on jobs creation and investigate the moderating influence of entrepreneurial characteristics between entrepreneurial activity, innovation and job creation.
Design/methodology/approach
The data was collected from Oman Global Entrepreneurship Monitor data 2020. Sample of 2,000 individuals was involved in entrepreneurial activities. SPSS and PLS software were used to test the structural model and research hypothesis.
Findings
The results revealed that innovation affects the level of created jobs. Entrepreneurial activity has a significant influence on innovation, jobs created and an indirect effect on jobs created through the mediating influence of innovation. All direct and indirect relationships of entrepreneurial activity and innovation with the expected jobs are insignificant. The findings demonstrate that demographics moderate the relationship between entrepreneurial activity and innovation.
Research limitations/implications
The study outcomes will be useful for policymakers to understand the innovation types in entrepreneurial activities and whether these enterprises can create future jobs.
Practical implications
The findings will help entrepreneurial ecosystems and managers to strengthen their business ventures using innovative business models.
Social implications
This research will provide decision-makers with mechanism on how better business environment will benefit stakeholders.
Originality/value
While this topic is widely investigated in developed countries, little is known about the impact of innovation on entrepreneurial activities in creating jobs in developing countries. This research contributes to entrepreneurship innovation and institutional theory literature by understanding the role of the entrepreneurship conditions framework that support the jobs creation.
Details
Keywords
Sujan Piya, Ahm Shamsuzzoha, Mohammed Khadem and Mahmoud Al Kindi
The purpose of this paper is to understand the drivers that create complexity in the supply chain and develop a mathematical model to measure the level of supply chain complexity…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the drivers that create complexity in the supply chain and develop a mathematical model to measure the level of supply chain complexity (SCC).
Design/methodology/approach
Through extensive literature review, the authors discussed various drivers of SCC. These drivers were classified into five dimensions based on expert opinion. Moreover, a novel hybrid mathematical model was developed by integrating analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and grey relational analysis (GRA) methods to measure the level of SCC. A case study was conducted to demonstrate the applicability of the developed model and analyze the SCC level of the company in the study.
Findings
The authors identified 22 drivers of SCC, which were further clustered into five complexity dimensions. The application of the developed model to the company in the case study showed that the SCC level of the company was 0.44, signifying that there was a considerable scope of improvement in terms of minimizing complexity. The company that serves as the focus of this case study mainly needs improvement in tackling issues concerning government regulation, internal communication and information sharing and company culture.
Originality/value
In this paper, the authors propose a model by integrating AHP and GRA methods that can measure the SCC level based on various complexity drivers. The combination of such methods, considering their ability to convert the inheritance and interdependence of drivers into a single mathematical model, is preferred over other techniques. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first attempt at developing a hybrid multicriteria decision-based model to quantify SCC.
Details
Keywords
Mirghani S. Mohamed, Kevin J. O'Sullivan and Vincent Ribière
The paper seeks to pinpoint new directions of the evolution of knowledge in the Arab region, and to outline the role of knowledge management principles in constructing the…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper seeks to pinpoint new directions of the evolution of knowledge in the Arab region, and to outline the role of knowledge management principles in constructing the knowledge society.
Design/methodology/approach
The article addresses initiatives towards narrowing the knowledge gap and building an egalitarian knowledge society in the Arab region. It reviews, interprets and relates the relevant literature and sheds the light on the Arab region's future plans.
Findings
The article outlines some of the regionally relevant elements needed for building the knowledge society. It also suggests some means of tapping the diversified workforce's tacit knowledge, reversing the “brain drain,” and building potential leadership models.
Originality/value
This article represents an overview and interpretation of the role of knowledge management as it relates to the effectiveness of concepts such as “knowmadism” and the practicality of “megatribe knowledge.” The article provides rendition and a roadmap for decision makers, knowledge workers, and future researchers in the domain of the “knowledge society” within the Arab region.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent of digital surveillance by Arab authorities, which face risks and threats of surveillance, and how journalists seek to press…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent of digital surveillance by Arab authorities, which face risks and threats of surveillance, and how journalists seek to press freedom by using tools and techniques to communicate securely.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used focus group discussions with 14 journalists from Syria, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Yemen, Oman, Jordan and Egypt. While in Egypt, questionnaires were distributed to 199 journalists from both independent and semi-governmental outlets to investigate how Egyptian journalists interpret the new data protection law and its implications for press freedom.
Findings
The study indicated that journalists from these countries revealed severe censorship by their respective governments, an element inconsistent with the Arab Constitution. The recommendation of the study encourages media organisations to play a more active role in setting policies that make it easier for journalists to adopt and use digital security tools, while Egyptian journalists see the law as a barrier to media independence because it allows the government to exercise greater information control through digital policy and imposes regulatory rules on journalists.
Practical implications
The study identifies practical and theoretical issues in Arab legislation and may reveal practices of interest to scientists researching the balance between data protection, the right of access to information and media research as an example of contemporary government indirect or “soft” censorship methods.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first research contributions to analyse the relationships between Arab authoritarians who used surveillance to restrict freedom of the press after the Arab Spring revolutions of 2011 to keep themselves in power as long as they could. In addition, Egypt's use of surveillance under new laws allowed the regimes to install software on the journalists’ phones that enabled them to read the files and emails and track their locations; accordingly, journalists can be targeted by the cyberattack and can be arrested.
Details
Keywords
Julie Davies, Thamina Anjuman, Zeyad Al Ghamdi, Saud Altamimi, Sheikh Mateen Ellahi, Moza Al Thani, Frank Huang, Yara Alsoqair and Rawan Alshehri
This narrative literature review examines intersectional employee voice inequalities in a non-Western, high power distance context to develop a multilevel conceptual framework.
Abstract
Purpose
This narrative literature review examines intersectional employee voice inequalities in a non-Western, high power distance context to develop a multilevel conceptual framework.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use Leininger's (1997, 2002) culture care model to explore multilevel influences on intersectional voice inequalities. The article applies insights from a review of 31 studies to the specific challenges of migrant palliative care (PC) nurses in Saudi Arabia.
Findings
The themes identified in the review indicate how better transcultural communications might mitigate voice inequalities that influence migrant employee wellbeing and intentions to quit which result from cultural incongruities.
Originality/value
The impact of national culture differences and intersectional inequalities on employee voice has largely been ignored in academic research. This paper offers unique insights drawing on culture care theory into intersectional voice challenges from a non-Western perspective in the underresearched setting of Saudi Arabia which is mid-way through a national transformation program. It starkly contrasts policy ambitions for advancing healthcare with discriminatory practices based on conservative attitudes which stifle migrant worker voices.
Details
Keywords
Abbas Ramdani, Ridwan Raji and Mohd. Khairie Ahmad
The acceleration of globalized commerce and economic activities has meant that conventional and Shariah (Islamic law) compliant organizations transact and negotiate among…
Abstract
Purpose
The acceleration of globalized commerce and economic activities has meant that conventional and Shariah (Islamic law) compliant organizations transact and negotiate among themselves. Therefore, this study aims to explore the concept of corporate negotiation and the communicative principles that guide the negotiation process among Shariah-compliant organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a qualitative method through an inductive interpretative approach by conducting 20 in-depth interviews among four groups of experts. These consist of three muftis, ten academicians in Islamic assets, finance and asset jurisprudence; three practitioners in charge of inter-organizational negotiation and decision-making; and four shariah board members of selected Islamic banks.
Findings
The findings reported that business negotiation is used by Islamic organizations for reconciliation, consultation, resolving disagreements and as a means of achieving spiritual satisfaction. Furthermore, the key communicative principles of the negotiation process consist of the credibility of informational exchange, flexible interactions and the openness and truthful disclosure of information.
Research limitations/implications
The empirical data discussed in this study supports the claim that macro-environmental factors and social and cultural values should be considered when examining business negotiating behaviors. However, this study focuses only on the banking/service organization negotiation. Therefore, future research should focus on the Islamic negotiation process in the context of diplomatic and international relations.
Practical implications
The findings reported in this study offer insight for negotiators operating among Islamic organizations to understand the principles and process of negotiation in the purview of Shariah standards and principles.
Originality/value
In terms of theoretical implications, this study reveals a clear conceptual difference between the conventional concept and the Islamic perspective of corporate negotiation. Also, this study highlights the impact of organizational culture, specifically Islamic management strategies, on the business negotiation process and business communication principles.