Nazim U. Ahmed, Ray V. Montagno and Douglas W. Naffziger
This study investigates the relationship between environmental concern, environmental effort and their impact on company performance. Results based on survey data from sixty…
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between environmental concern, environmental effort and their impact on company performance. Results based on survey data from sixty companies indicate that there is a positive correlation between environmental concern and effort. In addition, positive correlations between effort and operations efficiency and company image were found. No significant correlation between environmental effort and profit was found. It was observed that top management concern is a key to environmental initiatives. Manufacturing companies seem to have higher concern than those of service companies and expend more effort in reducing pollution, waste recycling etc. However, there is no significant difference in impact on performance between manufacturing and service companies relative to environmental efforts.
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Nazim U. Ahmed and John E. Burton
The concept of group technology (GT) is drawing increasing interest from manufacturing industry for its potential to enhance productivity and efficiency. This paper identifies the…
Abstract
The concept of group technology (GT) is drawing increasing interest from manufacturing industry for its potential to enhance productivity and efficiency. This paper identifies the major areas of manufacturing and operations management where GT can be of significance. GT may have a sizable impact inparts design, by standardizing the design and eliminating redundancies. Computer‐aided process planning together with GT can vastly improve the productivity of process designers and also simplify the design. The benefits derived from GT in the area of production planning and control are reduced queue time, smaller lot‐sizes, less work‐in‐process, better scheduling and so on. The limitations of GT are the relative lack of experience with GT and the initial cost of change‐over to GT. It is suggested that implementations of GT should be a slow gradual shift rather than a sudden change of functional lay‐out.
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Nazim U. Ahmed, Cynthia S. Ma and Ray V. Montagno
Currently over seventy percent of the work force is employed in white‐collar jobs. The implication ofwhite‐collar productivity for organizational growth and competitiveness is…
Abstract
Currently over seventy percent of the work force is employed in white‐collar jobs. The implication ofwhite‐collar productivity for organizational growth and competitiveness is extremely significant. It is easy to measure the productivity for blue‐collar employees, as the inputs and outputs are well defined. However the process of measuring the productivity of the white‐collar employee is complicated. A model for measuring white‐collar productivity is presented. The organization should design its own productivity measures seeking active employee involvement. The measures developed should be used to design productivity improvement strategies for long term growth and competitiveness of the organization.
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Nazim U. Ahmed, Ray V. Montagno and Robert J. Firenze
This study investigates the relationship between environmental strategy and company performance using samples from a nationwide survey. The companies were classified into two…
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between environmental strategy and company performance using samples from a nationwide survey. The companies were classified into two groups; environmentally conscious and non‐environmental companies. Environmental companies reported better performance scores and also are more inclined to incorporate various performance improvement strategies and techniques into their operations.
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Nazim U. Ahmed, Ray V. Montagno and Robert J. Firenze
Presents the result of a survey of US firms examining the effect of operations strategies on organizational performance. Seven commonly used operations strategies were considered…
Abstract
Presents the result of a survey of US firms examining the effect of operations strategies on organizational performance. Seven commonly used operations strategies were considered. Eleven criteria were used to measure organizational performance. The results suggest that companies which are using various operations strategies have higher performance than those which are not using those strategies. While using more than one strategy improves organizational performance, the benefits become marginal after several successive additions. This suggests that for an organization to be competitive, it only has to employ a few appropriate and effective strategies. Also, except for just‐in‐time strategy, large firms are more likely to employ various operations strategies than their smaller counterparts.
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Joshua Doane, Judy A. Lane and Michael J. Pisani
Volume 25 celebrates the 25th year of publication for the American Journal of Business (AJB). Launched by eight MAC schools of business in March 1986, the Journal has featured…
Abstract
Volume 25 celebrates the 25th year of publication for the American Journal of Business (AJB). Launched by eight MAC schools of business in March 1986, the Journal has featured more than 700 authors who have contributed more than 330 research articles at the intersection of theory and practice. From accounting to marketing, management to finance, the Journal prominently covers the breadth of the business disciplines as a general business outlet intended for both practitioners and academics. As the Journal reaches out beyond the MAC in sponsorship, authorship, and readership, we assess the Journal’s first quarter century of impact.
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Shamshad Ahmed, Arslan Sheikh and Muhammad Akram
Knowledge management (KM) is an emerging method of management. This study aims to explore the various aspects of implementing KM in university libraries of Pakistan.
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge management (KM) is an emerging method of management. This study aims to explore the various aspects of implementing KM in university libraries of Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire, and data were collected from 75 chief librarians and reference librarians of 48 university libraries of Pakistan. A total of 60 valid responses received and analyzed using SPSS version-21.
Findings
The results disclose that a majority of respondents are familiar with KM, and literature reading is the major source of their awareness. The Pakistani academic librarians believe that KM can be applied, in the reference services, resources sharing, networking and information literacy programs of libraries. While, need for professional training and KM education are also reported. KM can be implemented in libraries through, use of ICT, developing knowledge sharing culture and developing mentorship in organizations. A lack of staff training, lack of expertise in KM, lack of knowledge gaining and sharing culture, lack of understanding of KM concept and its benefits and a lack of IT infrastructure are the major challenges faced by library and information science (LIS) professionals. Communication skills, information management skills, IT skills, leadership skills, human resource management skills are identified as key skills for the implementation of KM.
Practical implications
This study provides a base to develop a KM strategy and implementation plan for academic libraries in Pakistan. It will facilitate to constitute an important step toward the management of intangible assets in Pakistani libraries.
Originality/value
The results of the study will unveil the perceptions of academic librarians toward KM. It will help to understand the relationship between KM and LIS. The study will also identify the challenges faced by librarians and skills required for the implementation of KM in libraries.
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Mosharrof Hosen, Hassanudin Mohd Thas Thaker, Mohammad Nazim Uddin, Abdul Qoyum and Farhad Taghizadeh-Hesary
Cryptocurrencies, which have been popular since 2009, raise concerns among investors, researchers and professionals. Amid global economic, financial and health crises, uncertainty…
Abstract
Purpose
Cryptocurrencies, which have been popular since 2009, raise concerns among investors, researchers and professionals. Amid global economic, financial and health crises, uncertainty has surged, leading investors to seek risk reduction and portfolio diversification. While some critique conventional fiat-based cryptocurrencies, others propose asset-backed alternatives. However, the impact of Shari’ah law-based cryptocurrencies on equity market returns remains largely unexplored in existing literature. This study aims to investigate the lead/lag relationship of selected Islamic and conventional cryptocurrencies from ASEAN and global perspectives.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected daily data of Bitcoin, Ethereum, X8X (Islamic cryptocurrency), Cardano (Islamic cryptocurrency), S&P500, Volatility Index, Economic Policy uncertainty and FTSE Asean Index (from the 4th of November 2019 to the 1st of July 2022) to reveal empirical results through Continuous Wavelet Transform and Correlation Heatmap with Dendrogram.
Findings
The findings indicate that Bitcoin offers a diversification opportunity for FTSE ASEAN investors for the long-term horizon while S&P500 investors will benefit from short-term investment. On the other hand, Ethereum provides better investment opportunities for both indices in the short run compared to long run. Cardano and X8X offer better investment opportunities in the long run for S&P500 and FTSE ASEAN investors. Interestingly, to check the robustness, the authors used correlation Heatmap based on Dendrogram which provided almost similar results.
Originality/value
This study contributes fresh insights to the existing literature concerning cryptocurrency due to the inconclusive findings of past studies, investors are curious to know the impact of cryptocurrency on stock market return from a global perspective which is extensively overlooked, and whether there is any difference between Islamic and conventional cryptocurrency. Therefore, by investigating the abovementioned timely demand issue, this study substantially contributes to the body of cryptocurrency literature.
Nazamul Hoque, Mahi Uddin, Mohammad Tazul Islam, Abdullahil Mamun, Mohammad Nazim Uddin, Afzal Ahmad and Md Thowhidul Islam
This study looked into the scope of integrating the aspirations of zakah and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to counter poverty, inequity, illiteracy, malnutrition and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study looked into the scope of integrating the aspirations of zakah and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to counter poverty, inequity, illiteracy, malnutrition and environmental pollution to ensure peace, happiness, prosperity and sustainability as envisaged in sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Design/methodology/approach
This is a qualitative research study conducted using both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected from 29 business enterprises in Bangladesh employing a semi-structured interview protocol. The secondary data were collected through content analysis of annual reports, websites and CSR publications of sample organizations. Finally, collected qualitative data have been analyzed thematically following the due procedures to address the research questions.
Findings
The findings reveal that integration of the aspirations of zakah and CSR is a convenient and wholehearted approach for entrepreneurs resulting in pursuing SDGs. In addition, business entrepreneurs in Bangladesh consider such practices as killing two birds with one stone because this approach warrants performing both religious and social obligations simultaneously. Interestingly, the study explores that shariah compliance acts as a guiding force for selecting well-being-oriented projects in zakah-funded CSR resulting in pursuing the priority goals – No Poverty (1), Zero Hunger (2) – of SDGs, thereby addressing some of the most critical issues of emerging economies such as Bangladesh.
Practical implications
The findings of this research can be used as a guide to incorporate the spirit and principle of zakah into the CSR programs aimed at pursuing SDGs mainly in Muslim countries representing one-fourth of the world population.
Originality/value
Integration of the aspirations of zakah and CSR is an innovative move and net addition to the literature on sustainability, CSR and zakah because Muslim business entrepreneurs will now conveniently be able to use the entrepreneurs' zakah money – readily available in each financial year – to fund the entrepreneurs' various CSR projects (within shariah framework) relating to poverty alleviation, humanitarian and disaster relief, health and sanitation and environmental conservation which will eventually contribute to pursuing various SDGs.
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Apartment purchase is an increasing investment trend in Islamic banks as clients trusted to eradicate the interest from financial dealings to capture the Islamic Principles. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Apartment purchase is an increasing investment trend in Islamic banks as clients trusted to eradicate the interest from financial dealings to capture the Islamic Principles. The paper aims to investigate the Shariah compliance in the investment of apartment purchases under Shirkah-ul milk in Bangladesh Islamic banks.
Design/Methodology/Approach
This study examined the perception of 125 clients and 25 managers from five key Islamic banks on the investment practices of apartment purchases. This study applied two data analysis methods: reflective measurement model was operated for examining the consistency, reliability, multicollinearity problems and validity; and Smart PLS-SEM (structural equation model) was used to investigate the direct impact of each explanatory variable on Shari’ah compliance in Islamic banks.
Findings
The results indicated that Islamic banks could not strictly maintain the Shariah compliance in apartment purchase. Such Shari’ah non-compliance is due to lack of knowledge and understanding with regard to bank’s objectives and philosophy, weak Shariah board, audit, weak regulatory body and supervision problem. These findings also firmly match clients’ and managers’ perceptions.
Research Limitations/Implications
A limited size of clients and bankers were involved in this study. The study focuses only on perceptions of Islamic banks’ clients and managers and avoids Muslim clients who involved conventional banks.
Originality/Value
This study provides Shariah-compliant alternatives in investment avenue for apartment purchases. These Shariah modes include Apartment Purchase Musharakah Mutanaqasa; Bai-Muajjal; and Apartment Purchases under Shirkah-ul Milk, which captures various limitations against current apartment purchase practices as well as to develop clients’ trust in Islamic banks.