S.S. Younis, N.M. Al Mansi and S.H. Fouad
The objective of this work is studying the use of chemicals to enhance primary treatment in municipal wastewater treatment plants, thereby reducing the cost of the secondary…
Abstract
The objective of this work is studying the use of chemicals to enhance primary treatment in municipal wastewater treatment plants, thereby reducing the cost of the secondary treatment stage. Jar tests using chemicals, polymers and sea water have been conducted to determine the best performing chemicals, alone and in combinations. The process performance parameters studied were pH, type and dosage of coagulant, mixing intensity, detention time, settling time and addition of coagulant aid. The efficiency of the process has been measured as percentage removals in COD, TSS, turbidity, settleable matter and removals of heavy metals. The results proved the improvement of removal efficiencies.
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This study aims to examine the impact of board gender diversity on sustainable growth by considering the mediating role of investment efficiency (INVEFF) in this relationship and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of board gender diversity on sustainable growth by considering the mediating role of investment efficiency (INVEFF) in this relationship and the threshold effect between board gender diversity and INVEFF. This investigation focuses on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, which is characterized by rapid socio-economic transformations and a recent emphasis on gender diversity.
Design/methodology/approach
Panel data regressions are applied to estimate the impact of board gender diversity on INVEFF using companies listed in the GCC in 2013–2022 as a sample. The estimations consider subsamples of underinvestment and overinvestment, as well as the pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic periods.
Findings
The empirical results show a nonlinear impact of board gender diversity on INVEFF, a relationship that is more pronounced in the underinvestment subsample. The results indicate that INVEFF mediates the relationship between board gender diversity and corporate sustainable growth, which helps companies optimize their board composition to enhance their sustainable growth strategies.
Research limitations/implications
These findings could inform GCC regulators in mandating further increases in women’s presence on boards of directors to improve INVEFF. This study examined only GCC-listed companies. Future research should investigate other factors influencing INVEFF and conduct comparative studies across Middle Eastern and North African countries to consider different regulatory and economic contexts and to examine compliance with international standards.
Social implications
This study reveals the significant nonlinear impact of board gender diversity on INVEFF and the mediation of INVEFF in the relationship between board gender diversity and sustainable growth. These findings will help companies optimize their board of directors’ composition by increasing the presence of women on boards to improve their INVEFF and sustainable growth. This study aims to develop knowledge that will not only benefit companies regarding the potential impact of board gender diversity but also help international communities create better gender equality within companies.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to explore the relationship between board gender diversity and INVEFF in the emerging economies of the GCC region. It is also the first to examine the nonlinear relationship between board gender diversity and INVEFF and the mediating role of INVEFF in the relationship between board diversity and sustainable growth. This study contributes to the understanding of the financial impact of board gender diversity in improving corporate INVEFF and sustainable growth.
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Agnieszka Zielińska, María Ana Montes de Oca Ramirez, Enas Hosni Dahadha and Ksenia Usanova
The study explores the work motivations and career needs of women, drawing on self-determination theory. The study aims to develop motivation theories and support organisations to…
Abstract
Purpose
The study explores the work motivations and career needs of women, drawing on self-determination theory. The study aims to develop motivation theories and support organisations to shape the work environment addressing women’s work motivations and current career needs.
Design/methodology/approach
The exploratory study was conducted based on two research questions: Why do women change jobs? What are women looking for in a new workplace? To conduct this study, an online questionnaire with open-ended questions was prepared. Respondents were women who had applied for an administrative job post in Brazil, Mexico, Poland, Portugal and State of Palestine. Collected answers from 363 respondents were analysed by using Nvivo software.
Findings
This study presents women’s work motivations and career needs that affect the decision to change the job. Results indicate that women’s work motivations include four components: 1 − career growth (career development, skills improvement, challenges), 2 − competitive compensation (financial, personal fulfilment), 3 − work environment (organisational culture, work-life balance) and 4 − leadership (recognition, management leadership skills). Additionally, the study highlights four components of women’s current career needs: 1 − career growth (continuous professional development, challenges, training skills), 2 − competitive compensation (financial/fair pay, personal fulfilment), 3 − work environment (cooperation/teamwork, adequate tools, respect and safety) and 4 − leadership (clear organisation goals, communication/empathy, recognition, support).
Originality/value
Based on collected data, components of women’s work motivations and career needs were identified. The results provide contemporary and international evidence about the complex nature of women’s work motivations and career needs.
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As host to over one million Syrian refugees, Lebanon continues to experience challenges addressing the needs of refugee families. This research examined the experiences of Syrian…
Abstract
Purpose
As host to over one million Syrian refugees, Lebanon continues to experience challenges addressing the needs of refugee families. This research examined the experiences of Syrian families with the refugee support system in Lebanon. The purpose of this study was to better understand the strengths and gaps in existing mechanisms of support for these Syrian families, including informal support from family, neighbors and community and more formalized support provided through entities such as nongovernmental organizations and United Nations agencies.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 46 families displaced by the war and living in Lebanon (N = 351 individuals within 46 families). Collaborative family interviews were conducted with parents, children and often extended family.
Findings
The data identified both strengths and gaps in the refugee support system in Lebanon. Gaps in the refugee support system included inadequate housing, a lack of financial and economic support, challenges with a lack of psychosocial support for pregnant women and support for disabled youth. Despite these challenges, families and community workers reported informal community support as a strong mediator of the challenges in Lebanon. Furthermore, the data find that organizations working with Syrian families are utilizing informal community support through capacity building, to create more effective and sustainable support services.
Originality/value
This study provides an overview of strengths and gaps in supports identified by refugees themselves. The research will inform the development and improvement of better support systems in Lebanon and in other refugee–hosting contexts.
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Yuan-Min Lin, Hsuan Chen, Chih-Hsin Lin, Pin-Ju Huang and Shyh-Yuan Lee
The purpose of this study is to develop resin composite materials composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) acrylates and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles for ultraviolet digital light…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop resin composite materials composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) acrylates and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles for ultraviolet digital light projection (DLP) three-dimensional (3D) printing technique.
Design/methodology/approach
Two PCL-based triacrylates, namely, glycerol-3 caprolactone-triacrylate (Gly-3CL-TA) and glycerol-6 caprolactone-triacrylate (Gly-6CL-TA) were synthesized from ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolacton monomer in the presence of glycerol and then acrylation was performed using acryloyl chloride. 3D printing resins made of Gly-3CL-TA or Gly-6CL-TA, 5% HA and 3% of photoinitiator 2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyl-diphenyl-phosphineoxide were then formulated. The surface topography, surface element composition, flexural strength, flexural modulus, cytotoxicity and degradation of the PCL-based scaffolds were then characterized.
Findings
Resin composite composed of Gly-3CL-TA or Gly-6CL-TA and 5% (w/w) of HA can be printed by 405 nm DLP 3D printers. The former has lower viscosity and thus can form a more uniform layer-by-layer structure, while the latter exhibited a higher flexural strength and modulus after being printed. Both composite materials are non-cytotoxic and degradable.
Originality/value
This study provides a direction of the formulation of environment-friendly resin composite for DLP 3D printing. Both resin composites have huge potential in tissue engineering applications.
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Shyamala Venkatachalapathi, Radha Shankararajan and Kiruthika Ramany
Milk is often referred to as the ultimate food because it meets the nutritional needs of infants, children and adults alike. It is a rich source of protein, fat, sweetness…
Abstract
Purpose
Milk is often referred to as the ultimate food because it meets the nutritional needs of infants, children and adults alike. It is a rich source of protein, fat, sweetness, vitamins and minerals. Because of its widespread usage as a healthy dairy product, the issue of milk adulteration is of global significance. The increasing frequency of fraudulent methods in the dairy business raises concerns about its purity and quality.
Design/methodology/approach
A study was conducted and reviewed that looked at several approaches for detecting milk adulteration during the past 15 years. This study examines the current state of research and analyzes recent advances in development.
Findings
There are ways and technology available that can effectively put an end to the abhorrent practice of milk adulteration.
Originality/value
This research takes a unique approach, focusing on the application of milk adulteration. It provides an overview of milk adulteration detection and investigates the effectiveness of biosensors in identifying common milk adulterants.
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Shih‐Hsuan Chiu, Sheng‐Hong Pong, Dien‐Chi Wu and Chien‐Hung Lin
The purpose of this paper is to present a novel photomask auto‐correction method for the area‐forming rapid prototyping (RP) system.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a novel photomask auto‐correction method for the area‐forming rapid prototyping (RP) system.
Design/methodology/approach
A digital light processing (DLP) projector was used in this research as a light source to generate the photomask image. A set of optical lenses were mounted in front of the DLP to rescale the photomask image. The rescaled photomask image was collected into a computer via a camera. By using the technique of image processing, the actual size of the photomask was then calculated. The designed size of the photomask image was eventually achieved by adjusting the relative locations of the lenses.
Findings
It was found that this proposed photomask auto‐correction method can produce a more accurate dimension of the photomask image and perform with higher efficiency than the manual calibration processes.
Originality/value
The paper is believed to be the first work to use the image‐processing technique to calibrate the photomask of an area‐forming RP system, as well as to employ a method of adjusting the relative position between the lenses to rescale the photomask image size.
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Shih-Hsuan Chiu, Kun-Ting Chen, Sigit Tri Wicaksono, Jia-Rung Tsai and Sheng-Hong Pong
The aim of this study is to optimize the process parameters of area-forming rapid prototyping system to improve the model dimensional repeatability and to minimize the process…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to optimize the process parameters of area-forming rapid prototyping system to improve the model dimensional repeatability and to minimize the process time as well.
Design/methodology/approach
Model dimensional repeatability is based on the dimensional standard deviation of the test sample. The significant factors that affect the model dimensional repeatability and process time are established by the fractional factorial design. Response surface methodology, based on the central composite design, is applied to evaluate the regression models of the response variables including prototype’s dimensional repeatability and processing time. Finally, a desirability function for each individual response variables is constructed to obtain the optimal process parameters.
Findings
The significant factors that have an impact on the main effects of response variables model dimensional repeatability and process time found by the fractional factorial design are curing time, light flux and platform moving velocity.
Originality/value
All previous studies were concerned with product accuracy in area-forming rapid prototyping system. In this work, we focus on optimization of model dimensional repeatability.
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Samatthachai Yamsa-ard, Fouad Ben Abdelaziz and Hatem Masri
We introduce decision support tools aimed at optimizing perishable food supply chain management, effectively balancing conflicting objectives such as the exporter’s product…
Abstract
Purpose
We introduce decision support tools aimed at optimizing perishable food supply chain management, effectively balancing conflicting objectives such as the exporter’s product collection cost and the importer’s profit. This involves considering factors like perishability, selling price, discount rate, and order quantity to achieve optimal outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
This study considered a three-echelon supply chain comprising farmers, a single exporter, and a single importer providing a single, random-lifetime, perishable product under deterministic customer demand. The proposed mathematical model derived the optimal order quantity, selling price, and discount rate for the entire supply chain. This integrated optimization model treats both demand and supply sides as a multi-objective problem, employing a nonlinear program and a two-stage capacitated vehicle routing problem formulation. Numerical examples and a case study focusing on Thailand durian supply chain were conducted to illustrate the approach of the proposed model.
Findings
Taking into account both the importer’s profit and the exporter’s product collection cost, the proposed integrated supply chain model and tools maximize profitability, minimizes waste, and meets demand by optimizing perishable product collection costs and proposing a discount system for selling prices.
Research limitations/implications
Limited to a single perishable product in a three-echelon international food supply chain. Future research can explore different products and supply chain contexts.
Practical implications
The tools enhance decision-making for supply chain managers, improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction in the perishable food industry.
Social implications
The proposed model aids in local workforce management by forecasting required manpower for upcoming seasons. By factoring in product quality and pricing, it ensures customers receive fresh products at fair prices. Furthermore, the near-zero waste concept enhances storage conditions at importers' facilities, contributing to improved environmental hygiene.
Originality/value
The integrated model and decision support tools offer a novel approach to address complexities and conflicting objectives in perishable food supply chains, providing practical insights for researchers and practitioners.
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Uma Maheshwaraa Namasivayam and Carolyn Conner Seepersad
Solid freeform fabrication is particularly suitable for fabricating customized parts, but it has not been used for fabricating deployable structures that can be stored in a…
Abstract
Purpose
Solid freeform fabrication is particularly suitable for fabricating customized parts, but it has not been used for fabricating deployable structures that can be stored in a compact configuration and deployed quickly and easily in the field. The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for deploying flexible, freeform structure with lattice skins as the deploying mechanism.
Design/methodology/approach
A ground structure‐based topology optimization procedure is utilized, with a penalization scheme that encourages convergence to sets of thick lattice elements that are manufacturable and extremely thin lattice elements that are removed from the final structure.
Findings
A deployable wing is designed for a miniature unmanned aerial vehicle. A physical prototype of the optimal configuration is fabricated with selective laser sintering and compared with the virtual prototype. The proposed methodology results in a 78 percent improvement in deviations from the intended surface profile of the deployed part.
Originality/value
The results presented in the paper provide proof‐of‐concept for the use of lattice skins as a deployment mechanism. A topology optimization framework is also provided for designing these lattice skins. Potential applications include portable, camouflaged shelters and deployable aerial vehicles.