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This article aims to highlight the stigmatization attached to the unemployment of educated youth in rural regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

The study explicates the subjective experiences of the youth as being unemployed and societal attitudes toward them through an in-depth qualitative approach. A total of 30 unemployed male individuals were interviewed through an interview guide.

The study reveals that unemployed individuals are stigmatized and discriminately treated. They experience the difference in social support from their family and friends during unemployment, which is a discouraging aspect. This finding is in contrast to the existing literature on the subject in which family and friends are described as a major source of social support. As the study is conducted in the rural context, it is observed that local factors coupled with the joint family system have intensified negative attitudes toward the unemployed youth. Subsequently, the negative societal treatment serves as a factor for psychological challenges in their lives.

This article serves the need of exploring the experiences of unemployed individuals precisely in the Pakistani context.

The purpose of this paper is to propose an enhanced elephant herding optimization (EEHO) algorithm by improving the exploration phase to overcome the fast-unjustified convergence toward the origin of the native EHO. The exploration and exploitation of the proposed EEHO are achieved by updating both clan and separation operators.

The original EHO shows fast unjustified convergence toward the origin specifically, a constant function is used as a benchmark for inspecting the biased convergence of evolutionary algorithms. Furthermore, the star discrepancy measure is adopted to quantify the quality of the exploration phase of evolutionary algorithms in general.

In experiments, EEHO has shown a better performance of convergence rate compared with the original EHO. Reasons behind this performance are: EEHO proposes a more exploitative search method than the one used in EHO and the balanced control of exploration and exploitation based on fixing clan updating operator and separating operator. Operator γ is added to EEHO assists to escape from local optima, which commonly exist in the search space. The proposed EEHO controls the convergence rate and the random walk independently. Eventually, the quantitative and qualitative results revealed that the proposed EEHO outperforms the original EHO.

Therefore, the pros and cons are reported as follows: pros of EEHO compared to EHO – 1) unbiased exploration of the whole search space thanks to the proposed update operator that fixed the unjustified convergence of the EHO toward the origin and the proposed separating operator that fixed the tendency of EHO to introduce new elephants at the boundary of the search space; and 2) the ability to control exploration–exploitation trade-off by independently controverting the convergence rate and the random walk using different parameters – cons EEHO compared to EHO: 1) suitable values for three parameters (rather than two only) have to be found to use EEHO.

As the original EHO shows fast unjustified convergence toward the origin specifically, the search method adopted in EEHO is more exploitative than the one used in EHO because of the balanced control of exploration and exploitation based on fixing clan updating operator and separating operator. Further, the star discrepancy measure is adopted to quantify the quality of exploration phase of evolutionary algorithms in general. Operator γ that added EEHO allows the successive local and global searching (exploration and exploitation) and helps escaping from local minima that commonly exist in the search space.

This study aims to explore the perception of Algerian Zakat payers regarding the adoption of technology within the Algerian Zakat Fund.

A survey was administered to a convenience sample of 460 Algerian Zakat payers. The survey was designed by combining the Extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM 2) and Theory of Reasoned Actions (TRA) frameworks to provide an in-depth understanding of the factors that influence the model acceptance among the Algerian Zakat payers. The findings were subsequently analyzed to evaluate convergent and discriminant validity as well as composite reliability. Structural equation modeling was applied to examine the causal relationship among all proposed constructs.

The data reveal that all the hypotheses from the TAM 2 and TRA theories were supported, demonstrating the model’s significant acceptance among Algerian Zakat payers.

The originality of this study lies in its unique combination of both the TRA and the Extended TAM 2 within the context of Zakat. It examines the integration of the aforementioned theories to assess the acceptance of Algerian Zakat payers to the suggested Zakat Fintech-based model. This model is specifically tailored to address the challenges encountered by the Algerian Zakat Fund, offering innovative solutions to enhance management and governance mechanisms while aligning with Islamic financial principles.

This study aims to identify the significant scientific actors, reveal the intellectual structure and explore essential features for future research direction in Sharia governance studies.

The study applies a hybrid review combining bibliometric analysis and content analysis. It uses Rstudio (biblioshiny), VOSviewer and Microsoft Excel to analyze 457 articles published in 206 journals indexed by Scopus and/or Web of Science during the period of 1985 until the end of 2022.

The paper discovered four distinct streams of Sharia governance studies: structure of Sharia governance, Sharia governance and risk management, Sharia governance and sustainability and the effect of Sharia governance toward firm’s financial performance. Furthermore, it derives and summarizes 26 main research questions for future studies.

In terms of theoretical implications, the finding contributes to the general literature on Sharia governance by conducting bibliometric analysis and content analysis. In terms of practical implications, this study suggests that Sharia governance should be strengthened by the management of Islamic banks and other Islamic-based businesses.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the early studies using a hybrid review on the topic of Sharia governance, allowing future researchers in this field to capture the trends and progress of current literature as well as the research gaps to be filled in by future researchers.

Purpose: To investigate the key technologies facilitating the transition towards Industry 5.0 and analysing the contributions of Nvidia, a prominent leader in this field, to these technological advancements.

Significance of the study: Technology companies such as Nvidia play a critical role in this transformation through their innovative solutions. This study addresses the need to understand this evolving landscape and the significant impact of the Nvidia.

Methodology: This study is a qualitative approach that examines the existing literature and secondary case studies pertaining to Industry 5.0, and Nvidia. This study examines Nvidia’s high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs), the digital twin platform Omniverse, and the humanoid robot technology development platform, Isaac.

Findings: The next generation of GPUs with the Blackwell architecture is expected to further advance the development of large language models. The Nvidia Omniverse platform contributes significantly to the development of digital twins, a crucial technology for Industry 5.0. The Nvidia Isaac platform focuses on the development of humanoid robot technology, which is a key component of Industry 5.0. Utilizing realistic simulations with Isaac Sim, imitating human behavior with GR00T, and leveraging the high-performance processing power of Jetson Thor, the platform facilitates the creation of robots capable of safe and effective human–robot collaboration. Nvidia has emerged as a leader in the artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and gaming sectors because of its innovative and agile company culture.

Practical implications: Companies can leverage Nvidia’s technological solutions to optimize production processes and enhance both efficiency and sustainability. The human–machine collaboration emphasized by Industry 5.0 will necessitate the reshaping of workforce skillsets and operational approaches.

Human resources (HR) are undoubtedly one of the most important factors of any organization. That is why making decisions on the HR policy is becoming a very sensitive issue, both when hiring adequate candidates for the job and during the process work, i.e., during training and development of employees who work in the organization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of HR and decisions on the HR policy as the premise for generating the organization’s expected business excellence. The starting assumption of this chapter is that appropriate decisions on the HR policy are predictors of engaging adequate employees and managing their potentials on the right way. The research is directed toward identifying differences in decisions on the personnel policy in organizations from Serbia that have different decision-makers and different management styles, which are directly related to their business success. Apart from the decision-maker, a significant role in profiling an organization’s personnel should also be done by the Human Resource Department, who take part in recruiting, selecting for education, building, and motivating personnel. In order to confirm the starting assumption, the comparative analysis method, the synthesis method, and the multiple comparison and statistical test methods are used.

This paper aims to investigate the impact of corporate governance and other related factors on the risk-taking of Islamic banks. Risk-taking is defined according to credit risk, liquidity risk and operational risk.

The study uses the two step system generalized method of moment (2SYS-GMM) estimation technique by using a panel data set of 129 Islamic banks (IBs) from 29 countries in the Middle East, South Asia and the Southeast Asia regions covering from 2008 to 2017. Governance variables incorporated include board size, board independence, chief executive officer (CEO) power, Shariah board and audit committee, as well as other control variables.

This study provides evidence that board size and Shariah board are positively and significantly related to credit and liquidity risk. Board independence and CEO power are negative and significantly associated with credit and liquidity risk, but the audit committee has a mixed relationship with bank risk. Male CEOs take more risk compared to the female and more board meeting has an inverse relationship with Islamic banks risk. Bank size, however, does not influence the level of risk in Islamic banks, but leverage has an inverse relationship with bank risk.

The present study sheds light on the risk-taking behaviour of the board of IBs, particularly the board independence and CEO power reducing the level of risk in IBs thereby contributing to the agency theory. Therefore, regulators and policymakers can use the findings of this study to strengthen the internal corporate governance mechanism to protect IBs at a time of financial distress. Moreover, it increases the trust of the shareholders and stakeholders in the effectiveness of governance reforms that have been pursued to reap long-term benefits.

To the best of the knowledge, this research is preliminary in examining the board behaviour on risk-taking of IBs from four different regions. The results are robust and suggest that the board of directors mitigate the level of risk in IBs.

This paper aims to delve into the factors influencing the adoption of Islamic Fintech and investigates the potential impact of Religious Orientation.

The study uses a questionnaire to collect data from 291 Jordanians, using Structural Equation Model – Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) to evaluate the research model and test hypotheses.

The outcomes of the Smart PLS path analysis revealed that several factors significantly influence the adoption of Islamic Fintech. Notably, perceived risk, financial literacy, trust and convenience were identified as pivotal determinants in shaping individuals' decisions to adopt Islamic Fintech. Additionally, the study unveils the noteworthy role of religious orientation as a moderator, impacting the relationship between perceived risk, financial literacy, trust and convenience concerning the adoption of Islamic Fintech.

This study contributes fresh insights to the existing literature concerning the adoption of Islamic Fintech, enhancing the understanding of the key drivers in this domain. Furthermore, it emphasizes the practical implications of religious orientation in shaping individuals' attitudes and behaviors pertaining to Islamic Fintech adoption.

This study aims to develop a model for female expatriate work adjustment from the identity conflict perspective.

This is a theoretical paper that focuses on integrating the existing literature and proposing new constructive relationships.

We study female expatriates' adjustment processes in the work domain from the identity conflict perspective. Specifically, we categorize female expatriates' identities in the work domain into their gender identity and a work-related role identity cluster and propose that when gender identity is salient, unsupportive national and organizational cultures will lead to gender–work role identity conflicts and eventually result in maladjustment in the work domain.

First, we suggest that female expatriates' work role identities can form a cluster that includes expatriate role, managerial role and occupational role identity. We further theorize how the gender role identity and the work-related role identity cluster of female expatriates interact to influence how they adjust to their work. Second, we explore two contingency factors – host organizational culture and host national culture–and explain how they influence the interaction between female expatriates' gender identity and work-related role identities. Finally, we introduce the concept of gender–work role identity conflict and theorize how it serves as the underlying mechanism linking female expatriate identity patterns and work adjustment.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of knowledge leader readiness within large companies operating in a changing environment.

A conceptual framework emerged from an analysis of four large companies and a review of the knowledge management literature. Secondary research was conducted to compare the four large companies against the proposed framework.

The conceptual model is a support to understand an organizations’ reaction to external changes and the role of the knowledge leader’s readiness in managing these changes and adjusting the knowledge management accordingly. From the analysis, it emerged that a knowledge leader’s readiness plays a relevant role in a changing organizational environment owing to his ability to acquire, handle and diffuse knowledge within the company.

The study emphasizes the significance of internal knowledge in managing changes. Practitioners could use this framework as a conceptual guide for their daily challenges and to recruit future leaders.

This study aims to contribute to the knowledge management literature by providing a practical model for organizations facing a changing environment. The originality of the model is the design of different managerial profiles that combine the leaders’ disposition to knowledge and their ability to drive change.