Mohammad Sultan Ahmad Ansari and Shad Ahmad Khan
The purpose of this paper is to appraise the influence and challenges of direct disinvestment or through foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Kingdom of Bhutan, particularly to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to appraise the influence and challenges of direct disinvestment or through foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Kingdom of Bhutan, particularly to identify the inflow of disinterment post pandemic and how it can be improved.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors investigated the influence of FDI on Bhutan’s economy by analyzing secondary published data by Asian Development Bank and government agencies of Bhutan. To find out the role FDI has played in the growth of the Bhutanese Economy.
Findings
The FDI is not playing a major role in the nation’s economy so far. However, its potential cannot be ignored as there is a need for foreign currency and expertise in the country. Furthermore, government policies are directly influencing the inflow of foreign exchange that affects the Bhutan’s economy. FDI has not increased considerably because of self-imposed restrictions blocking government policies.
Research limitations/implications
This research is based on the data collected from secondary sources, which could be considered as the main limitation of this study. The Himalayan kingdom is not much open to the outside world in terms of the publication and availability of the data. Researchers put their best effort in retrieving secondary data from authentic sources.
Practical implications
This research has direct implications from an institutional perspective on the government policies and procedures. This study throws light on the elements that might help in improving Bhutan’s economy, employment and productivity for an overall development of economy.
Social implications
Bhutan and similar countries need to understand the pros and cons of having FDIs. This study might help the government and the civil society to understand the trends FDI has triggered in the nation over last 30 years, and will help them to make appropriate policies and regulations dealing with foreign investments.
Originality/value
This paper underwrites the influence of disinvestment on Bhutan’s economy, which can revolutionize business, entrepreneurship and institutions. This research was conducted by analyzing secondary data released by authorized agencies, which indicated the lower inflow of foreign exchange and how to improve further.
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A.U. Malik, Rais Ahmad, Sharif Ahmad and Sultan Ahmad
Nickel aluminide coatings on mild steel have been prepared by pack cementation process. The high temperature oxidation behaviour of the coatings have been studied at 750°, 800�…
Abstract
Nickel aluminide coatings on mild steel have been prepared by pack cementation process. The high temperature oxidation behaviour of the coatings have been studied at 750°, 800° and 850° in flowing air. The influence of different rare earth oxide addition on the oxidation rates of nickel aluminide coating on mild steel has also been investigated. The kinetic of the oxidation of nickel aluminide coating on mild steel, with or without addition of RE2O3 proceeds by a diffusion controlled mechanism as revealed by the parabolic nature of weight gain Vs time plots. At higher temperatures the oxidation rates of the nickel aluminide coatings are lowered down markedly irrespective of rare earth oxide concentration. The oxidation rates are significantly affected by the morphology of the oxide scales, in cases where the structure of oxide scales is not seriously disrupted due to decarburization, the oxidation rates are significantly reduced.
Nurul Hazwani Abdul Latif, Muhammad Taher, Juliana Md Jaffri, Mohamad Shahreen Amri, Muhammad Badri Abdul Kudos, Wan Mohd Azizi Wan Sulaiman and Deny Susanti
Various studies suggest that some of natural agents create a specific action of hypocholesterolemic effect. Considering this fact, the aim of this paper is to work on describing…
Abstract
Purpose
Various studies suggest that some of natural agents create a specific action of hypocholesterolemic effect. Considering this fact, the aim of this paper is to work on describing selected natural agents that may reduce cholesterol concentrations by different mechanism of actions.
Design/methodology/approach
The advantages, phytochemical components and the mechanisms of the agents were reviewed and supported from the findings of the in vitro, double-blind and clinical studies from published journals, books and articles. The journals used in this review were published between 1987 and 2016, and are available from PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar.
Findings
Plant stanols and sterols, turmeric, fenugreek, avocado, tomato, artichoke, red yeast rice and garlic showed a positive effect in maintaining cholesterol levels by specific mechanisms or actions. These agents each had a specific action in creating a hypocholesterolemic effect either by inhibition of the enzyme significant to the synthesis process, disturbing the absorption of cholesterol, conversion of cholesterol to other related forms and through the reduction of the oxidative stress.
Research limitations/implications
However, this field still needs more studies as, currently, there is not any detailed information regarding the main active ingredients responsible for the mechanism to reduce cholesterol levels in humans.
Originality/value
This paper enlightens the authors’ understanding of some natural agents that have the potential to be used in controlling cholesterol.
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This paper examines the constitution and transformation of the political regime in the Ottoman Empire in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th century. It argues that our…
Abstract
This paper examines the constitution and transformation of the political regime in the Ottoman Empire in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th century. It argues that our understanding of the transitional stages between the end of empires and the formation of new states continues to be analytically underdeveloped, particularly in the context of Eastern/Southeastern Europe. Drawing on recent scholarship, which challenges the existing dichotomous empire-to-nation model and suggests furthering studies on the transition period, the paper offers a close-up look at the role of transnational ideologies played during the transition from empire-to-nation. It highlights the existence of a rather complex interplay between national and transnational ideologies. It argues that understanding the role of transnational ideologies allows us to attribute more agency to the political actors of the late Ottoman era, helping model the changes that happened in the state's legitimacy, the ideological transformations, and the political mobilization of the elites in this period. Focusing on the Ottoman case, it sheds insights on both Habsburg and Russian Empires, which exhibited similar characteristics at that time. It also illustrates the role that transnational ideologies played in all three cases.
Tuan Mastiniwati Tuan Mansor, Akmalia M. Ariff, Hafiza Aishah Hashim and Abdul Hafaz Ngah
This study aims to investigate external auditors’ whistleblowing intentions by applying the moderated multicomponent of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), incorporating…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate external auditors’ whistleblowing intentions by applying the moderated multicomponent of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), incorporating perceived organizational support (POS) and provides insights on the moderating effect of moral norm on the relationship between attitude and internal whistleblowing intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
Data was gathered using a questionnaire survey involving 274 external auditors in Malaysia and the data was analyzed using SmartPLS 3.2.9.
Findings
The results show that there are positive relationships between perceived behavioural control and POS with whistleblowing intentions, but there is no evidence to support the hypotheses related to attitude and subjective norm. The findings provide partial support for the capability of the multicomponent model of TPB in examining whistleblowing intentions. The results further show that moral norm moderates the relationship between attitude and whistleblowing intentions.
Practical implications
The findings can assist accounting professional bodies and policy makers in formulating strategies to enhance the practice and, consequently, the benefits of whistleblowing. The findings are also valuable to managers of audit firms in strategizing for ways to enhance whistleblowing intentions to encourage the audit staffs to report any wrongdoings done by their colleagues.
Originality/value
This study provides the perspective of whistleblowing intentions of external auditors in the institutional setting of an emerging market, Malaysia. Further, this study extends the TPB model in whistleblowing studies by applying a higher-order construct, incorporating POS as an additional determinant of whistleblowing intentions and considering moral norm as moderating the relationship between attitude and whistleblowing intentions.
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Abdul Rahman Zahari and Elinda Esa
The purpose of this study is to determine whether COVID-19 had an impact on the brand equity of the Top 100 global brands in the Americas, European and Asian regions over the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine whether COVID-19 had an impact on the brand equity of the Top 100 global brands in the Americas, European and Asian regions over the three years of assessment (2020–2022).
Design/methodology/approach
A secondary data method (document scanning) was used to gather the study’s data from Brand Finance’s Global 500 annual reports from 2019 to 2022. The data for this study was analysed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. The data were subjected to a descriptive test and one-way analysis of variance.
Findings
The findings showed that most of the Top 100 global brands from the Americas, Europe and Asia experienced little or no impact due to COVID-19. Thus, no significant differences were found to exist among the Top 100 global regional brands due to COVID-19 in the years 2020 and 2021. However, there is a significant difference in 2022 due to its small effect size.
Originality/value
The findings of this paper contribute to brand equity literature and global branding literature in the context of COVID-19. This paper innovatively frames brand equity and provides guidelines to help brands sustain their financial-based brand equity during a worldwide crisis.
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The voltage measurement from piezoelectric disk (PZT) transducer is proposed in this paper. The attraction sound that has been used in the swiftlet farming industries was emitted…
Abstract
The voltage measurement from piezoelectric disk (PZT) transducer is proposed in this paper. The attraction sound that has been used in the swiftlet farming industries was emitted at three different levels. The PZT was placed inside and outside the speaker to identify maximum power to produced high impulse voltage. The swiftlets sound was recorded using Avisoft software and analysed in Matlab. The sound was dividing into seven frames and it spectrum was plotted using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) function to acquire the magnitude and frequency information. A Strip chart used to log and graph values acquired from PZT for 100 Hz sampling rate. The impulse response for each sample was saving in excel format and analysed in Matlab software. The finding showed, the voltage acquire from different type of swiftlets sound is significant different. In addition, the voltage generated from two PZT location also showed significant different. The reason can be highlight here is voltage generated by PZT is depending on the power of sound transmitted. The higher power sound transmitted the higher voltage generated from PZT.
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Abdul Hafaz Ngah, Yuserrie Zainuddin and Ramayah Thurasamy
This study aims to identify the contributing factors to the adoption of Halal warehousing services among Malaysia Halal manufacturers.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the contributing factors to the adoption of Halal warehousing services among Malaysia Halal manufacturers.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey, based on the technology, organization and environment (TOE) framework, was distributed to 200 participants at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2013. Of these, 140 responses were complete, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modelling approach and SMART-PLS 2.0 software.
Findings
Perceived benefits, cost, customer pressure and organizational readiness were found to have a significant relationship with Halal manufacturers’ intention to adopt Halal warehousing services. Perceived benefits, customer pressure and organizational readiness were the drivers of adoption, and cost was a barrier.
Research limitations/implications
This paper examines the factors affecting Malaysian Halal manufacturers’ intention to adopt Halal warehousing services in three industries, food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Practical implications
The results provide insights into the adoption of Halal warehousing among Malaysian Halal manufacturers. The government, Halal warehouse service providers and customers may use these findings to expand the adoption of Halal warehouse services.
Originality/value
Adopting the TOE framework, this study investigates and develops a model for Halal warehouse adoption. The results indicate that the variables from the TOE framework have a significant relationship with the adoption of Halal warehousing activities.
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This paper has two purposes. First, it is to highlight the importance of customer retention and bonding in the context of twenty‐first century banking environment. Second, it is…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper has two purposes. First, it is to highlight the importance of customer retention and bonding in the context of twenty‐first century banking environment. Second, it is to propose a conceptual model of the customer‐bank bond.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is written based on both extant literature and the author's observation. The paper begins by discussing the context of UK retail banking industry and stressing the importance of retaining bank customers. It then discusses various perspectives of interaction, relationship and bond between customers and providers of services, particularly between retail banking customers and banks. Finally, the paper proposes a conceptual model of bond between retail banking customers and their banks and discusses the implications for managers and theories.
Findings
A conceptual model – a triplex bond, which comprises three categories: the primary, secondary, and superlative bond.
Research limitations/implications
The paper acknowledges that further research is needed to validate the relevance of various dimensions to those proposed categories of bond and to test the power of related measuring instruments.
Practical implications
The proposed model of a bond could potentially help UK bank managers in mapping out a plan for strengthening customer‐bank bond and, ultimately, in retaining their customers.
Originality/value
The key contribution of this paper is a conceptualisation of customer‐bank bond that takes into account customer non‐personal interactions with their banks.