Inder Singh, P. Sabita and V.A. Altekar
Silver has been known to mankind from time immemorial. It was one of the prized possessions of kings and nobles. From earliest times, it has been known for its intimate…
Abstract
Silver has been known to mankind from time immemorial. It was one of the prized possessions of kings and nobles. From earliest times, it has been known for its intimate association with (i) monetary system, (ii) use as a silverware for household purposes and (iii) beauty and elegance when shaped into ornaments. Now, an increased understanding of the properties of silver results in its application in the rapidly developing technologies, namely communications, electronics, space explorations, etc.
Introduction Many workers have studied the corrosion of aluminium and its alloys in hydrochloric acid, but corrosion of aluminium in trichloroacetic acid has not been studied…
Abstract
Introduction Many workers have studied the corrosion of aluminium and its alloys in hydrochloric acid, but corrosion of aluminium in trichloroacetic acid has not been studied extensively.
In connection with the launching as a new British Standard of the revised “Code of Practice for Protective Coating of Iron and Steel Structures Against Corrosion”, the Association…
Abstract
In connection with the launching as a new British Standard of the revised “Code of Practice for Protective Coating of Iron and Steel Structures Against Corrosion”, the Association of Metal Sprayers published a “Plain Guide to BS 5493: 1977”. The “Plain Guide” introduces the new Code of Practice to owners and managers of structures, consulting engineers, designers, architects and all specifiers of protective systems for steel; it enables them to take advantage of the wealth of information which has been assembled in BS 5493 and which initially might appear to the engineer not intimately involved in corrosion protection. The Guide, main details of which are published below, charts the way through the Standard and should enable everybody more readily to make full use of the information and advice contained within BS 5493. Full copies of “Plain Guide to BS 5493” can be obtained from the Association of Metal Sprayers, Chamber of Commerce, Ward Street, Walsall WS1 2AG, at a cost of 40p each including postage.
A.N. Mukherji and P. Prabhakaram
In the present work, the authors carried out siliconizing, chromizing, aluminizing and chrome‐aluminizing of mild steel in a pack cementation process with a view to evaluate the…
Abstract
In the present work, the authors carried out siliconizing, chromizing, aluminizing and chrome‐aluminizing of mild steel in a pack cementation process with a view to evaluate the optimum experimental conditions to obtain satisfactory coatings which possess high resistance to oxidation. It is visualised to adopt some of the experimental conditions in later experiments where diffusion coating treatments are carried out using pastes containing the various diffusion elements. Some of the findings of the authors in siliconizing, chromizing, aluminizing and chrome‐aluminizing of mild steel in pack process are reported. It was observed that there is excess grain growth during siliconizing by the pack process and the coatings are porous and lack good oxidation resistance compared to coatings in the gas phase carried out by other workers. Chromized, aluminized and chrome‐aluminized samples are superior to 18/8 stainless steel and even Inconel in their oxidation resistance. Chromizing followed by aluminizing makes the coating layer less brittle as observed by the micro hardness measurements across the layer and hence chrome‐aluminizing will improve the spoiling resistance of the coatings.
Omar Hasan Salah and Mohannad Moufeed Ayyash
A mobile wallet (m-wallet) is a part of financial technology products and is still in the infant stage in Palestine. The technology acceptance model (TAM) formed the basis of the…
Abstract
Purpose
A mobile wallet (m-wallet) is a part of financial technology products and is still in the infant stage in Palestine. The technology acceptance model (TAM) formed the basis of the model development, which was extended in the study to include an analysis of how knowledge sharing (KOS), perceived value (PEV), perceived privacy awareness and control (PRI) and perceived security (SEC) influenced the primary TAM components of perceived ease of use (PEU), perceived usefulness (PRU) and intention to use m-wallets among Palestinian users.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used questionnaires as its primary data collection method. The questionnaires were distributed via online media, and the data collection period spanned from January 10, 2023, to February 21, 2023. The study received 360 responses from participants. Smart PLS and SPSS v.23 software were used to perform a method test on the collected questionnaire data.
Findings
The study’s findings demonstrate the factors influencing Palestinian users’ adoption of m-wallets by extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to include knowledge sharing, perceived value, privacy awareness and control and security, in addition to the main TAM elements, perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU), offering new insights into technology adoption in developing regions and addressing gaps in the literature.
Research limitations/implications
This study has some limitations. First, it is limited because it looks at users’ intentions to use rather than their actual usage. The actual use of an m-wallet should be the topic of further research. Second, rather than focusing on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), this study examined users’ intentions to use m-wallets. Thus, SMEs’ use of m-wallets may be studied in future research. Third, because the study users were from Palestine, the results may not be generalizable. Therefore, additional populations and cultures should be studied in future research. Fourth, the study used a convenience sample of 282 users. As a result, it is not easy to generalize to a sizable population. Future studies should use larger sample sizes or random samples. Finally, this study examined the direct relationship between independent and dependent variables. Future research may consider personal innovativeness and artificial intelligence as potential moderators.
Practical implications
User knowledge sharing can be an important factor driving user intention to use m-wallet. Users can raise awareness of m-wallets by sharing their knowledge and experiences with others about their uses, features and advantages. This is particularly useful in a country like Palestine, where m-wallets are not widely accepted or used. Therefore, m-wallets service providers should improve their services to motivate the users to share their knowledge with others to increase user intention to use. For instance, m-wallet service providers can provide user support programs that assist users in resolving issues, responding to inquiries and offering feedback on the service. Additionally, m-wallet service providers can enhance the user experience of their m-wallet by providing user-friendly interfaces, quick and dependable service and robust security features. By improving the user experience and providing users with a supportive and responsive environment, service providers can encourage users to share their positive experiences with others and increase user intention to use the m-wallet. User knowledge sharing can be an important factor driving user intention to use m-wallet. Users can raise awareness of m-wallets by sharing their knowledge and experiences with others about their uses, features and advantages. This is particularly useful in a country like Palestine, where m-wallets are not widely accepted or used. Therefore, m-wallets service providers should improve their services to motivate the users to share their knowledge with others to increase user intention to use. For instance, m-wallet service providers can provide user support programs that assist users in resolving issues, responding to inquiries and offering feedback on the service. Additionally, m-wallet service providers can enhance the user experience of their m-wallet by providing user-friendly interfaces, quick and dependable service and robust security features.
Social implications
The widespread adoption of m-wallets is an important area of research, as it has significant theoretical implications for technology adoption. M-wallets provide an easy and secure way to pay without cash or physical cards. Therefore, identifying the factors affecting users’ intention to use m-wallets can help Palestinian m-wallet service providers to develop their marketing strategies. Extending the TAM to include four important factors (knowledge sharing, perceived value, perceived privacy awareness and control and perceived security) has improved our understanding of technology adoption models. The study empirically examines the intentions of Palestinian users to use m-wallets and how this novel technology is used in this area of the Arab world. The results empirically support that these factors strongly affect users’ intentions to use m-wallets. Thus, this study fills the knowledge gap about the factors influencing the use of m-wallets in Palestine and adds to the literature on the user intentions to use new technologies. Finally, this study is one of the first to examine the relationship between knowledge sharing, perceived value, perceived privacy awareness and control, perceived security and technology acceptance models in general and the extended TAM with these factors in a specific m-wallet context.
Originality/value
The preliminary empirical study investigates the factors affecting the use of m-wallets in Palestine by extending TAM with knowledge sharing, perceived value, perceived privacy awareness and control and perceived security as external variables to the model. The findings of this study help to fill a gap in the existing literature by identifying key variables that affect Palestinians’ intentions to use m-wallet. This study also contributes to the increase in knowledge in the area. To date, no studies have explored privacy in terms of awareness, control and knowledge sharing as essential factors that affect users’ intention to use m-wallets in Palestine.
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This chapter examines the problem of teacher education as it unfolds in the Indian context. It focuses on the historical and cultural context in which teachers’ attitudes and…
Abstract
This chapter examines the problem of teacher education as it unfolds in the Indian context. It focuses on the historical and cultural context in which teachers’ attitudes and identities develop. Attention is particularly paid to contextual factors that frame teachers’ actions beyond individual intentions. Possibilities for breaking these frames and engaging in new alternatives for action are imagined. An historical approach is employed to understand teachers’ current pedagogical beliefs and action, and its future orientation.
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When post-secondary education (PSE) in Africa is viewed in terms of growth rather than total enrolment the region tops the list of impressive trends. Between the years 1985 and…
Abstract
When post-secondary education (PSE) in Africa is viewed in terms of growth rather than total enrolment the region tops the list of impressive trends. Between the years 1985 and 2005 the countries of sub-Saharan Africa experienced the largest growth of PSE involvement of any region with total enrolment increasing fourfold. The insatiable student demand is being met by a proliferation of large-scale and small-scale religious denominations establishing post-secondary education. The current chapter provides a categorical, multi-levelled analysis of the growth of religious providers in sub-Saharan Africa. Particular attention is given to the activities and rationales of stakeholders who play a part in the establishment and continued operations of religious PSE. Using Marginson and Rhoades’s (2002) glonacal agency heuristic, the networks between stakeholders and their varying degrees of influence on regional PSE are described and discussed. The findings suggest that PSE in the region is being widely provided by small-scale denominations establishing religious training institutions. But the influence of this PSE is mainly limited to local communities.
There is significant evidence of increasing global implementation failures in enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects; and, for this reason, critical success factors (CSF) on…
Abstract
Purpose
There is significant evidence of increasing global implementation failures in enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects; and, for this reason, critical success factors (CSF) on implementation success (IS) are of notable concern to manufacturing organizations. This paper aims to focus on these factors and the role they played toward implementation success of ERP projects in India. Furthermore, this paper will also seek to explore whether the implementation success is moderated (i.e. influenced) by the organizational culture. This will help other manufacturing organizations take appropriate decisions about the ERP implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
In the proposed model, the authors propose organizational culture as the moderator toward the implementation success of ERP projects in India. A survey methodology is used for the study, and a structured questionnaire was developed to get the information.
Findings
Through this study, it has been found that the organizational culture acts as a moderator and moderates the relationship between CSF and implementation success of the ERP projects in India.
Research limitations/implications
This study offers both academicians and practitioners a model to research, assess, and identify the appropriate CSF such as Setting up ERP business goals and objectives (SEB), Cross-Functional Teams (CFT), Business Process Reengineering (BPR), Projects Tracking (PTG), and Data Analysis and Conversion (DAG) on IS of ERP projects in India and moderated by the organizational culture. The research is targeted on manufacturing organizations in India, and hence it has limitations in terms of scope. However, the results are quite encouraging with very good response (n=223) from the manufacturing organizations. Other manufacturing organizations planning to implement ERP soon will be highly benefited from the results of this study.
Originality/value
Unfortunately, few research studies define the issues related to the moderator namely the organizational culture. This paper demonstrates how this moderator played an important role in ERP implementation. The findings will encourage Indian manufacturing organizations to implement ERP when facing challenges of the competitive market for their competitive advantage. For India, this research could be among the first to its nature.
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Rahul S. Mor, Arvind Bhardwaj, Sarbjit Singh and Anish Sachdeva
The purpose of this paper is to identify the non-value-adding activities (NVAs) of core making process and to eliminate them through the standardization-of-work (SW) procedures in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the non-value-adding activities (NVAs) of core making process and to eliminate them through the standardization-of-work (SW) procedures in a manufacturing company.
Design/methodology/approach
The action-research methodology was adopted for the current study. First, various lean tools were identified through literature review, and the bottleneck area was identified in discussion with the shop-floor executives. NVAs were recorded after a continuous process study including method study and motion analysis followed by the standard operating procedure. Second, the standardized work combination tables were prepared and NVAs were eliminated using the SW procedures. SW has been opted because it is a set of actions which helps in analyzing, improving and controlling the process and it leads to continual improvement.
Findings
The production logbook revealed that the capacity in this particular workstation was 54 pieces per 7 h work shift against the current production of approx. 45–50 pieces (past data). SW saved 31.6 s per cycle which boosted the production up to 58 pieces per 7 h work shift. Finally, the authors came to know that the productivity of this particular process increased up to 6.5 percent which may upsurge if this action is executed continually with the support from shop-floor executives and management. These results were also compared with previous research works in this area and found significant relevance, and hence, the results appear to be reliable.
Research limitations/implications
This is a unique study in itself which explores the lean model by assessing NVAs of core making process. The proposed approach needs to be tested across different other core making processes of the case company so as to generalize the effectiveness of SW as well as the results obtained in the current study.
Practical implications
The current study illustrates an important step to give more visibility to the lean concept by addressing the problem of lack of standard procedures. This study will help the shop-floor executives and managers to focus their efforts in achieving high performance through effective implementation of SW. The study should be of the interest of researchers in the area of lean manufacturing, operations management, productivity analysis, etc.
Originality/value
The findings of this study are based on the problem formulation for productivity gains using SW procedures in the case company. The study introduces a new perspective for the execution of SW for core making processes. SW created transparency in workflow, enhanced the safety and eliminated the 3Ms. The outcome of the current study was discussed with the production team and management of the company to validate the productivity gains and received an optimistic response. Most importantly, these improvements were achieved with no investment in machinery or tooling.