Key Industry Players Research Articles

Causes and Effects of Late Payments on Company’s Projects: A Case on Engineering Services, Pakistan

The study found that causes of payment problems in the engineering services; cash flow problems due to delays and non-payments experienced on other projects, disputes over-payment claims and responses, cash flow difficulties due to lack of initial capital, the attitude of payers, easy exit of players, and the general payment culture of the industry. Subsequent clustering of the identified factors using a factor analysis provided knowledge on key areas that industry practitioners need to focus on in mitigating payment problems within the industry. From the factor analysis, the underlying factors for payment problems are six-fold: contractual issues, financial strength of industry players, disputes between players, project characteristics, the ‘domino effect’, and others. Most of the causes of payment problems fall under the clusters: financial strengths of industry players, project characteristics, and the ‘domino effect’. It is safe to conclude that the domino effect is partly due to financial weaknesses of key construction industry players.

A Comparative Analysis between Shariah Audit and Shariah Review in Islamic Banks in Malaysia: Practitioners’ Perspective

This paper compares Shariah audit and Shariah review in Islamic banks in Malaysia based on reporting structure, independence, the scope of duties, technology used, guideline and methodology, coverage period, and officers’ qualification. The study employs a qualitative method by utilizing semi-structured interviews with nine (9) key industry players. Data gathered from a series of interviews have been transcripted and analyzed using Atlas.ti. This study uncovers that Shariah review and Shariah audit have apparent differences and play their roles as a second and third line of defense, respectively, that eventually could provide a stimulus to Shariah governance and strengthen market confidence. Keywords: Shariah audit, Shariah review, Islamic banks, qualitative method. eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i14.2208

Cazadores de la molécula perdida: la apremiante necesidad de descubrir nuevos fármacos antivirales contra SARS-COV-2

For almost a year, humanity has been threatened by the new coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, which originated in China, and from there has spread to almost all regions around the globe. The incidence and mortality of this dangerous virus, which have recently increased in countries like Colombia, has overwhelmed public health systems and has created enormous difficulties and challenges at the economic, social, and political levels. With the aim of quickly finding treatment alternatives, running parallel to prevention initiatives spurred by the arrival of an effective vaccine, computational biology and computer-aided technologies have now been playing a booming role and have rapidly positioned themselves as key players in the pharmaceutical industry. This paper presents the main findings of a study focused on designing and discovering new agents with inhibitory capacity against the new coronavirus, describing the methodological strategy employed and presenting the implications, challenges, and future perspectives associated with finding a molecule with promising therapeutic potential.

Championing innovation for a resilient food system

Championing innovation for a resilient food system

Electromagnetic Field Levels in Built-up Areas with an Irregular Grid of Buildings: Modeling and Integrated Software

The knowledge of the electromagnetic field levels generated by radio base stations present in an urban environment is a relevant aspect for propagations and coverage issues, as well as for the compliance to national regulations. Despite the growing interest in the novel fifth generation (5G) technology, several aspects related to the investigation of the urban propagation of the Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM), third generation (3G), and fourth generation (4G) mobile systems in peculiar non-rural environments may be improved. To account for irregular geometries and to deal with the propagation in hilly towns, in this work we present an enhanced version of the COST231-Walfisch–Ikegami model, whose parameters have been modified to evaluate the path loss at distances greater than 20 meters from the radio base station. This work addressed the problem of providing an effective, reliable, and quantitative model for the estimation of electromagnetic field levels in built-up areas. In addition, we also developed and tested a pre-industrial software prototype whose aim is to make the estimated electromagnetic field levels available to the key players in the telecom industry, the local authorities, and the general population. We validated the proposed model with a measurement campaign in the small urban and irregular built-up areas of Dorgali (Nuoro), Cala Gonone (Nuoro), and Lunamatrona (Cagliari) in Sardinia (Italy).

The Brand Image and Brand Associations of Langkawi and Phuket: A Brand Concept Map Analysis/ Imej dan Asosiasi Jenama Langkawi dan Phuket: Satu Analisis Peta Konsep Jenama

In the current competitive scenario of tourism industry, brand association studies are important to identify the authentic brand image of tourism destinations. This would eventually benefit the key players in the tourism industry in planning an effective tourism marketing campaign. The present study aims to analyze the brand image of Langkawi and Phuket and to identify the differences in brand associations in the tourists' memory who visited the two destinations. Incorporating Brand Concept Mapping approach, the study used preliminary survey and focus group interviews to achieve the objectives of the study. Findings indicated that Langkawi was identified as a 'Family-oriented” or “Multiproduct” Destination as reflected in its multifarious list of brand associations covering from history, natural beauty, shopping centre and recreational destination. Meanwhile, Phuket was associated as an ‘Entertainment-oriented Destination’ with its structural brand associations were linked towards entertainment and pleasure such as nightclubs. Thai girl show, brothels and nightlife.

Challenges and pathways for Brazilian mining sustainability

Brazil is one of the world key players in the mining industry. This sector has also a remarkable role on the Brazilian economic and social development. Nonetheless, the economic, social and environmental impacts of the sector have not yet been fully documented, debated or understood in reports presented by companies and public organizations in the country. In this context, this research aims to contribute to this debate by analysing sustainability in the Brazilian mining sector. For this research, the approach has used mostly a qualitative method, interviews, coupled with content analysis of reports of public mining agencies. Results showed that sustainability assessment and communication is still an emergent process in Brazilian mining, since only a few large companies have been reporting their sustainability initiatives. The results provide also evidence of the existing gap between large and small companies, with the latter showing lower levels of awareness of the impact of their activities. Based on these findings, this research has concluded on the need for closer cooperation between government, public mining agencies and companies to raise levels of knowledge and awareness within companies, towards sustainability practices and communication initiatives.

Life Cycle Cost (LCC) Analysis for Rigid Pavement Rehabilitation and Maintenance in Malaysia

Many scholars claimed that due to maintenance, high reconstruction and construction costs in Malaysia, LCC shows an important role in estimating the cost of rigid pavement. Because of the government's expenditure and high budget allocation on pavement rehabilitation and maintenance work in Malaysia, choosing the most cost-effective pavement maintenance, maximizing the budget allocation and rehabilitation alternatives is essential for transportation agencies. A useful technique LCC of economic analysis that measures the different solutions of cost-effectiveness to rehabilitation and maintenance within the same category of roads. To generate a broad and accurate LCC output, however, it is necessary to ensure that the value information inputs are ready and of sufficient quality to use in the estimation of the LCC. This article shows the findings of Malaysia's systematic literature review inputs for LCC cost information study of dynamic pavement rehabilitation and maintenance. The literature study results showed that the greater part of key players in the construction industry are aware of the need for LCC analysis in the rigid rehabilitation and maintenance of the pavement. In Malaysia the LCC current state system of rigid pavement rehabilitation and maintenance, however, is still in its not only infancy stage but also is not ready for the difficulties to be implemented in achieving quality cost data to generate a reliable and comprehensive analysis of life cycle cost. The present findings of the paper which provide information on cost data current state inputs in the construction industry from the LCC analysis of rigid pavement rehabilitation and maintenance.

Loss of Food Nutrients orchestrated by Cooking Pots: a common trend in developing world

AbstractThere is abundant evidence that cooking reduces the level of nutrients in foods, but the reductions are exacerbated by among other factors the type of cooking pot used. We conducted a research to determine the influence of various cooking pots on macro and micronutrients of cooked foods. Seven pots and five types of food stuffs were used for the study. The cooking pots used included unpitted aluminum, pitted aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, enamel coated, clay (earthen) and iron-cast while the food stuff were chosen from the major classes of food as to include tubers (yam), cereals (rice), fleshy (beef), vegetables (tomato) and legumes (cowpea). Cooking pot forged from titanium offered best (up to 87.7%) protection (retention) of micronutrients while pitted aluminum pot offered the least retention irrespective of the food sample cooked. Significant portions of food micro nutrients namely vitamin C, vitamin A and selenium were mostly affected compared with the macro nutrients. In the course of our investigations we observed that titanium and enamel coated cooking pots required less quantity of water to get food done. The use of less water to cook transmitted to low (69.67%) moisture content of food cooked in such pots compared to values as high as 76.89% when other pots were used. Food cooked with less water may impact better taste to food since the food is expected to be more nutrient-dense; having considerable lower moisture content. Our research evidenced that cooking pot can have a strong impact on people's morbidity since some pots can aggravate hidden hunger, that is, micronutrient malnutrition. Hidden hunger is a subtle enemy that drains away health and vitality unnoticed until it is too late to reverse. It is crucial to state here that our findings may have turned on its head the previous idea of using pressure pot to cook food. Pots that offered low-pressure cooking (80°C/0.48 bar) was found to preserve the most heat liable (vitamin C and volatiles) nutrients probably because of the lower water boiling temperature and reduced level of oxygen. Our conclusion and recommendation, therefore, is the use of titanium and enamel surface coated cooking pots which offered better protection of food micronutrients among other cooking pots tested. This is a piece of information that is quite vital and beneficial to food consumers, manufacturers of cook wares, operators and key players in the food processing industry.

Exploring the influence of home country factors on rapid internationalisation of emerging multinational companies

This research explores home country influence on successful internationalisation of emerging multinational companies. We considered Qatar Airways and Emirates Airways as two companies from different countries with similar economic structures. Interviews of five experts in the airline industry revealed that four home country factors have produced significant competitive advantages, allowing both carriers to rapidly internationalise their activities and become key players in the global aviation industry. These home country factors are the location of the country, rapid economic development, government support, and influence of related industries.

Exploring the influence of home country factors on rapid internationalisation of emerging multinational companies

This research explores home country influence on successful internationalisation of emerging multinational companies. We considered Qatar Airways and Emirates Airways as two companies from different countries with similar economic structures. Interviews of five experts in the airline industry revealed that four home country factors have produced significant competitive advantages, allowing both carriers to rapidly internationalise their activities and become key players in the global aviation industry. These home country factors are the location of the country, rapid economic development, government support, and influence of related industries.

Impact of Microfinance on Enterpreneurship Development: A Case Study of JLGS Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

This research study investigates the impact of microfinance schemes on entrepreneurial development in lucknow district. To achieve the stated objective of the study, three research questions were formulated. The descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The Population for our study encompasses the joint liability groups who have been engaged in microfinance activities and are the beneficiaries of microfinance credit.250 JLGs respondents were selected from lucknow District according to simple random sampling method The researcher used questionnaire as an instrument of primary data collection. Tables and simple percentages were used in data presentation. For clear analysis, the study centres on two broad variables; the dependent variable which is entrepreneurial development and the independent variable which is microfinance institutions. The study reveals that i there is a significant difference in the number of entrepreneurs who used microfinance institutions and those who do not use them; ii there is a significant effect of microfinance institutions activities in predicting entrepreneurial productivity; and iii that there is no significant effect of microfinance institutions activities in predicting entrepreneurial development. The researcher concludes that microfinance institutions world over and especially are identified to be one of the key players in the financial industry that have positively affected individuals, business organizations, other financial institutions, the government and the economy at large through the services they offer and the functions they perform in the economy.

Towards 5G: Techno-economic analysis of suitable use cases

The evolution of mobile networks towards the Fifth Generation (5G) introduces many concerns from the technical and economic points of view. Expected new applications exceed mobile networks’ current capabilities, and 4G networks will have to evolve into 5G networks to provide some with a proper service. With regard to the ambitious intended performance of 5G networks, a huge process is required which will need to be faced both technically and economically. The 5G “ready system” standard is scheduled for 2020. However, only a few studies have carried out techno-economic evaluation of 5G. This paper presents a techno-economic analysis to foresee some feasible technical architectures leading to suitable and affordable use cases. The paper presents a new approach based on different evolving technical scenarios, establishing combined 4G/5G technical solutions and a roadmap that could provide useful insights about the most suitable use cases by scenario. Moreover, it analyses these possible use cases to determine their feasibility by optimizing their deployment costs. The study is based on the standardization process, integration of different views of key industrial players and mathematical modelling to address the new applications that 5G will provide. Finally, conclusions are drawn from the analysis and a recommendation score is established, providing useful advice to support the strategic decisions of the different stakeholders, technologists and investors involved in deployment of 5G networks.

Sovereignty, trade, and legislation: The evolution of energy law in a changing climate

Recent debates on climate change have necessitated a new seminal jurisprudence and proposition of constituents and core principles of energy law in the Anthropocene. The proposed principles depart from the traditional notion of energy law, which focused on rights and duties of key industry players for economic growth through optimal resource exploitation. Sovereignty over natural resources and sustainability are part of the proposed principles. This paper observes potential conflict with international trade rules at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) amidst other conceivable debatable issues. It critically examines the likely coexistence of trade rules, climate change objectives and sovereignty over natural resources through legislation considering emerging climate responsibility by corporate structures in the energy industry. Policy insights revolve around reforms to achieve symmetry between sovereignty, trade and climate objectives. Specifically, these include climate-conscious reforms in WTO law, incorporating positive energy industry obligations in climate deals and country-specific legislative reforms for achieving climate objectives. These may not prove to be easy tasks. The egregious problem of sovereignty needs delicate attention in construing how it relates with climate change measures, environmental policies at the WTO and sustainable development of energy resources. Reform processes at international and national law would have to be structured systematically to achieve desired results. The personalities and processes for reforms also need critical consideration.

Thermal Properties of Foamed Concrete with Addition of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Fiber

The key players in the construction industry around the globe are very enthusiastic in producing better construction materials that are cost-effective, durable, excellent thermal insulation, lightweight and long lasting without jeopardizing the environment. One of the best ways in producing such building materials are by incorporating industrial waste materials such as Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) fiber in foamed concrete (FC). In recent years, the spotlight has been given towards the use of natural fiber reinforced concrete-based materials especially in Malaysia in a quest of economic and environmental upkeep particularly in the construction sector itself. Hence, this study intended to recognize the influence of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) fiber of four different contents (0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45% and 0.60 %) by mix volume on thermal properties of FC. There were three densities of 800kg/m3, 1100kg/m3 and 1400kg/m3 we cast and tested. The mix design of FC (sand: cement: water) is fixed at the ratio of 1:1.5:0.45. The investigation focuses on three parameters which were thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity. Results showed that the addition of EFB in FC plays an important role to improve the thermal performance holistically. The results demonstrated a great potential possesses by the EFB fiber to be utilized in cement-based materials such as the FC mix which is beneficial in reducing the thermal property or the transfer of heat in a produced concrete.

Factors influencing medical tourism adoption in Malaysia: A DEMATEL-Fuzzy TOPSIS approach

Tourism is one of the biggest competitive industries in the world. Nowadays, medical tourism is quickly developing as a part of tourism for health and wellness care. There are many factors influencing the development of medical tourism in developing countries. This research aims to identify those factors for medical tourism development in Malaysia. We investigate the factors from the literature to develop a new decision-making model. We use two multi-criteria decision making techniques, Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Fuzzy Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (Fuzzy TOPSIS), to reveal the interrelationships among the factors and to find the relative importance of these factors in the decision making model. The results showed that human and technological factors are the most important factors for medical tourism adoption in Malaysia. The results of this study will enable key players in the medical tourism industry to potentially assign investments for medical tourism in the developing countries.

The impact of managerial characteristics on business strategies under the environmental change: an investigation of the Israeli diamond industry

The changing business environment has required firms to adopt new strategies to facilitate efficient organizational adaptation. Previous upper echelons studies suggested that the demographic characteristics of top managers influence their choice of strategies, and ultimately the firms' performance. These studies tended to examine firms in a homogenous way. The characteristics of family-owned firms, together with the unique external environment within which they operate, have been largely ignored. This study aims to fill this gap and examine the relationships between the top managers’ characteristics and their choice of exchange strategy within the diamond industry in light of the environmental changes. This paper illustrates the evolutionary stages of the diamond industry and how players adjust their strategies in-line with the environment. We interviewed 100 diamond firm managers to gather the empirical data. The results have shown that certain managerial characteristics, such as family background and marketing experience, have positively influenced the choice of using the arm’s length market exchange strategies. Our findings have also reflected that the relationship between managers’ characteristics and strategic choice is social and normative. Many managers follow the family or community traditions and imitate other key industry players in order to achieve legitimacy from the stakeholders and improve competitiveness.

Contract Awards Disparity among Multinational and Indigenous Construction Companies

Abstract The key players in the construction industry are the construction companies. However, the level of contract awards among multinational and indigenous construction companies in most developing countries is poorly understood. This research aim at determining the level of contract awards among multinational and indigenous construction companies. The research employed a quantitative approach using both primary and secondary method of data collection to achieve the stated objective. Purposive sample techniques were used for collecting both the primary and secondary data. Structured questionnaires were administered to 70 construction professionals and contractors to determine the factors responsible for low indigenous contractor’s participation and award of contracts. Primary and secondary data were collected, and the findings reveal that 65% of the contract awards between 2002 and 2012 were won by the multinational construction companies. While the lack of requisite skill and technical know-how with a percentage severity index (SI) score of 97% was responsible for low indigenous construction companies awards. This result indicates that the multinational construction companies are dominating the construction industry.

An Evergreen Song Model Based on P. Ramlee’s Songs

The study proposes a model of P.Ramlee’s evergreen songs that involves a basic knowledge on song production model according to a few main aspects, such as basic knowledge about song composition and its five basic concepts, the initial product’s concept based on desired values as well as basic knowledge about album production and recording techniques. The methodology used in this study was through several activities: library search on related P.Ramlee’s history and background, guided interview to the key players in the music industry; and the analysis of 32 melodies and 44 lyrics composed by P. Ramlee. The discovery of this study in relation to the novelty of P. Ramlee's evergreen songs reflecting the humanity and social life in community. Through this research, the universal features in a song have highlighted the elements of Malayness. The main finding whch is the proposed model shows that the value of P. Ramlee’s trademarks and thoughts reflect positive and entertainment values, real identity, peace of mind and eventually, all of these attract people to appreciate the song. In practical contribution, the model will be a useful guideline to music composers or producers to compose a quality song that would be an evergreen song. Keywords : Song composition, song concept, elements of Malayness, album production, recording technique.

An Investigation of the Diversification Roles of Contractor

The construction industry is facing a period of change due to the revolution of new technology, emphasis on strategic alliances and demanding customers. As one of the key players in the construction industry, the contractors play an important role in the development of the construction industry. They are known for their traditional roles during the construction stage by managing and production on site. Due to changes in the industry, the contractors’ role has been evolving during the years, this has impacted their roles to change as well. This paper reviews the traditional roles of the contractor and discusses the reasons for their evolving roles in the construction industry. Finally, this paper delves into the various diversification roles of the contractor in Malaysia which are categorised into two such as the management and technical.