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Niobium Nitride (NbN) was interesting material for its applications in the medicinal tools or tools field (corresponding to saline serum media) as well as in mechanical properties. The aim of this work was depositing NbN thin films on two types of substrates (stainless steel (SS304) and silicon (100)) using plasma technique at varied powers (100–150 W).

DC magnetron sputtering technique at different powers were used to synthesis NbN films. Film structure was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. Rutherford elastic backscattering and energy dispersive X-ray were used to examine the deposited film composition. The films morphology was studied via atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images. Corrosion resistance of the three NbN/SS304 films was studied in 0.9% NaCl environment (physiological standard saline).

All properties could be controlled by the modification of DC power, where the crystallinity of samples was changed and consequently the corrosion and microhardness were modified, which correlated with the power. NbN film deposited at higher power (150 W) has shown better corrosion resistance (0.9% NaCl), which had smaller grain size (smoother) and was thicker.

The NbN films have a preferred orientation (111) matching to cubic structure phase. Corrosion resistance was enhanced for the NbN films compared to SS304 substrates (noncoating). Therefore, NbN films deposited on SS304 substrate could be applied as medicinal tools as well as in mechanical fields.

TiN and TiAlVN films have been prepared by DC magnetron sputtering technique at room temperature. TiN target has been used to deposit TiN thin film under pure argon (100 percent Ar) gas. Additionally, Ti6Al4V alloy target has been used to deposit TiAlVN under nitrogen and argon gas (50 percent Ar and 50 percent N₂). In this paper, two substrate types have been used: stainless steel 304 and Si(100). This analysis has confirmed that the nitride films, (TiN/Si) and TiAlVN in both cases, have been produced. Energy Depressive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) measurement confirmed that the TiN/Si was stoichiometry, where the N/Ti ratio was about 1 with low oxygen contamination. The results obtained have indicated that the TiAlVN has more resistance to corrosion than TiN film in 3.5 percent NaCl at 25°C (seawater). Both films, TiAlVN/SS304 and TiN/SS304, have shown improved corrosion resistance compared with virgin 304 substrate. Microhardness was carried out using Vickers method; the microhardness values for TiN/SS304 and TiAlVN/SS304 were approximately 7.5 GPa and 25.3 GPa, respectively. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

The films were prepared by a DC magnetron sputtering system starting from high pure (99.99 percent) Ti6Al4V target (Al 6wt%, V 4wt% and balance Ti) in plasma discharge argon/nitrogen (50 percent Ar and 50 percent N₂) for deposition of TiAlVN film. Pure TiN target (99.99 percent) was used for preparation of TiN film in pure argon plasma. The diameter of target was 50 mm and the power applied for preparation of the two films was 100 W. A cylindrical high-vacuum chamber (Figure 2) made of stainless steel 316, with height 363 mm diameter, was fabricated locally. Scanning electron microscope images have been used to discover the films morphology. The composition of the films has been determined by EDX technique for films deposited on Si substrate. The electrochemical corrosion test was carried out using conventional three-electrode cell of 300 ml capacity by using Voltalab PGZ 301 system (France) using Tafel extrapolation method and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques.

TiN and TiAlVN films have been prepared by DC magnetron sputtering technique without heating of the substrates holder. The effects of the composition of nitride films on mechanical and corrosion properties were investigated. The composition of the films has been determined by EDX technique. The effect of using titanium alloy (Ti with Al and V) on the composition and crystalline quality has been investigated. The microhardness is strongly dependent on the addition of the Al and V elements, and it consequently improves mechanical proprieties. The microhardness values for TiN/SS304 were approximately 7.5 GPa and 25.3 GPa for TiAlVN/SS304. They indicate that prepared films prevent the aggressive action of corrosion media.

TiN and TiAlVN films have been prepared by DC magnetron sputtering method at room temperature. Titanium nitride film, especially TiAlVN, is an effective method to improve the corrosion resistance of SS304. TiAlVN film has exhibited enhanced corrosion resistance and higher microhardness. Independent time-of-flight elastic recoil detection analysis has been used to determine the composition of the film.

This study aims to carry out the deposition of zinc sulfide (ZnS) thick films on glass and silicon (100) substrates using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering method at different powers. Film structure has been analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD); the patterns showed that the films possesses a cubic structure with (111) preferred orientation. Photoluminance (PL) intensity of the films has been related to the crystallinity, which is varied with the power.

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images have been used to discover the films’ morphology. The stoichiometry has been confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. MicroRaman spectroscopy has been used to validate the film structure. Gas-sensing studies were carried out by means of a static gas chamber to sense acetone, ethanol, methanol, H₂O and NH₃ vapor in air ambient.

ZnS has a stoichiometric and cubic structure. The band gaps and photoluminance intensity of the films are correlated with the crystallinity, which is varied with the power. The EDX analysis approved the stoichiometry of the prepared films. Acetone, ethanol, humidity (H₂O), methanol and NH₃ vapor gases were used to justify the sensing properties at 25°C of the thickest ZnS film.

High-quality ZnS films have been obtained at different powers without annealing. Gases sensing properties at 25°C are justified for deposited ZnS films using acetone, ethanol, humidity (H₂O), methanol and NH₃ vapor gases. It reveals good response for NH₃ and humidity vapors at room temperature; the sensing functioning at this temperature was attractive in recent research.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the structural, surface roughness and corrosion properties of the zirconium oxide thin films deposited onto SS304 substrates using the direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering technique.

DC sputtering at different powers – 80, 100 and 120 W – was used to deposit ZrO₂ thin films onto different substrates (Si/SS304) without annealing of the substrate. Atomic force microscope (AFM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Tafel extrapolation and contact angle techniques were applied to investigate the surface roughness, chemical compositions, corrosion behavior and hydrophobicity of these films.

Results showed that the thickness of the deposited film increased with power increase, while the corrosion current decreased with power increase. AFM images indicated that the surface roughness decreased with an increase in DC power. EDS analysis showed that the thin film has a stoichiometric ZrO₂ (Zr:O 1:2) composition with basic uniformity. Water contact angle measurements indicated that the hydrophobicity of the synthesized films decreased with an increase in surface roughness.

DC magnetron sputtering technique is infrequently used to deposition thin films. The obtained thin films showed good hydrophobic and anticorrosion properties. Finally, results are compared with other deposition techniques.

The purpose of this paper is to propose and test a conceptual model that explores the effect of job rotation on employees' performance through the mediating role of organizational behavior (namely, motivation, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, job involvement and job burnout).

Data are gathered from employees in the tourism and aviation departments at travel agents category A in Egypt. In total, 788 questionnaires are analyzed using regression-based partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using Smart PLS 3.21.

The results indicate that organizational behavior (motivation, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, job involvement and job burnout) plays mediation roles in the relationship between job rotation and employees' performance.

The study contributes to the current literature by linking job rotation to employees' performance through organizational behavior (motivation, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, job involvement and job burnout). The findings of the study hold practical and theoretical implications for tourism and hospitality organizations.

This study aims to determine the factors affecting the adoption of digital entrepreneurship among the pioneers of private schools in the Nineveh Governorate, using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). The study seeks to address an academic problem represented by the low level of interest in the research literature on digital entrepreneurship. By contrast, the problem in the field is the failure of several entrepreneurial organizations, in general, and private schools, in particular.

The researchers chose the private school sector in the Nineveh Governorate, Republic of Iraq, as the field of study. The targeted individuals represented school founders serving as investors and entrepreneurs, totaling 154 participants. The deductive approach was used as the main research method, with the survey approach as a sub-method. A questionnaire was used for data collection, and the researchers used structural equation modeling software, SmartPLS.

The results revealed that constructs such as effort expectation, social influence, facilitating conditions, behavioral intention and experience are factors contributing to predicting the transition to digital entrepreneurship.

This study contributes to bridging the academic gap identified in previous research and addresses the spatial gap by focusing on private schools in the Nineveh Governorate. It aims to assess the level of interest in adopting digital leadership within this context.

One of the most important implications of the results of the current research is the potential expansion of the use of digital entrepreneurship by understanding the behaviors of entrepreneurs. This understanding can have positive outcomes in attracting broad segments of society to engage in this type of work due to its low costs, low risks and the absence of the need for practicing licenses. Such an expansion could contribute to the establishment of digital pioneering projects aimed at reducing unemployment in society. Additionally, this study offers insights that can guide policymakers in the country toward establishing digital business incubators that provide a suitable work environment for initiating and supporting such projects.

The current study presents a unique contribution, represented by using the UTAUT, to identify the acceptance of digital entrepreneurship in private schools in Iraq. This can bring benefits to entrepreneurs and educational policymakers in the country.

This study aims to identify the main factors that drive the differences in the levels of forward-looking information disclosure (FLID) across four countries. This study goes beyond the firm-specific characteristics to the countries-specific factors to explain the observable differences in the level of FLID among the UK, Italian, Hong Kong and Chinese American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) firms trading in US Exchanges.

To validate the levels of FLID, corporate financial information environment (CFIE)-final reports structure extractor (FRSE) was conducted on the annual reports of a sample of 353 listed firm observations in 2020 across four different countries. Also, the ordinary least square regression model was used to examine the proposed relationships.

The empirical results indicate that the level of FLID is highest among the Chinese ADRs firms trading in US Exchanges and UK listed firms. Also, ownership concentration and gender diversity have a positive correlation with the level of FLID. Additionally, long-term orientation positively influences the level of FLID. Considering the moderation effect of power distance and masculinity dimensions, countries with larger power distance tend to have a lower impact of ownership concentration on the level of FLID, whereas countries with higher masculinity tend to have a lesser positive relationship between gender diversity and the level of FLID.

Notwithstanding, this study provides novel and persuasive evidence regarding the effects of firm- and country-specific characteristics as possible determinants of forward-looking disclosures, drawing on evidence from international companies with free floats, boards with female quotas and cultural values including masculinity and long-term orientation. This work offers unique insights from the upper echelons lens, which implies that firms need to obtain a critical mass of gender diversity to achieve a more balanced forward-looking perspective on their annual reports.

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the effect of royal family members on firm performance of publicly listed companies in Saudi Arabia.

Using 491 firm-year observations of non-financial publicly listed firms in Saudi Arabia’s stock market between 2009 and 2013, the study employs, besides others, the advanced econometric technique GMM-system estimator. This allows the dynamic nature and control of the endogeneity problem to be accounted for in corporate governance and firm performance.

The main result is that the attendance of royal family members at board meetings negatively influences firm performance but does not have an influence on firm value. The results also show that firms with many independent royal family members on the board of directors have better firm performance and firm value. In addition, firms with a high number of royal family members presenting on the board have better firm performance.

This study offers guidance to assist the further investigation of the SA Royal Family’s BoD membership either in SA or in other monarchy countries. It is interesting to compare these results in order to further understand the different effects that the Royal Family’s BoD membership have in such countries. This study’s results suggest that independent members of SA’s Royal Family on the BoD have some influence on firm performance in both the short and long term. Thus, policymakers should encourage the members of SA’s Royal Family to become more involved in firms’ BoDs.

This study offers guidance for further investigation of royal family members in the region or in other monarchy countries. It will be interesting to compare these results. The study suggests that royal family members on the board have a partial influence on firm performance, especially the independent ones. Thus, the policymakers should encourage more involvement of independent royal family members on the board.

Foreign and minority investors, who invest in SA’s publicly listed firms, should note that when independent members of SA’s Royal Family are on the BoD their investment will benefit from the reduced risks and uncertainty.

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study undertaken to investigate empirically the influence a royal family’s presence on the board of directors has on firm performance. This study is based on both theories, namely the agency theory and resource dependence theory.

This study aims to examine the role of royal family members’ board of directors, as a specific aspect of corporate governance, on the firm’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures. Many firms in the world enjoy special political connections, benefit from tax exemptions and favorable treatments that are largely responsible for their economic endurance and strong performance.

The authors collect data from Thomson Reuters database on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-listed firms for 2010–2018. Royal family board directors’ data is manually collected using a systematic approach to ensure accuracy. Fixed effects’ panel regression model is used to estimate relationships. The authors interact variables to test the moderating effect of board independence and sustainability committee on the influence of royal family board directors.

This study finds that royal family directors on GCC boards negotiate fewer ESG reporting in firms. While board independence, board gender diversity, sustainability committee and governance committee increase the level of ESG-disclosures in the traditional way of reducing agency costs to stakeholders, this study finds that royal family board members convey beneficial consequences on firms without perceiving the need to disclose their ESG activities. Additionally, these firms do not show a spillover effect from the royal family members on the board’s independence or the existence of a sustainability committee; rather these members use a different channel for protecting and building the business value. These results are robust with respect to controls for company size, leverage, return on assets and growth. Instrumental variables are then introduced in the analysis to perform a sensitivity test.

The study results indicate the need to improve GCC market transparency over supplementary limitations that exist on their corporate governance condition. This may be consequential to regulators, lenders and investors. The results suggest the need to raise awareness of the importance of governance and balancing firms’ financial and social performance in the presence of royal family board directors. Policymakers and governance agencies are responsible for promoting the importance of forming sustainability committees and having a set of performance indicators that measure the effectiveness of their actions.

In light of the key role attributed to the board of directors as a monitoring tool to constrain earnings management practices, this study aims to examine the effect of some board attributes on accrual-based earnings management and real earnings management in the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) context, whose institutional, economic and legal environment is markedly different from that of most organization for economic cooperation and development countries.

The authors selected a sample of 161 nonfinancial companies from nine MENA countries between 2014 and 2021 (corresponding to an unbalanced data panel of 486 observations). The authors used the generalized least squares regression test to examine the relationship between board attributes and earnings management.

The authors found that three board attributes (size, independence and gender diversity) have no effect on both types of earnings management practices, while CEO duality has no effect on accrual-based earnings management but has a significant and negative effect on real earnings management. Overall, the results suggest that most board attributes do not play a crucial role in reducing earnings management.

The results provide valuable insights into the universal role of corporate governance mechanisms and raise questions about the role of the board of directors in improving reporting quality in the MENA context.

Regulators should adapt corporate governance mechanisms to the characteristics of the institutional context in which they are inserted.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the effect of various board characteristics on both types of earnings management practices in the MENA context. It also provides the first empirical evidence of the relationship between board gender diversity and earnings management in the MENA region.