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1 – 5 of 5Abiola Baba, Lamine Mahdjoubi, Paul Olomolaiye and Colin Booth
The purpose of the paper is to report research conducted to explore the insights of UK architects on the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) in relation to low carbon housing design…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to report research conducted to explore the insights of UK architects on the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) in relation to low carbon housing design and delivery.
Design/methodology/approach
To explore the awareness and knowledge of CSH in low carbon housing design and delivery in the UK, a mixed method approach comprising of interviews with architects in practice and academia were combined with questionnaires to UK sustainable architectural practices.
Findings
The results confirmed that, although UK architects are aware of CSH, it is only very few (11.8 per cent), who have the expert knowledge. This is in comparison to 52.9 per cent of those with some knowledge, and 35.3 per cent of those who are very knowledgeable in the use and implementation of CSH to design and deliver low carbon new homes in the UK.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study are based only on the sustainable architects in the UK, therefore the findings may not represent the view of other constructional professionals in the UK.
Practical implications
The research focused on investigating the judging criteria and opinions of architects who are strongly identified with sustainable housing design practices in the UK. It explores the insights of architects on the CSH, because their knowledge, use and implementation of it, along with other information on low carbon housing design, from the onset determines how soon zero carbon homes in the UK can be achieved; leading towards tackling energy use in the UK and on a wider level, the European commitment reduction of energy consumption.
Originality/value
The paper is able to expose the weakness of architects in the use of information that is not represented graphically, pictorially or in the recognised Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) plan of work stages familiar to architects and the general construction industry in the UK.
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Kemi Yekini, Paschal Ohalehi, Ifeyinwa Oguchi and James Abiola
This paper aims to investigate employee fraud within small enterprises in the Nigerian mobile phone sector. It also seeks to understand the key factors that motivate employees to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate employee fraud within small enterprises in the Nigerian mobile phone sector. It also seeks to understand the key factors that motivate employees to engage in fraudulent behaviours against their employers, and the consequences of these fraudulent behaviours on small businesses (SMEs) in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical study involves the use of quantitative research. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 159 business owners, sales representatives, cashiers and suppliers. Frequency distribution, percentages, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyse the collected data.
Findings
The findings from this research show a significant relationship between personal and organisational factors and employee theft. Particularly, organisational factors made the strongest positive contribution to employee theft. The research also revealed that employee theft had significant effects on employers but less significance on employees. In addition, the research revealed that many businesses did not have preventive measures against employee theft in their firms. The findings of this study were compared with existing literature.
Originality/value
This study shows the relationship between different factors that could cause an employee to engage in fraudulent behaviours, particularly in SMEs in Nigeria.
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Asmae Bouoidina, Mehdi Chaouch, Abdelfattah Abdellaoui, Amal Lahkimi, Belkheir Hammouti, Fadoua El-Hajjaji, Mustapha Taleb and Ayssar Nahle
The inhibition effect of Foeniculum vulgare seeds’ (FVS) extract on the corrosion of mild steel in acidic medium was studied using weight loss, electrochemical impedance…
Abstract
Purpose
The inhibition effect of Foeniculum vulgare seeds’ (FVS) extract on the corrosion of mild steel in acidic medium was studied using weight loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel polarization, as well as the surface morphology of the mild steel.
Design/methodology/approach
Weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy analysis of FVS extract were performed.
Findings
FVS extract acts as a good inhibitor for the corrosion of mild steel in 1.0 M HCl. The inhibition efficiency increases with the increase in inhibitor concentration but decreases with the increase of temperature.
Practical implications
FVS extract was observed to play an important role in the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in acidic solution.
Originality/value
This paper is intended to be added to the family of green inhibitors which are highly efficient inhibitors and can be used in the area of corrosion prevention and control.
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P.C. Okafor, I.E. Uwah, O.O. Ekerenam and U.J. Ekpe
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the corrosion inhibitive properties of extracts from mature leaves of Combretum bracteosum for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the corrosion inhibitive properties of extracts from mature leaves of Combretum bracteosum for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4.
Design/methodology/approach
Acid extracts from mature leaves of Combretum bracteosum are used as mild steel corrosion inhibitors in various tests at 30‐60°C. The gravimetric and hydrogen evolution (via the gasometric assembly) measurements are conducted.
Findings
The mature leaves of Combretum bracteosum extracts inhibit the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4 to reasonable extent. Inhibition efficiency increases with the plant extracts concentration and decreases with temperature. Phenomenon of physical adsorption is proposed as the mechanism of inhibition and the Frumkin adsorption isotherm obeyed. Kinetic parameters for the dissolution of mild steel in H2SO4 solutions are calculated.
Practical implications
Mature leaves extract from Combretum bracteosum can be used in chemical cleaning and pickling processes.
Originality/value
The research provides new information on the possible use of the leaves of Combretum bracteosum as an eco‐friendly corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in H2SO4.
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Thembani Mbadlanyana, Nompumelelo Sibalukhulu and Jakkie Cilliers
The purpose of this article is to understand alternative African futures as an aid to improved decision‐making and action by governments and by other key agents and stakeholders.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to understand alternative African futures as an aid to improved decision‐making and action by governments and by other key agents and stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors aim is to put the two concepts (“futures” and think tank) into context and explain how they are going to be used in this paper. The aim is not to engage on a prediction exercise about African futures but rather to understand, think about and explore long‐term trends and how they may impact on alternative African futures.
Findings
The journey towards a knowledge economy is a difficult one and the experiences elsewhere in the world show that governments on their own can not succeed without assistance from think tanks. This means that as African governments are trying to map out new visions for the future, think tanks can grab the opportunities provided by the current realities to continue playing a meaningful role in shaping African futures.
Originality/value
Africa's complex challenges demand the best of intellectual capacities. Think tanks are potentially one of the best‐suited organizations to develop innovative and advanced solutions to Africa's challenges. They have a special role to play in shaping African futures, both as knowledge providers and policy formulation partners.
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