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The purpose of this paper is to make a contribution to understanding the influence of factors such as the water/cement (W/C) ratio and the granular class on the mechanical and physical properties of high-strength concretes (HSCs). In the formulations of HSC, aggregates by their high mass and volume proportion play an important role. When selecting aggregates, it is necessary to know their intrinsic properties. These properties influence the performance of concrete, in particular the quality of the granulate cimentary adhesion.

This experimental study focused on the effect of W/C ratio (0.25, 0.30, 0.35), the effect of replacing a part of cement by silica fume (SF) (8%), the effect of fraction of aggregate on properties of fresh and hardened concrete, the effect of different environment conversation like drinking water and sea water on compressive strength and the study of absorption of water and softening using the mix design method of the University of Sherbrooke combined with the Dreux-Gorisse method which gives good results.

At the end of our work, the examination of the results obtained made it possible to establish the correlations between the formulations studied and the physicomechanical characteristics of the concrete compositions (HSC25, HSC16, HSC8). The results of this study show that the use of three granular classifications (DMAX8, DMAX16 and DMAX25) and three report W/C (0.25, 0.30 and 0.35) in two different conservation environment (drinking water and sea water) give HSCs, HSC25 with an W/C = 0.25 ratio has reached the largest mechanical strength of 90 MPa for different environments of conservation. For selecting aggregates, it is necessary to know their intrinsic properties, these properties influence the strength of concrete. In general, there is a slight decrease in the compressive resistance of the specimens stored in seawater, it can be said that the conservation life has not had effect on the resistance (28 days). The effect of aggressive environment can appear in the long term.

Mixed design and concrete fabrication with a 28-day compressive strength of up to 68 MPa or more of 90 MPa can now be possible used in Jiel (Algeria), and it should no longer be considered to be used only in an experimental domain. Addition of SF in concrete showed good development of strength between 7 and 28 days, depending on the design of the mix.

Concrete containing 8% SF with W/B of 0.25 has higher compressive strength than the other concretes, and concretes with SF are more resistant than concretes without SF, so it is possible to have concrete with a compressive strength of 82 MPa for W/C 0.25 without SF. Like as a result, we can avoid the use of SF to affect the strength of concrete at compressive strength of 68 MPa, and a slump of 21 cm, because the SF is the most expensive ingredient used in the composition of concrete and is therefore very important economically. One of the main factors of production of HSC above 90 MPa is use of aggregate DMAX25, which is stronger with W/B of 0.25 and 0.30.

This mixtures leads to a very dense microstructure and low porosity and produces increased permeability of HSC and is able to resist the penetration of aggressive agents. This combination has a positive effect on the economy of concrete.

The combination of the Dreux-Gorisse method with the Sherbrook method is very beneficial for determining the percentage of aggregates used, and the use of coarse aggregates of Jijel to obtain HSC with 90 MPa and 16 cm of workability.

This study aims to present a research model to investigate the potential impact of human capital, structural capital and social capital on e-banking proactiveness. In addition, it reveals the potential impact of e-banking proactiveness on competitive intelligence and competitive agility. Also, it aims to explore the impact of competitive intelligence on competitive advantage and competitive agility. Finally, the impact of competitive agility on competitive advantage will be examined.

In order to gather data, a questionnaire was prepared and administered to 211 respondents in Jordan. The research model and hypotheses were then assessed using Structural Equation Modeling – Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS).

The study demonstrated a significant impact of human capital, structural capital and social capital on e-banking proactiveness. The findings confirm that e-banking proactiveness significantly impacts competitive intelligence and achieving competition. Moreover, the findings confirm that competitive intelligence significantly impacts competitive agility. Also, the findings revealed a substantial relationship between competitive intelligence and competitive advantage. Finally, the results discovered that competitive agility significantly impacts competitive advantage.

The research gives valuable insights into the elements that drive e-banking proactiveness, which can beautify the proactiveness literature is well-known. By uncovering the position of intellectual capital in fostering proactiveness, this examination contributes to deeper information on the way financial institutions can successfully respond to market modifications, patron needs and technological advancements. Future scholars can build upon these findings to discover proactiveness in different sectors and industries, thereby broadening the understanding of proactive behaviors throughout numerous contexts.

The purpose of this research is to examine Micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Which have limited access to financial resources from financial intermediaries. Thus, resource allocation is a primary concern for them.

This research studies the determinants of cash conversion cycle components and cash flow of MSMEs operating in Ecuador. This study examined a robust sample of 19,680 firms from 2000 to 2020, using the two-step generalized methods of moments to control for endogeneity and multicollinearity of independent variables issues.

The sample was divided into working capital intensive and fixed capital intensive firms. It was found that in every segment (micro-, small- and medium-sized), the majority of firms are working capital intensive and their average return is higher. This implies that small business owners assign the majority of their resources to current assets, which thus far have enabled them to achieve higher profitability.

Research investigated Ecuadorian MSMEs in a dollarized developing environment. Scrutinizing working capital intensive vs fixed capital intensive.

In this paper the authors argue that organizational climate and workplace bullying are connected, intertwined and affect each other. More precisely, the focus of the present study is how a hostile climate at work is related to workplace bullying. A hostile work climate is defined as an affective organizational climate permeated by distrust, suspicion and antagonism. The authors tested four hypotheses about the reciprocal effects and possible gender differences.

The study is based on a longitudinal probability sample of the Swedish workforce (n = 1,095). Controlling for age, the authors used structural equation modelling and cross-lagged structural regression models to assess the reciprocal effects of a hostile work climate on workplace bullying. Gender was added as a moderator to test two of the hypotheses.

The results showed a strong reciprocal effect, meaning there were significant associations between a hostile work climate and subsequent bullying, β = 0.12, p = 0.007, and between baseline bullying and a subsequent hostile work climate, β = 0.15, p = 0.002. The forward association between a hostile work climate and bullying depended on gender, β = −0.23, p < 0.001.

The findings point to a possible vicious circle where a hostile work climate increases the risk of bullying, which in turn risks creating an even more hostile work climate. Furthermore, the findings point to gender differences in bullying, showing that the effect of a hostile work climate on workplace bullying was stronger for men.

This paper aims to investigate the high temperature corrosion behaviour of ZrO₂-reinforced Cr₂O₃ matrix-based composite coatings on ASTM-SA213-T-22 steel at 900°C in molten salt environment. The different coatings were deposited by high velocity oxy fuel (HVOF) method.

Hot corrosion studies were conducted in simulated boiler environment in silicon carbide tube furnace at 900°C for 50 cycles on bare and HVOF-coated boiler steel specimens. Each cycle consisted 50 h of heating in the simulated boiler environment followed by 20 min of cooling in air. The weight change measurements were performed after each cycle to establish the kinetics of corrosion using thermogravimetric technique. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to analyse the corroded specimens.

The addition of 20 Wt.% ZrO₂ in Cr₂O₃ helped reduce corrosion rate by 89.25% as compared to that of uncoated specimen. The phase analysis revealed the presence of Cr₂O₃ and ZrO₂ phases in composite coating matrix, which may have prevented the base metal from interacting with the corrosive elements present in the highly aggressive environment and thus had increased the resistance to hot corrosion.

It should be mentioned here that high temperature corrosion behaviour of thermally sprayed ZrO₂–Cr₂O₃ composite coatings has never been studied, and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is not available in the literature. Hence, present investigation can provide valuable information for application of ZrO₂-reinforced coatings in high temperature fuel combustion environments.

This study aims to investigate how firms of different sizes respond to competitive pressure from peers.

This study employs machine learning techniques to measure competitive pressure based on management discussion and analysis (MD&A) documents and then utilises the constructed pressure indicator to explore the relationship between competitive pressure and corporate risk-taking behaviours amongst firms of different sizes.

We find that firm sizes are positively associated with their risk-taking behaviours when firms respond to competitive pressure. Large firms are inclined to exhibit a high level of risk-taking behaviours, whereas small firms tend to make conservative decisions. Regional growth potential and institutional ownership moderate the relationships.

Utilising text mining techniques, this study constructs a novel quantitative indicator to measure competitive pressure perceived by focal firms and demonstrates the heterogeneous behaviour of firms of different sizes in response to competitive pressure from peers, advancing research on competitive market pressures.

This study aims to examine the role of mental health disorders (anxiety and depression) underlying the relationship between bullying and absenteeism. Moreover, the author tested the potentially moderating role that job autonomy, supervisor and colleagues’ support may play in the relationship between bullying and mental health disorders.

A moderated mediation analysis was conducted with a sample of French workers, controlling for their individual characteristics and their working conditions. The sample comprised 22,661 employees. This sample is representative of the French working population.

The results showed that the positive relationship between workplace bullying and absenteeism was partially mediated by anxiety and depression. In addition, job autonomy and supervisor support appear to be moderators of bullying effects. Regarding the moderating role of colleagues support, the study’s results are more nuanced.

Many studies show that exposure to workplace bullying increases the risk of developing mental health problems and sickness absence. This study extends previous studies by proposing a more comprehensive understanding of how and when bullying results in absenteeism. In particular, this study identified some moderators that can mitigate the harmful effects of workplace bullying on mental health and absenteeism. This study contributes to the literature on this subject by showing that organizations can reduce the potentially negative effects of workplace bullying. Organizational resources can help make individuals capable of coping with aggression. They thus contribute to their resilience.

This study aims to prevent mild steel (MS) against corrosion in 0.5 M HCl solution, 2-amino-4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazine was used. The effectiveness of the compound as a corrosion inhibitor was studied via electrochemical, surface and theoretical calculation techniques.

For concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 10.0 mM, almost similar polarization resistances were obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear polarization resistance tests. It also investigated inhibitive activity of 2-amino-4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazine on the steel surface using scanning electron and atomic force microscope instruments. Langmuir adsorption is the best matched isotherm for the adsorption of the inhibitor to the steel surface.

EIS method was used to determine inhibition efficiency, which was determined to be 95.7% for 10.0 mM inhibitor containing acid solution. Density functional theory’s predictions for quantum chemistry agreed well with the other experimental results.

The methods used in this study are effective and applicable; the used organic inhibitor is 2-amino-4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazine; and protective effectiveness is important, which is crucial for the task of MS corrosion prevention.

This study aims to report the development and experimental evaluation of three innovative corrosion-resistant modified epoxy coatings, namely, nanocomposite/toughened, self-healing and hybrid epoxy coatings, for application on steel substrates.

The corrosion resistance of these coatings was evaluated in a highly corrosive environment of salt fog spray for 2,500 h of exposure. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements in sustained exposure to NaCl in a saturated Ca(OH)2 solution, rust creepage measurements at the location of scribe formed in the coatings and adhesion strength test were used to assess the performance of the innovative coatings. Commercially available marine-grade protective epoxy coatings were used as the reference coatings.

The test results showed that the modified epoxy coatings exhibited excellent corrosion resistance when exposed to an aggressive environment for extended periods. The EIS measurements, rust creepage measurements, pull-off strength and visual appearance of the aged modified–epoxy–coated specimens confirmed the enhanced corrosion resistance of the modified epoxy coatings.

Among the three types of modified coatings, the hybrid epoxy coating stands out to be the best performer.

The aim of this paper is to theoretically explore the concept of leadership in a Total Quality Management (TQM) context by developing a new theoretical framework of understanding Total Quality Leadership (TQL) as well as by opening the dialogue in researching further key elements of TQL.

The approach that the paper adopts is conceptual. Based on exploration of the wider management and leadership literature of empirical and theoretical studies, this paper develops a framework of TQL.

The suggested TQL framework is composed by three main pillars, namely the proactive, adaptive and the relational. The former consists of elements like anticipation of current business environment complexities and filtering of information that enhances practice decision making. The second pillar refers to adaptation, autonomy and feedback while the last one emphasises on the importance of aspects like social interactions, engagement and empathy. The paper explains why the specific pillars with the additional elements are critical for TQM success.

Given the tremendous challenges that organisations face due to increased complexity and demanding competition of the business environments globally, the role of leadership as the major “soft” aspect of TQM approach, seems to be vital more than ever. But the type of TQL appropriate to enhance total quality success nowadays, is still (and should be) under continuous exploration. This conceptual study attempts to provide new theoretical insights of TQL as well as to open the dialogue around the main elements consisting of TQL and how the future research agenda is formulated.