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This study aims to investigate whether Islamic morality is considered by Islamic rural banks in credit application assessments.

To achieve the objective, the authors conduct an exploratory analysis of data gathered through document analysis, focus group discussions and interviews with Islamic rural banks stakeholders. Additionally, the authors conduct a survey to validate the findings.

The authors find that while Islamic rural banks conduct conventional credit analysis using 5Cs (character, capacity, collateral, capital and conditions), the banks also consider Islamic morality in their credit decisions. They emphasise several indicators such as reputation for keeping promises to customers, to suppliers, to neighbours and the Islamic character (akhlaq) of the credit applicants. Overall, the authors conclude that Islamic rural banks consider Islamic morality in their credit assessments.

To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first study using a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative approach to investigate how Islamic rural banks assess the credit applications. In particular, this study examines whether Islamic rural banks consider Islamic morality in their credit decisions.

One of the most pressing problems of our times is the supply of adequate quantities of drinking water in areas not bestowed with abundant natural resources. Studies have shown the desalting of seawater to be economically sound for certain localities. Of all the available methods, the multi‐stage flash distillation is a proven method. The MSF type desalination plants may be operated independently (single purpose) or linked to power stations (dual purpose). In the MSF type desalination plants, the largest single item of cost is heat exchanger tubes. Design studies have shown that about one‐tenth of a square foot of condensing surface is required to produce one gallon of fresh water per day. For a combined capacity of one billion gallons per day at ¼ sq. ft. of tube, a tube length of 80,000 miles would be required. In MSF type desalination plants, the initial capital cost swallows up to 33% of the money, operating costs about 21% and the remaining 26% goes on power. The colossal amount of heat exchanger surface required in MSF type plants makes it mandatory to investigate new condenser tube materials which may provide ease of fabrication, maximise economy and be abundantly available.

The relatively complex corrosion mechanism of aluminium has been studied by several authors. Corrosion of aluminium occurs only when the metal protective oxide layer is damaged and when the repair mechanism is prevented by chemical dissolution. Polarization methods have been extensively used to investigate the mechanism of localised corrosion and processes that lead to localised corrosion. The potential‐pH diagrams are shown in Fig. 1A. In using potentiostatic techniques, the potential is controlled and current is determined as the independent variable. Potentiostatic and potentiody‐namic techniques have been applied by several authors to study the corrosion of aluminium in different environment. Both anodic and cathodic polarization curves have been used to interpret the kinetics of pitting corrosion of aluminium in chloride containing environments. Both the anodic and cathodic process are complex and the interpretation of the anodic and cathodic polarization curves of aluminium is often tedious. The situation arises partly from the fact that the role of film formation on the kinetics of corrosion is not clearly understood. Previously there is not established mechanisms of initiation and propagation of pits in aluminium and its alloys. Several parameters such as pitting potential, breakdown potential, active passive transition potential, related to the pitting process of aluminium, are full of controversy. Numerous references on the above can be found in literature).

Summary An investigation on the Corrosion behaviour of aluminium bronze and 70–30 brass in H2SO4, HCl, NaOH, NaCl and sea water has been made.

Tin addition to Cu‐7% Al in presence of 1% Fe and 1% Mn increases the corrosion resistance in HCl, H2SO4, NaCl and Sea Water. Tin addition in the absence of Fe and Mn causes embrittlement of the Cu‐7% Al alloy. However, in presence of Fe and Mn the alloy shows outstanding mechanical properties. Tin addition retards the anodic dissolution of oxide film and retards dealuminification. The corrosion resistance of the alloy could be increased by various heat treatments. Quenching from 650°C appears to be the most effective treatment. A high proportion of alpha phase and a greater dispersion of beta improves the corrosion resistance. The alloy developed could be used with advantage in heat exchange equipment and in various other marine applications.

The eastern coast of Saudi Arabia has one of the most corrosive environments in the world. Dhahran is therefore an ideal location for the study of atmospheric corrosion. One out of every seven cars in the region is corroded. The atmosphere is contaminated by SO₂ and a high concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) containing sand, salt and carbon particles, exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) and Middle East Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA) limits most of the time. Corrosion proceeds in the Dhahran atmosphere at a R.H. as low as 40 per cent. At locations close to the sea (1.5 Km), β‐FeOOH is the major corrosion product and α‐ and γ‐FeOOH with some aluminates, silicates and hydrocarbons the minor products. At a location remote from the sea α‐ and γ‐FeOOH are found to be the major corrosion products as shown by XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. The concentration of hydrogen ions, chloride ions and SO₂ appears to control the corrosion process during the initial exposure period up to one year and the adsorption of anions on the corrosion product films in the later period.

The effect of chromium addition both in the presence and absence of iron on the corrosion resistance of the aluminium bronze containing chromium has been further investigated. Maximum improvement in the corrosion resistance in the presence of Fe is brought about by 0.9% chromium and by 0.6% chromium is absence of Fe. Chromium addition brings about more improvements in the corrosion resistance of aluminium bronze in the absence of Fe rather than in its presence. Fe brings about an improvement in the mechanical properties. However, contents exceeding 3.8% result in deterioration of the mechanical properties. A 2% Fe both for addition with 0.9% chromium appears to be a reasonable compromise for improved corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.

The purpose of this paper is to identify the motivating factors of employees working in various Malaysian organizations.

A survey method was adopted. The survey questionnaire consisted of two parts: respondents' personal information were obtained through Part A and in Part B, they were asked to rank the ten motivating factors in terms of their effectiveness. The motivating factors were compiled from the existing literature and refined through consultation with human resource professionals.

An ordered set of motivating factors for employees working in Malaysian organizations. Demographic factors like gender, race, education, etc. were found to have impact on the ranking of the factors.

The findings are expected to provide useful guidelines to managers while developing employee motivation programs.

Introduction The degree of adsorption of organic inhibitors on a metal surface in presence of halide anion is predominantly influenced by the synergistic effect. The synergistic effect brings about an improvement in inhibition as a result of chemisorption or physical adsorption depending on the nature of the interaction between the halide and the cation of the inhibitor. This effect is partly attributed to the stabilization of the adsorbed anion layer by an organic cation through a possible covalent linkage. The degree of availability of electrons influences the mode of adsorption. Investigations on ferric ion corrosion have shown that the synergistic inhibition effects the corrosion processes by primarily increasing the polarization of the cathodic reaction. The adsorption of quinoline on 18–8 steel in the presence of halider ions is predominantly influenced by the synergistic effect. It has been found that the addition of smaller concentration of quinoline inhibits the cathodic reaction and higher concentrations of quinoline inhibit the anodic reaction as well. According to Iofa the formation of an adsorbed layer of positively charged ion retards the transfer of cation through a binary layer and lowers the transfer rate. Work on amines has shown that tertiary and secondary amines are stronger than the primary amines as a result of increase of dipole moment of the doublet, increase of ionisation energy and increase of polarizability. Basicity and stearic effects, both are important. The high effectiveness of cyclic amines with more than seven carbon atoms appears to be correlated with the character of the free electron. It has been shown that whereas the organic compounds of cationic type were weakly absorbed on the iron surface in H2SO4 the addition of halides produced a considerable increase in the adsorption. Cavallaro and others have shown that several nitrogen molecules inhibit both the anodic and cathodic reactions.

The aim of the study was to measure employees' perception of human resource development (HRD) practices, to explore whether ISO certification leads to any improvements in HRD system, and to examine the role of HRD practices on employees' development climate and quality orientation in the organization.

A total of 239 employees belonging to eight organizations (four of them ISO certified) responded to a questionnaire which measured the following variables: career system, work planning system, development system, self renewal system, and HRD system.

Results indicated large inter‐organizational differences in HRD practices. In general, however, employees' ratings were moderate. ISO certified companies, compared to others, obtained higher means on some HRD variables. Organizations with better learning, training and development systems, reward and recognition, and information systems promoted human resource development climate. Quality orientation was predicted by career planning, performance guidance and development, role efficacy, and reward and recognition systems.

Comparison between ISO and non‐ISO certified companies did yield some significant differences, yet it was difficult to conclude that the differences were due to ISO certification alone as organizations in the sample were not matched.

The findings can be used by HR practitioners and scholars in building management concerns and advocacy for better HRD systems and practices.

Very little empirical knowledge is available on this subject from transitional economies like Malaysia. The study makes a modest attempt in that direction.