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Early contractor involvement (ECI) faces many barriers when it is implemented in public procurement, given that it is different from traditional business practices. Primarily, public owners face a major challenge, as they should treat all bidders equally. The purpose of this paper is to explore suitable ECI approaches that public owners could use.

In addition to a literature and document study, 14 semi-structured in-depth interviews with key personnel from 11 cases selected from Norwegian public bridge projects were carried out.

In all, 23 unique approaches of ECI were identified during this research (16 from literature and 7 new from case projects). The findings provide a new direction to ECI through introducing new approaches of ECI from the case projects.

This paper for the first time presents several alternatives of ECI approaches for public owners with the intention of illustrating ECI is actually possible in the public project procurement. Furthermore, it presents for the first time success factors of ECI with the intention of increasing the understanding of ECI concept from a public procurement perspective.

This paper aims to clear ambiguities regarding the definition of intellectual capital and its components in the evaluation of rehabilitation organizations.

A preliminary definition of intellectual capital and its three domains of human, relational and structural capital and separate lists of proposed components for each domain was developed based on the results of a previous study. Fourteen experts in rehabilitation, health management and management engaged in Delphi rounds to reach agreed-upon definitions. Their ideas on relevance and the measurements of each proposed component in the assessment of intellectual capital in rehabilitation organizations were gathered by a questionnaire.

Intellectual capital was defined as “The capital that emerges from the interaction of human resources’ ‘ability to think’ and to ‘create ideas’ with ‘a favorable internal and external organizational environment’ (including the managerial, social, structural, and physical environment, as well as communication between the inside and outside of the organization).” This capital is expected to gradually increase with further education, skills training and the gaining of experience by staff and managers. Also, the further development of intra-organizational structures and inter-relations with the market will empower the organization to adapt to continually changing circumstances, leading to competitive value and profit. Finally, a list of 101 proposed components was agreed upon in the evaluation of intellectual capital in rehabilitation organizations.

This paper may lead to the development of measurement tools and ultimately to planning effective programs to increase intellectual capital in rehabilitation organizations.

This paper aims to introduce a new structure for coaxial magnetic gears.

The study discusses the design and electromagnetic modeling of a triple-speed coaxial magnetic gear (TSCMG) for three different levels of torques in special applications such as wind energy conversion and electrical vehicles. The proposed TSCMG consists of inner, middle and outer rotor, which has one rotor more than its conventional counterpart. The suggested TSCMG’s related equations such as transform ratio and torque are calculated, then TSCMG is simulated in a finite element environment. A comprehensive study has been done on TSCMG, and results are compared with two other magnetic gears with the same volume but two speeds.

The obtained results show that the proposed structure for TSCMGs is significantly practical and applicable in higher ranges of torques. Finally, an experimental TSCMG is prototyped to verify the results.

The achievements are excellent and confirm that TSCMG can be used as powerful equipment in a wide range of application like permanent wind turbines to generate electricity in 24 h per every single day.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between the price return of leading cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Monero, Stellar, Peercoin and Dash, and stock return of technology companies' indices that mainly operate on the blockchain platform and provide financial services, including alternative finance, democratized banking, future payments and digital communities.

This study employs a Bayesian asymmetric dynamic conditional correlation multivariate Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) (BADCC-MGARCH) model with skewness and heavy tails on daily sample ranging from August 11, 2015, to February 10, 2020, to investigate the dynamic correlation between price return of several cryptocurrencies and stock return of the technology companies' indices that mainly operate on the blockchain platform. Data are collected from multiple sources. For parameter estimation and model comparison, the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm is employed. Besides, based on the expected Akaike information criterion (EAIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), deviance information criterion (DIC) and weighted Deviance Information Criterion (wDIC), the skewed-multivariate Generalized Error Distribution (mvGED) is selected as an optimal distribution for errors. Finally, some other tests are carried out to check the robustness of the results.

The study results indicate that blockchain-based technology companies' indices' return and price return of cryptocurrencies are positively correlated for most of the sampling period. Besides, the return price of newly invented and more advanced cryptocurrencies with unique characteristics, including Monero, Ripple, Dash, Stellar and Peercoin, positively correlates with the return of stock indices of blockchain-based technology companies for more than 93% of sampling days. The results are also robust to various sensitivity analyses.

The positive correlation between the price return of cryptocurrencies and the return of stock indices of blockchain-based technology companies can be due to the investors' sentiments toward blockchain technology as both cryptocurrencies and these companies are based on blockchain technology. It could also be due to the applicability of cryptocurrencies for these companies, as the price return of more advanced and capable cryptocurrencies with unique features has a positive correlation with the return of stock indices of blockchain-based technology companies for more days compared to the other cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum, that may be regarded more as speculative assets.

The study results may show the positive role of cryptocurrencies in improving and developing technology companies that mainly operate on the blockchain platform and provide financial services and vice versa, suggesting that managers and regulators should pay more attention to the usefulness of cryptocurrencies and blockchains. This study also has important risk management and diversification implications for investors and companies investing in cryptocurrencies and these companies' stock. Besides, blockchain-based technology companies can add cryptocurrencies to their portfolio as hedgers or diversifiers based on their strategy.

This is the first study analyzing the connection between leading cryptocurrencies and technology companies that mainly operate on the blockchain platform and provide financial services by employing the Bayesian ssymmetric DCC-MGARCH model. The results also have important implications for investors, companies, regulators and researchers for future studies.

The purpose of this investigation is to study the corrosion behavior of iron and aluminum in HCl and NaOH media by means of theoretical and experimental approaches.

For theoretical investigations, the quantum chemical calculation was performed. In this regard, the adsorption of OH⁻ and Cl⁻ on iron and aluminum surfaces was investigated. Furthermore, the natural bond orbital for the direction and magnitude of charge transfer interactions were calculated. In addition, the electrochemical evaluations based on potentiodynamic experiments were carried out.

The quantum chemical calculation results showed that the charge transfer from OH⁻ to the iron surface is more than that from Cl⁻, and also the charge transfer from Cl⁻ is more than that from OH⁻ to aluminum cluster. Furthermore, these anions donate more electrons to the iron cluster than to the aluminum cluster. The experimental data showed that the rate of corrosion of iron in 1.0M NaOH solution was less than in 1.0M HCl solution. The corrosion of aluminum in HCl solution was less than that in NaOH solution. The rate of corrosion of iron in both solutions was less than that of aluminum.

The findings of this paper indicate that calculations based on the natural bond orbital analysis of the charge transfer rates from OH⁻ and Cl⁻ to the iron or aluminum surfaces, and their comparison with experimental results, exhibited excellent agreement.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the outsourcing process in the public sector, determine the effective factors involved in this process and their priorities. The aim is to develop a generic conceptual model for the outsourcing process in public sectors.

This paper is based on the results of literature review and conducting binominal and Friedman tests. The model consists of the following steps and components: considering the organization's basic activities, evaluation of organizations' existing potentials and analyzing organizational processes, studying general outsourcing patterns, implementing and monitoring outsourcing process in terms of some critical success factors; and evaluation of outsourcing process of the organization and identifying feedbacks.

The paper determines the main components and influence factors involving in the process of outsourcing in public sectors. The generic model developed in this paper as a framework can be used to increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of the outsourcing process of organizations in public sector.

The authors believe that the proposed model and results of this research can aid public sector managers to implement their outsourcing process in a more efficient and effective manner in their organizations.

This paper develops a new generic conceptual model based on literature review, field resaech and using binominal and Frideman test. This model is unique and can be considered as an aid in the outsourcing process of organizations.

The purpose of this paper was to study the corrosion resistance of AA2024 alloy using surfactant-modified halloysite nanocapsules capable of holding benzotriazole (BTA) as the corrosion inhibitor and discharging it into the solution.

The effect of surfactant shells was studied by surfactant-modified halloysite nanotubes fabricated through assembly of two types of cationic surfactants. The zeta potential and size distribution measurements were performed using a Zetasizer Nano. The concentration of BTA during release into the solution was detected by using a UV–vis spectrophotometer. The anti-corrosion activity of nanocapsules as free agents with respect to the AA2024 alloy was investigated using the potentiodynamic scan (PDS) method. An epoxy resin doped with nanocapsules was used as an anti-corrosion coating deposited on the AA2024 alloy. The corrosion protection performance of coatings was studied by using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method.

The results indicate that the release of the inhibitor from nanocapsules depends on the surfactant shell components. The PDS results confirmed the feasibility of developing “smart” corrosion protection by inhibitor-loaded nanocapsules. The results of EIS measurements showed that the coating with the nanocapsules exhibited enhanced corrosion protection in comparison with the undoped coating.

The findings of this paper indicate that surfactant-modified halloysite nanocapsules can be added to epoxy resin coatings to improve their corrosion protective properties for the AA2024 alloy.

The purpose of this paper was to study the corrosion resistance of water-based sol-gel coatings containing titania nanoparticles doped with organic inhibitors for corrosion protection of AA2024 alloy.

The coatings were obtained using tetraethylorthosilicate, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, titanium (IV) tetrapropoxide and poly(ethylene imine) polymer as cross-linking agents. As corrosions inhibitors, 2-mercaptobenzoxazole and salicylaldoxime were incorporated into the sol-gel for the improvement of the corrosion resistance. The corrosion protection performance of coatings was studied using the potentiodynamic scan and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate surface morphology of the coatings.

The results indicated that doping the sol-gel coatings with inhibitors leads to improvement of the corrosion protection. The comparison of doped coatings confirmed that corrosion protection performance of the sol-gel coatings doped with 2-mercaptobenzoxazole was better than for the sol-gel coatings doped with salicylaldoxime. Also the EIS results verified self-healing effects for the sol-gel coatings doped with 2-mercaptobenzoxazole.

This paper indicates 2-mercaptobenzoxazole and salicylaldoxime can be added as corrosion inhibitors to sol-gel coatings to improve their corrosion protective properties for AA2024 alloy.

This study aims to address a heretofore neglected area in research, nation branding, for the purpose of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). It compares and contrasts the well-established literature on decision-making and location choice in FDI with studies in the nascent field of nation branding, with a view to developing directions for future research that result from the identification of research gaps at the intersection point between the two areas.

The study is based on a systematic and integrative review of several streams within the relevant literatures, from the theory of decision-making in FDI to the similarities and differences between advertising, promotion, branding and marketing for investment on the part of nations and sub- or supra-national places.

Each of the two areas is characterized by lack of consensus as to the principal factors that affect investor and nation decisions and actions, resulting in several knowledge gaps that need to be addressed by new research along the lines suggested in the study.

A large number of avenues for potential future research are identified, from assessing the importance of target country image in location choice to the adverse effects arising from the emphasis on “promotion” rather than “marketing” on the part of places engaged in nation branding efforts.

The study examines several problems that affect the practice of nation branding for FDI and points to alternative approaches that may enhance place marketers’ effectiveness in their efforts to attract foreign capital.

Notwithstanding the global growth of FDI in volume and importance, and the omnipresence of nation branding campaigns to promote exports or attract tourism and investment, there has been virtually no research to date on the core issue, nation branding for FDI. The study uses a strategic perspective that highlights key nation branding issues related to FDI, and FDI issues related to nation branding, and suggests a comprehensive agenda for research in the future.

The purpose of this paper is to critique the philosophical underpinnings of the growing field of Islamic economics.

A critical and comparative review of Islamic economics texts written by key proponents during the last eight decades is undertaken. The origins of this nascent science are traced and factors that gave impetus to its development examined. The different characterisations of the discipline as it has developed within the broader socio‐political context are contrasted.

The proponents of Islamic economics have had little success in shaping a distinctive paradigm for their discipline, beyond arguing that it is underpinned by a strong moral ethic. By and large, its epistemological roots have remained firmly within the framework of rationalism/empiricism and methodological individualism. Consequently, Islamic economics has not been able to shed its neoclassical moorings, the very paradigm it originally set out to replace. Several of the contradictions apparent in the discipline are discussed. Islamic economists, recognising that their mission has remained unfulfilled, have variously suggested different approaches to regenerate the process and chart the way forward. These propositions are examined and evaluated.

If Islamic economics is to fulfil its raison d'être, that is, articulate a coherent theoretical paradigm and demonstrate its relevance to the real economy, its proponents must resolve its theoretical and practical difficulties by clarifying its Weltanschauung and developing an appropriate content and form.

This study evaluates how the discipline has developed and exposes its inherent contradictions. These inconsistencies are identified and explained at the foundational level, highlighting where and why they have occurred.