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With the increased stress on sustainability and food security, in addition, the need towards halting environmental deprivation has focused attention on green fertilizer technology (GFT), which is the means of improving the situation causing the rising environmental concern. It also gives efficient use of farm resources which can help to protect crops. Moreover, the adoption of GFT is one aspect to answer the problem in regards to the sustainable environment. In the year 1980, an initiative took place to simplify the adoption decision in the developing countries. Regardless of the low adoption rate elsewhere, comparable exertions in the current year have originated in developing countries. Accepting those primary factors that influence the adoption of GFT is very important. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

This study re-examines these factors and draws policy implications from that review for future actions. This research study re-examines them, based on other studies examining the inadequate adoption of GFT in developing countries, by generalising their conclusions to clarify why farmers have or have not made the decision to adopt GFT. The ability to address that awareness enables the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model to predict the farmer’s intention of acceptability of the GFT. By following a socio-psychological approach, by using TPB, the researchers have found out the paddy farmers’ adoption decision towards GFT. The researchers later discuss the implications for promoting the adoption of GFT, which delivers suggestions for the upcoming research study.

The idea of this research study is to seek farmers’ understanding about environmental attitudes in connection with conservation behaviour. The overall aim of this paper is to conceptualise the framework created by amending the environmental concern amongst paddy farmers towards GFT.

This research study will allow more academic consideration and may direct future research on the empirical findings on the environmental concern through the proposed conceptual framework amongst paddy farmers in Malaysia.

The purpose of this paper is to enhance the adoption decision of farmers and observe the factors that affect the adoption decision of sustainable agriculture practices (SAP) which is the major motivating force of Malaysian economy. The idea behind this study is to transfer knowledge to paddy farmers within regional areas of Malaysia and to comprehend their understanding of social innovation and sustainable agriculture engineering and their overall significance. The outcome of this research will suggest a strategic extensive plan to encourage the use of SAP and also help to develop SAP helping toward building a sustainable society.

This paper encompasses three phases: analyzing the process of SAP among Malaysian Paddy farmers, to agricultural industrialization, until the stage of SAP led by farmer’s co-operatives, discussing the relevant practice together with literature and historically evidencing that there is no better way to promote SAP among regional paddy farmers within Malaysia.

Initial objective of this paper is to establish a thoughtful approach to enable the society to bridge a gap between embracing sustainability. The second objective investigates the misconception among farmers about social innovation. Furthermore, the study builds the conceptual framework and examines the relationship among the relevant constructs, this framework is critically examining the literature within paddy farming context. Harmoniously, there has been limited empirical research performed on the decision of adoption toward SAP usage among paddy farmers in Malaysia.

The clear worth of this research paper is the illustration from past reviews and practices to endorse SAP usage among paddy farmers in Malaysia. Another literature review suggests that these countermeasures comprehensively, historically, and theoretically are proven result oriented. The information about SAP will be beneficial for farmers and policy maker who are interested in the advancement. This learning delivers a comparative summary of knowledge transfer influencing farmer’s intention and behavior of sustainable agriculture engineering to adopt green technology. In a future study, these construct will be empirically tested.

The learning outcomes of this paper are as follows: understanding the complexities of persuading a distributor to increase investments in the Pakistani fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) context. Understanding the data handled by an area sales manager (ASM) for effective territory management, along with the path taken for a focused approach to territory growth. Comparing the distinct perspectives of a company and an intermediary (e.g. distributor) who are pursuing similar business goals. Experiencing hands-on calculations of return on investment (ROI) for a distributor, in a straightforward situation.

In June 2015, Shah Mir, an ASM at PurePack Pakistan, was face-to-face with an irate distributor named Amir Kazmi, who ran Kazmi Agency in Sukkur, Sindh. PurePack Pakistan, a multinational organization dealing with FMCG products, had a turnover of approximately PKR 7.5bn¹ and was a fully owned subsidiary of PurePack Limited, UAE. Shah’s predecessor, Noor Azam, had managed the central Sindh territory very well and had recorded phenomenal growth. The retail outlet coverage had increased during Noor’s time, along with Amir’s investment in the territory. Knowing he was up against an outstanding past achievement, Shah had studied the data of the area and Kazmi Agency’s performance for the past two years and had concluded that there was still greater potential in the area. Amir Kazmi, owner of Kazmi Agency, was an astute businessman who visited his Sukkur market regularly. He knew the distribution business well and had benefitted from it. He was fully aware of the importance of working on relationships with his retailers in the FMCG industry because competition was high and loyalties needed to be nurtured. Like any businessperson, he was concerned about the growth and profitability of his business. Kazmi’s business had increased quite rapidly from a turnover of around PKR 8.7m in 2008 to one of around PKR 54m in 2014, indicating the potential in the Sukkur district. Shah, who was new to the territory and early in his career, was still grappling with the fact that the growth in central Sindh had been phenomenal and that expectations were high for him. He had gotten working on the territory while keeping in mind advice from his boss, Nabeel Asad, who had told him to identify one area at a time so that he could go about achieving his growth targets in a focused manner. This case brings out the challenges that young ASMs face while in the field, when they have to deal with experienced distributors in the Pakistani retail trade, especially in the smaller towns where relationships can greatly affect business. Students will gain an understanding of the key performance indicators required to focus on developmental issues in a territory. It will enable students to appreciate financial considerations as a major tool in dealing with intermediaries (distributors, in this case) and get hands-on experience in a method of convincing a distributor of his past investments and profitability and paving the way for further investment for retail expansion.

This case is designed for use at the postgraduate level in sales management, channel management and strategic marketing courses, as well as in executive management programs. It can be used at later stages of a course and show a link between a company’s requirements and a distributor’s goals. The students should have field experience or aspire to get into roles dealing with intermediaries, such as distributors. The case gives students a practical, hands-on experience in working on simple profitability calculations and pushes them to challenge the assumptions that need to be made. The case attempts to trigger a discussion on distributor management and its challenges in Pakistan, where managing relationships while keeping in mind the business perspective is imperative. Identifying the right geographical territories to focus on and working on the financials of the distributor are the key learning deliverables. The case is accompanied by a spreadsheet with calculations. This spreadsheet is for the instructor’s use and is for demonstrating calculations as the class progresses. By using the spreadsheet, the instructor can practically demonstrate the effects that changes in investments, expenses, etc. have on the distributor’s profits. It can even be used to build a far more complex situation than the one given in the case (advice for which is provided in this teaching note).

CSS 8: Marketing.

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

The aim of this paper is to apply a watery infrared filter for silicon solar cell efficiency enhancement in Kerman province of Iran as a talent region for solar energy production.

With this research, the water is applied as a filter for silicon solar cells in different volumes and thicknesses.

The obtained results showed that using various amounts of water could be a suitable choice for increasing the efficiency of silicon solar cells.

Other wavelength regions just cause the increase in the entropy and decrease in the efficiency. With this research, the water is applied as a filter for silicon solar cell in different volumes and thickness. The obtained results showed that using different thicknesses of water could be suitable choice for increasing the efficiency of silicon solar cell.

This paper critically aims to examine the concept of beneficial ownership and its application in musharakah-based home financing.

The study applies the method of juristic interpretation in analyzing the meaning of beneficial ownership in legal documentation of musharakah-based home financing. This qualitative study uses content analysis approach that investigates the works of Islamic scholars on the concept of ownership and evaluates the concept of beneficial ownership in musharakah-based home financing from the Islamic perspective.

The result finds that beneficial ownership is considered a true ownership, as Shari’ah allows the transfer of ownership based on the offer and acceptance in a contract. Furthermore, the absence of legal registration does not mean the absence of true ownership, whereas all documentations and agreements have clearly stated rights and liabilities of each contracting parties.

This paper provides a fiqhi discussion of analyzing beneficial ownership in musharakah-based home financing. It shows that Shari’ah parameters are essential for the use of beneficial ownership to ensure its compliance with the Shari’ah requirements of milkiyyah (ownership).

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of knowledge-based dynamic process capabilities (KBDPCs) on innovation performance, considering the mediator role of innovation processes in the Iranian knowledge-based high-tech companies.

Based on an in-depth review of previous studies, the indicators pertaining to the research constructs were extracted. Then, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied to identify and confirm the research constructs. Partial least squares-based structural equation modeling was used to investigate the intended relationships.

The results of the direct effect showed that KBDPCs have a significant positive effect on innovation performance. Further, moderation analysis demonstrated that innovation processes are moderated by the relationship between KBDPCs and innovation performance. Accordingly, the findings revealed that KBDPCs affect product innovation performance and exploratory innovation and transitional innovation increase this effect. Also, the mediator role of exploitation innovation in the relationship between KBDPCs and process innovation performance was proved.

As this research was performed in the Iranian context, caution should be taken regarding the generalizability of the findings.

This paper provides a roadmap based on existing scenarios to enhance innovation performance for the surveyed-companies, in particular, and other companies, in general.

The social implication of this study is to respond to the challenge of the managers of Iranian knowledge-based high-tech companies to improve innovation performance through KBDPCs and innovation processes and to grow and develop a sustainable business.

Given rare studies that have so far been conducted on the research field, this study extends the theories of KBDPCs, innovation processes and innovation performance. The constructs of the research model and relationships intended among them are also significant.

This study was conducted to analyze the effects of machining parameters on the specific energy consumption in the computerized numerical control lathe turning operation of a hardened alloy steel roll at low cutting speeds. The aim was to minimize its consumption.

The design matrix was based on three variable factors at three levels. Response surface methodology was used for the analysis of experimental results. Optimization was carried out by using the desirability function and genetic algorithm. A multiple regression model was used for relationship build-up.

According to desirability function, genetic algorithm and multiple regression analysis, optimal machining parameters were cutting speed 40 m/min, feed 0.2 mm/rev and depth of cut 0.50 mm, which resulted in minimal specific energy consumption of 0.78, 0.772 and 0.78 kJ/mm³, respectively. Correlation analysis and multiple regression model found a quadratic relationship between specific energy consumption with power consumption and material removal rate.

In the past, many researchers have developed mathematical models for specific energy consumption, but these models were developed at high cutting speed, and a majority of the models were based on the material removal rate as the independent variable. This research work developed a mathematical model based on the machining parameters as an independent variable at low cutting speeds, for a new type of large-sized hardened alloy steel roll. A multiple regression model was developed to build a quadratic relationship of specific energy consumption with power consumption and material removal rate. This work has a practical application in hot rolling industry.

As many organizations and institutions in recent years are trying to update their hardware and software platforms toward using mobile technology, libraries and information centers as trustees and leaders of information management and information science need to be futurists in this area. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the status of using mobile-based services in the world’s top university libraries.

In this direct observation and quantitative research survey, the authors reviewed the status of using mobile-based services in the libraries of the world’s top universities.

The results showed that 84 percent of the libraries of the top 50 universities in the world have made their websites mobile-friendly and provide mobile-based services; however, only 30 percent of them have designed mobile library application. The findings of this study revealed that mobile phone services such as “Search catalog,” “Hour of library,” “Contact,” “Ask the librarian” and “News” in more than 50 percent of the libraries with mobile-based services has been used. While some services like “Services for disabled,” “Library card,” “Library Strategic Plan” and “Financial services” are less important to deliver on the mobile platform.

The results of the current research are only limited to this environment. Furthermore limited access to all features of some mobile library applications is another limitation of this work. Also, failure to download some of the university apps from the usual App store due to the nationality of the researchers is other limitations of the study. The authors try to find more details of these apps with connecting to the librarians of this statistic society.

The research results indicated that the majority of libraries in the world’s top universities have moved toward designing and using mobile platform in their websites. This survey suggests that the academic libraries of developing countries in order to follow this trend are supposed to plug in most used services based on experience of academic libraries of top universities.

The research results indicated that the majority of libraries in the world’s top universities have moved toward designing and using mobile platform in their websites. This survey suggests that the Iranian academic libraries affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education are also trying to follow this trend in order to meet the users’ information needs.

Using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique, this paper aims to investigate the influence of key parameters such as throat diameter; the suction ratio on the flow field behaviors such as Mach number; pressure; and temperature.

To investigate the effect of throat diameter, it is simulated for 4, 6, 8 and 10 mm as throat diameters. The governing equations have been solved by standard code of Fluent Software together with a compressible 2 D symmetric and turbulence model with the standard k–ε model. First, the influence of the throat diameter is investigated by keeping the inlet mass flow constant.

The results show that a place of shock wave creation is changed by changing the throat diameter. The obtained results illustrate that the maximum amount of Mach number is dependent on the throat diameter. It is obtained from the results that for smaller throats higher Mach numbers can be obtained. Therefore, for mixing purposes smaller throats and for exhausting bigger throats seems to be appropriate.

The obtained numerical results are compared to the existing experimental ones which show good agreement.

This paper aims to chart the enforcement actions taken by the Malaysian regulatory authorities in relation to illegal investment schemes in Malaysia, and clarifies the various strategies adopted by the Malaysian regulatory authorities to ensure protection of investors in the capital market. The enforcement actions relate to the Swisscash scheme as well as commodities futures involving crude palm oil and a more recent case involving gold futures. These schemes share similar characteristics with Ponzi schemes that were thrust into the international limelight in the notorious Madoff Ponzi scheme and its allegation of regulatory failure.

The paper clarifies, by way of case study, public enforcement of illegal investment schemes promoted through the Internet and schemes involving cross-border investments.

The enforcement powers of the regulatory authorities in Malaysia are being utilized to ensure compliance with the law. The enforcement actions by the regulatory authorities in the afore-stated cases are significant in view of the successful custodial sentence of imprisonment, the regulators’ public enforcement action intended to compensate investors and the most recent case which is unfolding, due to the large number of alleged perpetrators and significant wealth transfer involved.

Given the allegation of regulatory failure in other jurisdictions, this paper enables a view to be formulated of the timeliness and appropriateness of the enforcement actions.