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1 – 4 of 4Youssef L. Nashed, Fouad Zahran, Mohamed Adel Youssef, Manal G. Mohamed and Azza M. Mazrouaa
The purpose of this study is to examine how well reinforced concrete structures can be shielded against concrete carbonation using anti-carbonation coatings based on synthetic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine how well reinforced concrete structures can be shielded against concrete carbonation using anti-carbonation coatings based on synthetic polymer.
Design/methodology/approach
Applying free radical polymerization, an acrylate terpolymer emulsion that a surfactant had stabilized was created. A thermogravimetric analysis, minimum film-forming temperature, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and particle size distribution are used to characterize the prepared eco-friendly water base acrylate terpolymer emulsion. Using three different percentages of the acrylate terpolymer emulsion produced, 35%, 45% and 55%, the anti-carbonation coating was formed. Tensile strength, tensile strain, elongation, crack-bridging ability, carbon dioxide permeability, chloride ion diffusion, average pull-off adhesion strength, water vapor transmission, gloss, wet scrub resistance, QUV/weathering and storage stability are the characteristics of the anti-carbonation coating.
Findings
The formulated acrylate terpolymer emulsion enhances anti-carbonation coating performance in CO2 permeability, Cl-diffusion, crack bridging, pull-off adhesion strength and water vapor transmission. The formed coating based on the formulated acrylate terpolymer emulsion performed better than its commercial counterpart.
Practical implications
To protect the steel embedded in concrete from corrosion and increase the life span of concrete, the surface of cement is treated with an anti-carbonation coating based on synthetic acrylate terpolymer emulsion.
Social implications
In addition to saving lives from building collapse, it maintains the infrastructure for the long run.
Originality/value
The anti-carbonation coating, which is based on the synthetic acrylate terpolymer emulsion, is environmentally benign and stops the entry of carbon dioxide and chlorides, which are the main causes of steel corrosion in concrete.
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This study attempts to answer the question: “how are the two drivers, accountability focus and organizational learning, independently and interactively associated with public…
Abstract
Purpose
This study attempts to answer the question: “how are the two drivers, accountability focus and organizational learning, independently and interactively associated with public agencies’ proactive policy orientation?” The first driver is the multiple accountabilities that public agencies pursue: (1) bureaucratic, (2) legal, (3) professional and (4) political. The second driver is the organizational learning activities of public agencies: (1) socialization, (2) externalization, (3) combination and (4) internalization.
Design/methodology/approach
For data, 800 respondents from the public agencies in South Korea were surveyed.
Findings
The analysis provided several findings: (1) the discretionary accountabilities (professional and political) have a greater positive influence on the proactive policy orientation; (2) the conventional accountabilities (legal and bureaucratic) tend to have negative impacts on the proactive policy orientation and (3) among the four types of accountability, legal accountability can be more significantly complemented by organizational learning activities, which can enable both visionary and realistic administration in a balanced manner.
Originality/value
This study provides a unique insight on how organizational proactivity can be ensured through the interactions of organizational accountabilities and organizational learning.
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Hajira Liaqat, Ishfaq Ahmed and Sheikh Usman Yousaf
This study aims to explore the phenomenon of Islamic religious communication and how Islamic banks in Pakistan use religion-based communication, along with its expected outcomes.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the phenomenon of Islamic religious communication and how Islamic banks in Pakistan use religion-based communication, along with its expected outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
Transcendental phenomenology approach is opted using a multi-stage data collection strategy consisting of observations, documentary reviews and semi-structural interviews to get deep into the phenomenon in a particular context.
Findings
Findings highlight Islamic religious communication as workplace Islamic da’wah that is majorly categorized into compulsive da’wah, objectics da’wah and impulsive da’wah, serving its role in bringing spirituality to work through work-faith integration.
Research limitations/implications
The finding of the study can be used in planning, formulating and implementing Islamic da’wah-based model to induce spirituality at work.
Originality/value
This study is the first of its type exploring Islamic da’wah in an organizational context as a mean to bring spirituality at work.
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This paper argues for the need to use multiple sources and methods that respond to research challenges presented by new forms of war. There are methodological constraints and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper argues for the need to use multiple sources and methods that respond to research challenges presented by new forms of war. There are methodological constraints and contention on the superiority given to positivist and interpretivist research designs when doing fieldwork in war situations, hence there is a need to use integrated data generation techniques. The combined effect of severe limitations of movement for both the researcher and researched fragmented data because of polarized views about the causes of the war and unpredictable events that make information hard to come by militate against systematic, organised and robust data generation. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to make fieldwork researchers understand significant research problems unique to war zones.
Design/methodology/approach
This research was guided by the postmodernist mode of thought which challenges standardised research traditions. Fieldwork experiences in Cabo suggest the need to use the composite strategies that rely on the theoretical foundation of integrative and creative collection of data when doing research in violent settings.
Findings
The fieldwork experiences showed that the standardised, conventional and valorised positivist and ethnographic research strategies may not sufficiently facilitate understanding of the dynamics of war. There should not be firm rules, guidelines or regulations governing the actions of the researcher in conflict. As such, doing research in violent settings require reflexivity, flexibility and creativity in research strategies that respond to rapid changes. Research experiences in Mozambique show the need to use blended methods that include even less structured methodologies.
Originality/value
Fieldwork experiences in Cabo challenges researchers who cling to standardised research traditions which often hamper awareness of new postmodernist mode of thought applicable to war settings. It is essential to study the nature of African armed conflicts by combining creativity and flexibility in the selection of research strategies.
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