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This study examines the role of emotional intelligence on academic achievement among students at a private university in Kuwait.

The data were obtained through a questionnaire which elicits information on students' sociodemographic data and their overall college grade point average (GPA). The 16-item Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS, Wong and Law, 2002), was used to evaluate the level of emotional intelligence and explore the effect on academic performance in a sample of 480 Kuwaiti college students.

The results of the study indicate that academic success was strongly associated with self-emotion appraisal (SEA) and use of emotions (UOE). However, the results did not show direct correlations with age, high schooling system, gender and nationality. Additionally, results provide supporting evidence that the WLEIS scale has good psychometric properties and can be used as a reliable tool to assess the emotional intelligence skills among college students in Kuwait.

The study has several limitations that require consideration when interpreting the findings. First, this research used a quantitative methodology, which can provide limited information about emotional intelligence, and further qualitative research is necessary to identify contributors and inhibitors of this construct. Second, as in any study using self-report measures, the results may have been influenced by participants' acquiescence and need for social desirability. Further studies should aim to include ways in which EI can be incorporated into academic curricula and qualification framework and barriers that may pertain to encourage emotional intelligence skills development in higher education and suggest solutions accordingly. In future studies it would be interesting to see educators' self-perception vs of students to include a multi-rated for the emotional intelligence. To this end, these areas of study could provide a more comprehensive understanding in the sense of integrating emotional intelligence theories and methods from multiple disciplines that constitute social, personality and psychological trait within higher education. This research has only considered samples from a private university in Kuwait. Extension of sampling scope to other universities around the country and in the Middle East may bring a better understanding of students' emotional intelligence level. In terms of EI components, the results of this study indicated that students score highest in self-emotional appraisal (SEA) and the use of emotions (UOA) and lowest on regulation of emotions (ROE). Additional studies can be conducted to see whether the same results apply on Arab students in the Middle East as a whole. The present study has provided more evidence of the need for cross-cultural comparison of an imported construct and its measurement by showing that the emotional intelligence construct, defined by the WLEIS (Wong and Law, 2002), may be understood differently in other cultures.

There are two key implications in this study, one concerning gender and the other relating to students' GPA. The results suggested differences between the way female and male students viewed EI skills in relation to their academic achievement. Considering that the instrument used to measure EI was the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), a self-report measure, perhaps a degree of bias was introduced. Male students' EI scores as a whole (M = 5.56) were higher than the EI mean score for female students (M = 5.39). As Novinger (2001) proposed, emotional expressiveness in the Arab world is such that women are trained to be less demonstrative of their emotions than men.

In addition, gender and cultural values may influence communication styles among Arab students during the teaching process. An awareness of gender and cultural difference related to EI could be beneficial to all parties (students, educators and administrators) in higher educational institutions. Educators' sensitivity to students' EI skills associated with culture can be manifested in a wide variety of teaching practices, ranging from educators' expectations toward students to their interpersonal interactions with students and from teaching styles to assessment methods. For example, an understanding of the possible impact of gender on EI skills may raise educators' levels of cultural sensitivity in dealing with students in the Middle East, particularly, in Kuwait. Even though this study did not show a significant relationship between the overall EI level and students’ GPA, an effect on EI components SEA and UOA was found. University administrators and educators wishing to increase students' academic achievement would do well to incorporate the use and recognition of emotions into their curricula. For instance, emotions can be used to channel the anxiety created by exams to motivate students to prepare more thoroughly and attain more higher standards.

Emotional intelligence skills are important predictors of academic success, and they play a key role in students' performance, and greater the emotional intelligence, the academic achievement will be higher. The results of this study support the research studies suggesting that students' emotional intelligence (EI) should be considered by curriculum designers to enable educators assist their students reach successful academic performance.

Fractional Fokker-Planck equation (FFPE) and time fractional coupled Boussinesq-Burger equations (TFCBBEs) play important roles in the fields of solute transport, fluid dynamics, respectively. Although there are many methods for solving the approximate solution, simple and effective methods are more preferred. This paper aims to utilize Laplace Adomian decomposition method (LADM) to construct approximate solutions for these two types of equations and gives some examples of numerical calculations, which can prove the validity of LADM by comparing the error between the calculated results and the exact solution.

This paper analyzes and investigates the time-space fractional partial differential equations based on the LADM method in the sense of Caputo fractional derivative, which is a combination of the Laplace transform and the Adomian decomposition method. LADM method was first proposed by Khuri in 2001. Many partial differential equations which can describe the physical phenomena are solved by applying LADM and it has been used extensively to solve approximate solutions of partial differential and fractional partial differential equations.

This paper obtained an approximate solution to the FFPE and TFCBBEs by using the LADM. A number of numerical examples and graphs are used to compare the errors between the results and the exact solutions. The results show that LADM is a simple and effective mathematical technique to construct the approximate solutions of nonlinear time-space fractional equations in this work.

This paper verifies the effectiveness of this method by using the LADM to solve the FFPE and TFCBBEs. In addition, these two equations are very meaningful, and this paper will be helpful in the study of atmospheric diffusion, shallow water waves and other areas. And this paper also generalizes the drift and diffusion terms of the FFPE equation to the general form, which provides a great convenience for our future studies.

This study aims to investigate the factors affecting micro, small and medium entrepreneurs’ (MSMEs) behavioural intention to participate in takaful schemes in Sri Lanka.

This research adopted a quantitative approach using primary data from a questionnaire. Out of 470 questionnaires, 432 were collected (91.91%) from MSMEs in Kalmunai business region in Sri Lanka. The data obtained were analysed using partial least square-structural equation modelling.

This study revealed that the extension model of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) can be effectively applied to behavioural intentions towards a takaful scheme by MSMEs. Out of eight hypotheses, seven were significant, including: attitude towards behavioural intention; subjective norm; perceived behavioural control; knowledge; religiosity; income; trust in takaful as a significant influence. However, awareness of intention was not found to be significant.

This study suggests advantages for takaful providers in Sri Lanka, especially marketing departments, for enhancing sale of products, refurbishing marketing strategies and understanding the purchasing motivation of business entrepreneurs. This study guides takaful companies as to where they should concentrate to enhance market penetration.

Previous studies have concentrated on only three factors which comprise TPB. This paper’s main contribution is on the uniqueness of the Muslim minority context in a pluralistic context, providing a marketing model for takaful operators based on the different relevant dimensions.

This study aims to examine the nexus between CAMELS, risk-sharing financial performance and Islamic banks' stability. It also attempts to assess the conditioning effects of institutional quality in the relationship between risk-sharing contracts and the stability of Islamic banks.

The quantitative research design was employed using secondary data from 20 Islamic banks in six countries over the period 2007–2019. The study utilized the feasible generalized least squares method for the analysis.

The results indicate that not all CAMELS variables support the stability of Islamic banks. The musharakah contract induced stability of the banks, whereas mudarabah financing reduced it. The interaction between risk-sharing finance and the quality of institutions suggested that the mudarabah contract via institutional quality raises the stability of Islamic banks. On the other hand, the quality of institutions encourages the banks to offer more musharakah, but it leads to an increase in their risk-taking. We show the impact of changes in risk-sharing variables on stability amplified by institutional quality. The results were robust when alternative measures of stability were used.

Various stakeholders in banking activities could learn from the results of this study. Islamic banks could improve their positions in terms of screening for risk-sharing financing. They could also leverage more on musharakah, as it promotes stability and could generate more returns for the banks. The mudarabah financing can be improved if there is a proper evaluation of entrepreneurs. Policymakers would learn more about the importance of institutional quality, as it provides a friendly environment for both mudarabah and musharakah businesses to thrive. This could increase the participation of Islamic banks in the real economy.

Previous studies concentrated on the effects of CAMELS on the profitability of Islamic banks. This study shows that CAMELS alone might not necessarily capture the financial performance of Islamic banks. Therefore, the risk-sharing financing variables are included alongside CAMELS to determine their effects on stability. Second, unlike the past research, this study used the quality of institutions to moderate the nexus between risk-sharing financing and the stability of Islamic banks.

This paper aims to study the fluid flow and heat transfer within the Casson nanofluid confined between disk and cone both rotating with distinct velocities. For a comprehensive investigation, two distinct nano-size particles, namely, silicon dioxide and silicon carbide, are submerged in ethanol taken as the base fluid.

This paper explores the disk and cone contraption mostly encountered for viscosity measurement in various industrial applications such as lubrication industry, hydraulic brakes, pharmaceutical industry, petroleum and gas industry and chemical industry.

It is worth mentioning here that the radially varying temperature profile at the disk surface is taken into the account. The effect of prominent emerging parameters on velocity fields and temperature distribution are studied graphically, while bar graphs are drawn to examine the physical quantities of industrial interest such as surface drag force and heat transfer rate at disk and cone.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study in literature exists that discusses the thermal enhancement of nano-fluidic transport confined between disk and cone both rotating with distinct angular velocities with heat transfer.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of trade openness on the cost of financial intermediation and bank performance. Developed and developing countries are currently pursuing trade openness to achieve higher bank performance with less intermediation costs.

In attaining the study's objectives, several regression methodologies were employed (i.e. system generalized method of moments (GMM), fixed effect, pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) and vector error correction model (VECM)). The authors tested the hypothesis on data of 885 banks from BRICS countries, which span 18 years (2000–2017).

The results from this robust study showed that embedding higher trade openness reduces financial intermediation costs and improves banks' performance. The results remain robust following the use of different estimation methods and alternative variables as proxies. In addition, results were still valid upon considering bank level, industry level and country level as control variables. It was also observed that the relation pattern holds its rigidity during “good” and “bad” times (i.e. the global financial crisis).

The results provide better references for bank regulators, academics and policymakers to take advantage of the low financial intermediation costs resulting from trade openness.

The study aims to identify the predictors of depression and anxiety among carers of hospitalized patients with mental illness in Eradah Complex for Mental Health Hospital.

A descriptive correlational study design was conducted using a convenient sample of family carers of patients with mental illness (N = 216). The study used the Beck Depression Inventory and Anxiety Inventory scales.

The results of regression models revealed that the socio-demographic characteristics of the family carers showed that age is a statistically significant predictor of family carers depression and anxiety scores. In addition, the age of the family carers explained 36% of the variance in the family carers depression and anxiety scores, while marital status explained 64% of the total variance in the family carers’ depression and anxiety scores. Furthermore, having received support in caring significantly predicted depression and anxiety scores, and this was the case for occupation status and being diagnosed with any form of chronic illness.

Based on the findings of this study, the authors opine that evaluations of carers’ cognitive strategies and social support are needed to determine the risk of depression in carers of mental patients.

This study is the one of the limited studies conducted in Saudi Arabia to identify predictor of depression and anxiety among caregivers of hospitalized patients with mental illness. The study has used a validated scales to assess the main study outcomes.

Management soundness is essential for the effectiveness of any industry, most especially in any Islamic financial sector, whereby fairness and justice are the key factors to be observed. This paper aims to examine the management soundness of the takaful industry regarding their asset quality, re-takaful and actuarial and earning and profitability.

This study obtained quarterly data from 2019Q1 to 2021Q4 from the Islamic Financial Services Board across Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. The panel data modelling with random-effect and fixed-effect estimators were used for the analysis.

The finding revealed a strong relationship between re-takaful and earnings with management soundness and a weak relationship between asset quality and management soundness. In addition, the result established a significant and strong association between management soundness and earnings and profitability. Therefore, re-takaful and profitability contributed more to the management soundness of the takaful industry than asset quality during the study. An increase in earnings and profitability to enable the takaful industry to pay the claims, especially in calamity, and more focus on the quality of the asset they invested in could enable the smooth running of their day-to-day business affairs.

More attention is required on the quality of assets in their portfolio for the sustainability of the takaful industry to fulfil their underlying objectives. Management soundness in the takaful industry should address the challenges of managerial lathery, which some studies linked with operational inefficiency because of unskilled personnel in the takaful industry. This could benefit takaful clients, irrespective of religion, to attain their associated share of benefits from the Islamic insurance industry.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study that examined the effectiveness of takaful management across Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.

This study investigates the impact of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and knowledge management (KM) on firm performance (PERF), as well as the mediating role of KM in the EO–PERF (EO-PERF relationship). In particular, this study aims to explain the impact of KM on the relationship between the EO dimensions and PERF; dimensions are risk-taking (RT), innovativeness (IN) and proactiveness (PR).

This study uses structural equation modelling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) methodologies to explore target relationships. The sample consists of 150 small furniture manufacturers operating in Poland (out of 1,480 in the population).

The study findings show that KM partially mediates the IN–PERF relationship. Furthermore, fsQCA reveals that KM accompanied by IN is a core condition that leads to PERF. Moreover, the absence of KM (accompanied by the absence of RT and IN) leads to the absence of PERF. In addition, the results show that all the variables examined (RT, IN, PR and KM) positively impact PERF.

This study explores the role of KM in the context of EO and its impact on PERF in the low-tech industry. The study uses simultaneously two methodologies that represent different approaches in the search for the expected relationships. The findings reveal that KM mediates the EO-PERF relationship.

This study investigates the crucial link between sustainable practices and organizational development, focusing on sustainable knowledge management (SKM), green innovation (GI) and corporate sustainable development (CSD) in diverse Pakistani organizations.

This study employs a comprehensive research methodology involving advanced statistical techniques, such as confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling and hierarchical linear modeling. These methods are instrumental in exploring the complex interrelationships between SKM, GI, moderating factors and CSD.

This research generates significant findings and actively contributes to sustainable development. The following sections (Sections 4 and 5) delve into the specific findings and in-depth discussions, shedding light on how industry regulation, organizational sustainability priorities, workplace culture collaboration and alignment between green culture and knowledge management practices influence the relationships between SKM, GI and CSD. These findings provide valuable insights for the research community and organizations striving for sustainability.

The study’s findings have practical implications for organizations seeking to enhance their sustainability efforts and embrace a socially and environmentally conscious approach to organizational growth.

This study contributes to the literature on sustainable practices and organizational development. Researchers and business people can learn a lot from it because it uses advanced econometric models in new ways and focuses on the link between knowledge management, GI and sustainable corporate development.