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The purpose of this paper is to focus on the antioxidant properties of two phenolic-rich varieties of Nigerian local rice and their anti-cholinesterase potential after in vitro-simulated gastrointestinal digestion, with the aim of establishing their actual antioxidant and nutraceutical potential after their passage through the gastrointestinal tract upon consumption.

Two local rice varieties, commonly referred to as “Gboko” and “Ofada” rice commonly grown in Benue State, a middle belt region of Nigeria and south western regions of Nigeria, respectively, were locally processed. Each of the processed grains were divided into two portions; one portion was left uncooked, while the second portion was boiled conventionally as eaten, dried and subsequently milled into powder. The milled samples of the raw and boiled rice were treated with acidified methanol to obtain the methanol extracts; another portion of each samples was subjected to in vitro enzyme digestion using standard methods to mimic human digestion; and the third portion was treated using the same scheme of in vitro digestion without the sets of enzyme which was used to serve as a control for enzyme treatment. The quali-quantitative phenolic profiles of the two local varieties were carried out with the aid of high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) method. The antioxidant potential and anti-cholinesterase action of the methanolic extracts, the simulated in vitro digested model and the enzyme-treated controls of the rice samples were determined using standard methods and data obtained were subjected to ANOVA; the differences of means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT).

The quali-quantitative assessment of phenolic compounds in the two studied local varieties revealed the presence of some phenolic acids and flavonoids, with a decreased level of most of the identified phenolic compounds after boiling. In vitro enzyme-digested rice for both raw and boiled rice samples showed significantly higher total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, 2, 2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS+) scavenging and NO− inhibitory activities than the aqueous-methanolic extracts and the enzyme-treated controls. The aqueous-methanolic extracts displayed a higher 1, 1 diphenyl-2-picrylhdrazyl radical scavenging activity and inhibited Fe2+-induced lipid oxidation in rat’s brain and liver homogenate than that displayed by the in vitro enzyme-digested samples. In vitro enzyme-digested and boiled “Gboko” and “Ofada” rice and raw “Ofada” rice have the potential of inhibiting acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity. While methanolic extracts of raw and boiled “Ofada” and “Gboko” rice exhibited the potential to inhibit butrylcholinesterase activity. The result of this paper indicates that the selected rice varieties possess antioxidant capacities which are better released after the simulated in vitro enzyme digestion; the result also showed the anti-cholinesterase potential of the studied rice grains and, therefore, they can be considered as nutraceutical health supplements.

The paper has demonstrated the antioxidant potentials of the phenolic-containing two Nigerian local rice varieties and established their anti-cholinesterase potential after simulated in vitro enzyme digestion.

This study aims to determine barriers to innovation and to develop a quantitative model for the barrier to innovation in Vietnamese construction organizations of different sizes.

A literature review and discussions with experienced practitioners were implemented to determine barriers to innovation in construction organizations. The rank-based non-parametric test analyzed collected data from a questionnaire survey to examine if there were significant differences between the three groups of organizations, including small, medium and large construction organizations. The fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) technique was employed to develop barrier indexes (BIs) for organizations of different sizes in Vietnam.

The findings showed 17 barriers to innovation which were categorized into four groups, including organizational, human resources, economic and market barriers. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences regarding barriers to innovation between small, medium and large construction organizations in Vietnam. The post hoc test highlighted barriers to innovation differently separated into two groups: SMEs and large construction organizations. The FSE analysis integrated the identified barriers into the comprehensive BIs for SMEs and large construction organizations. The FSE analysis illustrated that the organizational barrier is the most critical barrier for SMEs. On the other hand, the market barrier received the most significant attention in large construction organizations.

This research is one of the first integrated barriers to innovation into a comprehensive formulation. The indexes provide the decision-makers with a practical and reliable tool to evaluate barriers to innovation in construction organizations of different sizes.

This study aims to examine the determinants of Facebook adoption and its impact on the performance of service-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in northwestern Nigeria. The mediating effect of Facebook adoption between the determinants of Facebook adoption and the performance of the SMEs was examined.

A comprehensive framework was built using the technology – organisation–environment framework integrated with the resource-based view theory. Data were collected from 165 SME decision-makers using an online survey. The hypothesised relationships were tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Facebook adoption exerted a positive impact on the financial and non-financial performance of the SMEs. The important determinants of Facebook adoption were relative advantage, perceived risks, top management support, organisational readiness and government support. The mediating effect of Facebook adoption between these determinants and financial and non-financial performance was confirmed.

The findings contribute to better insight into the determinants of Facebook adoption and its impact on the financial and non-financial performance of SMEs. The findings can inspire and guide SMEs on adopting Facebook as a marketing strategy to improve performance and reduce failure rates.

The findings confirm the potential of adopting Facebook for enhancing the performance of SMEs. This is arguably among the first empirical studies to test the mediating effect of Facebook adoption.

This study aims to investigate the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of fried peanut cracker snacks coated with wheat (80%) and cassava (20%) composite flours.

The peanuts were sorted, boiled, drained, roasted, coated and fried at temperature of 150–180°C for 154.6–240 s. The fried peanut cracker-coated (FPCC) snacks produced were analyzed for proximate composition (moisture, crude fat, crude protein, crude fibre, total ash and carbohydrate contents), rancidity indices (peroxide value, free fatty acid and iodine value), physical properties, colour (lightness, redness and yellowness), texture (hardness, fracturability, adhesiveness and cohesiveness) and sensory qualities (taste, crispiness, colour, odour and overall acceptability).

There were significant differences in moisture (p = 0.000), crude fat (p = 0.001), crude protein (p = 0.000), crude fibre (p = 0.001), total ash (p = 0.00) and carbohydrate (p = 0.001). The range of values for moisture content, crude fat, crude protein, crude fibre, total ash and carbohydrate contents were 2.6%–4.9%, 27.1%–34.7%, 21.0%–26.3%, 3.1%–4.1%, 2.1%–2.5% and 33.9%–36.4%, respectively, while peroxide, free fatty acid and iodine values ranged from 1.2 to 2.0 mEq/kg, 32.8–47.0 mg KOH/g and 1.2–2.0 gI₂/100 g, respectively. The physical properties of the FPCCs showed decrease as the frying temperature and time increased. The values for lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) ranged from 26.5 to 52.2, 11.4 to 22.0 and 37.0 to 42.5, while the texture attributes such as hardness (p = 0.001), fracturability (p = 0.023), adhesiveness (p = 0.001) and cohesiveness (p = 0.011) were significantly different and it ranged from 28.7 to 53.4 N, 28.6 to 48.3 N, 1.0 to 2.4 N/s and 0.0–0.1, respectively. The sensory score for wheat–cassava composite flours used for coating the snacks decreased as the frying temperature and time increased. The study shows that 20% of cassava flour incorporated into the formulation of coated snacks does not affect its overall acceptability.

There are scanty information/published works on physicochemical and sensory characteristics of fried peanut cracker coated with wheat–cassava composite flour.

This research work helps in producing fried peanut cracker coated with composite wheat–cassava flours.

The study shows that 20% of cassava flour incorporated into the formulation of coated snacks does not affect its overall acceptability.

This paper aims to examine the impact of e-commerce on business strategy, especially on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia. It also investigates the relationship between e-commerce and business strategy and how the e-commerce niche changes SMEs’ strategic management approach. Additionally, this paper identifies the factors that moderate this relationship.

To evaluate and examines the impact of e-commerce on business strategy, the study used a quantitative method by conducting a questionnaire survey in Saudi Arabian SMEs.

The analysis of collected data confirms that e-commerce adoption has an impact on SMEs strategies. Many participants asserted that the introduction of e-commerce in Saudi market has changed their businesses’ plans and strategies. The findings identify the major factors that moderate and predict the relationship between e-commerce and business strategy.

This study contributes to the literature by discussing and examining the impact of e-commerce adoption on SMEs strategies in the context of Saudi Arabian SMEs. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between e-commerce and business strategies. The findings of this study can benefit SMEs’ owners, managers and employees to understand and acknowledge the impact of e-commerce on their plans and strategies. It also can assist policymakers and governments to develop suitable policies and initiatives.

Context characteristics of emerging economies differ significantly from those in developed economies. Considering this substantial difference, this study aims to identify the drivers and barriers for new product development (NPD) success in the context of an emerging economy by drawing on the resource-based view.

Data was collected from firms in different sectors in the Aegean Region of Turkey using the Wageningen Innovation Assessment Tool. Of 189 responses, 94 fit the criteria and used for statistical analysis. The data is analyzed using a two-step procedure, namely, a confirmatory factor analysis followed by a binary logistic regression that is used to model the probability in the study of the success of NPD.

The results reveal that along with the context characteristics of an emerging economy setting, internal capabilities matter for NPD success. Based on interviews with NPD managers, it was found that, among other factors, the close relationship with local customers is key for new product success, while introducing high innovative products to the market of an emerging economy may not be appropriate due to the specific conditions of such economies.

This study will be useful to the managers to understand the extent to which the degree of newness of a product affects NPD success in an emerging economy setting. It also highlights the importance of securing firm resources before starting an innovation activity in this setting where resources such as financial resources, knowledge and physical resources are limited. From a policy perspective, this study provides certain insights as well. That is, government officials in emerging economies should be very careful about their informal actions that might disrupt the investment and innovation environment.

Emerging economies are important for large firms seeking growth. They initiate manufacturing activities and increasingly perform innovation activities in those countries. However, the conditions to innovate are different from those in developed economies. Research into the factors that drive innovation is largely in an embryonic state. This study offers NPD researchers a deeper understanding of the drivers and barriers to innovation, particularly internal ones that may affect the NPD success in an emerging economy setting, in this case, that of Turkey. The results provide suggestions for policymakers to consider during the development of new innovation policies. For practitioners, this study outlines novel combinations of internal factors that lead to NPD success.

The main purpose of this study is to identify the determinants that inhibit the adoption or usage of digital payment systems (DPSs) in India.

This study used a qualitative technique, including in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis, incorporating both deductive categorisation and inductive coding to identify factors responsible for the non-adoption or discontinuation of DPS use.

The findings are in the form of themes and sub-themes that were generated from the data analysis: digital divide (DD), which includes the digital access divide, digital capability divide and digital innovativeness divide; socio-demographic divide (SD), which includes education, geographical location, gender, age and income; psychological barriers, which include a lack of perceived ease of use, vulnerability to risks, technophobia and a lack of trust; and other barriers, which include a lack of awareness, a cash-dominated society and a lack of interoperability.

The factors identified in this research can be further validated and tested in future studies using quantitative data. This will enable stakeholders to better comprehend the impacts of these factors on DPS adoption or usage.

The study’s practical implications are specifically relevant to the Union Territory (UT) administration of Ladakh, as there is a DD and an SD among different sections of the population of the UT of Ladakh. UT administrations must prioritise efforts to eliminate these divides. The implications for banks and DPS providers are that they should conduct financial literacy training about DPSs in remote rural areas and invest in developing user-friendly and simplified DPS user interfaces to improve relationships with DPS users and their long-term retention.

The findings of this study reveal the three levels of the DD that determine DPS adoption or usage, which have not been discussed together in the literature in the DPS context and that must be addressed to expand DPS adoption, thus providing a more holistic view of the DD in the context of DPS.

In recent years, there has been a rapid decline in the quality of working life (QWL) of Nigerian workers at all levels. This phenomenon is cryptic and knowledge thereof is inadequate due to a dearth of compelling research on QWL in Nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to a deeper understanding of QWL among Nigerian workers by investigating the impact of corruption and regional crises on QWL in this non-western context. The study also examines what QWL means to Nigerian employees.

The study employs qualitative data gleaned from semi-structured interviews.

The research reveals that corruption has a strongly negative effect on employees’ QWL, which in turn affects their motivation, attitude towards their job and the psychological contract between them and their employers. Furthermore, the findings revealed that regional crises (such as the heinous activities of the Boko Haram sect in the north–east, the continuing agitation of the secessionists (e.g. the Indigenous People of Biafra), in the south–east, and the tumultuous activities of the Niger Delta Avengers in the south–south) have combined to reduce employees’ QWL.

The extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the selected sample of the research (public sector employees).

These results and the practical implications thereof will be useful to the Nigerian Government, policymakers and organisations for creating and enhancing good QWL in Nigeria.

This study aims to investigate the impacts of procurement strategies on the growing proportion of construction small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and whether the size of the construction company moderates the effect.

This study adopted a quantitative research approach and a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in achieving its objectives. The survey requires the respondent to identify both the most successful and most outstanding project that the respondent was involved in between 2010 and 2016.

The study found that only traditional and management-oriented procurement strategies ensure the achievement of all growth plans for construction SMEs in South Africa; and that medium-sized construction enterprises achieve social growth such as community empowerment, managerial skills and advancement on the cidb Register of Contractors.

The findings of the study imply that policymakers should base their decisions regarding macroeconomic issues and growth plans for construction SMEs on the internal and external factors such as differences in the sizes of construction SMEs and differences in the suitability of procurement strategies affecting the growth of construction SMEs.

In past studies, the diversity amongst SMEs is often overlooked and SMEs are erroneously assumed to share similar objectives, possess equal capabilities and face challenges of the same magnitude. The original contribution of this study is shown in the investigation of the moderating effect of SMEs’ diversity (in terms of company size) on their growth proportion as influenced by procurement strategies.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the path of motivation leading to organizational commitment resulting in reduced turnover intentions (TIs). It examine the relationship between dimensions of motivation (amotivation, introjected regulations (IRs) and intrinsic motivation (IM)) with dimensions of commitment (affective, normative and continuance). Furthermore, it test the effect of these three dimensions of commitment on TIs.

A sample of 467 teachers working in public schools in Dhofar Governate in Sultanate of Oman was selected for the study. A path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized model.

The analysis unveils that teacher’s TIs can be reduced with a right mix of motivation and commitment. Furthermore, amotivation is only linked to affective commitment and this linkage is positive; IRs positively affect continuance and normative commitment (NC); and IM positively affects affective commitment and NC. Moreover, a significant negative effect of affective, normative and continuance commitment is found on TIs.

This research sheds light on how motivation can indirectly affect TI through commitment. This study is of immense importance as it focuses on the education sector in Oman especially in Dhofar Governate.