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A major drawback of current copper thick‐film technology is the inefficient removal of the organic binder associated with the dielectric material in the low‐oxygen inert gas (N2) atmosphere of the furnace. In processing large area and/or multilayer substrates, the incomplete binder removal causes deleterious effects which have been well documented. Therefore, it is necessary to remove hydrocarbons and residual carbon from the films in the burn‐out section of the furnace before the films begin developing their characteristic microstructures. However, the atmosphere currently employed is not capable of removing all the carbon and hydrogen in the form of gaseous oxides. In literature, in addition to furnace modifications, several atmosphere modifications and manipulations have been proposed to achieve optimum properties for the fired films. With few exceptions, the scientific basis for such atmosphere modifications and manipulations has been left either unaddressed or obscure. With this background, this paper examines the feasibility of using a reactive gas mixture in the furnace to achieve efficient organic binder removal. Phase stability diagrams are presented to illustrate the stability of (i) carbon, (ii) thick film copper ingredients, (iii) active phases of resistors, and (iv) components of glassy and crystalline phases of dielectrics in selected reactive atmospheres. The stability of certain furnace belt constituents is also addressed. Mass balance calculations are shown to demonstrate the extent of carbon removal and copper oxidation in typical nitrogen atmospheres. Based on the interpretation of thermodynamic data and reaction mechanisms involved, a specific H2‐H2O mixture with nitrogen as the carrier gas is recommended. The approach presented here constitutes a general analytical scheme to understand materials‐atmosphere interactions occurring across a temperature range. Several issues in furnace design are also discussed from the standpoint of gas‐solid reaction kinetics. These deal with the design of gas‐flow systems that facilitate removal of organic binders.

Cationic resin is widely used in decolouring of textile wastewaters. Tonnes of resin are used in sector, and disposal of resin is being a second waste problem. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the adsorption behaviour of the methylene blue cationic dye from aqueous solution on the cation exchanger Lewatit CNP80 to understand the regenerability of cation exchanger resin from textile wastewaters.

Cationic resin was used as an alternative low-cost adsorbent for removing methylene blue dye from textile wastewaters. The adsorption study was carried out in the batch mode. Batch adsorption studies were carried out to examine the effect of parameters such as methylene blue concentration, temperature, pH, resin dose, shaking speed and contact time.

It was observed that dye-removal capacity of resin was reached from 17 mgg⁻¹ to 19.4 mgg⁻¹ at 25 °C temperature, pH 5 in 15 min. At the appropriate range of parameters, it was observed that more than 98% removal efficiency was achieved for methylene blue dye, and also, this study was focussed on whether the resin regenerates. In regeneration studies, our purpose was to recover of non-regenerable exhausted cationic resin by NaOCl. Regeneration of Lewatit CNP80 was performed in five cycles. After regeneration, the authors tried to determine whether the adsorption capacity was affected by regeneration.

In this study, the authors focussed on regeneration studies. The aim is to find easy, low-cost regeneration agent. In conclusion, the authors found that NaOCl is eligible for regeneration studies. The exhausted resin was recovered by NaOCl, and the authors also tested 5th regeneration cycles. Sodium hypochlorite is not a common regeneration agent for adsorption studies. Generally, resin is regenerated by HCl or other regeneration agent products. As a result of that, operational cost was reduced, and the other thing that the authors want to emphasise is textile industry wastewater based high temperature; therefore, this regeneration study can easily work with textile industries.

This study/ paper aims to empirically examine the user attitude on perceived security of enterprise systems (ES) mobility. Organizations are adopting mobile technologies for various business applications including ES to increase the flexibility and to gain sustainable competitive advantage. At the same time, end-users are exposed to security issues when using mobile technologies. The ES have seen breaches and malicious intrusions thereby more sophisticated recreational and commercial cybercrimes have been witnessed. ES have seen data breaches and malicious intrusions leading to more sophisticated cybercrimes. Considering the significance of security in ES mobility, the research questions in this study are: What are the security issues of ES mobility? What are the influences of users’ attitude towards those security issues? What is the impact of users’ attitude towards security issues on perceived security of ES mobility?

These questions are addressed by empirically testing a security model of mobile ES by collecting data from users of ES mobile systems. Hypotheses were evolved and tested by data collected through a survey questionnaire. The questionnaire survey was administered to 331 users from Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The data was statistically analysed by tools such as correlation, factor analysis, regression and the study built a structural equation model (SEM) to examine the interactions between the variables.

The study results have identified the following security issues: users’ attitude towards mobile device security issues; users’ attitude towards wireless network security issues; users’ attitude towards cloud computing security issues; users’ attitude towards application-level security issues; users’ attitude towards data (access) level security issues; and users’ attitude towards enterprise-level security issues.

The study results are based on a sample of users from Chinese SMEs. The findings may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to examine the model in a different context. The issues requiring further investigation are the role of gender and type of device on perceived security of ES mobile systems.

The results show that the key security issues are related to a mobile device, wireless network, cloud computing, applications, data and enterprise. By understanding these issues and the best practices, organizations can maintain a high level of security of their mobile ES.

Apart from understanding the best practices and the key issues, the authors suggest management and end-users to work collaboratively to achieve a high level of security of the mobile ES.

This is an empirical study conducted from the users’ perspective for validating the set of research hypotheses related to key security issues on the perceived security of mobile ES.

The automotive industry appears to overcome much of its obstacles, despite the constant struggle facing COVID-19. The pandemic has resulted in significant improvements in the habits and conduct of consumers. There is an increased preference for personal mobility. In this dynamic environment with unexpected changes and high market rivalry, automotive supply chains focus more on executing responsive strategies with minimum costs. This paper aims to identify and model the drivers to the responsiveness of automotive supply chain.

Seventeen drivers for supply chain responsiveness have been identified from the extensive literature, expert interview. An integrated methodology of fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory–interpretive structural modelling (DEMATEL–ISM) is developed to establish the interrelationship between the drivers. The cause–effect relationship between the drivers was obtained through fuzzy DEMATEL technique, and a hierarchical structure of the drivers was developed using the ISM technique.

The result of the integrated methodology revealed that strategic decision-making of management, accurate forecasting of demand, advanced manufacturing system in the organisation and data integration tools are the critical drivers.

This study has conceptual and analytical limitations. In this study, a limited number of drivers are examined for supply chain responsiveness. Further research may examine the role of other key performance indicators in the broad field of responsiveness in the automotive supply chain or other industry sectors. Future study can uncover the interrelationships and relative relevance of indicators using advanced multi-criteria decision-making methodologies.

The authors proposed an integrated methodology that will be benefitted to the supply chain practitioners and automotive manufacturers to develop management strategies to improve responsiveness. This study further helps to compare the responsiveness of the supply chain between various automotive manufacturers.

The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a matched sample comparison group study of elements of organizational culture that enable knowledge processes to drive superior firm performance.

A matched sample comparison group approach was used to compare firm performance among matched pairs of public companies. Companies demonstrating high levels of trust (benchmark group) were matched with firms of similar size in the same industries demonstrating lower levels of trust (control group).

The benchmark group generated significantly superior value, operating performance, and had higher average annual growth rates than matching firms in the control group. Firms with higher relative levels of trust embedded in the organizational culture are more likely to outperform similar firms with lower levels of trust.

The findings are based on surveys and financial performance of companies with securities traded on stock exchanges in the USA and may not represent other organizational forms, other geographic, economic, or cultural environments.

This study begins to identify a link between knowledge management, organizational learning, and knowledge creation (collectively knowledge processes) with firm performance.

Identifying elements of organizational culture that link knowledge processes with firm performance is essential to developing a leadership model that reinforces enabling cultural attributes.

Many researchers have identified a lack of empirical research linking knowledge processes with firm performance. This study begins to fill the research gap with evidence that elements of organizational culture, specifically trust, enable firms to convert knowledge and learning initiatives into tangible performance recognized by financial markets.

Fluted pumpkin seed shell, an abundant and inexpensive natural resource in Nigeria, was used as a precursor to adsorbent production for the removal of suspended and dissolved particle (SDP) from initially coagulated coal washery effluent (CWE). Key parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dose, pH and temperature were investigated using batch mode. The adsorption equilibrium, thermodynamics and kinetics of SDP on H₃PO₄ treated shell (FPA) and NH₄Cl treated shell (FPS) were examined at specified temperatures. Equilibrium data sufficiently fit the Langmuir isotherm model (R² > 0.99; SSE < 0.09). The pseudo-second order kinetic model provides the best correlation (R²>0.99;SSE<0.1) with the experimental data. The evaluated ΔG○ and ΔH○ indicate the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the process. This study demonstrates that pumpkin seed shell could be utilized as low cost, renewable, ecofriendly bioadsorbent for the removal of SDP from CWE.

The purpose of this study is to develop a new protective coating formulation for industrial use, using benzodiazepine derivatives as double function additives.

Benzodiazepine’s derivatives of types (3–5) were prepared and confirmed by infrared, Mass, ¹H-Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ¹³C NMR spectra. The synthesized compound was physically incorporated in the alkyd paint formulation by pebble mill grinding until all particulates are smaller than 20 ums. The prepared coatings were applied by air spray on steel panels. The physical, mechanical characteristics, corrosion resistance and antimicrobial test of the prepared coatings were studied to evaluate the prepared compounds drawbacks.

The results of the mechanical and physical properties of the paint formulation revealed that the paint formulation incorporating benzodiazepines derivatives 3–5 performed best and improved corrosion-resistance and antibacterial activity tests.

In alkyd paint, heterocyclic compounds are the most used antibacterial additives. Other functionalities of these compounds, such as corrosion inhibitors, might be studied to see if they are suited for these applications.

Because of the activity of various benzodiazepine derivatives, which may be attributable to the presence of some function groups such as sulfonamide aromatic amino NH₂ group, and elements such as Sulphur, Nitrogen, Chlorine, in its chemical structure. As a result, paint compositions including these compounds as additives can be used as dual-purpose paint and for a variety of industrial applications.

The research demonstrates how a low-cost paint composition based on synthesized benzodiazepine derivatives 3–5 may be used as a dual-function paint for industrial use.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of one personal variable (locus of control) and two relationship variables (leader-member exchange and co-worker cooperation) on perceptions of organizational politics in Lebanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Survey data was collected from 300 Lebanese employees from different SMEs located between Tripoli and Beirut.

Results of regression analysis indicated that all the three variables were significant predictors of perceptions of politics, and that perceptions of politics affected employee outcomes. More specifically, higher levels of politics are associated with higher turnover intention and lower job satisfaction.

Results of this study raise several implications for companies and employers. Perceptions of politics were found to have a negative impact on employee attitudinal and behavioral outcomes. Therefore, employers must examine the factors that affect employee perceptions of politics in the workplace. Since leader-member exchange and co-worker cooperation were found to predict politics, management's efforts should focalize on improving the relationships between employees and their supervisor as well as their relationships with each other. Management should develop strategies to create an atmosphere of cooperation and support in the organization.

There is paucity of studies on organizational politics in Arabic cultures. This study extends the organizational politics literature by investigating antecedents and outcomes of politics in Lebanon, a country that differs in its culture from US and European contexts.

The study aims to present the hybrid approach of multiple MCDM techniques with strategic perspective to assist the vendor ranking process.

Multiple MCDM techniques such as fuzzy QFD, mathematical modelling and ANP (analytical network process) are integrated in the model for vendor ranking. Multiple phases in vendor ranking such as pre‐qualification and final selection are dealt with using the above techniques.

Compared to individual approaches, the proposed hybrid model effectively assists the vendor ranking process. The efficacy of the proposed approach is evident from the case study of an automotive components manufacturer involving 20 vendors comprising pre‐qualification by fuzzy QFD and final selection by ANP. This set of potential vendors is evaluated based on three main criteria and eight sub criteria.

Fuzzy QFD is employed for qualifying supplier to form a supplier pool, as it is helpful in converting qualitative information into quantitative parameters. This data is then combined with other quantitative data to form a mathematical model. The mathematical model is solved by the method of integer programming, using TORA. ANP with BOCR (benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks) is proposed for evaluating and selecting appropriate supplier. ANP model is solved using Super Decision package.

Knowledge of critical materials and process parameters necessary to fabricate quality copper thick film multilayer and hybrid circuits is being amassed and distributed throughout the industry via technical reports and presentations. Generally the information being provided in a single report deals with specific segments of the industry or only one or two specific nitrogen fireable materials. In order for hybrid manufacturers to commit themselves to the technology they need to know that sufficient flexibility exists to permit design of complex circuits and accommodate circuit design changes without imposing changes in basic process guidelines and controls. The OEM's concern, which is valid, has been that the investment required for capital equipment and establishing new processes must be fully supported by and provide reasonable return from the technology being initiated. This paper introduces new information on wire bonding in copper thick film circuits and some improvements in nitrogen fireable resistor characteristics and processing. Materials are available to produce a broad range of circuits without varying basic process parameters, and adding wirebonding as an interconnect capability further expands the circuit complexity and density achievable with copper thick films.