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As a business executive and philanthropist, Mary Kay Ash is legendary as a glass-ceiling breaker. With the belief that Mary Kay Ash is both modern and relevant, while simultaneously legendary, the overall purpose of this paper is to explore the role of Mary Kay Ash as an influential entrepreneur. This research responds to the call by Cogliser and Brigham (2004) for an increased understanding of how entrepreneurial leaders influence, challenge, inspire and develop followers.

Following on research by Hoppe (2013), this objective was accomplished via a pentadic analysis of Mary Kay Ash’s rhetoric aimed to influence the mental mindset of readers (followers) over the course of generations. Burke’s pentad was the sense-making tool used for examining Ash’s rhetoric of influence as an entrepreneurial leader. The data used in the pentadic analysis were also analyzed via Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) and IBM Watson Emotion Analysis to see where analyses might converge or diverge.

Based on the analysis of her written work, Mary Kay Ash resided at the intersection of leadership and entrepreneurship and, in so doing, was an influencer. Her primary rhetorical approach to influencing was idealism. Interwoven in her writings, she also exhibited both pragmatism and realism. She knew that she had to start the business to have the future she desired and that she needed to train her team appropriately for success to be forthcoming. The motivation in Mary Kay Ash’s rhetoric was that of influencing people so they would be the best that they could be.

Qualitative research brings with it an array of inevitable research problems. Pentadic analysis cannot be judged by the basic objective standards of reliability and validity because objective reality does not exist in personal interpretation. That is, one person as a critic cannot be impartial because the interpretation is only one personal way of viewing the data and another critic might view the same pentads and come up with different ratios. With this subjectivity in mind, however, the data used in the pentadic analysis were also analyzed via LIWC and IBM Watson Emotion Analysis to see where analyses might converge or diverge.

The findings from this research denote clearly that Mary Kay Ash was a forerunner of the modern day influencer. As a primogenitor of the influencer marketing phenomenon, Mary Kay Ash’s entrepreneurial legacy is expected to continue through generations of followers. This finding speaks to the importance of today’s entrepreneurs using the spoken and written word to influence others and create a lasting organizational legacy.

Countless scholars have used pentadic analysis, with a variety of artifacts, to examine the motives behind the rhetoric. However, rhetoric as a means of persuasion and influence has received little attention within the context of the written works by management gurus (Jones et al., 2009), and, aside from the exploration by Berglund and Wigren (2012), the narrative of entrepreneurial influence has not benefitted from close examination.

Cement can be replaced to reduce the energy consumption and the environmental impact of cement. Also, foamed concrete can be used structurally in residential buildings to reduce weight and improve thermal insulation. To achieve these two goals, this paper aims to investigate the effect of basalt powder as a partial replacement of either cement or sand.

This paper investigates the effect of basalt powder as a partial replacement of either cement or sand on the mechanical properties of foamed concrete used to cast slabs. First, mechanical properties of foamed concrete are tested with and without replacement of basalt. Then, six slabs of different thicknesses and mixes are investigated. The thicknesses considered are 150- and 200-mm slabs. The three mixes used to construct these slabs are foamed concrete with no basalt powder, foamed concrete with replacement of 20% of cement by basalt powder and foamed concrete with replacement of 20% of sand by basalt powder. The flexural behavior of these slabs is investigated.

All the slabs failed in the commonly intended flexural mode. The results show that the basalt powder acted as a strong filler material in the foamed concrete mix based on mechanical properties and flexural behavior. The proposed foamed concrete slabs can be used structurally in residential buildings.

A natural waste material that can be used to promote energy efficiency and reduce emission is basalt. In this paper, basalt powder is suggested to be used due to its chemical composition that is similar to cement. Also, basalt powder is low in cost as it is waste, while basalt aggregate is prepared, and it is only used as filler in paved roads. Accordingly, basalt is partially used instead of cement to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide that results from the cement manufacturing. Also, it is used as a partial alternative to sand which can be considered as a new stronger source as filling material used in the production of concrete.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the physical, ultraviolet (UV), colour appearance and colour fastness properties of selected fabrics dyed with natural dyes from Daboya and Ntonso communities of Ghana. The study further highlights the rich cultural heritage of traditional dyeing from these two communities. Craftsmen in West Africa especially Ghana, have sustained the traditional dyeing methods to produce textile products for consumers.

In this study, two sample fabrics were purchased from craftsmen at Ntonso and Daboya communities in Ghana. These fabrics were analysed at the laboratory under standard test methods for their physical, UV, colour appearance and colour fastness properties.

Results showed that all the sample fabrics have good UV shielding performance (ratings above 50+). Daboya sample fabrics (dyed with indigo dyes) produced more colour stains than the sample fabrics from Ntonso (dyed with black “kuntunkuni” dyes). The K/S_sum value or colour yield reduced after washing but that alternatively increased the calculated ultraviolet protection factor.

Findings from this study exposed the unique UV performance of dyed traditional fabrics (using natural dyes) from Ntonso and Daboya communities in Ghana. This inspires and enforces the need for craftsmen to improve their production cycle to produce these fabrics in different sizes which provides the necessary UV shielding abilities for consumers in the wake of climate changes.

This study demonstrated that the natural dyeing process at the two communities produced relatively good UV and colour fastness properties of the sample fabrics. These eco-friendly dyeing practices have survived over time to maintain and promote the concept of sustainability within the textile and fashion industry in Ghana.

This paper aims to examine the fire retardant property potentials of cow horn ash particles (CHAp) bio-additive and aluminium trihydrate (AH), a traditional inorganic fire-retardant additive, respectively, in banana peduncle fibre (BPF) reinforced polyester composites. An attempt was made to comparatively analyse the fire retardant capacity potentials of CHAp, a bio-material waste that is readily available, at no cost, as a potential fire retardant material for composites manufacture with a conventional inorganic fire retardant additive (AH).

The fibre used in this research was derived from the banana peduncle. The matrix is unsaturated polyester. A scanning electron microscope was used to analyze the particle size of the carbonized CHAp. The composites were compounded using 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% of CHAp and AH, respectively. A cone calorimeter instrument was used in the analysis to obtain combustion information of CHAp and AH formulated polyester-BPF composites. Test samples were cut to the dimensions of 100 × 100 mm. All materials are conditioned at 23 ± 30 °C and the relative humidity of 50 ± 5% for 24 h before testing. The samples were wrapped with aluminium foil around the back and edges before placing the samples on the holder and then into the cone calorimeter. The samples were backed with a non-combustible insulating refractory material (brick). The samples were orientated horizontally and exposed to irradiances of 50 kW/m² at a temperature of approximately 6000 °C. The samples were pilot ignited and ran in triplicate; the average readings of the three runs were taken.

The results obtained from the analysis depicted similar fire retardant properties for formulations with CHAp and AH, respectively. Composites formulated with CHAp exhibited delayed ignition time of 25%, increased end of burning time of 14.24% and reduced total heat release rate of 9.07% for the developed composites. The developed BPF/CHAp/polyester composites yield composites with fire retardancy, which would find relevance in the engineering material industry.

CHAp, therefore, would suffice as an alternative to the inorganic, expensive and non-environmental friendly, conventional fire retardant additives used in composites manufacture.

This study has assessed the thermal performance of locally fabricated bio-based building envelopes made of coconut and corn husk composite bricks to reduce building wall heat transmission load and energy consumption towards green building adaptation.

Samples of coconut fiber (coir) and corn husk fiber bricks were fabricated and tested for their thermophysical properties using the Transient Plane Source (TPS) 2500s instrument. A simulation was conducted using Dynamic Energy Response of Building - Lunds Tekniska Hogskola (DEROB-LTH) to determine indoor temperature variation over 24 h. The time lag and decrement factor, two important parameters in evaluating building envelopes, were also determined.

The time lag of the bio-based composite building envelope was found to be in the range of 4.2–4.6 h for 100 mm thickness block and 10.64–11.5 h for 200 mm thickness block. The decrement factor was also determined to be in the range of 0.87–0.88. The bio-based composite building envelopes were able to maintain the indoor temperature of the model from 25.4 to 27.4 °C, providing a closely stable indoor thermal comfort despite varying outdoor temperatures. The temperature variation in 24 h, was very stable for about 8 h before a degree increment, providing a comfortable indoor temperature for occupants and the need not to rely on air conditions and other mechanical forms of cooling. Potential energy savings also peaked at 529.14 kWh per year.

The findings of this study present opportunities to building developers and engineers in terms of selecting vernacular materials for building envelopes towards green building adaptation, energy savings, reduced construction costs and job creation.

This study presents for the first time, time lag and decrement factor for bio-based composite building envelopes for green building adaptation in hot climates, as found in Ghana.

This study aims to examine the market structure and the factors influencing the price of fuelwood in the Dormaa Municipal in the Bono region of Ghana.

A total of 200 fuelwood harvesters, 20 wholesalers and 20 retailers were sampled by using probability and non-probability sampling methods. Gini coefficient was used to analyse the market structure, whereas quantile regression was used to analyse the factors influencing the pricing of fuelwood.

The study results indicated that the fuelwood harvesters’ market is less concentrated, with a Gini coefficient of 0.22, likewise the fuelwood intermediaries’ market, with Gini coefficients of 0.22 and 0.32 for wholesalers and retailers, respectively. The price of fuelwood decreased when sold through the retailer and wholesaler outlets, but the price increased when sold via the end-user outlet. Less smoky fuelwood species attracted higher prices, whereas easy-to-light fuelwood species were sold at lower prices. Furthermore, fuelwood from Perpewa (Celtis zenkeri) and Acacia (Senna siamea) species received the highest prices in the market. It is recommended that fuelwood harvesters establish woodlots with acacia (Senna siamea), especially and Perpewa (Celtis zenkeri), both of which emit less smoke and have high calorific value with fast rotation period. This will ensure fuelwood availability and offer better prices to the harvesters, as such species command high prices in the market.

There is paucity or near unavailability of literature on the market structure and the influence of the hedonic attributes on different quartile prices of fuelwood; the result of this study provides the foundational springboard for future studies on fuelwood marketing.

When an individual leaves evidence to suggest that they are dead to mislead others, they are committing “pseudocide.” This study aims to examine pseudocides performed for the purpose of committing or concealing a financial crime.

This manuscript summarizes information from both academic and nonacademic publications. To provide evidence related to the conclusions made by prior authors and identify the risk factors that are often indicative of pseudocide, this manuscript examines the characteristics of pseudocides that received media coverage.

Pseudocides that receive media coverage often involve a prominent figure or a compelling story. These stories are not representative of the average pseudocide, which receives no publicity because it occurs in a less developed nation and is committed by a nonpublic figure. Common characteristics include the absence of a corpse and paperwork procured through bribery.

One of the only academic papers focused on pseudocide, this manuscript provides readers with information related to the scope of the issue, common methodologies and factors indicative of pseudocide. This should be of interest to several parties including forensic accountants, insurers, regulators and academics.