Estimating Economic Growth through Cobb-Douglas Production Function, Statistical, and Goal Programming Models

Several studies have linked economic growth to renewable energy sources utilization. The Cobb-Douglas production function model is widely applied to estimate the contribution of economic variables to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for countries. The aim of this research is to utilize Goal Programming and Regression models in estimating the contribution of some independent variables in explaining the growth of GDP for countries. The two models were applied to Egypt and Morocco. The results of this study show that both models are quite similar; however, the Goal Programming model provides more flexibility in allowing the Policy-Makers to integrate explicitly their preferences and incorporating additional constraints related to the decision-making context

The political economy of the oil industry in the Mena region: The case of Anglo Iranian Oil Company (AIOC)

This study explores the intricate relationship between politics, economy, and social communication within the oil sector in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with a specific focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It scrutinizes how the Anglo Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) handled the complexities of staff-related disclosures in their operations. Through the lens of political economy theory, the investigation unpacks the strategies AIOC employed to sustain societal approval and present their operations in a positive manner. Furthermore, the study probes into political-influenced narrative disclosures from AIOC\u27s chairman and various political diplomats. It analyses the potential usage of these disclosures as a strategic tool to safeguard and augment AIOC\u27s political and economic dominance, particularly in relation to their competitive standing in Iran. Utilizing a theoretical framework rooted in political economy theory, it highlights disclosure patterns aligning with AIOC\u27s policy and strategy to sustain shareholder trust. The research aims to cast light on employee-related press disclosures and the AIOC chairman’s statement. It seeks to discern whether these disclosures provide fact-based data that align with the critical realism viewpoint, or if they are components of a strategic "game" designed to preserve shareholder confidence

An exploratory study of teachers’ beliefs and practices regarding the class opening by teachers of Arabic to speakers of other languages (TASOL)

This study examined the beliefs of teachers of Arabic to speakers of other languages (TASOL) about class openings and the interplay between such beliefs and teacher’s in-class practices regarding class opening as the first introductory part of a lesson. A questionnaire of three parts was given to two groups of TASOL: the first group comprised 63 randomly selected teachers, to provide their beliefs in general about class opening. Observations and interviews were administered to the second group of teachers (30 observations and 10 interviews were conducted) to highlight the mentioned interplay. The investigated beliefs were inspired by similar studies and TBQ (Teacher Belief Questionnaire). The observation process involved using observation notes and an observation checklist by the researcher. Overall, the results of this study indicate that class opening beliefs of most participants suggest a realization of the importance of this part of the lesson. However, it also highlights that most teachers give priority to cognitive practices at the expense of affective ones recommended by the field. The study also sheds light on the convergence between teacher beliefs and practices as well the level of divergence, calling into question the widely held assumption that the latter is driven by the former. Index Terms—teachers’ beliefs, lesson planning, class opening practice, contextual factors

The obsolescing bargain model and oil: the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company 1933–1951

We employ archival evidence to investigate events culminating in the nationalisation of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) in 1951, which followed disagreements over profit allocations arising from a previously negotiated concession. The case study expands the traditional obsolescing bargain model (OBM) by accommodating the use and impact of accounting information in negotiation contexts. The analysis reveals that managerial control and the deployment of accounting information by the AIOC temporarily strengthened its bargaining power vis a vis the Iranian government leading up to the nationalisation crisis, demonstrating the potential importance of these new dimensions in wider contexts

Wireless Sensor Technology Selection for I4.0 Manufacturing Systems

The term smart manufacturing has surfaced as an industrial revolution in Germany known as Industry 4.0 (I4.0); this revolution aims to help the manufacturers adapt to turbulent market trends. Its main scope is implementing machine communication, both vertically and horizontally across the manufacturing hierarchy through Internet of things (IoT), technologies and servitization concepts. The main objective of this research is to help manufacturers manage the high levels of variety and the extreme turbulence of market trends through developing a selection tool that utilizes Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) techniques to recommend a suitable industrial wireless sensor network (IWSN) technology that fits their manufacturing requirements.In this thesis, IWSN technologies and their properties were identified, analyzed and compared to identify their potential suitability for different industrial manufacturing system application areas. The study included the identification and analysis of different industrial system types, their application areas, scenarios and respective communication requirements. The developed tool’s sensitivity is also tested to recommend different IWSN technology options with changing influential factors. Also, a prioritizing protocol is introduced in the case where more than one IWSN technology options are recommended by the AHP tool.A real industrial case study with the collaboration of SPM Automation Inc. is presented, where the industrial systems’ class, communication traffic types, and communication requirements were analyzed to recommend a suitable IWSN technology that fits their requirements and assists their shift towards I4.0 through utilizing AHP techniques. The results of this research will serve as a step forward, in the transformation process of manufacturing towards a more digitalized and better connected cyber-physical systems; thus, enhancing manufacturing attributes such as flexibility, reconfigurability, scalability and easing the shift towards implementing I4.0

The diffusion of edublogs among educators in Egypt

This study gives some insight with regards to the diffusion of educational blogs among educators working in Egypt. Through the literature review the researcher establishes the importance of edublogs and gives examples of their use around the world, then goes on to answer questions about the reasons behind why edublogs are not being used by educators in Egypt. The research compares edublog adopters and nonusers by tackling three issues in the diffusion process. For the adopters, the study inquires about how they found out about the edublogs to see if it was traditional word of mouth as the diffusion of innovations theory suggests, and who told them about this innovation. The research also examines the hindrances keeping educators from using edublogs. And finally, the research labels the Egyptian educators in relevance to adopter categories

Understanding risk disclosures as a function of social organisation: a neo-Durkheimian institutional theory-based study of Burmah Oil Company 1971-1976

The paper draws on neo-Durkheimian institutional theory to identify patterns of social relations within the Burmah Oil Company Limited (BOC) in the period 1971-1976 and to assess whether the risk perceptions and the approached to risk management are discussed within the risk disclosures for the BOC annual reports are consistent with the patterns of social relations. Using archival sources the dominant pattern of social relations in the period 1971-1973 is identified as hierarchical and in the period 1974-1976 as isolate; the change in the pattern of social relations resulting from the BOC tanker fleet crisis in 1974. Significantly, the annual report risk disclosure are found to be consistent with the dominant patterns of social relations. Much prior risk disclosure research has focused on examining the principal patterns of risk disclosures and firm characteristics. This study suggests neo-Durkheimian institutional theory may offer a causally-based explanation for annual report risk disclosures

Development of high performance microwaves, millimetres and terahertz antennas based on negative/gradient refractive index, and anisotropic metatronics

In this thesis, Metatronics have been applied to develop high performance antennas. This thesis added five new achievements to the scientific world. Firstly, a volumetric Negative Refractive Index (NRI) medium composed of Split Ring Resonators and Thin Wires (SRRs/TWs) is designed and incorporated with patch antenna operating at 10 GHz and 300 GHz. The gain is improved by 1.5dB. Secondly, a double sided NRI composed of Circular Split Ring Resonators and Thin Wires (CSRRs/TWs) employing a lens is proposed and characterized. The measured gain is improved from 6.5dB to 11.4dB. Thirdly, a new slotted waveguide antenna incorporated with Electrically Split Ring Resonator (ESRR) Metasurface (MTS) exhibiting NRI is proposed. The measured gain of the 10 GHz proposed antenna is improved from 6.7 dB to 10.5 dB. Furthermore, an anisotropic Low Epsilon Medium (LEM) ESRR-MTS is designed to focus the E-plane beam of the slotted antenna. The measured gain is improved by 4dB. Fourthly, high fabrication tolerance non-resonance and resonance GRIN MTS are proposed and characterized up to THz. The gain is improved from 6.7 to 11.3dB for 10 and 60 GHz antennas. Finally, a semi-analytical model based on transfer function is proposed to model THz Photoconductive antenna (PCA) excited by a femtosecond pulsed laser beam