The Impact of E-Service Quality on Institutional Excellence Within abu Dhabi Municipality in UAE

Purpose: The study aims to empirically examine the influence of different organisational practices on institutional excellence in municipality of Abu Dhabi. E-service quality is examined as mediator and quality of polices is examined as a moderator.   Theoretical Framework: Activity theory support the assumption that the excellence is a result of the integrated system that encompass the people through their activities and interaction. The proposed conceptual framework includes three dependent variables; employee motivation, internal knowledge sharing, and collaborative e-culture. The three variables hypothesised to influence E-service quality as a mediator and institutional excellence as the dependent variable. Besides, quality of polices is hypothesized to moderate the relationship between the mediator and the dependent variable.   Design/Methodology/Approach: The quantitative research methodology was considered from the positivist philosophical perspective. With the help of the survey questionnaire, data was collected from 335 employees in Abu Dhabi municipality who represent the population of 2500. The data analysis used the PLS-SEM techniques by using the software package SmartPLS ver. 3.0,   Findings: The results show that employee motivation, internal knowledge sharing, and collaborative culture are significant antecedents of e-service quality even though e-service quality fails to significantly predict institutional excellence. Also, company quality policy enforcement does not moderate the effect of e-service quality on excellence.   Research Practical and Social Implications: The results are useful for the decision makers in Abu Dhabi municipal and other organisations in the UAE because it shows that the proposed practices have essential impact on the organisational excellence.   Originality/Value: The study is the first study to be conducted in Abu Dhabi municipality. Besides, the examination of E-services quality as a mediator towards institutional excellence is unique add on to the academic knowledge

Synthesis and characterisation of hydroxyapatite from Fringescale sardinella for biomedical applications

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) from fish by-product exhibits good biocompatibility and bioactivity on implants. The aim of the study is to investigate the elemental composition, crystalline phases, and functional groups of HAp synthesised from fringescale sardinella fish bones by heat decomposition method at temperature of 600, 900, and 1200 °C. The synthesised powders were characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). After calcination of the raw fish bone to 600, 900, and 1200 °C, the FTIR data showed the existence of phosphate and hydroxyl peaks in the calcined fish bones. At 900 and 1200°C, the XRD data observed shows well-defined peaks of HAp pattern. The elemental composition evaluated by EDS provides information on the calcium to phosphate formation into apatite with a Ca/P ratio of 2.80, 0.98, 1.64 and 1.79 atomic % for raw fish bones and calcined samples, respectively. It can be concluded that the fringescale sardinella fish bones show promising findings particularly on the synthesisation of HAp for biomedical application

Synthesis and characterisation of hydroxyapatite from Fringescale sardinella for biomedical applications

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) from fish by-product exhibits good biocompatibility and bioactivity on implants. The aim of the study is to investigate the elemental composition, crystalline phases, and functional groups of HAp synthesised from fringescale sardinella fish bones by heat decomposition method at temperature of 600, 900, and 1200 °C. The synthesised powders were characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). After calcination of the raw fish bone to 600, 900, and 1200 °C, the FTIR data showed the existence of phosphate and hydroxyl peaks in the calcined fish bones. At 900 and 1200°C, the XRD data observed shows well-defined peaks of HAp pattern. The elemental composition evaluated by EDS provides information on the calcium to phosphate formation into apatite with a Ca/P ratio of 2.80, 0.98, 1.64 and 1.79 atomic % for raw fish bones and calcined samples, respectively. It can be concluded that the fringescale sardinella fish bones show promising findings particularly on the synthesisation of HAp for biomedical application

Perspectives of Malaysian academics on the preparation of fourth industrial revolution for Construction Technology Program

The purpose of this study is to examine the perspective of Construction Technology academics from Malaysia vocational colleges on implementing the aspects of the industrial revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0). It was achieved by determining the degree of leadership support for vocational colleges, implementation of IR 4.0 components by academics, readiness for both generic and IR 4.0-related technical skills. This study was conducted using a survey method (cross-sectional study) where data collection and research findings were done only once during this study was conducted by applying the questionnaire method. The sample was chosen from among 408 academics from 42 vocational schools in Malaysia using Fisher's Formula. By choosing to work with a 95% confidence level, a standard deviation of 0.5, and a confidence interval (margin of error) of ± 5%, this study requires 198 samples for a better data findings and analysis. From 198 instruments distributed, only 45 instruments managed to be collected and analyzed due to limitation during global pandemic. The findings of this study were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20 by taking the mean value of each variable studied. The results of the study showed that the average mean score for each of the overall objectives of the study was at a high level which is between the mean ranges of 3.98 - 4.38. This shows that the level of implementation and readiness from the perspectives of vocational college academics in Malaysia in the field of Construction Technology is at a high level

Exploratory The Transitional Impact From Lean Production To Open Source

Lean production and open source innovation are the two forces that drive business success today. However, some aspects of lean production may adversely affect a company’s capability to be successful with open source innovations. This study aims to examine open source adoption in the government and private sectors, and to identify the factors and challenges involved in its adoption. Lean production and open source innovation are related because their application can be integrated, considering the similarity in their operational purposes such as cost reduction and expediting processes. With good communication levels, lean production and open source innovation can achieve and encourage innovation capabilities (continuous improvement) in the organization. Although more than 50% of the respondents agreed that open source provides several benefits to their organization, they do not deny the challenges that come with service adoption. Finally, this study discusses the transitional effect of open source innovation

Circular economy ownership models : a view from South Africa industry

Abstract: The world is neither globally successful in remanufacturing and re-use of products nor recycling of waste materials. This requires a combination of circular economy management systems, business models and novel technologies. There are contrasting views in literature regarding models for a circular economy. The main views are built on extended producer responsibility and on the role of end users. This paper is based on a study of the South African industry’s view of circular economy models, drivers and sustainers, with particular focus on composite waste. Cost reduction was found to be the strongest driver and sustainer for recycling of composites. Thus, maximizing opportunities to reduce cost is a key factor in encouraging South African companies to embrace the circular economy. This is important in developing appropriate national models for managing the transition to a circular economy

Manufacturing Performance in Green Supply Chain Management

The purpose of the study is to examine the influence of manufacturing performance on green supply chain management amongst companies in Malaysia. A conceptual model is proposed and is subjected to an empirical verification with the use of a survey of manufacturing companies in Malaysia. The AMOS structural equation modelling was used to measure the respondents’ overall perceptions of the green supply chain management and current manufacturing performance. The result indicates that improving manufacturing performance leads to an integrated green supply chain, which ultimately leads to an enhancement of environmental compliance as well as an optimisation of the operational resources and product recycling activities. However, most practices have a very weak correlation with overall manufacturing system performance. This paper presents the first empirical investigation of the link between manufacturing performance and green supply chain management practices amongst organisations in Malaysia, using structural equation modelling which is able to help industrialist to enhance improvement in productivity. Future research should include different industrial sectors or countries, to enable comparative studies. A larger sample would also allow a detailed cross-sector comparison

Management of Extremity Venous Thrombosis in Neonates and Infants: An Experience From a Resource Challenged Setting

We aimed to evaluate the outcome of different treatment modalities for extremity venous thrombosis (VT) in neonates and infants, highlighting the current debate on their best tool of management. This retrospective study took place over a 9-year period from January 2009 to December 2017. All treated patients were referred to the vascular and pediatric surgery departments from the neonatal intensive care unit. All patients underwent a thorough history-taking as well as general clinical and local examination of the affected limb. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group I included those who underwent a conservative treated with the sole administration of unfractionated heparin (UFH), whereas group II included those who were treated with UFH plus warfarin. Sixty-three patients were included in this study. They were 36 males and 27 females. Their age ranged from 3 to 302 days. Forty-one (65%) patients had VT in the upper limb, whereas the remaining 22 (35%) had lower extremity VT. The success rate of the nonsurgical treatment was accomplished in 81% of patients. The remaining 19% underwent limb severing, due to established gangrene. The Kaplan-Meier survival method revealed a highly significant increase in both mean and median survival times in those groups treated with heparin and warfarin compared to heparin-only group (P < .001). Nonoperative treatment with anticoagulation or observation (ie, wait-and-see policy) alone may be an easily applicable, effective, and a safe modality for management of VT in neonates and infants, especially in developing countries with poor or highly challenged resource settings

What should be recycled: An integrated model for product recycling desirability

This research was focused on developing a new scientific approach for prioritising recycling of end-of-life products in a circular economy. To date, product complexity based on the mixture of materials has been used as a predictor of what gets recycled. While the separation of materials that make up a product has been modelled as a measure of product complexity, this does not taken into account the benefits and considerations in recycling products. In this paper, a new agenda and approach to prioritise the recycling of products was developed based on a recycling desirability index. The material mixing complexity measure was inverted into a simplicity index and then extended by modelling the security index for the mix of materials and the technological readiness level of recycling technologies. The extended model is proposed as an integrated measure of the desirability of recycling end-of-life products. From this analysis, an apparent recycling desirability boundary, enabling products to be prioritised for recycling, was developed. This model and analysis can be used as an information source in developing policies and product recycling priorities

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely