Benefits in environment-related measures for company due to EMS implementation

In the urban development, Environmental Management System (EMS) is known as a standardization of working system that thoroughly considered environmental improvement by the management of environmental data and information in the company. In line with that, this chapter is aimed to discuss the benefits of ISO 14001 between two differences companies, which are certified and non-certified in finding the possible solutions in order to maintain the highest quality of environmental in industry. As the ISO 14001 certificate holder, the particular organization such as Corporation Commission of Malaysia (SMM) can improve their environmental performance by top management commitment. Thus, the cost savings can be achieved through the improvement of energy consumption and waste minimization. Other than that, the implementation of ISO 14001 also reduced the risk of pollution incidents and other releases to the environment which helps a lot in finance of that company

Investigation of spiral blood flow in a model of arterial stenosis

The spiral component of blood flow has both beneficial and detrimental effects in human circulatory system [Stonebridge PA, Brophy CM. Spiral laminar flow in arteries? Lancet 1991; 338: 1360–1]. We investigate the effects of the spiral blood flow in a model of three-dimensional arterial stenosis with a 75% cross-sectional area reduction at the centre by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. The standard κ–ω model is employed for simulation of the blood flow for the Reynolds number of 500 and 1000. We find that for Re = 500 the spiral component of the blood flow increases both the total pressure and velocity of the blood, and some significant differences are found between the wall shear stresses of the spiral and non-spiral induced flow downstream of the stenosis. The turbulent kinetic energy is reduced by the spiral flow as it induces the rotational stabilities in the forward flow. For Re = 1000 the tangential component of the blood velocity is most influenced by the spiral speed, but the effect of the spiral flow on the centreline turbulent kinetic energy and shear stress is mild. The results of the effects of the spiral flow are discussed in the paper along with the relevant pathological issues

The Growth of E-Marketing in Business-to-Business Industry and its effect on the Performance of Businesses in Pakistan: Marketing Success

E-marketing has emerged as one of the significant drivers in sustaining the firms competitive advantage. So far, there is a lack of systematic empirical evidence regarding the marketing activities which are drastically affected by the use of e-marketing in small and large firms of Pakistan and their consequent performance outcomes. However, the objective of this study is to examine the technological, organizational and environmental factors on the performance of small and large firms in Pakistan with mediating role of E-Marketing uses and its generlizibality on countries with similar economic situation. Cross sectional data were collected from 257 manufacturing companies in Pakistan; general manager marketing were selected as the data collection sources. Additionally, SmartPLS 3.0, two step path-modeling has been used to examine the direct as well as indirect hypothesis of the current study. However, the results generated from SmartPLS (SEM) path-modeling found that, with regard to direct relationships, three variables (technology orientation, top management support, use of e-marketing) out of five including mediation variable have found significant positively associated with firm performance, however, only one (competitive pressure) has found negatively significant with firm performance. Finally, in terms of use of e-marketing as mediating variable between the relationships of technological, organizational, environmental factors and firm performance, three out of four (independent variables) indicate partial mediation including technological factors (technology orientation), organizational factors (top management support) and environmental factors (competitive pressure). However, market orientation had shown insignificant results both in the direct relationship as well as by including E-Marketing uses.

The growth of e-marketing in business-to-business industry and its effect on the performance of businesses in Pakistan: marketing success

E-marketing has emerged as one of the significant drivers in sustaining the firms competitive advantage. So far, there is a lack of systematic empirical evidence regarding the marketing activities which are drastically affected by the use of e-marketing in small and large firms of Pakistan and their consequent performance outcomes. However, the objective of this study is to examine the technological, organizational and environmental factors on the performance of small and large firms in Pakistan with mediating role of E-Marketing uses and its generlizibality on countries with similar economic situation. Cross sectional data were collected from 257 manufacturing companies in Pakistan; general manager marketing were selected as the data collection sources. Additionally, SmartPLS 3.0, two step path-modeling has been used to examine the direct as well as indirect hypothesis of the current study. However, the results generated from SmartPLS (SEM) path-modeling found that, with regard to direct relationships, three variables (technology orientation, top management support, use of e-marketing) out of five including mediation variable have found significant positively associated with firm performance, however, only one (competitive pressure) has found negatively significant with firm performance. Finally, in terms of use of e-marketing as mediating variable between the relationships of technological, organizational, environmental factors and firm performance, three out of four (independent variables) indicate partial mediation including technological factors (technology orientation), organizational factors (top management support) and environmental factors (competitive pressure). However, market orientation had shown insignificant results both in the direct relationship as well as by including E-Marketing uses

Zakat and Accounting Valuation Model

The valuation and measurement of assets with regard to Zakat is necessary issue from Islamic perspective. Therefore, re-value the assets regularly is needed and Islamic accounting system probably uses both historical and market selling prices with regard to enable firms to accommodate contracts and to discharge with social responsibility. Zakat accounting includes the accounting principles that relate not only to measurement and valuation but also recording, interpreting, presentation and disclosure of accounting information. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to elaborate the importance of Islamic accounting valuation adopted in zakat regard to accounting models. The application and mechanics of zakat and valuation model discussed related to the implementation of the current practices of accounting and valuation models that adopted in Islamic firms

LES of non-Newtonian physiological blood flow in a model of arterial stenosis

Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is performed to study the physiological pulsatile transition-to-turbulent non-Newtonian blood flow through a 3D model of arterial stenosis by using five different blood viscosity models: (i) Power-law, (ii) Carreau, (iii) Quemada, (iv) Cross and (v) modified-Casson. The computational domain has been chosen is a simple channel with a biological type stenosis formed eccentrically on the top wall. The physiological pulsation is generated at the inlet of the model using the first four harmonic series of the physiological pressure pulse (Loudon and Tordesillas [1]). The effects of the various viscosity models are investigated in terms of the global maximum shear rate, post-stenotic re-circulation zone, mean shear stress, mean pressure, and turbulent kinetic energy. We find that the non-Newtonian viscosity models enlarge the length of the post-stenotic re-circulation region by moving the reattachment point of the shear layer separating from the upper wall further downstream. But the turbulent kinetic energy at the immediate post-lip of the stenosis drops due to the effects of the non-Newtonian viscosity. The importance of using LES in modelling the non-Newtonian physiological pulsatile blood flow is also assessed for the different viscosity models in terms of the results of the dynamic subgrid-scale (SGS) stress Smagorinsky model constant, C<sub>s</sub>, and the corresponding SGS normalised viscosity

An investigation into the effect of surplus free cash flow, corporate governance and firm size on earnings predictability

Purpose– Existing studies on corporate governance mainly focus on how a strong governance system enhances the valuation of firms with cash holding or free cash flow agency problem. The aims of this paper are threefold.First, it investigates the impact of surplus free cash flows (SFCF) on earnings predictability.Second, it investigates whether corporate governance variables moderate the negative impact of SFCF on earnings predictability. Finally, this study examines whether the ability of corporate governance to mitigate SFCF and improve the predictive value of earnings varies between large and small firms.Design/methodology/approach– This paper uses heteroskedasticity-corrected least square regressions upon a sample of Malaysian listed firms.Findings– This paper finds that firms with high SFCF experience less earnings predictability. It also indicates that earnings of firms with high SFCF are more predictable when institutional investors hold a large stake of shares and when a chairperson is independent. Finally, this paper reveals that the role of institutional and managerial ownership in mitigating agency conflict of free cash flow and improving earnings predictability is more prominent in larger firms. This study implies that investors still have reservations about the ability of boards to enhance earnings numbers in Malaysia, although efforts were taken to reform the corporate governance mechanisms following the Asian financial crisis.Originality/value– This research is considered as the first attempt to examine the relationships between SFCF, corporate governance, firm size, and earnings predictability in a developing county such as Malaysia. The findings of this paper serve as a wake-up call to policy makers to evaluate the importance of governance structure in enhancing earnings predictability in emerging economies

Audit Committee Characteristics and Firm Performance in Oman

The role of an audit committee (AC) is very significant to stakeholders in influencing the quality of disclosure of financial reporting and in improving market performance. This study examines the influence of audit committee characteristics (AC multiple directorship, AC size, AC independence, AC meeting, AC chairman independence, AC diligence) and firm market performance using Tobin’s Q. Our sample consists of all 82 firms listed on the Muscat Stock Market (MSM) as in 2014 to 2015, excluding the financial and banking sectors.Data were gathered from firms’ annual financial reports and Data Stream.We used multiple regression in analyzing the data.Our results show that AC multiple directorship and AC diligence influence firm market performance.We also find that the control variables (firm size and leverage) are significant in influencing firm performance.This study provides significant input to regulators, firms and researchers not only in Oman, but also in other countries.We recommend future studies to take into account some other variables such as foreign audit committee members, and other variables that may have a significant role in improving firm performance

Firm Culture and Innovativeness Among Logistics Companies in Malaysia

The logistics industry environment is continuously changes with intense competition and demanding customers. Hence, appropriate firm culture that initiates firm innovativeness is required. At present, innovativeness research on logistics companies is still limited. Yet, empirical research showed firm innovativeness provide companies capabilities to achieve lower cost while rendering higher quality services that meet all requirements of potential customers, introduce new products, services, business, environmental issues and maximum utilization of information technology. Although there is general impression on low level of innovativeness in SMEs around the world, this research aims to demonstrate that there is potential higher degree of innovativeness within Malaysia’s logistics sector. Hence, this study objective is to gauge firm culture relationship with firm innovativeness. The study used simple random sampling technique where 226 companies were selected from total population of 500 logistic companies registered under Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders via survey. Findings revealed firm innovativeness among logistic companies is at high level and firm culture has a significant positive correlation with firm innovativeness. In fact, firm culture specifically adhocracy and market orientation culture significantly and positively influence on logistic firm innovativeness in Malaysia. This study brings new insight on innovativeness among Malaysian logistic companies

Investigation of physiological pulsatile flow in a model arterial stenosis using large-eddy and direct numerical simulations

Physiologicalpulsatileflow in a 3D model of arterialstenosis is investigated by using largeeddysimulation (LES) technique. The computational domain chosen is a simple channel with a biological type stenosis formed eccentrically on the top wall. The physiological pulsation is generated at the inlet using the first harmonic of the Fourier series of pressure pulse. In LES, the large scale flows are resolved fully while the unresolved subgrid scale (SGS) motions are modelled using a localized dynamic model. Due to the narrowing of artery the pulsatileflow becomes transition-to-turbulent in the downstream region of the stenosis, where a high level of turbulent fluctuations is achieved, and some detailed information about the nature of these fluctuations are revealed through the investigation of the turbulent energy spectra. Transition-to-turbulent of the pulsatileflow in the post stenosis is examined through the various numerical results such as velocity, streamlines, velocity vectors, vortices, wall pressure and shear stresses, turbulent kinetic energy, and pressure gradient. A comparison of the LES results with the coarse DNS are given for the Reynolds number of 2000 in terms of the mean pressure, wall shear stress as well as the turbulent characteristics. The results show that the shear stress at the upper wall is low just prior to the centre of the stenosis, while it is maximum in the throat of the stenosis. But, at the immediate post stenotic region, the wall shear stress takes the oscillating form which is quite harmful to the blood cells and vessels. In addition, the pressure drops at the throat of the stenosis where the re-circulated flow region is created due to the adverse pressure gradient. The maximum turbulent kinetic energy is located at the post stenosis with the presence of the inertial sub-range region of slope −5/3