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This study pinpoints the critical factors influencing the acceptance of blockchain technology in supply chain management in the light of the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) with additional factors personal innovativeness in technology and user's self-efficacy.

The questionnaire-based data was obtained from SC professionals in China (Beijing). The essential factors influencing it are evaluated through structural equation modeling (SEM), using AMOS software.

The empirical findings specify that performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, price value, hedonic motivation, user self-efficacy, and personal innovativeness are positively influencing user satisfaction. User satisfaction has a substantial progressive effect on habit. Furthermore, facilitating conditions, price value, habit, user self-efficacy, personal innovativeness, and user satisfaction have a progressive impact on continued intention to use blockchain technology in supply chain management.

Although numerous studies investigated the influencing factors of blockchain technology adoption in supply chain management, no study examined the determinants of UTAUT2. However, this study not only empirically studied the UTAUT2 model but also extended it with the most influencing elements such as personal innovativeness in technology and user's self-efficacy. Furthermore, this study contributes to the BT-enabled SCM literature by studying the continued use and acceptance, rather than testing behavioral intention and initial adoption which is common in previous studies of BT-enabled SCM. Finally, this study discusses the limitations, future directions, and managerial implications of the results so that supply chain professionals can deliver what supply chain stakeholders require.

Since the appearance of COVID-19 social distancing and staying home have been recommended repeatedly by the governments for disease prevention. As the challenge continues to remain the current study seeks to examine the factors affecting social distancing through space planning and management. More specifically the current study aims to examine the appropriateness of the spatial organization and space configuration of a clubhouse with a linear plan layout in the mitigation of the spread of infections due to serious pandemic COVID-19.

For an enhanced understanding of the impact of spatial arrangements of public spaces plan on the effective implementation of social distancing this study has used the space syntax analysis method. The MPSP clubhouse building in Penang, Malaysia was selected as the case study. The level of permeability and wayfinding were determined in the building plan and were illustrated using photoshop software to depict the interrelation between the indoor spaces and building circulation. Graphs of the depth of space were used to analyze the level of permeability and wayfinding to illustrate the possibility of social distancing in the plan.

The result of the study shows the significant role of proper plan layout design on social distancing. While clear and direct wayfinding can positively be associated with more effective social distancing, the inefficient design of user access, inappropriate locations of multiple entry and exit and indefinite directions of users' inside buildings can impose slight limitations. The average level of permeability might suggest ineffective spatial arrangement, ignoring the needs of spatial segregation. The study further found that the linear plan layouts with proper zoning and effective management strategies can be considered a proper layout to facilitate social distancing and the spread of COVID-19.

The current study is unique in terms of examination of the spatial configuration of linear public spaces plan layout for possible temporary adaptability to curb disease spread during the unexpected advent of a pandemic. Based on researchers' best of knowledge it is the first time that the impact of recreational space design on social distancing has been examined. The study also originally sheds light on the fact that the commonly used guideline for the social distancing of 1–2 m between 2 persons, in reality, is practically inadequate given the nature of the sports activities.

This paper aims to investigate if the collaboration intensity of the company with local and international stakeholders facilitates the attracting of venture capital (VC) financing. The reputation of the company was incorporated as a factor, which can potentially influence investment decision-making. The study also aims to make a cross-national comparison of new ventures financing in two innovation regions – Chinese Zhongguancun and American Silicon Valley.

Quantitative methodology involving data gathered from 176 venture-backed as well as non-venture backed SME located in Chinese Zhongguancun and American Silicon Valley was applied. The data has been gathered through a survey. A logistic regression model has been adopted to test the hypotheses and explore relationships among concerned variables.

The results spotlight that collaboration intensity with the company’s domestic stakeholders could enhance the attractiveness of the company for external investments. Collaboration intensity with foreign stakeholders increases the likelihood of acquiring financial support only for Chinese companies. For American companies, the reputation of their stakeholders did not show a significant effect. However, positive reputation acquired from the Chinese company’s stakeholders enhances the chance of getting funding and moderates the investment effect of collaboration intensity with domestic stakeholders.

This paper unfolds that the network strength and the reputation of the SME could play the role in getting VC investment. The results are shown in two different contexts (Silicon Valley in the USA and Zhongguancun in China), characterizing the completely different cultural, legal, institutional and operating environments.

This study aims to investigate the effect of organizational ambidexterity (OA) and organizational green culture (OGC) on corporate sustainability (CS) while incorporating the mediating role of green innovation (GI) to provide a detailed insight into CS. The study also presents a research framework based on the Organizational Ambidexterity theory and Natural Resource-based view to explain the factors contributing to CS.

Using stratified sampling, the study collected data through survey-based empirical research from 307 textile companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) or the All-Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA). The collected data were analysed using path analysis, mediation analysis and moderation analysis through smart PLS-SEM version 4.0 to assess the composition and causal association of factors.

The study found a significant relationship between OA and OGC with CS. Furthermore, the study revealed that green innovation partially mediates the relationship between OGC and CS. The proposed research framework can be valuable for promoting and recommending actions to enhance CS.

The study on CS in the textile sector of Pakistan has limitations such as a narrow focus, cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data. Future research should explore additional factors, conduct longitudinal research, investigate contextual factors, scrutinize specific green innovation practices and broaden the scope of the study to include SMEs and other textile organizations.

The research framework can help senior executives to foster CS by promoting OGC, OA and GI. Practitioners and academicians can also utilize or further investigate the proposed framework for validation and to foster CS.

This study fills gaps in the existing literature by investigating the mediating effect of GI between OGC and CS. The proposed research framework provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to CS based on the Organizational Ambidexterity theory and Natural Resource-based view.

The study's main objective is to evaluate the morphological developments in the characteristics of the spatial configurations of the residential layouts in Kerman, Iran, in examining the impact on the level of visual privacy through the spectrum of permeability and wayfinding in space syntax analysis.

In this paper, plan graph analysis is used to measure the syntactic properties of seven topological residential architecture plans in Kerman, Iran, built from the 1970s to 2010s. The methodology involves the development of mathematical measurements to signify permeability and simulation of visibility graph analysis (VGA) to indicate wayfinding.

The findings reveal the residential layouts of Iranian houses tend to be less integrated over decades of design development from the 1970s to 2010s. Reduction in spatial integration corresponds to increase segregation allowing for enhanced visual privacy. The study underpins that, even with the constraints in the scale of the house and reduction in the number of nodes, as evident in the design of the modern residential layout, the efficient level of visual privacy is still achievable with regards to the standards demanded by the local culture.

The study examines the development in residential spatial configuration and building scale on visual privacy through a proposed methodology based on the level of permeability and wayfinding measured as a combined effect using the space syntax analysis and visual accessibility.

This chapter looks at the relationship between governance and economic development in selected Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries. This chapter outlines the concept of good governance in Islamic faith and episteme and provides some empirical evidence on the governance development nexus in the literature. It also describes the state of governance in OIC countries through descriptive statistics on some indicators. It looks at the relationship between governance and economic development. In contrast, it explores the relationship between governance and economic growth. The results highlight the need for reforms in the quality of institutions, establishing rule of law, emphasising on governance in the policy agenda and bringing strong accountability mechanisms.

The purpose of this paper is to fabricate and investigate sensing properties of a novel, flexible resistive tensile load cells based on multi-walled carbon nano-tubes (MWCNTs)/rubber composites. The use of carbon nanotubes makes it very attractive for being used as sensors.

On thin rubber substrate, MWCNTs powder was deposited and pressed at elevated temperature. Two types of samples were prepared: first sample was made by depositing MWCNTs suspension in water on the substrate, then the sample was dried at room temperature; the second sample was prepared by applying dry MWCNTs powder directly on the substrate.

The resistances of the cells made from wet MWCNT powder are much lower than those made with dry powder. It was found that the fabricated load cells were highly sensitive to the force and showed good repeatability. The resistance of the flexible resistive tensile MWCNTs/rubber composite load cells increased 1.37 times, on average, with the increasing force (up to 0.045 N). The sensitivity of the cells was equal to 142 N-1.

The device fabrication method used here provides a simple, less expensive and effective approach for preparing resistive tensile load cells.

A novel, flexible resistive tensile load cells using MWCNTs/rubber composites have been successfully fabricated and investigated. MWCNTs, in dry and wet form, have been deposited on thin rubber substrates by adopting a very simple and inexpensive technique.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the applicability of theory of planned behavior (TPB) with special emphasis on measuring the direct and moderating effects of subjective norms on attitude, perceived behavioral control and buying intention in context of buying organic food.

Structured questionnaires were randomly distributed among academic staffs and students of two universities in southern Punjab, Pakistan. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed model fit.

Results of the study showed that subjective norms significantly moderate the relationship between attitudes and buying intention as well as between perceived behavior control and buying intention. Furthermore, subjective norms significantly influence attitude toward buying intention.

The paper provides useful insights for the academics and marketers. Academics may further explore the role of subjective norms in order to have a better understanding of their effects on TPB components. Whereas, marketers can target the opinion leaders and reference groups to increase the demand of organic food.

Majority of previous studies overlooked the role of subjective norms in determining the buying intentions with respect to organic food. The striking feature of this study is an in-depth emphasis on exploring the direct and moderating effects of subjective norms on the elements of TPB. Moreover, to the best of authors’ knowledge, this is a pioneer study that comprehensively examines the linkage of components of TPB with organic food purchasing in Pakistan.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between customer relationship management (CRM)-based library services and head librarians' personal and academic variables. The status of CRM-based library services in the university libraries of Pakistan was also assessed.

A cross-sectional survey research design and quantitative research approach were applied. A structured questionnaire was emailed to the heads librarians of all university libraries recognized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, and the response rate was 74 percent.

The analysis showed that a relationship to CRM-based library services was confirmed by the head librarians' age, academic qualification, professional experience, CRM awareness and training. Moreover, several CRM-based library services such as face-to-face interaction, current awareness services, orientation for new users, coordination through e-mail services, special goodwill to regular users, make telephone calls, complaints/suggestions boxes, online services, provision of a conducive learning environment, user education, selective dissemination of information services, users' participation in the collection and service development, ask a librarian services and users' help desk services were currently being practiced by the university libraries.

This study is a valuable resource for developing user-centered library services and culture. Findings are helpful in enhancing CRM applications in libraries and making their users satisfied and loyal. This study makes a significant contribution to the body of literature and knowledge on library CRM.

This study aims to investigate the role of moderated mediation between innovation in service quality and customer loyalty in the hospitality industry for potential entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry.

The authors have collected data from customers of the hospitality industry of significant cities of Pakistan using 362 structured questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was used to find out moderated mediation between innovation in service quality and customer loyalty in the hospitality industry for potential entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry.

The results showed that the role of customer satisfaction as a mediator and the role of perceived price fairness as a moderator between service quality and customer loyalty is statistically significant. Customers are influenced by price, and it leads to their satisfaction in the hospitality industry.

The results of this study can be used by managers of the restaurant industry to enhance customer loyalty by focusing on customer satisfaction and perceived price.

The evidence documented in this paper is first known to measure the role of a mediator and moderator between service quality and customer loyalty for potential entrepreneurs. This paper will add to the literature of service quality in the hospitality industry concerning the role of customer satisfaction and perceived price fairness for future and potential entrepreneurs.