bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Success stories on non-formal adult education and training for self-employment in micro-enterprises in South Africa
Authors: Mayombe Celestin 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the way the adult non-formal education and training (NFET) centres motivated and empowered graduates to start their own micro-enterprises as individuals or as a group. The specific objectives are as follows: to find out the transforming factors fostering the utilisation of acquired skills into self-employment in micro-enterprises; to investigate challenges encountered in starting and managing micro-enterprises and to investigate short-term impact of the NFET programmes and micro-enterprises on living conditions of graduates.

Design/methodology/approach
The research design was multiple case studies. Semi-structured interviews and field observations were used for data collection in the qualitative study. In the context of non-probability sampling, the study used the purposive sampling method to select five out of 20 self-employed graduates for one-on-one interviews. Case studies also comprised some observations of activities in their small businesses.

Findings
The main findings reveal that “learning by doing” training approach and forming groups of entrepreneurs while being on the programme were major factors fostering the translation of acquired skills into micro-enterprises.

Practical implications
The adult NFET is a tool to enable poor disadvantaged people to improve their well-being. However, this can be achieved if the livelihood skills training is combined with the creation of conducive environments to allow adult trainees become micro-entrepreneurs and self-reliant.

Originality/value
The study contributes to the knowledge of effective entrepreneurial training programmes by demonstrating the importance of involving stakeholders from the local communities and designing post-training support mechanisms for self-employment prior to the training delivery. The centre managers should also motivate trainees to start micro-enterprises in groups or co-operatives while still on the training programmes.
Educational approaches to entrepreneurship in higher education
Authors: Hoppe Magnus , Westerberg Mats , Leffler Eva 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present and develop models of educational approaches to entrepreneurship that can provide complementary analytical structures to better study, enact and reflect upon the role of entrepreneurship in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach
A general framework for entrepreneurship education is developed by using theory as well as practical experiences from the fields of business, engineering and pedagogy. The paper is mainly conceptual where the unfolding Swedish practice is used as contextual backdrop.

Findings
The FOR/IN/THROUGH/ABOUT (FITA) taxonomy is presented and used to develop three models of how to approach entrepreneurship in higher education depending on purpose. As there exists a didactical divide between entrepreneurial education for business and entrepreneurial approach to teaching and learning, educators and researchers ought to let their specific context influence the adoption of the taxonomy as well as the presented models.

Research limitations/implications
The differentiations suggested by the presented models can be used to both structure the designs and limit claims of future research. More heuristic research is called for.

Practical implications
The use of FITA in the designing of entrepreneurship education offers new opportunities for enhancing complementary student learning in higher education.

Social implications
The study suggests that any political or scholarly initiative must acknowledge the diversity of entrepreneurship education and chose different approaches depending on what is to be achieved.

Originality/value
The multidisciplinary approach has made it possible to present and create models that denote a common ground for a productive discussion on how to better understand and make use of entrepreneurship in higher education.
Graduate employees’ generic skills and training needs
Authors: Pitan Oluyomi Susan 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
As a response to technological changes, globalization, sector reforms and changes in output demand, there is an increased demand for generic skills in the workplace. The purpose of this paper is to investigate through perceptions of graduate employees and their employers on the extent to which university education in Nigeria is responding to the increased skills requirements of employers.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected by the use of two sets of questionnaires and purposive sampling technique was adopted for sample selection. Past surveys of employers on skills requirements in Nigeria were used as a reference in the selection of the 11 generic skills used in the instrument. Data were analysed using simple percentages, descriptive statistics and χ2.

Findings
All the listed generic skills are regarded as important by graduate employers. The employed university graduates believed that in terms of generic skills, they were not adequately prepared to meet the requirements of their jobs. Moreover, employers believed that their graduate employees would require further training to a large extent to perform satisfactorily in their jobs.

Originality/value
Taking a divergent view, the study has established the perceptions of employed university graduates themselves on the extent to which university education has prepared them in meeting the skills requirements of their jobs. Furthermore, apart from confirming the extent of further training required, the study empirically affirms the relative training needs of graduates from different fields of study.
Drivers affecting household residents’ water and related energy consumption in residential buildings
Authors: Enshassi Adnan , Elzebdeh Salam , Mohamed Sherif 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The Gaza Strip in Palestine is suffering from a shortage of water and energy. To manage the current situation and address future issues, practical approaches need to be adopted to enhance water and energy efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to elicit professionals’ perceptions of the drivers affecting water and related energy consumption in residential buildings in the Gaza Strip.

Design/methodology/approach
In total, 19 drivers were identified from previous research and modified according to the results of a pilot study. These drivers were ranked under a Relative Importance Index (RII). A questionnaire survey was then administered and non-random purposive sampling used. The population of this study comprised stakeholders, including the United Nation Refugee Work Agency, Gaza Strip Governorates Municipalities, and the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility.

Findings
The results of all drivers (i.e. RII=71.43 per cent, mean=3.57) indicated that the respondents agreed about which drivers were affecting water and energy consumption. The sign Test-value was a positive 4.55 and the p-value was 0.000 (i.e. smaller than the level of significance a=0.050). The means of these drivers differed significantly and were greater than the hypothesised value of 3. Accordingly, it was concluded that the drivers investigated significantly affected household residents’ consumption of water and energy in residential buildings. The study revealed that climate changes, knowledge of how to conserve water and energy and household size were the most important drivers affecting household residents’ consumption of water and related energy in residential buildings.

Practical implications
The study will assist the parties concerned about water and energy use to be aware and understand the drivers affecting water and related energy the consumption in order to provide household residents with the necessary knowledge to ensure conservation and sustainability. Although this study related to a narrow geographical area in Palestine, the findings could be useful to similar locations in the Middle East and Africa.

Originality/value
This research demonstrates the drivers affecting water and related energy the consumption in residential buildings in the Gaza Strip which is considered the first study in Palestine and in the region. The study provides a useful platform for the development of appropriate water and energy strategies in Palestine and other similar geographical locations in the Middle East.
The effect of ISO 9001 implementation on the customer satisfaction of the engineering design services
Authors: Hadidi Laith , Assaf Sadi , Aluwfi Khalaf , Akrawi Hassan 
Published: July 2017

PurposeISO 9001 is an international specification that provides certification for quality management systems (QMSs) after careful external auditing. However, certified companies rarely evaluate their quality systems after being certified. The certificate needs to be renewed periodically where companies are encouraged to evaluate their gained benefits and improve their QMS’s deficient areas. The purpose of this paper is to provide a method of evaluation based on the level of customers’ satisfaction over five metrics (reliability, assurance, tangible, empathy, and responsiveness).Design/methodology/approachThe methodology enables to benchmark the current level of satisfaction with prior levels of satisfaction before the ISO 9001 certification. The methodology is applied for the QMS pertinent to the design services (DS) for a large public company in Saudi Arabia. Three case studies were undertaken on the DS for large-scale construction projects.FindingsThe results were compared between year 2008 (total of 77 projects) and year 2011 (total of 39 projects). The results show that the ISO 9001 certificate may not always demonstrate an evidence of improving customers’ satisfaction levels and, hence, a gap analysis should be implemented to define possible areas of improvement.Research limitations/implicationsThis work is limited to the construction industry. In specific, it addresses only the customer satisfaction related to the design management services. However, Saudi Arabia is known to host many large scale organizations that are heavily involved in international business trade. Hence, the authors believe that the Saudi industry can leverage their practices up to the international standards and similarly the international practices can accommodate some of the best practices in Saudi Arabia.Originality/valueIt is a general perception in the industry that ISO 9000 implementation will mean good quality products. This work provides the argument that the ISO 9000 implementation should be tested on a regular basis to validate this perception. It shows that in some cases the ISO 9000 did not improve the customers’ satisfaction and, hence, the need arises for gap analysis to modify the QMS.
Key stakeholders’ perspectives towards UK new-build housing defects
Authors: Hopkin Tony , Lu Shu-Ling , Rogers Phil , Sexton Martin 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
Research on housing defects has limited its enquiry to the classifications of defects, potential impact of defects, and their detection and remediation during construction and the builder’s liability period, without considering the warranty period. The purpose of this paper is to better understand which impacts of defects are perceived as important by the key stakeholders involved in their detection and remediation over the construction, builder’s liability and insurer’s warranty periods.

Design/methodology/approach
The questionnaire survey approach was used. The questionnaire distribution list was drawn from the UK’s largest warranty provider (WP) and approved inspector’s records. The questionnaire was distributed to 2003 people, receiving 292 responses, a response rate of 15 per cent.

Findings
This research challenges the assertion that the house building industry (i.e. house builders (HBs), building inspectors and WPs) is predominantly cost focussed and finds that the potential impact of defects on home occupants (HOs) are their primary concern. In contrast, the HOs’ appear solely focussed on the disruption defects caused on their daily lives and perceive a lack customer focus in the house building industry.

Originality/value
This study provides empirical evidence of the contrasting view of the house building industry and HOs with respect to the prioritisation of the impacts of defects. Further, this research offers HBs an alternative approach to determine which defects should be targeted for reduction purposes which may lead to improved levels of customer satisfaction.
Performance analysis of the mechanical behaviour of seams with various sewing parameters for nylon canopy fabrics
Authors: Raj D. Vijay Kirubakar , Devi M. Renuka 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to make available to the parachute industry tools to predict behaviour of certain textile materials. In addition to this, it is desired to reveal and explain the basic requirement criteria for proper textile material selection. The strength of an assembly as a whole is directly dependent on the strengths of the various joints and seams required to assemble the larger structure. Keeping in mind the complex problem of parachute construction, this research seeks to enlighten the industry about the performance of seams in nylon woven canopy fabrics. Five factors have been studied: different types of weave (plain, rip-stop and twill), density (number of stitches per centimetre), different rows of stitches with lapped seams, different types of stitches (lock stitch, chain stitch and zig-zag) and seam direction (warp, weft and bias direction). Two responses have been analysed, the seam breaking force and the seam efficiency (per cent ratio of seam strength to fabric strength). The test results were subjected to an analysis of variance and the seam strength proved to vary significantly not only with the primary parameters, but with the interactions of the primary parameters as well. That is seam strength (and seam efficiency) changes with each primary parameter but it changes in a different manner when other parameters change. Multiple regressions have been used to construct preliminary predictor equations for seam strength and efficiency, and investigations to provide better equations are in progress.

Design/methodology/approach
ANOVA techniques and statistical regression equations were formed.

Findings
The work has concluded that twill weave 9 with chain stitch has the maximum seam strength, which makes canopies made with 2/1 twill weave and stitched with lapped seam with four rows of chain stitch optimum for heavy supply droppings with a single use parachute(s). It is evident from the results that twill weave with lock stich has the maximum seam efficiency. This makes the canopies stitched with twill fabric, constructed with lapped seams and four rows of stitches ideal for parachutes to be used multiple times. The brake parachutes on aircrafts and parachutes used by sky divers and air combat soldiers can use parachutes whose canopies can be used many times made out of the above mentioned weave and stitch specification.

Originality/value
Original work was conducted from the woven fabrics.
Synthesis and characterization of Cr-ZSM-5 composite in fluoride medium and its performance in oxidation reaction of 2-mercaptobenzotiazole
Authors: Imen Benchikh , Fatiha Djafri , Ayada Djafri , Affaf Tabti , Launay Franck 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to synthesize Cr-ZSM-5 using hydrothermal synthesis in acidic fluoride medium and the investigation of its catalytic performance in heterogeneous oxidation of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole in the presence of H2O2.

Design/methodology/approach
The framework was characterized by chemical composition, FT-IR, UV-visible spectroscopy, N2 adsorption (BET), and diffraction x-ray (DRX). FT-IR spectroscopy shows the characteristic band of Si-O-Cr linkage around 960-990 cm−1 and bands around 688-690 and 627 cm−1, indicating the presence of extraframework chromium oxide. UV spectra show a shoulder around 244-257 and bands around 360-380 nm, assigning the tetrahedral coordinated environment in (O2−=Cr6+) − (Cr5+-O−1), charge transfer transition state (CT) of isolated Cr (VI) inside the structure of Cr-ZSM-5.

Findings
The catalytic degradation of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole by H2O2 heterogenous oxidation using catalyst Cr-ZSM-5 showed the formation of bis (benzothiazoyl) disulfide with 95 percent yield.

Originality/value
The application of this process in the environment (catalysis, adsorption, and degradation of organic compounds).
Testing and predicting of yarn pull-out in aroma-textile
Authors: Petrulyte Salvinija , Plascinskiene Deimante , Petrulis Donatas 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to predict the pull-out force of loop pile of ramie/cotton terry woven fabrics treated with aroma-microcapsules as well as to understand and to interpret the pull-out behaviour developing the mathematical model.

Design/methodology/approach
The displacements and forces associated with pulling a yarn from different structures of fabrics were determined. Regression analysis and factorial designs were performed.

Findings
The yarn pull-out behaviour of terry fabric is highly dependent on the applied treating and demonstrated various extents of variability under the different pulling distances. The character of yarn pull-out is periodic and depends on fabric construction. The difference between the resistance to pile loop extraction for the grey and modified terry fabrics depends on the changed fabric’s structure. The existence of good relation between binder’s concentration and resistance to pile loop extraction of terry fabric was proved.

Practical implications
The study enables to forecast important loop feature for terry aroma-textiles: to be securely held in the place preventing loop pulling.

Originality/value
The assessment of the influence of fabric’s weft density and binder’s concentration for the yarn pull-out of terry aroma-textile was proposed. The research developed analysis and empiric mathematical equations suitable for predicting of displacements and forces related to pulling phenomenon as well as designing new multifunctional terry fabrics with resistance to pile loop extraction required. The received knowledge could enlarge the base of information needful for design of new products for clothing, home textile and healthcare/well-being applications as well.
Decision fusion-based approach for content-based image classification
Authors: Thepade Sudeep , Das Rik , Ghosh Saurav 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
Current practices in data classification and retrieval have experienced a surge in the use of multimedia content. Identification of desired information from the huge image databases has been facing increased complexities for designing an efficient feature extraction process. Conventional approaches of image classification with text-based image annotation have faced assorted limitations due to erroneous interpretation of vocabulary and huge time consumption involved due to manual annotation. Content-based image recognition has emerged as an alternative to combat the aforesaid limitations. However, exploring rich feature content in an image with a single technique has lesser probability of extract meaningful signatures compared to multi-technique feature extraction. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of enhanced content-based image recognition by fusion of classification decision obtained using diverse feature extraction techniques.

Design/methodology/approach
Three novel techniques of feature extraction have been introduced in this paper and have been tested with four different classifiers individually. The four classifiers used for performance testing were K nearest neighbor (KNN) classifier, RIDOR classifier, artificial neural network classifier and support vector machine classifier. Thereafter, classification decisions obtained using KNN classifier for different feature extraction techniques have been integrated by Z-score normalization and feature scaling to create fusion-based framework of image recognition. It has been followed by the introduction of a fusion-based retrieval model to validate the retrieval performance with classified query. Earlier works on content-based image identification have adopted fusion-based approach. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, fusion-based query classification has been addressed for the first time as a precursor of retrieval in this work.

Findings
The proposed fusion techniques have successfully outclassed the state-of-the-art techniques in classification and retrieval performances. Four public data sets, namely, Wang data set, Oliva and Torralba (OT-scene) data set, Corel data set and Caltech data set comprising of 22,615 images on the whole are used for the evaluation purpose.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, fusion-based query classification has been addressed for the first time as a precursor of retrieval in this work. The novel idea of exploring rich image features by fusion of multiple feature extraction techniques has also encouraged further research on dimensionality reduction of feature vectors for enhanced classification results.
Bridging the semantic gap with human perception based features for scene categorization
Authors: Shrivastava Padmavati , Bhoyar K.K. , Zadgaonkar A.S. 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to build a classification system which mimics the perceptual ability of human vision, in gathering knowledge about the structure, content and the surrounding environment of a real-world natural scene, at a quick glance accurately. This paper proposes a set of novel features to determine the gist of a given scene based on dominant color, dominant direction, openness and roughness features.

Design/methodology/approach
The classification system is designed at two different levels. At the first level, a set of low level features are extracted for each semantic feature. At the second level the extracted features are subjected to the process of feature evaluation, based on inter-class and intra-class distances. The most discriminating features are retained and used for training the support vector machine (SVM) classifier for two different data sets.

Findings
Accuracy of the proposed system has been evaluated on two data sets: the well-known Oliva-Torralba data set and the customized image data set comprising of high-resolution images of natural landscapes. The experimentation on these two data sets with the proposed novel feature set and SVM classifier has provided 92.68 percent average classification accuracy, using ten-fold cross validation approach. The set of proposed features efficiently represent visual information and are therefore capable of narrowing the semantic gap between low-level image representation and high-level human perception.

Originality/value
The method presented in this paper represents a new approach for extracting low-level features of reduced dimensionality that is able to model human perception for the task of scene classification. The methods of mapping primitive features to high-level features are intuitive to the user and are capable of reducing the semantic gap. The proposed feature evaluation technique is general and can be applied across any domain.