bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Foreign aid impact on the economic growth of the Western Balkans during 2009–2021
Authors: Hoxhaj Lir , Qehaja Driton 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of foreign aid in the Western Balkans countries’ economic growth between 2009 and 2021.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a panel data approach to examine the effects of foreign aid on economic growth in the region and incorporates a random-effects model to accommodate the unique cross-country variations and time-specific factors, as well as a pooled OLS and fixed-effects model for a comprehensive, comparative analysis.

Findings
The in-depth regression analysis shows that foreign aid has not had a significant impact on the economic growth of the region. Further evidence suggests that trade openness exhibited a significant positive correlation with economic growth, while gross capital formation, although positively associated, did not significantly impact it, indicating the complexity of its role in the region’s economies.

Practical implications
The analysis presented in this study has significant practical implications, particularly for policymakers in the Western Balkans. Given the region’s ambitions for European Union membership and the challenges of high unemployment and inflation, understanding the role of foreign aid is crucial.

Originality/value
This research provides a unique contribution to the field of development economics by examining foreign aid effectiveness within the context of a region often overlooked in the literature. The analysis also offers fresh insights into the complex dynamics of foreign aid and its implications for policy and development strategies.
Visiting and revisiting destinations: impact of augmented reality, content quality, perceived ease of use, perceived value and usefulness on E-WOM
Authors: Madi Jude , Al Khasawneh Mohammad , Dandis Ala' Omar 
Published: January 2024

Purpose The primary aim of this study is to identify and analyze the key factors that impact the intentions of Jordanian tourists to visit and revisit destinations using the Jannah Jo app.Design/methodology/approach A self-administered questionnaires via Google Forms was employed comprising a sample of 401 Jordanian tourists who have the Jannah Jo app. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling approach was applied for hypotheses testing.Findings The present investigation has revealed that the constructs of perceived ease of use (PEU), perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived value (PV) exerted a significant and positive impact on electronic word of mouth (e-WOM). Additionally, e-WOM was observed to wield a positive and significant influence on the attitudes of consumers' decision-making, thereby ultimately affecting the intentions of Jordanian tourists with regard to their decisions to visit and revisit destinations. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the results indicated that neither augmented reality nor content quality exhibited any statistically significant positive relationship with e-WOM.Practical implications Tourism agencies striving to encourage the adoption of smart applications must grasp the relevance of e-WOM within the contemporary digital milieu. Additionally, they should acknowledge the significance of tourists' intentions concerning both revisiting and initial visits. This research contends that such agencies ought to take into account the substantial influence exerted by PEU, PU and PV in shaping the favorable e-WOM discourse.Originality/value By integrating the technology acceptance model in conjunction with other relevant variables, this research strives to develop a comprehensive model that advances the comprehension of the intricate determinants affecting tourists' engagements with mobile applications. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that this study represents the initial investigation conducted in the Middle East, specifically in Jordan, on this subject matter.
Pathways to decarbonization, circular construction, and sustainability in the built environment
Authors: Calle Müller Claudia , Pradhananga Piyush , ElZomor Mohamed 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
The built environment is responsible for approximately 40% of the world’s energy consumption, 30% of raw material use, 25% of solid waste, 25% of water use, 12% of land use and 33% of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, environmental improvement and decarbonization are becoming increasingly critical objectives for the construction industry. Sustainable construction can be achieved through several practices, including: considering life-cycle assessment, circular construction, resource efficiency and waste management and providing eco-efficient materials, reducing energy demands and consumption and incorporating low-carbon technologies and renewable energy sources. To achieve sustainable construction goals, it is critical to educate the future workforce about decarbonization, circular construction and how to overcome the challenges involved in transitioning to sustainable construction. This study aims to understand the gap in student knowledge related to decarbonization and circular construction and the importance of incorporating these topics in civil engineering and construction management curricula.

Design/methodology/approach
This study surveyed 120 undergraduate and graduate students at one of the largest minority-serving institutions in the USA to understand the gap in student knowledge related to decarbonization and circular construction as well as the importance of incorporating these topics in civil engineering and construction management curricula. The authors conducted several statistical measures to assess the consistency, reliability and adequacy of the sample size, including the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure of sampling adequacy, the normality test to evaluate the appropriateness of using an ordered probit regression analysis and a multicollinearity test to observe the correlation between independent variables. The data was analyzed using ordered probit regression analysis to investigate the need for a curriculum that serves in educating students about decarbonization and circular construction.

Findings
The results of this research highlight the gaps in students’ knowledge pertaining to sustainable practices and the importance of providing future construction workforce with such knowledge to tackle global inevitable challenges.

Originality/value
The findings of this study contribute to sustainable construction bodies of knowledge by advocating for a reformed curriculum to prepare the future workforce and adopt less carbonized, more circular approaches within the engineering and construction industry.
Evaluation of the strain response of FRP partially confined concrete using FEM and DIC testing
Authors: Zou Yunfei 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThis study aims to enhance the understanding of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) applications in partially confined concrete, with a specific focus on improving economic value and load-bearing capacity. The research addresses the need for a more comprehensive analysis of non-uniform vertical strain responses and precise stress–strain models for FRP partially confined concrete.Design/methodology/approachDIC and strain gauges were employed to gather data during axial compression tests on FRP partially confined concrete specimens. Finite element analysis using ABAQUS was utilized to model partial confinement concrete with various constraint area ratios, ranging from 0 to 1. Experimental findings and simulation results were compared to refine and validate the stress–strain model.FindingsThe experimental results revealed that specimens exhibited strain responses characterized by either hardening or softening in both vertical and horizontal directions. The finite element analysis accurately reflected the relationship between surface constraint forces and axial strains in the x, y and z axes under different constraint area ratios. A proposed stress–strain model demonstrated high predictive accuracy for FRP partially confined concrete columns.Practical implicationsThe stress–strain curves of partially confined concrete, based on Teng's foundation model for fully confined stress–strain behavior, exhibit a high level of predictive accuracy. These findings enhance the understanding of the mechanical behavior of partially confined concrete specimens, which is crucial for designing and assessing FRP confined concrete structures.Originality/valueThis research introduces innovative insights into the superior convenience and efficiency of partial wrapping strategies in the rehabilitation of beam-column joints, surpassing traditional full confinement methods. The study contributes methodological innovation by refining stress–strain models specifically for partially confined concrete, addressing the limitations of existing models. The combination of experimental and simulated assessments using DIC and FEM technologies provides robust empirical evidence, advancing the understanding and optimization of FRP-concrete structure performance. This work holds significance for the broader field of concrete structure reinforcement.
The relationship between women's empowerment and staff turnover in the Egyptian hospitality labor market
Authors: ElSayed Sally Fathy , Salih Mohamed Mohamed , EL Shaer Noha Saad , Abed Mohamed Abdel Aziz 
Published: January 2024

PurposeAlthough the hospitality sector is considered the most active and profitable sector in the Egyptian economy, it suffers from the non-stop immigration of skilled manpower and the high rates of labor turnover. One of the apparent solutions for this problem that could be implemented is empowering Egyptian females to play an active role in the success of this sector. Females faced many obstacles while working in hospitality, including prevailing social perception, the culture of shame, the traditional negative view of feminine hoteliers, long working hours and the shift system, which led to weak females' desire to enroll in the hospitality field. The study aims to determine how empowering Egyptian women in the hospitality industry affects staff turnover.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the aim of the study, a sample of four- and five-star resorts in Red Sea, Egypt, was under study. A self-administrated questionnaire was addressed to female hotel employees, and 140 forms were statistically analyzed in addition to 14 semi-structured interviews with hospitality experts.FindingsThe study recommends that hotels should start re-tailoring policies to activate Egyptian females' role in reducing the high rate of hospitality labor turnover through increasing their work engagement (WENG) (as a mediator) by adopting a decent work environment and motivating them to get promoted to hold senior positions.Research limitations/implicationsIn spite of some noteworthy contributions, the authors would like to point out certain shortcomings. The sample was homogeneous, consisting of female hotels employees in Egypt, but the findings are generalizable to other Arabian communities. Nonetheless, the authors feel that they have supplied some suggestive evidence, even for the most careful reader who wants to further study these elements of working attitudes in the hotel business.Originality/valueAccording to the authors' knowledge, this study is among the few studies covering females' reluctance to continue working in the hospitality field.
Identifying the nexus between financial stability and economic growth: the role of stability indicators
Authors: Kurtoglu Betul , Durusu-Ciftci Dilek 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
This study aims to examine the interrelationship between financial stability and economic growth with a comprehensive analysis.

Design/methodology/approach
The panel Granger causality testing approach is carried out to the panels of the Fragile Five (F5) and the Group of Seven (G7) countries for the period 1998–2020. To capture the different aspects of financial stability the authors use eight different indicators.

Findings
The findings reveal some important implications: the relationship between financial stability and economic growth is sensitive to the financial stability indicators for both the F5 and G7 countries. The stability indicators related to the credit market contain much more causality relationship with economic growth than the indicators related to the stock market. Z-score and provisions to nonperforming loans (NPLs) are among the two variables with the highest causality relationship with economic growth. The least number of causality link is found for the Regulatory Capital Ratio and Stock Price Volatility in F5 countries and Credit Ratio, NPLs and Stock Price Volatility in G7 countries. Economic growth affects financial stability through credit market stability indicators and mostly for the F5 countries. No causal relationship is found for any of the financial stability indicators of Canada, the UK and the USA from economic growth to financial stability.

Originality/value
Since the linkages between financial stability and economic growth may vary due to country/group specific differences, apart from the previous studies, the authors select two different groups of countries in terms of financial stability and economic size.
COVID-19 and CFO performance: evidence of large and medium-size companies
Authors: Zimon Grzegorz , Salehi Mahdi , Kalateh Arabi Samaneh 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the relationship between the impact of COVID-19 on the performance of financial managers of medium and large companies.

Design/methodology/approach
This research used the data of 173 listed large and over-the-counter as medium-size companies from 2018 to 2021. The results of these tests have been analyzed using panel data and STATA 15 software.

Findings
The results showed that COVID-19 has no significant relationship with the return on equity in large and medium-size companies. This variable does not significantly affect Tobin’s Q index in medium-size companies either. Other financial indicators examined in this research have decreased considerably in all companies under the influence of COVID-19. Still, the intensity of this effect is different in large and medium-size companies. Funds from borrowings and Tobin’s Q ratios in medium-size companies compared with large companies have been more severely affected by the COVID-19 disease; the return on assets, book value to market value and large companies compared with medium-size companies have been more severely and significantly affected by COVID-19; and financing funds through the issuance of shares in large companies and medium-size companies have been affected by COVID-19 almost equally.

Originality/value
Despite the studies related to financial crises and their effect on the performance of companies, no research has examined the financial performance indicators during the outbreak of COVID-19 in large and small companies. Therefore, the results of this research can affect different groups: financial managers and the board of directors of companies to better understand the impact of the corona disease on the company’s performance; investors benefit from research results in line with investment decisions; developing theory and educational topics for the benefit of students and studying and conducting more experimental research in this regard; and the stock exchange organization and regulatory and support institutions need to find out the depth of the disaster and the effect of COVID-19 on the performance of companies.
Preparation and performance of self-healing polymer cement-based waterproof coating with ion chelator
Authors: Li Linghuan , Sun Shibin , Zhuang Ronghua , Zhang Bing , Li Zeyu , Yu Jianying 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
This study aims to develop a polymer cement-based waterproof coating with self-healing capability to efficiently and intelligently solve the building leakage caused by cracking of waterproof materials, along with excellent durability to prolong its service life.

Design/methodology/approach
Ion chelators are introduced into the composite system based on ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion and ordinary Portland cement to prepare self-healing polymer cement-based waterproof coating. Hydration, microstructure, wettability, mechanical properties, durability, self-healing performance and self-healing products of polymer cement-based waterproof coating with ion chelator are investigated systematically. Meanwhile, the chemical composition of self-healing products in the crack was examined.

Findings
The results showed that ion chelators could motivate the hydration of C2S and C3S, as well as the formation of hydration products (C-S-H gel) of the waterproof coating to improve its compactness. Compared with the control group, the waterproof coating with ion chelator had more excellent water resistance, alkali resistance, thermal and UV aging resistance. When the dosage of ion chelator was 2%, after 28 days of curing, cracks with a width of 0.29 mm in waterproof coating could fully heal and cracks with a width of 0.50 mm could achieve a self-healing efficiency of 72%. Furthermore, the results reveal that the self-healing product in the crack was calcite crystalline CaCO3.

Originality/value
A novel ion chelator was introduced into the composite coating system to endow it with excellent self-healing ability to prolong its service life. It has huge application potential in the field of building waterproofing.
Adoption of drone technology in construction – a study on interaction between various challenges
Authors: Sridharan Srividhya Raju , Malsane Sagar , Bhutada Govinda Shashikant 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to analyse the sequence of forces acting as barriers in the usage of drones in the construction industry using interpretive structural modelling (ISM). The usage of drones in the construction industry is brought out phase-wise with the help of literature and live cases. Barriers to the usage of drones in construction and steps to derive the interaction between them are described in detail.

Design/methodology/approach
The extraction of barriers to the usage of drones in construction is done through cases and supported by the literature. The identification of the interaction between the barriers is done through multi-criteria decision models, namely, ISM and Matriced Impacts Croises Multiplication Appliquee a un Classement (MICMAC) and the results are presented in the form of a hierarchical structure. The paper highlights the potential for the usage of drones in every phase of construction across three stages of construction and eight different applications.

Findings
The findings on the interaction between barriers show that technical and research and development-related barriers have a higher driving power, ultimately influencing negativity among stakeholders in drone usage for construction. By analysing interrelationships between barriers, management can frame suitable strategies to adopt drone usage in projects. Awareness about the strength of certain barriers can help management take steps to mitigate the same.

Research limitations/implications
By analysing interrelationships between barriers, management can frame suitable strategies to adopt drone usage in projects. A major limitation is a restriction of the study area to the Indian subcontinent. However, the authors believe that the results can be applied across countries where drone technology is at the nascent stage.

Practical implications
Awareness about the strength of certain barriers can help stakeholders take steps to mitigate the same.

Social implications
The results of this research also give some inputs to the government’s drone policy for wider usage of drones in the construction industry.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, most studies on drones in construction industry bring out a list various challenges to their adoption. In this study, the authors have gone further to perform a hierarchical sequencing of barriers to drone adoption based on challenges faced in an emerging economy like India.
Evaluative judgement in practice education: How does the ability to judge the quality of work impact placement performance?
Authors: Nicola‐Richmond Kelli , Ward Natalie , Logan Sally , Lyons Nikki , Ajjawi Rola 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntroductionOccupational therapy students need to be ready to work autonomously in a range of environments as soon as they complete their degree. Practice education experiences are considered key to students developing the competencies that autonomous work requires. To function autonomously in practice environments, it is argued that practitioners need to be able to judge the quality of their own work and the work of others. This is referred to as evaluative judgement. However, there is limited empirical literature relating to evaluative judgement and even less exploring the concept within occupational therapy.MethodsThis study used qualitative methods, seeking to understand the evaluative judgements of clinical practice made by third‐ and fourth‐year occupational therapy students during practice education.ResultsTwenty‐one interviews were conducted with third‐ (n = 10) and fourth‐year occupational therapy students (n = 1), university support staff supporting practice education (n = 4), and practice education supervisors (n = 5) at one Australian university. Practice education grades and documentation were also used as data. Data were analysed thematically, and two themes, each with three sub‐themes, were identified: students coming to understand expected standards, with the following sub‐themes: students attuning to cues, cues that inform supervisors about students' meeting the standards, and barriers and frustrations to understanding standards; and practising and developing evaluative judgement, with the following sub‐themes: making comparisons, acting on feedback, and reflective practice.ConclusionsPractice education experiences provide many context‐specific opportunities for students to develop their evaluative judgement. Students may be supported to come to know what quality work looks like by offering scaffolded opportunities to develop evaluative judgement in university and practice education settings.
Growth, fiscal and welfare implications of trade liberalization in Africa: A macro‐micro modeling assessment of the Senegalese economy
Authors: Diallo Mariam Amadou , D'Haese Marijke , Buysse Jeroen 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has been hailed as a key pillar and catalyst for economic growth, industrialization, and sustainable development in Africa. One of the anticipated benefits is the promise to increase intra‐African trade through the elimination of import duties and other tariffs among countries. However, due to the heterogeneity between the African countries, questions remain as to whether each country will benefit from tariff elimination. This paper aims to evaluate the macroeconomic, fiscal, and welfare consequences of import tax removal in Senegal with the rest of Africa. We link an extended version of the partnership for economic policy (PEP) static computable general equilibrium (CGE) model with a non‐parametric microsimulation approach. We calibrate the model with Senegal's most recent Social Accounting Matrix. The microeconomic model is calibrated using the latest Senegalese household consumption survey. The findings indicate that tariff removal from the rest of Africa has favorable economic, fiscal, and welfare impacts for Senegal. The paper suggests that it will lead to an increase in economic growth and investment. The removal of tariffs is expected to favor urban households over rural ones and leads to a modest decrease in income inequality, accompanied by a 3.36% reduction in the number of poor.