• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.325-336
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• 2019

Concrete placement and temporary formwork of bridge deck overhangs result in unbalanced eccentric loads that cause exterior girders to rotate during construction. These construction loads affect the global and local stability of the girders and produce permanent girder rotation after construction. In addition to construction loads, the skew angle of the bridge also contributes to girder rotation. To prevent rotation (in both skewed and non-skewed bridges), a number of techniques have been suggested to temporarily brace the girders using transverse tie bars connecting the top flanges and embedded in the deck, temporary horizontal and diagonal steel pipes placed between the webs of the exterior and first interior girders, and permanent cross frames. This study includes a rigorous three-dimensional finite element analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of several bracing systems for non-skewed and several skewed bridges. In this paper, skew angles of $0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, and $45^{\circ}$ were considered for single- and three-span bridges. The results showed that permanent cross frames worked well for all bridges, whereas temporary measures have limited application depending on the skew angle of the bridge.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제8권5호
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• pp.201-210
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• 2021

COVID-19 presented the world with a severe loss of life and impact, which has no geographical bounds or expected time to when its effects will subside. It has affected countries across the globe, disrupting economic levels and businesses in every industry while also altering individuals' everyday lives. The current research aims to examine the impact of coronavirus pandemic on entrepreneur's business activities and their perceptions on the difference in consumer behavior during this time. The findings reveal the pandemic negatively impacted business productivity and profits, forcing many businesses to physically close permanently. Surprisingly, female entrepreneurs do not perceive a change in consumer behavior compared to pre-COVID-19 times. Interestingly, the results indicate there is a negative impact on employees' efficiency to conduct work in which almost no research has conveyed such a finding. For this purpose, a survey was conducted with 445 responses from male and female entrepreneurs in the capital city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, using a simple random sample over the period of four months. Ultimately, this research will help entrepreneurs gain more knowledge and a deeper understanding of this new environment necessary to undertaking certain measures and adaptability in order to sustain their businesses during unprecedented times.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.1063-1070
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• 2021

The study aims to investigate the role of consumer's social risk perceptions in retailing private label brands. Since private label brands are exclusively available at retail stores, consumers make their purchase decisions regarding them based on the image of that retail outlet. While buying them, risk perceptions are influenced by the retail store's image. The study identifies various retail store dimensions. For this purpose, primary data was collected using a survey questionnaire that was administered to a representative sample of retail store consumers in Riyadh. The data was analyzed and exploratory factor analysis was applied using SPSS 25 version to extract store image dimensions. The results showed six significant dimensions of retail store image namely 'Sales Staff', 'Promotion', 'Store Environment', 'Store Services', 'Product Assortment', and 'Customer Convenience'. Regression Analysis was performed and the effect of these retail store image dimensions was tested on social risk perceptions of consumers. Results indicate that store image dimensions significantly influence consumer's perceived social risk perceptions. However, the relationship is not consistent across all the six identified store image dimensions. The study brings forth several valuable consumer insights and the findings of the study have some very interesting and practical implications for retailers.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.181-191
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• 2021

The aim of the study is to empirically investigate and analyze the influence of public welfare, audit findings, and follow-up of audit recommendations on audit opinion with the disclosure level of financial reports as an intervening variable using agency theory and signaling theory. To achieve this purpose, a quantitative research method was employed. Population of this study is Provincial Government Financial Reports in Indonesia for fiscal years 2016 to 2018. There were 84 financial reports that met the criteria of purposive sampling. The data were gathered from the websites of the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia and the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics. In this study, the hypothesis-testing tool is path analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 15. Based on the multiple regression analysis, the results show that audit findings, public income, and the disclosure level of financial reports significantly influenced audit opinion. Besides, the follow-up of audit recommendations and public health significantly influenced audit opinion through the disclosure level of financial reports. This study suggests that, in order to have better audit opinion, local governments need to improve public welfare, follow-up audit finding, and disclose more details in financial report.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.225-237
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• 2021

The current study aims to classify what determines entrepreneurial leadership among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Saudi Arabian context. It also attempted to recognize the role played by entrepreneurial leadership by supporting SMEs in the nation's sustainable economic growth. The study is based on a primary survey administered among SMEs in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. Overall, 152 responses were collected. However, after data cleaning, only 107 were found to be fit for final analysis. Structural Equation Modelling using SmartPLS® Software was applied for analysis. The findings emerged from the study immensely concluded that entrepreneurial leadership is an essential instrument for managers/owners of the SMEs sector who aim to improve the efficiency of tasks and contextual performance in Saudi Arabia. The study came across that "ability to absorb uncertainty," "ability to build commitment," "the ability to frame the Challenge," "the ability of path-clearing," and "ability to specify limits," are the five constructs that help frame the entrepreneurial leadership in the Saudi context. The study suggests that leadership trainers, SME policymakers must focus on precisely these skills to inculcate the ability of entrepreneurial leadership among Saudi entrepreneurs, SMEs owners, and managers.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.209-221
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• 2023

A significant body of prior research on performance management systems (PMSs) either explains the components and the design of the systems or investigates the link between particular system/s and organizational functions, capabilities, or performance. In contrast, this study investigates the comprehensive use of PMSs and relates them to corporate financial and non-financial performance. Further, this study examines whether the association between PMSs and performance varies between industries or is moderated by the size of the company. Data was collected using a questionnaire that was sent to companies from different industries operating in Riyadh province, where the most important businesses in Saudi Arabia are located. A total of 152 usable responses were received. The results of this study revealed that companies use a variety of PMSs at a balanced level. The extent of each category of PMS use is associated with the extent of other PMS categories' use. However, the larger the company, the more PMSs it uses. Importantly, the results showed a positive and significant association between PMSs' extent of use and both financial and non-financial performance. This association was minimally moderated by the company size and industry for specific categories of PMSs and performance.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.9-17
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• 2023

The study attempted to answer the questions related to the expected effects of supply chain management variables which include: Partnership with Suppliers (PS), Relationships with Customers (RC), Quality of Information Exchange (QIE), and Postponement (P), as independent variables, total quality management (TQM) as a dependents variable, and just in time (JIT) as a mediator variable. The study relies on the descriptive approach by conducting an empirical study on commercial companies in Riyadh Governorate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through the methods of descriptive and analytical statistics represented in exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM)), using the AMOS and SPSS programs, the results of the applied study indicated that: There is an effect of supply chain management variables (quality of information exchange, Postponement) on just in time (JIT), there is no effect of the supply chain variables (relationship with customers, partnership with suppliers) on just in time (JIT), there is an indirect effect of the quality of information exchange, Postponement, partnership with suppliers, the relationship with customers on total quality management (TQM), relationship with customers affect on total quality management (TQM) indirectly, just in time (JIT) does not affect total quality management (TQM)

• 국제초고층학회논문집
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.11-32
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• 2024

In recent years, urban landscapes across the globe have undergone a remarkable transformation marked by a substantial surge in skyscraper development. This paper offers a comprehensive overview of the contemporary evolution of tall buildings, with a particular emphasis on the Middle East. It surveys tall building development in the ten "tallest cities" across the Middle East, including Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Riyadh, Manama, Tel Aviv, Kuwait, Mecca, and Jeddah, while listing the tallest ten buildings in each city. The focus sharpens on Dubai, UAE, serving as a compelling case study that vividly illustrates the city's swift metamorphosis from a low-rise to a high-rise urban center. Through meticulous examination, the study aims to unveil the key drivers propelling the construction of the world's tallest buildings, asserting that globalization factors play a pivotal role in fostering this transformative shift. The impetus behind this surge is rooted in the aspiration to project a modern and progressive image on the global stage. With Dubai at the forefront, cities in the Middle East strategically endeavor to reshape their international image and reclaim historical grandeur through ambitious skyscraper projects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.165-168
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of oral cancer and its associated factors among university students in Malaysia. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 200 university students in Malaysia. A self administered questionnaire was used to collect data. It included questions on sociodemographic data, awareness and knowledge of oral cancer. Results: Mean age of the respondents was $21.5{\pm}2.5$ and the age ranged from 18 to 27 years. The majority of the respondents were aware of oral cancer (92.0%) and recognized the followings as signs and symptoms of oral cancer: ulcer and oral bleeding (71.0%), followed by swelling (61.5%). A satisfactory knowledge was observed on the following risk factors; smoking (95.5%), poor oral hygiene (90.5%), family history (90.0%), alcohol (84.5%) and poor fitting dentures (83.0%). However, unsatisfactory knowledge was observed about hot/spicy food (46.5%), obesity (36.0%), old age (31.5%), dietary factor (29.0%) and smokeless tobacco (25.5%). Knowledge of oral cancer was associated significantly with age (p<0.01), year of study (p<0.01) and course of study (p<0.01). Conclusion: Instead of satisfactory awareness and knowledge of oral cancer and its clinical presentations, inadequate knowledge was observed about its risk factors. There is a need to introduce oral cancer education among university students.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.43-52
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• 2017

A survey was conducted to determine the status of Lucerne transient streak virus (LTSV) in three high-yielding alfalfa regions in central Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Qassim, and Hail) during 2014. Three hundred and eight symptomatic alfalfa, and seven Sonchus oleraceus samples were collected. DAS-ELISA indicated that 59 of these samples were positive to LTSV. Two isolates of LTSV from each region were selected for molecular studies. RT-PCR confirmed the presence of LTSV in the selected samples using a specific primer pair. Percentage identity and homology tree comparisons revealed that all Saudi isolates were more closely related to each other but also closely related to the Canadian isolate-JQ782213 (97.1-97.6%) and the New Zealand isolate-U31286 (95.8-97.1%). Comparing Saudi isolates of LTSV with ten other sobemoviruses based on the coat protein gene sequences confirmed the distant relationship between them. Eleven out of fourteen plant species used in host range study were positive to LTSV. This is the first time to document that Trifolium alexandrinum, Nicotiana occidentalis, Chenopodium glaucum, and Lathyrus sativus are new host plant species for LTSV and that N. occidentalis being a good propagative host for it.