INSTITUTE OF A P P L I E D BUSINESS & ENGINEERING

Iraq oil rich country is in the condition of economic chaos and confronting an intense scarcity for the low-cost housing in the capital as migration from the surrounding cities flooded where country poor economic condition has pushed the housing price hiked in cities. Therefore, this study is conducted with aims to determine critical factors affecting the affordable housing in Iraq. Quantitative study consisting close ended questionnaire of four sections cover all critical factors and randomly distributed questionnaire among the construction industry players to determine the objectives of the study. The questionnaire was translated into Arabic/local language so the every responded understand the questions, total distributed questionnaire is 175 and in response 134 received and data is analysed using SPSS software. Study findings shows that sustainable land management, easy and low interest rate loan arrangement to overcome on the financial constraints are the critical problem followed by unsteady or interpreted supply of construction materials, pricing control significantly help to keep lower the cost of affordable housing. Study also concluded that smaller size houses are no longer the key barriers of acceptance to the Iraqi community. Thus, study strongly recommend government stakeholders to develop framework and properly manage the land for housing purpose. Lastly, steady supply chain management for all the essential construction materials such as steel, technology, cement, electrical and sanitary appliance also control the pricing so low-cost housing dream of the people become true.

This study aims to provide an integrated model for user acceptance in online shopping system. The study used a mixed-method approach, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. A qualitative method was applied to verify factors of user acceptance that were derived from the literature review, and to identify the relationships between the derived factors. A priori model of user acceptance in user acceptance in online shopping system is then proposed. A quantitative method was employed to validate the (a-priori) model. Questionnaires were distributed to experts who have more than 5 years' experience in online shopping system in Malaysia. Findings showed that seven factors including perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, e-WOM, Level of satisfaction and cultural and regional beliefs are significant. These six factors can facilitate in the understanding on how to implement user acceptance in online shopping system effectively. Moreover, in quantitative part, a sample with 400 shoppers from four shopping complexes in Kuala Lumpur called Tesco, AEON, Giant and Cold storage were randomly selected and were examined the relationship among the variables. The findings show there significant relationships among the variables and therefore we can conclude that the factors including perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, e-WOM, Level of satisfaction and cultural and regional have significant effect on behavioural intention to use online shopping.

The hospitality and tourism industry has taken a large hit over the course of the past year and a half as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic. Now that many areas around the world are starting to reopen for tourism once more, there is a need to determine the different innovations that have occurred in hospitality and tourism education. Still further, there is a need to understand what recent changes in hospitality and tourism education have occurred, including new innovations, as changes in educational practice within the field of hospitality and tourism education impact those who are already operating within the industry. To this end, the purpose of this study is to determine the influence of innovation in hospitality and tourism education over the course of the past two years in order to identify the impact of these educational changes on hospitality and tourism professionals in general and on tour guides in particular. A case study allowed the researcher to utilize survey data as a means of collecting qualitative and quantitative insights from professionals within the tourism industry. The results of this study led to recommendations regarding modifications to current educational programs within this field of study and recommendations for future areas of study.

The  researchers  have  discussed  the  main  variables  of  the  research  in  the  introduction  part  that include:  employee  empowerment  and  job  satisfaction.  The  importance  of  the  teachers  has  also been elaborated. The literature review contains an extensive look into the concepts of employee empowerment,  employee  psychological  empowerment,  benefits  of  empowerment  and  job satisfaction.  Past  studies  were  looked  into  in  order  to  substantiate  the  current  study. Extensive researchin  to  the  past  studies  helped  the  researchers  to  understand  the  concepts  clearly  before starting  off  with  the  research.  With  the  help  of  the  literature  review  and  the  base  paper  (See Annexure  ‘B’),  the  researchers  were  able  to  come  up  with  the  hypothesis and  the  research framework. The questionnaires were also taken from the base paper. Results were concluded by the researchers using the SPSS software. The reliability of the survey tool (questionnaires) was also  tested.  With  the  help  of  independent  t-test,ANOVA  test,  regression  and  Pearson’s correlation, the researchers were able to test the hypothesis. In the end, a thorough analysis of the results was provided and a discussion was conducted followed by the conclusion of the study.

The purpose of this research paper is to assess the planning process and their role in the sustainable development. This technical paper presents the planning process in telecom sector of Pakistan. The paper is based on content analysis. Besides this, practices and experiences of the professionals were accumulated followed by the human audit.  The study proclaimed that telecom sector in Pakistan is contributing to the social, emotional, environmental, and economic development. However, there is a dire need for delivery of value and sustained development. Community liaison centers need to be developed the active feedback for the balanced development. This short study presents unique perspective for the sustained development of the telecom sector. Moreover, the study also recommended to adopt agile/adoptive approach for sustained development. Furthermore, the study also proclaimed to involve internal and external stakeholder in the planning process, as inclusive planning remains more proactive and contribute more to the sustained development.

The utilization of cenosphere by-product of fly ash as a substitution of sand in concrete is an effective way to reduce thermal conductivity. This study investigates the mechanical and thermal properties of cenosphere substituted in the lightweight concrete. Cenosphere is the recycled material and possesses good thermal insulation properties. Study objectified replacement of sand over the FA cenospher to study the mechanical and thermal properties of the concrete. Experimental setup of the study 10%, 20% and 30% sand by weight is replaced with cenosphere. Concrete specimen prepares and cured for the period of 3, 7 and 28 d. Compressive strength of the concrete is analyzed for 3-7 and 28 d where tensile strength is analyzed for 28 d. Study shows significant improvement in the compressive strength and tensile strength. Thermal conductivity is analyzed for 28 d cured concrete samples using Heat flow FOX-50 instrument. Thermal conductivity reduces by 35% with the replacement of 30% sand over cenosphere which shows the significant reduction. Due to the lower density of cenosphere density of concrete samples reduced which is one of the leading factors to the lower thermal conductivity. Study concluded by replacement of 30% FA cenosphere compressive strength increased conversely thermal conductivity and density of the concrete specimen has reduced.

Study aim to improve the indoor building thermal comfort environment by using straw bale on the roof top promoting green construction projects. Experimentally field temperature of the residential building in Peshawer, city of Pakistan was collected for July 2019 and January2020 which has the highest and lowest temperature of the year further experimental temperature data is compared and validated using CFD modeling. CFD simulation was used to determine the effect of straw bale thermal insulator material on the roof top. Findings indicated that the experimental temperature shows 2 nd January has the lowest temperature and 11 th July has the highest and predicated validated temperature result shows similar findings with slightly difference of less than 20%. Straw bale utilization shows temperature reduces in the summer and increase in the winter inside the building but did not meet the ASHARE standard-55 recommended comfort zone temperatures values. This study concluded that straw bale did not effectively helpful to use in the Peshawar city for the thermal comfort in residential building. In the line, 123 Mushtaq Ahmad et al. more studies have recommended to use other natural and recycled thermal insulator materials and compare the result. The placement of thermal insulator material in buildings is essential has to consider in the future studies.

In the span of past few decades, population, urbanization and industrialization have transformed the mankind living standard and dynamics of the nature. Certainly, energy is the basic need for all living organisms. Energy is the route towards the economic growth. The evidence shows that the countries faced with energy crises are left behind in the economic activities; as a result, people are deprived. This study reviewed the available renewable energy resources and potential with positive and negative aspects. This study comprehensively discusses the renewable macro and micro energy resources studied in the past two decades reported in various studies. The paper is divided into two sections; the first section discusses the energy produced in the macro level and the second section discusses the energy produced using different strategies and techniques in the micro level. The potential and positive outcomes of the energy resources were identified. New paradigm of micro energies and importance of reusing the available resource of micro energy using different resources like energy harvesting on the road surface, vibration, airflow, radio frequency and thermal energy etc. were discussed. Lastly, the study focus does not only review but also finds the potential and opportunities for the researchers in the future to utilize the renewable energy resources

Concrete is among the most rapidly consuming material on earth and has huge impact on the environment directly in term of utilization of natural occurring materials and leading cause for green gases emission. Concrete is brittle material and weak in tension combine with brittle performance of concrete end in abrupt tensile failure with no warning. This is not acceptable for any material used in construction. Thus, concrete need some type of tensile reinforcement to balance its fragile performance & enhance its tensile strength. The basic objective of this study is to increase the ductility of concrete to offset its undesirable brittle nature and also to find the characteristics of concrete by using steel fibre in proportion 0%,1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% for 1:2:4 concrete with w/c 0.5.Slump, Compressive, split tensile strength and flexure tests were performed after 7 days & 28 days of curing. Load-deflection relations, cracks number, maximum crack width, & First cracking load load-deflection interrelations were studied to determine the flexural cracking performance of concrete beams. From results it has been concluded that, strength was increased up to 2% addition of steel fiber and then decrease gradually. Moreover, the flexural crack width was considerably decreased with adding of steel fibers. The outcome also displayed that the maximum load & first cracking load are raised with adding of SFs.

Construction projects are always problematic and difficult to manage in certain stages. Management in construction industry has been characterized as being weak, insufficient, nebulous, backward and slow to react against changing conditions. This study aims to identify
risk and cost managed in the change management of the construction projects. Quantitative
study is organized and questionnaire as an instrument is used to collect the information from
the construction experts in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Random sampling techniques is used to
collect the data, 105 questionnaires are distributed and 90 ones are returned. The correlation
analysis shows significant relationship between cost, risk and change management. The reliability test indicates satisfactory result to continue the questionnaire where Cronbach coefficient alpha value exceeds the level of 0.70. The study finds that design changes, client and
contractor related changes are mostly occurred in change management of construction projects. Tendering on the basis of an incomplete design, which then changes during the course
of the construction has been found as the key reason of the changes. Through a paper based
exercise, site memorandums (SM), quoted rates (QR), variation orders (VO) and monthly
payment certificates (MPC) are the activities managed by the engineers. Proper planning is
the most leading change management in the risk management. Implementation of risk management was found the applied risk management in practice to hindrances. Since this is very
vast debated subject, the study has recommended further investigation to include consultant
firms for better understanding of the design changes leading to the cost and risk associated

Disposal of waste from water treatment plant is one of the major issues most treatment plants seem not to overcome due to the constant generation of this waste as a result of meeting the demand of water and purification of water for human consumption. The effect of disposing sludge constantly in the environment has called for an economical and sustainable way of reusing alum sludge. However, this paper aimed at reviewing the possible literature on applying waste from water treatment plant in various ways, example; in building material; as brick and tiles, in concrete ; as replacement of cement and aggregate, in Geotechnics; as soil stabilizer and in agriculture; as soil fertilizer, in pottery; use as replacement of clay in flower pot production for sustainable disposal. All the above mentioned categories of uses have reviled an effective and efficient way in managing waste from water treatment plant (alum sludge), also a safer and economical manner of disposal. However, the effects when used and the behaviour when it is incorporated with other materials were highlighted, other reuse and disposal options where discussed and the areas not covered (knowledge gap) was identified.

The experiment was conducted to examine the effect of various water stress levels on two varieties (V 1 : Swat 1, V 2 : Swat) of onion crop (Alliumcepa. L) during the Rabi season 2015 and used RCBD with split plot arrangements of three replicates on clay loam soil. The stress levels comprised of full irrigation (I o), 90% of full irrigation (I 1), 80% of full irrigation (I 2) and 70% of full irrigation (I 3). The soil moisture was determined by using FDR. Based on statistical results, the number of leaves (9.06) of both varieties at I 0 was more as compared to the given stress conditions. The plant height was significantly influenced by the irrigation levels. Moreover, the data reflected that plant height was maximum (65.7 cm) at I o, while under the stress condition (I 3), the plant height was minimum (48.7 cm). The maximum leaf length was observed at I 0 (full irrigation) whereas, minimum value was obtained in I 3 (28.82 cm). It was observed from the mean data that the maximum leaf width was 1.1, 1.077, 0.928 and 0.796 cm at I 0 , I 1 , I 2 and I 3 , respectively. Bulb diameter of onion crop was significantly influenced by the irrigation levels however, the effect on varieties and the interaction between varieties and irrigation were non-significant. Percent Rotten Bulb in each treatment was not significantly influenced by the irrigation levels. Hence, both varieties showed same average values of the percent rotten bulb (9% each). Number of roots per plant showed less difference among all the treatments. It was clear from the data that the root length was highly affected by the irrigation levels. The minimum root length (21.9 cm) was observed at the application of I 1 while the maximum root length (29.15 cm) was noticed at I 3. The maximum bulb yield of onion crop (2.85 tons ha 1) was obtained when treated with I 0. Therefore, it is concluded that both varieties showed negative response to extreme deficit irrigation levels below 90% while higher irrigation stress levels gave positive response in terms of yield and water use efficiency.

Malaysia has potential to generate alternative renewable solar energy. Rubber tube was embedded in asphalt pavement at a depth of 75mm. Thermal behavior of solar heat was studied at different location in asphalt pavement. Asphalt pavement top surface which is exposed to the direct sunlight, temperature above the rubber tube, temperature of liquid (water) filled in rubber tube and temperature below the rubber tube were the locations chosen to observe the thermal behavior and heat transformation from top to bottom. The observation was carried out for three (3) days in asphalt pavement and using thermodynamic first law to find the heat efficiency. Study concludes that the maximum surface temperature reach to 59.5 oC and water inside rubber tube temperature reach to 54.7 oC. In the result minimum 2.4% and maximum heat efficiency 22.7% produced by using rubber tube the case might be change using other metals.

The exceptional and unusual growth of social media in just a few years of existence is alarming. Maybe because it allows people to keep in touch, recruit and interview employees, share information with friends, buy and sell, communication between international and national bodies demonstrates the power of internet as social medium. Social media is an internet based application, which allows the use and exchange of contents generated by the user. It is an interactive platform that enables individuals, businesses, and communities, to discuss, interact, create and communicate. Social media covers a wide range of online, word-of-mouth forums including blogs, company-sponsored discussion boards and chat rooms, consumer-to-consumer e-mail, consumer product or service ratings websites and forums, Internet discussion boards and forums, moblogs (sites containing digital audio, images, movies, or photographs), and social networking websites, to name a few. Physical examples of such social media used by organisations include facebook, blogs, chatroom, YouTube, flickr, MySpace. This paper tries to analyze this challenge faced by the public relations in relation to communication and spreading of information. It tries to ponder over the argument that there is a need for universal standards when using the social media for communication by the public relations practitioners.

The aim of the study is to investigate compressive strength of pervious concrete by reduction of fine aggregate from zero to 100%, additionally investigate infiltration rate of pervious concrete. Experimental study has conducted at Cecos Engineering University Peshawar. The pervious concrete samples were produced for 7 and 28 days. Compressive strength of pervious concrete indicated higher reduction of the sand reduces compressive strength and almost 50% compressive strength decreased by reduction of 100% sand from the design mix. On the other side, infiltration rate for 28 days shows direct relation above 40% reduction of sand and highest 273% of infiltration rate by reducing 100% sand from the design mix. The 90% reduction of sand from concrete give considerable compressive strength of 2150 psi and infiltration rate of 165.79 inch/hour, which can be recommended for pavements of parking and walking area.

The aim of the study is to develop automated irrigation system since water scarcity is high in the deserts and high temperature zones around the world. The project is designed to reduce over irrigation and manpower to look after the plants and crops. This project consists of electric circuit board of electronic devices assembled such as humidity sensor, electronic solenoid valve, LCD, relay, ARV microcontroller and 12 Volts battery. Humidity sensor is inserted in the plant soil. The humidity sensor shows higher and lower level of humidity present in the soil and deliver message to the control unit. Once control unit receive data from humidity sensor display on LCD and send message to solenoid on/off valve. Valve automatically start function once received message from control unit and water supply to the plant soil until humidity level achieve in the soil. Sensor measure low and high level of humidity so once desired level achieve sensor sent message to control unit and to stop water supply. This system will run when humidity in the soil is lower in the result microcontroller receive message from sensor and automatically water supply provided with the help of solenoid on/off electric valves. The process continues till humidity level is achieved and water supply will automatically stop to prevent over irrigation or wastage of water.

The aim of the study is to develop automated irrigation system since water scarcity is high in the deserts and high temperature zones around the world. The project is designed to reduce over irrigation and manpower to look after the plants and crops. This project consists of electric circuit board of electronic devices assembled such as humidity sensor, electronic solenoid valve, LCD, relay, ARV microcontroller and 12 Volts battery. Humidity sensor is inserted in the plant soil. The humidity sensor shows higher and lower level of humidity present in the soil and deliver message to the control unit. Once control unit receive data from humidity sensor display on LCD and send message to solenoid on/off valve. Valve automatically start function once received message from control unit and water supply to the plant soil until humidity level achieve in the soil. Sensor measure low and high level of humidity so once desired level achieve sensor sent message to control unit and to stop water supply. This system will run when humidity in the soil is lower in the result microcontroller receive message from sensor and automatically water supply provided with the help of solenoid on/off electric valves. The process continues till humidity level is achieved and water supply will automatically stop to prevent over irrigation or wastage of water.

The goal of the research is to identify and explore most commonly purchasing products online also influencing factors on the online buying behavior of the MUST university students. Functionality, privacy, trust, firm reputation and perceived value are the major influencing factors on consumer buying online behavior. Quantitative study approached has been adopted in this study and total 100 questionnaire samples have been distributed among MUST university business faculty students. The findings indicated that about 99.0% MUST students are involved in online purchasing and most computer/electronic/ mobile are the common products purchased online. The relationship and data reliability of the influencing factors are significantly reliable and has significant relationships which justify the study hypothesis. Study concluded that among the influencing factors functionality of the web vendors ranked high importunacy followed by privacy, perceived value, firm reputation and trust. The lower ranking of trust is indicating that major respondents group feels uncomfortable or unsafe while trusting on the web vendor.

Thermal comfort is only one factor that affects the driving experience. Several infants/children death reported across the globe after left in the parked car and high temperature create heat stroke. The aim of the paper is to determine the temperature variation inside the car cabin under direct sunlight in Malaysia also to reduce the temperature variation inside the car cabin by installation of exhaust fans. Experimental study has conducted to record outdoor and indoor car cabin temperature and compare the variation difference also install exhaust fans to reduce from the cabin. Findings shows outdoor and indoor 15-20 0 C temperature difference found in the peak solar day time and by installation of four fans slightly reduce the indoor temperature. Study concluded that car parked under direct sunlight indoor car cabin temperature is higher 15-20 C and by installation of fans or windows slightly lower close may reduce the inside temperature.

Thermal comfort is only one factor that affects the driving experience. Several infants/children death reported across the globe after left in the parked car and high temperature create heat stroke. The aim of the paper is to determine the temperature variation inside the car cabin under direct sunlight in Malaysia also to reduce the temperature variation inside the car cabin by installation of exhaust fans. Experimental study has conducted to record outdoor and indoor car cabin temperature and compare the variation difference also install exhaust fans to reduce from the cabin. Findings shows outdoor and indoor 15-20 0 C temperature difference found in the peak solar day time and by installation of four fans slightly reduce the indoor temperature. Study concluded that car parked under direct sunlight indoor car cabin temperature is higher 15-20 C and by installation of fans or windows slightly lower close may reduce the inside temperature.

This study investigated the perception of students towards mobile learning in higher education in Pakistan. This study explains the conceptual model, based on the theory of planned behavior which explains the readiness of student; their beliefs influences intention to take up mobile devices for their learning purposes. Structural equational modeling was used to analyze data from 600 students. The results show that according to the theory of planned behavior university student's acceptance of m-learning is reasonably well. More specifically attitude and behavioral control positively influenced their intention to adopt m-learning. The results also give us information how to improve university student's acceptance of mobile learning in the higher education institutions of Pakistan.

This project aimed to determine solar heat temperature variations in copper and rubber pipes embedded into the asphalt pavement using finite element method. The significant of the project to explore sustainable energy generation while using pavement surface as a heat collector therefore solar efficiency beneath paved surface has to determine. The arrangement of copper and rubber pipe in asphalt pavement is serpentine. The asphalt pavement size of 300mm x 300mm and 300mm x 500mm is simulated in ANSYS. Asphalt pavement is embedded with serpentine copper and rubber pipes of diameter of 40mm. The solar heat temperature is collected in asphalt pavement at depths of 50mm, 100mm and 150mm. Pipes are filled with liquid (water)  to maintain or cool the temperature at night time. The stated asphalt pavement size samples have created where copper and rubber pipes are embedded and temperature collection among each sample is recorded. The findings of the project indicated that larger surface area of asphalt pavement (300mm x 500mm) exposed to the sunlight collect more energy than smaller (300mm x 300mm) size of asphalt pavement. The serpentine arrangement of copper and rubber pipes embedded in asphalt pavement has slight difference of solar heat collections. The solar heat collected at 50mm depth is higher than 100mm and 150mm depths.

The study aims to identify the effectiveness of the collaboration and challenges faced by the construction stakeholder in response to the current problem in construction industry. Quantitative study has conducted and using simple random technique to distribute the questionnaire among construction players. Three main construction players consultant, contractors and client has chosen and individual has given 10 samples of the questionnaire due to the time constraint. SPSS analysis has practices for the data analysis process, where data reliability shows satisfactory result. Mainly effectiveness of the study indicated that collaboration has significantly effective in construction project in the following conjunction with impact of collaboration shows very impactful indicated that collaboration is less practice in Malaysian construction industry but respondents believes it has positive impact and effective. Moreover, study found that overall performance of the construction project may improve with collaboration reduce project completion time period but cost will not reduce. Further, it is found lack of effective tools and poor communication among the stakeholders are the major issues which need to address by hiring professional in the industry. In the future context study has to address other challenges and extend the data collection from the other construction players for the better understanding of the problem.

The attraction factors to the tourist of visiting the Lawang Park of West Sumatra Indonesia are determined in this paper. Local tourist is the respondents of this study. The park attracts huge numbers of local visitors in public holidays. Purposive sample method was used to collect primary data where 100 questionnaires were distributed among respondents. The obtained data was analyzed through descriptive Analysis Technique and The Factor-Analysis model. The study findings indicated that nice view, unique destination, friendly, peaceful and cleaning are the top attraction influencing factors among visitors of Lawang Park. Beside religious freedom, availability of worshiping area; proper guidance to the visitors, cheap souvenirs and easy access to the public transportation are the concerning factors to the growing tourist to the Lawang park. The study findings indicated that visitors are well satisfied over the management and community.

International Joint Ventures (IJVs) and Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As) have become methods of a strategic approach used by firms to expand into new markets, gain technical expertise, technical knowledge, get into the global marketplace or allocate more capital. However, despite this robust academic interest, these predominant strategic have been carefully designed to ensure a better strategic fit between two companies. The task of integrating these companies remains difficult, with the increasing failure of these integration being traced to financial market factors, neglected human resources, diverse cultures.

The aim of writing this editorial article is to create awareness and knowledge especially among the young researchers who do not have much experience of publication or selection of International conference and end-up in the wrong place. In the result, I would say they will not only lose their money but the most valuable assets of their research which comes after months or years of effort, hardship and its extremely painful if end-up with the wrong journal or conference. I believe creating awareness and knowledge is tool to advise and suggest them in a better way. Bell list fake journals "https://beallslist.net/" has done much work to identify the fake journal and conference-along with complete information but I still believe more knowledge and personal experience and observation might need to share so researcher take care as much they can. Secondly, Bell, do not identify the cloned-duplicated journals website which is recently trending and rapidly scamming the young researchers specifically and even experienced researcher could not easily identify them get victims to those scammer's on daily bases. They are more organized and playing safely and systematically.

The absences of an efficient management of municipal solid waste (MSW) regarding to use waste plastic material which inundated our cities and towns is growing challenge for developing countries including Malaysia. On other hand, growing traffic on roads changing environment and their impact on the road pavement resulted road failure and distress caused negative impact on economy of the country. This study examines properties of the waste polymers materials such as water bottles (polyethylene terephthalate, PET) and disposable plastic cups (polypropylene, PP). These polymers were added by using wet process to the conventional bitumen penetration grade (80/100) prepared Marshall Samples using ACW-14 to investigate Marshall Parameters of polymer modified bitumen and compare with conventional bitumen. Basic penetration, softening point, ductility and rotation viscosity test was performed and study finding shows that penetration, ductility, viscosity decrease while softening point increase by addition of polymers. Marshall analysis of the study found that by addition of 9.0 % polymers to the bitumen by weight of 5.5% at optimum level increase Marshall properties and shows positive response for both polymers. Such as stability increase up to 60-70%, stiffness, flow, density and voids of the polymer modified bitumen found positively improved. Bitumen properties were improved as well as Marshall Stability of the modified bitumen found improved. In conclusion the polymers modified bitumen improves stability, workability and reduce deformation in road pavement.