scholarly journals Statistical Optimization of Saccharification Process Using Amorphophallus Paeoniifolius Tubers into Fermentable Sugars for Bioethanol Production in Stirred Tank Batch Reactor (STBR)

Author(s):  
S.P. Rakshitha ◽  
K. V. Keerthana ◽  
P. Anjuna ◽  
S.G. Sangam ◽  
K. Sandesh ◽  
...  

Abstract Current technologies for the production of biofuels from various renewable feedstocks have considerably captured vast scientific attention due to the fact that they can be used as an alternative fuels. Bioethanol being one of the most interesting biofuels and due to its positive impact on the environment has been categorised significantly in terms of scientific and technological investments. The aim of this study was to investigate, tubers of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius biomass as a feedstock for bioethanol production. The composition analysis of A.paeoniifolius tubers revealed high carbohydrate content (78.30 ± 0.33%). The feedstock was subjected to physicochemical pretreatment by treating with dilute acid followed by pressure cooking. The pretreatment factors were optimized by CCD using RSM approach. The optimum condition was found to be 1.32%v/v of HCl, 5.83%w/v of Elephant Foot Yam Biomass and 66.84 min of pressure cooking time yielding 45.87 g/L of total sugar. The second order polynomial equation was generated for the saccharification of the biomass and validated with R2 0.89. The fermentation of pretreated biomass in the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae MTCC170 yielded 22.12 ± 0.62 g/L of bioethanol at 120 h utilising 92% of initial total sugar. The resultant ethanol yield and productivity was estimated to be 0.51 g/g and 0.30 g/L.h respectively. The Gompertz model equation was applied to experimental data using nonlinear regression with the least square method and the kinetic fermentation parameters such as maximum ethanol concentration (Pm), production rate (rpm) and lag phase (h) were estimated to be Pm =21.90 g/L, rpm =0.57 g/L.h and tL =8.22 h.

GIS Business ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-28
Author(s):  
Nouman Nasir

This research examines the effect of enterprise risk management on firm value in Pakistan. Further, this study empirically examines company characteristics that establish the execution of an enterprise risk management system. Using a sample of final dataset of 83 non-financial firms located in Pakistan. The sample included non-financial firms from the year 1999 to 2015 and so up to seventeen observation years per company. As in context of Pakistan, most of the organizations are already implement an ERM programs and establish specialized ERM departments because the ERM is now a global term and has become increasingly relevant because of the growing difficulty of risk and an additional development of regulatory frame works. For the empirical evidences, data collected from non-financial firms listed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Results of logistic regression shows that Capital Opacity, Profitability, Financial Leverage, Firm Size and Slack have positive impact on the implementation of an ERM system but Industrial diversification, Industry and Return on Equity are negatively related to an ERM engagement. The results of ordinary least square regression finds positive relationship between use of an ERM and firm value.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 55-74
Author(s):  
Faqeer Muhammad ◽  
Kifayat Ullah ◽  
Rehmat Karim

This study aims to explore the influence of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), Politico-Economic Conditions (PEC) on Tourist Behavioral Intension (TBI) in Hunza, Pakistan. The study further investigates the mediating role of Tourist Satisfaction (TS) on the given variables. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique has been applied to conceptualize the research frame and to test the proposed hypotheses. Primary data was collected by using convenient sampling technique for analysis from 220 tourists who visited tourism nucleus sites of Hunza. The finding of the study reveals that Natural resources and Environment, Politico-and Economic Conditions have a significant positive impact on Tourist’s Behavioral Intensions. Moreover, Tourist’s Satisfaction partially mediates the positive relationships among Natural Resources and Environment, Political & Economic Conditions and Tourist’s Behavioral Intensions. The findings of the study extend the understanding that presence of natural resources along with healthy environment and stable political & economic conditions of a destination are the key determinants for sustainable tourism development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6281
Author(s):  
Sheela Sundarasen ◽  
Kamilah Kamaludin ◽  
Izani Ibrahim ◽  
Usha Rajagopalan ◽  
Nevi Danila

This study explores the effects of interactions among key stakeholders, i.e., auditors, underwriters, and firm owners on IPOs’ first-day returns in selected OECD nations. It also examines the alteration effects of legal origin (Common law and Civil law) on the relationship between the interacted key stakeholders and IPOs’ first-day returns. A total of four thousand one hundred and sixty-four IPOs from twenty-eight OECD nations are included in this study. Since it is cross-sectional data, a two-stage least square regression is applied. The empirical outcomes indicate that, in general, the interacted reputable underwriters and auditors have a positive impact on IPOs’ first-day return. The relationship is modified between common law and civil law nations, whereby in civil law nations, no significance is demonstrated except for the interaction between the reputable auditors and underwriters. In the common law nation, interactions between reputable auditors and ownership retention have an impact on IPOs’ first-day return. The research findings provide outlooks into an IPO framework for issuers, investors, and regulators. Issuers may want to weigh carefully the costs and benefits of hiring credible auditors and underwriters when going public as they act as signaling agents. As for the investors, they should take into consideration the involvement of reputable underwriters and auditors and the degree to which the IPO firms retain ownership, as the interactive effects give clear signals on firm valuation and IPOs’ first-day returns. Regulators may find the findings informative concerning the creation of a more organized regulatory and financial system that could lead to a deeper and more open financial market.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 532-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommy Lau ◽  
Man Lai Cheung ◽  
Guilherme D. Pires ◽  
Carol Chan

Purpose The abolishment of the wine tax in Hong Kong has led to increased wine consumption and increased demand for wine-related professionals, such as sommeliers. Yet the importance of sommeliers’ value-adding performance in the context of upscale Chinese restaurants has not been examined. To address this gap, the SERVQUAL framework is adopted to examine the influence of sommeliers’ service quality (SQ) on customer satisfaction (CS) and loyalty in the context of upscale Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach The survey method is used to collect data from 302 units of the population of interest, partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) is used to test the links between constructs. Findings Four of the seven dimensions of sommeliers’ service quality, namely, empathy, tangibles, credibility and assurance, have a significant positive impact on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty, whereas the impact of perceived value and responsiveness on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty is positive but only marginally significant. Reliability has a weak and non-significant impact on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Research limitations/implications Examining a small number of upscale Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong limits generalisation of the findings to other contexts. Replication of the research in different contexts will enhance generalizability. In terms of implications, the discussion highlights the importance of sommeliers’ service performance on customers’ SQ perceptions SQ, CS and loyalty, all of which are important variables for restaurateurs. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of the influence of the quality of sommelier’s SQ on CS and loyalty in upscale Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong. Given the lack of attention to this service role in the literature, the study contributes theory from which further understanding can develop.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Farooq ◽  
Amna Noor ◽  
Shoukat Ali

Purpose The purpose of this research is to look into the governance–performance relationship in the context of critical firm characteristics, such as firm size. Design/methodology/approach Based on total assets, sample firms were classified as small or large. The governance index, which is based on 29 governance provisions covering the audit committee, board committee, ownership and compensation structure of the respective firm, measures governance quality among sample firms. A higher governance index indicates a higher level of governance quality and vice versa. Accounting and market value measures are used to determine firm profitability. The authors used the two-stage least square (2SLS) method of estimation of the model to eliminate the simultaneous equation bias. Findings Corporate governance (CG) appears to have a positive impact on accounting return and market indices (Tobin’s Q), but it has little impact on return on equity. In terms of firm size, larger companies profited more from better governance implementation than smaller firms that lacked these principles, thus improving CG. The findings indicate that small businesses should improve their governance mechanisms to reap the benefits of CG in terms of increased profitability. Research limitations/implications There are certain drawbacks to this research. First, the authors omitted qualitative aspects of CG from the CG index, such as the board’s decision-making process, directors’ perceptions of the board’s position and directors’ age and qualifications. Such a qualitative component will improve the governance index in the future while building the governance index. Second, as the current study only looks at the nonfinancial sector, caution should be exercised before applying the findings to the entire population. Practical implications The findings show that companies that follow good governance standards have better accounting and market efficiency than those that do not. As a result, good governance practices can help firms in developing countries improve their performance. Academic researchers, regulators, investors, lenders and practitioners can find the findings useful in establishing a true relationship between firm performance and CG practices in Pakistan. Originality/value The relationship between governance and profitability in the context of firm size is examined in this research. Firms with varying resources and ability to implement CG codes have varying effects on profitability. To the authors’ knowledge, there was a gap in the literature that addressed this topic in the local context.


Author(s):  
Hana Suryana

Objective - Explore the data and information on External Environmental Forces and Company Resources on Strategic Orientation, Absorptive Capability, Value Creation and their implication on Business Performance of courier service industry in Indonesia. Methodology/Technique - The nature of this research is descriptive and verification. The unit of analysis is the courier service industry, and a sample of 72 courier companies from various regions in Indonesia. The time horizon is cross-sectional, where the research is done at a certain time. Primary data is collected by a questionnaire and interviews with management of the companies and stakeholders. The analysis is done by using the model verification Partial Least Square (PLS). Findings - Company Resources have the positive impact on Absorptive Capability to increase Value Creation and Business Performance.However, the magnitude of the influence is faced with the problems of in optimal development of Company Resources on the aspects of tangible and intangible assets. The condition makes companies could not optimize in Absorptive Capability as well as Value Creation to improve Business Performance. Novelty - It was very few articles discussing the comparison of the psychological determinants of online self-disclosure and privacy issues between Polish and Indonesian. Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords : Absorptive Capability, Business Performance, Company Resources,External Environmental Forces, Strategic Orientation, Value Creation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
R. Y. Blume ◽  
O.V. Melnychuk ◽  
S.P. Ozheredov ◽  
D.B. Rakhmetov ◽  
Y.B. Blume

Aim. Main aim of this research was the evaluation of theoretical bioethanol yield (per ha) from hexaploid giant miscanthus (Miscanthus х giganteus) and further comparison with conventional triploid form as well as with other bioethanol crops. Methods. Several mathematic functions were determined that describe yearly yield dynamics and equations, which were used in calculations of theoretical bioethanol yield. Results. The theoretical bioethanol yield was evaluated for different hexaploid miscanthus lines. The most productive in terms of ethanol yield were lines 108 and 202, from which potential bioethanol yield was found to be higher than in control line (6451 L/ha) by 10.7 % and 14.2% respectively and can reach 7144 L/ha and 7684 L/ha. Conclusions. It was determined that the most productive lines of polyploid miscanthus (lines 108 and 202) are able to compete with other plant cellulosic feedstocks for second-generation bioethanol production in Ukraine. However, these lines show bioethanol productivity than sweet sorghum, in the case when sweet sorghum is processed for obtainment of both first- and second-generation bioethanol. Keywords: bioenergy crops, biofuels, giant miscanthus, Miscanthus, polyploidy, second-generation bioethanol.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 101-116
Author(s):  
Srinivasa Rao Gangadharan ◽  
Lakshmi Padmakumari

This study is an empirical investigation to assess the impact of domestic debt on India’s Economic growth during the period 1980 – 2014. We use data on Domestic Debt, Net Fiscal Deficit, Exports, Savings, Real Gross Domestic Product, Population and Terms of Trade. This study adopts the ARDL Co-Integration and Granger Causality techniques to investigate the relation between the key variables. The study also employs various post estimation tests to validate the fitness and stability of the models based on Gauss Markov assumptions, after employing the ordinary least square regression on various models. We find that debt negatively impacts economic growth while savings has a positive impact. The Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique used to test the robustness suggests existence of co-integration among the variables. However, none of the long run co-efficient is significant. The granger causality and co-integration test results support the traditional view that debt negatively impacts economic growth.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Agil Novriansa ◽  
Bambang Riyanto

The bureaucratic reform at the local government level in Indonesia that was instituted in 2012 has turned local government internal auditors into an important part of government governance systems. The role of local government internal auditors has been expanded to include not only the area of audit oversight, but also the areas of anti-corruption-related and consulting activities. These fundamental changes may potentially induce role conflict and role ambiguity among internal auditors. The objective of this study is to examine empirically the determinants and consequences of role conflict and role ambiguity among local government internal auditors. More specifically, this study attempts to examine the extent to which formalization determines role conflict and role ambiguity; it further tests the impact of role conflict and role ambiguity on commitment to independence and job performance. Questionnaires were distributed to 248 local government internal auditors from 12 Regional Inspectorates in the provinces of Yogyakarta, South Sumatra, and East Java. A total of 176 responses were received, and 124 useable responses from the 176 responses were analysed to test the hypotheses. Using Structural Equation Modelling-Partial Least Square the results show that: formalization is negatively related to role conflict and role ambiguity; role ambiguity has a negative impact on commitment to independence; role conflict has a positive impact on job performance; and role ambiguity has a negative impact on job performance. These findings serve as important external validity evidence on the phenomena associated with role conflict and role ambiguity that occur in the public sector, especially among internal auditors at local government institutions.Keywords: role conflict, role ambiguity, local government, internal auditors


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