Literature has revealed the existence of several external and internal disciplining mechanisms that are hypothesized as factors influencing corporate governance. This paper reviews the theoretical and empirical litera...Literature has revealed the existence of several external and internal disciplining mechanisms that are hypothesized as factors influencing corporate governance. This paper reviews the theoretical and empirical literature on five internal mechanisms of corporate governance, namely, dividend payouts, financial leverage, institutional shareholding, board duality, and board size. These mechanisms have received the greatest deal of attention in the literature. The paper makes an original contribution to the literature as it is the first of its type, to the best of our knowledge, to provide a comprehensive idea on these five internal mechanisms of corporate governance. This study will help in investigating the relationship between internal corporate governance mechanisms and firm performance with the main aim of extending the existing literature on firm performance by empirically investigating the contribution of these mechanisms in the smooth conduct of business operations. The empirical evidence amassed favors a smaller board size, non-existence of duality and favorable dividend mechanisms as effective internal governance mechanisms affecting firm performance. At the same time, there is no conclusive evidence on the relationship between leverage and institutional ownership as internal governance mechanisms influencing agency cost and firm performance.展开更多
Technology plays an important role in people’s daily life, for they depend on it to perform many tasks. Among the prominent technologies are smartphones and Virtual Reality (VR). Developing mobile apps and integratin...Technology plays an important role in people’s daily life, for they depend on it to perform many tasks. Among the prominent technologies are smartphones and Virtual Reality (VR). Developing mobile apps and integrating VR technology allow users to experience an artificial environment as if it is real such as the simulation of phobias. This research paper proposes a mobile application named Face-Your-Fear (FyF) integrating VR to help any user to live a cybernetic experience, overcome the illness, know about phobia symptoms, and get extra information on two types of phobia: aquaphobia and achluophobia. Its architecture, features, development, interfaces and limitations are presented, including the main results of the qualitative survey to users.展开更多
This is an analytical study of the intensely debated concept of urban livability. The paper examines different literature or theoretical streams that contribute to the debate related to the notion of livable cities. I...This is an analytical study of the intensely debated concept of urban livability. The paper examines different literature or theoretical streams that contribute to the debate related to the notion of livable cities. It juxtaposes academic constructs from architecture and urban planning fields with the popular culture and web indices that rank cities according to their living standards, services, and international appeal. The study offers a comparative analytical assessment of these diverse approaches and lays out a nuanced understanding of urban livability that draws on the richness and diversity embedded in design, planning, and current ranking tools. The paper ultimately aims to shed light on the configurations, conditions, and processes that may enhance the livability of various urban settings. It integrates such disparate views into an interdisciplinary perspective of urban livability. While the bulk of this paper analyses relates to North American, European, and Australian cities, the concepts discussed pertain to urban livability on a Rlobal scale.展开更多
Muqarnas （stalactite vault） is a distinctive structural and configurational feature of Islamic architecture. It is used to provide a transition from a square plan to a circular perimeter, thus allowing a domicat or ...Muqarnas （stalactite vault） is a distinctive structural and configurational feature of Islamic architecture. It is used to provide a transition from a square plan to a circular perimeter, thus allowing a domicat or semi-domical space to be erected above a square or rectangular layout. It is similar to the Roman pendentive in its structural logic but quite different in form and architectonic detail. The use of muqarnas has become ubiquitous in Islamic architecture and was applied structurally and decoratively above major spaces in mosques and mausoleums, wall niches, facades, arches, friezes, and entrance typological, and stylistic analysis of Bahri Mamluk portals. This paper provides a historical, rnuqarnas portals developed in Cairo, Egypt during the 13th and 14th centuries. Due to the complexity and breadth of this undertaking, the current study focuses on the earliest 10 monuments that exemplify the type and examines the origin, meaning, and development of muqarnas portals in Egypt. Local and foreign influences are analyzed with an eye on identifying similarities and variations in terms of constructability, geometry, and complexity of muqarnas configurations. The paper concludes with a discussion of the primary innovative features of Bahri Mamiuk Muqarnas and their effect on subsequent muqarnas development in Egypt.展开更多
文摘Literature has revealed the existence of several external and internal disciplining mechanisms that are hypothesized as factors influencing corporate governance. This paper reviews the theoretical and empirical literature on five internal mechanisms of corporate governance, namely, dividend payouts, financial leverage, institutional shareholding, board duality, and board size. These mechanisms have received the greatest deal of attention in the literature. The paper makes an original contribution to the literature as it is the first of its type, to the best of our knowledge, to provide a comprehensive idea on these five internal mechanisms of corporate governance. This study will help in investigating the relationship between internal corporate governance mechanisms and firm performance with the main aim of extending the existing literature on firm performance by empirically investigating the contribution of these mechanisms in the smooth conduct of business operations. The empirical evidence amassed favors a smaller board size, non-existence of duality and favorable dividend mechanisms as effective internal governance mechanisms affecting firm performance. At the same time, there is no conclusive evidence on the relationship between leverage and institutional ownership as internal governance mechanisms influencing agency cost and firm performance.
文摘Technology plays an important role in people’s daily life, for they depend on it to perform many tasks. Among the prominent technologies are smartphones and Virtual Reality (VR). Developing mobile apps and integrating VR technology allow users to experience an artificial environment as if it is real such as the simulation of phobias. This research paper proposes a mobile application named Face-Your-Fear (FyF) integrating VR to help any user to live a cybernetic experience, overcome the illness, know about phobia symptoms, and get extra information on two types of phobia: aquaphobia and achluophobia. Its architecture, features, development, interfaces and limitations are presented, including the main results of the qualitative survey to users.
文摘This is an analytical study of the intensely debated concept of urban livability. The paper examines different literature or theoretical streams that contribute to the debate related to the notion of livable cities. It juxtaposes academic constructs from architecture and urban planning fields with the popular culture and web indices that rank cities according to their living standards, services, and international appeal. The study offers a comparative analytical assessment of these diverse approaches and lays out a nuanced understanding of urban livability that draws on the richness and diversity embedded in design, planning, and current ranking tools. The paper ultimately aims to shed light on the configurations, conditions, and processes that may enhance the livability of various urban settings. It integrates such disparate views into an interdisciplinary perspective of urban livability. While the bulk of this paper analyses relates to North American, European, and Australian cities, the concepts discussed pertain to urban livability on a Rlobal scale.
文摘Muqarnas （stalactite vault） is a distinctive structural and configurational feature of Islamic architecture. It is used to provide a transition from a square plan to a circular perimeter, thus allowing a domicat or semi-domical space to be erected above a square or rectangular layout. It is similar to the Roman pendentive in its structural logic but quite different in form and architectonic detail. The use of muqarnas has become ubiquitous in Islamic architecture and was applied structurally and decoratively above major spaces in mosques and mausoleums, wall niches, facades, arches, friezes, and entrance typological, and stylistic analysis of Bahri Mamluk portals. This paper provides a historical, rnuqarnas portals developed in Cairo, Egypt during the 13th and 14th centuries. Due to the complexity and breadth of this undertaking, the current study focuses on the earliest 10 monuments that exemplify the type and examines the origin, meaning, and development of muqarnas portals in Egypt. Local and foreign influences are analyzed with an eye on identifying similarities and variations in terms of constructability, geometry, and complexity of muqarnas configurations. The paper concludes with a discussion of the primary innovative features of Bahri Mamiuk Muqarnas and their effect on subsequent muqarnas development in Egypt.
