Asian Online Journal Publishing Group (AOJPG)
Not a member yet
2108 research outputs found
Sort by
Governance and Financial Sustainability of Zakat Institutions: Applying the Zakat Institutional Health Index
Full text linkThis study examines how zakat institutions in Indonesia sustain their organizational health through the Zakat Institutional Health Index (ZIHI), a framework initiated by PUSKAS BAZNAS to integrate governance and financial accountability. Using LAZ Sahabat Yatim Indonesia as the focal case, the research evaluates 28 indicators that collectively describe financial vitality, operational efficiency, liquidity, and growth, as well as governance quality, including management structure, risk awareness, and Shariah compliance. Data were gathered from financial documents, internal assessments, interviews, and ZIHI tools. The results show the institution remains moderately stable, with governance practices displaying stronger consistency compared with its financial performance. Strengths were noted in financial activity, operational expenses, general management, and risk management. Efficiency and risk management are relatively stable, yet liquidity constraints and limited growth momentum continue to pose operational challenges. Although limited to a single institution and a cross-sectional design, this study offers a replicable model for other ZMIs and highlights the potential for broader, longitudinal research. The findings offer valuable insights for zakat policymakers and regulators, enabling them to effectively enhance institutional governance and ensure financial sustainability, while also providing actionable lessons to reinforce transparency, strengthen resilience, and align institutional practices with broader governance standards
Comprehensive analytical report on crop performance using ratio-based metrics
Full text linkThis comprehensive study aims to provide a detailed comparative analysis of crop performance by investigating the behavior of crops classified as exhibiting either high or low kilograms per hectare (KGH) productivity through the lens of three fundamental ratio-based indicators: production-to-area, yield-to-area, and yield-to-production. These ratios are critical metrics that help quantify land-use efficiency, productivity levels, and output stability, thereby offering a multi-dimensional perspective on agricultural performance. Such ratios indicate how crops behave under varying agronomic and environmental contexts. This study delves into crop performance by distinguishing them into two primary categories based on variance characteristics. High KGH crops are identified as those more susceptible to significant fluctuations due to factors such as climatic variability, market shifts, and biological vulnerabilities. Conversely, low KGH crops display relatively stable and predictable patterns of output, making them more reliable under standard farming conditions. The research utilizes both line and bar charts to effectively visualize the inter-crop differences and temporal trends in these ratios, highlighting patterns of consistency and volatility that characterize various crops. The findings aim to support enhanced data-driven decision-making in crop planning, agricultural land management, and policy formulation, particularly in regions facing significant variability in agricultural outputs due to climatic, environmental, or socio-economic factors. By carefully analyzing these ratios, the study not only sheds light on crops with superior resilience and efficiency but also identifies those prone to instability, offering valuable insights for stakeholders in the agricultural sector
Exploring the implications of generative-AI tools in teaching and learning practices
Full text linkThis study aims to explore the implications of using AI-generative tools (tools for generative AI (GAI)) in teaching and learning practices in higher education settings. This exploratory study employs a mixed-methods approach. Data was collected through focus-group discussions, participants' reflections and questionnaires. The participants of this study were 65 undergraduate students who enrolled in a university. The GAI tools were integrated into the course assignments. This study found that most students chose to use GAI tools alongside traditional tools to perform their assignments and exhibited a positive attitude towards using GAI tools to accomplish their tasks. The most significant impacts of integrating these emerging-technology tools in the course included a reduction in the time needed to complete the assignments and efficiency and creativity in producing different types of interactive digital content. However, notable challenges were identified regarding the quality and authenticity of the new content. In addition, the findings revealed significant differences between the pre- and post-tests mean scores using GAI tools in students’ learning, further reinforcing the effectiveness of these tools. Finally, it is necessary to develop clear policies and guidelines while using GAI in higher education
Promotion and employees' performance at University of Abuja: The moderating role of employees’ belief that fairness in decisions of promotions motivates employees’ performance
Full text linkThis study examined how promotions at the University of Abuja affected workers' performance, using workers' perceptions that fairness in promotion decisions drives workers' output as a moderating factor. Both primary and secondary sources of data were utilized in the investigation. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique were employed for the study. The findings indicated that when employees perceived that fairness in promotion decisions motivated them to perform better, the influence of promotions on their performance was positive and significant. Additionally, the mediation analysis revealed that when employees believed that fairness in promotion decisions motivated their performance, promotions had a favorable and significant impact on their performance, although this was only a partial mediation. The overall results demonstrated that promotions significantly and positively impacted workers' performance. The study recommended that the University of Abuja administration should prioritize equity in promotion processes to enhance employee performance. Furthermore, to support employees in meeting promotion requirements, the university's management must ensure impartiality in promotion decisions
Online learning’s potential to improve access and quality in higher education in Mexico: Perspectives of higher education stakeholders
Full text linkMexico, one of the largest countries in the world, has seen more growth in online education than in-person instruction between 2013 and 2023. This study investigates the potential of online learning to increase access and quality of higher education in Mexico against this backdrop of growth. The study uses semi-structured interviews with 32 university leaders, academic staff, and students from six institutions in Mexico. Interviews explore their perceptions of online learning to identify barriers to access quality and understand future potential. Results reveal significant barriers to developing high-quality online education and making it widely accessible. The online education market favors students in urban areas and those with the resources necessary to study online while the flexibility and convenience of online learning are highly valued. Additionally, many universities serving non-traditional students and those in rural areas lack the resources and infrastructure to provide high-quality online education. Results are discussed within the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework as well as within the broader context of online education research. These challenges once addressed will allow Mexico to develop high-quality online education widely accessible to under-resourced and rural populations
The impact of artificial intelligence on maker education: Motivation and technology acceptance in teacher training
Full text linkIn recent decades, the integration of emerging technologies, such as maker education and artificial intelligence, into the educational field has become a prominent area of research. The purpose of this article is to explore whether the introduction of generative artificial intelligence into the design process of maker projects by future teachers produces benefits. Specifically, a comparison was made between the perceptions of trainee teachers who experimented with the use of generative artificial intelligence and those who did not use it during the development of teaching and learning designs. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 114 trainee teachers from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), who received training in maker education and designed teaching and learning plans based on this approach. The results of the comparison indicate a significant difference between the two groups across all analyzed dimensions, highlighting that the group working with artificial intelligence demonstrated greater motivation, particularly in terms of attention and acceptance of maker education. The findings suggest that the design process of future AI-based maker interventions should be explored more thoroughly in several dimensions related to the integration of emerging technologies
Attitudes and motivation in teaching and learning English: A perception study at the HSC level
Full text linkThis study investigates the symbiotic interplay between attitude and motivation in the context of teaching and learning English at the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) level. To delve into the impacts of attitudes and motivation on teaching and learning English, and to understand the associated issues for a solution, this mixed-methods study employed both qualitative and quantitative research approaches to corroborate the inferences and decisions. To collect data, this study surveyed 530 students and 28 teachers with structured questionnaires and interviewed 10 teachers. The data collected through stratified random sampling were analyzed using SPSS and MS Excel. This study revealed that most of the students and teachers had positive attitudes towards teaching and learning English, though some easily addressable negative attitudes were reported as well. The teachers and students had high motivation for English, with some exceptions related mainly to teachers’ job disaffection and students’ low exposure to a favorable learning environment. The findings of this study are supposed to help adopt the required policies to remove the causes of negative attitudes and low motivation for teaching and learning English effectively and substantially
Examining the path effects of elementary school English teachers’ beliefs, efficacy, decision making and behaviors in teaching English as a foreign language
Full text linkThis study examined the interrelationships among professional development activities (PDAs), teaching beliefs (TB), teacher efficacy (TE), decision-making (DM), and teaching behaviors (TBH) among elementary school teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) in Taiwan. Using a path analysis approach, the study explored how participation in PDAs influenced teachers’ cognition and instructional practices. The findings revealed four key relationships: (1) PDAs positively predicted both TB and DM; (2) DM was positively associated with TB and TE during reflective processes; (3) DM positively predicted TBH; and (4) post-teaching TBH was significantly predicted by TB and DM in reflection, but negatively associated with TE. These results highlight the important role of PDAs in fostering positive teaching beliefs and effective decision-making, which ultimately contribute to teaching behaviors. Notably, the negative association between TE and TBH suggests that higher self-perceptions of teaching efficacy may not always translate to instructional behaviors, particularly in the reflection process. The study emphasizes the value of PDAs not only for teacher development but also for enhancing instructional decision-making and practice. Accordingly, EFL elementary teachers should be encouraged to engage in ongoing professional development activities to strengthen their teaching beliefs, efficacy, and decision-making, which in turn shape their behaviors in the classroom
Evaluation of Sustainability Practices in Higher Education using ESG Concepts
Full text linkThis research aimed to evaluate sustainability practices carried out by internal stakeholders using the ESG concept. In addition, it also identified opportunities and challenges faced when carrying out sustainability practices which were then given suggestions for improvement. This research used a case study approach to evaluate the overall situation in the field. The author conducted 14 semi-structured interviews with deans, teaching staff, and students who have been involved in the process of sustainability practices at the business school. Analysis revealed that sustainability was embedded in narratives at different levels of practice. The respondents revealed how they could respond to sustainability based on their emotions and understanding and the direct of ESG practices. As business schools as part of higher education contributed to achieving SDGs, some practices were still unfulfilled due to several factors. Various considerations and plans needed to be improved, especially on awareness and policy attitudes. This study referred to Schatzki’s framing of practice theory used to reveal the extent to which the level of practice was based on an operational overview through various perspectives and activities when carrying out processes using ESG concepts by considering the emotional and understanding components of carrying out sustainability practices
Is Entrepreneurial Orientation The Most Important Thing for The Performance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises?
Full text linkThis study examines the impact of entrepreneurial orientation and Management Control System Packages (MCS Packages) on the performance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with a competitive strategy scale as a moderating variable. This study used a mixed approach, which combines quantitative analysis through multiple regression and a qualitative approach through analysis of interview results. The study results indicate that entrepreneurial orientation and MCS packages positively affect MSME performance, with Entrepreneurial Orientation having a more significant influence than the MCS Package. This result confirms the importance of Entrepreneurial Orientation in improving MSME performance. The competitive strategy scale has also proven effective in moderating the influence of both variables. This study has practical implications in helping MSMEs enhance performance by implementing appropriate management control systems and entrepreneurial strategies. Socially, these results can guide stakeholders in designing policies that support the sustainability of MSMEs. The study’s originality lies in developing the entrepreneurial orientation variable by adding the entrepreneurial literacy dimension and the MSME performance variable by adding the business sustainability dimension. This research shows that MSME practices can support sustainability through resource optimization, environmentally friendly product innovation, and improving community welfare, contributing to economic competitiveness and sustainable development goals