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Exploring P-Hailers' perceptions of job demand, control and social support regarding risk factor of musculoskeletal disorder
No full textMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a widespread concern among workers, causing pain, mobility limitations, and functional impairments in muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and bones. Occupational groups like motorcyclists and P-hailing riders face elevated Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks due to factors such as prolonged awkward postures, repetitive task, static and sustained motion, vibration exposure, and environmental factor. Hence, this study aims to explore the impact of job demand, job control, and social support on Musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs) risk factor among P-Hailer riders in Malaysia. This qualitative study has conducted semistructured in-depth interviews using open-ended questions as the main instrument to collect richer and descriptive data of each respondent's experiences. Purposive sampling is employed to select 10 food delivery riders based on specific criteria. Furthermore, this study has adopted an inductive approach to thematic analysis to draw better interpretation on the collected data. Subsequently Job Demand-Control-Support (JDCS) model is employed as the theoretical framework for this study to explain the findings. The study underscores the intricate interplay between job demands, job control, and social support in shaping the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among food delivery riders. While the physical demands of the job and time pressures contribute to MSDs, the flexibility in work arrangements and supportive networks help mitigate these risks. Last but not least, limitations and recommendations for future studies is drawn for the sake of future works in genera
Lean Six Sigma implementation towards achieving sustainable performance among SMEs in Malaysia
No full textMany studies have been conducted on Sustainable Performance (SP) and Lean Six Sigma (LSS), but several implementation models derived failed to be cost-efficient. However, comprehensive research on SP focusing on cost implication of implementing LSS is still lacking. Currently, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) manufacturing face barriers related to SP, including poor financial resources and lack of expertise. More so, there is a rise in the total cost of implementing LSS, which is unaffordable for most manufacturing SMEs due to financial constraints. To address this gap, this research examined the integrated effects of Lean Manufacturing (LM) and Six Sigma (SS) on SP of manufacturing SMEs. This study also proposed and validated a total cost model and implementation guideline toward achieving SP among manufacturing SMEs. This research was based on primary data collected from middle officers working in Malaysia manufacturing SMEs. The study adopts system thinking approach to emphasize the organizational system's role in achieving SP. This study employed a quantitative technique where 251 manufacturing SMEs out of 527 responses received were found to implement LM and SS simultaneously. Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling were used to analyse the data. More importantly, results of this study indicated that Supplier Involvement, Just-in-Time, Supplier Development, Continuous Flow, Quality Management Practices, Set up Time Reduction were supported out of nine hypotheses proposed under LM. On the other hand, Six Sigma Structured Improvement Procedure and Six Sigma Focus on Metrics were supported out of three hypotheses proposed under SS. More importantly, this study formulated a cost implementation model from supported hypotheses. This study also formulated LSS implementation guidelines for achieving SP. This study's implications and significant contributions would help avoid cost of rework when product defect and waste in manufacturing are eliminate
Effect of total quality management practices and knowledge management on innovation performance in private higher education institutions in Oman
Get PDFInnovation performance (INNOP) in the service sector is a new concept and the higher education system is the backbone of the economy. However, quality management at Omani private higher education institutions needs improvement to ensure better quality of education. This study investigates the relationship between total quality management (TQM) practices (top management support, student focus, continuous improvement, and employee involvement) and INNOP of Omani private higher education institutions. The mediating role of knowledge management (KM) and the moderating role of
organizational learning capability (OLC) was also examined. This study
collects data from 350 employees of Omani private higher education
institutions using a cross-sectional survey. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to assess the hypothesized relationships. The results show that TQM practices are negatively associated with INNOP due to challenges such as the high workload of academic staff, lack of quality training opportunities, and support from top management. Besides, KM mediates the relationship between TQM practices and INNOP as it promotes competitive advantage. Moreover, OLC moderates the relationship between TQM practices and INNOP, as Omani private higher education institutions are continuously improving their educational quality and learning culture to be more innovative. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by applying the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Quality
Management (QM) theories to assess the linkages of INNOP, TQM practices, KM and OLC in the context of Omani private higher education institutions. Additionally, stakeholders in the education sector and private higher education institutions could gain essential insights from the empirical research findings to improve the quality and innovation performance of education and gain a competitive advantage
The role of strategic sustainability orientation, sustainable development practices and firm visibility on firm performance among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Malaysia
Get PDFMicro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) significantly impact Malaysia's economy, and their performance serves as the main catalyst for the country's economic growth. However, MSMEs encounter challenges in implementing sustainable development practices that could negatively impact their performance. This study investigates the effects of strategic orientation, corporate sustainability orientation, and sustainable development practices on the firm performance of MSMEs. The mediating effect of sustainable development practices in this relationship and the moderating effect of firm visibility between sustainable development practices and firm performance are also investigated. The data of 219 MSMEs from the service sector in Malaysia were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The result shows that strategic orientation and sustainable development practices impact the firm performance of MSMEs. Strategic orientation and corporate sustainability orientation contribute positively to enhancing sustainable development practices. MSMEs that integrate strategic orientation and corporate sustainability orientation actively engage in sustainable development practices, result in positive firm performance. However, corporate sustainability orientation did not influence firm performance, and firm visibility did not moderate the relationship between sustainable development practices and firm performance. Middle-level managers and service owners in MSMEs should integrate sustainability into their business goals, delegate implementation, and take action. In addition, policymakers should introduce appropriate programs and training to encourage greater adoption of sustainability practices in MSMEs. In terms of theoretical implications, this study extends the body of knowledge by integrating resource-based view theory, natural resource-based view theory and stakeholder theory into a single framework, and examines the linkages between strategic orientation, elements of sustainable development practices and firm performance
Median-based robust multiclass discriminant analysis with casewise and cellwise outliers
No full textClassical multiclass discriminant analysis (CMDA) is one of the supervised classification techniques employed to solve multichotomous problems. The main objective of CMDA is to create a classical multiclass discriminant rule (CMDR) that can allocate new observations into predefined groups.
REFER THESES HARD COPY..
Nigeria’s role in sustaining democracy in Cote d’Ivoire through sub-regional organizations (2010-2014)
Get PDFOver the past three decades, Nigeria has played a pivotal role in promoting regional peace, order, and democratic stability in West Africa through the intervention mechanisms of sub-regional organizations. Although much of the literature covers Nigeria's active involvement in peace-making, peacekeeping, and peace-building missions, the political conflict in Côte d'Ivoire that erupted in 2010, along with the subsequent civil war, has not been extensively explored, especially regarding Nigeria’s intervention thro ugh sub-regional organizations. As a regional power in West Africa, Nigeria's intervention was crucial for ensuring regional stability during the conflict between incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo, who refused to relinquish power, and the declared election winner, Alassane Ouattara. Nigeria's involvement was instrumental in restoring Côte d'Ivoire to democratic stability. This study examines Nigeria's role in resolving the post-election conflict in Côte d'Ivoire from 2010 to 2014 by using an explorative and descriptive qualitative methodology grounded in role and role model theories. By adopting an interpretivist approach, the study relies on a diverse range of data sources, including in-depth interviews, documentary analysis, reports, speeches, archival sources, newspapers, journal articles, theses, and textbooks. Fourteen respondents from various government agencies were interviewed, and the acquired data was thematically analyzed using a deductive approach. The study identifies Nigeria's foreign policy as a key instrument that enables the country to actively promote regional peace and stability. It also reveals that Nigeria's material advantages, such as military capability, economic strength, high GDP, and population, alongside non-material factors like institutional and ideological influence, have cemented its status as a regional hegemon. These advantages allowed Nigeria to play a pivotal role in restoring peace and stability to Côte d'Ivoire during the conflict. Overall, the study contributes to the intellectual debate on state foreign policy and the role of regional powers within regional and sub - regional organizations. It suggests that Nigeria should continue to fulfil its role through a multilateral approach to maintain regional peace, order, and democratic stability
Tahap penyertaan awam dalam pengurusan kelestarian bekalan air bersih di negeri Kelantan
No full textGeneral public and local community as the main community will be facing water supply issues if the water management issue was not managed properly. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the level of public participation that includes manipulation, information sharing, consultation, joint decision, distribution of power and citizen control in the issue of treated water supply management in Kelantan. The research data that based on the community's perception of water supply management were collected using questionnaires and interviews. The descriptive statistical analysis (frequency, percent, mean) and inferential analysis (t-test) was used to analyze the data using SPSS software. The findings of the study from 384 respondents that were selected randomly among household in Kelantan showed that the public participation in the level of manipulation and information sharing was high with mean score values of 3.24 and 2.82. Other types of participation were moderate, namely consultation (mean values 2.28), joint decision (mean values 2.27) and power distribution (mean values 2.24). Findings also showed that they were aware that they have rights in matters of water management. However, the reality was that people still do not have the power to control water supply management matters. Overall, the results of the data analysis showed that public participation in the management of treated water supply in Kelantan is still weak. The findings of the interview found that most policies of the Board of Directors were only for the operation of Air Kelantan Sdn. Bhd. (AKSB) and did not involved the public in decision-making. Current decisions were made by AKSB management through internal discussions. The findings of this study also showed low effectiveness of communications between the community and AKSB. Therefore, the process of treated water supply management planning must involved public participation in decision-making. This study suggested that a committee composed of the public through non-governmental organizations to be created to give more space to the public to involve together in contributing ideas in matters related to water supply in Kelantan
The effect of mediating role of organizational resilience on human resource management and continuity of performance in the general directorate of residency and foreigners affairs Dubai
Get PDFPerformance continuity was essential for the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, necessitating the integration of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices and organizational resilience strategies. This study highlighted how HRM policies enhanced the organization's adaptability and resilience, ensuring long-term success and sustained performance. The GDRFA of Dubai has experienced challenges in maintaining performance continuity due to its static and conventional training approaches, which failed to incorporate new trends in employee development, thereby hampering the organization's ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions and ensure long-term success. Although advanced training programs have been introduced, however it has not been widely adopted across all departments, resulting in inconsistent implementation and benefits. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of HRM on performance continuity within the GDRFA of Dubai. The study further investigated the mediating effect of organizational resilience between HRM and performance continuity. This quantitative research employs a cross-sectional design using a questionnaire as the research instrument. The researcher distributed 540 questionnaires to the respondents, out of which 364 questionnaires were found usable for analysis. The data was analysed using Analysis of Moment Structures- Structural Equation Modelling (AMOS-SEM). Fifteen hypotheses were formulated and tested. The results supported nine hypothesised relationships, which were significant and positive. Specifically, the findings imply that chain of command, delegation span of control and organizational resilience had a substantial influence on the continuity of performance. The study found that the mediating effect of organizational resilience does not significantly mediate the relationship between work specialization and authority with performance continuity, while it does significantly mediate the relationships with chain of command, delegation, and span of control. Theoretically, this study contributed to the use of Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory in studying the context of HRM and organizational resilience in enhancing the performance continuity of GDRFA of Dubai. From a practical point of view, this study found that adopting flexible HRM strategies and enhancing organizational resilience are important strategies that can be considered by the government, regulatory authorities, councils and the management of the GDRFA of Dubai for future performance continuity
Factors of police officers’ awareness of digital threats against cybercrime in the United Arab Emirates police
Get PDFCybercrime is rapidly evolving, with new trends developing on a regular basis. New technologies are rapidly exploited. There is still a sizable proportion of internet users in the UAE who are victims of cybercrime. The study takes a logical approach, starting with a theory and concluding with a hypothesis test. The study is quantitative in nature, with statistical analysis based on descriptive measurements as well as variance and covariance methodologies. The acquired data was analysed using SPSS 23 and SMART PLS 3.0. The study population for this analysis was all workers of the Dubai Police in the UAE, with a total sample size of 374. The findings revealed that policy and training variables have significant impacts on the performance against cybercrimes. The findings also revealed that management support, digital technology and security services variables have significant impacts on cybercrime prevention and detection performance. Simultaneously, this study found that policy and training variables have significant impacts on knowledge of digital hazards. Furthermore, this study indicated that management assistance, security services and digital technology variables have significant impacts on the awareness of digital hazards. This research is considered important for the police forces and the country, as well as for the Emirates residents. This is due to the fact that this study successfully raises public awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the dangers and harms of cybercrimes as well as the negative consequences that they may face on individuals' personal security and national security at the level of state institutions
An integrated framework of system dynamics and structural equation modeling for housing price trends
Get PDFHousing prices in Malaysia are rising due to high demand, limited supply, and affordability issues. Despite government initiatives such as affordable housing schemes, many are still unable to purchase homes due to stagnant income growth and stringent loan requirements. As a result, rising housing prices continue to be seen as the main cause of housing problems. Key challenges include difficulty securing housing financing, affordability concerns, and ensuring mortgage repayments stay below one-third of monthly income. These issues make it increasingly difficult for buyers to secure loan options. Previous studies have used various single modelling approaches to identify the factors influencing housing prices. This study, therefore, examines the factors affecting housing prices in Malaysia by integrating Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with System Dynamics (SD). The integration of SEM and SD uses a conceptual model, with a questionnaire as the data collection instrument. The sample consists of consumers who have purchased a house. SEM is employed to test the proposed hypotheses by examining the relationships between factors influencing housing prices. There are four main group factors affecting housing prices which are housing satisfaction (HS), housing financial (HF), housing policy (HP) and household income (HI). Each main factor has its own set of questions: Housing Satisfaction and Housing Financial each contain 17 questions, Housing Policy includes 10 questions, and Household Income has 5 questions. The SEM results were used to initially develop the SD model, which will then be refined based on the influencing factors. Once the SD model is validated, the next phase involved evaluating various intervention strategies and their impact on housing prices. The intervention of various strategies includes tax rate changes, developer loan interest rate, and household income shows impacts on house pricing in Malaysia. This study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the feedback effects between factors influencing housing prices, using an integrated approach. It captures the dynamic behavior of the housing market and evaluates strategies, offering valuable insights for authorities, particularly the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), in addressing housing issues