UTAR Institutional Repository (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman)
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从花到果-白居易诗歌中的樱桃意象 : From blossom to fruit - the cherry imagery in the poetry of Bai JuYi
Get PDF世界上的花卉形形色色，让这个世界看起来缤纷多彩，令人赏心悦目。花 卉是人类日常生活中最容易接触到的自然元素，便成为了人类生活中最重要的 一部分。花卉不仅是“美”的象征，更给人类带来正面的形象。不过，花开花 落自有时，花卉是具有生命的生物，自然会绽放与凋零。花卉的兴衰变化会激 起人们内心的情感波澜，唤起对生命无常与时光流逝的感叹。 由于花卉种类繁多，造就唐代咏花诗层出不穷，各种花卉所承载的意象也 各具特色。尽管唐代人对牡丹钟爱有加，但他们对其他花卉也同样情有独钟， 纷纷提笔吟咏。樱桃作为花卉中的一员，自然也深得唐代诗人的青睐，白居易、 李商隐、元稹等诗人曾为其写诗。然而，在这些诗人中，白居易对樱桃的喜爱 尤为深切。 白居易对樱桃的喜爱，不仅仅是因为樱桃花的美丽与樱桃实的甘甜，而是 与他的个人经历和当时的时代环境有关。正是这些因素促使他注意到樱桃，并 通过诗歌将其意象表现出来。因此，本论文将深入探讨白居易诗中的樱桃意象， 分析其中蕴含的隐喻和情感表达，同时探讨时代背景和白居易个人经历如何影 响他对樱桃的咏叹。
【关键词】唐诗、白居易、咏花、樱桃、意
Determinants of social media use by scientists in Malaysian higher education for science communication: a scientist centric technology acceptance model
Get PDFAs social media becomes an increasingly important information source, it plays a vital role in communicating science to diverse audiences. However, limited research has examined how non-technological factors influence scientists’ use of social media. This study addresses that gap by investigating technological, intrinsic, and extrinsic determinants affecting scientists’ social media use for
science communication in Malaysia. Using a sequential mixed-method approach, the study involved interviews with 26 scientists and experts, followed by a survey of 425 scientists from Malaysian Higher Education Institutions
(HEIs). Thematic analysis grouped key determinants into three categories: intrinsic belief (personal motivation, self-efficacy), extrinsic influence (subjective norm, enabling conditions), and extrinsic concern (perceived risk). These informed the development of the Scientist-Centric Technology Acceptance Model (SCTAM), which was tested using descriptive statistics, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), Necessary
Condition Analysis (NCA), and Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA). Findings showed WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate as the most used platforms. PLS-SEM revealed 14 significant relationships among 19 hypothesised correlations, with personal motivation (f² = 0.659), attitude towards use (f² = 0.320), and behavioural intention (f² = 0.150) having the strongest effects. Perceived risk had no significant effect on perceived usefulness, ease of use, or attitude, and neither self-efficacy nor subjective norm significantly influenced behavioural intention. NCA found that a 1.88% level of behavioural intention was necessary for posting to occur at
40%, while IPMA highlighted personal motivation, perceived usefulness, enabling conditions, and subjective norm as key drivers. The findings emphasize the importance of considering the interconnectedness of multiple determinants to enhance science communication using social media in
Malaysia. Leveraging social media as an emerging communication tool, SCTAM offers insights into how scientists adopt new technologies for science communication, with broader implications for the adoption of emerging tools
like AI and preparing scientists for evolving communication technologies.
Keywords: science communication; Malaysian higher education institutions; social media use; sequential mixed-methods research; Scientist-Centric Technology Acceptance Model
Subject Area: HM851 Information technolog
Evaluating customer satisfaction in international coffee chains in Malaysia using servqual model
Get PDFThis study aims to evaluate customer satisfaction in international coffee chains in Malaysia using the SERVQUAL Model, a widely recognized framework for assessing service quality. The research focuses on five key dimensions: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy, which are hypothesized to significantly influence customer satisfaction. These dimensions provide a
comprehensive approach to understanding the factors that drive customer loyalty and preference in a competitive industry. To achieve this, five hypotheses have been
developed to guide the study and provide meaningful insights.
The study targeted Malaysian consumers aged 18 to 64 years old, with 146 valid responses collected through a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 30,
employing Multicollinearity test and Multiple Linear Regression to examine the relationships between the SERVQUAL dimensions and customer satisfaction.
Prior to inferential analysis, the Cronbach’s Alpha reliability test confirmed that the measurement scales were consistent and reliable in assessing the proposed
constructs. The findings revealed that certain SERVQUAL dimensions, particularly tangibles and empathy, had a significant impact on customer satisfaction, while
reliability, responsiveness, and assurance showed weaker relationships.
Finally, the study acknowledges several limitations that may have influenced the results and provides recommendations for future research. These suggestions aim to offer deeper insights into customer expectations and help international coffee chains refine their service strategies to enhance customer satisfactio
Factors influencing job satisfaction in Malaysia hospitality industry
Get PDFThe hospitality industry is the major driver of Malaysia’s economy. However, it has ongoing issues like high turnover, unrefreshed staff, and irregular quality services. This study investigates the factors influencing job satisfaction
among hospitality employees in Malaysia, focusing on four independent variables: work environment, working hours, compensation and leadership and management. Job satisfaction serves as the dependent variable, reflecting its pivotal role in improving employee retention and organizational success.
This study employed a quantitative research technique based on a descriptive design for the collection of data from hospitality employees in Malaysia. The collected data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS), applying analysis techniques such as multiple regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient to determine the relationships between the independent and dependent variables.
The findings reveal significant positive relationships between job satisfaction and two independent variables (working hours and compensation). However, the remaining independent variables (work environment and leadership
and management) do not significantly relate to job satisfaction. Hence, this study provides valuable insights for both scholars and practitioners in the hospitality
industry, including the key findings, limitations, and recommendations.
Keywords: Job Satisfaction, Hospitality Industry, Malaysia, Working Hours, Compensatio
Factors influencing Malaysia consumers' impulse buying behaviour in live streaming commerce
Get PDFWith the quick expansion of Malaysia’s e-commerce industry and the popularity of live streaming sales, more and more consumers are using live streaming to make purchases consequently. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that affect Malaysian consumers' impulse buying behaviour during live streaming commerce. This study used the Stimulus-Organism-Response model as a theoretical framework to examine the influence of live streamer characteristics, information quality, product usefulness, purchase convenience, product price on perceived
enjoyment and perceived value, as well as the influence of perceived enjoyment and perceived value on impulse buying behaviour in live streaming commerce.
To achieve this, a self-administered questionnaire will be used to collect a convenience sample of 300 Malaysian consumers who had ever engaged in live streaming commerce. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) will be
used to test the hypotheses and analyse the data.
The findings of this study demonstrate that consumers' perceived enjoyment in live streaming commerce is positively impacted by live streamers characteristics and information quality. Besides, product usefulness, purchase convenience, and product price have a significant relationship with perceived value. The study also discovered that during live streaming commerce, consumers’ impulse buying behaviour is stimulated by perceived enjoyment and perceived value. This researchoffers theoretical contributions, managerial implications, limitations, and recommendations for further research at the conclusion of the study.
Keywords: live streamers characteristics, purchase convenience, perceived enjoyment, impulse buying behaviour, live streaming commerc
Exploring a model for volatility of the gold price among the world gold producing countries
Get PDFGold is a dense, thick, lustrous, heavy metal, known for its value throughout history. However, due to recent geopolitical upheavals—such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Israel-Gaza conflict—gold prices have been highly volatile amid global economic instability. Therefore, the research objective of the study is to explore how the commodity factors and macroeconomic factors affect gold price in five gold producing countries such as Australia, Canada, China, Ghana, and the United States. The data were used as the panel data from 2014 to 2023, and the total observation of the study is 300 observations. A Cross-Section and Period Fixed Effect Model was selected for this study and inflation rate, consumer price index, and crude oil price revealed significant short run relationships with gold price at the 0.10, 0.05 and 0.01 level, respectively. Based on Granger Causality analysis, exchange rate, gasoline price, inflation rate and crude oil price were the long run relationships with gold price in the study. Gold price has unidirectional analyses with exchange rate, gasoline price, and inflation rate whereas crude oil price and gold price have bidirectional analysis. Both the short run and long run analyses suggested that crude oil price is most significant in the study. The novelty of the study is based on the actual data and ex-post forecast data of the five countries; it is discovered that all five countries showed an increasing trend in gold price. Hence, this study provided insights for policymakers and investors that crude oil price may be a primary tool when forecasting gold price.
Keywords: Gold Price, Panel Model, World Gold Producing Countries, Volatility
JEL Classifications: C23; C58; E44; G15; Q02; Q3
Media coverage of Jeju airlines 2216 crisis: a comparative framing analysis of the crisis in Malaysia and Korea mainstream media
Get PDFThe Jeju Airlines 2216 crisis received varied media coverage across the world, reflecting the influence of cultural and political contexts on crisis communication. This study investigates and compares the coverage of the crisis in Malaysian and Korean mainstream media - The Star and KBS News. The Jeju Airlines 2216 crisis in December 2024 is considered the greatest aviation crisis in South Korean history due to its magnitude, attracting massive local and international media coverage. It presented Korean authorities with a new challenge, resulting in various
criticisms handled by Jeju Airlines and the Korean government. The media's role during a crisis is not only to provide information, but also to serve as the people's advocate by facilitating public engagement and discussions. However, the media's ability to play this role depends on ownership and the degree of freedom it enjoys in a country. Through quantitative content analysis, this study compares the framing of the crisis by the selected mainstream media outlets, their sources of information, and the news tone. The study found that the Korean mainstream media, KBS News,
primarily focused on economic consequences and accountability responsibility, while the Malaysian mainstream media, The Star, focused on the responsibility frame
The relationship between commitment, intimacy, passion, and relationship satisfaction among young adults in Malaysia
Get PDFYoung adults in Malaysia often face challenges in maintaining healthy romantic relationships. Despite the growing interest in romantic satisfaction, research on the love components of relationship satisfaction in this demographic is limited. Therefore, the current study aims to examine the relationship between intimacy, passion, and commitment on relationship satisfaction among young adults in Malaysia. The study was conducted using purposive sampling and a cross-sectional research design. A total of 145 participants aged 18 to 30 were recruited; however, only 83 participants remained for the final data analyses after data cleaning was performed. Questionnaires were distributed via a Qualtrics link and QR code. The instruments used were i) Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and ii) the Sternberg Triangular Love Scale (STLS). Before distributing the questionnaire, ethical issues were addressed to ensure proper research conduct. The questionnaire began with an informed consent page to guarantee that respondents understand that their participation is entirely voluntary and that their responses will be kept confidential. Upon obtaining their consent, they could proceed with the questionnaires. Out of the 83 participants, 74.7% were female and 25.3% were male. The majority of the participants were Chinese ethnicity with 98.8% and Malay with 1.2%. Results showed that all variables (commitment, intimacy, passion) have a significant and positive relationship with relationship satisfaction among Malaysian young adults. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between commitment and relationship satisfaction (r = .68, n = 83, p < .001), intimacy and relationship satisfaction (r = .75, n = 83, p < .001), and passion and relationship satisfaction (r = .56, n = 83, p < .001). The findings align with Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love in explaining the role of commitment, intimacy, and passion in relationship satisfaction during emerging adulthood. Practically, the results have the potential to provide relationship education programs, improve counselling services, and support the development of healthy romantic relationships. Future research could consider adopting a longitudinal approach and a more diverse sample to enhance generalizability and understanding of how love components change over time
The relationship between self-compassion, nature connectedness, narcissism, and eudaimonic well-being among Malaysian young adults
Get PDFThe importance of well-being, particularly eudaimonic well-being (EWB), which focuses on meaning, purpose, and self-actualization, has gained attention in psychological research. In Malaysia, young adults who frequently face conflict between personal growth and societal expectations make it important to examine the relationship with EWB. This study aims to investigate the relationship between self-compassion, nature connectedness, narcissism, and EWB among Malaysian young adults through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). A total of 105 participants, aged between 18 and 25, took part in this study. The data was gathered using Qualtrics that was shared on social media platforms. Instruments of the variables included the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI-16), the Nature Relatedness Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF), and the Questionnaire for Eudaimonic Well-Being (QEWB). This cross-sectional study implemented correlational analysis to test the hypotheses. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between self-compassion and nature connectedness with EWB, whereas narcissism showed a non-significant positive relationship with EWB. These results also provide additional support for the significance of fostering self-compassion and encouraging nature connectedness in enhancing EWB among young adults, especially through programs in educational, counselling, and community settings in Malaysia
The mediating role of fear of missing out (FOMO) in the relationship between social media addiction (SMA), social comparison, and psychological well-being (PWB)
Get PDFFear of missing out (FoMO) has frequently been conceptualized as a cause of poor mental health, but emerging evidence suggests its role in promoting social engagement, leading to positive outcomes. Social media addiction (SMA) and social comparison have been associated with negative psychological outcomes, but the underlying mechanisms remains unclear. The current research investigates the mediating role of FoMO in the associations between SMA, social comparison, and psychological well-being (PWB). A total of 329 Malaysian university students were recruited through non-probability sampling methods and completed self-reported questionnaires in a cross-sectional study. The study hypothesized SMA and social comparison to act as negative predictors of PWB, while FoMO as a positive predictor of PWB. Based on the findings, results suggest no significant associations between SMA and social comparison with PWB; but revealed that FoMO positively predicts PWB. The study implemented PROCESS macro by Hayes to conduct the mediation analysis, indicating indirect-only mediation effects of FoMO in the relationships between SMA and PWB, and social comparison and PWB. The findings of the study identified the mediating role of FoMO, highlighting its dual role as both a risk factor and potential social drive. The study provides practical implications for mental health interventions and digital literacy programmes, suggesting practitioners to focus on managing FoMO to foster healthier digital engagement. Future studies may recruit more diverse samples and incorporate alternative instruments to provide a more comprehensive view of the mediating role of FoMO within other variables