UNIMAS Journal (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)
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FROM LIKES TO SALES: STUDY ON ENHANCING SOCIAL MEDIA PERFORMANCE FOR INDONESIAN SMES
Get PDFSince 2010, social media use for business purposes has seen tremendous expansion. Businesses that implement a solid social media marketing plan may see enhanced results through improved performance on these channels. Though businesses increasingly rely on intuitive and trial-and-error techniques when developing their social media marketing strategy, we identify effective marketing strategies designed for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to optimize social media performance. As part of their marketing strategies, SMEs should moderate social media-based customer engagement to achieve maximum leverage. Our study employed quantitative purposive sampling to collect and analyze data from 265 food and beverage SMEs located in Solo, Semarang, Kudus and Jepara. Afterward, we utilized Structural Equation Modelling AMOS data collected through a questionnaire to test our empirical model and validate its prediction capabilities. Our findings demonstrate how effective social media marketing strategies can increase customer engagement with social media-based customer interactions and positively affect performance on these channels. Furthermore, SMEs should utilize brand exposure strategies through social media marketing in order to further boost social media-based customer interactions
ISLAMIC BANKS IN AFRICA: THE RISK OF SHARIA NON-COMPLIANCE AND FINANCIAL PERFROMANCE
Get PDFThe establishment of Islamic banks is solely based on Sharia standards, which, if not followed, will have dire consequences of Sharia non-compliance, making IBs comparable to conventional banks. Sharia non-compliance can damage investor trust and income. Although Sharia is the primary distinction between IBs and CBs, Sharia non-compliance must be scrutinized to avoid non -compliance issues. The risk of Sharia non-compliance and the performance of Islamic banks in Africa are investigated in this research, covering the years 2015 through 2019. The research studied 27 Islamic banking institutions from 11 African countries. The Sharia non-compliance risk was evaluated using the size and competence of the Sharia committee. In addition, GDP, bank age and size were used as control variables. Data were analyzed using simple regression with EViews. The result shows that Sharia Committee Size positively correlates with African Islamic bank performance. The research also shows that the expertise of the Sharia Committee in Sharia positively affects Islamic bank performance. Banks with larger Sharia committees perform better, the studies revealed. All banks have a large number of Sharia specialists in their committees, indicating that having them is vital for establishing and smoothly running an Islamic bank
ECONOMIC POLICY UNCERTAINTY, GLOBALIZATION AND BANKING STABILITY
Get PDFThis paper is accomplished to assess the influence of global economic policy uncertainty and globalization on the stability of the banking system in Asian countries. Although the stabilization of the banking system is a subject of great interest to many researchers, there has yet to be research that simultaneously evaluates the influence of these two factors on its stability. simultaneously evaluates the influence of these two factors on its stability. Based on data from Asian countries and the two-step systematic GMM regression method, the research results show that economic policy uncertainty and globalization erode the banking sectors' stability in Asia. Additionally, the study provides evidence that a country's banking system with a high globalization index will be strengthened in an environment of policy uncertainty. Moreover, financial, economic, and political globalization can reverse the influence of global economic policy uncertainty on the banking system's stability. These findings hold significant policy implications for governments, policymakers, and banking managers
Evaluation of Piper nigrum L. as a Prebiotic Ingredient Using In Vitro Colon Model: Sarawak pepper as prebiotic ingredient
No full textBlack and white pepper of the species Piper nigrum L. is regarded as the king of spices, and Malaysia is the second largest producer of peppercorns, after Indonesia. This spice contains abundant bioactive compounds that are capable of enhancing human health. However, the prebiotic potential of P. nigrum L. as a food ingredient has not yet been explored. Therefore, this research studied P. nigrum L. through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation using human faecal slurry. Samples were analysed for the colonic bacterial changes and its metabolites production using HPLC. Both black and white pepper showed prebiotic responses similar to those in inulin, particularly in stimulating the growth of human gastrointestinal microbiota. This study finds that P. nigrum L. promotes the growth of probiotic strains such as Bifidobacterium spp., and Lactobacillus / Enterococcus. Both black and white pepper also showed the ability to suppress colonic pathogen strain like Clostridium histolyticum. In vitro colonic fermentation of P. nigrum L. also significantly stimulate production of health beneficial metabolites. The production of short-chain fatty acids like acetate and propionate were observed to be particularly abundant. This is the contribution of piperine in both black and white pepper. In which, piperine provide both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Overall, P. nigrum L. showed appreciable prebiotic value similar to the commercial prebiotic, inulin. Thus, black and white pepper from Sarawak, Malaysia helps in promoting human gastrointestinal health. This finding may contribute to the value-added of Sarawak pepper as a functional food that can be involved in daily meals as spices
BANK CAPITAL AND BANK PROFITABILITY OF VIETNAM COMMERCIAL BANKS
Get PDFThe commercial banking system plays an important role in providing capital to businesses and other organizations, so bank capital receives great attention from many different subjects in the economy. This position is even more crucial for Vietnam, a developing country because the corporate bond market is relatively small in comparison to the size of the economy. As a result, commercial bank business efficiency is a problem that requires attention since it has a direct impact on the efficiency with which capital is provided to firms, as well as the market's stability. The research study concerning the effect of bank capital on bank profitability was conducted using data gathered from 22 Vietnam commercial banks from 2011 to 2020, using Pooled OLS, FEM, REM, and GMM methodologies. The results show that bank capital has a negative relationship with profitability. Bank profitability is also positively affected by bank size, credit risk, credit growth, and capital adequacy ratio. This study offers a new understanding of the relationship between bank capital, and bank profitability in Vietnam and proposed implications for Vietnam commercial banks' governance solutions, a country whose financial system depends mainly on banks, has transformed its capital management direction according to Basel 2 guidelines and is preparing for Basel 3 standards
SHAREHOLDER ACTIVISM AND PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES ONLINE: EVIDENCE FROM MALAYSIAN LISTED COMPANIES
Get PDFThis study primarily examined the role of Minority Shareholder Watch Group (MSWG), regarded as an advocate for shareholder activism in Malaysia, in encouraging management to take actions in shareholders’ interests by making minutes of annual general meeting (AGM) available electronically. Shareholder activism was assessed through companies monitored by the MSWG and through shareholder participation based on percentage of issued shares that voted at the AGM. The paper utilised secondary and proprietary data. Based on a sample of 261 firms that conducted their AGM in 2017, we found that 43% firms disclosed comprehensive AGM minutes, 24% firms only disclosed summary of key matters discussed and for the rest, no AGM minutes were uploaded on their corporate websites. From the sample, 34% of firms were under the radar of the MSWG. We found that firms targeted by MSWG were significantly associated with detailed disclosure of AGM minutes. However, shareholder participation through ownership voted at the AGM did not yield a significant association. The prevalence of controlling blocks in Malaysian firms may contribute to this result. Overall, the result supports the notion that institutionalised shareholder activism is an effective way to reduce agency problems and information asymmetry between controlling shareholders, management and minority shareholders. Finally, the study limitations and direction for future research are briefly discussed
Effect of Pre-treatment on The Impregnation of Osmotically Dehydrated Fruits: A Review: Pre-treatment effect for impregnating osmotically dehydrated fruits
No full textOsmotic dehydration is one of the alternative methods that is most frequently employed in the food industry to prevent large accumulation of food waste and postharvest losses, although it has a devastating influence on the textural and structural properties of the fruits. Considering that, this review offers innovative ideas and views on the impact of calcium salts, specifically calcium chloride and calcium lactate, on the impregnation of osmotically dehydrated fruits, along with various pre-treatments. Calcium chloride and calcium lactate salts assist in conserving the quality of fruits in the sense of colour, sensory, textural, structural, and other characteristics since some fruits are very perishable and rapidly degrade. Additional data showed that pre-treatments like blanching, freezing, drying, and ultrasound negatively affect calcium salt impregnation on fruit samples. The focus of this review is mainly on the preservation method of impregnating osmotically dehydrated fruits with calcium chloride and calcium lactate salt treatments, as well as blanching, freezing, drying, and ultrasound pre-treatments
The Prevalence of Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus Virulence Genes and Multiple Antibiotics Resistant (MAR) Assessment from Local Shrimp Farm in Sarawak: Virulence and MAR index of Vibrio species
No full textExcessive and improper antibiotic use in animals raised for human consumption can increase the risk of antibiotic-resistant infections, causing more harm and higher treatment costs. This study examined the virulence genes and antibiotic susceptibility of Vibrio cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus, two bacteria that can affect public health. A total of 32 water samples were collected from August to December 2021 from a shrimp farm in Sarawak. Ten (n = 10) V. cholerae and ten (n = 10) V. parahaemolyticus presumptive isolates were identified and purified using selective agar and duplex-PCR method. The results showed that 70% of V. cholerae isolates contained rtxA and 90% of V. cholerae isolates contained rtxC while tdh and trh were not found in V. parahaemolyticus isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that all V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic with the mean Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) indices of 0.34 for V. cholerae and 0.24 for V. parahaemolyticus. The MAR index of 0.20 and greater indicates that antibiotics are heavily contaminating the shrimp farm water. This study highlights the need for the proper administration of antibiotics in shrimp farming environments to reduce the risk of antibiotic-resistant infections caused by V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus. Water treatment should also be implemented before being released back to the environment to lessen the negative impact brought by the rearing of shrimp from a highly contaminated source.
 
Assessment of Toxic Metals in Commonly Used Energy-Stimulating Herbal Drugs Manufactured in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh: Toxic metals in energy- stimulating herbal drugs
No full textHaving been a common healthcare distress, erectile dysfunction is upsetting the quality of life of men from all walks of life. Along with allopathic therapy, a sizable number of patients opt for energy-stimulating herbal drugs (ESHDs) to treat the ailment. However, a global threat vestige for metal contamination in plant-based drugs at above threshold concentrations. Investigation into metal toxicity through samples from Bangladesh is scarce. Six metals: chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were probed in 25 energy stimulating herbal drug samples by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (F-AAS). Metal content was below detection limit, 51.86 ± 0.07 ppm for Cr, below detection limit, 7.26 ± 0.07 ppm for Cu, 3.41 ± 0.14 – 59.00 ± 0.09 ppm for Fe, 3.54 ± 0.09 – 26.16 ± 0.04 ppm for Mn, below detection limit to 67.34 ± 0.58 ppm for Pb, and below detection limit 27.79 ± 0.07 ppm for Zn. Exposure assessment found Cr and Pb concentrations in the objectionable limits in 12% and 20% of the samples, respectively. This study signifies concern metal toxicity in ESHDs which demands additional probes in the future for other samples to guarantee safe consumption of the drugs
Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Extract of Ficus septica Leaves from Sabah, Malaysia: Phytochemical and antioxidant activity of Ficus septica leaves
No full textMedicinal plants have long been used as primary antidotes for a variety of ailments, including tuberculosis, heart diseases, cancer, wound healing, asthma, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, pharyngitis, etc. Medicinal plant of Ficus septica Burm. f. (Moraceae) is a subtropical tree commonly known as the ivory fig, septic fig or white-veined fig. The present work aims to investigate the antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid content, and qualitative screening of various phytochemicals in aqueous extracts of F. septica leaves. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were calculated using Folin-Ciocalteau and aluminium chloride reagents. The antioxidative effect of F. septica was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Ficus septica was found to contain 27.32 ± 0.03 mg/g total phenolics expressed as gallic acid equivalent and 12.65 ± 0.00 mg/g total flavonoid expressed as catechin equivalent. In addition, the leaf extracts were found to contain various secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids and triterpenoids. The ability of F. septica to scavenge the DPPH radical was determined by its IC50 value. The IC50 value of F. septica was 4.45 µg/mL. Inferred from the presence of phytochemicals, total phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of the plant, F. septica could be a potential addition to pharmaceutical products to improve human health by participating in the antioxidant defence system against the production of free radicals