UNIMAS Journal (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)
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Financial Assessment of Smallholder Oil Palm Production in Unsuitable Areas of Surat Thani Province, Thailand
Get PDFThis study was conducted to provide information on profitability, social status, occupations, sustainability, self-reliance, and risks in small-scale oil palm production in unsuitable areas of Surat Thani, by planted oil palm area Thailand’s largest province. The data were collected from 25 farmers who have newly grown to 25 years old oil palm trees cultivated in unsuitable areas. The data were subjected to financial investment analysis, switching value test, sustainability, and self-sufficiency analysis. The investments in oil palm cultivation were assessed by net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and benefit to cost ratio (BCR). The results show that most growers were senior citizens with primary school education, and the average number of family members was 4.1. They had self-invested and used family members as labor (on average 1.6 men/family). The average oil palm yield in unsuitable areas was 3.60 tons/rai/year. Based on 7% discount rate the NPV was equal to 71,215.17 Thai baht, IRR was 38.72%, and BCR was 2.25. These financial indicators show that the overall performance of oil palm cultivation in unsuitable areas is a worthwhile investment, although with high risks on the revenue side. The oil palm growers had moderate levels of sustainability and self-reliance
The Influence of Hotel Attributes on Brand Attachment and Post-Consumption Outcomes: The Mediating Effects of Brand Credibility
Get PDFThis research examine the mediating role of brand credibility between the relationship of hotel attributes and brand attachment that will to lead to post-consumption outcomes. We also examine how hotel attributes contributes to the brand attachment and post-consumption outcomes.Based on the mean-end chain theory, it explores the relationship among six constructs; hotel attributes, brand credibility, brand attachment and post-consumption outcomes (i.e., satisfaction, revisit intention and word-of-mouth). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was deployed to validate the research model. The result indicatesbrand credibility fully mediates the relationship between hotel attributes and brand attachment. Subsequently, brand credibility and brand attachment are found to be significantly linked with post-consumption outcomes. The result offers implications for hotelier and direction for future research
Tourism in Phipun District: From Dark to Dawn
Get PDFThis paper presents two tragic stories which provided great impacts, not only on the villagers’ way of life in Phipun District, Thailand, but also on Thai people and logging business worldwide. The samples were 24 participants including villagers, resort and restaurant owners, and entrepreneurs. Participatory Action Research was used as a paradigm. Interview and participant observation were utilized for data collection and qualitative content analysis was applied for data analysis. The findings revealed that the invasion of communist party to the area was considered as a miserable mass murder during 1968-1980. Furthermore, longitudinal deforestation made by the villagers and concessionaires led to a tragic flood in 1988. The event was marked as one of the worst natural disasters in Thailand that led to atotal logging ban nationwide in 1989. Now, two reservoirs have been built to replace the flooded areas. The spectacular mountain scenery of the two reservoirs and other national resources arenow used for tourism purposes. Using dark tourism to convey the setragic messages as a symbolic reminder of human mistakes to the outside world can contributeas lessons learned to all mankind
A Study of Car Demand and Its Interdependency in Sarawak
Get PDFSeveral developing Asian countries recorded a high level of private based motorisation, specifically car and motorcycle ownership. Continuous rise in the level of private motorisations may lead to issues such as traffic congestions, high fuel consumption and pollutions. For that reason, there is a need to investigate the determinant of car ownership and the interdependency between car and motorcycle ownership in Sarawak, Malaysia. This study used time series annual data using vector error correction model (VECM) from 1980 to 2018. Based on the analysis, it is found that gross domestic product, fuel price and population density are significant determinants of car ownership. The findings revealed that as the standard of living rises, car demand increases. At the state aggregate level, it is found that there is a substitution relationship between both modes. This indicates that people are highly likely to shift from motorcycle ownership to car ownership in the long run. Based on the findings, the policy recommendations in the study include encouraging shifts to alternative modes of transport through public transport reforms as well as improving facilities for a more sustainable mode of transportation in Sarawak
Using Role Playing Activities to Improve Thai EFL Students’ Oral English Communication Skills
Get PDFThe purposes of this study were to examine the effects of using role playing activities to enhance students speaking skills as well as to investigate the usefulness of role playing activities in the development of selfconfidencein oral English. The experiment was conducted with an intact group of 50 Thai EFL undergraduate students. The data were collected by using (1) the pre-speaking test and the post-speaking test on oral competence in English communication, (2) the assessment form on students’ self-confidence in speaking English, and (3) an interview form on students’ opinion and self-confidence in speaking English before and at the end of the course. The research results revealed that role playing activities had positive effects both on student’s oral competence and self-confidence in speaking English. The frequent practice over the period of time through the role playing activities is the vital key to enhance students’ speaking abilities and improve their speaking confidence
Willingness to Accept of Adopting Sustainable Terubok Fisheries in Sarawak by Using Contingent Valuation Method
Get PDFSarawak is well known with its Terubok which is scientifically known as Tropical shad Tenualosa. In Sarawak, there are two types of Tenualosa that found namely Tenualosa toli and Tenualosa macura. However, due to the overexploitation and heavy fishing of terubok, the total catch landing has been declining. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the potential of establishing sustainable terubok fisheries in order to sustain the population of terubok and livelihoods of Sarawak fisherman. This study is conducted in the core terubok area which are Batang Lupar, Batang Lassa and Batang Sadong. This study employed Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to estimate the willingness to accept (WTA) of the fisherman to conserve terubok. This study found out that the bidding amount, race which is Malay and Melanau, size of household and the fisherman experience may affect the WTA of the fishers. Besides, RM 301.08 is the average amount of compensation that will be given to the Terubok fisherman in order to conserve the Terubok populations. This study also recommends that the Terubok fisherman should be more educated andeducational training for the fisherman should be provided so that they may realize the importance of conserving Terubok
The Human Resources as an Important Factor of Regional Development
Get PDFThe human resources present the key aspect of socioeconomic development, prosperity and competitiveness of each region due to the fact that contribute to increasing of employment, to the development of working places and improving the life standard of inhabitants. The main aim of the paper is the quantification of human resources development potential in Slovak regions. To meet this aim, the authors concentrated attention mainly on the evaluation of the level and variability of the selected indicators that were observed within four descriptors. The crucial contribution of the evaluation is the ranking of regions, based on the evaluation in each descriptor and drawing the overall ranking of human resources development potential in the Slovak Republic. To determine the order of regions, the relevant statistical methods were used: the characteristics of location and variability, hierarchical cluster analysis and its method of complete linkage. The results showed the dominance of Bratislava region that is following by Trnava and Žilina region
EMERGING STUDIES AMONG FAMILY CONTROLLED FIRMS: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS ON MALAYSIA LISTED COMPANIES
Get PDFThis study maps and analyses the bibliometric analysis of family-controlled firms among Malaysian listed companies based on observation from article title on September 23, 2020. We examine the timeframe of publication, subject areas, influential affiliation, frequent keywords and the importance of network visualization maps. Thus, influential contributions, university affiliations and research networks are discussed. The review examines 49 documents from 65 subject areas, indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases between 2006 and 2020. Interestingly, there is an emerging development of family-controlled firms in general, and the leading scholars strongly interconnected
FACTORS AFFECTING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN ONLINE SHOPPING IN KUCHING, SARAWAK.
Get PDFCustomer satisfaction is important in online shopping as online shopping has become a trend nowadays. Therefore, customer satisfaction is important so that we can improve customer satisfaction towards online shopping thus increase the growth of E- commerce in Malaysia. This study aims to examine the factors (Website Design, Delivery Service and Security) that affect customer satisfaction and their relationship between factors (Website Design, Delivery Service and Security) with customer satisfaction in online shopping in Kuching, Sarawak. Website Design, Delivery Service and Security are the three independent variables while customer satisfaction is the dependent variables in this study. A total of 300 electronic questionnaires through google from been collected and analysed by using the Descriptive Analysis and Inferential Analysis where Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Linear Regressions Analysis being employed to test the three-hypothesis developed in this study. In this study, all the three independent variables which included Website Design, Delivery Service and Security are significant and positive related to the customer satisfaction in online shopping in Kuching, Sarawak. Besides, among the three independent variables, Website Design is the most influential factors that affect customer satisfaction in online shopping in Kuching, Sarawak
The Effect of Shari’ah Compliance Announcements on Stock Returns in Malaysia
Get PDFThere are increasing demands and interests in Shari’ah compliant stocks in Malaysia. The identification of Shari’ah compliant stocks is known as Shari’ah screening, which is announced to the public twice a year. Hence, the objective of this study is to investigate whether the announcements provide valuable information and the impact of such announcements on stock returns. This study applies market model to estimate the stock returns. Alternative hypotheses that are being tested are the inclusion (removal) of stocks in (from) the Shari’ah Compliant List give a significant effect on the stock Cumulative Average Abnormal Return (CAAR). Employing the event study methodology in years 2007 –2015, this study provides unambiguous evidence that the inclusion of a stock in the Shari’ah Compliant List has increased the price that lead positive stocks returns 1 day within the announcement date. Meanwhile, the removal from the list results a negative stock returns due to the declined of the stock price. As such, the announcements of Shari’ah Compliant List do carry informational value and have significant effect on the stock returns in Malaysian capital market. Shari’ah compliance announcement is significant especially to the Muslim investors to assist them avoiding prohibited investment activities. The present study has significantly contributed to the Malaysian Efficient Market Hypothesis as well as to the practical implication for the companies in avoiding with haram activities