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SERVICE QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION THROUGH AIRQUAL DIMENSIONS: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION ON IRAQI AIRWAYS
No full textIn today’s rapidly evolving business environment, customer requirements and expectations are continually increasing. Many service-oriented companies, including airlines, are struggling to accurately understand and meet the true needs and desires of their passengers. Often, they rely on outdated views of airline services. This study investigated how various dimensions of service quality impact customer satisfaction at Iraqi Airways. Using a convenience sampling technique, data were collected through questionnaires distributed at Baghdad International Airport and Erbil International Airport in Iraq. A total of 381 valid responses were analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results indicate that five service quality dimensions—airline tangibles, terminal tangibles, security and safety, personnel services, and airline image—have a positive and significant effect on customer satisfaction. However, empathy does not significantly influence customer satisfaction. The findings suggest that Iraqi Airways should focus on differentiating its services to enhance customer satisfaction. Managers are encouraged to concentrate on factors that elevate service quality, thereby improving customer satisfaction. This study can assist Baghdad International Airport and Erbil International Airport in understanding the importance of service quality, which could lead to higher passenger satisfaction and foster long-term relationships with their customers
MODELING OF ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION AMONG PUBLIC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA USING PARTIAL LEAST SQUARE-STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELLING (PLS-SEM)
No full textABSTRACT
This study presents a comprehensive examination of the factors influencing entrepreneurial intention among undergraduate accounting students in a public university, with a particular focus on higher education. Drawing upon the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (DTPB), the study delves into the psychological aspects of entrepreneurial intention, aiming to deepen our understanding of the key constructs that shape entrepreneurial behavior. A survey involving 520 final year accounting students was conducted, utilizing questionnaires comprising 18 items that measured attitude towards entrepreneurship, subjective norms, perceived behavioral influence, and the desire to pursue entrepreneurship. The study sought to determine the impact of attitude towards behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on students\u27 intentions to become entrepreneurs. Employing the PLS-SEM technique and employing the bootstrapping method, the research models were tested to establish the relationships between the constructs. Both the measurement (outer) model and the structural (inner) model of the latent constructs were examined. The findings provided strong support for all seven hypotheses, revealing significant relationships between the variables under investigation. The overall results of the study offer valuable insights to stakeholders and policymakers, contributing to the establishment of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that benefits the nation. By shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of entrepreneurship, this analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors driving entrepreneurial behavior
Opinion Mining and Perceptions of Self-Determination in Videoconference Classrooms Using Machine Learning and Multidimensional Sentiment Frameworks
No full textThis study provides a comprehensive analysis of learner sentiments regarding learning in videoconference (VC) environments, highlighting critical areas for improving digital education. In the mixed method approach, Azure Machine Learning\u27s (AML) three-category sentiment analysis as a quantitative approach is enhanced by a multidimensional sentiment model as a qualitative approach to analyse learner feedback. The sentiments are mapped onto the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) framework to highlight how autonomy, competence, and relatedness influence learner sentiments. Open-ended feedback to a prompt from 268 respondents across different education levels provided textual data captured through a Google form. AML provided sentiment scores that indicated the direction and type of sentiments. Combining with thematic analysis based on 5 sentiment categories enables the generation of richer and deeper insights into learner feedback. Findings indicate mixed user sentiments, with flexibility (autonomy) praised but technical issues and limited interaction (low competence and relatedness) criticised. Findings suggest enhancing interactivity, addressing technical barriers, and fostering engagement to improve learner experiences and meet diverse educational needs in digital classrooms. AML provides a broad sentiment classification with confidence scores that are more relatable and reliable. While recognising the overlapping sentiment categories in the two models, the approach offers more actionable insights for educators and platform developers. AML’s model could benefit from incorporating more granular sentiment categories to capture the complexity of user feedback better. The study enables a broader view of the user\u27s need to provide more useful information to developers, policymakers, and instructors regarding using VC and other online platforms for teaching
WAQF AND ZAKAT AS PHILANTHROPIC FUNDRAISING INSTRUMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: EVIDENCE FROM MALAYSIAN PUBLIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES
No full textPurpose – Since 2008, government funding for higher education institutions (HEIs) has declined globally, resulting in reduced quality, higher tuition fees, and increased reliance on philanthropic contributions. This issue has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting many PHEIs to turn to philanthropic fundraising. This study explores how Malaysian public research universities (MRUs) utilise Islamic philanthropic instruments—specifically waqf and zakat—to support student teaching and learning. It examines the successes and challenges of these initiatives and proposes a framework for optimising the use waqf and zakat as sustainable fundraising strategies in Malaysian public higher education institutions (PHEIs).
Methodology – A qualitative case study approach was employed. In-depth interviews (both in-person and online) were conducted with nine informants from five selected MRUs, representing four key roles: vice chancellor, bursar/chief financial controller, director of university advancement office/waqf centre, and university legal advisor. Thematic analysis was conducted using both deductive and inductive coding informed by existing literature and emerging themes.
Findings – The study revealed two major outcomes: (1) MRUs have successfully mobilised waqf and zakat for fundraising, and (2) these funds have been effectively channelled to enhance teaching, learning and student welfare. Two categories of challenges were also identified: general challenges, such as weak culture of giving and limitations within the tax regime; and specific challenges linked to governance and management of zakat, waqf, and university foundations (yayasan). The study proposes several initiatives to improve financial sustainability, including public awareness campaigns, tax policy reforms, strategic collaborations with State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs), and formalised agreements on fund allocation.
Significance – This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on Islamic philanthropic fundraising in higher education. The insights provided offer practical implications for Malaysian PHEIs seeking to enhance financial sustainability through waqf and zakat. In doing so, it supports the broader objective of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on inclusive and equitable quality education
SUCCESSION PLANNING FOR ORGANISATIONAL SURVIVAL: CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
No full textSuccession planning is an important component of organisational strategy because it assures leadership continuity and preserves institutional knowledge. In an era of fast change and unpredictability, an organisation\u27s capacity to plan for and manage leadership changes is critical to its long-term survival and success. This study discusses the issues of succession planning and provides advice for overcoming them to ensure organisational resilience. This paper employs a scoping review conducted to investigate the existing literature on challenges and recommendations in succession planning for organisational survival in the era of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA) so that organisations can prepare to deal with human capital in the VUCA world effectively. The process of gathering data for this scoping review involves looking up articles on Google Scholar, web of science and Scopus through which 15 articles have been identified to be relevant. The challenges of succession planning are then explored in detail, including the talent development and retention, cultural and generational differences and resistance to change and institutionalisation. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities associated with succession planning, along with practical recommendations for organisations’ effective succession strategies which promote their strategic goals and enhance their resilience in the face of change
UTILIZING ENGINEERS WORKFORCE DIVERSITY TO ENHANCE MANUFACTURING PRODUCTIVITY
No full textWorkforce’s variety and adaptability are critical elements for the manufacturing companies to increase an ability to expand and growth. Lack of workforce diversity has detrimental effects to the employee’s performance and motivation to work better in organisation. Therefore, this study is pertinent to explore the utilization of engineers’ workforce diversity practices in manufacturing companies to enhance the productivity. Specifically, the study involves three main workforce diversity such as recruitment strategy, culture diversity, and generational diversity in order to enhance organisational productivity mainly for the manufacturing companies. The study employed quantitative method involving 200 engineers from the manufacturing company. The findings revealed that all constructs tested were correlated and significance towards manufacturing productivity. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on the workforce diversity practices in helping manufacturing companies to enhance the productivity. It also could be a foundation for future research. Practically, the study helps the manufacturing companies, engineers and managers to strengthens the human resource policies i.e. workforce diversity via developing and planning an effective program in the organisation to improve productivity. Finally, the study also addressed a study limitation, recommendations and conclusion
PATRIOTIC LEADERSHIP AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE UNITED STATES AND NIGERIA - INSIGHTS AND LESSONS
No full textPatriotic leadership is integral to a country’s development and is desirous for effective state-society interactions. Such leadership is often characterized by selflessness, legitimacy, dedication to service, and efficient administration of resources, both human and natural. This paper examines the import of patriotic leadership to national development in the America and Nigeria’s context. The paper employs a historical and descriptive investigative approach with an element of comparative design. It utilizes relevant data collected from documentary sources, which were analysed qualitatively within the framework of Lucian Pye’s modernization theory. From the analysis, it became obvious that America’s history abounds with leaders who, in their private and public lives, have worked assiduously to attain national unity, liberty, equality, and civic rights, hence facilitating national development. In contrast, Nigeria lacks patriotic leaders instilled with vision and commitment to genuine national development. Besides, patriotism and commitment to leadership are ingrained in American culture, which are conducive to national development. In contrast, Nigeria has yet to reach such heights in its political history, with leaders often prioritizing ethnic and regional interests over national interests antagonistic to national development. Consequently, the paper recommends, among others, that for Nigeria to match up with its America counterpart, its political leadership class must undergo a total attitudinal reorientation to embrace national interest and commitment to patriotism and national consciousness. The study offers valuable insights for improving political leadership in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for a nationalistic leadership approach to foster development
GREEN INNOVATION: MANAGING POST-TIN MINING LAND (ABANG TIMAH UNTUK BUDISA) IN JELUTUNG VILLAGE, BANGKA BELITUNG
No full textThis article discusses green innovation in post-tin mining land management in Jelutung Village, Bangka Belitung. The long-standing illegal mining in this area has caused significant environmental damage, leading to numerous abandoned mining pits. The innovation "Abang Timah Untuk Budisa" was launched to revitalize these lands through rice cultivation. This program aims not only to address land degradation issues but also to enhance local food security. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method, focusing on the policy implementation process using Edward III\u27s analysis theory. The results indicate that this innovation can meet the food needs of some residents of Jelutung Village and help fill some of the abandoned mining pits. Challenges faced during the implementation of this innovation included limited availability of fertilizers and agricultural facilities, which were addressed by utilizing manure and other management techniques. Overall, the "Abang Timah Untuk Budisa" innovation successfully transformed the former mining lands into productive areas, supported food security, and provided economic benefits to the community. This study employs a qualitative method because the problem presents a general description of the issue, along with a proposed solution. The conclusion is that the problem is about preserving the environment for future generations, so everyone must strive to maintain it. This innovation has also gained national recognition, receiving awards from Menpan RB and Mendagri as one of the top 45 innovations in Indonesia
Exploring the role of ESL teachers and SISC+ officers in promoting willingness to communicate in Malaysian primary schools.
No full textThis preliminary investigation examines how ESL teachers and SISC+ officers perceive their roles in fostering students\u27 Willingness to Communicate (WTC) in Malaysian primary schools. The main objective was to assess the feasibility and clarity of qualitative instruments; namely, semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaires, for use in a larger research project. Feedback was collected from a novice ESL teacher, an experienced teacher, and a SISC+ officer to evaluate the suitability of the data collection tools. While no generalizable findings were drawn, preliminary reflections indicated potential areas of interest such as psychological and cultural barriers to communication, learner-centered teaching strategies, and support-related challenges. The results informed adjustments to research instruments to ensure appropriateness and relevance for broader-scale data collection
A Modification of Conjugate Gradient Parameter and Its Global Convergence for Solving Unconstrained Optimization Problems
No full textThe methods of nonlinear conjugate gradient coefficients are significant and helpful in solving large-scale unconstrained optimization problems, due to their simplicity and lower storage requirement. Research activities on its applications to handle higher-dimensional systems of nonlinear equations are of paramount importance. Many authors studied and developed different kinds of conjugate gradient coefficients. Recently, some conjugate gradients were proposed with large dimensions, but they have small sample sizes. So, they cannot solve problems that have higher dimensions. Therefore, this research proposed a modified algorithm with a huge dimension and a large sample size. The strategy of strong Wolfe line search was applied in the convergence analysis, which makes it possible to converge globally with a descent property. Finally, the numerical results show that the proposed algorithm performs more efficiently and is superior to the existing Conjugate Gradient (CG) coefficients