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CONSUMPTION OF SUGAR ADDED DRINKS AMONG STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA
No full textSugar added drinks are harmful to health. People are likely to suffer from chronic diseases if they consume sugar added drinks regularly. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationships between consumption of sugar added drinks and demographic, lifestyle and parental factors among university students in Malaysia. To the best of our knowledge, there is still a lack of in-depth studies that focus on this topic in Malaysia. Primary data used in this study were obtained from a cross-sectional survey. A total of 400 students from the Universiti Utara Malaysia were surveyed. A negative binomial regression model was applied to generate important findings. Findings from this study showed that students’ monthly consumption of sugar added drinks had significant associations with numerous demographic, lifestyle and parental factors. In particular, students were more likely to consume sugar added drinks if they were younger, were Malays, had less-educated parents, used e-cigarettes and were less physically active. In conclusion, age, ethnicity, use of e-cigarettes, physical activity and parental education levels play an important role in determining added sugar intake in the student population. These findings can assist policymakers in formulating a more effective measure directed towards reducing sugar added drink intake among university students
THE MODERATION EFFECTS OF ACCESS TO FINANCE ON THE IMPACT OF MARKET ORIENTATION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION ON THE PERFORMANCES OF SMES IN NIGERIA
No full textNigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the biggest business industry and a bedrock of the country’s economic development. However, few studies have been conducted on strategic orientation to improve performance. Therefore, this paper determines the effect of strategic orientations on the SMEs performance in Nigeria, which plays an imperative role in the nation\u27s growth. The rareness of this study focuses on access to finance, which is central for SMEs to progress and to compete in domestic and global markets. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the moderating influence of access to finance on the nexus between market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation, and SMEs’ performance in Nigeria. The surveys were administered to 300 owners and managers of SMEs in North-West Nigeria. A total of 251 effective responses, or 83.66% of the response rates, were put for data analysis. The finding indicated that entrepreneurial orientation and access to finance have a significant effect on SMEs\u27 performance. However, market orientation has indicated a non-significant effect on SMEs\u27 performance. In addition, access to finance has shown a non-significant moderating effect on both market orientation and entrepreneurial orientation on SMEs\u27 performance. The research implication shows that managers should focus more on entrepreneurship orientation.
UNDERSTANDING THE LINK BETWEEN LOGISTICS TECHNOLOGY, PERFORMANCE, AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN THAILAND’S THIRD-PARTY LOGISTICS SECTOR
No full textIn Thailand, third-party logistics (3PL) companies operate at a loss of 35 percent, indicating their inability to compete with other logistics service providers. Due to technology being one of the factors involved, the objective of this study aims to investigate the relationship between logistics technology, logistics performance, and competitive advantage in small third-party logistics (3PL) enterprises in Thailand. This study used partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) as a statistical approach for data analysis. The sample size was 159 respondents, who are small 3PL enterprises in three southern border provinces of Thailand. The finding indicated that logistics technology has a positive relationship with logistics performance and competitive advantage of 3PL in Thailand. Moreover, logistics performance, as a mediating factor is linked to logistics technology and competitive advantage. This study could be beneficial for the 3PL firms for improving technology in logistics operations, thereby achieving better outcomes and success in company competition
ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES IN HANDLING CHILD OFFENDERS: A CASE STUDY OF COMMUNITY-BASED DIVERSION PROGRAMMES IN MALAYSIA
No full textDiversion is the best approach to rehabilitate child offenders; however, children arrested for criminal offences in Malaysia must adhere to the procedures in the Child Act 2001. Although no specific diversion programme exists for child offenders in Malaysia, the Malaysian government is working on a project that is a community-based initiative with some elements of diversion practice to manage children in conflict with the law. The study examines the pilot community-based rehabilitation practices to fulfil the initiative as a formal diversion programme for child offenders in Malaysia. The study is crucial to convince child welfare agencies that the pilot community-based initiatives could be developed as a comprehensive diversion module for managing child offenders in Malaysia. This study employed in-depth interview techniques to gather qualitative data. The sample included nine child offenders, eight practitioners, and three parents/caregivers. Manual coding was utilised to facilitate the organisation, analysis, and interpretation of the data efficiently. The findings revealed that Malaysia\u27s juvenile justice system has actively engaged community agents—aligning with UNICEF’s recommendations—through family engagement, community mobilisation, and supervision efforts. Nevertheless, the study identified a pressing need to further strengthen the role of these community agents, particularly in preparing for the implementation of formal diversion programmes. In light of these findings, the researcher proposed the development of a comprehensive diversion module to guide the management of child offenders, which could serve as a framework for establishing a formal diversion system within Malaysia’s juvenile justice context
FOETAL ANOMALY: THE RIGHT TO ABORT AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A WRONGFUL BIRTH CLAIM IN MALAYSIA
No full textA pregnancy can be terminated because of the problem of foetal anomaly. However, parents may lose the right to terminate the pregnancy if there is negligence in prenatal diagnosis. Such negligence may consequently result in the mother giving birth to a disabled child. This article examines whether women in Malaysia have the legal right over a wrongful birth claim should there be negligence by the doctors who carried out the prenatal diagnosis. This article employs the doctrinal comparative method. First, this article reviews the relevant literature on the topic of women\u27s right to terminate a fetus with abnormalities and the legal status of the foetus. Next, the article will analyse the Utilitarian theory and the Principle of Reproductive Autonomy, which the authors claim will provide the fundamental argument for women to have the right to abort a pregnancy with foetal anomaly. A negligent prenatal diagnosis that results in the woman delivering a disabled baby undermines a woman\u27s right to reproductive autonomy, her right to make an informed consent for a legal abortion. Following that, an acknowledgment of the woman\u27s right to reproductive autonomy and the right to initiate a wrongful birth claim is demonstrated by highlighting and discussing several international court cases. The analysis of comparison is the final part, in which the authors present the possibility of women in Malaysia claiming a wrongful birth claim should there be negligence in the prenatal diagnosis by medical practitioners. In conclusion, the authors have made the case that women in Malaysia have the right to legally abort a pregnancy with foetal anomaly and could sue for wrongful birth if a prenatal diagnosis was made negligently. However, it might be challenging to prove the claim given the ambiguity of Malaysia\u27s abortion legislation. This article has made an important contribution to the current literature as it has discussed the potential rights of women in Malaysia to file a lawsuit over a wrongful birth claim should there be negligence in the prenatal diagnosis by medical practitioners
RISING FOOD POISONING INCIDENTS IN MALAYSIA: PROPOSING STRICTER LEGAL MEASURES AGAINST FOOD TRADERS
No full textFood poisoning incidents in Malaysia have risen in the past decade, causing illnesses and fatalities to consumers. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no food trader has been prosecuted in a court of law for causing food poisoning despite the existence of relevant legal provisions. Instead of facing prosecution, such food traders are merely issued with compounds and/or temporary closure orders. This study employed a doctrinal research method and analysed relevant legal provisions and regulations under the Food Act 1983, the Penal Code, the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, the Food Regulations 1985 and the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009. These legal provisions and regulations were analysed without empirical data. The authors also examined the current approach adopted by the enforcement authorities against food traders causing food poisoning. This study recommends a shift in the legal enforcement approach, envisioning that stricter legal measures will deter the occurrences of food poisoning incidents in Malaysia. As previous research on food safety predominantly investigated from scientific or social science perspectives, this study focuses on the legal perspective, addressing key factors for the lack of prosecution of food traders causing food poisoning and suggesting legislative reforms to enable effective prosecution of food traders by recommending amendments to the country’s current food safety laws
THE CHALLENGES OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE ERA OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
No full textIn an era in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about tremendous technical advancements that can significantly impact operations and interactions in society, it is crucial to seriously think about the issue of human rights in relation to the applications of AI. The increasingly widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) presents significant obstacles to the protection of human rights, since it questions the core concept of human supremacy over other living organisms. Given the growing incorporation of AI technology in our daily lives, it is crucial to comprehensively assess the influence of AI on human rights. This article examines the crucial significance of human rights in the era of AI, investigating the potential outcomes of AI’s impact on these rights and the worldwide efforts aimed at safeguarding them. It examines the transformative impact of AI, ethical considerations, and potential disruptions across economic, social, and political spheres. This article discusses how AI challenges traditional human rights frameworks like the UDHR, and will emphasise the urgent need for updated legal and ethical frameworks, as well as global collaboration aimed at protecting human rights in this era of AI. Furthermore, it considers the potential of the first internationally binding convention on AI, the AI Convention. Using comparative legal, formal legal and descriptive methods, the analysis shows that AI may undermine the exercise of several human rights. The focus is on integrating legal and ethical factors to ensure the responsible implementation of AI technology and in ensuring that AI technology benefits all of humanity
ADVANCING UNDERSTANDING OF SERVICE-LEARNING: A CASE STUDY OF A UNIVERSITY IN MALAYSIA
No full textPurpose – This study aims to advance the understanding of service-learning within the context of Malaysian higher education, employing multiple qualitative approaches to source information relating to student perspectives whilst critically analysing findings through triangulation. The study explores how service-learning is conceptualized, experienced, and implemented from the viewpoints of university students through focus group interviews, complemented by a systematic examination of institutional documents related to service-learning programmes and policies, and observations of service-learning events.
Methodology – The research utilized an exploratory-triangulation design, blending focus group interviews with document analysis and observations to gather comprehensive data. Data was collected through a primary source, involving focus group interviews with 15 students across five groups. The data were triangulated through a document analysis of three course syllabi, 10 faculty websites, 72 news articles, 112 university news publications, three university reports, and the observations from six service-learning events. Data collected from the focus group interviews were analyzed using the thematic analysis method, while those collected using document analysis and observations were used for the purpose of triangulation.
Findings – Three themes were constructed relating to the students’ perspectives towards service-learning and they comprised the following: (1) experiential learning activities; (2) academic course; and (3) serving the community. There were a total of 14 sub-themes. It was found that students perceived service-learning as an effective experiential learning tool, combining academic learning with community service, though its adoption is not extensive across the campus, highlighting a need for broader implementation in the curriculum.
Significance – It addresses a significant gap in the existing literature by offering insights into the perspectives of students in a non-Western context, particularly the context in Malaysia. In addition, this study provides a nuanced understanding of service-learning in a non-Western context, thus offering valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and practitioners aiming to optimize service-learning practices and align them more closely with student needs and institutional goals. The findings inform a comprehensive strategy for the design and execution of service-learning as an educational approach in higher education
ANALYZING GREEN SITE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN MALAYSIA: TRENDS AND INSIGHTS
No full textThis research explores the current green site management practices (GSMPs) commonly practiced by contractors. While the construction industry has contributed significantly to Malaysia’s development, it has also raised various environmental concerns. GSMPs are gaining attention as a solution to these issues. Nevertheless, their implementation faces various challenges, such as financial concerns and a lack of knowledge. A qualitative approach was adopted to focus on contractors’ experiences with green practices. Five contractors were randomly selected from the construction sites in Malaysia using the convenience sampling method. These respondents, all at the management level, were well-positioned to provide insights. Data collection continued until no new issues emerged from the interviews. The findings revealed that GSMPs are becoming a current trend within the industry. Contractors are beginning to integrate green practices in their construction activities, focusing on construction site waste management, workforce management, best regulatory practices, site establishment and administration, and site facilities. However, there is a notable lack of awareness and knowledge about these green practices among contractors. The study offers practical implications for the future of GSMPs, highlighting the need for increased understanding and adoption. By elaborating on available practices and their implications, this study aims to encourage broader implementation of GSMPs in construction sites
ENHANCING R&D IN TAIWANESE SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES: AN ANALYSIS OF POST COVID-19 BUSINESS SURVIVAL STRATEGIES
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Despite numerous setbacks, some SMEs demonstrated resilience by adopting innovative survival strategies, including investment in research and development (R&D). This study investigates the extent of R&D investment among selected SMEs in Taiwan and its role in their survival during the pandemic. Using a mixed methods approach, data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires, with participants representing various SME categories until saturation was achieved. SME proprietors provided insights on how R&D investments contributed to their resilience. The findings indicate that 73.3% of respondents invested directly in R&D and 54.3% reported that R&D investments positively impacted their business survival during the pandemic. The study recommends that SMEs enhance their R&D capabilities by developing staff skills and allocating specific funds for R&D in their budgets to better withstand future disruptions