19672 research outputs found
Sort by
Measuring and enhancing organisational creative climate, knowledge sharing, and innovative work behavior in startups development
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of the organizational creative climate, knowledge sharing and innovative work behavior in startups development. This study also aims to discover the R square, predictive relevance and effect size of the developed model. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative method was used, and a total of 352 usable questionnaires were collected from employees at startups particularly in services sector in Malaysia. The structural equation was developed to explain the complicated relationship between organizational creative climate, knowledge sharing and innovative work behavior. The results of hypothesis were analyzed using structural equation modeling – partial least square (SEM-PLS) test. Findings: The results indicate that organizational creative climate significantly influence innovative work behavior (H1), organizational climate positively affects knowledge sharing (H2) and knowledge sharing significantly influence innovative work behavior (H3). In addition, the results also show that the R square values of innovative work behavior is weak (R2 = 0.067), while the predictive relevance value demonstrating the model has sufficient predictive relevance. Further, the results of effect size show medium effect for organizational creative climate and knowledge, while the remaining indicates small effect size. Practical implications: This study provides a comprehensible and clear understanding on how organizational creative climate and knowledge sharing play important role in fostering the individual innovative work behavior in Malaysian startups. Originality/value: Research on the significance of organizational creative climate, knowledge sharing and to innovative work behavior particularly in the startups context has not been sufficiently explored. This study shed new light to the startups eco-system stakeholders in stimulating individual innovative work behavior through the practices of sharing information as well as the creative climate and innovative elements in the entrepreneurial activities. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited
Diagnostic Efficacy of Synthesized 2D Digital Breast Tomosynthesis in Multi-ethnic Malaysian Population
No full textSynthesized 2D images can be reconstructed from tomosynthesis images in breast imaging. This study aims to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of synthesized 2D images (C-View) in comparison to full field digital mammography (FFDM) when used with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in multi-ethnic Malaysian population. FFDM and C-View images (n = 380) were independently evaluated by three readers through Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) categorisation, breast density and lesion characterisation. Statistical analysis was done comparing sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of C-View + DBT with FFDM + DBT as standard of reference. Very good interreader agreement in BI-RADS category and density assessment between C-View + DBT and FFDM + DBT, with high sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of C-View + DBT when compared with FFDM + DBT. There was comparable PPV between C-View + DBT and FFDM + DBT, with histopathology as gold standard. High level of interreader agreement in BI-RADS category and density assessment for FFDM + DBT and C-View + DBT. There was good agreement between FFDM + DBT and C-View + DBT in mass characterization, and almost perfect agreement in calcification and asymmetric density. 52.2% lower radiation dose incurred when using C-View + DBT. Hence, synthesized 2D images are comparable to FFDM with reduction in radiation dose within the limits of Malaysian multi-ethnic population. © 2019, The Author(s)
Liquid-liquid equilibria data for the separation of ethylbenzene/styrene mixtures using ammonium-based deep eutectic solvents
No full textSeparation of styrene from ethylbenzene is challenging because of their close boiling points and similar chemical characteristics. In this study, we utilized three ammonium-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with glycols as hydrogen bond donors to separate styrene from ethylbenzene via liquid-liquid extraction at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, with styrene concentration in the feed mixture ranging from (10 to 80) wt%. Consistency of the experimental data was ascertained by Othmer-Tobias and Hand correlations, and the NRTL binary interaction parameters were also validated for thermodynamic consistency. Distribution ratios of styrene were found to be comparable to that obtained using ionic liquids, although the selectivity values were much lower. The ternary liquid-liquid equilibria for the systems {ethylbenzene (1) + styrene (2) + DES (3)} were correlated with the NRTL model and predicted using the COSMO-RS approach. The average RMSD from the experimental data for NRTL correlation is 1.41% and for COSMO-RS prediction is 4.74%. © 2019 Elsevier Lt
Clarifying the brand personality construct in Malaysia
No full textPurpose: This paper aims to investigate the variations in brand personality trait items to describe both global and local brands in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: The authors adopted both factor analytic and experimental methods to investigate the internal and external validity of Malaysia brand personality (MBP) scale. They followed a stringent scale development process that ensures the scale conform to psychometric properties. Findings: In seven studies, the results show that the 22-item four-factor Malaysian brand personality scale adheres to strong psychometric properties of scale development process. The findings further indicate that there are seven indigenous traits, while most traits emerge from factor analyses originate from studies of Aaker (1997) and colleagues (2001). This confirms universality of some brand personality traits and dimensions. Research limitations/implications: Within the limits of the study, we did not examine the MBP facet level, and were confined to those respondents in Klang Valley only. Practical implications: The MBP scale enables marketing managers in Malaysia to focus on brand personality dimensions that their customers can relate to. In other words, marketing communications can be more efficient when managers can identify brand personality traits that enhance customers’ behaviors and profitability. Originality/value: Malaysia is a multicultural and multiethnic country which is increasingly becoming the focus of international brand expansion. The authors view that the development of the MBP scale is timely and should provide managers further insights into the brand personality structure that is relevant in Malaysia. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited
Architectural profession and its role towards the design of administrative architecture in Malaysia
No full textThe paper aims to discuss the role of architects in the evolution of three main formal administrative architectures in Malaysia. All these three chosen case studies housed the main seat of the government of the era. The main concern is to outline the evolution of the administrative architecture in Malaysia through understanding the factors that may influence the production of these national buildings. A case study approach as defined by Yin (2011) was applied by using interpretivist approach in order to understand the factors that may have influenced the design of these prominent administrative architecture in Malaysia. The research shows there is a significant tie between the architect as part of the decision-maker and the design of the administrative building, making the selection of the architects for the purpose of building an important national architecture very important. To date, the research on the administration building in Malaysia focuses on design aspects, and none discussed the relationship between the administrative buildings with the architects’ background with reference to societal conditions. The research is of value for clients as patrons of national projects to understand the syntax of ‘administrative architecture’ as these buildings are deemed as meaningful national symbols. © 2019, University of Malaya. All rights reserved
Acceptance of Koha Open Source System among Librarians in the Malaysian Academic Libraries: An Exploratory Qualitative Study
No full textThis paper reports on a study that explores the requirements and level of acceptance for the Koha open source software implementation in Malaysian academic libraries. This is a qualitative study based on interviews with system librarians from library application and system divisions in 5 Malaysian universities. The interviews were conducted to understand the technology acceptance, system quality and system information, beliefs and attitude of librarians and to provide insight into a user and open system relations. These factors can be critical in order to understand what may hinder the acceptance of open source systems in Malaysia academic libraries. The findings disclose that the level of acceptance of the Koha open source system among Malaysian librarians is high as they are satisfied with the information quality, system quality and system platform. They have positive intentions to use this system and believe it meets their current and future information needs. The requirements of its implementation are focused on perceived usefulness (technology), attitude toward using (users), and perceived ease of use (system). The subsequent influencing factors are a reflection of Koha system stability and users’ acceptance of this system’s information quality, system quality, librarians’ awareness, satisfaction, user confidence level, support for library standards, highly integrated modules, a web-based solution, intention to use a system, and actual usage of an open-source system. Practical implications include cost savings, outsourced system maintenance, and accessibility of the system after office hours. The Koha open-source system is a new paradigm in system solutions for libraries in Malaysia. The results of the current study are applicable to other library settings. © 2019, © 2019 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Prospect of silver nanowire (AgNW) in development of simple and cost-effective vertical organic light-emitting transistors
No full textDespite a great potential for low-voltage display applications, vertical organic light-emitting transistors (VOLETs) suffer serious issues of high-cost and complex fabrication techniques, notably for the intermediate electrode. To address this problem, this study demonstrates a cost-effective and simple approach to fabricate a VOLET device by utilising spin-coated silver nanowires (AgNWs) as an intermediate electrode. AgNWs exhibit high electrical conductivity, high porosity and high optical transparency, which qualify them as a perfect candidate for the intermediate electrode in VOLETs. To show the potential of AgNWs in VOLET devices using a facile, cost-effective spin-coated method, two types of VOLETs, namely, the Schottky barrier (SB) VOLET and static induction transistor (SIT) VOLET, were fabricated and analysed. Interestingly, both the devices show transistor behaviour when the Vg is varied, implying a fully functional VOLET device. We believe that this is one of the simplest methods to fabricate VOLETs without compromising the device characteristics demonstrated to date. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature
Improvement of Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) Process Through Development and Implementation of Methadone Dispenser
No full textMethadone is a controlled drug and can be prescribed by an authorized person in charge, under the direction of medical practitioners, for particular patients, to cure their addiction to opioid substances. The development and evaluation of a methadone dispenser present a prototype solution for solving the current manual methadone dispensing problems, which are prone to human error, with the implementation of the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program at the same time to increase public awareness about this program. In the current study, the performance of a methadone dispenser is evaluated by investigating the simulation analysis, feasibility, and efficiency of the device as compared to the manual technique. For testing purposes, methadone syrup was replicated with sugar solution of 66.6 g/50 mL at 25°C with a dynamic viscosity of 36.680 mPa.s. Thus, it was quantified that the time taken to dispense the sugar solution by using the methadone dispenser has shown a significant improvement of 81.40 % time reductions as compared to the manual technique. The low repeatability percentage of the methadone dispenser by 1.64 % contributes to a high precision device that is reliable enough to be implemented in the MMT program with a dispensing accuracy increment of 3.87 %, as compared to the manual technique. The findings suggest that the methadone dispenser is reliable and feasible and contributes to error reduction for implementation in the MMT program with approximately ≈ 97 % efficiency. © 2019 by ASTM International
Probabilistic Evaluation of Structural Pounding Between Adjacent Buildings Subjected to Repeated Seismic Excitations
No full textThis research investigates the effects of structural pounding (collision of structures) caused by insufficient gaps between adjacent buildings when subjected to repeated earthquakes. The structural performance of adjacent buildings experiencing structural pounding under the effect of moderate repeated ground motions is analyzed using incremental dynamic analysis. Fragility curves for different performance levels are developed to represent the capacity of the adjacent buildings. Two four-story and two ten-story frames, regular and irregular, are combined to represent nine different cases of structural pounding and subsequently analyzed under three artificial seismic sequences. Three gap cases that measure 1 mm (contact structures), 10 cm, and 1 m are assigned to consider possible pounding combinations. Analysis results show that structural damage is directly proportional to ground motion intensity and structural irregularity and inversely proportional to gaps between structures. A minimum spacing of 1 m is proposed for buildings in areas that experience repeated earthquakes to avoid structural pounding. In regular frames, main damage is concentrated in the bottom story beams. Meanwhile, damage in irregular frames is concentrated in top and bottom story beams. Hence, additional stiffness that corresponds to the height of short buildings should be assigned to beams (immediate above and bottom). Meanwhile, the damage is concentrated in ground floor columns. Therefore, to avoid soft story failure mechanism, additional stiffness should be added to columns at bottom stories, especially on the ground floor. Based on the obtained results, modern seismic design codes need to be updated to address these findings on structural pounding to reduce damage in adjacent buildings during moderate to major seismic events. © 2018, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Phenotypic Reversion of Somaclonal Variants Derived from Inflorescence of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in the Open Field Trials
No full textThe likelihood and degree of the reversion of somaclonal variations have not been reported for tissue-cultured date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) plants derived from immature inflorescences. In this study, three to four years old field grown tissue cultured date palm plants of cvs. Kashuwari and Gulistan derived from in vitro subculture 1-10 (block I) and 11-25 (block II) in multiplication stage were screened for type and nature of phenotypic abnormalities. Six phenotypic abnormalities were detected: 1) dwarfism, 2) excessive vegetative growth, 3) production of deformed offshoots and twisted inflorescence, 4) abnormal frond growth, 5) low levels of fruit setting and 6) inflorescence absent. Among the six different variant phenotypes, complete reversion of phenotypic abnormalities for the phenotypes of inflorescence absent, low level of fruit setting, production of deformed offshoots, and abnormal frond growth were observed in open field trial plants during the three years' study period. An overall percentage of all the variations was higher (64.19%) in block II during the first season as compared to block I (2.42%). This study provides a good indicator for the date palm tissue culture industry where in vitro cultures with subculture number <11 cycles in multiplication stage are needed to obtain higher percentage of true-to-type regenerants. © 2019, Researchers Links Ltd