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A theoretical model for big data adoption in the higher education institution of Pakistan / Maria Ijaz Baig
No full textBig data adoption has already gained tremendous attention from executives in various fields. However, it is still not well explored in the education sector, where a large amount of academic data is being produced. The higher education institutions of Pakistan are facing difficulties in upgrading the educational managerial competency that is needed to fulfil future demands. Thus, there is a need of big data adoption in higher education institutions of Pakistan to improve the managerial aptitude. However, there is a limited literature on theoretical model and factors that affect big data adoption in the higher education institutions. This study aims to develop a theoretical model and identify the factors that influence big data adoption in a higher education institution. Ten factors were identified from the literature, and a theoretical model was developed. Technology-Organization-Environment and Diffusion of Innovation theories were adopted as a theoretical base in this study. Meanwhile, the moderating effects of the university size and university age on big data adoption were added to the developed model. A virtual university in Pakistan is recognized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan as a higher education institution is chosen. Data was collected from a sample of 195 respondents from the managerial side of a virtual university in Pakistan using an online survey. Structural Equation Modelling was used to predict the relationships between identified factors and big data adoption. According to the results, relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, top management support, financial resources, human expertise and skills, competitive pressure, security and privacy, and government policies were significant determinants of big data adoption. However, results revealed an insignificant relationship between the information technology infrastructure and big data adoption. The findings further revealed the significant moderating effects of university age on government policies, security and privacy concerns with big data adoption. Similarly, substantial moderating effects of the university size between information technology infrastructure and big data adoption were found. The findings from this study can assist the ministry of education, higher education institutions administrators, and big data service providers in the adoption of big data for the education sector. Future studies could be longitudinal, conducted at the post-adoption stage and at other educational levels
Penanda metadiscourse dalam artikel berita COVID-19 dalam akhbar Malaysia Nanban / Shalini Rajamogun
No full textPenanda metadiscourse merupakan aspek yang sangat diperlukan untuk menghasilkan sesuatu teks dengan efektif. Teks yang dihasilkan tanpa penanda metadiscourse tidak akan menarik perhatian pembaca kerana pembaca tidak dapat mengikuti kesinambungan teks itu (Nugrahani & Bram, 2020). Sehubungan dengan hal itu, kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengenal pasti dan menganalisis penanda metadiscourse yang terdapat dalam artikel berita COVID-19 yang tersiar dalam surat khabar Malaysia Nanban. Model metadiscourse yang diperkenalkan oleh Hyland (2005) telah digunakan dalam kajian ini untuk mengenal pasti penanda metadiscourse. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kualitatif berbentuk deskriptif. Sebanyak 103 artikel berita COVID-19 yang tersiar sepanjang Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) fasa 1 dalam surat khabar Malaysia Nanban mengenai negara Malaysia merupakan sumber data bagi kajian ini. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa penanda metadiscourse interaktif (93.1%) digunakan dalam jumlah yang banyak berbanding dengan penanda metadiscourse inteaksional (6.9%) dalam artikel berita COVID-19. Diharapkan kajian ini memberi penjelasan mengenai penanda metadiscourse kepada penulis surat khabar Tamil semasa menulis artikel berita tentang isu semasa seperti pandemik COVID-19
Attitude, subjective norms and intention to enlist non-Bumiputra in the Malaysian Army: moderating effect of self-efficacy / Mohd Hisham Abdul Halim
No full textNational unity is important for a multi-ethnic nation to ensure peace and stability. As a result, the Malaysian government promotes national unity through several different policies, one of which is the fair representation of ethnic groups in civil service. The balanced representation of ethnic groups in the Royal Malaysian Army (RMA) is highly important. It ensures the credibility and competence of the RMA in protecting all Malaysians’ interest. Consequences of single ethnic military either intentionally or unintentionally are a threat to peace and security in a multi-ethnic country. The changing nature of warfare over time effect of the end of Cold War, from ideology clashes to economic, social, ethnic and religious clashes, threatens the weak link (i.e., national unity) of a multi-ethnic country especially in military organization. RMA faces an imbalance of ethnic groups, despite substantial efforts by RMA, data shows that the number of non-Bumiputra enlisted in the army is extremely low and does not portray a fair representation of the ethnic distribution in Malaysia. To address this issue, this applied research studied the intention to enlist of non-Bumiputra in the RMA. Limited literature regarding ethnic enlistment in military specifically in Malaysian context and diversity of issue in military enlistment due to ethnic disparity, preliminary investigation was conducted prior to the actual research to frame the problem statement in the RMA setting. Based on the findings of the investigation, three most important factor of non-Bumiputra’ intention to enlist in the MA were identified: attitude, subjective norms, and self-efficacy. Thus, this study applied the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to examine the impacts of attitude and subjective norms on the intention to enlist of non-Bumiputra in the RMA, particularly via the moderating effect of self-efficacy. Quantitative measurement scales were adopted from previous studies to design the research instrument, which rigorously assessed via pre-testing and pilot testing to ensure its validity and reliability. Data was collected from non-Bumiputra in Malaysia aged between 19 and 24 via an online survey (Google Form). Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was then employed to validate the research model and test the hypotheses. All the four hypotheses were supported. Attitude and subjective norms were found to have a significance positive relation to intention to enlist in MA. Moderation of self-efficacy for both relation (attitude and subjective norms to intention to enlist was found to be positive relationship. The findings made a significance contribution to the understanding of the relationships between the predictors of intention to enlist of non-Bumiputra in RMA. Theoretically, this study enriches the knowledge base of the TRA by identifying and testing the predictors of the intention to enlist of non-Bumiputra in Malaysian military setting. Introducing self-efficacy as moderator in TRA also contribute to the body of knowledge on TRA application. From managerial perspective, the findings of this applied research offer guidelines and solutions to the issue faced by the RMA regarding the low enlistment of non-Bumiputra
Performance evaluation of flexural and shear behaviours of lightweight geopolymer concrete / Iftekhair Ibnul Bashar
No full textEnunciation of the embryonic materials from industrial by-products is vital to address the ever-depleting virgin construction materials. The Fly ash (FA), palm oil clinker (POC), and manufactured sand (M-sand) are three industrial by-products from the coal operated power plants, palm oil industries, and quarry industries. These industrial by-products are available in abundance in Southeast Asia. Their regular generation as by-product from the high demandable main products - electricity, palm oil, and granite, are unavoidable and certain. So, these industrial by-products can ensure sustainability of production and supply on demand. FA is a well-known pozzolan. The chemical properties of FA collected from a type of coal operated power plant, are about consistent, and the particles are round and fine. These two specialities of FA have made it preferable more than other industrial pozzolanic by-product powders such as palm oil fuel ash, and rice husk ash. POC is lightweight, porous, and pozzolan; hence it is considered as a potential lightweight aggregate that could be used in geopolymer concrete. A concrete made of FA, POC, and M-sand is environment friendly; and implementation of that concrete in real construction will benefit to environment, and economical growth. It is imperative to exemplify the mechanical behaviour, material interaction properties (bond resistance, shear stress), and structural behaviour of a new material before using it in the structural application. This research project presented the failure mechanism of POC-based GC (P-GC) and granite-based GC (G-GC) under compression, bond properties, and structural behaviour through flexural, and shear test of reinforced concrete beams. The compression toughness and energy absorption at elastic and plastic states due to the influence of POC at micro-level crack propagation were investigated. The pull-out load and slip response of a rebar embedded in P-GC and G-GC, was shown the role of aggregate in influencing the bond-slip responses. Further, Flexural and shear behaviour of reinforced concrete beams made of P-GC and G-GC were investigated and the experimental results were compared with the analysed results using partial interaction concept. The moment-curvatures of P-GC and G-GC beams were calculated from the compression load-deformation and rebar pull-out-slip results to comprehend the feasibility of P-GC in structural application. The results show that the ultimate moment of resistances of both beams were comparable for the concretes of similar grade. The elastic limit of P-GC was lower than G-GC, hence, and the first crack initiated in P-GC earlier compared to G-GC. The midspan-deflections varied due to the difference of stiffnesses of P-GC and G-GC. The outcome of the whole project is beneficial for the engineers to adopt POC as sustainable construction material
Willingness to communicate and aspects of the L2 motivational self-system in mainland Chinese EFL learners / Lan Guoxing
No full textThis study aims to extend understanding of the psychological processes pertaining to the learning of a second or foreign language (L2), in particular, the associationbetween the construct of ideal L2 self (IDL2S) and L2 willingness to communicate (L2 WTC). To achieve this goal, it developed a conceptual model that examined double mediators of grit and L2 classroom environment (L2 CE) as well as a moderator variable ofpsychological shyness in the relationship between these two constructs. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design (QUANqual) was adopted to implement the study. In the first phase, a questionnaire comprising five scales was developed to collect quantitative data from 857 (N=857) undergraduate English majors at three state universities across three cities in China. In the second phase, an interview protocol and topics for focus group discussions were developed based on the results of the first phase’ssurvey to gather qualitative data from 22 semi-structured interviews (n=22) and 3 focus group discussions (n=12) for the purpose of data triangulation. A series of rigorous statistical procedures were used to analyze the quantitative data with the computer software of SPSS, AMOS, and SmartPLS. All necessary tests were performed to ensure that the assumptions for each statistical procedure were fulfilled. The qualitative data were analyzed by thematic analysis and quantification of categories with theaid of the computer softwareNVivo. Findings from the quantitative data indicated that the ideal L2 self was positively related to grit, L2 classroom environment, and L2 willingness to communicate. Additionally, double mediators of grit and L2 classroom environment were found to mediate the association between the construct of ideal L2 self and L2 willingness to communicate. Furthermore, the distal mediated nexus IDL2SGRITL2CEL2WTC was moderated by the students’ psychological shyness. Qualitative findings indicated that the participants were more willing to communicate in the L2 if they had well-defined images of the ideal L2 self and when the classroom environment was more positive. In contrast, the students were unwilling to communicate in the L2 if they were shy, timid, anxious, introverted, and when the classroom environment was dull, boring, or lifeless. Another notable finding from the qualitative strand was the construct of dreaded L2 self that emerged from the interview data conveying the participants’ various fears of the L2. Triangulation of the data indicated that L2 willingness to communicate was positively associated with the ideal L2 self, grit, and L2 classroom environment, while shyness was associated with L2 unwillingness to communicate and dreaded L2 self. The study holds notable pedagogical implications. Findings in this study suggest that language educators may improve the L2 learners’ WTC by creating a positive classroom environment, triggering their ideal L2 self, fostering their gritty qualities, and helping them to set medium-and long-term language learning goals. Additionally, encouraging those shy students, reducing their social anxiety, and enhancing their self-confidence are viable pedagogical strategies
Morphological and grammatical study of the fuctional derived nouns in the six anthologies by Sheikh Ibrahim Inyas / Ibrahim Shaaban
No full textThis research is a morphological, grammatical and analytical study on the multiplicity of the
scale of five derived nouns and their formulas as used in the six anthologies (dawawin) of
Senegalese Sheikh Ibrahim Inyas al-Kaulakhi, based on the chosen rulings, methods and context
used by the author of the six collections. The research focuses and discusses on the subject
noun, the accusative noun, the hyperbolic participles, the attributive participle,
comparative/superlative adjective, and their scales and formulas, both standard and nonstandard,
and the usage of their multiple meanings according to the methods employed in these
six dawawin, including infinitive and augmented noun of three or four lettered origin, with
grammatical rulings associated with alif and lam (al), as selected or chosen according to the
usage of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyas al-Kaulakhi. In order to find out the context of morphological and
grammatical methods, analyses were made that acquaint readers with the taste of Sheikh
Ibrahim's ability in applying morphological and grammatical rules. Through extrapolation, the
morphological and syntactic source of each derivative was separately traced in those six
dawawin. In reviewing the morphological and syntactic language of those derivatives, books and
the theories of ancient and modern linguists, according to consensus and contrast, were used in
shedding light on each derived noun by studying the ancient morphological and syntactic
sources according to the information and theories derived therefrom and made analysis
thereon. In this regard, a morphological or grammatical context was established using a
qualitative rather than quantitative approach based on which the research was conducted and
its structure, sections and chapters arranged accordingly, with clarification and detailed
analyses. Findings of this research have established the functioning of morphological structure
and scales of the five derived nouns as well as the semantic meaning, application and usage of
augmented derived nouns as dealt with in their grammatical rulings associated with the Arabic
definite article - alif and lam (al), to enable them function in the past, present and future tenses,
and what not. The research concluded with a revelation which is indicative of Sheikh Ibrahim
Inyas’ ability and mastery of morphological scales and grammatical expertise as though he lived
with and learnt from Khalil, Sibawayh, Ibn Jinni and Asma'i and their ilk
A new coil structure for increasing power transfer and misalignment tolerance of wireless electric vehicle charging system / Amran Hossain
No full textMost of the Inductive power transfer (IPT) systems have only one energy transmission path, which is difficult to be used for high power applications. So multiple coils i.e, more than one coil for transmitter and receiver are considered. However, for such configuration, the efficiency decreases due to the cross-couplings among the same side coils. In most of the existing multiple coil topologies, decoupling coils are used to mitigate the same side couplings. Typically these coils are either placed outside the main coils or concentric with the main coils. In both cases, these decoupling coils do not take part in power transmission while at the same time presenting negative effects on the system performance. In this work, a new IPT system with dual transmitters and dual receivers with integrated decoupling coils is introduced. The main feature of the design, the decoupling coils not only mitigate the mutual inductances of the same side coils, in addition, but the coils are also involved in the power transmission. Another important characteristic of the proposed IPT is the ability to maintain good performance when the main coils are misaligned in both X and Y directions. A finite element analysis (FEA) tool ANSYS MAXWELL was used to investigate the proposed magnetic coupler. A scaled-down experimental setup is provided to verify the feasibility of the proposed structure. The maximum dc-dc efficiency for this system was achieved at 93.14% while delivering 700 W to the load with a 200mm air gap. The efficiency is 91.8 % at 50 % misalignment of the coil length (200mm) in the X direction and the efficiency is 82.06% at 150mm misalignment in the Y direction. Besides, Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) was also achieved, which validates that the proposed system can be an effective solution for the current drawbacks of the multiple receivers and transmitters. The proposed method is compared to other established coil IPT from the literature. It is found that the proposed system has better performance in terms of efficiency and misalignment than these of the others
Ineherent safety principle aplication for teleworkers: A case study / Fakhry Wirapratama
No full textThe concept of Teleworking has been the subject of discussion and global study theme by researchers in the past ten years. Still, this global phenomenon begins to emerge at the COVID-19 attack and becomes an alternative strategy for many organzation. Assessing how health risks and benefits of telework are affected by its sudden, large-scale uptake in the context of COVID-19 is critical to best preserving occupational health. Threats emerging from working environments could debilitate the well-being and prosperity of the laborers. By applying an Inherent safety such as substitution, minimization, moderation, and simplification where the overall goal is to minimize the risk associated with office hazards that can lead to better working conditions. Therefore, this study aims to explore current issue and challenge faced by teleworkers to work safely in Klang Valley Area, Malaysia during COVID-19 pandemic. The main objectives of this study are to identify measures and management practices to make working from home safer for teleworkers. To collect the data, this study used questionnaire and case study analysis, the questionnaires were distributed to random population to understand the issues and challenges faced by teleworkers during work from home. The data was analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square method with SPSS analytical tool software. Based on the analysis, the results shows that majority of the teleworkers didn’t have a separate room for working and equipment such as ergonomic table and power surge protector. In addition, Majority of the respondents were having a noise distraction, overworked, and inadequate training from the company. Finally, based on the results obtained from the analysis, a checklist was developed to assist teleworkers and organization to improve their work from home conditions. Given that many countries consider COVID-19 to be an endemic and the worker will begin transitioning
to the office while still adhering to health protocol, this research will aid in the development of increased safety and health recommendations for teleworkers
The impacts of cultural background on project communication management in international construction projects / He Qing
Get PDFThis thesis aims to explore intercultural communication in the international construction project in the implementation phase and to examine the responses of international construction projects to cope with the challenges that arise from intercultural communication. A guideline for international construction projects, especially Chinese construction companies, to conduct construction projects in another cultural background is developed in this thesis.
There have lots of literature in the project communication field, and there also exist lots of researches related to cultural impacts in the business field. While there has been few of them considered the impacts of cultural factors to project communication in international construction projects or examined the impacts of intercultural communication in intercultural construction projects. This thesis based on this situation, trying to develop insights from the intercultural communication and project management literature to bridge the knowledge gap between cultural background and international construction project communication in term of challenges and the results of their responses to cope with challenges.
This thesis adopted a case study research method within the qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews, documents analysis and observation when the author worked at international construction project A in Tanzania as a human resource manager. A grounded theory approach was applied in the analysis of data .this thesis examined a series of factors that affect intercultural communication in international construction projects and the responses of the project at the organization and individual level to cope with challenges.
This thesis revealed the impacts of cultural background to intercultural construction projects by revealing more challenges than opportunities caused by intercultural communication; identifying responses in international construction projects to cope with challenges; revealing the neglect of intercultural communication in international construction projects.all of these aspects make a theoretical contribution to the communication management in international construction projects
Medicinal plant knowledge of the Temuan tribe in Kampung Orang Asli Hulu Kemensah, Ampang, Selangor and the evaluation of anti inflammatory properties of three selected plants / Nurul Akmal Muhamad
No full textIndigenous people possess their own knowledge on the usage of medicinal plants articulated by word of mouth between generations. If this knowledge is not documented, it will be lost in time. Thus, this study attempts to document plants that have therapeutic values to the indigenous Temuan tribe of Kampung Orang Asli Hulu Kemensah, Selangor. Fourteen villagers comprising an equal number of males and females ranging from 20 - 80 years old were interviewed for this study. Data for this study were collected using a set of questions whereby the name of the plant, treatment conditions, plant part used, method of preparation, and method of application were recorded. The anti-inflammatory activity of selected medicinal plant species was also evaluated using the inhibition of protein denaturation method. A total of 45 medicinal plant species from 32 families were documented. The majority of these medicinal plants belong to the families Fabaceae and Zingiberaceae. Cinnamomum javanicum is used as a treatment for the highest number of ailments and conditions followed by Curcuma longa. Meanwhile, Homalomena sagittifolia is the most commonly used medicinal plant species by Temuan in Kampung Orang Asli Hulu Kemensah. Apart from that, Cratoxylum formosum is the medicinal plant with the highest number of parts used among all the medicinal plants recorded. A total of 36 different ailments or health conditions were recorded where asthma, jaundice, wound, hypertension and diabetes were the most common. The most frequently used parts of the medicinal plants were roots and leaves with 17 and 14 species, respectively. A total of 23 species of medicinal plants are processed by decoction before application. Oral intake was the most common method of medicinal plant administration observed with 30 species. Cinnamomum javanicum, Clidemia hirta and Zingiber montanum were selected for anti-inflammatory analysis. The potency in inhibiting the protein denaturation was calculated in the following order: ethanol extract of C. javanicum (48.00 ± 4.00%) > water extract of C. javanicum (45.33 ± 3.53%) > water extract of Z. montanum (37.4 ± 3.13%) > ethanol extract of C. hirta (37.06 ± 4.04%) > ethanol extract of Z. montanum (34.27 ± 0.00%) > water extract of C. hirta (30.07 ± 8.07%). These findings could act as the baseline for exploring new anti-inflammatory medication using the traditional knowledge of indigenous people