Interacting agents in a network for in silico modeling of nature-inspired smart systems

An interacting multi-agent system in a network can model the evolution of a Nature-Inspired Smart System (NISS) exhibiting the four salient properties: (i) Collective, coordinated and efficient (ii) Self-organization and emergence (iii) Power law scalin

A model of amateur radio community behavioural intention to use amateur radio communication technology in emergency situations

Amateur Radio Community (ARC) is a small community that passionately uses amateur radio communication technology (ARCT) to support relief agencies during emergency situation. Understanding their behavioural intention (BI) would help us recognize salient factors that can empower the public to participate actively and support the government relief agencies in emergency situation. As ARC exhibits responsible, trustworthy, and willing behaviour to use the ARCT, especially in emergency situation, it is interesting to explore these unique behaviours so that government can empower them to actively continue using ARCT. However, the lack of demographics information as well as salient factors that drive their intentions in using ARCT has limited the government's efforts in engaging them to support relief agencies. Thus, this study develops a model to unravel these problems.This study employs a quantitative research method via an online survey. The survey instrument is constructed by reviewing relevant factors, which the ARCT experts then confirm. A pilot study involving 30 experienced ARC was conducted to check instrument reliability. Academic experts verified the research instrument before and after the pilot study. For the main study, 400 respondents were selected from the ARC throughout Malaysia. This study presented the ARC demographics, such as age, gender, race, education level, occupation, income, practice and skill in using ARCT. The findings revealed that the most significant factors were compatibility because using ARCT is their usual practice in daily life. Hedonic motivation, which is referred to as ARC excitement and willingness to use ARCT to achieve satisfaction, was also a significant factor. Other significant factor includes habit, peer trustworthiness, social influence, performance expectancy, price value, effort expectancy and facilitating condition. While, experience, age and gender were significant in moderating the relationship between each factor. The moderating effect shows the variance in the strength of the relationship of each factor. In conclusion, this study's outcomes are meant to be included as guidelines for the stakeholders in dealing with emergency situation. In addition, the established model can be further explored by researchers in their future studies on this subject. The salient factors identified from the study showed the ARC readiness to be at the forefront in supporting relief agencies before, during or after a disaster struck