A structural equation model of the halal certification and its business performance impact on food companies

Despite the overwhelming popularity of halal certification, there is considerable confusion surrounding its role and business value as well as its relation to business performance. Thus, the aim of this study is to gain better understanding of the relationship between halal certification and the business performance of halal certified food companies in the Philippines. The study was based on a survey and the time horizon was cross-sectional. The survey was carried out using stratified sampling on halal certified food companies operating in the Philippines. Through a self-administered questionnaire, 141 usable responses were acquired from the responding companies. The theorized relationship of halal certification and business performance was tested using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings of this study revealed that halal certification significantly affect business performance of halal certified food companies in terms of innovative and financial performance. It was also revealed that innovative performance fully mediates the relationship between halal certification and financial performance

Exploring influencing factors for the selection of mobile phone service providers: A structural equational modeling (SEM) approach on Malaysian consumers

The aim of this paper is to assess the factors that have played significant role to select telecommunication service providers. A survey instruments were employed on Malaysian mobile phone operator’s consumers’ included by demographic background, price, service quality, service availability and promotion. Data were collected from the consumers’ of three mobile phone operator’s from major cities in Malaysia. To determine the factors and examining their relationship of those factors towards the consumer’s perception in selecting an operator’s services. This research has applied exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling for testing hypotheses. From the result it is revealed price or call rate is the most important factor followed by service quality, service availability and promotion. It is hoped that the findings of this study will assist the mobile phone industry of Malaysia in what they can produce in their services and how they want to promote their services as well. The findings of this study also assist mobile phone operator’s managers to invest their resources more efficiently, making changes to crucial quality attributes that elicit the consumer’s satisfaction level. However, the findings of this study may provide needed feedback and contribute to the improvement of players’ strategy and their marketing program. The study only included information of limited variables and from few cities in Malaysia with limited sample size. However, further research should be considered to gather more information regarding the brand image, corporate image, and customers’ satisfaction dimensions in context of the Malaysian mobile phone operators with larger sample

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. METHODS: This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. RESULTS: Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. CONCLUSION: One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p&lt;0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p&lt;0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Advertisement effectiveness and choice of fast food restaurant: an exploratory study of Malay Muslim consumers

The purpose of this paper is to explore customer’s views on fast food restaurants advertising. Data were collected by using convenient sampling method from Klang Valley area, Malaysia. 350 questionnaires were distributed and recorded with a response rate of 85 per cent. The result of the research shows that Malay Muslim customers are more attracted by internet advertisement followed by commercial advertising; print advertisement; likeability towards advertisements; entertainments in advertisements, made less of a contribution. The findings suggested some significant of implications which will help advertisers to create better fast food restaurant advertisements. For example, managers can change their slogans based on current situations which will help them to prepare on create suitable advertising for customers

Compliance to Islamic marketing practices among businesses in Malaysia

Purpose – This research paper aims to explore the perceptions of Muslim consumers of the degree of compliance of Malaysian businesses to Islamic marketing practices and promotional strategies. Design/methodology/approach – The perceptions of the Muslim consumers were examined by distributing a self-administered survey questionnaire to a sample of 450 Muslim respondents residing in the major towns in Peninsular Malaysia. Items used in the questionnaire were derived from the basic guidelines provided in the Quran and the Sunnah on the conduct of business practices, specifically on the general marketing and promotional practices used. Findings – Findings suggest that though there is an awareness of these regulations and practices, not many businesses in Malaysia are perceived to be complying with them both with respect to general Islamic marketing principles and with recommended Islamic promotional practices. There was also a significant difference in opinions expressed by Muslim consumers due to the influence of their religious educational background and the states in which they resided. Practical implications – There is a need towards more research on how Islamic guidelines could be applied in all aspects of marketing activities. This could create more awareness among businesses about the issues and obligations that are relevant in marketing practices. Originality/value – This research is a rare attempt on the part of researchers and scholars in Malaysia to relate the Islamic injunctions and guidelines on a specific discipline such as marketing. Although there have been many studies on Islamic finance and economics, the area of Islamic marketing remains clearly under researched. Keywords Islam, Consumers, Individual perception, Marketing strategy, Promotional methods, Malaysia Paper type Research pape