Integrated cultures, perceived managerial competencies and organisational performance:a Malaysian context

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The Placental Transcriptome in Late Gestational Hypoxia Resulting in Murine Intrauterine Growth Restriction Parallels Increased Risk of Adult Cardiometabolic Disease.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) enhances risk for adult onset cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mechanisms underlying IUGR are poorly understood, though inadequate blood flow and oxygen/nutrient provision are considered common endpoints. Based on evidence in humans linking IUGR to adult CVD, we hypothesized that in murine pregnancy, maternal late gestational hypoxia (LG-H) exposure resulting in IUGR would result in (1) placental transcriptome changes linked to risk for later CVD, and 2) adult phenotypes of CVD in the IUGR offspring. After subjecting pregnant mice to hypoxia (10.5% oxygen) from gestational day (GD) 14.5 to 18.5, we undertook RNA sequencing from GD19 placentas. Functional analysis suggested multiple changes in structural and functional genes important for placental health and function, with maximal dysregulation involving vascular and nutrient transport pathways. Concordantly, a ~10% decrease in birthweights and ~30% decrease in litter size was observed, supportive of placental insufficiency. We also found that the LG-H IUGR offspring exhibit increased risk for CVD at 4 months of age, manifesting as hypertension, increased abdominal fat, elevated leptin and total cholesterol concentrations. In summary, this animal model of IUGR links the placental transcriptional response to the stressor of gestational hypoxia to increased risk of developing cardiometabolic disease

A Study of Perceived Managerial Competencies in the Telecommunication Industry: a Malaysian Perspective

This study was conducted with the aim of providing an insight into the competency study from the Malaysian point of view, in general, and telecommunication industry, in particular. Specifically, it is the objective of this study to identify a list of competency elements and to determine whether they are necessary or important for manager to perform their managerial jobs. Four hypotheses were formulated to achieve the objectives of the study. The four hypotheses were: 1) Managers do not perceive generic competencies to be necessary in carrying out their jobs, 2) There is no significant variation of competency elements across managerial levels, 3) There is no significant variation of competency elements across functional areas, 4) There is no significant variation of competency elements across organisations in the industry. Data for this study has been collected primarily through structured questionnaires. The ninety-one competency elements used in this study were based on the questionnaire developed by Hunt and Wallace (1997). Analysis of the data was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Several statistical tools such as descriptive analysis, factor analysis, analysis of variance and bonferroni post-hoc multiple comparison were used to analyse the data. The major findings are as follows: Using descriptive analysis, the mean score for the ninety-one competency elements were ranked according to descending order. The findings indicated that managers perceived all the ninety-one competency elements as necessary for them to perform their jobs. Of the nine-one competency elements, more than 80% of the elements were perceived as necessary, pointing to the generic nature of the managerial competencies. Thus, Hypothesis 1 was supported. From the twenty-three highly rated competencies, factor analysis produced a five dimensional competency model. These five dimensions were categorised into 1) problem solving, 2) personal management, 3) communication and integrity, 4) organisation knowledge, 5) image and direction. Statistical tools such as ANOVA and Bonferroni Post Hoc multiple companion were used to determine variation of competency elements across managerial levels, functions and between organisations. From the analysis, it was evidenced that there were variations across managerial levels. Nine (39%) out of twenty-three elements were significantly varied between top and lower level managers. Thus, the hypothesis 2 was less than partially supported. Some significant results were also shown pertaining to the variation of competency elements across functional areas. Out of the twenty-three elements, six elements (26%) were significantly varied. The hypothesis 3 was less than partially supported. In addition, the analysis produced significant results between organisations in the industry. A total of fifteen (65%) out of twenty-three competency elements were significantly varied. Thus, hypothesis 4 was partially supported. The current study is timely and of importance especially to managers in the telecommunication industry. They could utilise the competency model for managing human resources such as in recruitment and selection, training and development, and performance appraisal. The findings could also provide further information on the usefulness and value of the generic competency model of Hunt and Wallace and it could further widen the applicability of the generic competency model across culture and industry

"I like the way the skin looks": Player perspectives on aesthetic appeal and self-representation with video game "Skins"

Microtransactions are the purchasing of in-game items in video games, often using real money. Through microtransactions, game players can obtain a type of cosmetic called 'skins' that change the physical appearance of playable characters. Considering the default 'skin' in many games is that of a white male, there are various psychosocial and economic costs that may be extended to players of color when attempting to select skins for their avatars. To examine how players of different racial and ethnic backgrounds interact with 'skins,' and the additional costs associated with them, we conducted a survey asking participants about their spending patterns with 'skins' and reasons for choosing certain 'skins' over others. The most common response from participants when asked why they select their skins was 'because I like the way the skin looks.' As this statement is broad, we delve into other results from our survey and previous studies by other scholars to analyze what this response may be able to tell us about players who selected this as their answer

The genetic structure of Aedes aegypti populations is driven by boat traffic in the Peruvian Amazon.

In the Americas, as in much of the rest of the world, the dengue virus vector Aedes aegypti is found in close association with human habitations, often leading to high population densities of mosquitoes in urban settings. In the Peruvian Amazon, this vector has been expanding to rural communities over the last 10-15 years, but to date, the population genetic structure of Ae. aegypti in this region has not been characterized. To investigate the relationship between Ae. aegypti gene flow and human transportation networks, we characterized mosquito population structure using a panel of 8 microsatellite markers and linked results to various potential mechanisms for long-distance dispersal. Adult and immature Ae. aegypti (>20 individuals per site) were collected from Iquitos city and from six neighboring riverine communities, i.e., Nauta, Indiana, Mazan, Barrio Florida, Tamshiaco, and Aucayo. FST statistics indicate significant, but low to moderate differentiation for the majority of study site pairs. Population structure of Ae. aegypti is not correlated with the geographic distance between towns, suggesting that human transportation networks provide a reasonable explanation for the high levels of population mixing. Our results indicate that Ae. aegypti gene flow among sub-populations is greatest between locations with heavy boat traffic, such as Iquitos-Tamshiaco and Iquitos-Indiana-Mazan, and lowest between locations with little or no boat/road traffic between them such as Barrio Florida-Iquitos. Bayesian clustering analysis showed ancestral admixture among three genetic clusters; no single cluster was exclusive to any site. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that human transportation networks, particularly riverways, are responsible for the geographic spread of Ae. aegypti in the Peruvian Amazon. Our findings are applicable to other regions of the world characterized by networks of urban islands connected by fluvial transport routes

The Prospect of Business Undergraduates’ Intention to Engage in Digital Entrepreneurship: Do Government Initiatives Matter?

The synergies between rapid information technology (IT) development and the shifting paradigms of economic transactions have led to the emergence of digital entrepreneurship. This study aims to investigate potential precursors affecting the intention of final-year business students to engage in digital entrepreneurship. This research was examining the IT acceptance among the business students by employing two tailored technology acceptance models (TAM) based on theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and theory of reasoned action (TRA) models. A sample of 302 respondents were analysed using SPSS and Smart-PLS. The results revealed that fresh graduates’ intentions to engage in digital entrepreneurship were significantly influenced by their own attitudes towards IT. The study also reaffirmed that the dimensions of Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour model, among others, attitude towards information technology (IT), perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms except perceived risk have a “direct effect” on undergraduates’ interest in an Internet-based business model. Although the results have contributed to the paucity of the empirical research in digital entrepreneurship particularly in the Asian region, the availability of information technology, government resources and support to affect the digital usage and behaviour are not to be underestimated.The synergies between rapid information technology (IT) development and the shifting paradigms of economic transactions have led to the emergence of digital entrepreneurship. This study aims to investigate potential precursors affecting the intention of final-year business students to engage in digital entrepreneurship. This research was examining the IT acceptance among the business students by employing two tailored technology acceptance models based on the theory of planned behavior and theory of reasoned action models. A sample of 302 respondents were analyzed using SPSS and Smart-PLS. The results revealed that fresh graduates’ intentions to engage in digital entrepreneurship were significantly influenced by their own attitudes towards IT. The study also reaffirmed that the dimensions of I. Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior model, including attitude towards IT, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms except perceived risk have a “direct effect” on undergraduates’ interest in an Internet-based business model. Although the results have contributed to filling the paucity of the empirical research in digital entrepreneurship, particularly in the Asian region, the availability of information technology, government resources and support to affect digital usage and behavior are not to be underestimated

The Prospect of Business Undergraduates’ Intention to Engage in Digital Entrepreneurship: Do Government Initiatives Matter?

The synergies between rapid information technology (IT) development and the shifting paradigms of economic transactions have led to the emergence of digital entrepreneurship. This study aims to investigate potential precursors affecting the intention of final-year business students to engage in digital entrepreneurship. This research was examining the IT acceptance among the business students by employing two tailored technology acceptance models (TAM) based on theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and theory of reasoned action (TRA) models. A sample of 302 respondents were analysed using SPSS and Smart-PLS. The results revealed that fresh graduates’ intentions to engage in digital entrepreneurship were significantly influenced by their own attitudes towards IT. The study also reaffirmed that the dimensions of Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour model, among others, attitude towards information technology (IT), perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms except perceived risk have a “direct effect” on undergraduates’ interest in an Internet-based business model. Although the results have contributed to the paucity of the empirical research in digital entrepreneurship particularly in the Asian region, the availability of information technology, government resources and support to affect the digital usage and behaviour are not to be underestimated.The synergies between rapid information technology (IT) development and the shifting paradigms of economic transactions have led to the emergence of digital entrepreneurship. This study aims to investigate potential precursors affecting the intention of final-year business students to engage in digital entrepreneurship. This research was examining the IT acceptance among the business students by employing two tailored technology acceptance models based on the theory of planned behavior and theory of reasoned action models. A sample of 302 respondents were analyzed using SPSS and Smart-PLS. The results revealed that fresh graduates’ intentions to engage in digital entrepreneurship were significantly influenced by their own attitudes towards IT. The study also reaffirmed that the dimensions of I. Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior model, including attitude towards IT, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms except perceived risk have a “direct effect” on undergraduates’ interest in an Internet-based business model. Although the results have contributed to filling the paucity of the empirical research in digital entrepreneurship, particularly in the Asian region, the availability of information technology, government resources and support to affect digital usage and behavior are not to be underestimated