Integrating semantic web in knowledge based institutions of higher education: issues, potentials and challenges / Sharin Sulaiman, Azlina Bujang and Azlina Narawi

Based on Rowley (2000) he states that universities and their staff must recognize and respond to their changing role in a knowledge-based society. Universities do have a significant level of knowledge management (KM) activities, and it is important to recognize these, and use them as foundations for further development. Both public and private universities play important roles in providing easy access to knowledge especially to their students. University knowledge needs differ from corporate needs where universities seek to share scholarly knowledge for the good of society whereas corporation seeks profit However, it is also important to note that universities have started to manage knowledge as intellectual property to be sold or bartered, as well as given away (Kennedy, 1998). Realizing the benefits that KM can offers, more learning institutions have attempts to incorporate KM practices in these four main areas: learning and teaching, scholarly research, academic publishing, and libraries. However, these learning institutions face issues and limitations in practicing KM concept that need to be encountered. Among the predicaments of practicing KM concept is on an organizational knowledge management systems (KMS)still remains underutilized and hardly recognizable by knowledge workers [Davenport, 2005; Maier, 2007, McAfee, 2006]. At the same time, knowledge workers are lack in number and increasingly need appropriate Information Technology (IT) solutions facilitating their daily work [McAfee, 2006]. Therefore, in order to overcome these KM issues, it is recommended for Knowledge based institution of higher education to integrate semantic web as a way to improve the effectiveness of KM practices. In short, Web semantic is an extension of the current web in which information is given well defined meaning, better enabling computers and people to work in co-operation (Bernes-Lee,, Handier,, Lassila,. (2001). There are a number of Web-based services and applicatiohs that demonstrate the foundations of Web 2.0 concept, and they are already being used to a certain extent in the field of education. These are not really technologies per se but services (or user processes) built using the building blocks of the technologies and open standards that underpin the Internet and the Web. These include blogs, wikis, and multimedia sharing services, content syndication, pddcasting and content tagging services. Unfortunately, there are challenges exists in integrating semantic web in the institution of higher learning which relate to knowledge assets management including the availability of content, ontology availability, development and evolution, scalability, multilingualism, visualization and stability of Semantic Web languages

Conceptual study of mobile retailing acceptance among Malaysian women

Two fastest growing technologies like the internet and mobile technology have driven a revolution in mobile retailing sectors. Mobility and flexibility become a demand nowadays since people prefer to have retailing concept (anytime and anywhere). This conceptual paper aimed to study on the discovery of factors on women’s acceptance, which contributes to successful mobile retailing among women in Malaysia. Secondly, it aimed to access the extent of information, regarding the mobile retailing sectors, based on previous documented literature. This research sheds light on the body of knowledge, ultimately by looking at women’s acceptance of mobile retail industry in Malaysia. It entails optimism perception as this study has broaden up strategies as well as the new business market for retailers that embark into the mobile retailing sector, by attracting more women consumers to use mobile retailing as a way to do online shopping

Development of a Practical/Industrial Training Automated System (PITAS) in the management of information / Siti Nursarjana Malim, Azlina Bujang and Mohammad Zamri Abd Rahim

The aim of this research is to discuss the students' perceptions towards the implementation of automated system to help the organization to manage records and documents. The number of students who registers for practical/industrial training has increased every semester, therefore the amount of data to be recorded has also increased. In the search of systematic and cost effective ways of managing the information, there is a need to overcome the problem of filling the system manually. In consequence, this study would examine whether the development of automation system has significantly made the data management more efficient and effective (data collection, data storage and data retrieval). From the evaluation, students' perceptions towards its implementation were analysed where 200 questionnaires were distributed among students of various programmes in Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak. The returned questionnaires were then analyzed using SPSS (Version 17). From the findings, it can be concluded that the implementation of such application could really contribute to the improvement of the information resources of the practical/industrial attachment students. This further ensures that the connection between the practical training coordinator and the students is uninterrupted. Apart from that, a good industrial relationship (between the management and organisation) can also be established. The research outcome indicated positive perceptions and responses from the students regarding the development of the application. Thus, the implementation of the proposed system should be considered to be used continuously as an automated information delivery tool

Cognitive dissonance of online socialization among tertiary students

Social networking sites (SNS) are designed to ease online information sharing and enhance information sharing among people, and the sites also relate to socio-cultural, academic, entertainment, educational and business domains. From teaching and learning perspectives, SNS increase comprehension effectiveness and allow faster information accesses.Today, tertiary students’ lives are synonymous with network connectivity. This paper argues that socializing online could affect interpersonal relationship among them. A sufficient cognitive dissonance is required to prevent cyberspace addiction.Hence, the study investigates the extent of SNS that affects academic enhancement among the undergraduates. Their levels of awareness on the potential risks of social networking are also identified.The finding revealed that majority of the respondents found that social networking sites are necessary (especially Facebook).They spent more than half of their daily routine being online.Most of the respondents were also aware of potential risks of SNS.Therefore, self-discipline and self-awareness regarding the risks of social networking sites are crucial to enhance their potential values

Value-relevance of acccounting numbers for valuation

Recent empirical work suggested that the ability of accounting numbers to explain the relationship between accounting numbers and stock prices has deteriorated over the past four decades. The findings of this study suggest that the accounting earnings and book value are capturing most of the information that is relevant to assess the values of firms. At the same time, it also suggests that earnings and book value as well as non-accounting beta are more valued during the financial crisis as compared to after the financial crisis. Overall, the accounting estimate of the value of the firm is not deviating from the markets' estimate, which suggests that accounting numbers play an important role in the valuation of firms in Malaysia

Factors affecting women's acceptance of mobile retailing : A proposed model

The mobile retailing sectors have been revolutionised through some of the fastest growing technologies as the demand on mobility and flexibility internet technology is getting higher. Consumers are getting more interested in a retailing concept that can be reached at anytime and anywhere. The main aim of this study was to investigate the factors that influence women's acceptance towards mobile retailing. This research also aimed to access the extent of information by providing empirical and theoretical evidence on women‟s acceptance attributes towards mobile retailing. A total of 486 respondents comprising of Malaysian women who have had experience in using mobile retailing in the past six months, including mobile retailers and members of women organizations in Malaysia have each completed a set of structured self-administered questionnaire that was collected via purposive sampling technique. A Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique was used to assess the hypothesized relationships among the variables via Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS) program version 21. The SEM approach revealed that women consumers‟ attitude was a significant determinant of their actual behavior in using mobile retailing, whereby they viewed it positively. They were also motivated to do more business with online retailers and are more inclined to do information sharing. It was highlighted that women consumers‟ attitude towards the use of mobile retailing was impacted by disruptive attribute reachability, ubiquity, personalization, convenience and connectivity. As one of the findings of the study, a model of women acceptance factors towards mobile retailing has been proposed. It is expected that the gap in this area and additional information especially among Malaysian women context will be filled as there is now a growing body of literature that review the details on the available information as well as recognizes the importance of mobile retailing. This research sheds light on the body of knowledge by looking into women‟s acceptance of mobile retail industry in Malaysia. Therefore, this study is optimistic that by using the proposed model, retailers are able to embark into the mobile retailing sector and subsequently attracts more women consumers to use mobile retailing as a way to shop online

Physicochemical quality of oily wastewater from automotive workshop in Kota Bharu, Kelantan Malaysia

Increase in the number of motor vehicle workshops around Kota Bharu has resulted in water pollution problems occur in this area. To prove this hypothesis is correct, a study was conducted where oily wastewater samples were collected from three different automotive workshops in Kota Bharu area. All the three workshops were identified as workshop K, P and T. The sampling was performed three times which were in February 2010, May 2010 and November 2011. The collected samples were analyzed for pH (4.24 - 7.57), temperature (27.2 - 29.8 ℃), biochemical oxygen demand (57.8 - 318.2 mg/L), chemical oxygen demand (137 - 9881 mg/L)), dissolved oxygen (0.15 - 9.42 mg/L)), and oil and grease (14.2 - 90,500 mg/L). The lowest dissolved oxygen was recorded in May 2010 at automotive workshops K. Meanwhile, the highest biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand were recorded in February 2010 at automotive workshop T (318.2 ± 1.89 mg/L) and in May 2010 at automotive workshops P (9881 ± 7.46 mg/L) respectively. The results showed that, all the parameters excepted pH and temperature were high and exceeded permissible level (Standard B) listed in the Third Scheduled, Environmental Quality (Sewage and Industrial Effluents) Regulations, 1979 of Environmental Quality Act, 1974

Potential of Chromolaena odorata and Indigenous Bacterial Consortium for Oily Wastewater Treatment

This study was carried out to investigate the possibility of using Chromolaena odorata as absorbent and to ascertain as to whether indigenous bacteria has the potential to degrade hydrocarbon from oily wastewater and thereby reducing its toxicity and other negative impacts to the environment particularly on aquatic life. The potential of Chromolaena odorata and indigenous bacteria to remove oil from wastewater was evaluated by measuring total suspended solid (TSS) concentration. The result shows that, about 55% of oil substances were absorbed or removed after 4 hours of Chromolaena odorata application with the optimum dosage of 4mg/L. Growth percentage of bacterial consortium and single pure strain on medium containing oily wastewater was studied. It was found that bacterial consortium, the mixture of Bacillus cereus (KA) and Acinetobacter (TB) shows higher growth among other bacterial consortium and single pure cultures and this consortium was used for further analysis. In addition, the results have shown that, bacterial consortium (KA+TB) exhibited high efficiency to remove TSS at the optimum dosage of 1 mg/L. Absorption and biodegradation rate was increased after being treated with Chromolaena odorata and bacterial consortium mixture. The mixture of Chromolaena odorata powder and bacterial consortium in 4:1 ratio was obtained to significantly removed TSS by 75% in 24 hours

The Impact of ICT in empowering Sarawak women in home-based business communities

In alignment with the sustainability strategy focusing on good governance, sustainable development, and racial harmony, this study investigates the access, use, and effects of ICT training on women in Sarawak. Its primary objective is to assess how ICT training benefits women in managing small home-based businesses. Data was gathered through questionnaires from 62 participants who attended training sessions in various Sarawak locations: Kota Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Kuching, and Bako. This research holds significant importance for the state government, as it strives to increase the number of individuals with ICT skills and narrow the digital divide between urban and rural areas. The study reveals a strong consensus among respondents regarding the positive impact of ICT on empowering women, boosting their self-esteem, enriching their knowledge and skills, benefiting the socio-economic community, and fostering efficient management practices. The findings offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of ICT training for Sarawakian women engaged in home-based businesses. The mean scores for all variables indicate high agreement among respondents, with values exceeding four for each variable. This study underscores the substantial role of ICT in knowledge dissemination and empowering individuals, particularly in advancing gender equality. It suggests that ICT is an invaluable tool for successful training in rural areas and underscores the need for a systematic strategy to enhance ICT literacy

Physicochemical Quality of Oily Wastewater from Automotive Workshop in

Abstract: Increase in the number of motor vehicle workshops around Kota Bharu has resulted in water pollution problems occur in this area. To prove this hypothesis is correct, a study was conducted where oily wastewater samples were collected from three different automotive workshops in Kota Bharu area. All the three workshops were identified as workshop K, P and T. The sampling was performed three times which were in February 2010, May 2010 and November 2011. The collected samples were analyzed for pH (4.24 -7.57), temperature (27.2 -29.8 o C), biochemical oxygen demand (57.8 -318.2 mg/L), chemical oxygen demand (137 -9881 mg/L)), dissolved oxygen (0.15 -9.42 mg/L)), and oil and grease (14.2 -90,500 mg/L). The lowest dissolved oxygen was recorded in May 2010 at automotive workshops K. Meanwhile, the highest biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand were recorded in February 2010 at automotive workshop T (318.2 ± 1.89 mg/L) and in May 2010 at automotive workshops P (9881 ± 7.46 mg/L) respectively. The results showed that, all the parameters excepted pH and temperature were high and exceeded permissible level (Standard B) listed in the Third Scheduled, Environmental Quality (Sewage and Industrial Effluents) Regulations, 1979 of Environmental Quality Act, 197