RESPON TOKOH MUSLIM TERHADAP DEMOKRASI

Abstract: Democracy is seen as a political system and the best way of regulating life for every society that calls itself modern. Governments everywhere, including totalitarian regimes, try to convince the world community that they have a democratic political system. The discourse of democracy for most people, has become the dominant political discourse. That is why even the most authoritarian dictators must speak the language of democracy. Most Europeans think that the concept of Islamic democracy is such an antitheme that it is impossible to understand the appeal and power of Islamic movements. Because democracy is a concept that is still being debated, it is important to study how the perception of democracy among Islamic leaders in the recent era of the Islamic revival movement is. This type of research is library research, namely research in which the primary data source and secondary data source are literature. Data collection techniques were carried out by direct and indirect citations. The data analysis is carried out by content analysis, which is an effort to describe and analyze in depth the contents of a written or printed information objectively and systematically to reveal the message contained in it.This paper aims to describe the concept of democracy, the ways, attitudes and responses of Muslims to it. Can democracy be implemented and how far is the role of Islamic leaders in efforts to uphold democracy, or on the contrary, Islamic leaders hinder the democratization process.Abstrak: Demokrasi dipandang sebagai sistem politik dan cara pengaturan kehidupan terbaik bagi setiap masyarakat yang menyebut diri modern. Pemerintah di manapun, termasuk rejim-rejim totaliter, berusaha meyakinkan masyarakat dunia bahwa mereka menganut sistem politik demokratis. Wacana demokrasi bagi sebagian besar kalangan masyarakat, telah menjadi wacana politik yang dominan. Karena itulah para diktator yang paling otoriter sekalipun mesti berbicara dengan bahasa demokrasi. Kebanyakan orang Eropa menganggap bahwa konsep demokrasi Islam merupakan suatu antithema sehingga memustahilkan untuk memahami daya tarik dan kekuatan gerakan-gerakan Islam. Karena demokrasi merupakan konsep yang masih diperdebatkan, penting untuk dikaji bagaimana persepsi tentang demokrasi di kalangan tokoh-tokoh  Islam pada era gerakan kebangkitan Islam belakangan ini.Tipe penelitian ini adalah library research (penelitian pustaka), yaitu penelitian yang sumber data primernya dan sumber data sekundernya berupa literatur kepustakaan. Teknik pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan cara pengutipan lansung dan tidak lansung. Adapun analisis data ditempuh analisis isi, yaitu usaha menguraikan dan menganalisis secara mendalam isi suatu informasi tertulis atau tercetak secara obyektif dan sistematis untuk mengungkapkan pesan yang terkandung di dalamnya.Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan konsep demokrasi, cara, sikap dan respon umat Islam terhadapnya. Apakah demokrasi dapat diterapkan dan seberapa jauh peran para tokoh Islam dalam upaya menegakkan demokrasi, atau sebaliknya para tokoh Islam menghambat proses demokratisasi.

HYDRO-POLITICS: SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL WATER TREATIES

Water resource issues are closely related to property rights issues, as the holders of property rights along a river bank, watershed, lake, or river basin, often take priority in terms of water usage. Rivers, aquifers and other bodies of water transgress national boundaries, giving rise to conflicts. Treaties, agreements, and conventions seek to allocate water rights among countries in a manner that benefits all participants. This study conducts an empirical analysis of macroeconomic, geological, hydrological, and institutional variables in order to determine factors contributing to the existence of bilateral treaty and treaty structure.International Relations/Trade, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, K330,

SURVEY INDEKS KEPUASAN MASYARAKAT (IKM) TERHADAP LAYANAN DI KABUPATEN KONAWE SELATAN PROVINSI SULAWESI TENGGARA

ABSTRACTService quality has become an important issue in the provision of public services in Indonesia. Public service is not only about an administrative issue but the higher than that, namely the fulfillment of the public wish. This study aims to measure community satisfaction based on their perceptions of the performance indicators of the South Konawe district government. This research uses a quantitative method with a scoring system using Likert scale measurement as a survey of community satisfaction conducted in April-May 2019. The results of the study indicate that the quality value of the community satisfaction index that obtains a value of B or a 'good' performance category is public service agency in the PM-PTSP Department, Financial Revenue Service and Assets Service, Population and Civil Registry Office, BLUD RS South Konawe, Tinanggea sub-district, Andoolo main village because it is at an interval value of 3.064-3,532. Meanwhile those who obtain the quality score of the community satisfaction index with a value of c or 'not good' are Public Services in Ranomeeto Health Center and Laeya Health Center with an interval value between 2.60-3.064, which is in the part of service time that is far from maximum. Renewal of facilities and infrastructure are needed to support efficiently and timely services.Keywords: Quality, Public Services, Community Satisfaction ABSTRAKKualitas pelayanan  telah menjadi salah satu isu penting dalam penyediaan layanan publik di Indonesia. Pelayanan publik bukan hanya merupakan persoalan administratif tetapi lebih tinggi dari itu yaitu pemenuhan keinginan dari publik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengukur kepuasan masyarakat berdasarkan persepsi mereka terhadap indikator kinerja Pemerintah Kabupaten Konawe Selatan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan sistem penskoran menggunakan pengukuran skala likert sebagai survei kepuasan masyarakat yang dilaksanakan pada bulan April-Mei 2019. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa nilai mutu indeks kepuasan masyarakat yang memperoleh nilai B atau kategori kinerja ‘Baik’ adalah instansi pelayanan publik di Dinas PM-PTSP, Dinas Pendapatan Keuangan dan Aset Daerah, Dinas Kependudukan dan Catatan Sipil, BLUD RS Konawe Selatan, Kecamatan Tinanggea, dan Desa Andoolo Utama karena berada pada nilai interval 3,064-3,532. Sedangkan yang memperoleh nilai mutu indeks kepuasan masyarakat dengan nilai C atau ‘Kurang Baik’ adalah pelayanan publik di Puskesmas Ranomeeto dan Puskesmas Laeya dengan nilai interval antara 2,60-3,064, yaitu pada unsur waktu pelayanan yang kurang maksimal. Perlunya pembaharuan sarana dan prasarana untuk menunjang pelayanan yang efisien dan tepat waktu. Kata Kunci: Kualitas, Pelayanan Publik, Kepuasan Masyarakat

Application of Neural Networks to Evaluate Factors Affecting Drilling Performance

Achieving the highest Rate of Penetration (ROP) with the least possible Bit Tooth Wear Rate (BTWR) is the aim of every drilling engineer when selecting a drilling bit. Predicting the optimal ROP has become increasingly important given the rise in expenses involved in drilling a well. This has meant that oil companies engage in a perpetual struggle to predict the optimum rock mechanical property parameters. Predicting optimal rock mechanical property parameters, specifically Rate of Penetration (ROP), has become increasingly important given the rise in expenses involved in drilling a well. The prediction of ROP from the current available data is an important criterion for reduction of drilling costs. ROP represents rock bit interaction which relates rock compressive strength and bit aggressivity. ROP prediction is complex because of the numerous variables which lead to difficulties in evaluating drilling parameters. Several models and methods have been published for predicting, and therefore potentially optimizing rate of penetration. However, these models and methods have limitations, too many variables are included, their input parameters are often not readily available, and their relationships are complex and not easily modeled. Therefore, the application of Neural Network is suggested in this study. A new methodology has been developed to predict the rate of penetration using the Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Three case studies representing different formations in Kuwait have been conducted to investigate ROP prediction for various applications. These cases have investigated the prediction of ROP for a specific heterogeneous formation (CASE I); a semihomogenous formation (CASE II); a drilling section composed of a heterogeneous formation and for a drilling section composed of a complex heterogeneous set of formations (CASE III). Predicting ROP parameters is of particular interest, therefore finding a new method to predict ROP for the cases investigated in this study will be a valuable achievement. Application of the new network models would then be used for selecting the best parameters for an optimal drilling strategy based on field data. In addition to the prediction of ROP, several runs were carried out to predict Tooth Wear Rate (TWR) for a drilling section in case III. Rock bit interactions in the field as a function of rock mechanical property parameters was achieved by predicting ROP which relates to rock compressive strength and bit aggressivity; as well as TWR which relates to rock abrasiveness and wear resistance. History of bit runs, mud logging data, geological information, offset well bit records, drill bit characteristics, and wireline data all play an important role in the prediction of rock bit interactions in this study. Based on field data, the prediction of rock mechanical property parameters can be accomplished by the use of a neural network as an alternative prediction and optimization method. Neural network offers a new form of information processing that is fundamentally different from a traditional processing system. The system uses a knowledge base of various drilling parameters, to produce a “correlation” description of the optimal Rate of Penetration

Measuring the Performance of Jordanian Banks through Balanced Scorecard Approach

Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is a performance measurement system that converts an organization’s value drive such as customers, services, financial performance, operational efficiency and innovation to a series of defined metrics, and records.  It is a management system that enables organizations to clarify their vision and strategy, translate them into action and provides feedback to improve strategic performance and results. It results in improved processes, motivated/educated employees, enhanced information systems, monitored progress, and greater customer satisfaction. The present research investigates the effect of using balanced scorecard (BSC) approach on the organizational performance of selected Jordanian banks. Multiple linear regression has been used for data analysis. The findings revealed that balanced scorecard approach has a significant impact on the organizational performance of banks under study. Keywords: balanced scorecard (BSC), regression, organization, performance, banks

A Comparative Study on E-marketing Practices of Jordan Kuwait Bank and Arab Bank

In this research paper, an effort has been made to investigate the e-marketing practices in Jordan Kuwait Bank and Arab Bank. This study is an empirical study which aims to measure the differences in electronic marketing practices of Jordan Kuwait Bank and Arab Bank. Data has been collected through questionnaires designed on a five point Likert scale. Independent sample t-test has been used as the statistical tool to measure the differences between the satisfaction level of customers in Jordan Kuwait Bank and Arab Bank regarding internet banking, mobile banking, CRM, online bill payment, ATM service. The analysis of the data revealed that significant differences exist between the satisfaction level of customers in Jordan Kuwait Bank and Arab Bank. Keywords: e-marketing, satisfaction, customers, Jordan Kuwait Bank and Arab Bank

Incorporation of Environmental Issues into Banks’ Lending Decisions

This thesis examines commercial banks’ practice pertaining to the integration of environmental issues into their lending activities. There is evidence that over the last few decades some banks have considered the environmental impact of borrower activities as part of credit risk assessment and management. A number of academic surveys have identified a positive correlation between the environmental and financial performance of companies. These developments influence the level of bank support for responsible environmental management. For most commercial banks loans are a large percentage of assets. Hence appropriate management of loans is a priority for bank management, shareholders and other interested people. Traditionally, banks use financial instruments to measure the efficiency of their lending decisions and to ensure that payments are made on time. However, each lending operation may involve environmental risks. Adverse environmental outcomes may result in a reduction in the borrowers’ repayment capacity, a decline in the value of the collateral, a direct bank liability for environmental damage caused by its borrowing clients and potential risks to the bank’s reputation. For each of these risks the bank can determine the likelihood, extent, cost and impact should the damage actually occur. Bank lending occurs in a wider economic and social context of strategic importance for banks. Society’s quest for sustainable development involves the creation of new financing markets, such as markets for sustainable energy, water purification equipment, products for the financing of companies’ climate policies and groundbreaking technology. Banks can fulfil the role of a traditional financial intermediary or can step into this growing market to develop specific new products such as environmental loans. This market is rich in challenges and opportunities. Hence, it is crucial that banks have appropriate indicators to help them and stakeholders monitor performance. Against this background, this study investigates the practice of incorporating environmental issues into banks’ lending decisions, utilizing Westpac as a case study. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches were adopted. A mixed method of data collection was used, consisting of an analysis of annual reports, semi-structured interview and a survey questionnaire. The Westpac study is used to develop and test an environmental sustainability framework to analyse the incorporation of environmental issues into lending decisions by financial institutions. The results from the research provide some evidence that Westpac incorporates environmental issues into lending decisions and is aware of environmental risks and opportunities. At the operational level, the bank assesses environmental risks before approving loans and finances projects with high environmental benefits. With regard to motivational drivers, the findings indicate that the bank’s incorporation of environmental issues into lending decisions is motivated by multiple reasons: managerial, financial and environmental. However, the environmental information reported was not consistently and sufficiently communicated to stakeholders. Further, the results from the research reveal that bank management should effectively consider environmental issues when making lending decisions and that they should take specific actions to have such issues effectively implemented. Although banks are motivated by a variety of factors, financial issues were considered the most important factor when banks are making lending decisions. This study also reveals that respondents did not know about bank effectiveness in addressing environmental issues when making lending decisions. Moreover, people who are likely to be better informed or knowledgeable about environmental issues were also found to have a low level of knowledge in this regard. Furthermore, the majority of respondents tend not to be satisfied with the interaction between banks and both the public and the New Zealand government. The literature to date suggests there is increasing stakeholder pressure on businesses to act with environmental responsibility, but this result suggests challenges still remain. A comparison of Westpac and HSBC stakeholder reports revealed that HSBC provided more appropriate environmental information than Westpac regarding their lending activities. The comparison reveals that there is a shift in how banks view the consideration of environmental performance as material to users of the annual reports. However, there is a gap in the information provided probably due to the voluntary nature of sustainability disclosures in annual reports. Thus, there is a need for improvement relating to the content and quality of environmental reporting. This research proposes an environmental sustainability framework, with specific focus on the lending process as a guideline for bank management, policy makers and other interested people. It facilitates effective measurement of environmental performance in two major areas: management and operations, and motivations. The framework includes indicators and processes to improve bank financial and environmental performance. The key findings of this study are instructive. Consideration of environmental issues when making lending decisions is important to banks, borrowers, the environment and stakeholders in general. Environmental risks, opportunities and the positive relationship between the environmental performance and financial performance give motivation to integrate environmental issues into lending activities. This study identified that Westpac and commercial banks more generally have an opportunity to provide further and consistent evidence concerning their managerial and operational performance and drivers when making lending decisions. Such actions would provide stakeholders with more accurate views on the bank’s environmental performance. It would also facilitate the bank’s ability to respond sufficiently and transparently to the international agreements and initiatives the bank is signatory to and/or a member of

Studies on olfactory systems of two parasitoid wasps: Diadegma semiclausum (Hellén) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) of the Diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is one of the most destructive insect pests of brassicaceous crops, which has shown problematic resistance to almost every common insecticide. In certain parts of the world, the economic production of crucifers has become nearly impossible due to the failure in controlling DBM. Consequently, increased efforts worldwide have been undertaken to implement biological control programs that are principally employing its natural enemies such as Diadegma semiclausum and Trichogramma pretiosum. D. semiclausum is a specialist DBM larvae parasitoid and one of the most common parasitoids in Australia. T. pretiosum is a generalist egg parasitoid, and it inserts its eggs into the host eggs, including DBM. However, limited studies have been conducted on these two parasitoid wasps regarding how they detect DBM, how their olfactory systems guide them to localize the DBM and what olfactory genes are involved in these DBM-seeking and oviposition behaviours. Without this knowledge, it is difficult to utilize them at maximum efficiency and effectiveness in DBM management programs. In this study, analytical chemistry, electrophysiology, scanning electron microscopy, genomics, transcriptomics, bioinformatics and molecular biology approaches were applied to investigate the olfactory systems of D. semiclausum and T. pretiosum. Eight candidate attractants were identified from DBM-infested canola Brassica napus, while some of them were found to be able to initiate significant antennal responses from the parasitoid wasp D. semiclausum. Male and female D. semiclausum exhibited different antennal responses to various tested volatile compounds. Candidate olfactory genes, including 17 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and 67 odorant receptors (ORs), were identified and characterized from D. semiclausum. Similarly, a total of 22 OBPs and 121 ORs were identified and characterized from T. pretiosum. These genes may play pivotal roles in the host-seeking and oviposition behaviours. This study improves our understanding of the olfactory systems of these two wasps and their host-seeking behaviours, which will assist in developing more efficient and environmentally friendly biological control strategies to manage DBM

Tracing a paradigm for externalization: Avatars and the GPII Nexus

We will situate the concept of an avatar (a working simulacrum of part of a system separated from it in space or time) with respect to traditional concepts of programming language and systems design. Whilst much theory and practice argues in favour of insulation (the creation of architectural boundaries prohibiting the leakage of information) we will find that many successful systems take a diametrically opposed approach. We name this family of systems as those based on externalised state transfer. Rather than hiding implementation details behind APIs, object interfaces or similar, these systems actively advertise their internal structure and its coordinates via data and metadata. Examples of these systems include RESTful web applications, MIDI devices, and the DWARF debugging file format. We discuss such systems and how we can purposefully design new systems embodying such virtues in a more distilled form

Impact of Training on Employee’s Performance in Indian Telecom Industry: A Study of Selected Telecom Companies

Trainingan indispensable strategic tool for enhancing employee performance andorganization competitive advantage. The puroose of this study is to examine theimpact of training on employees’ performance and organization’s competitiveadvantage in Indian telecom industry. A sample of 210 employees from fourtelecom companies has been selected for the study. Data have been collectedthrough questionnaires designed on a five point Likert scale. Simple LinearRegression has been used as the statistical tool to measure the impact oftraining on the performance of employees.Summary of the findings indicates thattraining has a significant impact on employee’s performance in selectedtelecom companies.Keywords: training, development,performance, competitiveness