The factors of selecting Malaysia as tourist destination

Tourism is an emerging economic sector for Malaysia.The purpose of this study is an attempt to understand the factors that attract tourists to visit Melaka State of Malaysia.The primary data were collected through questionnaire survey on 735 tourists who visited the state of Melaka, Malaysia.This study used descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modelling (SEM) in order to analyze and draw the inferences.Model fit was initially tested using the overall fit and regression paths. Then the hypothesized model was analysed and modified based on the results of the analysis to find a better fit of the data and to more adequately describe the relationships between the factors. The study found that several economic, environmental, cultural and community factors have positive significant influence in attracting tourists to Melaka

APPLYING SERVQUAL MODEL TO MEASURE ONLINE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN PACKAGE DELIVERY SERVICES

Online customer is a person or association that purchases goods from a retail store via internet. This online purchasing is facilitated by companies that deliver shipping parcels, known as package delivery companies. The service quality is measured by the difference between customers’ expectations towards a service and their actual experience from that service. The objective of the study is to explore the correlation of online customer satisfaction with service quality in the package delivery industry using quality management framework SERVQUAL. Quantitative data on customer satisfaction levels divulged from questionnaires were scrutinized against service quality factors, which was later replaced in the service quality model using a five-point Likert scale and conducting simple regression. The result of the study found positive impact of reliability, assurance and empathy dimensions of service quality model on online customers’ satisfaction level pertaining to package delivery companies, with overall dominance of reliability dimension. The study adds value to the untapped sector of package delivery service, a critical backbone of e-commerce. The findings can be applicable for any e-commerce entrepreneurs in order to enhance optimum customer management efficiency by focusing on imperative dimensions of service quality model and perking up customer satisfaction

Oil palm smallholders and its sustainability practices in Malaysia

The demand for Palm oil has increasing over the several decades and it has led to criticisms and question about sustainability on biodiversity loss, water pollution and deforestation.This study aims to explore the sustainability of oil palm smallholders in Malaysia based on environmental, social and economic perspectives.The aim of the study is to examine the sustainability of smallholding scheme in Malaysia.A questionnaire survey was conducted with 50 smallholders in Terengganu state under the Federal Land Development Authority of Malaysia (FELDA).It’s revealed that most of the smallholders have sufficient knowledge of sustainability consistent with Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and other local agricultural laws practices. The study also indicates that on social aspect, the smallholders have better quality of life through the provision of basic facilities.The study concludes that there is a high degree of sustainability amongst oil palm smallholders under the management of FELDA

Reaching an Agreement for the Elimination of Child Labour from the Supply Chains

This article examines how child labour can be eliminated from various supply chains in Bangladesh. Reinforcing this issue is important to comply with international labour standards on child labour and to avoid potential trade sanctions of various types. Drawing upon the examples of other mechanisms to implement international labour standards particularly in a situation when domestic initiatives remain largely ineffective, it is argued that various local and international actors in the supply chains have a key role to play in actively enforcing this international standard to help support an economy free from the curse of child labour. This article proposes that an international legally binding agreement among global importers, unions, and local stakeholders to improve the child labour situation may provide the best mechanism to eliminate this problem from various supply chains in Bangladesh

Productivity improvement and HR costs reduction through HRIS: A survey on banking industry in Bangladesh

As employee productivity improvement and HR costs reduction are two most effective options of being cost leader, the study aims at examining the relationship between human resource information system (HRIS) and employee productivity and total HR costs based on data extracted from total 40 banks (73%) operating in Bangladesh.HRIS index has been developed based on the responses of HR managers from each bank.The impact of one standard deviation variation of HRIS applications on the employee productivity and total HR costs is calculated through the multiple regression analysis while multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) is tested to examine the variation of productivity and HR costs according to the ownership patterns where HRIS is taken as covariant.The study found that HRIS improves banks efficiency through improving employee productivity and reducing total HR costs if other things being constant.In addition, employee productivity does not vary according to the ownership patterns of the bank but the state-owned banks have different HR costs experience than private-owned commercial banks in Bangladesh

Environmental sustainability practices among palm oil millers

Considering the global palm oil production, it can be identified as the second largest vegetable oil. Palm oil is a natural resource that is favorable for the Malaysian climate. In 2017, Malaysia had a total of 454 palm oil mills with a production capacity of approximately 112 million tonnes of fresh fruit bunches. A sustainable environment denotes high income, value addition and zero waste. Nonetheless, palm oil mills are being associated with the discharge of untreated effluent water stream pollution, solid wastes, air pollution, etc. The important objective of this study is to measure the level of sustainable environmental practices parameters and awareness of millers. The primary data were collected through questionnaire survey and interviews from 71 millers in Malaysia. This study used confirmatory factor analysis to describe the relationships between the environmental parameters for measuring environment sustainability. This study found that most of the millers employ positive practices for environmental sustainability, and the highest environment parameter is disposal of solid wastes. However, this study can be implemented in Malaysian palm oil mills for identifying the lowest parameters. This study suggested to the industries that the new national sustainable policies for palm oil mills, especially for small and medium players, may enhance the environmental parameters

Agriculture insurance for disaster risk reduction: A case study of Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the countries in the Asia Pacific region that is most vulnerable to hazards such as floods, landslides, droughts, and climate change. Disaster risk continues to grow as a result of unplanned urbanization, persistent poverty, and ecosystem degradation. In this context, insurance is a risk financing mechanism, part of acomprehensive disaster risk management strategy, which plays an important role in disaster risk reduction. Being an economy in transition, Malaysia is in a unique position in relation to agriculture insurance. Based on primary and secondary sources of information and literature review, the present study analyzed the potential effects of agriculture insurance for disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Malaysia. The proposed framework of agriculture insurance suggests the involvement of policy makers and implementers, marketing channels, and micro users for DRR in Malaysia. The study identified challenges for agriculture insurance in Malaysia, such as lack of experience from international practices, limited products, lack of necessary data, limited financial capacity, and high administrative operational costs. Suitable recommendations that aim to promote agriculture insurance and reduce disaster risk in agro-production are offered. These recommendations emphasize proper government initiatives and public-private partnership of insurance companies to assist the market and the designing of suitable insurance products

Contamination of Fresh Produce with Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Associated Risks to Human Health: A Scoping Review.

Fresh produce, when consumed raw, can be a source of exposure to antimicrobial residues, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) of clinical importance. This review aims to determine: (1) the presence and abundance of antimicrobial residues, ARB and ARGs in fresh agricultural products sold in retail markets and consumed raw; (2) associated health risks in humans; and (3) pathways through which fresh produce becomes contaminated with ARB/ARGs. We searched the Ovid Medline, Web of Science and Hinari databases as well as grey literature, and identified 40 articles for inclusion. All studies investigated the occurrence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, and ten studies focused on ARGs in fresh produce, while none investigated antimicrobial residues. The most commonly observed ARB were E. coli (42.5%) followed by Klebsiella spp. (22.5%), and Salmonella spp. (20%), mainly detected on lettuce. Twenty-five articles mentioned health risks from consuming fresh produce but none quantified the risk. About half of the articles stated produce contamination occurred during pre- and post-harvest processes. Our review indicates that good agricultural and manufacturing practices, behavioural change communication and awareness-raising programs are required for all stakeholders along the food production and consumption supply chain to prevent ARB/ARG exposure through produce

Barriers and Enabling Factors for Central and Household Level Water Treatment in a Refugee Setting: A Mixed-Method Study among Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

Water chlorination is widely used in emergency responses to reduce diarrheal diseases, although communities with no prior exposure to chlorinated drinking water can have low acceptability. To better inform water treatment interventions, the study explored acceptability, barriers, and motivating-factors of a piped water chlorination program, and household level chlorine-tablet distribution, in place for four months in Rohingya refugee camps, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. We collected data from June to August 2018 from four purposively selected refugee camps using structured observation, key-informant-interviews, transect-walks, group discussions, focus-group discussions, and in-depth-interviews with males, females, adolescent girls, and community leaders. Smell and taste of chlorinated water were commonly reported barriers among the population that had previously consumed groundwater. Poor quality source-water and suboptimal resultant treated-water, and long-queues for water collection were common complaints. Chlorine-tablet users reported inadequate and interrupted tablet supply, and inconsistent information delivered by different organisations caused confusion. Respondents reported fear of adverse-effects of "chemicals/medicine" used to treat water, especially fear of religious conversion. Water treatment options were reported as easy-to-use, and perceived health-benefits were motivating-factors. In vulnerable refugee communities, community and religious-leaders can formulate and deliver messages to address water taste and smell, instil trust, allay fears, and address rumours/misinformation to maximise early uptake.</jats:p