The consequences of qualitative overstretch on employee intention to quit in Malaysia call center industry: An implication of customer relationship management

The purpose of this study is to determine the consequences of customer relationship management (CRM) application on qualitative overstretch and intention to quit in Malaysia call center industry.A conceptual model was developed to explain the hypothesis direction and the evidence from ample of literatures suggested that comprehensive applications of CRM strategy should be adopted and integrated into organizations’ operations in order to achieve organizational performance and resolve the issue of employee turnover.More so, appropriate training program that can reduce qualitative overstretch and eradicate stress should be provided for the employees of call centers

International education as tourism product: The Malaysia experience

Background: The effect of globalization is noticed on the volume of movement of people, ideas, skills and professionalism across international boundaries in today‘s knowledge economy.For every international trip, a new knowledge is shared, gained or transferred.However, international students that seek to explore this intellectual property are not usually considered as tourist because of varying length of their study.But evidence abounds to show the interrelationship between tourism and international education which made the two inseparable but rather complimentary. Objective: The socio-economic benefits of this sector to the budgetary health of the host country made Malaysia to open up higher education services to foreign students in the mid-90s.In the 9th Malaysian plan [1] 100,000 international students was targeted to enroll in Malaysia higher education institutions by the 2010. A significant milestone was achieved but not fully realized. The 10th Malaysia plan [2] have set yet another target of 200, 000 inbound international students for 2020. To determine the economic impacts of educational liberalization to Malaysia.Results: This paper conceptually examined the impact of international students on the economy of Malaysia and the potentiality of the sector if fully integrated into the country‘s tourism concerns. Conclusion: The need for synergy between Malaysia ministry of tourism and ministry of higher education is being can versed for optimum economic benefits.This paper echoes the position of international students as EDUTOURIST

Comparative Quality And Performance Analysis Of Manual And Motorised Traditional Portable Rice Threshers

Traditional motorized and manual portable threshers are the two types of threshers common to average farmer in the African continent and about 70% food production is in the hands of these categories of farmers. This paper compares the suitability of these types of threshers for traditional African farmers. The production rates (quantity threshed) and quality (seed loss and mechanical damage) were analyzed for both manual and motorized rice threshers using actual research data.  The observed advantages and disadvantages based on production rate, quality, cost and farm sizes are outlined as a guide to farmers. The result of this analysis is also employed to improve the performance of motorized rice thresher. Key words: rice, threshers, farm machineries, portabilit

Time-Series Analysis of Malaria Cases Among Suspected Febrile Patients Attending a Peri-Rural Health Centre Between February 2020- January 2021

Sub-Saharan Africa has a high rate of malaria-related morbidity and death, with Nigeria accounting for a substantial proportion of these cases owing to its malarious nature. Most Nigerians live in environments that encourage the development of mosquito vectors that are responsible for malaria transmission. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria in the peri-urban areas. A time-series analysis was performed on 1,141 people with suspected febrile illness who visited a peri-urban health center over the course of a year (February 2020 – January 2021). Each person who presented to the hospital and was tested for malaria was included in the study. The 12-month study reported an overall prevalence of 24% (p0.05). A total of 273 individuals were found to be seropositive, with males (162) having a higher prevalence than females (111). Cases of seropositivity have been reported in all age groups. This study concluded that malaria remains a public health concern in the country, particularly in areas favorable for mosquito vector reproduction. Consequently, elimination approaches should be strengthened to safeguard people, particularly in vulnerable regions

Mathematical Analysis of Sensitive Parameters on the Dynamical Transmission of HIV-Malaria Co-infection

Malaria disease increases the mortality rate of HIV patients. In this work, a mathematical model incorporating an infected, undetected, and treated set of people was developed. The analysis showed that the model is well-posed, the disease-free equilibrium for the model was obtained, and the basic reproduction number of the HIV-malaria co-infection model was calculated. The 14 compartmental models were analyzed for stability, and it was established that the disease-free equilibrium of each model and their co-infections were locally and globally asymptotically stable whenever the basic reproduction number was less than unity or endemic otherwise. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the parameter that has the greatest impact is the contact rate; therefore, it is recommended for public health policies aimed at reducing the burden of these diseases in co-endemic regions

Malaysian SMEs M-Commerce adoption: TAM 3, UTAUT 2 and TOE approach

Purpose: The primary objective of this study is to examine the factors that influence Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to adopt mobile commerce by integrating the constructs of Technology Acceptance Model 3, Universal Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2, and Technology-Organization-Environment model. Though numerous mobile commerce adoption studies have been conducted, lesser attention is paid to how hedonic motivation can influence organizational users such as SMEs. This study bridges the gap by integrating the three models to provide a new lens to guide SMEs. Methodology: To examine the factors that influence the adoption of mobile commerce, the researchers collected data from Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia using an online survey. The sample size of the participants was determined through the available list provided by SME Corp Malaysia. The researchers also used Krejcie and Morgan's sample size and G*Power techniques to determine that the sample size was appropriate. The data collected were analyzed using Partial Least Square- Structural Equation Modelling. Finding: The findings of this study reveal that technological factors (computer self-efficacy, result demonstrability, computer anxiety) positively and significantly influence mobile commerce adoption. Likewise, the organizational/environmental factors (mobile commerce knowledge, pressure from trading partners, and pressure from competitors) positively and significantly influence mobile commerce adoption. The moderating influence of hedonic motivation was also achieved on the relationship between computer self-efficacy and result demonstrability. However, the proposed hedonic moderating relationship between computer anxiety and the adoption of mobile commerce is not significant. Research limitations/implications: This study integrates three models to explain the adoption of m-commerce among Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia and tested the moderating influence of hedonic motivation. The results obtained better explain the decision by the SMEs to use mobile commerce. Originality: The study critically considered how mobile commerce can be adopted by Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia which previous studies have largely ignored. Considering this, the study, therefore, advances a new relationship by integrating Technology Organization Enterprise Framework with Technology Acceptance Model 3, and the moderating influence of Hedonic Motivation to explain m-commerce adoption among Small and Medium Enterprises. This paper is one of the few research studies to test the moderating influence of hedonic motivation in this regard

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Proximate and mineral compositions of Schilbe mystus (Linne 1758) and Heterotis niloticus (Cuvier 1829)

The nutrient composition of fish has been established to vary with species and growing environment. Hence, the proximate composition and mineral contents of Schilbe mystusand Heterotis niloticus in Lake Alau were investigated to determine their nutritive value. A total of 10 fresh samples of each species obtained from fishermen catch (weight: 315.20 – 436.10 g) were separately stunted, de-gutted, washed, grounded and analyzed for moisture, crude protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium and magnesium following standard procedures. Mean moisture (62.95 ± 1.97 %) and ash (2.40 ± 0.21 %) contents were higher in H. niloticus, while crude protein content (35.20 ± 1.48 %) was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in S. mystus. Also, the fat content was significantly higher in H. niloticus (12.20 ± 1.08 %) than in S. mystus (3.97 ± 0.39 %). Carbohydrate value was higher (p&gt;0.05) in S. mystus (2.20 ± 0.33 %) than in H. niloticus (1.85 ± 1.01 %). Values of iron (1.16 ± 0.35 %) and potassium (5.50 ± 0.50 %) were marginally higher in S. mystus, while sodium (85.10 ± 12.81 %) was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in S. mystus. This study thus provides baseline information on the present nutritive status of the two freshwater finfish species in Lake Alau.Keywords: Nutritive value, Schilbe mystus, Heterotis niloticus, Fish food, Lake Ala

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Entrepreneurial Orientation and Business Performance in Nigeria

This study advances research on entrepreneurial orientation and business performance by assessing, prioritizing, ranking, and evaluating decision choices among entrepreneurial orientation attributes that influence small and medium scale enterprise performance in Nigeria. Data were gathered through the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tool called analytic hierarchy process (AHP) based questionnaire administered to practicing entrepreneurs in Lagos State, Nigeria. The population of the study consists of all the firms (mainly small and medium scale businesses) registered by Lagos Chamber of Commerce, totalling 1766 at the time of this study. The sample size was calculated through Yamane formula, while entrepreneurs managing the sampled firms were the respondents carefully selected for the study through a random sampling procedure. Data collected were analysed through descriptive statistics and analytic hierarchy process procedures for eliciting the consistency ratio, consistency index, Lambda Max, local and global priority values for an effective policy decision. The priorities were established in line with the AHP framework using pairwise comparisons and judgment of entrepreneurs. The results revealed the preference of entrepreneurial orientation dimension that influenced business performance most based on pairwise experiences and trade-off of different attributes. This study explores the application of AHP methodology for measuring complex entrepreneurial decision-making process for enhancing business performance. Thus, the AHP revealed a potential research method in computing weights and chasing MCDM process