Moderating effect of work ethics towards technology capability and logistics performance

In today's business environment where the pace of growth has tremendously expanded, logistics has played an important role not only as supporting elements in organizations but has also influenced the performance of organizations tremendously. In relation to the logistics masterplan that has been developed by the Malaysian government, logistics performance is crucial to the support of technology capability that is facilitated with appropriate work ethics. In investigating the issues concerned, this study examined the moderating effect of work ethics on technology capability and logistics performance. Additionally, this study also investigated the importance of technology capability and logistics performance. In relation to the research objectives, proportionate stratified random sampling was used in this study as the logistics industry includes three major industries which are land and rail, airfreight, and sea freight, and to cater across the logistics industry 234 questionnaires were distributed to respondents from the Malaysian logistics organizations, and 133 usable responses, representing a 56.84% response rate, were empirically tested using the structural equation modelling by using SPSS and SmartPLS. Tests and analysis were done in relation to three main hypotheses that had been developed based on the theoretical framework. The findings justified the positive relationship between technology capability and logistics performance while, on the other hand, work ethics was found as an element that that does not affect logistics performance. The findings further revealed that work ethics do not moderate the technology capability and logistics performance relationship. On the other hand, it intensifies the necessity of work ethics to be legalized and enforced to ensure the practice of work ethics is implemented appropriately in an organization. Limitations and recommendations for future research are also discusse

Human Factor in Green Supply Chain

Implementation of green supply chain is an important in leading a firm, organization or company to gaining competitive advantage. In this research study, the variables have influence towards the implementation of green supply chain are identified, they are human factor. Human factor that researcher have used in this study is safety and health, attitude, personal factor and workload which was used as independent variables in this study. Total of 105 sample size has been taken from third year student who taking International Business course as respondents. Study survey has been conducted through random sampling. A total 110 questionnaires have been distributed to the sample of chosen consists the four independent variables of human factor, that are safety and health, attitude, personal factor and workload, while green supply chain is the dependent variable. Quantitative survey had been used for this study. From regression analysis result showed all hypotheses supported with significant value. The result concludes that all the independent variable in this study give a significant impact to the implementation of green supply chai

Innovative, Marketing and Supportive Capability Impacts Towards Logistics Performance

Logistics function as an important role in business operation. Due to the increasing competition in this industry, organization should make sure the business logistics is efficient and effective. In achieving the increase in performance and indirectly increase the profit of an organization, logistics is an important element that need be taken into consideration seriously. This paper investigates the effect of innovative, marketing and supportive capability towards logistics performance. the study has been conducted in towards the SME organization in area of Putrajaya. 117 respondents from SMEs were collected to identify the relationship of innovative, marketing and supportive capability towards the logistics performance. Hence, factor analysis was done includes the correlation and regression analysis to examine relationship that exists. The findings identify that that innovative, marketing and supportive capability that contribute to logistics performance. Index Terms: Innovative, Marketing, Supportive, Logistics Performanc

Inventory, Warehousing and Transportation Management Impacts Towards Logistics Performance in Supply Chain Management

Abstract The purpose of this article is to proposed a framework that related to the factors that impacts the logistics performance due to lack of equal agreement on the factors that affecting logistics performance. Factors that been proposed in this article includes inventory management, warehouse management and transportation management. It will also be discussing others general factors that affecting the logistics performance. A comprehensive discussion on all three variables been done in order to provides greater insight on the factors that affecting the logistics performance. These comprehensive reviews include the management of inventory, warehousing and transportation and provides greater definition on the variables terminology that are related. Therefore, a framework has been proposed for further stud

Building information modeling (BIM): exploring level of development (LOD) in construction projects

Level of Development (LOD) is a protocol to address the basic guidelines information of Building Information Modeling (BIM). LOD is created to identify specific content requirements of a BIM model elements at a given time. It is used to reduce the problem of inadequate information needed in projects. This paper aims to explore the implementation of LOD in projects using BIM in the construction industry. In order to do so, the definition, purposes and content of each level of LOD had been identified based on past literature. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with BIM consultants from the public and private sector. The findings revealed that the implementation of LOD is varied depending on the requirements of construction players. From the use of LOD, it helps construction players to get the information that they need for a specific purpose in various project phases. The use of LOD in projects using BIM shows the capability and the level of understanding of construction players in using BI

The user requirements for building maintenance management systems in Malaysian public universities

Representing almost 50% of the total turnover of construction activities, building maintenance investment is huge all over the world. In facilities management activities, building maintenance is also regarded as a common function. This paper emphasises the current user requirements for building maintenance management in Malaysian public universities. Starting with semi-structured interviews, information gathered focuses on different aspects of building maintenance practice to identify the main user requirement issues. The areas of study are to justify the objectives of maintenance departments and examine the processes of maintenance reporting and verification and other associated tasks. In this study the applications and contributions of Information Technology (IT) facilities in maintenance practices are reviewed. Finally, the development of user requirements by using the interface design concept is explored. It is envisioned that, in the future, good building maintenance practices will become the norm in Malaysia so that users will extract maximum benefits from their buildings and facilities

PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SAGO BARK BIOCHAR AND ITS POTENTIAL AS PLANT GROWTH MEDIA

Biochar application as a soil amender can alter soil physical properties with its effects on soil aeration, water holding capacity, soil workability and plant growth. Sago biochar (SBB) was produced through carbonization of the sago bark waste in an oxygen free environment. This study aims to improve the morphological characteristics and physicochemical properties of SBB. The SBB was chemically treated using HCl and NaOH. The morphological characteristics of samples were analysed using SEM and BET. Meanwhile, the physicochemical analysis was performed using FTIR, CHN analyser and AAS. The treated sago biochar (TSB) showed the highest surface area (158.82 m2 /g) and can be classified as macropores (53.4 nm). This indicates that the TSB has large pores influencing the cohesiveness of soil particles, water storage, and increase in water holding capacity (97.63%). It also had the highest Ca and Mg (6.67% and 4.37%, respectively) which can assist in the production of chlorophyll in plant. TSB also showed a higher micronutrient concentration (Mn, Cu, and Fe) particularly the Fe concentration (2.00 mg/kg). The findings suggested that TSB could be used to improve soil qualities such as water holding and nutrients content, indicating that it has a good potential as a soil amende

Project practitioners' competency in Malaysian construction industry

The purpose of this study is to investigate which competencies are perceived importance by the project practitioners in order for them to perform accordingly towards achieving project objectives. At the same time, the study also allows the opportunity to evaluate their keenness on self-learning which is important for project practitioners to continuously enhancing their skills. Questionnaires are distributed at one of Malaysian Government Department, which is responsible for the construction of government infrastructure projects in the country. Total of 179 respondents gave their feedbacks during a training, a workshop and talk events. Six (6) types of competencies were measured. The findings indicate that three most important competencies perceived by project practitioners are Behavioral, Technical Generic and Generic competencies. On top of that, feedbacks on self learning elements shows that the project practitioners are agreeable and aware on the importance of learning and are willing to take up their own time to learn by themselves. This study revealed the behavioral competency is the most importance competency perceived by the project practitioners. With this information, the Department could plan the project practitioners’ development programs more effectively and drive the motivation to learn continuously. Effective learning creates skilled human resources who could withstand the competitive environment in the construction industry

Concept of Integration of Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence

Blockchain is a secure, decentralised way to move and store data. Whereas AI is a process which makes use of learning through self and is founded on the examination and identification of patterns in vast volumes of data. It also evaluates and makes judgments based on the study of a lot of data using supervised or unsupervised learning. The foundation of this essay is a conceptual understanding of how blockchain and AI could complement one another or how blockchain might help AI. It indicates that both can eventually be combined for the advantage of both businesses and the people dealing with it. Keywords— Block-chain technology, AI, Pattern Identification, integration, self-learning, blockchain and AI convergence

A Pilot Study of User-requirements for Building Maintenance Systems in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions

Abstract -Worldwide, the investment in building maintenance is huge as it represents almost 50% of the total turnover of construction activities. Building maintenance is also categorised as the commonest function listed in facilities management activities. This pilot study explores the current practice of building maintenance management in higher education institutions in Malaysia. Information gathered from semi-structured interviews focuses on different areas of building maintenance practices. The main issue is to identify the user-requirements. The areas of study are to cover the objectives of maintenance departments, maintenance reporting processes, maintenance verification processes and other associated tasks. In addition, this study also looks into the contributions of Information Technology (IT) facilities to maintenance practices. Based on the findings, there will be differences in the maintenance practices among the four universities; empirically, of the 57 elements studied only 30% were similar. Some strengths and weaknesses in the maintenance practices were identified and ways in which IT facilities could help to improve the situation. In the future it is envisioned that good building maintenance practices would be the norm in Malaysia to maximise the benefits that users could expect from their buildings and facilities. Introduction and background The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) -ratified by the British Standard Institution (BSI) building maintenance code of practice -play a major role in facilities management activities as they help organizations to develop agreed services for buildings which support and improve the effectiveness of their primary activitie