The effect of board of directors and audit committee characteristics on firm performance : evidence from Malaysia

Corporate governance issues are under the attention of the researchers for over three decades due to the increasing global economic crisis. Hence, this study attempts to contribute towards literature by investigating relationships of corporate governance and firm performance in Malaysia as a developing country. In particular, the study investigates the relationship between the board of director’s characteristics and the audit committee characteristics and the performance of non-financial listed companies (excluding financial companies) in Malaysia for the two years (2014 and 2015). The model of this study is theoretically based on the agency theory. To examine the conceptual model, the required data were gathered from the annual reports of top 100 non-financial listed firms in Malaysia. In analyzing the data, this study utilized the liner multiple regression by taking the sample of 100 companies with 200 observations in order analyze the relationship between board of director’s characteristics and the audit committee characteristics and the performance (ROA and Tobin`s Q). Moreover, this study used firm size and leverage as control variables. Based on the liner multiple regression results that was used to examine the effect of the predictors of the firm performance measured by Return on Assets (ROA) and Tobin-Q. The statistical results showed that board size and foreigner board members were a positive determinant of Tobin-Q. While, the government link of board members was negative determinants of Tobin-Q. On the other hand, the government liking of the board and the audit committee meeting were negative predictors of ROA. While, the board size was a positive predictor of ROA. Besides providing suggestions for future research directions, this study also provides several recommendations for regulators, companies, stakeholders and in particular, the shareholders

Influence of supervisor, self-efficacy, learning style and intention to transfer training effectiveness among universities in Saudi Arabia

The role of training for the improvement of employees' skills and knowledge has long been acknowledged. Employees who are exposed to effective training generally possess the technical knowledge, skills and attitudes to carry out their tasks. In Saudi Arabia, the government has been investing generously in training so as to enhance the employees‘ knowledge and skills. However, the present human capital, particularly in the tertiary institutions, falls way below expectations. The theoretical framework of this study was developed based on past research and the underpinning theory of planned behavior and social learning. This study examined the direct and indirect relationship between self-efficacy, learning style and supervisor support on intention to transfer training and training effectiveness among the managerial staff of the universities in Saudi Arabia. A total of 364 managerial staff representing six public universities in Saudi Arabia participated in the study by completing the survey questionnaire. The Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) approach was utilized to test the hypotheses. The results for the direct relationships between the independent variables (self-efficacy, learning style, supervisor support) and the dependent variable (training effectiveness) show that only learning style directly influences training effectiveness. At the same time, it was found that all the independent variables significantly influence the mediator, that is, intention to transfer training. Regarding the indirect relations between the independent variables and the dependent variable when the mediating variable was incorporated into the relationship, it was found that intention to transfer training partially mediated the relationship between learning style and training effectiveness but not self-efficacy and supervisor support. The theoretical contributions, policy implications, limitations of the study and suggestions for future research were discussed as well

Design And Analysis Of Single Balanced Diode Mixer For UWB Applications

In wireless communication systems,the development of ultra-wideband (UWB) Radio Frequency (RF) front-end sub-components (e.g. amplifiers,filters,switches,antennas and mixers) are highly desired,and they were developed to support several RF front-end systems.The main function of the RF mixer is frequency conversion,where the low conversion loss is one of the key parameters in RF mixer design.Mixer also act as critical components in modern RF and Microwave systems.The unique of the mixer is it can convert RF power from one frequency into another frequency.There are various forms of RF mixer designs which can be used to obtain a good conversion loss and good isolation where these mixer designs have trade off in performance and complexity.Hence,this research proposes an UWB Single Balanced Schottky diode mixer design using Coupled Line and Branch Line baluns for applications of ultra-wideband in 3 to 10 GHz frequency range.Basically,an UWB Single Balanced Schottky diode mixer was designed using two different baluns (Coupled Line and Branch Line).The usage of these two baluns aims to improve the bandwidth and producing a good performance in simple and inexpensive way.The used baluns are determined using a simple mathematical model where it can be combined from different multi sections of Coupled Line and Branch Line to achieve the desired bandwidth.The key advantage of the proposed UWB Single Balanced diode mixer with Coupled Line and Branch Line baluns is a wider bandwidth with low conversion loss and high isolation. Besides,low cost and small size as these mixers was designed in microstrip transmission line.As a result,the simulated and measured results showed conversion loss less than 19 dB and isolation of 50 dB over the frequencies between 3 to 10 GHz.Despite low conversion loss and high isolation performance, the proposed Single Balanced diode mixer (with Coupled Line and Branch Line baluns) used only two Schottky diodes compared to Double Balanced diode mixer to achieve good performance over UWB applications

[DESIGN INDEPENDENCE A COMPLEMENTARY PRINCIPLE IN THE DESIGN OF INTERIOR SPACES OF MALAYSIAN MOSQUE CASE STUDY] الاستقلالية التصميمية مبدأ تكميلي في تصاميم الفضاءات الداخلية للمساجد الماليزية دراسة حالة

The interior design of Malaysian Islamic mosques is a vivid example of further innovation and innovation based on design creativity in design relationships.As a result of the interaction of this level, the design process shows a clear independence as a result of the interaction of the subjective capabilities factor of the interior designer based on the study of the specificity of the objective capabilities that govern the processes of drafting innovative decorative arts.Therefore, it was necessary to study this issue by identifying the research problem, which is summarized by: showing the features of design independence as a complementary principle in the designs of the interior spaces of Malaysian mosques,While the aim of the research focuses on identifying the features of design independence that are adopted as a complementary principle in the designs of the interior spaces of Malaysian mosques,While the importance of research is evident in presenting a clear picture of the concept of design independence, as it represents the theoretical base that can be used in practical application in designs of interior spaces for the chapel of the Malaysian Islamic mosques,The research study also includes both (research limits, theoretical framework, as well as research procedures based on the descriptive analytical approach (content analysis - case study)) leading to the results of the research study, which was among the most important: 1- Design configurations of all kinds and design configurations emerged within the designs of the internal determinants, based on the study of the interior designer, to the aesthetic independence of the division of space and size as a complementary principle within the internal determinants of the mosque of the two mosques. 2- The relationship of the principle of the independence of convergence as a complementary principle contributed to determining the distances between shapes, which can be perceived as a unified whole, through the distribution of units and shapes within a consecutive visual design system. While the most important recommendations emerged through the necessity of studying the choice of levels of internal determinants of the chapel of the Malaysian Islamic mosques.With the demonstration of the expressive characteristic of civilization development through design recruitment of appropriate vocabulary and design units with a careful selection of modern materials and materials in line with the innovative design path to achieve the requirements of design independence within the chapel of the Malaysian Islamic mosques

Economic and Social Impact of Globalisation of the Developing Countries

The objectives of the study are set to guide the investigation process and sharpen the focus on the problem. To develop the research, a method would be used to carry out the study focusing on the globalisation and the problem of poverty. In this connection, a simple model using Human Development Indexes will be used to highlight the case studies of Egypt and Jordan. This method will reflect the inter-relationship between development and growth. Indicators of Human poverty including variables such as percentage of adult illiteracy rate, life expectancy, external debt services payments and external trade are used. Following this chapter the second chapter reviews the literature relevant to the area of the study. The beginning of this chapter highlights the different views on globalisation. The chapter also investigates the relationship between globalisation and development. Though the chapter introduces the literature from a general perspective view, taking example from the scenes of world development, the sharp focus on the problem comes with the literature reviewing economic problems of developing countries. The third chapter focuses on the methodology and models. This chapter highlights the relationship between globalisation, development and poverty through variables that have strong effect on development and poverty reduction such as income growth, development and poverty. Chapter four will focus on the present and expected image of poverty in the era of globalisation. This will enable the author to review the state of poverty in the world with closer focus on the developing countries. Finally, the last chapter will focus on the Arab countries as part of the developing world in general and cases of Egypt and Jordan in particular. Then, will draw conclusion and lessons learned and suggest some recommendations for the developing countries with emphasis on Arab countries, wherever it is necessary, in finding ways to deal with such situation

Biomarcadores salivales de estrés en pacientes psicológicos en tratamiento con fluoxetina

Tesis inédita de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Farmacia, Departamento de Farmacología, leída el 07-06-2017In the last recent decades, stress has become an inevitable part plaguing the daily lives. Psychological stress has a negative impact over physical, mental and social well-being of a person. It has been suggested to play an important role in causation or precipitation of multitude of medical and dental problems ranging from serious heart diseases, cancers, gastrointestinal diseases, to common headaches, migraine, recurrent oral ulcerations, burning and dry mouth. In order to better understand the role of stress, valid and reliable measurement of stress is of utmost importance. Since, most of methods used for the diagnosis of stress are questionnaires form (subjective methods) which depend on person and there is many inter individual variation between subjects, thus there is increased need of biological stress markers to provide an objective, reliable and authentic evidence of stress. Self-reporting subjective questionnaire forms in stress evaluation and as psychological diagnostic mean provide highly inconsistent results according to patient’s mood and attitude. And this is because many individuals suffering from stress related problems have a tendency to either negate or exaggerate the real condition; which may lead to a deviation in the study and discompose the results. Thus there is a high need for studying the changes caused by stress in the human body to evaluate the usefulness of the bio physiological indicators or biomarkers to provide a reliable objective evaluation and assessment of a stress and psychologically related conditions. Salivary biomarkers are one of most widely researched area of interest because it might to provide a reliable, noninvasive and objective measurements of the response of the body, also because of easy and rapid collection of samples compared to the blood and urine samples thereby increasing the patient compliance. Many biomarkers have been used in determination of stress such as cortisol levels, immunoglobulins, cardiovascular parameters. Studies showed there is an evidence of sensitivity of SAA levels in response to different stressful conditions, physically and psychologically...En las últimas décadas, el estrés se ha convertido en un problema, en cierta forma inevitable, que afecta de forma negativa a la vida cotidiana. El estrés psicológico tiene un impacto negativo sobre el bienestar físico, mental y social de una persona. Se ha sugerido que puede desempeñar un papel importante en la causalidad o precipitación de multitud de problemas médicos y odontológicos que van desde graves enfermedades del corazón, cáncer, enfermedades gastrointestinales, dolores de cabeza, migrañas, ulceraciones orales recurrentes, sequedad de boca, etc. Para entender mejor el papel del estrés en la vida de los ciudadanos y proceder a su control, es necesario disponer de métodos de medida fiables y objetivos. En la actualidad, la mayoría de los métodos de diagnóstico psicológicos utilizados consisten en cuestionarios, que por lo general recogen la percepción de los síntomas del estrés por el propio paciente. Por tanto, al tratarse de una evaluación subjetiva, proporcionan resultados muy inconsistentes, ya que los datos obtenidos dependen del estado de ánimo y la actitud de los propios pacientes. Son numerosas las personas con estrés que tienen tendencia a negar o exagerar su condición real, lo que puede conducir a una desviación en el estudio y a un error en los resultados obtenidos. Parece clara por tanto la necesidad de encontrar indicadores biofisiológicos o biormarcadores que sean fiables, representativos y objetivos de los cambios ocurridos en el organismo como consecuencia del estado de estrés y que permitan además el seguimiento de su tratamiento. Entre ellos, los biomarcadores salivales han sido ampliamente investigados al consistir en una medida no invasiva y sencilla, que permite una fácil recogida de muestras, si se compara con otras como la de sangre u orina. Su facilidad contribuye de manera decisiva al cumplimiento por parte de los pacientes...Depto. de Farmacología, Farmacognosia y BotánicaFac. de FarmaciaTRUEunpu

Assessment of Job Satisfaction among Faculty Members and its Relationship With Some Variables in Najran University

It is vital that colleges and universities monitor the satisfaction levels of their employees to secure high levels of their performance. The current study aimed to identify the impact of some variables (gender, Teaching experience and college type)on assessing the level of job satisfaction among faculty of Najran University. A survey was conducted in this study by a 23-item questionnaire, distributed to (262) male and female faculty members from various colleges. The questionnaire items distributed to four domains: Academic environment, salaries and financial support, psychological and social aspects, and interpersonal communication. The results showed a moderate degree of job satisfaction in general, and there are statistically significant differences due to (gender, teaching experience and college type), where the differences in favor of males, scientific colleges and more experienced. Keywords: job satisfaction, assessment, faculty and Najran Universit

Enhancing Clinical Learning Through an Innovative Instructor Application for ECMO Patient Simulators

© 2018 The Authors. Reprinted by permission of SAGE PublicationsBackground. Simulation-based learning (SBL) employs the synergy between technology and people to immerse learners in highly-realistic situations in order to achieve quality clinical education. Due to the ever-increasing popularity of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) SBL, there is a pressing need for a proper technological infrastructure that enables high-fidelity simulation to better train ECMO specialists to deal with related emergencies. In this article, we tackle the control aspect of the infrastructure by presenting and evaluating an innovative cloud-based instructor, simulator controller, and simulation operations specialist application that enables real-time remote control of fullscale immersive ECMO simulation experiences for ECMO specialists as well as creating custom simulation scenarios for standardized training of individual healthcare professionals or clinical teams. Aim. This article evaluates the intuitiveness, responsiveness, and convenience of the ECMO instructor application as a viable ECMO simulator control interface. Method. A questionnaire-based usability study was conducted following institutional ethical approval. Nineteen ECMO practitioners were given a live demonstration of the instructor application in the context of an ECMO simulator demonstration during which they also had the opportunity to interact with it. Participants then filled in a questionnaire to evaluate the ECMO instructor application as per intuitiveness, responsiveness, and convenience. Results. The collected feedback data confirmed that the presented application has an intuitive, responsive, and convenient ECMO simulator control interface. Conclusion. The present study provided evidence signifying that the ECMO instructor application is a viable ECMO simulator control interface. Next steps will comprise a pilot study evaluating the educational efficacy of the instructor application in the clinical context with further technical enhancements as per participants’ feedback.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio