The Relationship Between Service Quality and Passengers Satisfaction: A Case of Air Asia Passengers

This study is to determine the level of passenger’s satisfaction among Air Asia Passengers and to determine the influence of service quality on passenger’s satisfaction among Air Asia Passengers. A field survey of Air Asia passengers in University Utara Malaysia (UUM) in Kedah was conducted between administration staff, academic staff and students. A total of 60 questionnaires were distributed to Air Asia passengers in UUM through judgment sampling. Mean for passengers’ satisfaction state that passengers of Air Asia tend to be satisfied with the Air Asia services with the mean 4.64. Conversely, regression analysis indicated that ‘Assurance’ and ‘Reliability’ were factors that positive influence towards service quality on passenger’s satisfaction among Air Asia Passengers in UUM. These findings show that Air Asia should give attention on the factors of ‘Assurance’ and ‘Reliability’ in order to retain the passengers. Recommendation for future research was also put forward

Assessing the Adoption of M-commerce in SMEs in the Service Industry of Malaysia

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between performance expectancy, and government support for m-commerce adoption among Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the service industry. The study was quantitative, and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 396 SMEs in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia. The data was analyzed using PLS-SEM, and findings discovered that the proposed model explained 58.4% of the variance in the dependent variable which is considered at a strong level. The findings show that there is a positive significant relationship between performance expectancy, and government support for m-commerce adoption

CSR activities in SMEs: The impact of TPB’s factors to firm’s performance and firm size as moderator

This study employed the TPB to examine factors, intention, behaviour, firm performance and sample size in SMEs to engage in CSR. PLS-SEM was used to analyse the respondents. The findings confirmed to have a significant impact for every factor and the intention, intention and the owner's or manager's behaviour which reflected in the firm's performance. While for CSR activities and corporate performance has been found to be moderate by firm size. The result of this study is one of the few to empirically examine each of the TPB variables in CSR participation, supporting the paradigm proposed by Azjen

An interventional study on the levels of knowledge, attitude and practice on hand washing among the residents of Kampung Stapang I, Sibu from 11th June to 17th August 2012

/ Hand washing practice is one of preventive measures for some common infectious diseases. Thus to promote hand washing among community, level of knowledge and awareness amoog the population should be assessed so that appropriate interventions can be carried out. The objective of this study was to study the knowledge, attitude and practice 00 hand washing among residents of Stapang I aged 18 and above from 11th of June to 17th of August 201iJ The results obtained were then using as the baseline data to conduct an intervention programme beneficial to the community to enhance their level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards hand washing. Data collection was done by face to face interview using interview-based questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 20.0. Results showed that 50% of the respondents had good knowledge and good attitude while 63.3% had good practice towards hand washing. Post-intervention study showed significant improvement in the total score for knowledge and attitude towards hand washing (pO.05). In conclusion, there is a great need for intensive intervention in order to enhance the practice of hand washing among the respondents

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Evaluating corporate social responsibility engagement among small and medium enterprises using the theory of planned behaviour

This study examined the relationship between a firm’s intention, the firm’s CSR activities as well as the outcomes from the CSR activities among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. By referring to the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study not only examined the antecedents, such as participative leadership, risk orientation, stakeholders’ pressure and the firm’s facilitating conditions, of TPB factors (attitude toward behaviour, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control), it also analysed how attitude toward behaviour, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control affected the SME’s intention to engage in CSR causes. Besides that, this study examined the influence of an SME’s CSR intention on its CSR behaviour followed by the influence of the SME’s CSR behaviour on the firm’s performance. Lastly, this study also highlighted the moderating effect of the firm’s size on the relationship between the firm’s CSR behaviour and the firm’s performance. The research involved 1,545 listed SMEs and from which 362 questionnaires were solicited at the end of the data collection period. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was used to analyse the final data which were 301 questionnaires. The results of the analysis not only confirmed that all antecedents had a significant influence on the attitude toward behaviour, subjective norms, and the owner’s or manager’s perceived behavioural control, the three factors were also found to have a significant effect on the owner’s or manager’s intention to engage in CSR activities. The intention to engage in CSR activities was also found to be correlated with the owner’s or manager’s behaviour in performing the CSR activities, which was consequently reflected in the firm’s performance. By demonstrating a positive relationship between a firm’s CSR activities and its performance, this study adds to our understanding of the importance of CSR in SMEs. SMEs are therefore encouraged to focus more on marketplace CSR causes such as responsible marketing, responsible advertising, ethical and environmental standards of suppliers, treating suppliers as partners, as well as respecting and protecting customers to enhance performance. SMEs should also strengthen CSR policies for stakeholders as stakeholder pressure was shown to be important in this study. Other than that, suggestions can be made to policy makers in the Malaysian government to increase SMEs’ engagement in CSR activities by encouraging formalization of their CSR practices or introducing a flexible standard of resources for SMEs participation in CSR activities based on their size

Employee Perception of Information Sharing on Supply Chain Performance

The telecommunication industry holds an immense share in Malaysian economic activities. This study aimed to determine the relationship between information sharing and supply chain performance, as well as whether this relationship is mediated by logistics integration. The study was conducted among 361 respondents from 21 Malaysian telecommunication firms in Malaysia by applying a structural equation modelling with SmartPLS. Findings revealed information sharing associated with supply chain performance. Logistics integration mediated the relationship between information sharing and supply chain performance. The study has implications for practitioners in the decision-making process of supply chain procedures in the telecommunications industry

Analysis of OAM Modes and OFDM Modulation for Outdoor Conditions

Signals transporting orbital angular momentum (OAM) have gained significant interest due to their unique structure and capability for increasing the channel capacity. OAM beams are orthogonal and can be multiplexed to increase link capacity in different scenarios. The collective combination of radio OAM modes and OFDM modulations in outdoor conditions has not been extensively explored. This paper depicts an analysis of multiple OAM modes transmitted as narrowband subcarriers using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation  with outdoor free space optical channel measurements based on OAM modes. OAM-OFDM simulations were conducted to investigate the performance of QPSK, 16QAM, and 64QAM baseband modulation and demodulation mechanisms, with code rates ½ and ¾ respectively.  Four outdoor OAM free space optical channel characteristics parameters were applied. The throughput, bit error rate (BER), and packet error rate (PER) were evaluated. The results show that OAM +4 Mode outperforms other OAM modes in terms of BER and PER.  In terms of the throughput, 64 QAM at code rate ¾ outperforms other coding schemes and code rates, for all OAM modes

Effects of various carbon precursors combination in regulating the molar fraction of P(3HB-co-4HB) using locally isolated Cupriavidus sp. TMT11

The P(3HB-co-4HB) is commonly used for biomedical applications. This is due to the desired mechanical properties as well as biocompatibility, non-genotoxicity, and non-cytotoxicity of this copolymer. However, the production of P(3HB-co-4HB) with a specific 4HB molar fraction is still limited. In this study, carbon precursors at different combinations and concentration ratios have been used in the production of P(3HB-co-4HB) bioplastics using locally isolated Cupriavidus sp. TMT11. The carbon precursors 1,6-hexandiol, 1,4-butanediol, and γ-butyrolactone were used to screen for high cell biomass, PHA content, and 4HB molar fraction through Gas Chromatography (GC) analysis. Generally, the combination of various carbon precursors showed an increase in cell biomass. The carbon combination of 1,4-butanediol and γ-butyrolactone at the ratio of 4:2 and carbon combination of 1,6-hexanediol and γ-butyrolactone at a ratio of 1:5 showed high amount of cell biomass above 0.35 g/L on day 3. Nevertheless, the 4HB molar fraction of both the combination was recorded as 9±0.27 mol% and 14±1.1 mol% respectively. The lowest amount of cell biomass and PHA yield were recorded with the carbon combination of 1,6-hexanediol and 1,4-butanediol with the ratio 5:1 at 0.55±0.13 g/L. However, the highest 4HB molar fraction of 89.37±3.6 mol% 4HB was recorded with this combination. The 4HB molar fraction above 80 mol% was reported with a carbon combination of 1,6-hexanediol +1,4-butanediol at 5:1, 1:1, and 2:4 ratio. The varying combination of carbon precursors biosynthesized a wide range of 4HB molar fractions ranging from 9.07 to 89.37 mol% 4HB