Adaptive course sequencing for personalization of learning path using neural network

Advancements in technology have led to a paradigm shift fromtraditional to personalized learning methods with varied implementationstrategies. Presenting an optimal personalized learning path in aneducational hypermedia system is one of the strategies that is important inorder to increase the effectiveness of a learning session for each student.However, this task requires much effort and cost particularly in definingrules for the adaptation of learning materials. This research focuses onthe adaptive course sequencing method that uses soft computingtechniques as an alternative to a rule-based adaptation for an adaptivelearning system. The ability of soft computing technique in handlinguncertainty and incompleteness of a problem is exploited in the study. Inthis paper we present recent work concerning concept-based classificationof learning object using artificial neural network (ANN). Self OrganizingMap (SOM) and Back Propagation (BP) algorithm were employed todiscover the connection between the domain concepts contained in thelearning object and the learner’s learning need. The experiment resultshows that this approach is assuring in determining a suitable learningobject for a particular student in an adaptive and dynamic learning environment

Green Awareness Effects On Consumers' Purchasing Decision: Some Insights From Malaysia

Consumers' awareness on products marketed in green marketing is important in guiding their purchasing decision of green products. This study aims to examine the influence of consumers' environmental concerns, awareness of green product, price and brand image on their purchasing decision of green products. A total of 200 completed responses were collected in the survey. Responses were randomly drawn from students in a public university in the Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia. Their participation was purely voluntary

Examining the correlations of hotel service quality with tourists satisfaction

This study aims to examine the correlation of hotel service quality (i.e. assurance, reliability, responsiveness, tangibles and empathy) with tourists’ satisfaction. Results via correlation analysis, among 200 respondents who have already experienced the tourism product and services in Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia revealed that service quality is significantly correlated with empathy, reliability, responsiveness and tangibles. The first served as the best predictor of tourists satisfaction followed by the latter. The findings imply the need for hotel providers to strategically leverage on these factors in its pursuit of tourists satisfaction. Direction for future study of study is also mentioned

Gender, age, and education: do they really moderate online music acceptance?

The objective of this paper is to investigate whether gender, age, and education really moderate online music acceptance of early adopters. An empirical survey was used to test the hypotheses. Data were collected from a total of 200 questionnaires distributed to early adopters of online music and were analysed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via the Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS 16) computer program. Results enumerates that younger people (younger than 25 years), male and higher educated were more strongly affected by Perceived Playfulness and Perceived Ease of Use towards online music. This study helps practitioners to extend online music market with greater understanding about early adopters’ willingness to involve in online music purchase. The paper rounds off with conclusions and an agenda for future research in this area

Female fashion shoppers responses towards the mall atmosphere

The mall environment is central to the perception of merchandise quality, and the place where respondents gain their shopping experience. This study aims to examine the response of female fashion shoppers towards the mall atmosphere. A total of 100 female students conveniently sampled at a higher learning institution in Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia, served as the sample. Results from regression analysis revealed that the mall atmospherics positively influence hedonic shopping value and approach behaviour among all female shopper fashion clusters. It seems that fashion forward shoppers are not responding any better than female shoppers on the low end of the fashion spectrum. This study produced evidence suggesting that store environment triggers affective reactions in customers. The paper rounds off with conclusions and an agenda for future research in this area

Cellular phone users’ experiences towards online shopping

This study aims to examine cellular phone users’ motivating factors towards online shopping. 100 university students located in Klang Valley, Malaysia were involved as the respondents. They were required to complete a set of questionnaire and had to own a cellular phone in order to be selected as sample in this study. Three from five proposed hypotheses were supported: purchasing information, shopping utilities and service quality. As a result, marketers and retailers should concentrate more on the less important factors in order to encourage and create willingness of the consumers to purchase online. Recommendation for future research is also presented

Customer satisfaction in the context of the use of viral marketing in social media

Businesses could sustain their market presence at traditional brick and mortar or through the Internet by facilitating and encouraging the public to pass along a marketing message known as viral marketing. Nonetheless, it should be conducted in ethical manner to disseminate credible and trusted message content among both parties. This study aims to analyse the influence of some pre-defined factors (namely, playfulness, critical mass, community driven, and peer pressure) in customer satisfaction in the context of the use of viral marketing in social media. For this purpose, 200 respondents were randomly drawn from among students at a public university in the Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia. A questionnaire was implemented and the results were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that critical mass stood out as the most the important predictor of customer satisfaction with viral marketing via SNS, followed by playfulness. Meanwhile, social network website with high level of critical mass has more influence on potential users to believe and participate in viral marketing activity. Conclusion and recommendations for future study are also discussed

Dissatisfaction Attributions and Complaining Behavior Of Public Library Users

This study investigates the dissatisfaction attributions and complaining behavior of public library users. This paper analyses a survey of ninety-nine randomly selected public library users in the Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia. Data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The survey revealed that public library users in the Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia, who believe that service failure is due to the negligence of library staff and perceive the service of the library to be free, are more likely to complain to a third party. Loyal users also prefer to complain to a third party about their dissatisfaction. Some users complain directly to the personnel or person in charge of the department or chief librarian at the time of dissatisfaction. Users’ complaints can be a powerful resource for the library management to use in making strategic and tactical decisions that could prevent them from switching services or performing actions such as abandoning the library and no longer using library services

Subscribers’ intention towards using 3G mobile services

3G mobile network offers higher data rates than the previous generation networks (1G and 2G). The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing subscribers’ intention towards using 3G mobile services with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the guiding principle. Cross sectional data were collected through a survey and analyzed by means of factor analysis, correlation and regression analysis. Out of 150 questionnaires, only 100 were usable. Findings show that Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use and Attitude are jointly responsible in determining the subscribers’ intention to use of 3G mobile services. Perceived Usefulness was found as a key factor influences subscribers’ intention to use 3G mobile services. In addition, implications and direction for future research are discussed

Steady State Simulation of a Delayed Coker Unit

Delayed coking is a form of thermal cracking used for processing "bottom of barrel" residuum. Thermal cracking produces a wide range of hydrocarbons along with coke. Products of the coking process include sour fuel gas, sour liquefied petroleum gas (distillate), naphtha, light coker gas oil (HCGO), and heavy coker gas oil (FZGO). Steady state simulation of a delayed coker unit is the main aim of this project. It is also to study on hypothetical components of each component in the coker residue mixture. Besides that, this project is to explore the iCON simulator since iCON is a new simulator by using refinery oil. Features in iCON will be explored as the fractionator unit is being modeled. The delayed coker unit is a thermal reaction which involves large number of heat and very complex reaction. This project also studied the behavior of the hypothetical components with distillation process