Word-forest Visualization of Discussed Topics in Social Media Comments

It becomes a norm for many organizations to use social network as a platform for internal and external communication means. Due to its extensive usage, most large organizations recognize the importance of capturing disseminated information across the social networks for the benefit of their internal perusal. However, managing and keeping track of all the information which are hidden in the piles of comments are hard to deal with. This paper presents a system that can extract, analyze and visualize information from the comments. As for the case study, Facebook is chosen due to its ability to allow people to comment freely and repetitively. The comments were extracted from selected post in Facebook using its API. The relationship between the words inside the comments will then be determined by using relationship table. Then, a visualization technique, word-forest, is used to visualize the relation between the prepared table. The prototype is tested by using selected posts in specific Facebook accounts. The result shows that users can quickly get overviews on the topics that have been discussed without having to go through all the comments on the Facebook. The system has great potential to be further explored as one of the means to get internal and external workers or public perception unobtrusively at real-time and real-life setting

Assessment of Risk Using Financial Ratios in Non-Profit Organisations

Financial ratios have been widely used and regarded as a useful tool in predicting business failure, detecting fraud and evaluating performance. In the current study, financial ratios are used to assess risk of financial vulnerability. This study examines to what extent Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) are exposed to risk of financial vulnerability. This study extends the work by Tuckman and Chang (1991) who developed financial vulnerability prediction model by using financial ratios as four financial indicators of financial vulnerability- Administrative cost ratio, Debt ratio, Revenue Concentration Index and Surplus margin. To provide a more meaningful investigation, the current study uses eight financial indicators -Debt ratio, Cash ratio, Revenue concentration index, Reliance ration ratio, Administrative ratio, Management cost rate ratio, Net Operating Margin and Primary Reserve Ratio. The financial data to compute the ratios were derived from annual reports of 134 NPOs registered under Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) for the financial period of 2011. This study finds that 14% of the samples NPOs are classified under high risk of financial vulnerability. Majority of NPOs (69%) are at moderate risk. The study indicates that NPOs are at risk because their revenues are not well diversified, revenues earned are highly depending on the major source of income, low administrative cost, and do not have any surpluses during financial shock. Overall, this financial vulnerability model provide useful device for NPOs to assess their level of risk and the regulators to enhance their monitoring system. Keywords: assessment of risk, financial ratios, financial vulnerability, non-profit organisation

Exploring Risk Management Disclosure Practices In Non Profit Organisations In Malaysia

This study examines the extent of risk disclosure of NPOs in Malaysia. The level of risk disclosure examined is based on six main risks; organizational risk, operational risk, compliance risk, financial risk, reputation risk and money laundering risk. The extent of risk disclosures are examined based on content analysis of annual reports of 50 NPOs registered under Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) as Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLBG) that had been chosen randomly for the financial period of 2011. The result of this study found that most of the organisations are more motivated to disclose financial item in order to comply with mandatory requirements of the financial reporting requirements and other regulatory requirements in Malaysia. However, there are lower incentives for voluntary disclosures under governance, operational, compliance, reputation and money laundering risks. Overall, the statistical results from six variables had indicated that there is lack of risk disclosure item reported in the annual report and it will increased the likelihood of risks that may harm the organisations. This study provides a significant feedback to NPOs in Malaysia to analyse the level of risk they exposed to as well as to formulate the best strategy in tightening their risk management as an early prevention to the likelihood of fraud occurrences. Besides, this study can help to facilitate the regulatory body such as CCM in formulating new requirements, policies, procedures, and guidelines and also to facilitate them in revising and strengthening the existing regulation for organisation to establish NPO and law enforcement in deterring fraudulent activities. Keywords:  Non-profit organisations, Unique Risks, Organizational Risk, Operational Risk, Compliance Risk, Financial Risk, Reputation Risk, Money Laundering Ris

Alternative fuel from vegetable oils and animal fats

This study investigated the properties of processing vegetable and animal fat to be used as alternative fuel. The vegetable oil processing industry comprises the abstraction and treating of oils and fats from vegetable sources. Vegetable oils and fats are principally used for human consumption but are also used in animal feed, for medicinal purposes, and certain technical applications. In contrast triglycerides, vegetable waxes lack glycerin in their structure. Although many plant parts may yield oil, in commercial practice, oil is extracted primarily from seeds, for many developing countries, the concept of employing vegetable oils as sources for diesel fuels can be attractive. Often the culture of the appropriate plant is well established, the oil extraction well developed, and handling and storage well defined. Yields per hectare of tropical crops such as palm and coconut oils far exceed the yields of vegetable oils in temperate zones. Also, the production of most tropical vegetable oils has positive energy. A rendering process is performed to remove excess fat from animal carcasses and then turned into oil. Thus, to obtain refined oil, there is process from crude palm oil that involves removal of the products of hydrolysis and oxidation or abstraction process of oil from the palm kernels. After refining, the oil may be split (fractionated) into liquid and solid phases by thermo-mechanical means such as controlled cooling, crystallization, and filtering, the later oil is competing successfully with the more expensive groundnut, corn, and sunflower oils

The Level of Absorptive Capacity among Contractors in Technology Transfer Project: Electrical Train Service (ETS), Malaysia

In a global competitive environment, technical changes are rapid, volatile and very complex. Nowadays, technology is labelled as a weapon towards organization for performance and productivity, which made absorptive capacity (ACAP) an important aspect. Absorptive capacity refers to an organization’s ability to recognize, capture, assimilate, transform and exploit the new technology within the organization. In order, to allow technology transfer to be successful, the organization is required to have a strong ACAP. However, a previous study has outlined that the level of ACAP in the construction industry is relatively low and this has made the technology transfer process in the industry very challenging. Thus, this research aims to explore the ACAP level and technology transfer activities in a construction project. The objectives of this paper are to identify the factors that enhance ACAP in the technology transfer process, to measure the level of ACAP in the technology transfer process and to identify a suitable suggestion in order to improve ACAP in the technology transfer process. 35 contractors from the electric double track (ETS) project, in Segamat have been involved, with a 35% of respond rate. The contractors from the ETS project have been chosen as the project is known as a mega project and has involved various foreign technology and experts, which allow technology transfer to happen actively. Questionnaires are used as the research instrument and descriptive data analysis is conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The findings show that the organizational factors contribute a significant influence towards ACAP in the technology transfer process. The ACAP level that is experienced by the respondents contribute towards good work performance, while the communication and skills aspect are to increase the level of ACAP in the technology transfer process. Based on the findings of this study, the organizations, contractors, academics, and others need to alert and view one of these issue as an important problem and to establish further cooperation in maintaining the level of absorptive capacity of new technology in the process of technology transfer in order to achieve optimal levels over  a period of time

The Level of Absorptive Capacity among Contractors in Technology Transfer Project: Electrical Train Service (ETS), Malaysia

In a global competitive environment, technical changes are rapid, volatile and very complex. Nowadays, technology is labelled as a weapon towards organization for performance and productivity, which made absorptive capacity (ACAP) an important aspect. Absorptive capacity refers to an organization’s ability to recognize, capture, assimilate, transform and exploit the new technology within the organization. In order, to allow technology transfer to be successful, the organization is required to have a strong ACAP. However, a previous study has outlined that the level of ACAP in the construction industry is relatively low and this has made the technology transfer process in the industry very challenging. Thus, this research aims to explore the ACAP level and technology transfer activities in a construction project. The objectives of this paper are to identify the factors that enhance ACAP in the technology transfer process, to measure the level of ACAP in the technology transfer process and to identify a suitable suggestion in order to improve ACAP in the technology transfer process. 35 contractors from the electric double track (ETS) project, in Segamat have been involved, with a 35% of respond rate. The contractors from the ETS project have been chosen as the project is known as a mega project and has involved various foreign technology and experts, which allow technology transfer to happen actively. Questionnaires are used as the research instrument and descriptive data analysis is conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The findings show that the organizational factors contribute a significant influence towards ACAP in the technology transfer process. The ACAP level that is experienced by the respondents contribute towards good work performance, while the communication and skills aspect are to increase the level of ACAP in the technology transfer process. Based on the findings of this study, the organizations, contractors, academics, and others need to alert and view one of these issue as an important problem and to establish further cooperation in maintaining the level of absorptive capacity of new technology in the process of technology transfer in order to achieve optimal levels over  a period of time

Financial Vulnerability, Risk Management and Accountability of Non-Profit Organisations

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between financial vulnerability and accountability of non-profit organizations in Malaysia. Managing the risks associated with financial vulnerability can potentially enhance organizational ability in delivering its social objective and other accountability responsibilities. Information on financial vulnerability and accountability are obtained from the content analysis of annual reports of 130 societies registered with Companies Commission of Malaysia for the financial period 2011. Financial vulnerability indicators are efficiency, stability, solvency and margin while the extent of accountability is based on strategic accountability, fiduciary accountability, financial accountability, procedural accountability and best practice accountability. Results of this study revealed two important findings. First, the financial vulnerability indicators indicate that most NPOs in the sample are financially vulnerable. This in turn reduces their resources in fulfilling the various accountability responsibilities. Second, the only significant relationship between financial vulnerability measure, STABILITY and the extent of accountability indicate that the financial vulnerability model can be used by board members and management of NPOs in their decision making. Overall, findings in this study indicate that this model can be a useful tool that can facilitate screening, monitoring, and decision making processes for various stakeholders. Keywords: Financial Vulnerability, Risk Management, Accountability, Non-profit organisations

Development of a microcontroller-based gas detection system using wireless sensor network

The development of the equipment and our daily life is the major failures to protect the environment against pollution. Consequently, the ecological contamination control and monitoring systems become a major issue. The liquefied petroleum (LPG) and its leakage in large amounts cause explosive accidents. Therefore, gas leakage detection and alerting are of prime importance. Gas leakage detection and alert systems are of extreme importance in homes, industries, automobiles, etc. Besides, the survivability of human life and its effects relies upon the early discovery of gas leakage. Therefore, in the area of wireless sensor networks and earlier gas detection (alert system) is imperative. The monitoring, reorganization, and controlling of the data are the key concern of Wireless Sensor Network

Validation and Optimal Cut-Off Scores of the Bahasa Malaysia Version of the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA-BM) for mild cognitive impairment among community dwelling older adults in Malaysia

The goal of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA-BM) and to determine its optimal cut-off score among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), after adjustments for age, gender, levels of education, physical functioning and depressive symptoms. A total of 2237 community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above were randomly selected for the study, excluding those with MMSE score below 14. Instruments administered were the MoCA-BM, the Malay Mini-Mental State Examination (MMMSE), the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), the Digit Span and the Digit Symbol subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), activities of daily living (ADL) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). MCI were determined using the Petersen’s 2014 criteria as the gold standard. SPSS version 22 was used for reliability and validity analysis and optimal cut-off score detection. Cronbach’s α of the MoCA-BM was 0.691 and concurrent validity was high between MoCA-BM and MMMSE scores (r=0.741). Optimal cut-off point for MoCA-BM to detect MCI among older adults in Malaysia was 17/18, with sensitivity of 68.2% and specificity of 61.3%. Using this cut-off, 38.9% of participants were detected to be at risk of MCI. In conclusion, MoCA-BM is a reliable and valid screening instrument for MCI among Malaysian elderly community. The newly derived optimal cut-off for MCI is much lower than the original MoCA with modest ability to discriminate between normal and MCI older adults in the community