Measuring interaction: An empirical comparison of three OLS regression models

The capacity to correctly assess the existence of interaction is a high-value modeling capability among researchers of information systems (IS), especially those focusing on behavioural paradigm studies. Interaction is a notable aspect for the major theoretical frameworks of the IS field, particularly the adoption theories. Allowing for crossover effects in the Theory of Planned Behaviour resulted in improvements in model prediction (Taylor & Todd, 1995b). This study presents the trimmed model, which does not permit crossover effect relations among variables. In complex models, as mentioned by Pedhazur (1997), one variable may affect another variable indirectly through multiple paths. According to him, it stands to reason that indirect effects, through certain paths, may be more meaningful and/or stronger than others. The findings of this quantitative study lead one to conclude that crossover effect models are more capable of showing the interaction among models’ variables, as well as explaining the highest percentage of variation for a single dependent variable, in comparison to the full and trimmed model

On-line Programming Course Registration System (OPCRS)

Recently, we noted that the students in the College of Arts and Sciences(CAS) in University Utara Malaysia (UUM) are going into specializations that do not require programming skills to avoid the necessity of learning programming languages as they do not have backgrounds in programming languages such as ICT students. In this proposal we propose a prototype using Java server Pages to serve as a mediator between students and the training center which is located in FTM (Computing professional Enrichment & Development Division (CoPEN) Center).The main objective of this prototype is to improve interaction between students and the Center by providing them with the latest information about the center such as; allowing the students to know if there are any new courses they could start in the near future by sending E-mails(electronic mail) from the system to inform the student about these courses. On the other hand, this system could allow the students to register and pay for these courses online which will improve and facilitate the process of registration and payment. Moreover lecturers could use this system to inform students if he is not able to attend a certain class or if he wishes to change the timetable and the lecturers will able to upload files such as PDF, document to his students Online. By using this prototype, it will increase efficient interaction between students and staff

THE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES OF A COMMUNITY’S FOOD PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION WITHIN A SMALL ISLAND ECOSYSTEM (A CASE STUDY AT KARAMPUANG ISLAND IN MAMUJU DISTRICT, WEST SULAWESI, INDONESIA)

Restricted production facilities for fishermen and marginal land ownership have triggerred low living standard for communities on small islands. This negatively impacts on community members’ ability to fulfill household food needs. Therefore, long-term survival requires a pattern of adaptation by the social environment of the community. This study examines and analyzes the strategies of a single community’s food production and consumption within an island ecosystem. Case study research was chosen in order to provide in-depth exploration and description of the adaptation patterns of the community’s food production and consumption on Karampuang Island. The data were collected using in-depth interviews supplemented by focus group discussions and field observations in order to comprehensively explore the social and economic lives of community members. The results indicated that the adaptation strategies of the community’s food production in Karampuang Island included a double livelihood strategy.  Gendered division of labor was found to utilize the optimal potential of household workers: men were responsible to do fishing in the sea and work as wage laborers in Mamuju City while women were responsible for selling the fish to market in Mamuju City market, and worked as laundry women and shopkeepers. The food consumption adaptation strategy among people in Karampuang Island was accomplished by diversifying food between cassava and rice.

An institutional development policy framework for growth in the non-hydrocarbon sectors of Oman : a systems approach

Collective action involving public and private actors (e.g. public institutions, foreign and domestic investors) faces difficulties even in developed economies, let alone in economies that are still developing their institutions. Especially for the latter this lack of collective action in bringing public and private actors together in order to enhance policy making processes for viable and better policymaking performance is paramount. Oman is one such economy which, like many other economies endowed with natural resources, is trying to grow its non-hydrocarbon (non-oil-gas) sectors. Although there is a growing literature concerning the use of systems approaches in enhancing public and private sector governance there is a gap concerning the availability of such approaches in their simultaneous policymaking process; especially in developing economies and Oman in particular.Accordingly, the aim and objectives for this thesis were laid down to develop a methodological framework, based on a systems approach (viz. the viable system model-VSM) that could aid policymaking processes in Oman, respective institutional developments (ID), and ultimately growth in the non-hydrocarbon sectors. Developing in particular the kind of institutions required to foster collective action between the relevant public institution representatives (PIRs), foreign, and domestic investors.To investigate the above empirically 30 face-to-face interviews were held with foreign and domestic investors; whereas two focus groups were held with a 14 government institutional representatives. Their results are used to demonstrate the operation of the aforementioned methodological framework.This thesis is thus making an original and substantial contribution to the body of knowledge concerned with ID, collective public-private action, through the successful use of VSM. Filling thus the aforementioned gap identified in the literature, within the Omani context

The Decentralized Management Status in the Associate Deanships and Its Obstacles from the Point of View of the Administrators at Hail University

This study aimed to reveal the Decentralized Management status of the Associate Deanships and its obstacles from the point of view of the Administrators at Hail University. The Researcher has used the descriptive analytical approach, as well as the questionnaire study tool was applied on (520) Administrators of the Associate Deanships of Hail University. The study result has showed that the majority of the research sample aged between (30 to 40 years) by more than (44%), the study sample has represented the majority of the Departments Directors. The results have showed that nearly (38%) of the research sample already have Academic Qualifications or equivalent. In contrast, (1.2%) of the study sample are postgraduates, while the majority of the research sample has actual experiences of more than (10 to 20 years), the results has also showed that there is a significant positive correlation between the Decentralized Management and academic Qualification and the job title; this means the higher the academic qualification and the job title, the more there is a decentralization in the Management,  however the results did not indicate a statistically significant relationship between the Decentralized Management and both of the age and years of service in the Deanship. The study results has also indicated a tendency of its sample to define the division between the approval and the refusal of the Decentralization of decision-making of the Associate Deanships of Hail University, in regard to the phrases, it is clear that the study sample tendency to the  approval of the Deans and the Directors dependence on the research, the study of the views and the proposals submitted by the subordinates, and on their interest in coordination with the other administrative levels to decision-making, as well as on encouraging the Deans and Directors of their subordinates to take the initiative in decision-making, all of these phrases reflect the decentralization of decision-making at the Associate  Deanships. In contrast, the study sample was tending to the approval to the other terms that reflect the centralization of decision-making; the phrases include the Deans and the Directors attempts to persuade the subordinates to approve the decision they intend to make, and that the decisions are only issued by the Dean or the Department Director, and that the Dean should be asked before taking any action. The study results have also showed the sample approval of the obstacles to the implementation of the Decentralized Management of the Associate Deanships from the point of view of the Administrators at Hail University, where The phrase "the Decentralized Management cause the objective dispersion within the Deanship) was strongly approved, while the phrase (the non-determination of the functional terms) obtained a very poor approval.The most important recommendations concluded by the study are as follows: encouraging the Administrators at universities to contact the Heads directly, leave the matter of the Management to the subordinates, provided that the decisions are to be approved by the Head upon agreement, provide the opportunity for the subordinates to participate in the development of the plans for the Department where they work in, providing an encouraging working environment that contributes to overcoming the obstacles that hinder the Management effectiveness, holding training courses for both sex of Administrators in order to provide them with the Management and decision-making skills that contribute to the development of their confidence, and that decisions are taken from the lower administrative levels may delegate their Authority within the system, and not refer to the Head in the routine administrative works which are not necessary to make a decision, conduct future studies and research on the subject of decentralization and its obstacles in other universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reach results that can be circulated. Keywords: Decentralized Management status, Associate Deanships, Administrators , Hail University

The Impact of Soft Leadership Practices on the Organizational Climate for Creativity at Jordan Customs Department (JCD)

The present study aimed to explore the impact of soft leadership practices on the organizational climate for creativity at Jordan Customs Department (JCD).The examined soft leadership dimensions are: (communication, leadership capacity, development, training, cooperation, reasoning, creative problem solving, planning, team work, and organization). A sample was chosen through using the simple random sampling method. The sample consists from 200 employees who work at Jordan Customs Department (JCD). A questionnaire was developed for collecting the required data. The collected data was analyzed statistically through using the relevant statistical analysis methods. Simple and multiple regression analysis were conducted to analyze the collected data and test the study’s hypotheses. It was found that soft leadership practices have a statistically significant positive impact on the organizational climate for creativity at Jordan Customs Department (JCD).It was also found that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between soft leadership practices and the organizational climate for creativity at Jordan Customs Department (JCD). The researcher recommends raising employees’ flexibility. That shall participate in improving work procedures, and communication methods. It shall also participate in creating an internal environment that promotes creativity and innovation among employees. Keywords: Soft leadership, organizational climate for creativit

Stability and removal of several statins from wastewater using different treatment technologies

Atorvastatin (ATO), Rosuvastatin (RST) and Simvastatin (SIM) are commonly used drugs that belong to the statin family (lowering human blood cholesterol levels) and have been detected as contaminants in natural waters. Stability and removal of statins from wastewater produced at Al-Quds University Campus were investigated. Kinetic studies in pure water (abiotic degradation), in sludge (biodegradability) and in Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) at room temperature were investigated. Heterogeneous photocatalysis using the semi- conductor titanium dioxide (TiO2) has proven to be a promising treatment technology for water purification. The degradation reactions of the three drugs in wastewater at room temperature follow first order kinetics with rate constants of 2.2 x 10-7 s-1(ATO), 1.8 x 10-7s-1 (RST) and 1.8 x 10-6 s-1 (SIM), which are larger than those obtained in pure water under the same conditions, 1.9x 10-8 s-1 (ATO), 2.2x 10-8s-1 (RST) and 6.2 x 10-7 s-1 (SIM). AOPs process was proposed and applied. TiO2, used as catalyst, owns two important properties: high photo-catalytic activity and low cost. Photo-degradation of Atorvastatin was much faster under light irradiation in presence of TiO2 (photocatalysis) (t1/2 = 1.15 hours, 0.704h-1) than under Suntest irradiation (photolysis) (t1/2 = 5.0 hours, 0.165h-1). Degradation products were identified by LC-MS and LC/MS/MS. The overall performance of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) installed in Al-Quds University Campus towards the removal of these drugs was assessed showing that more than 90% of spiked ATO, RST and SIM were removed. In order to evaluate the efficiency of alternative removal methods to replace ultra-filtration membranes, adsorption isotherms for the three statins were investigated using both activated carbon and clay-micelle complex as adsorbents and AOP’s as a post treatment. The batch adsorption isotherms for the three statins were found to fit Langmuir equation, with larger number of adsorption sites and binding affinity for micelle-clay composite compared to activated carbon and filtration experiments of the three statins and their corresponding metabolites demonstrated a more efficient removal by micelle-clay filters

Developing an improvement culture within nonprofit organizations: a grounded theory case of Saudi Arabia

It has been confirmed that organizational culture (OC) has a significant impact on facilitating continuous improvement (CI), although it is not clear yet how this impact can be achieved. On the other hand, nonprofit organizations (NPOs) struggle mainly in sustaining resources and increasing the quality of the services they provide. Nonetheless, NPOs contribute remarkably to economies and civilisation. They deserve research attention, and studies done on CI suggest it to be holistically beneficial. Therefore, this paper has selected Saudi NPOs for their social setting to explore the influence of facilitating CI. The approach of grounded theory has been employed, using qualitative data, to construct a reality based on participant perspectives. The thirty-one interviews that were conducted at thirteen organizations revealed many lower level cultural aspects. These aspects were evolved, during five focus groups, into six higher-level themes. The findings can be used by leaders to create desired change

PROBLEMATICS OF THE POSITION OF NOTARY IN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION

In the development of technology and information, digitalization needs to be carried out to support the duties and positions of a notary. As a way of adaptation, notaries can implement cyber notaries with positive benefits. Cyber Notary is a concept of utilizing technology that can assist notaries in carrying out their duties. Although there are many positive benefits, there are also obstacles to its application in Indonesia. The goal to be achieved in this research is to find out the problems faced by notaries in going digital, in order to find solutions in an effort to support the notary's duties. The method used is a normative juridical method, with an approach to related laws, and a conceptual approach. From the research results obtained, it is concluded that there are statutory constraints that are still contradictory in implementing Cyber Notary if it is implemented, it can lead to legal conflicts for notaries. As a solution, harmonization of applicable laws is needed.In the development of technology and information, digitalization needs to be carried out to support the duties and positions of a notary. As a way of adaptation, notaries can implement cyber notaries with positive benefits. Cyber Notary is a concept of utilizing technology that can assist notaries in carrying out their duties. Although there are many positive benefits, there are also obstacles to its application in Indonesia. The goal to be achieved in this research is to find out the problems faced by notaries in going digital, in order to find solutions in an effort to support the notary's duties. The method used is a normative juridical method, with an approach to related laws, and a conceptual approach. From the research results obtained, it is concluded that there are statutory constraints that are still contradictory in implementing Cyber Notary if it is implemented, it can lead to legal conflicts for notaries. As a solution, harmonization of applicable laws is needed