Cross cultural perspectives of decision-making and control in multinational corporations operating in ASEAN

Kajian ini membincangkan isu-isu persekitaran budaya negara ASEAN dan cabaran-cabarannya terhadap pengurus-pengurus korporat multi-nasional. Kajian ini melaporkan penemuan terhadap corak membuat keputusan, kawalan dan pengurusan budaya serta aspek gelagat. Walaupun penemuan ini mempunyai persamaan dengan kajian lain, namun terdapat perbezaan dalam corak membuat keputusan, kawalan dan pengurusan budaya serta aspek gelagat

Factors Impeding Online Shopping: An Arab World Perspective

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that impede online shopping in the Arab region. This region has witnessed a fast growth in internet usage and offers a lot of potential for online retailing. The study is conducted in Saudi Arabia, which is the largest market in the Arab region. This study investigates the barriers to online shopping in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Empirical research is used to determine the difference in the barriers to online shopping by the shoppers and non-shoppers. Results based on a survey indicate that the major factors that impede online shopping are digital concerns, financial security concerns and online store barriers.  Non-shoppers express more profound concerns than online shoppers. The paper discusses the implications of these and makes recommendations. The study provides valuable insights into online shopping in Saudi Arabia that has not been previously investigated. From a practical point, findings of this study will be particularly useful to online retailers, shoppers, financial institutions and telecommunication service providers

Factors Impeding Online Shopping: An Arab World Perspective

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that impede online shopping in the Arab region. This region has witnessed a fast growth in internet usage and offers a lot of potential for online retailing. The study is conducted in Saudi Arabia, which is the largest market in the Arab region. This study investigates the barriers to online shopping in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Empirical research is used to determine the difference in the barriers to online shopping by the shoppers and non-shoppers. Results based on a survey indicate that the major factors that impede online shopping are digital concerns, financial security concerns and online store barriers.  Non-shoppers express more profound concerns than online shoppers. The paper discusses the implications of these and makes recommendations. The study provides valuable insights into online shopping in Saudi Arabia that has not been previously investigated. From a practical point, findings of this study will be particularly useful to online retailers, shoppers, financial institutions and telecommunication service providers

Gender differences in mall shopping: a study of shopping behaviour of an emerging nation

Fast developments in the food retailing industry have led to growth of shopping malls, particularly in the large cities of Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this study is to compare men and women for differences in mall shopping. Using empirical research, this paper examines differences between the genders associated with mall patronage. Based on a survey of 513 shoppers across Saudi Arabia, the study finds significant differences in shopping behaviour. The paper discusses the findings and makes recommendations to mall operators

Outsourcing the information technology function: Perspectives from employees

The purpose of this paper is to investigate human aspects of outsourcing and its impact on employees and organizational performance. This study is based on a questionnaire survey conducted in Saudi Arabia. Based on an extensive review of literature, the paper uses empirical research to analyse employees’ attitude towards outsourcing. Results based on the analysis of data from 178 firms in Saudi Arabia indicate that employees largely perceive outsourcing as a positive development. Limitations of this paper relate to the relatively small size of the sample. Findings have several practical implications for small start-up firms and even larger firms that are deciding to outsource IT function in the Arabian Gulf region. The results provide managers with evidence supporting the benefits of IT outsourcing. This paper makes a valuable contribution given the fact that there are only a limited number of comprehensive studies dealing with the assessment of employees’ attitude towards outsourcing IT functions. Most previous studies have looked into business aspects of outsourcing in IT function

Cloud Computing Adoption: A Mapping Of Service Delivery And Deployment Models

The recent upward trend in adopting cloud computing by businesses worldwide reflects the captivating opportunity of cost effective computing brought by cloud computing to replace the traditional IT computing services model. However, the decision to adopt cloud computing is somewhat complex. This paper will review the literature of cloud computing service and deployment models with the aim to determine the relevant characteristics of both service delivery and deployment models. Then, the authors will develop a mapping between the two sets of characteristics of cloud computing models. The mapping will lead to the development of a decision-making framework for managing cloud-computing adoption

Psychological Impact of Work-Integrated Learning Programmes in Malaysia: The Moderating Role of Self-Esteem on Relation between Self-Efficacy and Self-Confidence

This study further extends a theoretical model of psychological empowerment by investigating the relationships between self-efficacy, self-confidence and self-esteem. A sample of by 383 of Malaysian undergraduates participating in Work Integrated Learning (WIL)programmes across five public universities is used to test the model employing partial-least squares based structural equation modelling .The results have demonstrated  that self-efficacy and self-esteem have a positive and significant relationship with self-confidence. This study also confirms the moderating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between self-efficacy and self-confidence.  Furthermore, the findings of this study provide insight of the influence of WIL programmes on the undergraduates’ psychological attributes. These findings have implications for WIL stakeholders, which are highlighted in the paper

Forecasting the action of CAR-T cells against SARS-corona virus-II infection with branching process

The CAR-T cells are the genetically engineered T cells, designed to work specifically for the virus antigens (or other antigens, such as tumour specific antigens). The CAR-T cells work as the living drug and thus provides an adoptive immunotherapy strategy. The novel corona virus treatment and control designs are still under clinical trials. One of such techniques is the injection of CAR-T cells to fight against the COVID-19 infection. In this manuscript, the hypothesis is based on the CAR-T cells, that are suitably engineered towards SARS-2 viral antigen, by the N protein. The N protein binds to the SARS-2 viral RNA and is found in abundance in this virus, thus for the engineered cell research, this protein sequence is chosen as a potential target. The use of the sub-population of T-reg cells is also outlined. Mathematical modeling of such complex line of action can help to understand the dynamics. The modeling approach is inspired from the probabilistic rules, including the branching process, the Moran process and kinetic models. The Moran processes are well recognized in the fields of artificial intelligence and data science. The model depicts the infectious axis “virus—CAR-T cells—memory cells”. The theoretical analysis provides a positive therapeutic action; the delay in viral production may have a significant impact on the early stages of infection. Although it is necessary to carefully evaluate the possible side effects of therapy. This work introduces the possibility of hypothesizing an antiviral use by CAR-T cells

Psychological Impact of Work-Integrated Learning Programmes in Malaysia: The Moderating Role of Self-Esteem on Relation between Self-Efficacy and Self-Confidence

This study further extends a theoretical model of psychological empowerment by investigating the relationships between self-efficacy, self-confidence and self-esteem. A sample of by 383 of Malaysian undergraduates participating in Work Integrated Learning (WIL)programmes across five public universities is used to test the model employing partial-least squares based structural equation modelling .The results have demonstrated  that self-efficacy and self-esteem have a positive and significant relationship with self-confidence. This study also confirms the moderating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between self-efficacy and self-confidence.  Furthermore, the findings of this study provide insight of the influence of WIL programmes on the undergraduates’ psychological attributes. These findings have implications for WIL stakeholders, which are highlighted in the paper