Integrated cultures, perceived managerial competencies and organisational performance:a Malaysian context

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Electrochemical studies of Mn(II) mediated by Li+ doped Indium Titanium Oxide (ITO) electrode.

An electrochemical investigation of Manganese species has been carried out by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) at Lithium doped Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) electrode. The doping of the Li+ ion onto the Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) electrode was carried out to 10 potential cycling in the presence of 0.1M LiOH. The modified Li+/ITO electrode used as working electrode and was applied for the detection of Mn(II) in 0.1M KCl aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Electrode responses were obtained for the reduction of 50μM of Mn(II) at lithium doped modified ITO electrode, and bare ITO electrode. A well defined peak appeared at -136mV vs Ag/AgCl with a current enhancement and peak potential shift toward higher potential due to the presence of Lithium doped. Besides that, the presence of Lithium doped caused an increase of the reduction peak of Mn (II) ion (current enhancement) by about 2.9 times compared to use of bare ITO electrode. The optimum physical and chemical conditions such as pH, concentration of Mn(II) ion solution, and scan rate for current enhancement would be obtained. A linear relationship (y= 1777.3x + 42.145, R2=0.995) was observed for the plot of current (μA) versus concentration range of 10μM to 1.0mM of Manganese in 0.1M KCl using Lithium doped modified ITO electrode. Based on the background noise of 50 data points, adjacent to the reduction peak of Mn (II), and 3σ/slope, a detection limit of 1.0nM was determined

A Study of Perceived Managerial Competencies in the Telecommunication Industry: a Malaysian Perspective

This study was conducted with the aim of providing an insight into the competency study from the Malaysian point of view, in general, and telecommunication industry, in particular. Specifically, it is the objective of this study to identify a list of competency elements and to determine whether they are necessary or important for manager to perform their managerial jobs. Four hypotheses were formulated to achieve the objectives of the study. The four hypotheses were: 1) Managers do not perceive generic competencies to be necessary in carrying out their jobs, 2) There is no significant variation of competency elements across managerial levels, 3) There is no significant variation of competency elements across functional areas, 4) There is no significant variation of competency elements across organisations in the industry. Data for this study has been collected primarily through structured questionnaires. The ninety-one competency elements used in this study were based on the questionnaire developed by Hunt and Wallace (1997). Analysis of the data was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Several statistical tools such as descriptive analysis, factor analysis, analysis of variance and bonferroni post-hoc multiple comparison were used to analyse the data. The major findings are as follows: Using descriptive analysis, the mean score for the ninety-one competency elements were ranked according to descending order. The findings indicated that managers perceived all the ninety-one competency elements as necessary for them to perform their jobs. Of the nine-one competency elements, more than 80% of the elements were perceived as necessary, pointing to the generic nature of the managerial competencies. Thus, Hypothesis 1 was supported. From the twenty-three highly rated competencies, factor analysis produced a five dimensional competency model. These five dimensions were categorised into 1) problem solving, 2) personal management, 3) communication and integrity, 4) organisation knowledge, 5) image and direction. Statistical tools such as ANOVA and Bonferroni Post Hoc multiple companion were used to determine variation of competency elements across managerial levels, functions and between organisations. From the analysis, it was evidenced that there were variations across managerial levels. Nine (39%) out of twenty-three elements were significantly varied between top and lower level managers. Thus, the hypothesis 2 was less than partially supported. Some significant results were also shown pertaining to the variation of competency elements across functional areas. Out of the twenty-three elements, six elements (26%) were significantly varied. The hypothesis 3 was less than partially supported. In addition, the analysis produced significant results between organisations in the industry. A total of fifteen (65%) out of twenty-three competency elements were significantly varied. Thus, hypothesis 4 was partially supported. The current study is timely and of importance especially to managers in the telecommunication industry. They could utilise the competency model for managing human resources such as in recruitment and selection, training and development, and performance appraisal. The findings could also provide further information on the usefulness and value of the generic competency model of Hunt and Wallace and it could further widen the applicability of the generic competency model across culture and industry

Repeatability of a Short Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Calcium Intake in Older Australians

Objective. To assess the repeatability of the validated Flinders Calcium Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQCA) for estimating dietary calcium intake in a sample of community dwelling older Australians. Methods. A test-retest repeatability study involving 100 subjects (≥65 years) living independently in metropolitan Adelaide, Australia. Estimates of daily calcium intake from the first (FFQCA1) and repeated administration (FFQCA2) were calculated from two versions (35-item and 15-item) of the FFQCA. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the repeatability. Results. Moderate and comparable ICC values (r = 0.5, r = 0.6) were found across the two versions of the FFQCA. Conclusion. Both FFQCA versions demonstrated moderate repeatability, supporting the results of previous studies

Effects of intervention to develop self-regulated learning behaviour in learning history

In academic field, previous studies have revealed the importance of self-regulated learning (SRL) by linking it to positive motivation, application of appropriate learning strategies and desirable academic outcomes. SRL is a personal learning approach and it has been viewed as essential learning procedures that could influence students learning behavior and their academic achievement. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the motivational level and use of learning strategies of secondary four students in learning History before and after an intervention program. The activities and materials designed in the intervention program have integrated the content of History in order to provide a comprehensive picture and rich information for effective teachers practice in school contexts. This was a pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design which consists of experimental and control groups. Sequential quantitative and qualitative data collections and analysis methods were engaged to obtain a deep insight of the findings results. Quantitative research instruments used in this study was Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire whereas Self-regulated learning Interview Schedule was used as interview protocol. Convergence and divergence data emerged between students' responses on the questionnaire and interview for particular constructs within self-regulatory strategies in the intervention

An Improved DC-DC Boost Converter for Energy Harvesting

A novel dual-input DC-DC boost converter that can perform the integration of harvested energy from solar and vibrational input energy sources is proposed. Firstly, the background of a hybrid energy system that relates to multi-input DC-DC converters is discussed, and the limitations of the current designs of power converter ICs are highlighted. A detailed design analysis of the proposed converter was done to justify its performance. A current and voltage stress analysis has been performed to ensure suitable switching devices are selected for the converter. Two different power control strategies are proposed for the DIDCB converter to manage output voltage during source and load-side disturbances. Performance analysis of the circuit is carried out using MATLAB Simulink software. Different duty ratios for power switches in the converter were tested to determine the maximum boost ratio and the highest efficiency that can be achieved by the converter. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed converter, the performance of the converter is compared with existing converter topologies. The proposed converter achieved a high efficiency of 99.4%, had less fluctuation in the output voltage, and had reduced overshoot. In addition, the proposed converter demonstrated a simpler configuration and required fewer component counts, which helped reduce the cost and size of the system

Sustainable rural tourism: An indigenous community perspective on positioning rural tourism

It is commonly assumed that formulation of tourism policies and the marketing of destination areas are dictated by the needs and interests of visitors. Often ignored however, are the views of the local communities, the roles they play in these processes as well as the impacts on the indigenous communities and their socio-cultural spaces. Th us this paper presents a study conducted with the indigenous community of Long Lamai in Malaysia, who has recently ventured into rural tourism. Th e Long Lamai community has slowly transformed from being solely dependent on hunting gathering to leveraging on their rich natural sources for a cash income as well as opening up to the outside world. Th e local community perceives tourism as the best option to sustain and align their lifestyle to their new needs. However as a remote community, they are also aware of the vulnerabilities due to the rapid development plans which may bring about adverse eff ects to their present healthy existence. Th e purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to assess the local community's support for tourism development: and (2) to explore the perceived positioning of rural tourism by local people. Results showed that the majority of community members have strong support for tourism development and they are also ready to face possible challenges that come with this development. Major concern s expressed by community members include environmental conservation and local cultural protocols

A repositioning strategy for rural tourism in Malaysia- community’s perspective

The local community is an important stakeholder in rural tourism. However the rural tourism positioning strategies have been developed from the perspective of a single stakeholder tourist, and have overlooked at local community's perspective. It is important to include community's perspective because rural tourism cannot be successful without community support. There is lack of approach to highlight the issues hindering the active participation of communities in tourism planning and implications. The aim of this research is to develop a framework for repositioning of rural tourism, by addressing community approach rather than just a tourist industry. The proposed framework, developed on the indicators from literature, will help to explore local community's perspective on current positioning and will identify the gaps for a potential repositioning. The study will provide insights to local communities, government, policymakers and other stakeholders and help them to develop effective rural tourism strategies

The Prospect of Business Undergraduates’ Intention to Engage in Digital Entrepreneurship: Do Government Initiatives Matter?

The synergies between rapid information technology (IT) development and the shifting paradigms of economic transactions have led to the emergence of digital entrepreneurship. This study aims to investigate potential precursors affecting the intention of final-year business students to engage in digital entrepreneurship. This research was examining the IT acceptance among the business students by employing two tailored technology acceptance models (TAM) based on theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and theory of reasoned action (TRA) models. A sample of 302 respondents were analysed using SPSS and Smart-PLS. The results revealed that fresh graduates’ intentions to engage in digital entrepreneurship were significantly influenced by their own attitudes towards IT. The study also reaffirmed that the dimensions of Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour model, among others, attitude towards information technology (IT), perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms except perceived risk have a “direct effect” on undergraduates’ interest in an Internet-based business model. Although the results have contributed to the paucity of the empirical research in digital entrepreneurship particularly in the Asian region, the availability of information technology, government resources and support to affect the digital usage and behaviour are not to be underestimated.The synergies between rapid information technology (IT) development and the shifting paradigms of economic transactions have led to the emergence of digital entrepreneurship. This study aims to investigate potential precursors affecting the intention of final-year business students to engage in digital entrepreneurship. This research was examining the IT acceptance among the business students by employing two tailored technology acceptance models based on the theory of planned behavior and theory of reasoned action models. A sample of 302 respondents were analyzed using SPSS and Smart-PLS. The results revealed that fresh graduates’ intentions to engage in digital entrepreneurship were significantly influenced by their own attitudes towards IT. The study also reaffirmed that the dimensions of I. Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior model, including attitude towards IT, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms except perceived risk have a “direct effect” on undergraduates’ interest in an Internet-based business model. Although the results have contributed to filling the paucity of the empirical research in digital entrepreneurship, particularly in the Asian region, the availability of information technology, government resources and support to affect digital usage and behavior are not to be underestimated

The Prospect of Business Undergraduates’ Intention to Engage in Digital Entrepreneurship: Do Government Initiatives Matter?

The synergies between rapid information technology (IT) development and the shifting paradigms of economic transactions have led to the emergence of digital entrepreneurship. This study aims to investigate potential precursors affecting the intention of final-year business students to engage in digital entrepreneurship. This research was examining the IT acceptance among the business students by employing two tailored technology acceptance models (TAM) based on theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and theory of reasoned action (TRA) models. A sample of 302 respondents were analysed using SPSS and Smart-PLS. The results revealed that fresh graduates’ intentions to engage in digital entrepreneurship were significantly influenced by their own attitudes towards IT. The study also reaffirmed that the dimensions of Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour model, among others, attitude towards information technology (IT), perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms except perceived risk have a “direct effect” on undergraduates’ interest in an Internet-based business model. Although the results have contributed to the paucity of the empirical research in digital entrepreneurship particularly in the Asian region, the availability of information technology, government resources and support to affect the digital usage and behaviour are not to be underestimated.The synergies between rapid information technology (IT) development and the shifting paradigms of economic transactions have led to the emergence of digital entrepreneurship. This study aims to investigate potential precursors affecting the intention of final-year business students to engage in digital entrepreneurship. This research was examining the IT acceptance among the business students by employing two tailored technology acceptance models based on the theory of planned behavior and theory of reasoned action models. A sample of 302 respondents were analyzed using SPSS and Smart-PLS. The results revealed that fresh graduates’ intentions to engage in digital entrepreneurship were significantly influenced by their own attitudes towards IT. The study also reaffirmed that the dimensions of I. Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior model, including attitude towards IT, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms except perceived risk have a “direct effect” on undergraduates’ interest in an Internet-based business model. Although the results have contributed to filling the paucity of the empirical research in digital entrepreneurship, particularly in the Asian region, the availability of information technology, government resources and support to affect digital usage and behavior are not to be underestimated