A selective approach for energy-aware video content adaptation decision-taking engine in android based smartphone

Rapid advancement of technology and their increasing affordability have transformed mobile devices from a means of communication to tools for socialization, entertainment, work and learning. However, advancement of battery technology and capacity is slow compared to energy need. Viewing content with high quality of experience will consume high power. In limited available energy, normal content adaptation system will decrease the content quality, hence reducing quality of experience. However, there is a need for optimizing content quality of experience (QoE) in a limited available energy. With modification and improvement, content adaptation may solve this issue. The key objective of this research is to propose a framework for energy-aware video content adaptation system to enable video delivery over the Internet. To optimise the QoE while viewing streaming video on a limited available smartphone energy, an algorithm for energy-aware video content adaptation decision-taking engine named EnVADE is proposed. The EnVADE algorithm uses selective mechanism. Selective mechanism means the video segmented into scenes and adaptation process is done based on the selected scenes. Thus, QoE can be improved. To evaluate EnVADE algorithm in term of energy efficiency, an experimental evaluation has been done. Subjective evaluation by selected respondents are also has been made using Absolute Category Rating method as recommended by ITU to evaluate EnVADE algorithm in term of QoE. In both evaluation, comparison with other methods has been made. The results show that the proposed solution is able to increase the viewing time of about 14% compared to MPEG-DASH which is an official international standard and widely used streaming method. In term of QoE subjective test, EnVADE algorithm score surpasses the score of other video streaming method. Therefore, EnVADE framework and algorithm has proven its capability as an alternative technique to stream video content with higher QoE and lower energy consumption

The construction waste management framework for reducing illegal dumping activities in the construction industry

Nowadays, an increasing number of construction projects in Malaysia have contributed to the production of construction waste. Additionally, the production of construction waste from construction projects has had a negative impact on the environment, especially through illegal dumping activities. To date, comprehensive criteria for construction waste management in developing countries have not been clearly defined. Therefore, further research needs to be done on construction waste management in Malaysia. The main objective of this research is to develop the construction waste management framework for reducing illegal dumping activities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 stakeholders from government, private sector, construction players and cleaning contractor. Furthermore, data’s from the semi-structured interviews were analysed via content analysis using NVivo 10. The interviews finding were been transcribe to the Microsoft Word and analyse using Nvivo Software to figure out the significant theme and sub theme related to research objectives. Significant findings were used as potential improvements in the research to reduce illegal dumping activities. Hence, finding from this research has highlighted that currently there are lack implementation of proper construction waste management. Additionally, new findings found that awareness, enforcement, guidelines, cost, training and development, and technology are the most significant elements can be implemented in propose framework. The elements in the framework were divided into actions which need to be undertaken by construction players and those which require government enforcement. Finally, the proposed framework was evaluated by experts from the construction industry to obtain feedback. In conclusion, proposed framework will help stakeholders to identify strategies to reduce illegal dumping activities, increase awareness and seek better solutions for construction waste management in the construction industry

Measuring inefficiency in the rubber manufacturing industry

Malaysia is the fifth largest producer of natural rubber in the world after Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and China as well as producing rubber products exported to more than 190 countries worldwide. However, the slowdown in growth of major importers such as China, the European Union and the United States and the perception of stock surplus as output exceeds demand led to fluctuating rubber production performance over the period 2010 to 2016. Hence, this article aims at examining the level of technical efficiency (TE) and to analyze the determinants of the inefficiencies of the rubber manufacturing industry. The analysis was conducted using the latest 145 firms’ data obtained from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOS) and using the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) method. The results showed that the overall TE level was high while the determinants such as the capital-labor ratio, wage rate and firm size had a negative and significant impact that could reduce industrial technical efficiencies. The policy implication is that the rubber manufacturing industry needs to focus on high technological production investment, increase employee motivation through wage increment and create more strategic cooperation with international industry

The implementation of persuasive technology principles in mobile application development: a qualitative study

Preceding studies of persuasive technology have mentioned several benefits on the implementation of persuasive design features of the Persuasive System Design (PSD) model such as creating users' engagement and acceptance and continuous usage. However, available literatures have not sufficiently address the implementation of these design principles particularly in the context of mobile application development as compared to system development. Furthermore, there are low numbers of discussion that have relate the implementation of these design principles towards the achievement of the persuasive system developed. Hence, this study was conducted to qualitatively explore the way persuasive design principles were implemented as well as the mobile application development process followed in three different levels of mobile applications' attainments. Within this study, seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with the involvement of fifteen (15) Android mobile applications in the area of utilities category. These mobile applications were then categorized into successful, partially successful and less successful categories based on their numbers of mobile application downloaded for three consecutive years which is from 2013 until 2015. The results from the content analysis conducted have shown that the mobile applications of the successful category have implemented a lot more persuasive design principles as compared to the other two categories. Moreover, it is also found that all of the mobile applications of the category had follow a more detailed process of mobile application development with the emphasizing on product introduction to the users. A model of the implementation of persuasive design principles in mobile application development was then proposed based on the findings gained from this research. The results from this study have provided contribution to the body of knowledge by leveraging the domain of persuasive technology studies particularly in mobile application development

Challenges Towards Reducing Illegal Dumping Activities in the Construction Industry

Nowadays an increasing number of construction projects in Malaysia have contributed to the production of construction waste which has had a negative impact on the environment, especially through illegal dumping. The increasing number of illegal dumping activities is a sign that construction waste management needs to be examined. To date, a comprehensive criterion for construction waste management, in developing countries is still not clearly defined. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to investigate current illegal dumping activities, and identify the challenges towards reducing illegal dumping activities in the Malaysian construction industry. Hence, this research conducted interviews with 20 expert stakeholders related to construction waste management in order to scrutinise illegal dumping activities in Malaysia. The data from these semi-structured interviews were analysed by content analysis. The findings are used to determine the current challenges for reducing illegal dumping activities in the Malaysian construction industry. The elements in the current findings are potentially to improve construction waste management in order to archive the proper construction waste management.  Finally, this findings will help to identify strategies to reduce illegal dumping activities and to enhance challenges towards reducing illegal dumping activities in the Malaysian construction industry

Preliminary qualitative findings: challenges in large infrastructure projects towards development of innovative performance measurement

Performance measurement system to assess development of large infrastructure project has developed due to the unachieved of high design and technical requirements, excessive cost investments and lack of competent human resources and managerial capabilities. Growing numbers of discrepant of interest among key participants has also led to conflicts, blame cultures, and mismatches of objectives that have been found to be contributory factors to poor project performance. Although, several approaches have been determined, the challenges in terms of time, cost, and quality (objective measures) are still arguable. Further exploration requires the inclusion of additional challenges in delivering large infrastructure projects, particularly in relation to subjective measures, such as safety, relationship, satisfaction, social and environmental aspects. Owing to this limitation, preliminary findings of identifying the challenges in large infrastructure projects are vital to fulfill the current needs in the development of innovative performance measurement. The research adheres to by reviewing relevant literature and evaluating expert insights on the research topic. The results of the research would provide qualitative evidence in support of the notion that appropriate and comprehensive performance measurement to improve project outcome. This study may also encourage key stakeholders mainly involved in infrastructure projects to increase their attention on possible challenges to achieve project objectives and requirements in the development of a large project, and helps to the achievement of government transformation programme (GTP)

Preliminary qualitative findings: challenges in large infrastructure projects towards development of innovative performance measurement

Performance measurement system to assess development of large infrastructure project has developed due to the unachieved of high design and technical requirements, excessive cost investments and lack of competent human resources and managerial capabilities. Growing numbers of discrepant of interest among key participants has also led to conflicts, blame cultures, and mismatches of objectives that have been found to be contributory factors to poor project performance. Although, several approaches have been determined, the challenges in terms of time, cost, and quality (objective measures) are still arguable. Further exploration requires the inclusion of additional challenges in delivering large infrastructure projects, particularly in relation to subjective measures, such as safety, relationship, satisfaction, social and environmental aspects. Owing to this limitation, preliminary findings of identifying the challenges in large infrastructure projects are vital to fulfill the current needs in the development of innovative performance measurement. The research adheres to by reviewing relevant literature and evaluating expert insights on the research topic. The results of the research would provide qualitative evidence in support of the notion that appropriate and comprehensive performance measurement to improve project outcome. This study may also encourage key stakeholders mainly involved in infrastructure projects to increase their attention on possible challenges to achieve project objectives and requirements in the development of a large project, and helps to the achievement of government transformation programme (GTP)

Conceptual Model for Systematic Construction Waste Management

Development of the construction industry generated construction waste which can contribute towards environmental issues. Weaknesses of compliance in construction waste management especially in construction site have also contributed to the big issues of waste generated in landfills and illegal dumping area. This gives sign that construction projects are needed a systematic construction waste management. To date, a comprehensive criteria of construction waste management, particularly for construction project in developing countries such as Malaysia is still not systematically defined. Therefore, construction waste management needs further investigation. This paper aims to explain a concept model for systematic construction waste management in the Malaysian construction industry. The methodology of this paper is through literature and previous research focusing on current practices of construction waste management, the barriers of construction waste management implementation and the additional factor for implementing systematic construction waste management in order to develop a conceptual model. Findings from this study will help to find out the elements required to implement systematic construction waste management in Malaysian construction industry. This action seems significant to the participants in prioritizing construction waste management more systematically. The implementation also will increase the awareness and better understanding of the construction players of the importance of construction waste management in construction projects

Conceptual Model for Systematic Construction Waste Management

Development of the construction industry generated construction waste which can contribute towards environmental issues. Weaknesses of compliance in construction waste management especially in construction site have also contributed to the big issues of waste generated in landfills and illegal dumping area. This gives sign that construction projects are needed a systematic construction waste management. To date, a comprehensive criteria of construction waste management, particularly for construction project in developing countries such as Malaysia is still not systematically defined. Therefore, construction waste management needs further investigation. This paper aims to explain a concept model for systematic construction waste management in the Malaysian construction industry. The methodology of this paper is through literature and previous research focusing on current practices of construction waste management, the barriers of construction waste management implementation and the additional factor for implementing systematic construction waste management in order to develop a conceptual model. Findings from this study will help to find out the elements required to implement systematic construction waste management in Malaysian construction industry. This action seems significant to the participants in prioritizing construction waste management more systematically. The implementation also will increase the awareness and better understanding of the construction players of the importance of construction waste management in construction projects

Challenges of cost management technique implementation during pre-tender in Klang valley construction project

Poor cost management could lead to the jeopardize of the fundamentals of managing the construction project. Many countries are facing many problems with cost performance which one of them was a cost overrun in the construction projects. Cost variation from the initial cost budget and cost plan has been known as common in the construction industry and it creates a concern to stakeholders on needing maintaining cost projection. This paper aims to identify the challenges of cost management which effect project costing during the pre-tender for landed residential building construction projects in Klang Valley. The research methodology used for this research is the quantitative method. One hundred forty-seven (147) respondents from the industry such as Clients, Contractors, Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Engineers and others from different organisations. The findings revealed that the challenges on cost management effecting to cost, is budgeting in a dynamic situation