UMP raih 11 pingat dan 2 Anugerah Khas di i-ENVEX 2014

Mahasiswa Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) mengharumkan nama universiti apabila meraih lima pingat emas, tiga perak dan tiga gangsa dalam pameran produk penyelidikan dalam Pameran Antarabangsa Reka Cipta dan Inovasi kali ke-5 (i-ENVEX) yang berlangsung di Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Kampus Pauh pada 13 April 2014 yang lalu

The Introduction of Learning Organization in Selected Malaysian Organizations: A Comparative Case Study

Little concern has been given to discover the deeper meanings and intricacies of learning organization, although this term has been widespread and has gained attention in a number of Malaysian organizations. The main concern of this study was to generate insight to the understanding of the perspectives of learning organization, its implementations and challenges in selected Malaysian organizations. Specifically, the objectives of the study were: (1) to gain insight and understanding of the concepts of learning organization in selected organizations ; (2) to understand how the selected organizations take steps to implement learning organization; and (3) to understand the challenges faced by the selected organizations in the implementation of learning organization. Multiple qualitative case study approach was used to answer the research objectives. Data were collected through interviews, observations and analysis of formal documents from the selected organizations. The findings of this study were obtained from both within-case analysis and cross-case analysis. For within-case analysis, the description of three organizations selected was described individually. Whereas, for the cross-case analysis the description compared the findings from each of the three organizations selected. Several methods were used to check the validity and reliability of this study. Three methods : 'triangulation', 'member check' and 'peer examination technique' were employed to check the internal validity. External validity was checked by using multisite approach. To increase reliability, this study used the triangulation process, graduate committee review and audit trail. This study found that although the understanding and implementation of learning organization was at the beginning stage in each of the organizations, the result showed some evolving ideas occurred throughout the three organizations . All the three organizations showed the understanding of the concepts of learning organization, its implementation and challenges were based on their own identity. Organization A, being a technical service and development organization, seemed to be more Western-oriented approach. Organization B, which was involved in agriculture and food research and development, was more concerned with experimental activities that related to the Japanese approach. Organization C was a Malay-dominated organization inculcated with Islamic values assimilated both Western and Japanese approaches into the local approach, labeled as the Islamic approach. As a conclusion, the study clarified the understanding of the concepts, its implementation and challenges of learning organization in the selected organizations. The study also identified some guidelines for coping with challenges in implementing learning organization within the three selected organizations. The study recommended that the three organizations should continue their efforts in developing their organizations towards becoming full-pledge learning organizations

Analytical studies of the behaviour of semi-rigid non-sway frames with tubular columns.

This thesis reports the research investigation on the behaviour of non-sway frames with SHS columns taking into consideration the influence of semi-rigid flowdrill connections. The aim of the studies was to investigate the behaviour of the non-sway frames in the elastic and inelastic ranges, the acceptability of the flowdrill connections for low-rise non-sway frames and to develop a simplified semi-rigid design that is suitable for daily design routine. The analytical studies were conducted using an existing finite element program which was modified to work with frames employing tubular columns. The program is able to simulate the response in the elastic and inelastic ranges taking into account the semi-rigid connections, the geometrical and material nonlinearities and the development of spread yield. The program has been validated against the experimental results and can reasonably predict the true frame behaviour. The results of the parametric studies show several important observations;one of which is the phenomenon of moment shedding. This phenomenon causes the relaxation of the detrimental moment at the column top end which in turn causes the moment redistribution to the neighbouring members. Eventually, the detrimental column moment diminishes and sometimes acts as restraining moments. As a consequence, at ultimate load, the columns behave in the general form of axially loaded compression members and the beams as simply supported with a certain degree of end restraint. Knowing that restrained beam-columns can be treated as axially loaded, extensive parametric studies on different frame configurations were conducted to determine the ultimate strength of beam-columns. The studies were conducted on low rise multi-storey non-sway frames. The principal parameters varied are the column slenderness, connection types and the magnitude of beam loads. The values of ultimate strength of restrained beam-columns are compared directly against the strength of pin ended columns as specified by the BS 5950 and EC3 codes. The results show that in many cases, the ultimate strength of restrained beam-columns are in excess to the strength of axially loaded pin ended column as specified by BS 5950 and EC3. Based on the results of the parametric studies, a simplified design for simple, semi-rigid and rigid frames is developed. The columns are designed as axially loaded compression members without any consideration of eccentricity or partial fixity moments. The beams for simple construction are designed as simply supported with pin ends; whereas, the beams for semi-rigid and rigid construction are designed as simply supported with a certain amount of end restraint moment to take into account the effect of semi-rigid and rigid connections. The design of strength for beams and columns can be carried out individually and is not dependent on the stiffnesses of the M-0 of the connections, beams and columns. Finally, general conclusions and recommendations for further work are also included

The Influence Of The Work Environment On Employee Work Motivation At PT. Loka Indah Lestari Pohuwato

The research aimed to find out to what extent the effect of work environment on work motivation. The population of this research was all 74 permanent employees at PT. Loka Indah Lestari in Popayato Barat, Pohuwato. The analysis method used simple linear regression analysis. The result of analysis revealed that the work environment had a significant effect on work motivation from tcount 3,975 > ttable 1,666 with a significance level of 0,000 < 0,05. Thus, it found that work environment affected work motivation for 39,2% or it was low effect between work envornment on work motivation, and it certainly contained a phenomenon of lack of company attention to employees related to the work environment, particuraly inadequate road access and communication media (signal). Meanwhile, simultaneously work environment had a significant effect on work motivation through the test of R-value coefficient model, namely 0,424, which meant a strong relationship. In addition, the value of R square was 0,180 or 18% whereas the rest 0,820 or 82% was affected by relationship with other factors out of this research

Funding Reforms in Malaysian Public Universities from the Perspective of Strategic Planning

AbstractThe Malaysian Federal Government through Ministry of Higher Education has come out with the initiative to implement the National Higher Education Strategic Plan beyond 2020. This strategic plan focuses on the sustainability of the higher education system in Malaysia. The overall planning included improving the teaching and learning, research and development, engagement and internationalisation of higher education in Malaysia. A part from the strategic planning, the government has also introduce the funding reforms. In order to develop sustainability in today competitive environment, universities must have strong strategic plans. This concept paper discussed the challenge faces the public universities in Malaysia to achieve the government objectives as stated in the Federal Government blue prints

Assessing knowledge and religiosity on consumer behavior towards halal food and cosmetic products

This paper investigates the relationship between knowledge and religiosity on attitude towards Halal food and cosmetic products. It also looks at existence of significant difference between consumers’ attitude towards Halal cosmetic and Halal food products were investigated. Based on the sample of Malaysian Muslim consumers, results show that religiosity is more influential towards behavior compared to knowledge pertaining to halal matters and there is a significant difference on respondent’s behavior between halal food products and halal cosmetic products. The results of the study give implication to firms competing in cosmetic industry. Religiosity is one of the main factors that should be taken into account in promoting their cosmetic products

Office quality classification theoretical and empirical issues

Office quality classification literature recognises identification of office classes through division of office market rent distribution into intervals but failed to provide sound theoretical framework and comprehensive empirical approach to this method. This paper theorised that as office rental levels are a function of office quality; high quality office classes should have their mean rents greater than average market rent and mean rents of low quality classes. Also that heterogeneous nature of property coupled with lack of perfect information to market participants could result into differential evaluation of rent and quality of the same property by different market participants. The behaviour of participants normally reflects in distribution of market rent by depicting natural breaks in the distribution that could be captured by univariate data exploration. Frequency and histograms of rent distributions that were assumed to depict the behaviour of market participants were used to divide rent distribution to intervals to identify office quality classes. The results of this classification were validated by discriminant analysis. 67% and 59% accuracies were achieved for estimation and holdout subsamples respectively. This paper extended theoretical and empirical approaches in office quality classification. The proposed empirical approach could be used in future classification research

An overview of patient acceptance of Health Information Technology in developing countries: a review and conceptual model

The potential to improve the quality, efficiency, outcomes, patient safety and reduce cost of healthcare by Health Information Technology (HIT) has been established by researchers. But unfortunately HIT systems are not properly utilized or are not widely available. This problem is even more glaring in developing countries. This article presents a review of some available HIT systems in order to assess the level of their presence and the technology used in developing them. Works related to acceptance of HIT systems were also reviewed so as to study the gaps in this area and propose a solution in order to fill the gaps identified. The problems discovered from this review include lack of availability of these systems especially in developing countries, low rate of HIT systems acceptance and insufficient works on patient acceptance of HIT systems. Studying the factors that affect the acceptance of HIT systems by patients and considering the factors while developing the systems will play a significant role in getting over the aforementioned limitations. As Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is one of the most popular models for studying users' perception and acceptance of Information System (IS)/Information Technology (IT), we proposed a conceptual model of HIT acceptance in developing countries based on TAM

The Applicability Factors on the Implementation of Performance Based Funding Mechanism at Malaysian Public Universities

The intention of this paper is to examine the applicability factors on the implementation of Performance Based Funding (PBF) mechanism in Malaysian public universities. Three applicability drivers examined in this study are consisting of government objectives, level of understanding and autonomy. Survey questionnaires were distributed to all Dean and Deputy Dean of the faculty of all 20 public universities in Malaysia. This study investigated the drivers of PBF mechanisms for Malaysian public universities. By filling the research gap, this study can serve and provide the Malaysian Government with valuable understanding with regard to the views of public universities on the implementation of PBF. This study also assessed the applicability of the implementation of PBF that may serve as a reference or guideline to the Federal Government in developing PBF and applying higher education funding policies. This study can also function as a reference guide to other nations, especially amongst developing nations considering PBF programs. The findings from the quantitative data showed that government objectives, level of understanding and autonomy have significant and positive relationships with PBF mechanism implementation. Consistent with previous studies, government objective has proven to have a significant relationship with the PBF mechanism implementation where it usually acts as a strategic planning by the government to align the institutional objectives with government objectives

Performance comparison of AODV, DSDV and I-DSDV routing protocols in mobile ad hoc networks.

Ad hoc networks are characterized by a lack of infrastructure, and by a random and quickly changing network topology; thus the need for a robust dynamic routing protocol that can accommodate such an environment. To improve the packet delivery ratio of Destination Sequenced Distance Vector (DSDV) routing protocol in mobile ad hoc networks with high mobility, a message exchange scheme for its invalid route reconstruction is being used. Three protocols AODV, DSDV and I-DSDV were simulated using NS-2 package and were compared in terms of packet delivery ratio, end to end delay and routing overhead in different environment; varying number of nodes, speed and pause time. Simulation results show that I-DSDV compared with DSDV, it reduces the number of dropped data packets with little increased overhead at higher rates of node mobility but still can’t compete with AODV in higher node speed and number of node