Advertizing, concentration and profitability in Malaysian manufacturing revisited: A simultaneous equation approach

The original Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) paradigm that postulates a unidirectional relationship between concentration, advertizing and profitability had been used as the theoretical framework for many empirical works in industrial organizations before the mid seventies. Thereafter, doubts had begun to surface over the unidirectional postulate and there is new theory suggesting simultaneous interdependence. Unfortunately, not only are Malaysian studies in this area few and far between (exhaustive literature review yields only three published studies namely, Gan and Tham, 1977; Gan, 1978; and Rugayah, 1992), they also failed to incorporate the more recent theoretical development on the simultaneity of effects. This paper revisits the SCP paradigm as applied to the relationship among concentration, advertizing and profitability by conducting an empirical test that allows for simultaneous interdependence among variables. A set of three equations was estimated using three stage least squares (3SLS). The results provide considerable support to the feed forward and feedback effects between the three variables. Advertizing intensity exerts a significant influence on profit and concentration in the industry and there exists a feedback effect running from concentration to advertizing intensity. This finding suggests that advertizing does have an anti-competitive impact on the industry and therefore has a direct bearing on competition policy analysis

Penggunaan shahid hadith oleh al-Suyuti dalam Kitab Ham‘ al-Hawami‘ fi Sharh Jam‘ al-Jawami‘

Hadith merupakan antara sumber yang digunakan dalam pengkaedahan tatabahasa Arab. Akan tetapi, terdapat perselisihan pendapat dalam kalangan ulama tatabahasa Arab sama ada untuk menerima atau menolak hadith sebagai shahid. Antara tokoh tatabahasa Arab yang dikatakan menolak hadith dalam pengkaedahan tatabahasa Arab ialah al-Suyuti. Namun, terdapat pandangan yang mengatakan beliau berada di pertengahan, iaitu di antara menerima dan menolaknya. Sehubungan dengan itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk membincangkan penggunaan shahid hadith oleh al-Suyuti dalam karya beliau yang membahaskan tentang kaedah tatabahasa Arab, iaitu Ham‘ al-Hawami‘ fi Sharh Jam‘ al-Jawami‘ dan hanya memfokuskan pada bab al-‘Umad sahaja. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan kaedah perolehan data menggunakan analisis kandungan terhadap karya Ham‘ al-Hawami‘ tersebut. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan al-Suyuti telah menggunakan hadith sebagai shahid pengkaedahan tatabahasa Arab dalam bab tersebut. Namun, hanya terdapat 27 sahaja penggunaan shahid hadith dalam bab tersebut berbanding shahid al-Qur’an dan puisi

The relationships between demographic variables and risk-taking behaviour among young motorcyclists

In a previous study, it is well documented that adolescents are more likely than adults to engage in risky behaviour (Arnett, 1992). Most evidence suggests that risk-taking is the most important major factor underlying the high crash rates among teens. The objectives of this study were: 1) to examine the extent of risk-taking behavior of Malaysian motorcyclists, and 2) to investigate the relationship between demographic variables of motorcyclists and risk-taking behavior. A total of 540 respondents from six different areas in the Klang Valley (Jalan Kapar, Jalan Meru, Jalan Ampang, Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Kuala Selangor-Sungai Buloh) were surveyed. The study found that there were significant gender differences in term of 'riding over speed limit' and 'riding without crash helmet'. In terms of age, there are significant differences between age and 'riding without crash helmet'. In terms of personal income, the result showed that there are significant differences between personal income and 'riding without crash helmet' and 'riding without headlights and not stopping at three-way junction'. However, there are no significant difference between race and highest education level and risk-taking behavior dimensions

The applied state of violation of women's rights in armed conflicts: Yazidi women during the ISIS war in Iraq

On 3 August 2014, fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) attacked the Yazidi minority of Sinjar in Kurdistan-Iraq. The Yazidi community was the main target of ISIS fighters, including Yazidi women. The ISIS group has committed violence against Yazidi women in several ways. This study aims to show the crimes committed by the group ISIS against Yazidi women and to highlight the problem of violence against women in war through recent living examples, such as women in the ISIS war between 2014-2017. The second part of this study identifies the legal deficiencies related to the regulations that guarantee the protection of women's rights in Iraq. Through a content analysis approach, qualitative methodologies are used. Also, based on a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews, this paper found that the Yazidi women and girls have been subjected to the most heinous crimes involving international crimes. Furthermore, despite various legal provisions in Iraqi laws and the constitution relating to protecting women's rights, these laws have several legal deficiencies. The Iraqi legal authority has not attempted to guarantee sufficient protection for women's rights in armed conflicts

Cadangan model teoritikal bagi menilai kecekapan pelaburan dalam pembangunan Tanah Rizab Melayu

The Malay Reserve (land) accounts for 33.55% of productive land in Malaysia. Unfortunately, several studies have shown that the owners of such a massive source of productive resource are not able to develop its full economic potential. The solution to this inefficient utilisation of resource requires a theory capable of explaining the source of the problem. Even though several ideas have been put forward to explain this phenomenon, few if any, are based on rigorous economic theory. This paper proposes a simple (but rigorous) theory to explain why economically rational owners of the Malay Reserve land make suboptimal investment for the development of their land. In doing so, the theory explains the underdevelopment of the Malay Reserve land. It was found that transaction cost and opportunism arising from multiple ownership and small numbers bargaining are the major factors contributing to underdevelopment of Malay Reserve land

Trends in the Malaysian industrial market structures

Kini sektor pembllatan menyumbang lebih daripada salU pertiga ke/uarall Ilegara dan melebihi separuh daripada jumlah eksport. Malangnya. amat sedikit yang diketalwi len tang arah alirmi jangka panjang allgkubah~angkllbah struktllr pasaran sektor ini, sUllgguhpun mengikut teori ekonomi, angkllbah~al1gkllbah tersebut dapat banyak menerangkan tentang keadaaan saingan dall kecekapan industri dalam jangka pendek dan jangka panjang. Pengetahuan tentang bidang ini juga membolehkan seseorang menilai prospeks masa depan industri pembuatan di Malaysia dalam meng/iadapi liberalisasi dan globalisasi pasaran yang semakin mencabar. Kertas ini memmjukkan bahmva berlakrmya perubahan struktur pasaran perindustrian di Malaysia dan sememangnya menampakkan arah aUran yang signiJikan bagi sesetengah angkubah struktur pasaran

Vertical integration, foreign multinationals and Stigler's hypotheses: an empirical test using Malaysian data

In this paper the hypotheses on motives for vertical integration as proposed by Stigler are empirically tested using a panel dataset from Malaysian manufacturing under both fixed-effects and random-effects specifications. Because the degree of multinational participation is expected to influence the results of the regression estimates, empirical tests are conducted with and without controlling for the effect of foreign firms' participation. Depending on model specifications, evidence is found in favor of Stigler's hypotheses where vertical integration is positively related to demand growth and industry concentration. This result is generally consistent with those found in other vertical integration studies. Significantly, the coefficient estimates of the growth variable are not significant and biased downwards if there is no control on the effect of foreign multinationals in the estimation process. © 2006 East Asian Economic Association and Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Production of lipopeptide biosurfactant by Kurthia gibsonii KH2 and their synergistic action in biodecolourisation of textile wastewater

Textile dyes are recalcitrant molecules and contain a high level of chemicals and colour which poses a serious challenge to surrounding environments. Therefore, this study aims to produce biosurfactant and investigate the synergistic action on decolourisation of textile dyes by the combination of bacteria and biosurfactant. An effective dye degrading strain and biosurfactant-producer, Kurthia gibsonii KH2, was isolated from textile wastewater using molasses as the only source of carbon and energy. The isolates were identified and screened for biosurfactant production using haemolytic activity, oil spreading technique, drop collapse test and emulsification index. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum (FTIR) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analyses were carried out to detect the type of biosurfactant. The effect of different physicochemical parameters on textile wastewater decolourisation was assessed within 24 h. The Kurthia gibsonii KH2 showed positive results for haemolytic activity, oil spreading technique, and drop collapse test. The emulsification test (E24) revealed that Kurthia gibsonii KH2 had a higher emulsification index of 63%. FTIR and TLC analyses indicated that the biosurfactant was a lipopeptide and was formed with a yield of 2 gL−1. The synergistic activity of Kurthia gibsonii KH2 and lipopeptide biosurfactant resulted in decolourisation levels of 85% at 100 mg/L concentration and pH 7 was recorded at 168 h of incubation. The high attributes of these combinations and the phytotoxicity tests implied that the metabolites were less toxic, making it a promising option for the biodecolourisation and biodegradation of industrial textile wastewater and various environmental conditions

The Empowerment of Postgraduate Students in Arabic

AbstractThe Arabic language is very critical in the study of Islamic Sciences. This paper reports i) the initiative taken by the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to enhance the competency of postgraduate students to research in Arabic; and ii) postgraduate students’ perception of a remedial Arabic course. Two remedial Arabic courses were designed based on the paradigms of learner empowerment, student-centeredness and educative assessment. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of Remedial Arabic 1 course, students enrolled in the course for semester 1/2010-2011 were asked to respond to a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that the students perceived the course as having achieved its objectives, that they had shown improvement in their Arabic reading comprehension, use of Arabic dictionaries, as well as theoretical understanding and practical application of Arabic morphology and grammar. On top of that, they also reported higher motivation, confidence and independence in reading Arabic texts and learning Arabic. The study concludes that the way the Arabic course is designed and implemented has enriched learners with a different, more effective, motivating, enabling and empowering learning experience. The researchers suggest that such approach should be expanded to the curriculum of other Arabic courses

Improvement of existing water quality index in Selangor, Malaysia.

A reviesd and improved water quality index (WQI) is proposed for the State of Selangor in Malaysia. Analyses were conducted to develop the rating curve, find the new subindices and weighing factors for the selected parameters. The water quality parameters were grouped according their similarities. The class of water gained at 1K07 (Klang River station) using new WQI equation and existing WQI equation was Class IV and Class III respectively. However, the statuses of the water for both cases were the same, where both of them were classified as polluted water. In other case, for example at 1L02 (Langat River station), the class resulted from the new and existing WQI was the same. But, the status of the water was different, where the new WQI indicated that the water was clean, while the existing WQI indicated that the water was slightly polluted. The proposed WQI seemed to be slightly more strict compared to the existing one, which is thought to bring benefit the river environment. The outcomes of this research can be applied to protect the rivers in Selangor