Job Hopping Behavior in the Upstream Sector of Oil and Gas Industry in Malaysia

Purpose: The research aims to identify what contributes to the job-hopping behavior to the mentioned industry within Malaysia’s workforce.   Theoretical reference: The study employs Social Exchange Theory (SET) to investigate job-hopping behavior in Malaysia's upstream oil and gas sector. It explores the impact of remuneration packages, career advancement opportunities, and learning development on employees' intentions to change jobs. SET helps understand how self-interest and cost-benefit analyses influence this behavior.   Method: The study took a quantitative and cross-sectional approach, whereby the research tools were derived from numerous previous studies. Primary knowledge on job-hopping behavior was obtained based on input collected from research surveys. The data allows us to establish the relationship between job hopping behavior and the independent variables identified.   Results and Conclusion: The investigation of this study discovered that the three hypotheses offered have a significant relationship of the job-hopping behaviors with remuneration package, career advancement and leaning development.   Implications of research: This study provides insight for employers and academic researchers in understanding correlation of each determinant that leads to employees’ job-hopping behavior, which could also benefit in future research in both business and academic areas.   Originality/Value: This study's originality stems from its targeted investigation into job-hopping behavior within a specific Malaysian industry. It builds upon established theories and prior research to provide a solid theoretical foundation. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional approach and drawing from previous studies, it brings methodological rigor to the examination of job-hopping behavior. The study's key original contribution lies in its findings, which establish significant relationships between job-hopping and factors like remuneration packages, career advancement, and learning development. These findings offer practical insights for employers in the industry and provide a basis for future research in both business and academic contexts

Drivers of Employee Job Satisfaction During Pandemic in Manufacturing Industries

Purpose: The study focuses on employee job satisfaction and its implications in Malaysia's manufacturing sector. It highlights the significance of job satisfaction for organizational success, especially in challenging economic conditions.   Theoretical reference: Social Exchange Theory (SET) is employed for the study, emphasizing that employees reciprocate positive organizational behaviors with loyalty and commitment. SET underscores the importance of trust-based relationships and psychological commitment to the job.   Method: The study explores three key factors—compensation and rewards, training, and work-life balance—in relation to employee job satisfaction. It employs hypotheses to test the relationships between these factors and job satisfaction. Quantitative and cross-sectional approach have been implemented whereby the research tools were derived from numerous previous studies. Questionnaires were distributed online conveniently to enable the respondent to provide their feedback anytime, anywhere. It was a non-probability sampling where questionnaires were distributed to respondents in the Manufacturing Industry.   Results and Conclusion: The study anticipates that compensation and reward, training, and work-life balance are significantly related to employee job satisfaction in Malaysia's manufacturing sector. These factors impact employee performance, productivity, and retention. The investigation of this study discovered that the three hypotheses offered have a significant relationship with employee job satisfaction in Malaysia's manufacturing industry. ). The results show that compensation and reward (β = 0.680, t = 15.2212, p < 0.001), training (β = 0.114, t = 2.502, p =0.013), and work-life balance (β = 0.158, t = 4.106, p < 0.001) have significant positive relationship with employee job satisfaction in the manufacturing industry of Malaysia. Therefore, H1, H2 and H3 are all accepted.The current study has supported prior studies and explained the roles played by compensation and reward, training and work-life balance in employee job satisfaction in the manufacturing industry of Malaysia with the Social Exchange Theory.   Implications of research: The findings contribute to academia by addressing a literature gap regarding job satisfaction and its influencing components. It offers insights for organizations in the manufacturing industry to enhance employee job satisfaction, leading to improved performance and profitability.   Originality/Value: While many studies focus on job satisfaction, this research uniquely explores its facets within Malaysia's manufacturing sector. It examines the influence of compensation, training, and work-life balance, addressing a research gap in this context. The study offers valuable insights for management in understanding employee expectations and fostering a more satisfied and committed workforce

Physical Inactivity in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Purpose Reduced physical activity in many chronic diseases is consistently associated with increased morbidity. Little is known about physical activity in sarcoidosis. The aim of this study was to objectively assess physical activity in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and investigate its relationship with lung function, exercise capacity, symptom burden, and health status. Methods Physical activity was assessed over one week in 15 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and 14 age-matched healthy controls with a tri-axial accelerometer (ActivPalᵀᴹ) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). All participants underwent pulmonary function tests, 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and completed the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), Medical Research Council (MRC) Dyspnoea Scale and the King’s Sarcoidosis Questionnaire (KSQ). Results Patients with sarcoidosis had significantly lower daily step counts than healthy controls; mean(SD) 5624(1875) vs. 10429(2942) steps (p<0.01) and completed fewer sit-to-stand transitions each day (p=0.095). Only two patients (13%) self-reported undertaking vigorous physical activity (IPAQ) compared to half of healthy individuals (p<0.01). Daily step count was significantly associated with 6MWT distance in sarcoidosis (r=0.634, p=0.01), but not with forced vital capacity (r=0.290), fatigue (r=0.041), dyspnoea (r=-0.466) or KSQ health status (r=0.099-0.484). Time spent upright was associated with fatigue (r=-0.630, p=0.012) and health status (KSQ Lung scores r=0.524, p=0.045), and there was a significant correlation between the number of sit-to-stand transitions and MRC dyspnoea score (r=-0.527, p=0.044). Conclusion Physical activity is significantly reduced in sarcoidosis and is associated with reduced functional exercise capacity (6MWD). Fatigue, exertional symptoms and health status were more closely associated with time spent upright and the number of bouts of physical activity, as compared to step counts. Further studies are warranted to identify the factors that determine different physical activity profiles in sarcoidosis

Prevalence of burnout and Its associated factors among medical students in a public university in Selangor, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Burnout is a growing trend among medical students worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with burnout among medical students at a public university in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1st through 5th year medical students at a public university using a simple random sampling method in recruiting participants. In this study, The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey for Student (MBI-SS) was used and burnout is defined as severely emotionally exhausted and severely depersonalised. Results: A total of 328 medical students were recruited with a with response rate of 88.6%. The burnout prevalence was 10.1%. Based on multivariate logistic regression, presence of smartphone addiction with adjusted (odds ratio (OR) 7.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.67, 32.49), course choice not based on personal interest or due to family pressure (OR 2.72, 95% CI = 1.08, 6.85) and the presence of family relationship problems (OR = 3.58, 95% CI = 1.27, 10.04) are more likely to be associated with burnout among the medical students. Conclusion: Our study has shown that every tenth medical students suffers from burnout. Medical students who are addicted to smartphone, have chosen medical course against individual interest or because of family pressure and have family relationship problems are at risk of getting burnout. Intervention is required to address this issue for the future well-being of medical students

Hierarchical Hybrid Carbon Nano-structures as Robust and Reusable Adsorbents: Kinetic Studies with Model Dye Compound

This study demonstrates the potential of using multi-scale hierarchical carbon structures as robust, reusable solids suitable for removal of aqueous pollutants such as dye molecules from wastewater. Carpet-like vertical arrays of carbon nanotubes (CNT) were attached on surfaces of porous carbon foams by pre-coating with silica buffer layer followed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The surface morphology and specific surface areas were varied by controlling the buffer layer thickness and CVD deposition times. Surface characteristics have been correlated with adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics by investigating the removal rates of methylene blue (MB) dye in simulated water. The results show that MB adsorption capacity correlates well with total CNT surface area in the carpet, indicating full utilization of the nanotube surfaces. Adsorption rates fit well with pseudo second order kinetics model. Maximum MB adsorption capacity of the CNT surfaces in this structure was estimated by extrapolating equilibrium adsorption amounts at different dye concentrations using the Langmuir isotherm. This was found to be about 43.5 mg/g, which compares favorably with adsorption capacity of isolated nanotubes. It must be noted that whereas isolated nanotubes can disperse in the liquid and pose environmental threats, the hierarchical solids as demonstrated in this study can be repeatedly agitated in water without the loss of CNT or performance deterioration. These results indicate promising application potential for these types of hybrid materials in environmental purification application

Hierarchical Hybrid Carbon Nano-structures as Robust and Reusable Adsorbents: Kinetic Studies with Model Dye Compound

This study demonstrates the potential of using multi-scale hierarchical carbon structures as robust, reusable solids suitable for removal of aqueous pollutants such as dye molecules from wastewater. Carpet-like vertical arrays of carbon nanotubes (CNT) were attached on surfaces of porous carbon foams by pre-coating with silica buffer layer followed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The surface morphology and specific surface areas were varied by controlling the buffer layer thickness and CVD deposition times. Surface characteristics have been correlated with adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics by investigating the removal rates of methylene blue (MB) dye in simulated water. The results show that MB adsorption capacity correlates well with total CNT surface area in the carpet, indicating full utilization of the nanotube surfaces. Adsorption rates fit well with pseudo second order kinetics model. Maximum MB adsorption capacity of the CNT surfaces in this structure was estimated by extrapolating equilibrium adsorption amounts at different dye concentrations using the Langmuir isotherm. This was found to be about 43.5 mg/g, which compares favorably with adsorption capacity of isolated nanotubes. It must be noted that whereas isolated nanotubes can disperse in the liquid and pose environmental threats, the hierarchical solids as demonstrated in this study can be repeatedly agitated in water without the loss of CNT or performance deterioration. These results indicate promising application potential for these types of hybrid materials in environmental purification application