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GTAR Proceedings

 

 

 

Copyright © Global Illuminators. All rights reserved

GTAR Proceeding
Volume 1, Pages 1-603
2014 GTAR Conference on “GLOBAL TRENDS IN ACADEMIC RESEARCH” (GTAR 2014)
June 02-03, 2014 Bali, Indonesia
Edited by Dr. Saddam Hussain

 

Volume 1
pp. 1-603 (2014)
2014 GTAR Conference on “GLOBAL TRENDS
IN ACADEMIC RESEARCH”
(GTAR 2014)
Volume 2
pp. 1-728 (2015)
2015 GTAR Conference on “GLOBAL TRENDS
IN ACADEMIC RESEARCH”
(GTAR 2015)
Volume 3
pp. 1-100 (2016)
2016 GTAR Conference on “GLOBAL TRENDS IN ACADEMIC RESEARCH” (GTAR 2016)
Volume 4
pp. 1-38 (2017)
2017 GTAR Conference on “GLOBAL TRENDS IN ACADEMIC RESEARCH” (GTAR 2017)

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Preface of proceeding


Track: Business Management & Economic Studies

Modelling and Simulation of A Humanoid Robot Arm

2

Pages 1-3
Jamaludin Jalani, HairuddinHamzah, SumaiyaMashori

Abstract
Imitating similar function of a human arm can be very challenging task for a humanoid robot arm. A simple task such as pick and/or place requires the understanding of mathematical modelling, forward kinematics and control system. Hence, this paper presents a modelling and simulation of humanoid robot arm which is based on a human arm anatomy. The model of the humanoid robot arm is developed by using Simmechanics. The robot consists of two arm manipulators, a palm and five fingers. All fingers, i.e. index, middle, ring and small finger consist of three links and three joints except the thumb finger. The thumb has four joints and four links. A previous study has shown that a human hand can safely grasp any cylindrical and cube objects of the same size within approximately one second. This is a very important target to be achieved by a robot hand as the controller should be able to perform as close as possible to human hand speed. In order to control the grasping, a conventional PID control is proposed. The results show that the PID controller is accurately performed less than 5% error better than human grasping. Note that human grasping is limited to 10% error. In addition, the robot hand is able to realize grasping within one second. The results also show that the model of humanoid robot hand is successfully developed by using Simmechanics. A development of forward kinematics is provided based on Denavit-Hartenburg technique to show x, y and z position.

Trend in Human Capital Research: Multilevel Studies

2

Pages 4-11
Mery Citra Sondari, Jann H. Tjakraatmadja, Yuni Ros Bangun

Abstract
Since most management problems involve multilevel phenomena, scholars now aware that multilevel research
become a paradigm shift and trends in management research. This paper will specifically discuss trend of
multilevel studies in human capital research topic. The paper will include the discussion of the basic concept of
multilevel studies, the trend, and the state of the art of human capital research. Since the multilevel study is
quite new in management research topic and involve only limited literature, this paper will contribute to
introduce this new trend to management scholars and provide state of the art literature related to research in
multilevel studies especially in human capital research topic.

Corporate Social Responsibility towards Corporate Performance: Whether A Barrier or an Endorser?

2

Pages 12-26
Astrie Krisnawati, Gatot Yudoko, Yuni Ros Bangun

Abstract

It is commonly considered that the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contrasts with the principle of a business. The success or failure of a corporate is mostly measured by its financial achievements. Social responsibility and financial profitability are like two sides of a coin. As if there is a trade-off between conducting CSR and achieving corporate performance. Since every activity of a corporate will create a cost as the consequence, then being responsible to society might be harmful to the corporate profitability in terms of financial efficiency. However, some paradigms of business assert that complying with social responsibility is a way to attain corporate sustainability which means that CSR is an endorser, rather than a barrier, to achieve corporate performance. This conceptual paper will show the linkage between CSR and corporate performance through literature review of some previous studies to find the gaps that can be filled in by further research to establish a novel notion of Corporate Social Performance (CSP).

 


Using Talent Strategy as a Hedging Strategy to manage Banking talent Risks in Malaysia

2

Pages 27-35
Dewi Tajuddin, Rosalan Ali, Badrul Hisham Kamaruddin

Abstract

Talent strategy in human resource planning is generally used to deliver business strategy of a firm. The identification, recruitment, development and retention of talented employees are aligned with the priorities of the firm’s business. As businesses today are borderless with the global environment, putting in place the most effective talent management strategy is a key to competitive success of firms, and this includes the banking industry. Hence, people who are talented in the organization provide opportunities for the firms. As a result many big firms seem to spend much time on developing these talented employees but less time on retaining them. This includes the Malaysian banking institutions. It is timely for Malaysian banks to have their own talent programs due to acute shortage of banking talents. Hence, the talent systems of banks require investments in these intangible assets. The above need is reinforced by the fact that an important Malaysian banking resource would be talent following the final phase of consolidation of banking institutions by the year 2015. When demand goes up and supply of talent goes down, more and more banking institutions in Malaysia begin to realize the importance of talent strategy and planning to be a part of management strategic focus; hence an integrated talent program for the banking institutions. The objective of this paper is to testify that the use of talent strategy as a hedging strategy is able to manage banking talent risks in the Malaysian banking sector. The study proposed to use Talent Management Practices (TMP), Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and Talent Brand Strategy (TBS) as variables along with 12 indicators of Malaysian banking talents by testifying for their direct and indirect relationships. The five research objectives and questions of the study were fulfilled by employing the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The five hypotheses of the study revealed that there are significant positive relationships between Talent Management Practices, Employee Value Proposition and Talent Brand Strategy, for Malaysian banks. The study also found that Employee Value Proposition partially mediates the relationship between Talent Management Practices and Talent Brand Strategy for the banks. With these significant relationships, the findings of this study suggest that it is timely for the local banks to enhance their talent strategy as this can deliver as business strategy, for instance, facilitating in innovating the operating structure of financial instruments. Additionally, due to the acute shortage of banking talents in Malaysia, there is a strong need to use talent strategy in managing banking talent risks


Loan Loss Provisions and Macroeconomic Factors: The Case of Malaysian Commercial Banks

2

Pages 36-48
Hasni Abdullah, Ismail Ahmad, Imbarine Bujang

Abstract

The global financial system is vulnerable due to the weak growth prospects in many advanced economies. Hence, the stability of the banking system remained as an important issue to be resolved. Therefore, it is vital for the banks to properly manage the loan loss provisions (LLPs) to ensure the sufficient amounts are allocated to counterbalance the non-performing loans, especially during financial turmoil. The issue of LLPs has captivated the interest of many researchers as to what extent the LLP has been affected by macroeconomic factors. Thus, the main purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of macroeconomic factors in affecting the provision decision of Malaysian commercial banks. The investigation aims at detecting whether the provisions have been influenced by the macroeconomic factors such as the interest rate, gross domestic products and exchange rate. At the same time, the effect of macroeconomic factors can be examined in order to identify the pro-cyclical or counter-cyclical behavior in relation to the LLP. The Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) is devised in assessing the significant macro factors that influencing the LLP.


Preliminary Approach in Identify CFSF for Effective ICT Governance in Malaysian public sector (mps)

2

Pages 49-55
Rosida Ab Razak, Mohamad Shanudin Zakaria

Abstract

The fundamental issue in ICT Governance (ICTG) implementation for Malaysian Public Sector (MPS) is how ICT be applied to support improvements in productivity, management effectiveness and the quality of services offered to its citizens. Our main concern is to develop and adopt a common definition and framework to illustrate how ICTG can be used to better align ICT with government’s operations and strategic focus. In particular, we want to identify and categorize factors that drive a successful ICTG process. This paper presents the results of the first phase of our research- an exploratory study to identify, refine and categorize Critical Success Factors (CSFs) suitable for MPS. Our first approach is to identify factors within the five domains of ICTG. However, this is not suitable since some factors exist in more than one domain. We, instead, opt to using the four perspective of IT BSC as our main domains. Our preliminary result suggests sixteen CSFs categorized into these four interrelated domains. These findings will be further validated and refined.


Angel Investment as a Source of Startup Capital: A Case Study in Indonesia (Comparative Study in Jakarta and Bandung)

2

Pages 56-67
Chintia Febrianti S

Abstract

Funding is essential for the operation of a business. There are many businesses that difficulties in obtaining financing, especially for startup businesses. But there is a type of financing called Angel Investment to support the existence of a startup. This study aims to look at how the impact of the implementation of Angel Investment as a source of startup capital in Indonesia in terms of its association with a particular performance output market sales volume and market share after obtaining startup funding and reviewing compliance with existing theories . This study used qualitative methods to conduct interviews, documentation and questionnaires. The results of this study is known that angel investment can impact directly or indirectly on the output market performance of a company. It really depends on the strategy adopted of their respective companies. In addition the level of importance of each character angel investment in providing different financing where the average angel investor attention to the emotional aspects such as the level of enthusiasm of an entrepreneur, the management team and the quality of the products of the business. There is also a different funding schemes at each startup, which most startups receiving funding from the scheme that is incompatible with the theory. The end result is the angel investment affect the growth of the business of a company is able to increase sales volume and market share, depending on the strategy of each company. Angel investment can ultimately affect indirectly to an increase in profits of a startup company.


Giving Loan to Member’s Profit of Koperasi Tempe Tahu Indonesia in Bandung

2

Pages 68-74
Ika Mei Ratnasari

Abstract

Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) is a group of business organization that can stand even in an unstable economic conditions. For that cause, the Government is taking role in pushing MSME to become a better and advanced MSME by lending financial aid that can be used as a fund in their business. Koperasi is a being in aiding MSME group. One of them, KoperasiTahu Tempe Indonesia (KOPTI) that has a role in aiding and shielding MSME group of tofu and tempe makers. The objectives of this research was to find how big the influence of KOPTI’s loan program to its members on their profits with the help of collateral, capacity, character, capital, and condition of economies principles. This research used causal method, a quantitative and perspective descriptive methodology. Data are collected is primary and obtained by using questionnaire to a group 48 people that receive the loan program in 2012. The data are then treated by multiple regression analysis with the help of SPSS Version 20 and Microsoft Office 2007. From this research had been withdrawn a conclusion, that the KOPTI’s loan program to its members has a significant influence on their profits.


An Integrated Talent Management System: Challenges for Competitive Advantage

2

Pages 75-86
Ratri Wahyuningtyas

Abstract

Talent management is a set of activities in attracting, developing and maintaining high-potential employees at all levels to achieve the strategic objectives of the organization. Talent management has been the target of increasing interest in the world of work and has appeared more frequently in the academic literature nowadays. While firms tend to recognize the importance of talent management, they often fail to manage it effectively. Success of the company in managing talent will be the critical factor to create competitive advantages. The purposes of this study is to design conceptual model of integrated talent management system in order to manage talent effectively. This study will be focus on discussing about process cycle in managing talent. Furthermore this study will develop conceptual model of integrated talent management system and also explain the important thing that company often to neglect and they didn’t realized that it can be root problem that make overall process will be failed in managing talent. Result from this study as consideration for every company to develop specific program in managing talent effectively


Financing of Small and Medium Enterprises: People’s Credit Scheme (kur) Challenges as Prospects of Smes in Indonesia

2

Pages 87-92
Yuhana Astuti

Abstract

Recently, many Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia are still having problems in getting funds despite various funding programs have been carried out by Indonesian government to aid SMEs. The aim of this study is to understand how People’s Credit Scheme (KUR) as one of the government funding programs for SMEs in Sentra Kaos (T-shirt Cluster) in Suci Bandung and Sentra Tahu Tempe (Tofu Tempeh Cluster) in Cibuntu Bandung, which most of the SMEs in these locations are feasible but unbankable. Government funds can be channeled directly by banks to SMEs, or indirectly through agencies designated by the government, such as credit unions. Descriptive method used in this research shows that (1) the Absorption of KUR funds in the Sentra Kaos in Suci Bandung is still low, because of the lack of proper information (financial access) and SME’s difficulty in fulfillment on 5C assessments (Capital, Character, Collateral, Condition, Capacity) made by the bank as an official institution on KUR; (2) Granting loans to KOPTI’s member (Tofu Tempeh Producer Cooperative) as an institution in the KUR Sentra Tahu Tempe in Cibuntu Bandung, tend to be easier because KOPTI only assessing collateral in lending to its members, which at the end, leads to unpaid credit.


Foreign Co-authorship Phenomenon: A Preliminary Study of Research Productivity of Higher Education Institution in Indonesia

2

Pages 93-103
Mery Citra Sondari, Jann Hidajat Tjakraatmadja, Yuni Ros Bangun

Abstract

Compare to its neighbour countries, Indonesia is still lags behind in research productivity, both quantity and quality. Though, the interesting fact had arise from schimago data analysis, that Indonesia has best rank in foreign co-authorship indicators compare to its neighbour countries. Obtaining data from scopus, authors use scientometrics method to explore the phenomenon. It is found that there is quite high contribution of faculty members that is studying abroad in producing journal article or conference papers that involve foreign co-authorship, in average, range from 32,96 to 44,15%. Factors that might be correlate to the phenomenon and the impact are discussed.


The Effect of Leadership Style Towards Work Family Conflict at PT. XYZ, Bandung

2

Pages 104-115
Arif Partono Prasetio, Nurvita Trianasari

Abstract

One of the interesting topics in HR field is the work family conflict. Human being expected to work to meet their need. Also, they have their family to attend to. That is why the relationship between work and family become important. One should manage the balance of the two life. Usually everyone found it difficult to act balance. There must be some incident which cause the employee to sacrifice one of them. If the work or family responsibilities can not met by the worker, then it could create the work and family conflict. The cause the work and family conflict can derive from many aspects. Each organization has different factor which cause the conflict. The job demand, the hours work, the placement, and many others. This research, analyze the factors which cause work and family conflict in PT. XYZ. The chosen organization has high job demand. We will focus on the leader in the organization and try to measure the influence of his leadership style towards the work family conflict face by the employee. The result found that the leadership style had significance influence towards work family conflict experienced by the employee. However, the research showed that the impact is not big enough. There other variables which can cause the work family conflict. We also learn that the leadership style applied at PT. XYZ is quite helpful in assisting the employee to face the work problems.


Women Entrepreneurial Intentions in Micro and Small Enterprises (mses) in Indonesia: The Influence of Environmental
Factors on Perceived Behavioral Control

2

Pages 116-126
Grisna Anggadwita, Wawan Dhewanto

Abstract

In Indonesia, the potential development of women entrepreneurs is huge considering the number of women in Indonesia is very large. Intention is arguably as a key predictor in determining one’s behavior in making decisions, so there is a necessary to conduct research underlying women decision to run a business. This paper aims to analyze the influence of environmental factors on perceived behavior control (PBC) toward the entrepreneurial intention among women entrepreneurs involved in the MSEs sector in Indonesia. This study uses quantitative methods with survey approach. Questionnaire are distributed and gather responses from 222 women entrepreneurs in Indonesia. The responses analysis use structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesis. The results shows that perceived behavioral control significantly influence women entrepreneurial intentions. The study also shows that perceived behavioral control is significantly influenced by competitive environment rather than government support; while government support are not directly influence on it, yet significantly influencing competitive environment. The implications of this study indicate that the government is expected to enhance its role in making the policy or program to be taken to develop women entrepreneurship.


The Influencing Factors of the Implementation Street Vendor Relocating Program in Bandung, Indonesia. Case Study of
Street Vendor alun-alun, Jalan kepatihan and Jalan Dalem kaum

2

Pages 127-140
Anggraeni Permatasari, Bambang Rudito

Abstract

Bandung Local Government have initiative to publish Local Regulation No. 4 Years 2011 about street vendor arrangement and development. The policy was deemed potentially in supporting and improving street vendor from informal sector to formal sector. One of the implementation program is relocating. Relocation program is a program to displace street vendor from forbidden trading zones to new location in Pasar Gede Bage. But, the process of the implementation program had some obstacles. The purposes of this research are to describe and determine the factors that influence the successful implementation of street vendor relocation program. This study is analyzing variable of Business Location (X1), Working Environment (X2), Communication (X3), Apparatus Behavior (X4) and Entrepreneurial Characteristic (X5). This study used a quantitative method with multiple regression analyze. Data was collected by spread questionnaire to 120 respondents of street vendor and use random sampling techniques. The result showed that three independent variables; Location, Communication and Entrepreneur Characteristic, have positive and significant influence on the implementation of Street vendor Relocation Program. Whereas, independent variables of working environment and apparatus behavior had positive but not significant influence of the dependent variable.


Using Qualitative Research in Accounting and Management Studies: Not a New Agenda

2

Pages 141-148
Hasan Basri

Abstract

Today more and more researchers publish their qualitative works in top management and accounting journals. The contribution of this approach in management and accounting studies continues to gather momentum. Policy maker both in public and private sectors are increasingly recognizing the important and value of this method since it offers detail and rich analysis of management and accounting in an organization. However, there are still many researchers in these fields are reluctant or even reject to employ this method arguing that qualitative approach is not scientific and the results are also not scientific. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the issue of using qualitative method in management and accounting studies. The paper is started by looking the conceptualization of qualitative research. After that, a paradoxical view of qualitative and quantitative methods is discussed. This is followed by discussions of using qualitative research in management and accounting studies. Finally, the use of interpretive case study will be reviewed and discussed in this paper.


A Conceptual Framework of Entrepreneurship Policy

2

Pages 149-160
Isti Raafaldini Mirzanti, Togar M. Simatupang, Dwi Larso3

Abstract

Entrepreneurship has been growing rapidly in the past 20 years. It was strengthen by the increasing number of young generation who choose to be an entrepreneur instead of working on other people or companies. Mostly, they do not consider entrepreneurship as the only option to earn income and generate money, but more than that entrepreneurship is also regarded as one of the way to uphold their values such as beneficial to society, freedom to manage time and finances, and freedom to define and execute what they want. The role of Entrepreneurship in economic growth, are about job and wealth creation. Considering the role, it is important to develop entrepreneurship. In this stage, government policy has a big influence, there are to establish environment and create infrastructure that support entrepreneurship. However, when it comes to entrepreneurship policy, one size does not fit all, governments can only provide an underlying conducive environment to the emergence of productive entrepreneurship rather than unproductive entrepreneurship. In this research, conceptual framework of entrepreneurship policy can be divided based on level of analysis which are, micro, meso, and macro level. At macro level, entrepreneurship policy, focus on creating motivation, entrepreneurial skills, and business skills. While at meso level, it include decreasing administration burden in facilitating business entry and import/export deregulation as well; focusing in targeted business (technology) and business incentives. At macro level, entrepreneurship policies should focus on creating entrepreneurship culture, entrepreneurship infrastructure and regulation itself.


Relationship Between E-Commerce Service Quality, Satisfaction, Trust, and Customer Loyalty in the Hotel Industry in
the east Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

2

Pages 161-172
A.H. Mutia Sobihah, Mahadzirah Mohamad, Nor Azman Mat Ali @ Salim, Wan Zulqurnain Wan Ismail

Abstract

E-commerce system websites have helped to expand the business into the international sphere. Manage satisfaction, trust, and customer loyalty to the use of E-commerce services in the long term in view very important for business development. Lack of studies on the quality of service of E-commerce in the hotel industry in Malaysia in general and on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia in particular has prompted this study to be done. The main objective of this study was to identify and measure the perception of foreign tourists to the service factors of E-commerce website that influence satisfaction, trust and loyalty. Based on previous studies, a conceptual framework of this study were established, the relationship between E-commerce service quality, satisfaction, trust, and customer loyalty in the hotel industry in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Tourism sector is the second largest foreign exchange earner after manufactured goods and the seventh largest contributor to the Malaysian economy, with a Gross National Income (GNI) of RM47.2 billion in year 2013. The hotel industry is one of the tourism sectors. The hotel industries have international dimensions and have the use of the highest sites. Tourism and hotel industry especially has proven to be a catalyst for development and these dynamics have turned the industry into a key-driver for economic growth.


Soft Skills for Leadership that Affect the Project Control By Sub-District Health Promoting Hospital Directors in Roi-et Province

2

Pages 173-183
Jarunyoo Tonganek, Prachak Bouphan

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive research aimed to study personal attributes and soft skills for leadership that affect project control of sub-district health promoting hospital directors in Roi Et, Thailand. The total numbers of volunteers in this study were 142. 130 volunteers provided quantitative data through a self-administered questionnaire while other 12 participated in in-depth interviews for qualitative data. The research instruments were examined for content validity by three experts and tested for reliability in a pilot study (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient = 0.97). Data collection was carried out from February 1st to March 20th, 2014. The data was then analyzed using a package computer program. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression, content analysis were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the level of soft skills for leadership was high (3.67±0.64) and the level of project control was also high (3.90±0.50). Gender (male) found to have moderate positive relationship with project control of sub-district health promoting hospitals directors at statistical significant level (r = 0.431, p-value < 0.001) while soft skills for leadership had high positive relationship (r = 0.870, p-value < 0.001). Linear regression model indicated that communication, planning & organizing, leading ability, gender (male), and personal mastery can predict project control of sub-district health promoting hospital directors at 79.0 percent (r2 = 0.790, p-value < 0.001). The in-depth interview enlightened that project control should be flexible. Continuous monitoring and corrective action found to be crucial keys for the effectiveness of project control. In addition, an opportunity to develop leadership soft skills should be provided to sub-district health promoting hospital directors.


Continuous Quality Improvement Enhancement of Registered Nurses in Community Hospital Khon Kaen Province

2

Pages 184-195
Chaloermchai Camoou, Prachak Bouphan

Abstract

This is a cross – sectional descriptive research. The objective was to study continuous quality improvement and identify motivation and organizational supports that effect Continuous Quality Improvement Enhancement of Registered Nurses in Community Hospital Khon Kaen province of 303 and by using 865 subjects (n = 303), randomly selected by simple random sampling and were additionally collected by group discussion of 10 subjects. To data were collected by the developed questionnaire and which was verified by three experts. Its validity was tested and gained coefficient cronbach’s alpha = 0.98. Data collection was carried out from January 27, 2014 to February 25, 2014.The collected data were then analyzed by a computer program package and disseminated by statistical value, percentage, mean, standard deviation, median, minimum, maximum and Inferential Statistics were Pearson product moment correlation coefficient and Stepwise multiple regression analysis. The finding revealed that the Hygiene Factors and organizational supports had high level of positive with Continuous Quality Improvement Enhancement of Registered Nurses in Community Hospital Khon Kaen province relation at statistical significance of (r = 0.798, p-value < 0.001, r = 0.727, p-value < 0.001) and The factor influenced the performance of Continuous Quality Improvement Enhancement of Registered Nurses in Community Hospital Khon Kaen province were Management (p-value < 0.001), Policy and Administration (p-value < 0.001), Time (p-value = 0.003), Technology(p-value = 0.005), Personal Life (p-value = 0.044) and Money (p-value = 0.046). These six factors could together predict the performance of Continuous Quality Improvement Enhancement of Registered Nurses in Community Hospital Khon Kaen province at a level of 68.9 %. Problem and obstacles arising from the study were motivation factors as 93.5 %andthe suggestion is that executives should consider the jobs of continuous quality improvement. By setting a threshold to consider the merits or promoted to a higher position clear. To build morale for operations


The Study on Employees’ Satisfaction to Core and Managerial Competency Improvement from Training and Development
Program: Case Study of Numchai Insurance Company Limited

2

Pages 196-203
Ariya Songrattananon, Kronkan Na Nakornphanom

Abstract

This study focused on the employees’ satisfaction to core and managerial competency improvement from training and development program of Numchai Insurance Company. The objective of the study is for training program improvement related with employees’ competencies. The sample group consists of 310 employees who work for the company. Questionnaires were used as the data collection instrument. Statistics used for the analysis include percentage, means, standard deviation, t-test independent, one way ANOVA and analysis of variance and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient. The statistic package for social science (SPSS) was employed for statistical data analysis.The study reveals that the majority of the sample group is female with the number of 215 (69.4%), aged between 26-40 years with the number of 170 samples (54.8%). Almost all employees have a bachelor degree of education with the number of 219 samples (70.6%) and more than ten years of working period (94 samples 30.3%). The working period in position of major employees is 1-3 years with the number of 114 samples (36.8%). Lastly, staff is the position of the major employees with the number of 186 samples (60%).The statistical analysis of demographic factors which is gender, age, education, working period, working period in present position and position show that different demographic effects the satisfaction of core and managerial competency improvement at the 0.05 statistical level in the topic of 1.) Working period – Problem solving and decision making 2.) Gender – Conceptual thinking 3.) Age – Delegation and 4.) Age – Empowerment. The statistical analysis of training and development factors which is on the job training, coaching, insurance activity, visiting, functional training, meeting/seminar, consulting, occupation development and self-development reveals that the relationships between trainings and competencies are not related in topics 1.) Insurance activity training – analytical thinking competency 2.) Visiting– leadership, problem solving, analytical thinking, conceptual thinking and job assignment competencies 3.) Functional training – customer orientation, leadership, problem solving, analytical thinking, conceptual thinking and job assignment competencies 4.) Meeting/seminar – leadership, problem solving, analytical thinking, conceptual thinking and job assignment competencies 5.) Consulting – conceptual thinking and job assignment.


Developing an Index for Medical Tourism

2

Pages 204-210
Yuhanis Abdul Aziz, Zaiton Samdin, Khairil Wahidin Awang, Zulhamri Abdullah

Abstract

Currently, medical tourism is regarded as an important emerging tourism sector in the Malaysian economy. Despite it’s significant contribution to the country’s GDP, the examination of the main factors that contribute to the success of the industry remain limited. Therefore the objective of the paper is three-fold. First is to propose the medical tourism index from the service point of view. Second is to examine the ranking of the identified index. Finally, to investigate the index which holds most value for money. The survey is conducted with 400 medical tourists over a period of four months. Several important findings are reported. An index with 5 dimensions is identified as the most important factors in medical tourism. The findings also suggest that hospital reputation is the most influential factor among the index. The result also provides evidence that medical treatment is a factor that has the most excellent value for money. It is concluded that clear index categorisation will assist greatly in conceptualising empirical developments and improving the overall service experience for medical tourists. The implications are discussed, limitations are noted and possible areas in future research are proposed.


Track: Social Sciences and Humanities

The Professional Development Programs And Integration Of Learning Management System

2

Pages 211-225
Sheiladevi Sukumaran, Abdul Rahman Idris

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of professional development (PD) programs on the approach to Learning Management System (LMS) in the perspective of educators‟ in selected private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in Kuala Lumpur. The critical issues are utilization of e-learning not being fully embraced by the educators‟, approach to e-learning facing difficulties and challenges due to lack of appropriate training, urgency to transform education system to integrate e-learning to fulfill the Key Result Area that set by Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and to fill in the gap between PD and e-learning. The notions for the conceptual framework and research instrument for this study were adapted from RPIM model. Data was collected and analyzed by quantitative methodology utilizing self-administrated questionnaires. The study findings showed that the impact of PD on educators‟ has a significant role in their approach to LMS. The results also indicated that there were deficiencies in readiness and maintenance of PD programs. Moreover, the results confirms that there is a necessity to develop PD programs that caters e-learning environment for diversity of learners and at the same time accommodating sound pedagogy for the students to enhance their learning processes. The results also showed that appropriate training was significant obstacle to the victory of e-learning programs due to most PD activities were offered without considering the actual needs of the educators. This research fills the gap of the literature and contributes to policy makers, academician and PD organizers in empowering educators‟ through PD to support LMS.


An Investigation of Students Employability Skills of A New Established University During Industrial Placement

2

Pages 226-237
Jamaludin Jalani, NorHaslinaHashim, Md. Zin Ibrahim

Abstract

Essentially, the students are required to undergo the Industrial Placement during the study at university level. This allows the students to experience a real industrial work such that they can be successfully employed after study. However, there is evident that the employer criterions may differ when employing the students such as through student’s academic performance, communication skills and practical knowledge. In this paper, the students’ performance is investigated during industrial placement. The study is based on 100 final year students of Mechanical Engineering at University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). It is to note that the UTHM is considered a new university established in 27 September 2000. Thus, the outcomes from this investigation are crucial to ensure that the students from UTHM are competitive and marketable for the job employability. The assessment is carried out by the employers, the lecturers and the students. The study shows that 75% of UTHM students are ready to be employed. These students in general are able to clearly express their ideas and confidently in speech and writing, confidently work within a group, systematically gather information, initiative and self-motivation, effectively plan and organize, flexible and aware of the factors that affect the organization. The results also show that female students are able to work as good as male worker in the organization. On the other hand, the remaining 15 % of the UTHM students require further enhancement for job employability skills. A more holistic approach such as attending the grooming and communication courses are required for the improvement.


Trends of Study on Ta’wilat Ahl al-Sunnah by Abu Mansur al-Maturidi: 1970-2004

2

Pages 238-243
Aisyah Bt Dollah@Abdullah,Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohd Yakub @ Zulkifli bin Haji Mohd Yusoff, Ahmed Kasar, Nailah bt Abas, Husniyah Salaeh

Abstract

The discovery of a work Ta’wilat Ahl Al-Sunnah by Abu Mansur Al-Maturidi has opened a new dimension to the study tafsir. This article focuses on trend of study done by reaserchers of the work Ta’wilat Ahl Al-Sunnah by Abu Mansur Al-Maturidi covered on certain focused issues. Researchers will use a quantitative analysis method by focusing on the masters and doctoral degrees. This study is expected to identify the spaces still exist related to this particular study at the level of master’s and PhD.


Gamifying Academic Research of near Extinct Moribund Words to Preserve Culture and Heritage

2

Pages 244-249
Normahdiah Sheik Said, and Nadia Suboh

Abstract

Net- Gens of today are faced with a dilemma of defining their boundaries in professionalism, livelihood, self-efficacy, social wellbeing, and the appreciation of cultural and heritage in this borderless world through the presence of immersive technologies. New demands of immersiveness in technologies are enabling them not only knowing more about the world beyond the four walls to their home, but also in giving them the chance to get direct access to information, individuals, institutes and organizations playing roles as researchers, clients, informants, participants, communities, and professionals across disciplines, across societies and across nations. This present era and trends has made us rethink about the way we look at deliverables of academic research findings today. A useful approach in answering part of the question on “Is the shift to commercialization in academic research affecting the standards of quality to serve the society?” is to look at a case sample and question the possibilities and constraints the case upholds in justifying or contradicting the said statement. This paper will look at how findings from an academic language research, that in previous forms of deliverables, are as presented papers on selected academic disciplines of conferences and seminars, as online reference journals, or as printed on the shelve hard copy journals in physical knowledge management buildings like archives, resource centers and libraries could be transformed into a present deliverables much more appealing to the Net-Gens of today. The paper will describe how a gamification approach was used and discussed whether such an effort could be a current approach of academic research findings deliverables that could serve still good quality standards to the society towards the shift to commercialization. The chosen game-like gamified form “RICEVILLE” case sample was developed from an academic research finding in the context of exploring a new effort to uplift the preservation and appreciation culture and heritage.


Positive and Negative Effects of Postmodernism on the Mass m,dia: A Critical Review of Trends from an Islamic Perspective

2

Pages 250-257
Yusuf Abdul Azeez, Azmi Shah Bin Suratman Hussin Bin Salamon Ramli Bin Awang and Ziad Bin Abdul Awal

Abstract

Postmodernism may be viewed as an era in which the mass media was integral to an immense proliferation of artistic styles that projected the ideations of postmodernism and its several movements. This paper examines the historical development of postmodernism as an imaginative intellectual interest group throughout the 1960s and ’70s. An attempt is made to critically assess both positive and negative effects of postmodernism on the mass media in addition to the latter’s influence(s) on Islam within the context of postmodernism.


Group Counseling for At-Risk Adolescents

2

Pages 258-267
Mohammad Nasir Bistamam, Aslina Ahmad, Amelia Mohd Noor, Ahmad Jazimin Jusoh, Mohd Bazlan Mustafa, Norani Ismail, Samsiah Mohd Jais7, Faizura Rohaizad and Mohd Noor Idris

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of group counseling towards psychological aspects among Malaysian at-risk adolescents. The psychological aspects measured were the adolescents’ perceiption towards family, depression and resilience. The effect was measured by looking at the mean score of the psychological aspects before and after the intervention. This study takes a quasi-experimental design in which a number of 90 students were involved in this study. Data is analyzed using MANCOVA. Results showed that the mean score of the psychological aspects of the treatment group has reduced compared to the controlled group. Implications regarding this matter is discussed at the end of the paper.


The Study of Comic Influences on New Generation’s Drawing Styles

2

Pages 268-279
Li-Chiou Chen

Abstract

The status of comic was ignored by society in the past, reading comic seems to waste a time and was believed useless for learning. However, due to the help of mass media and the Internet, it has been gradually changed. Comic is not only being a very important part of popular culture, it also is a part of the Cultural and Creative Industry in Taiwan in recent years. The new generation of drawing learners, especially students who study in the universities of art and design related departments, are the people who will work for our cultural and creative industry. These students have more or less enjoyed reading comic since they were young, therefore the often seen styles of comic have imprinted on their memory. The aims of this study hope to understand the new generation of drawing learners, how they have been influenced by comic and how are the relations between drawing styles of the learners and their preferences of comic styles? Therefore the study plans to employ qualitative method to discuss the phenomenon of the learner influenced by comic styles, proving art teachers to have a reference when teaching traditional or digital drawing. The study also analyzes the relevance of the learners’ drawing styles and their preferences of comic styles, giving students have an opportunity to rethink their own drawing styles.


Motives for Sporting Activities Participation among Wheelchair Athletes

2

Pages 280-286
Nagoor Meera Abdullah, Norlizah Abdul Hamid, Sarimah Ismail & Vincent Parnabas

Abstract

Sports believed to be an important tool in developing an inclusion society. Persons with disabilities can sports as a medium or opportunity to be in the community. The purpose of the study is to identifying the motives for sporting activities participation among wheelchair bound athletes. Hundred (n=100) respondents (60 male; 40 female), age of 16-55 years old took part in the study using the close-ended questionnaire that consists of five motives factors that are task-oriented motives, social-integration motives, fitness-oriented motives, ego-oriented motives and social-affective motives. The analysis was conducted using the SPSS method. Descriptive statistical method such as mean and the standard deviation and independent T-test were used in the study. There is no significant difference in motives factors among the male and the female wheelchair athletes (p =.091; p˃0.05). There is no significant differences on both gender perceived fitness-oriented motives (p =.697; p< 0.05) and social-affective motives (p=.124; p<0.05) and task-oriented motives (p=.895; p<0.05) as the main factors for participation. However, there are significant differences in social-integration motives (p=0.43; p ˃0.05) and ego-oriented motives (p=0.033; p˃0.05). More physical activity programs need to be conducted to encourage sporting participation among persons with disabilities and the facilities accessibility also need to be constructed for them at the gymnasiums, sport centers and recreation park so that they can also enjoyed the same benefits as their able-bodied peers.


Youth Volunteerism In Chow kit, Malaysia: Factors of Involvement

2

Pages 287-293
Sarimah Ismail, Noor Azmira Samat, Vincent Parnabas, Nagoor Meera Abdullah and Nolizah Abdul Hamid

Abstract

This study determined the motivation factor towards the involvement of urban youth in Malaysia toward volunteerism. It identified the motivation factors to volunteerism and examines the relationship between demographic data and motivation factors. The study was conducted at Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This quantitative research was using the 44 items of Volunteer Function Inventory (VFI) which was adopted from Clary (1998) and was administrated among 132 respondents. The finding of the study shows that the highest motivation factor is purposive and social integration, where most of the respondents involved in volunteerism because of caring attitude for others and for their own self benefit. The result shows, there is a significant relationship between motivation factors and volunteering outcome, (r 0.830, p-value <0.01). The mean for motivation factor is 94.04 and the result also shows that 95 percents of the respondents are motivated towards involvement in the volunteerism and the finding has achieves the objectives of this study. It can be concluded that these study contribute to academic and society by creating awareness towards volunteering activity and it benefits to the society.


Measurement for Analyzing Instant Messenger Application Adoption Using Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of
Technology 2 (utaut2)

2

Pages 294-303
Gusti Ayu Made Mas Marhaeni and Indrawati

Abstract

The average of customers in using instant messenger applications such as WhatsApp, Blackberry Messenger (BBM), LINE, KakaoTalk, and WeChat in Indonesia is 40 minutes per customer per day with the number of application downloaded in Indonesia is the second highest among six countries in South East Asia. This data is contradictive with frequency of usage application in Indonesia which is the lowest among other South East Asia countries. This highest number of downloaded application which is not in line with highest usage of application is not good for the business. It is important to know the factors that affect the intention and usage of instant messenger application. So far, there is no well published research regarding this matter, yet. This research wants to propose a measurement model to analyze factors that affect the behavioral intention and usage of instant messenger applications in Indonesia, especially in Bandung based on UTAUT 2 model from Venkatesh, Thong, and Xu (2012). The measurement model has been tested by using 30 respondents, the users of instant messenger applications in Bandung. The pilot test reveals that the measurement model is valid and reliable to be used for further study.


Batek Hep‟ Language: The Female‟s Pride and Learning Exploration

2

Pages 304-309
Tengku Intan Suzila T.S, Teo Kok Seong and Mohd Yusri M.N

Abstract

Language is the main medium for knowledge transfer either through paternal or maternal linkages. As egalitarians, the Batek learn through both parents by means of experience or imitation. Heritage knowledge is essential yet the Batek Hep‟ language is endangered due to contact and economic crunch. As tourist guides to the Malaysian National Park in Pahang, the Batek male youths are code-mixing and switching, with only an average grasp of their native language. The female‟s language is fortunately intact as some are merely necessitated to dwell at the show villages. The present research explores six conveniently sampled Batek Hep‟ females‟ perceptions, ages varying from early twenties to late fifties, on their language pride and language learning style. Method adopted are semi-structured interviews, recorded verbal discourses and participant-observation field notes over a span of a few months through several field visits to several Batek Hep‟ settlements along the Tembeling River, Pahang. Atlas ti. software assists the triangulated analysis. Findings offer the female Batek‟s perceptions and suggest that to the elders are firmly devoted to their traditional culture and lifestyle, thus ensuring great language pride. Yet unfortunately, the young are keen on evolving. The findings significantly suggest that proper language learning approach is vital where contact language could be learned without neglecting the native language.


An Investigation of Preschool Children’s Toy Preferences According to Different Variants

2

Pages 310-316
F. Ülkü YILDIZ, Gökhan KAYILI

Abstract
The objectives of this research is to determine the toy preferences in Turkish preschool children according to different variants. 197 children participated in this research which 93 are girls and 104 are boys. The participants of this research, 91 of them are 4 years and 106 of them are 5 years old. Also, all of children are normal developed who study at kindergarten of state primary schools and independent kindergarten classes in Konya provinces of Selcuklu, Karatay and Meram during 2012-2013 school year formed group of the research. Toy preferences questionnaire was used in this research which created by researchers. Research data were analyzed using Chi-Square Test and SPSS 16.0 package program. General result found out at the end of the research is that the gender of the children were revealed to have impacted children’s toy preferences and the age and socio-economic level of the children were not revealed to have impacted children’s toy preferences.

A Study into the Effects of Preschool Education on the Emotional Skills of First Graders

2

Pages 317-323
Ülkü Kale Karaaslan, Aysel Çağdaş

Abstract

It is the purpose of this study to explore whether the variables “receiving preschool education or not”, “duration of attendance in preschool education” and “the type of preschool institution (nursery school, kindergarten)” make a difference in emotional skills of first graders in primary school. The population of the study was the first graders who attended primary schools in Konya during 2011-2012 education year. 40 out of 254 primary schools were randomly selected and Emotional Skills Test was administered to 800 first graders (400 girls – 400 boys) who were randomly selected from the population and “Personal Data Form” was used to collect data on the participants. A relational screening was performed between dependent and independent variables in the study, which was conducted through screening model. Results revealed a significant difference between the students who received preschool education and those who did not and between the ones who did not attend preschool education and those who attended for 2 years or more. It was found out that the type of school that the students attended (nursery school, kindergarten) did not cause any differences between the mean scores from Emotional Skills Test.


Modeling and Forecasting the Volumes of Malaysia’s Import

2

Pages 324-334
Mohamed A.H Milad, Ross Irnawaty Ibrahim and Samiappan Marappan

Abstract

The present study is an attempt to build a new statistical model to forecast the value of imports in Malaysia. The study will use regression, time series, and a composite model (combining of egression and time series) methods. According to the data available, the time frame for this study will be determined by using monthly data covering the period between 1990-2010 (a period building model) and the period between 2011-2013 ( as a period for testing the predictive ability model proposed ). The study will be limited to six variables which are the exchange rate, average tariff tax, average sales tax, producer price index, value of exports and the value of imports in the previous time period. The study is of great importance in helping of Malaysia in drawing policies for imports in general, and particularly imports of machinery and transport equipment, and crude materials, as the proportions spent on total imports of machinery and transport equipment and crude materials were respectively 56% , 3% of the total value of imports in Malaysia during the study period. The current study considers utilization of probabilistic forecasting methods in the decision–making process which reflects the level of uncertainty in future demand forecasts.


Implementation Model of Mlearning Based Discovery Learning on Teacher Education

2

Pages 335-353
Asra, Muhammad Ridhuan Tony Lim Abdullah, Saedah Siraj and Siti Aisyah Ha

Abstract

Teachers are key to improving the quality of education. The quality of teachers depends on the quality of teacher’s education. The aim of this paper is to describe how mobile learning (mLearning) could be integrated in teacher education through developing implementation model of mlearning based discovery learning. The study used The Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) technique to integrate selected experts’ views to develop the implementation model. The model consists of mobile discovery learning activities determined through Fuzzy Delphi method. The findings resulted in an interpretive structural model of a network of mobile learning activities integrated with discovery learning activities. The model was evaluated by the experts. Through the evaluation, the experts found out the activities in the model could be categorized into four groups: Independent activities, Linkages activities, Dependent activities and Autonomous activities based on their driving powers and dependent powers. The categorization of the activities further complements in guiding the implementation model through how activities influence or depend on other activities.


Contribution of Abd al-Rahman Hasan Habannakah in the Field of Tafsir: Background Studies on the Principles of Tadabbur
in the Qawa‟id al-Tadabbur al-Amthal li Kitab Allah

2

Pages 354-367
Nurul Zakirah Mat Sin

Abstract

This article introduce the prominent figure of a Syrian-born, contemporary Muslim scholars, „Abd al-Rahman Hasan Habannakah al-Maydani (m.2004M). This study tries to expose his contribution in the field of Tafsir through his writing entitled Qawa‟id al-Tadabbur al-Amthal li Kitab Allah. The writing reveals the principles of tadabbur, evaluated in the form of 40 methodologies. The methodologies are clearly described through applications in his other writings entitled Ma‟arij al-Tafakkur wa Daqaiq al-Tadabbur. Background studies discover that the methodologies presented by the writer are the result of his tadabbur and consistently on the Quranic verses, which he focus on the issues that have not been brought up or the ones that are not emphasized by other Mufassireens (Interpretors). Therefore, the study will discuss on a different perspectives based on an extensive observation on the relationship between the Quranic verses and the thematic chapter, verses munasabat and its meanings, knowledge on ma‟ani and balaghah, knowledge on bayani and uslub of the Quranic verses.


Giving Food Clover Education with Art Activities to 5 year-old Children

2

Pages 368-380
Gulriz Akaroglu, Aysegul Sarikaya and Didem Onay Derin

Abstract

It was used food-based dietary guidelines and images of the food guides, to remain healthy and to prevent diseases, diet and healthy lifestyle. A food guide is the pictorial illustration of the amount and type of food items to be consumed so that community can understand easily. This research was aimed to explain by using art activities and visual aids the food groups that involved in four-leaf clover is used in Turkey as a visual guide. Study was carried on totally 50 children (25 of them are test group and 25 of them are control group) who was on their pre-school education in Esentepe Primary School and Selcuk University Ihsan Dogramacı Applied Kindergarten in Konya provincial centre and on the same social-economic level.Four-leaf clover through arts education was given for four weeks to children, in order to raising their level of knowledge regarding on food groups, and gaining positive eating behaviours. Education program consist of group chat, and art activities made at the desk (collage artist reproductions, painting, cut, paste, mixed technic etc.). The data were collected using data forms which prepared by researchers. In the evaluation of the data SPSS 13 statistical package program was used. According to the study results, it was proved that nutrition education given to pre-schoolers increased the level of nutrition knowledge of children, and affected their eating behaviours in a positive way.


Social Integration of Vietnamese People Residing Abroad: Case Studies Vietnamese in Sydney Australia and Philadelphia.
pa. u.s.

2

Pages 381-402
Le Thi Mai

Abstract

My paper based on the result from 2 case studies Vietnamese in Sydney Australia (2013) and Vietnamese in Philadelphia. PA. U.S. (February 2014). These studies are for longer project titled: Social integration of Vietnamese people residing abroad. Qualitative research with participate observation method were conducted. Beyond day-to-day connections and networks built in society relationship I carried out fieldwork. All helped me gather crucial and sensitive information from their stories and daily participate observations. Findings showed that: 1/ Circumstance under which that an individual or one family decided to leave their homeland to another have become more diverse and complex. 2/ Social integration is one of the main factors affecting decisions of a personal or family‘s staying home or migrating elsewhere, affecting one‘s successful and failure. 3/ Social integration is a process and an outcome as well. The integration process of an individual, of a specific immigrant group into his/her host country is characterized by several dimensions, typically aggregated into four distinct categories and generally support each others: economic, legal and social-cultural integration. 4/ heterogeneous needs of different migrant generations are more specifically targeted. Although some of findings, there are still some issues to be discussed such as the most appropriate approach in the study of social integration; Manipulation concept social integration; Examine the impact of social integration to migration intentions with professional development opportunities, income, satisfaction in life as intervening variables and policy implications for social integration of immigrants.


Study Assistance by Social Methodology Application for Mobile Device

2

Pages 403-410
Phudinan Singkhamfu, Chaithawat Suraphruk and Patiphat Inkong

Abstract

In the classroom mostly student tend not to pay attention to reading long texts. It becomes a problem because a reader ignored this valuable information. We also observe that a short text has been viewed more than the long texts. For example, many Facebook users think that a long texting status might be boring than a short one. So that means, the information may not be able to spread throughout to everyone who related. Not mention by words of mouth. So we decided to create an application that can be used to reduce those problems.The study was aimed for students and instructors can access through the web application to notification and alarm the users, to encourage the students to be more motives in their study. Such as examination date, lecture lesson, and assignment‟s task. Instructors can spread the necessary information to every student easily. To make this application success its objectives, instructors will enter the lessons that attractive the students by themselves. The research was aimed to use idea of repeating lesson by sending the shot text massage to student after class is used to remind student to keep think about their knowledge their have just acquired. This way is already popular same as update user status in social network application. Another objective of this application is to reduce the gap between students and instructors, make them communicate to each other. Instructors can post the lesson via web application. Students who participated instructor‟s class can read that lesson. With a push notification feature, it can greatly help remind the students inside the class about the recent post, and allow students to see how many people that read each lesson. Moreover, instructors can freely set the time to post the lesson automatically. This feature can help instructors to post the lessons that connect to the previous one or to help them reduce the burden. These can make students easily receive necessary information and be able to study everywhere. This application works another small social network that use similar social status to provide study lesson between student and instructor and helps the students in their study.


Track: Physical Life and Applied Sciences

The impact of Contextual method in teaching and learning Engineering Statistics in the Universiti tun hussein onn malaysia
(uthm)

2

Pages 411-420
Zulkarnain Md Amin, Nafisah Kamariah Md Kamaruddin, Wan Mohd Rashid bin Wan Ahmad, Maizam Alias

Abstract

Teaching engineering statistics for engineering students in universities is not an easy task. The best methodology is important so that students will learn engineering statistics effectively. However most researchers measured the effectiveness of the teaching and learning engineering statistic method based on the outcomes which are the test results. Thus this research was done to find out the opinion of the students on whether the use of contextual method in teaching and learning engineering statistics is effective. The population consisted of two groups in the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia: electrical engineering degree students using contextual method and mechanical engineering degree students using non-contextual method. A sample of 15 students from each group was selected: 5 weak students, 5 moderate students and 5 good students. Data were collected using an interview with semi-structured questions. The data were analyzed using NVivo. The findings showed that most students in the contextual method group understand statistics concept better than the other group. Majority of the students using the non-contextual method were lost or confuse of the statistics concept. In conclusion, the contextual method appeared to be more favourable by the engineering statistics students in their learning process.


Lactic Acid Production From Sweet Potatoby Lactobacillus Casei Tistr 453

2

Pages 421-430
Amnuai Adthalungrong, Chaowaree Adthalungrong, Angthika Sirithanachareon, Achala Prachansit

Abstract
Sweet potato (SP) is the world’s seventh most important food crop. Cultivation period of SP usually is as short as 3-4 months. In addition, SP contains high carbohydrate in tubers which can be hydrolyzed into glucose and supplied as a substrate for the production of lactic acid and other products. In current research, starch hydrolysate from SP was employed as a substrate for lactic acid production by Lactobacillus casei TISTR 453 and optimal conditions were investigated. Incubation temperature and medium compositions were studied with modified MRS medium. The results revealed that 37ºC was optimal. For an optimization of medium components including concentrations of reducing sugars, CaCO3, winery yeast disposal and MnSO4.H2O, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed using central composite design (CCD). From the results, a highest lactic acid was predicted at 104.12 g/L, which corresponded to 88.99 % conversion, when reducing sugars, CaCO3, winery yeast disposal and MnSO4.H2O were applied at 117.00, 56.00, 16.00 and 0.064 g/L, respectively, when 72 h fermentation was carried out.

The Fourth Version of Richardson’s Extrapolation Spreadsheet Calculator Using Vba Programming for Numerical
Differentiations

2

Pages 431-438
Kim Gaik Taya, Tau Han Cheongb, Sie Long Kekc and Rosmila Abdul-Kahard

Abstract
In this paper, we have further upgraded the limitation of our third version of Richardson’s extrapolation spreadsheet calculator for computing differentiations numerically. In the third version, users have to input function f(x) using Excel Command. However, in this latest Richardson’s extrapolation spreadsheet calculator, users only have to type in function f(x) naturally via programming syntax or mathematical form instead of using Excel command. Using one customized written function in VBA programming, the function f(x) is later evaluated in Excel. The latest version is more user-friendly especially to users who are not familiar with Excel. We believe this is the ideal version.

Aquatic Plants As Phytoindicator For Heavy Metals Contaminant In Polluted
Freshwater Bodies

2

Pages 439-447
Rashidi Othman, Nurul Azlen Bt Hanifah amd Ruhul and ‘Izzati Shaharuddin

Abstract
Over the past decade, ecologists have tried to determine how changes in species composition and diversity
affect ecosystem structure and function. Until recently, the majorities of these studies have been conducted in
terrestrial ecosystems and have not taken into account environmental variability. Nowadays, humans tend to
neglect water as part of main sources in our daily life. As time goes by, with few exceptions, water has always
been a natural resource that people take for granted. The idea of this research is to understand how aquatic
plants can be used to detect and act as an indicator for polluted freshwater bodies. In this study, sixteen water
samples were collected from four different places (Selangor, Perak, Pahang and Kelantan) where six different
aquatic plant species were abundance and dominant. All the water samples were analyzed for six types of heavy
metals which are iron (Fe), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn). All six
different aquatic plant species which are Eichhornia crassipes, Hydrilla verticillata, Cabomba fuscata, Salvinia
natans, Nelumbo nucifera and Pistia stratiotes exhibiting highly significant differences between aquatic plant
species widespread, locations and the heavy metals content. This clearly demonstrates that freshwater
environment with abundance of invasive macrophyte species can have an important influence and indication on
the accumulation of heavy metals content. The importance of the interaction components emphasises that the
changes in heavy metals composition are complex and the responses are not consistent across all aquatic plant
species. Examination of the summarised data revealed that, of the 6 macrophyte species analysed at all different locations, all exhibits as potential ecological indicator for unhealthy aquatic ecosystems or as phytoindicator for heavy metal contaminants either at low or high level contamination.

Ethnobotanical Study of Traditional knowledge on Plant Used in Traditional Bath (mandi serom) among Malay Midwives in
Perak and Negeri sembilan

2

Pages 448-454
Rashidi Othman, Nur Illani Abdul Razak and Nooriszai Ishak

Abstract
This paper analyzed the traditional knowledge of plants used in traditional bath which known as mandi serom in Malay culture. Mandi serom is an important traditional way in postpartum practice among Malay communities in Perak and Negeri Sembilan. The study was carried out through face to face interviews with Malay midwives as the respondents and collection and identification of the plants in the area. A total of 25 species of plants were noted and collected during the botanical surveys. Most of them are predominated by zingibers and herbaceous plants. In mandi serom, the plants are used to get rid the body odour, for spiritual cleansing, for hygienic purposes and to ward off mystical forces known as makhluk halus in Malay culture. Traditional beliefs and practices surrounding postpartum practice were highly prevalent among young women in Malay culture.
However this traditional knowledge is seldom recorded and only passed down through generations. Therefore
these new ethnobotanical records are a rich source towards preservation of traditional knowledge of plants that
can be further up for clinical studies in Malaysia.

Biomonitoring Agent for Heavy Metals Run Off from Acid Sulfate Soil of Aquaculture Industries in Selangor, Malaysia

2

Pages 455-461
Renga Rao Krishnamoorthy, Sharifah Nadhrah Syed Tajul Arif

Abstract
The disturbance of acid sulfate soils due to poor wastewater management of aquaculture activities caused a major environmental issue such as metal pollution in coastal regions of many countries over the world. Peninsular Malaysia also challenged the same problem where it lost 18700 ha of coastal lowlands from 1980 to1990.This activity caused the oxidation of pyrite which produces high concentrations of ferrous ions, and sulfuric acid, in turn attacks clay minerals and produces high concentrations of monomeric aluminum (Al) and other acid-soluble metals. Subsequent leaching of these toxic products into adjacent water bodies is rapidly increasing the stress on ecosystems. Therefore, the research was aimed to monitor heavy metal runoff from acid sulfate soil at shrimp aquaculture areas through phytotechnology approach. The study was conducted at fourteen different sites in Selangor which contains large amount of acid sulfate soil. The result showed that Pistiastratiotes was substantially the best phytoindicator for Al, iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) toxicity followed by Lemna.minor, Nymphaeastellata, and Urticulataaurea. On the other hand,N.stellatawas observed to be best phytoindicatorfor nickel (Ni), whereas for arsenic (As) was Ludwigiapalustris. Among these six species, the most potential biomonitoring agent to indicate acid-soluble metals are P.stratiotesand N.stellataas they are presence in low D.O level, high pH, high concentration of ammonium and tolerance to Al, Fe, Mn, and Ni.

Radioprotective Potential of Punicagranatum Extract and Synthetic Ellagic Acid: A Biochemical and Hematological Study in Mice.

2

Pages 462-468
Satheesh Kumar Bhandary B, Sharmila K.P, Suchetha Kumari.N, Vadisha S. Bhat & Ganesh Sanjeev

Abstract
Radiation therapy has been used in cancer treatment for many decades; although effective in killing tumor cells, ROS produced in radiotherapy threaten the integrity and survival of surrounding normal cells. Recent studies have indicated that some commonly used medicinal plants may be good sources of potent but non-toxic radioprotectors. The pomegranate, Punicagranatum L., an ancient, mystical, and highly distinctive fruit, is the predominant member of the Punicaceae family. It is used in several systems of medicine for a variety of ailments. The objective of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of ethanolic extracts of pomegranate whole fruit (EPWF) and Synthetic Ellagic acid (EA) against Electron beam radiation(EBR) induced biochemical and hematological alterations in Swiss albino mice. The extract and synthetic compound were assessed for its radical scavenging property by DPPH and FRAP assays. The animals were treated with 200mg/kg body wt. of pomegranate extract and Ellagic acid for 15 days before exposure to 6Gy of EBR. The hematological parameters were determined in the blood and biochemical estimations were carried out in the serumof sacrificed animals. The plant extract and synthetic compound exhibited good radical scavenging and reducing properties. The pretreated animals exhibited protective effect on the hematological parameters. Radiation induced depletion in the level of reduced glutathione and total antioxidant capacity were prevented significantly by EPWF and EA administration. Also there was significant reduction in the levels of membrane lipid peroxidation in the treated groups compared to irradiated control. The findings of our study indicate the protective efficacy of pomegranate extract and synthetic ellagic acid on radiation induced biochemical and hematological changes in mice may be due to its free radical scavenging and increased antioxidant levels.

Spatial Interpolation Of Monthly Precipitation In Selangor, Malaysia – Comparison And Evaluation Of Methods

2

Pages 469-480
Nurul Nadiah Mohd Firdaus, Suhaimi Abdul Talib

Abstract
There are many spatial interpolations schemes, but none of them can perform best in all cases. Hence, this study aims to find an optimal interpolation scheme for precipitation in Selangor and Langat basin of which are the two major basins in Selangor. In order to obtain spatially distributed precipitation data, 21 measured rain gauges points are interpolated. Five interpolation methods have been tested after exploring data and cross-validation was used as the criterion to evaluate the accuracy of the various methods. The best method was obtained by the kriging method while the inverse distance weighting (IDW) perform worst.

Malaysian Adolescents‟ Moral Awareness and their Cultural Conformity

2

Pages 481-495
Siti RafiahAbd Hamid, Khamsiah Ismail, Nik SuryaniNikAbd Rahman and Haniza Rais

Abstract
It has been reported in printed and electronic media that moral decadency among Malaysian adolescents is on the rise (Jaafar, J., Kolodinsky, P., McCarthy, S. & Schroder, V., 2004; Ting Soo Ting, 2011; Shadiya Mohamed S. Baqutayan, 2011). Such decadency is attributed by a host of factors. This study aims at describing the moral awareness and social conformity of Malaysian adolescents. A questionnaire was administered on 200 respondents. Preliminary findings indicated that the respondents‟ conform positively to their cultural expectations (M= 3.92; SD= .92) and have positive moral awareness is (M = 4.40; SD = .85). These findings were perceived instrumental to the current classroom managements, school counselling services and parenting styles in Malaysia.

District Health System Development Performance by District Health Committee in Nhongkhai Province

2

Pages 496-506
Panom Pengwichaiand, Prachak Bouphan

Abstract
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the motivation and organizational support affecting the developmental action of the district health system by the District Health Committee NongKhai Province. Total of 253 members were divided into stratum and 190 were recruited via simple random sampling with a proportion. Data from questionnaire and a constructed in-depth interview was analyzed and presented as a percentage, mean, standard deviation, pearson product moment correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression. The finding revealed that all of motivation, organizational support and development of the health system by District Health Committee affected the development at the “high” level. Moreover, there were significant variables that predicted the development of the health system by District Health Committee such as organizational support technology, motivational job, policies and administrative organization, professional status factors, supportive time, personal acceptance and sustenance of salary or compensation. These factors illustrated that they affected the developmental action at 53.0 percentage predictions. However, motivation to understand positional role, operational guidelines, participation in implementation plan and ongoing monitoring network activities are required to explore.

Factors Affecting the Research for Solving Health Problem of Health Personnel at Health Promoting Hospital in Nakhon
Phanom Province

2

Pages 507-516
Rungrawee Srichan and Prachak Bouphan

Abstract
This study is cross-sectional descriptive study. It aims to assess the factors affecting research development of health related problem by health personnel at health promoting hospitals in Nakhon Phanom province. The study population were public health officers and register nurses at health promoting hospitals in Nakhon Phanom province. Data were collected using questionnaire and in-dept interview. The questionnaire was developed and verified content validity by 3 expert. The reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient of 0.92. The validated questionnaire was use in 170 respondents. The in-dept interviews was conducted in 12 persons. Data was collected between 18st February 2014 until 18st march 2014. Data were analyzed by computer program. Data distribution by percentage average percentile standard deviation Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results showed that the motivation was moderate average value 3.24 (S.D. = 0.51). Motivators factors was moderate average value 3.05 (S.D. = 0.45). Hygiene factors was moderate average value 3.44 (S.D. = 0.65). Organization support was also moderate average value 3.24 (S.D. = 0.75). From correlation analysis, the study showed that motivation are positively high correlated with research to solve health problems by health personnel at health promoting hospitals in Nakhon Phanom province. (r = 0.711, p-value < 0.001). Organization support are positively moderately correlated with research to solve health problems by health personnel at health promoting hospitals in Nakhon Phanom province (r = 0.546, p-value < 0.001). And the organization support in man motivators factor in recognition, responsibility and hygiene factor in policy and administration could jointly predict the research to solving health problems of health personnel at health promoting hospitals in Nakhon Phanom province for 57.3 %.

Consumers Protection Performance of Health Personnel in Sub-district Health Promoting Hospitals, Khon Kaen Province

2

Pages 517-528
SumaleeLarangsitand and Prachak Bouphan

Abstract
This is a cross-sectional descriptiv12222222222221121122222222222222222222222e research. The objective was to study consumer’s protection performance of health personnel in sub-district health promoting hospitals Khon Kaen province. Motivation and organizational supports that effect consumers protection performance of health personnel in sub-district health promoting hospitals Khon Kaen province of 162 and by using 248 subjects (n=162), randomly selected by systematic sampling and were additionally collected by group discussion of 12 subjects. To data were collected by the developed questionnaire and which was verified by three experts. Its validity was tested and gained coefficient cronbach’s alpha=0.97. Data collection was carried out from January 15, 2014 to February 13, 2014.The collected data were then analyzed by statistical value, percentage, mean, standard deviation, median, minimum, maximum and Inferential Statistics were Pearson product moment correlation coefficient and Stepwise multiple regression analysis. The finding revealed that the motivation had high level =3.67 (S.D.=0.45), and organizational supports had high level =3.54 (S.D.=0.59)and consumers protection performance had high level =3.74 (S.D.=0.54). The motivation and organizational supports had moderately positive influence on the consumers protection performance of health personnel in sub-district health promoting hospitals Khon Kaen province relation at statistical significance of (r=0.675, p-value <0.001,r=0.638,p-value<0.001)and the factors influenced the performance of consumers protection performance of health personnel in sub-district health promoting hospitals Khon Kaen province were Material (p-value<0.001), Achievement(p-value=0.020), Man (p-value<0.001), Recognition (p-value=0.002), Salary(p-value<0.001), and Advancement(p-value=0.018). These six factors could together predict the performance of consumer’s protection performance of health personnel in sub-district health promoting hospitals Khon Kaen province at a level of 62.5 %. Problem and obstacles arising from the study were practices, consumer protection, and personnel developments 71.1%.

Prevention and Control Performance of Diabetes Mellitus Among Health Personnel at Primary Care Units Khon Kaen Province. Master of Public Health

2

Pages 529-539
Kanokphit Kanwa and Prachak Bouphan

Abstract
This is a cross sectional descriptive Research aimed to Prevention and Control Performance of Diabetes Mellitus among Health Personnel at Primary Care Units KhonKaen Province. A total number of 235 health Personnel’s (n=235) were randomly select by Stratified Sampling of the total 757 health Personnel’s. The data were collected by the developed questionnaires which were verified by the experts. Its validity was tested and gained coefficient cronbach’ alpha =0.96. The data were additionally by in-depth interview of 15 subjects. The data collection was carried out from January15, 2014 to February 15, 2014. The collected data were analyzed by a computer program package and disseminated by statistics value, percentage, mean, standard deviation, median, minimum, maximum, Person Product Coefficient and Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis. The result show that the level of Motivation affective the performance were high level ( =3.77, S.D.=0.42) the motivation factor and hygiene factor were at high level ( =3.79,S.D. = 0.45) and ( =3.79, S.D. =0.42) It was levelled the Factor Prevention and Control Performance of Diabetes Mellitus among Health Personnel at Primary Care Units KhonKaen Province were achievement (p-value < 0.003), Responsibilities (p-value <0.001), Salary (p-value = 0.047), Company policy and administration (p-value < 0.001) , Status (p-value < 0.020). These five factors could together Prevention and Control Performance of Diabetes Mellitus among Health Personnel at Primary Care Units KhonKaen Province as 53.0% Problems and obstacles arising from the exploring were high risk screenings for Diabetes Mellitus 92.6 %

Differences in Fitness Level Between Urban and Sub-Urban High School Student

2

Pages 540-570
Borhan Bin Yusof, Mohamad Sadek Mustaffa Khairulzaman Hamin & Rosnizar Binti Yahaya

Abstract
Physical activity is any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that result in an expenditure of energy. Based on the statistic that has been made by U.S. Physical Activity Statistics Database shows that 50% of American adults do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits.Focus on the differences in fitness levels between urban and sub-urban high school student. It determines either two difference area of urban or sub-urban high school student having good performance in physical activity and levels of their fitness. SEGAK test is used to measure fitness level of high school student. Objective of this study are measure and records fitness levels in term of intensity, make analysis and discussed the physical fitness level from the result to make the comparison of fitness level between high school students in two different areas of urban and sub-urban high school student.

Business Success through Relationship Marketing Identification of Red Chili Producers Based on the Six Markets Model

2

Pages 571-578
Agriani H. Sadeli and Hesty N. Utami

Abstract
Relationship marketing can be utilized to develop outright bond between producer and consumer in the business without neglecting others key stakeholder’s relationship. It can also improve competitive advantage and bring the business into success. A model proposed to examine relationship marketing is the six markets model. Red chili is one of prime commodity in agribusiness cluster in West Java Indonesia. The model will represent all potential relationship that contribute to red chili producer and build a framework of an effective organization market place. We have found that for customer market domain there are food Industry Company which already used contractual trade and only less of the red chili is sell to traditional market. Supplier and alliance market domain is done through cooperation with agricultural input supplier to provide a continuity supply of all farming input. Meanwhile, influence market domains who benefit the red chili producer are financial institution and government. Internal market domain is conduct by develop agribusiness co-operative supported by a solid relationship among red chili producers. Afterwards, referral market domain is done through recommendation from educational institution to the potential buyer from modern market. The last market domain is recruitment market that is still applying traditional recruitment practice to gain a new member. According to this model, business success of red chili producer in West Java can be achieved through commitment, market differentiation and comprehensive network between all market domains.

Modern Market Retail Local Fresh Produce Supplier Value Creation through Marketing Contribution

2

Pages 579-586
Hesty N. Utami, Agriani H. Sadeli

Abstract

Agricultural industry is now facing global market and a tight business competition, including for fresh produce. It take to account that local fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables is begin merchantability to a wider market, such as modern retail which has different trading and marketing procedure compare to traditional market. Number of modern retail in Indonesia especially in big cities is increasing day to day. It is an opportunity for local fresh produce to make market penetration. However, to enter modern market requires a qualified supplier based on each market demand and qualification. Value creation is a market driven strategy to gain competitive advantage. This research conducted value dimensions to evaluate local fresh produce supplier marketing performance which are quality, cost, delivery, responsiveness, and innovation. According to modern retail perception, fresh fruits and vegetables quality that consider as their qualification is durability, freshness, packaging, standardization and grading. Indicator of cost dimension are offered price and delivery cost. Delivery dimension should fulfill delivery schedule accuracy, fastness, and transportation with refrigerated vehicle. Furthermore, responsiveness will consider service level, continuity throughout off seasons, delivery flexibility, supplier customer service, and complaint handling. The last is innovation dimension that will take into consideration is not only research and development facility but also supplier product knowledge. Therefore, it is an opportunity for local fresh produce supplier to partnering with modern retail. Hereinafter, local fresh produce supplier should be able to serve an appropriate and qualified fresh fruits and vegetables that fit to modern retail expectation.


Track: Engineering and Technology Studies

Modelling and Simulation of A Humanoid Robot Arm

2

Pages 587-597
Jamaludin Jalani, Hairuddin Hamzah, Sumaiya Mashori

Abstract

Imitating similar function of a human arm can be very challenging task for a humanoid robot arm. A simple task such as pick and/or place requires the understanding of mathematical modelling, forward kinematics and control system. Hence, this paper presents a modelling and simulation of humanoid robot arm which is based on a human arm anatomy. The model of the humanoid robot arm is developed by using Simmechanics. The robot consists of two arm manipulators, a palm and five fingers. All fingers, i.e. index, middle, ring and small finger consist of three links and three joints except the thumb finger. The thumb has four joints and four links. A previous study has shown that a human hand can safely grasp any cylindrical and cube objects of the same size within approximately one second. This is a very important target to be achieved by a robot hand as the controller should be able to perform as close as possible to human hand speed. In order to control the grasping, a conventional PID control is proposed. The results show that the PID controller is accurately performed less than 5% error better than human grasping. Note that human grasping is limited to 10% error. In addition, the robot hand is able to realize grasping within one second. The results also show that the model of humanoid robot hand is successfully developed by using Simmechanics. A development of forward kinematics is provided based on Denavit-Hartenburg technique to show x, y and z position.


Updating the Development of Real-Time Monitoring System for Perceptible Water Vapor

2

Pages 598-606
Wayan Suparta, Kemal MaulanaAlhasa, Mandeep Singh3 & Jit Singh

Abstract
This paper updating the real-time of monitoring precipitable water vapor (PWV) system developed in the UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The previous PWV system was developed under the LabVIEW platform and as of now is updated by adding the monitoring of zenith total delay (ZTD) with a storage management. The ZTD parameter is estimated by using the adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model that was generated by MatlabTM. Toestimate the ZTD value, the model input was taken from the real-time data measured by meteorological sensors (pressure, temperature and relative humidity) that was included in this system. The storage management system has been updated using a database management which capable to store the results of the monitoring data. A database is constructed using a MySQL that is open source database and integrated with the powerful of LabVIEW system. This system has been successfully implemented in our laboratory and proved easier to operate and provide a faster response under a windows platform. Furthermore, the real-time monitoring system data will be published in a website, and its development is being carried out. The data generated from this system will make easier to users around the world and provide benefits to forecasters and modelers to improve the accuracy of weather forecasts and predictions.

Extraction of Beta Carotene from Palm Mesocarp via Green Sub-Critical Carbon Dioxide

2

Pages 607-615
Mohd Azizi Che Yunus, Muhammad Syafiq Hazwan Ruslan, Jefry Bin Jamal, Wan Aminullah Wan Abdul Aziz and Zuhaili Binti Idham

Abstract
Experiments involving subcritical carbon dioxide extraction of palm oil from treated palm mesocarp to determine palm oil yield and concentration of beta-carotene. As comparison, the conventional method of Soxhlet Extraction with six different of solvent was used. The overall oil yield was measured as weight of oil per weight of sample, while anti-oxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryihydrazyl radical scavenging method. The sub-critical extraction was conducted at a constant temperature of 30˚C and four different pressures at 10 MPa, 15 MPa, 20 MPa and 25 MPa. The sub-critical extraction produced high concentration of beta-carotene than soxhlet extraction, even though the oil yield was lower. Furthermore, the anti-oxidant analysis showed a similar trend as the concentration of beta carotene. The best condition of sub-critical extraction was obtained at 25 MPa and 30˚C.

The Impact of the Number of Nodes, Speed of Nodes, Speed of Network and the Network Space to the Number of Nodes keeps Alive

2

Pages 616-622
SuhazlanSuhaimi and KamaruddinMamat

Abstract
Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) is a technology that operates on portable devices such as IPAQ Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), Smartphones, laptops and other mobile devices. Habitually, all these devices run on batteries; therefore, the need of sufficient power poses a critical issue in the operations of these devices in the network. This research was conducted to compare and analyse the number of nodes keeps alive in the Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) in order to find out the best way to manage the mobile devices. The NS2 simulation tool was used to conduct the experiment focused on Optimize Link State Routing (OLSR) protocol. The scenario was created based on four elements; the space of network, the different number of nodes located in the network, the different speed of nodes and the different speed of the network. The results from the experiment show that all the four elements give a significant impact to the energy usage for mobile devices. Lastly, the matrix solution table for high speed of nodes and high speed of networks is proposed. This matrix solution table can be used as a guideline for the decision maker or researcher to select the suitable elements that suite to their scenario.