Tze Huey Tam, Muhammad Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman, Sobri Harun, Shamsuddin Shahid, Sophal Try, Mohamad Hidayat Jamal, Zamri Ismail, Khamarrul Azahari Razak, Mohd Khairolden Ghani and Yusrin Faiz Abdul Wahab
The present study aims to evaluate the effect of climate change on the flood hazard potential in the Kelantan River Basin using current and future scenarios.
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to evaluate the effect of climate change on the flood hazard potential in the Kelantan River Basin using current and future scenarios.
Design/methodology/approach
The intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) was used to estimate the current 50- and 100-year return period 24-h design rainfall, and the climate change factor (CCF) was used to compute the future design rainfall. The CCF was calculated from the rainfall projections of two global climate models, CGCM1 and CCSM3, with different pre-processing steps applied to each. The IDF data were used in the rainfall-runoff-inundation model to simulate current and future flood inundation scenarios.
Findings
The estimated CCF values demonstrate a contrast, whereby each station had a CCF value greater than one for CGCM1, while some stations had a CCF value of less than one for CCSM3. Therefore, CGCM1 projected an aggravation and CCSM3 a reduction of flood hazard for future scenarios. The study reveals that topography plays an essential role in calculating the CCF.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to examine flood projections in the Kelantan River Basin. It is, therefore, hoped that these results could benefit local managers and authorities by enabling them to make informed decisions regarding flood risk mitigation in a climate change scenario.
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Nor Ezatie Mukminah Muhammad Zamri, Mahazril ‘Aini Yaacob and Norazah Mohd Suki
The purpose of this study is to examine the key factors that influence the housing preferences of young civil servants in Malaysia.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the key factors that influence the housing preferences of young civil servants in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 400 respondents who fulfilled the eligibility criteria of civil servant working in Malaysia aged between 20 and 40 years, and currently renting a house, or staying with friends, immediate family or relatives. Data were analysed via exploratory factor analysis and Pearson correlation.
Findings
The results reveal that financial capability is the factor that most strongly influences the housing preferences of young civil servants, followed by neighbourhood and location. Young civil servants are highly inclined to consider the monthly repayment amount as the most important issue when deciding to buy a house. Furthermore, they prefer to buy a house in a neighbourhood that ensures high security and protection against crime.
Practical implications
Housing developers should develop affordable housing in suitable neighbourhoods and locations to match homebuyers’ preferences to avoid a mismatch between housing demand and supply, which is obviously one of the greater risks of unsold homes.
Originality/value
Given the lack of focus on this precise research sample (i.e. young civil servants), the study is justified in terms of its originality, as it examines a specific cohort by focussing on the correlations of location, financial capability and neighbourhood with housing preferences of young civil servants in Malaysia. These insights are invaluable, as this group has not been the specific focus of research.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating role of institutional ownership on the relationship between board gender diversity and earnings management (EM) among…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating role of institutional ownership on the relationship between board gender diversity and earnings management (EM) among listed firms in East African Community (EAC) partner states.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a sample of 71 firms listed in the EAC partner states over 2011–2020. Data were handpicked from the individual firm's audited annual financial reports. Based on the results of the Hausman test, the study used the results of the fixed-effect regression model to test the hypotheses. To test the robustness of the results, the study employed an alternative measure of EM and two additional econometric techniques, including the pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) and the system generalized method of moments (GMM).
Findings
The empirical findings revealed that female directors improve the board's effectiveness in monitoring managerial roles. Specifically, the results showed a significantly negative relationship between the proportion of women in the corporate board and EM (as measured by discretionary accruals (DAs)). The findings further revealed an inverse relationship between the proportion of institutional ownership and EM. Finally, the results further demonstrated that institutional ownership enhances the role of board gender diversity in mitigating EM among listed firms in the EAC.
Practical implications
The findings of this study may be useful to managers, investors and regulators in assessing the role of institutional ownership and women's participation on corporate boards as a strategy for alleviating unethical manipulation of earnings.
Social implications
The findings of this study contribute to the growing concern on gender inequality, especially the marginalization of women from the paid labor force and decision-making. The findings highlight the importance of having more women in the corporate board since this may help in mitigating corporate fraud. Similarly, the findings highlight the importance of institutional ownership as a corporate governance (CG) tool.
Originality/value
Previous studies have reported mixed empirical results on whether board gender diversity mitigates EM. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first paper to fill the existing gap by exploring whether institutional ownership moderates the relationship between board gender diversity and EM among listed firms in the EAC.
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Giovanna Gavana, Pietro Gottardo and Anna Maria Moisello
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of family control on the association between related party transactions (RPTs) and different forms of accrual-based earnings…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of family control on the association between related party transactions (RPTs) and different forms of accrual-based earnings management (AEM) and real earnings management (REM), analyzing the effect of board characteristics on the possible association.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper studies a sample of Italian non-financial listed firms over the 2014–2019 period, by GLS regression models, controlling for the fixed effects of the company's sector of operation and the year.
Findings
Results indicate a different association between RPTs and earnings management (EM) in family and non-family firms. They point out that family firms use RPTs in association with downward AEM and REM perpetrated by abnormal discretionary expenses as well as a substitute of REM via abnormal production costs. For non-family firms, findings indicate only a substitution effect between RPTs and AEM. Furthermore, CEO duality, board gender diversity and the presence of the family on the board positively moderate the association between RPTs and, respectively, REM implemented through sales manipulations, downward AEM and upward AEM.
Originality/value
This study suggests that the socioemotional wealth (SEW) differently affects the relationship between RPTs and EM, according to the form of the latter. It also points out family firms' heterogeneity in earnings manipulations, by providing evidence of the moderating role of board characteristics on the association between RPTs and the various forms of EM.
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Muhammad Firdaus Mohd Nazeri, Muhamad Zamri Yahaya, Ali Gursel, Fakhrozi Cheani, Mohamad Najmi Masri and Ahmad Azmin Mohamad
The purpose of this paper is to review and examine three of the most common corrosion characterization techniques specifically on Sn-Zn solders. The discussion will highlight the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review and examine three of the most common corrosion characterization techniques specifically on Sn-Zn solders. The discussion will highlight the configurations and recent developments on each of the compiled characterization techniques of potentiodynamic polarization, potentiostatic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
Design/methodology/approach
The approach will incorporate a literature review of previous works related to the experimental setups and common parameters.
Findings
The potentiostatic polarization, potentiodynamic polarization and EIS were found to provide crucial and vital information on the corrosion properties of Sn-Zn solders. Accordingly, this solder relies heavily on the amount of Zn available because of the inability to produce the intermetallic compound in between the elements. Further, the excellent mechanical properties and low melting temperature of the Sn-Zn solder is undeniable, however, the limitations regarding corrosion resistance present opportunities in furthering research in this field to identify improvements. This is to ensure that the corrosion performance can be aligned with the outstanding mechanical properties. The review also identified and summarized the advantages, recent trends and important findings in this field.
Originality/value
The unique challenges and future research directions regarding corrosion measurement in Sn-Zn solders were shown to highlight the rarely discussed risks and problems in the reliability of lead-free soldering. Many prior reviews have been undertaken of the Sn-Zn system, but limited studies have investigated the corrosive properties. Therefore, this review focuses on the corrosive characterizations of the Sn-Zn alloy system.
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Hong Kok Wang, Cheong Peng Au-Yong, Gabriel Hoh Teck Ling and Kian Aun Law
Under Malaysian Law, the maintenance and management of common property have traditionally been viewed as insoluble challenges in the self-organisational efforts for high-rise…
Abstract
Purpose
Under Malaysian Law, the maintenance and management of common property have traditionally been viewed as insoluble challenges in the self-organisational efforts for high-rise low-cost housing developments. As the population increases, more shared resources become heavily exploited with few willing to contribute towards the sustainability of resources. Many researchers argued a better way would be to convert these shared resources into a private or state-managed entity. Hence, with that assumption, this paper aims to examine how better physical characteristics can result in greater collective action.
Design/methodology/approach
This research paper adopted a quantitative method approach to determine how the standard of physical characteristics influenced the quality of collective action in high-rise low-cost housing. The method included a questionnaire survey of 519 parcel holders chosen via stratified purposeful random sampling from four high-rise low-cost housing areas.
Findings
The paper found a positive correlation between the quality of physical characteristics and the collective action gained. The findings highlighted that the standard of workmanship of high-rise low-cost units (including the common properties), the crime rate in the neighbourhood and the condition of lift systems – when improved – were significant positive predictors of collective action.
Practical implications
Housing developers should pay attention to the quality of both low-cost units and related common properties, as this endeavour will assist greatly in future collective action management.
Originality/value
The study was justified in terms of its originality as few research studies adopted the social-ecological system framework that focused on the correlation between the quality of physical characteristics and the collective action of parcel holders.
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Anuar Nawawi and Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh Salin
Many corporate scandals that occurred recently have indicated the importance of a whistle-blowing mechanism in preventing fraud and malpractices from damaging the organizations…
Abstract
Purpose
Many corporate scandals that occurred recently have indicated the importance of a whistle-blowing mechanism in preventing fraud and malpractices from damaging the organizations. By selecting one organization that has experienced a corporate scandal, this study aims to examine factors that influence employee’s intention to blow the whistle to prevent malpractices in the company. In addition, this study also examines the perceptions of employees regarding the business culture in their organization and how this culture impacts their intention to whistle-blow.
Design/methodology/approach
This study engages in a mixed method of data collection, namely, survey questionnaire and interviews to gather the data.
Findings
It is found that retaliation is the most important factor that influences the employee’s intention to whistle-blow, followed by the burden to prove the malpractices, cost implications as a result of the wrongdoing and the action taken by the authority as a result of the fraud reporting. In terms of business culture, a large number of employees are reluctant to become a whistle-blower, although a secured and safe whistle-blowing mechanism is in place, indicating that Asian customs of collectivism and assertiveness play a major part in shaping the whistle-blowing mechanism in Malaysian organizations.
Research limitations/implications
The results provide further confirmation of the determinants that influence employees to report wrongdoings in the organizations. This study however may subject to self-reported data biasness because of sensitivity of the research that related to fraud and immoral behaviours that occur in the company. Owing to this sensitivity, the study only focuses on employees’ internal whistle-blowing intentions rather than their actual intentions.
Practical implications
This study helps the management to understand the working culture in the company so that they can identify the weak area of governance which needs improvement such as whistle-blower protection.
Originality/value
This study is original, as it focuses on the employees in a big organization such as government link companies that have experienced corporate scandals albeit having whistle-blowing mechanism in place. In addition, the finding of this study contributes to the theory and body of the literature on the whistle-blowing determinants, currently scarce in the context of a developing country like Malaysia.
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Ab Halim Tamuri, Mohd Yusof Othman, Jawiah Dakir, Ahmad Munawar Ismail and Zakaria Stapa
The study aims to investigate the students' perceptions on the teaching of Islamic education in the Malaysian secondary schools. The study will also look into the students'…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to investigate the students' perceptions on the teaching of Islamic education in the Malaysian secondary schools. The study will also look into the students' attitudes based on their personal self-evaluation as well as to examine the relationship between these two variables.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs quantitative and survey research design. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire which is distributed to samples that were randomly selected in representing the selected population among students of Malaysian secondary schools. The instrument used is a modification of instrument developed by Ab Halim et al., Ahmad Munawar and dan Azhar. The pilot study done shows a high reliability of 0.924 for the assessment of Islamic education teachings and 0.869 for the aspect of Islamic attitudes. 3,262 Form 4 and 6 students from selected schools in Malaysia participated in the study. The data were analyzed to display the frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Pearson's correlation.
Findings
The study revealed a high level of mean on the aspect of students' evaluation on the teaching of Islamic education at their schools. It was also found that the level of students' attitudes was also high, i.e. 4.26. There was a significant relation between the students' perceptions on the teaching of Islamic education and their attitudes (r=0.740, p=0.000).
Practical implications
The implementation of teaching and learning strategies and new approaches are some of important elements in the teaching and learning process of Islamic education. This study shows that the lesson of Islamic education has significant and strong relationship with the students' attitudes in their daily lives. Since the students felt that the lesson of Islamic education was important for them, teachers should improve the lesson on Islamic education by using different types of teaching methods, technique application and motivational approaches. The teaching of Islamic education should not only focus on theoretical aspects but must also emphasize on practical implementation of Islamic knowledge.
Originality/value
This paper describes the religious teaching and learning in schools which has significant relationship with the students' daily attitudes. A new area of research can be conducted to explore the most important factors of teaching and learning that contribute to the students' attitudes development. These findings can also be used by educators to improve the quality of the lessons based on the students' evaluation.
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Fatimah De'nan, Megat Azmi Megat Johari, Shaneez Christie Anak Nyandau and Nor Salwani Hashim
The purpose of this study is to know the influence of palm oil fuel ash and metakaolin on the strength of concrete and crack resistance of reinforced concrete beam. An ordinary…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to know the influence of palm oil fuel ash and metakaolin on the strength of concrete and crack resistance of reinforced concrete beam. An ordinary portland cement has been used in the concretes production where it is an important material to be considered due to its nature that reacts with every substance present. During the cement production, a significant amount of carbon dioxide is emitted from the clinker in rotary kiln and lot of energy is required in the production processes. Such an event can be prevented by replacing the part of cement with metakaolin (MK) and palm oil fuel ash (POFA). Aside from being a cementitious alternative, the materials can also contribute to a greener environment and more sustainable building, as POFA is available in Malaysia and may be used to substitute cement and minimize pollution.
Design/methodology/approach
This study assesses the effect of MK and POFA on the concrete in terms of compressive strength and cracks pattern of the reinforced concrete beam based on the relevant previous studies.
Findings
From this study, the compressive strength of concrete containing MK and POFA was higher than the control mix with the percentage of improvement in the range of 0.8%–78.2% for MK and 0.5%–14%, respectively. The optimum content of MK and POFA is between the range of 10% and 15% and 10% and 20%, respectively, to achieve high strength of concrete. Other than that, the inclusion of MK to the concrete mix improves the strength of reinforced concrete beams and reduces cracks on the surface of reinforced concrete beams, whereas the inclusion of POFA to the concrete mix increases the cracks on reinforced concrete beams. The cracks appeared within the flexure zone of every beam containing the MK and POFA.
Originality/value
It was found that the fineness of MK and POFA has a significant influence on the mechanical properties of concrete.
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Owee Kowang Tan, Nabila Mohd Hamel, Choon Hee Ong, Chin Fei Goh and Amran Rasli
The study aims to explore how lean research and development (R&D) tools and techniques (T&T: i.e. R&D hard practices) affect the relationship between lean R&D soft practices and…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to explore how lean research and development (R&D) tools and techniques (T&T: i.e. R&D hard practices) affect the relationship between lean R&D soft practices and organization performance within R&D-based manufacturing firms in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
The current study is a quantitative study that utilized an online survey questionnaire for data collection. Data were collected based on a cross-sectional survey of R&D managers from 102 R&D-based manufacturing firms in Malaysia. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the impact of lean R&D soft and hard practices on firms' performance.
Findings
As per the study findings, it was determined that T&T of lean R&D was significant mediator in the relationship between lean R&D soft practices (i.e. managerial practices, transformational leadership, financial capability and supplier involvement) and R&D firms' performance.
Practical implications
The study delivers an important message to R&D companies that lean practices could be applied in R&D environments to drive organization performance.
Originality/value
The study extends the knowledge regarding lean principles and framework beyond the domains of production and services. The study offers new conceptual contribution in term of lean principles and framework in R&D environments by introducing the role of lean R&D tools and technique to enhance the effects of lean R&D practices on organization performance.