Husnayati Hussin, Fatimah Bunyarit and Ramlah Hussein
This study aims to investigate the elements of effective instructional design in an e‐learning environment in selected Malaysian higher learning institutions. In addition, the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the elements of effective instructional design in an e‐learning environment in selected Malaysian higher learning institutions. In addition, the study also seeks to investigate the e‐learning use behaviour among these e‐learners.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used the interview method of data collection to examine the e‐learning systems used at the selected institutions and a questionnaire‐based survey to gather responses from students on their perception of the effectiveness of instructional design elements and their e‐learning use behaviour.
Findings
Findings of the study indicate positive perceptions of e‐learning among students in the selected universities. Student involvement and course content are among the most satisfactory factors for instructional design principles as perceived by the students.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations of the study relate to the generalisability of the findings to other user groups. The findings of the study provide insights on the relevance of instructional design elements to an effective e‐learning environment.
Practical implications
The findings should assist instructors and e‐learning implementers in designing course materials that would be more effective for e‐learning at the tertiary level of education.
Originality/value
The research provides some evidence from an e‐learners' perspective on the effectiveness of instructional design for an e‐learning environment in the Malaysian context.
Details
Keywords
Noor Hazilah Abd Manaf, Husnayati Hussin, Puteri Nemie Jahn Kassim, Rokiah Alavi and Zainurin Dahari
The study seeks to explore the perception of international patients on Malaysia as a medical tourism destination country, as well as overall patient satisfaction, perceived value…
Abstract
Purpose
The study seeks to explore the perception of international patients on Malaysia as a medical tourism destination country, as well as overall patient satisfaction, perceived value and future intention for repeat treatment and services.
Design/methodology/approach
Self-administered questionnaire was the main method of data collection. The survey covered major private hospitals in medical tourists’ states in the country, namely, Penang, Melaka, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Convenience sampling was used due to the condition of patients as respondents.
Findings
Indonesian patients formed the largest majority of international patients in the country. Five dimensions of medical tourism in Malaysia was identified, namely, hospital and staff, country factor, combining tourism and health services, cost saving and insurance and unavailability of treatment. Of these, hospital and staff was found to be the most important factor for the patients. Perception of value, overall satisfaction and intention for future treatment was also found to be high. This indicates that Malaysia is on the right footing in this burgeoning industry.
Practical implications
Findings from the study will enable policy-makers to better position Malaysia as a medical tourist destination country.
Originality/value
Medical tourism is a recent phenomenon and very little empirical research has been carried out at the patient level. This study is one of the first few studies which seek to explore medical tourism from the perspective of the patients themselves.
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Mohd Adam Suhaimi, Muhammad Rabiul Hasan, Husnayati Hussin and Asadullah Shah
The purposes of the study are to understand ICT workforce employability in Malaysia, to identify the causes that influence the growth of skill gaps in the ICT workforce, and to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purposes of the study are to understand ICT workforce employability in Malaysia, to identify the causes that influence the growth of skill gaps in the ICT workforce, and to determine ways to reduce these gaps.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology of the study comprised project reports and a literature review.
Findings
The findings show that not only Malaysia but also Australia and India are facing the challenges of demand‐supply gap as regards a quality ICT‐related workforce. The study also indicates that these countries do have similar obstacles and issues of sufficiently trained and experienced ICT graduates.
Practical implications
This study suggests that in the light of the skills demanded by industries and organizations, ICT workers could be trained through an updated course curriculum in line with the needs of industry.
Originality/value
The employability of the workforce in general has been discussed in many papers. This paper specifically discusses employability issues of the information and communication technology (ICT) workforce, and provides values to ICT educators and employers, as well as to potential ICT graduates.
Details
Keywords
Mohd Adam Suhaimi, Husnayati Hussin and Muzzafar Mustaffa
This paper aims to aid in understanding the motivations for information system (IS) outsourcing decision and its initial implementation at one of the top commercial banks in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to aid in understanding the motivations for information system (IS) outsourcing decision and its initial implementation at one of the top commercial banks in Malaysia. The scope of the study includes the motivating factors, the implementation strategy and managing the change process.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a case study approach where 40 interviews were conducted among the staff, covering the management as well as non‐management group.
Findings
The findings of the study indicate that the motivating factors are the focus on core competencies, turning non‐profit activities into profit‐generating activities, and cost reduction. The implementation strategy involves the setting up of a two‐tier relationship between the bank and the service provider. The challenges involved in the transition phase include managing the partnership and handling the staff transition and morale.
Research limitations/implications
To some extent, there may be some subjectivity involved in interpreting the results of analysis, as with any other studies that adopt a case study approach.
Practical implications
Amidst the complexity involved in any IS outsourcing endeavour, the management of a bank may learn some lessons from the experience reported in this study. At the initial stage, the bank should be concerned with the approach in establishing the partnerships and staff matters should not be undermined.
Originality/value
The study provides a real life example of IS outsourcing implementation in the banking sector of a developing country.