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1 – 9 of 9Mohd Taufiq Mohd Khairi, Sallehuddin Ibrahim, Mohd Amri Md Yunus and Mahdi Faramarzi
This paper aims to present a review of the design and development of the turbidimeter for measuring the turbidity level in water. Monitoring the turbidity level of water is…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a review of the design and development of the turbidimeter for measuring the turbidity level in water. Monitoring the turbidity level of water is important because it is related to public health.
Design/methodology/approach
A precise and reliable turbidimeter can provide vital data that reveals the water condition level. Several turbidimeter units are discussed briefly. Three types of turbidimeter design – single beam, ratio and modulated four beams – are elaborated with some illustrations of the design concept. Various improvements and innovations for upgrading turbidimeter design are also discussed.
Findings
This paper elaborated on a new method of estimating the water turbidity level in water samples using an optical tomography system based on the independent component analysis method. The results showed that a tomography-based turbidimeter can measure slight changes in the level of turbidity when the volume of contaminants is changed slightly. The turbidimeter can also provide a profile of the distribution of the turbidity in the water sample.
Originality/value
A turbidimeter based on the optical tomography concept can be a valuable tool in determining the level of pollution in rivers, sea, etc.
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Alif Syarafi Mohamad Nor, Mohd Amri Md Yunus, Sophan Wahyudi Nawawi, Sallehuddin Ibrahim and Mohd Fua'ad Rahmat
The purpose of this study is to determine the contamination level in natural water resources because the tremendous development in the agriculture sector has increased the amount…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the contamination level in natural water resources because the tremendous development in the agriculture sector has increased the amount of contamination in natural water sources. Hence, the water is polluted and unsafe to drink.
Design/methodology/approach
Three types of sensor arrays were suggested: parallel, star and delta. The simulation of all types of sensor array was carried out to calculate the sensors’ impedance value, capacitance and inductance during their operation to determine the best sensor array. The contamination state was simulated by altering the electrical properties values of the environmental domain of the model to represent water contamination.
Findings
The simulation results show that all types of sensor array are sensitive to conductivity, σ, and permittivity, ɛ (i.e. contaminated water). Furthermore, a set of experiments was conducted to determine the relationship between the sensor’s impedance and the water’s nitrate and sulphate contamination. The performance of the system was observed where the sensors were tested, with the addition of distilled water with different concentrations of potassium nitrate and potassium sulphate. The sensitivity of the developed sensors was evaluated and the best sensor was selected.
Practical implications
Based on the outcomes of the experiments, the star sensor array has the highest sensitivity and can be used to measure nitrate and sulphate contaminations in water.
Originality/value
The star sensor array presented in this paper has the potential to be used as a useful low-cost tool for water source monitoring.
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Chiew Loon Goh, Ruzairi Abdul Rahim and Mohd Hafiz Fazalul Rahiman
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a review of types of tomographic systems that have been widely researched within the past 10 years. Decades of research on non-invasively…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a review of types of tomographic systems that have been widely researched within the past 10 years. Decades of research on non-invasively and non-intrusively visualizing and monitoring gas-liquid multi-phase flow in process plants in making sure that the industrial system has high quality control. Process tomography is a developing measurement technology for industrial flow visualization.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of types of tomographic systems that have been widely researched especially in the application of gas-liquid flow within the past 10 years was conducted. The sensor system operating fundamentals and assessment of each tomography technology are discussed and explained in detail.
Findings
Potential future research on gas-liquid flow in a conducting vessel using ultrasonic tomography sensor system is addressed.
Originality/value
The authors would like to undertake that the above-mentioned manuscript is original, has not been published elsewhere, accepted for publication elsewhere or under editorial review for publication elsewhere and that my Institute’s Universiti Teknologi Malaysia representative is fully aware of this submission.
Nor Azizah Ahmad, Sulfeeza Mohd Drus and Hairoladenan Kasim
The relevant importance of enterprise architecture (EA) to an organization has gained the attention of the public sector. However, its adoption rate remains slow on the uptake…
Abstract
Purpose
The relevant importance of enterprise architecture (EA) to an organization has gained the attention of the public sector. However, its adoption rate remains slow on the uptake. Thus, this study aims to investigate the various factors associated with adoption intention based on the technological, organizational and environmental framework for federal and state types of public organizations to provide greater predictive accuracy and relevance of EA adoption in Malaysia’s public sector (MPS) context.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study was conducted through an online survey in Malaysia. Based on 255 samples from public organizations throughout Malaysia, a multigroup analysis with partial least square structural equation modeling was performed to identify the respective influencing factors for adopting EA by federal and state organizations in the Malaysian public sector.
Findings
Five organizational factors (clear communication, normative pressure, expected benefit, good governance and organization size) and two environmental factors (coercive pressure and mimetic pressure) were found to be significant factors influencing adoption intention for EA. Additionally, clear communication and coercive pressure were noted to be significant factors influencing adoption for both federal and state organizations. Other significant factors for federal organizations include expected benefit and normative pressure, whereas for state organizations, another significant influencing factor was good governance. The predictive accuracy for federal organizations was slightly higher at 74.6% than that of state organizations, that is, at 65%.
Research limitations/implications
These findings imply that federal and state organizations respond to different factors that motivate their intention to adopt EA. These findings guide future intentional practice and ensure greater motivation for EA adoption.
Practical implications
The identification of specific factors that matter to the federal and state public organizations in driving intention to adopt EA in this study has provided significant information that could help in effective decision-making process for these organizations. Common strategies that emphasize on clear communication and coercive pressure can be applied to address EA adoption processes for both federal and state public organizations. Further to that, more specified strategies such as highlighting expected EA benefits and instilling good governance work more effectively for federal and state, respectively.
Originality/value
This study has provided a more extensive view of EA adoption in MPS by differentiating the discerning factors based on the technological–organizational–environmental framework significant for federal and state types of organizations. Hence, this could help in formulating strategies specified to the organization type and ensure greater success in EA adoption in both federal and state organizations.
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Hasliza Hassan, Abu Bakar Sade and Lohan Selva Subramaniam
Health fitness has become a major issue in Malaysia since the population of overweight and obesity is becoming critical. One of the ways to achieve optimum health fitness is by…
Abstract
Purpose
Health fitness has become a major issue in Malaysia since the population of overweight and obesity is becoming critical. One of the ways to achieve optimum health fitness is by consistently consuming balanced diet meals. Hence, this paper aims to focus on the willingness of society to purchase functional foods as an alternative for their daily meals to stay fit.
Design/methodology/approach
The research framework was developed based on a combination of findings by other research scholars within a similar field. The willingness to purchase functional foods to stay fit is positioned as the dependent variable, while lifestyle adaptation, social media influence and food consumption awareness are placed as the independent variables. Quantitative research was conducted by collecting primary data from respondents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and regression analyses.
Findings
The willingness to purchase functional foods to stay fit is dependent on the lifestyle adaptation, social media influence and food consumption awareness.
Research limitations/implications
Although the current market for functional foods in Malaysia is still at a small scale, the market for this industry seems very promising. Nevertheless, greater awareness on functional food is still needed.
Practical implications
Functional food producers should make an effort to gain the untapped market by focussing on the lifestyle adaptation, social media influence and food consumption awareness.
Originality/value
This research is a breakthrough to discover the willingness of Malaysians to purchase functional food to stay fit, which is influenced by lifestyle adaptation, social media and food consumption awareness.
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Alireza Jalali, Sara Abhari and Mastura Jaafar
The current study aims to advance the research on the extra-industry network, innovativeness and performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by examining the mediation role…
Abstract
Purpose
The current study aims to advance the research on the extra-industry network, innovativeness and performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by examining the mediation role of proactiveness. The study also aims to examine the mediating role innovativeness between extra-industry network and performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used the proportionate stratified random sampling method to select the study sample and the questionnaire survey approach to 580 SMEs. A total of 150 completed questionnaires were returned. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was administered to analyze data via Smart PLS 3.0 software.
Findings
The results reflect that proactiveness is mediated by the relationship between the extra-industry network and the performance of Iranian SMEs. In addition, the results illustrated that proactiveness is mediated by the relationship between innovativeness and the performance. The findings also address the limitation of previous studies on Iranian SMEs through the independent examination of the mediating role of innovativeness between firm extra-industry network and performance.
Originality/value
This article is one of few attempts that have addressed the significance of proactiveness as the key mechanism to transform the advantages of extra-industry network and innovativeness relationships to enhance performance.
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Syed Shah Alam, Mohammad Masukujjaman, Zafir Khan Mohamed Makhbul, Mohd Helmi Ali, Ismail Ahmad and Nor Asiah Omar
Applying three psychological theories, this study aims to attempt to investigate the role of consumer psychology, specifically the factors of trust in vaccination, threat…
Abstract
Purpose
Applying three psychological theories, this study aims to attempt to investigate the role of consumer psychology, specifically the factors of trust in vaccination, threat severity, fear, anxiety, risk and hygiene, and safety, on intention to resume hotel consumption. The authors also tested the mediation effect of anxiety among psychological constructs: perceived threat, fear and risk with the intention to resume hotel consumption.
Design/methodology/approach
Using purposive sampling, data were collected from 470 respondents from four cities in Malaysia and analysed by applying analysis of moment structures (AMOS) structural equation model technique. The respondents for this study were frequent travellers meaning the leisure tourists who at least travel twice a year or travel when getting the occasion to explore new things. In this study, an online survey was employed to ensure easy accessibility and to enhance the number of replies.
Findings
The results of this study confirmed that perceived severity, risk and fear influence travellers' anxiety. This study further confirms that trust in vaccination and hygiene & safety provided by the hotelier reduces anxiety levels. Anxiety is found one of the most important predictors of intention to resume hotel consumption, which further mediates the relationship between other psychological variables: perceived severity, risk, fear and intention to resume hotel consumption. Anxiety mediates the relationship between perceived severity, fear and intention to resume hotel consumption and partially mediates the association between risk and intention to resume hotel consumption.
Originality/value
This study examined three psychological theories and extended them by including the trust in vaccination and the hygiene and safety constructs. Anxiety was investigated as a mediator.
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Institutionalized older adults in care homes and long-care facilities have been identified as being at greater risk of COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. Thus, this paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Institutionalized older adults in care homes and long-care facilities have been identified as being at greater risk of COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. Thus, this paper aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 on care homes in south-east Nigeria given the recent increasing popularity of care homes in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted qualitative research method, and data was collected from 10 older residents and 5 caregivers using interviews from two care homes, while ensuring the safety of the researcher and participants. The collected data was analyzed using thematic analysis.
Findings
Findings revealed that the physical health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is not a major problem in the homes. However, fear and anxiety, social disconnection and economic hardship were the major problems identified by the older residents and caregivers in the homes.
Originality/value
The popularity of care homes in Nigeria is growing as family structures continue to change. However, previous studies which have revealed devastating effect of COVID-19 on institutionalized older adults have been from the global north. This is the first study designed to bridge the gap in literature and contribute to knowledge on this topic from Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Mohammed A. Al-Hakimi, Dileep B. Borade and Moad Hamod Saleh
The purpose of this paper is to explore whether innovation mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and supply chain resilience (SCR) in the context of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore whether innovation mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and supply chain resilience (SCR) in the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the structural equation modeling the relationships were tested in the proposed model. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from SMEs owners/managers in Yemen. Out of 384 questionnaires, 229 have been used in statistical analysis.
Findings
The results obtained reveal that both EO and innovation have positive and significant effects on SCR. In addition, innovation partially mediates the effects of EO dimensions (risk-taking and proactiveness) on SCR.
Practical implications
Managers and decision-makers of SMEs who want to enhance their firms' resilience to any supply chain disruptions are highly recommended to adopt EO, as well as to develop the innovative capability resulting from it.
Originality/value
The present study emphasizes previous results and provides additional evidence that SMEs' adoption of EO can reinforce their resilience within the supply chain through innovation in light of the disruptions facing supply chains in developing countries.
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