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1 – 4 of 4Reasmy Raj, Amirul Syafiq, Vengadaesvaran Balakrishnan, Shakeel Ahmad, Nasrudin Abd Rahim, Pouya Hassandarvish, Sazaly Abu Bakar and A.K. Pandey
This paper aims to fabricate a polymer-based polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating with acrylic resin as a binder that can show antiviral activity against the feline coronavirus…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to fabricate a polymer-based polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating with acrylic resin as a binder that can show antiviral activity against the feline coronavirus (FCov) on the glass substrate.
Design/methodology/approach
The PEG/acrylic coating systems of different weight percentages were coated on the glass substrates using the spray-coating method and cured at room temperature for 24 h.
Findings
The coating system containing 20 Wt.% of PEG exhibits the highest antiviral activities as high as 99.9% against FCov compared with other samples.
Research limitations/implications
Findings will be useful in the development of antiviral coating for PPE fabrics by using the simple synthesis method.
Originality/value
Application of PEG as an antiviral agent in the antiviral coating system with high antiviral activities about 99.9%.
Chin Mun Wong, Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, Rozita Hod, Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh and Sazaly Abu Bakar
This study aims to validate the English version of a WHO-adapted questionnaire: Zika infection awareness/knowledge questionnaire using a unique dual-approach validation model.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to validate the English version of a WHO-adapted questionnaire: Zika infection awareness/knowledge questionnaire using a unique dual-approach validation model.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional pilot study of 30 adult respondents in Malaysia completed the self-administered questionnaire on knowledge and perception to Zika infection. Construct validity was assessed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of SPSS and Rasch partial credit. Reliability is tested using pKR20 and Cronbach’s alpha.
Findings
Knowledge construct was unidimensional, good model fit, easy to endorse and well discriminative. Five-rating Likert scale for perception domain was appropriate. Knowledge domain should be separated into 6 level of difficulties. Perception domain should remain as one construct. Knowledge domain was highly reliability (pKR20 = 0.96), perception domain was fairly reliable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.641). Respondent's ability to answer knowledge domain and perception domain were separated into 3 and 4 levels.
Research limitations/implications
Small sample size may affect factor analysis.
Practical implications
The questionnaire has good psychometric properties to measure the knowledge and perception of Zika infection among Malaysian community.
Social implications
The questionnaire helped to gauge knowledge and perception of the general community in Malaysia to aid preparation of health education tool for Zika infection.
Originality/value
This paper validated questionnaire with two biostatistical software programs in bidirectional approach – items difficulty and respondents' ability – is the first field test of WHO questionnaire among general population in Southeast Asia.
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Keywords
Muhammad Khalique Ahmad, Abu Bakar Abdulhamid, Sazali Abd Wahab and Muhammad Umair Nazir
In times of crisis and volatility, especially in the Covid-19 scenario, project organisations are facing multifaceted threats. Project organisations are inclining towards flatter…
Abstract
Purpose
In times of crisis and volatility, especially in the Covid-19 scenario, project organisations are facing multifaceted threats. Project organisations are inclining towards flatter organisational structures. Employees are demanding more decision-making authority due to the changing working scenario. Despite the advancement in project management, a hard skill side, project organisations are still struggling to achieve successful projects. The project manager's leadership, employee self-leadership and soft skills are presented as the solution to these aggravated problems. This article attempts to determine whether a transformational leadership style can influence project success, directly and indirectly through employee self-leadership.
Design/methodology/approach
The author raises the hypothesis, supported by social cognitive theory, that transformational leadership impacts project success directly and indirectly through self-leadership. Data were collected from 289 project team members in the IT sector, and the proposed relationships were assessed through Partial least squares structural equation modelling PLS-SEM.
Findings
Results show that a project manager's transformational leadership behaviour and employee self-leadership positively impact project success. Additionally, self-leadership mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and project success. Lastly, empowerment demonstrated significant moderation for self-leadership and project success, and for transformational leadership and project success.
Research limitations/implications
In this study, one obvious methodological limitation is a cross-sectional design. Future research can be performed while adopting a longitudinal research design. Another conceptual limitation of the model is that the authors did not include all transformational leadership dimensions, which can be considered for future studies while replicating this research model. Another future front can be by examining other leadership styles. Another research limitation may be the single source data collection, a future study may be conducted by several sources for data collection to adequately test both of the leadership styles at different hierarchies and for project success.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the literature by finding that, in crises, a project manager's transformational leadership style enhances project success. In practice, project managers are needed to adopt transformational behaviour and encourage employee self-leadership and empowerment.
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The franchising business becomes an essential to the economy of Malaysia and social. It also considers a popular choice to develop entrepreneurs particularly among Bumiputera in…
Abstract
The franchising business becomes an essential to the economy of Malaysia and social. It also considers a popular choice to develop entrepreneurs particularly among Bumiputera in Malaysia. Recognizing the importance of the franchising business, the Government of Malaysia through the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) has developed programs and activities to accelerate growth of the franchising business. In February 2020, a total of 915 franchise systems or franchisors have been registered under Malaysia Franchise and subsequently few franchisors have penetrated worldwide such as in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, United State of America, and Australia. At the same time, Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS) and Malaysia Franchise Association also strongly take part in many franchise initiatives, programs, and activities to support the development of franchising business in Malaysia. Besides that, Malaysia also has developed the Franchise Act to safeguard the franchising industry. Nevertheless, there still exist some issues and challenges. Hence, this paper aims to review the franchising business in Malaysia by discussing the development of franchise business in Malaysia, the supports, and the issues and challenges.
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