Limkokwing University of Creative Technology

This study employs a quantitative, descriptive research methodology to examine the nexus between employee knowledge, skills, and abilities; training influence, on job performance within the distinctive context of Syrian banks. Integrating primary data collection with pertinent insights derived from scholarly articles, the research presents a meticulous investigation into the pivotal role of training interventions in enhancing employee competencies. The study focuses on managers and operational managers in Damascus banks, utilizing a purpose-designed questionnaire as a data-gathering instrument. Employing a non-probability sampling method, the analysis employs regression and correlation techniques for comprehensive data interpretation, grounded in the deductive method. The research encompasses the entire cadre of managers and operational managers in Damascus banks, with a judiciously selected sample that encapsulates both genders. Acknowledging the constraints on sample size (226 employees). The structured questionnaire, inspired by the SERVQUAL model and customized for the banking sector, employs a Likert scale to measure responses, ensuring quantitative precision. Methodologically, translation validation involving English-to-Arabic and vice versa was conducted by esteemed academicians from Limkokwing University’s business administration department in Malaysia. The empirical findings underscore the transformative impact of training on the performance of staff in Syrian banks, elucidating the pivotal role of training programs in elevating employee competencies. Beyond mere skill enhancement, the study illuminates the broader implications of training on factors such as stress levels, motivation, technical proficiency, and overall employee performance. The study identifies a positive correlation between employee motivation and performance, reinforcing the pivotal role of training interventions in augmenting organizational effectiveness. Furthermore, the research advocates for a strategic imperative for banks to institute robust talent management frameworks, coupled with adept leadership styles, to navigate the dynamic contours of the contemporary workplace. As technological advancements redefine the modern workplace, the study posits that a commitment to advanced training emerges as a cornerstone for sustaining organizational competitiveness. The recommendations encapsulated in this study serve as a valuable guide for banking institutions seeking to optimize employee performance in an era of profound organizational change.

Rural communities rely on donor-funded support projects on poverty alleviation. The study explored the participatory communication practices in sustainable development and poverty alleviation in Lifajaneng. A mixed-method approach was employed, purposive sampling was used, and 30 participants responded to questionnaires. Three focus groups discussions were used and 2 managers interviewed. Ethics were adhered to and consent forms were signed by participants. The results indicated that sustainability was affected by top-down communication because beneficiaries were excluded in decision-making. The study recommends that training should emphasise the principles of participation and the supportive role of communication for communities’ true participation.

This study aims to propose a conceptual hypothetical model that explores the attitude factors influencing the adoption of e-government among Yemeni university lecturers. The adoption of e-government in the context of higher education remains a relatively under-researched area, particularly regarding the role of lecturers. Drawing upon established concepts such as technology acceptance and the dissemination of ICT-related innovations, the proposed model incorporates three independent variables: machine self-efficacy, knowledge quality, and system quality. The dependent variable in this model is e-government adoption, while age and education level are included as moderators. This model lays the foundation for future empirical studies, particularly in developing countries like Yemen, where practical challenges in e-government implementation persist. By addressing the specific context of university lecturers, the study aims to provide valuable insights for policy development and strategies that can facilitate the successful adoption of e-government initiatives. The findings of this research contribute to the existing literature and offer practical implications for promoting e-government adoption among lecturers in higher education institutions.

In the context of this study, non-formal training has been viewed as an intentional educational endeavour that frequently operates outside the traditional schooling system, with the curriculum and instructional systems tailored to the participants' particular needs and requirements. The study explored the relationship between non-formal education training and sustainable development. An interpretive paradigm was espoused in this study using a qualitative approach confined within a case study, and in-depth face-to-face interviews with three managers from one program of poverty reduction were selected. The other 18 beneficiaries participated in three focus group discussions made of six participants per group. Findings from face-to-face interviews revealed challenges that managers faced in convincing old and illiterate beneficiaries to adapt to modern agricultural trends, especially climate change and the preservation of seeds. Furthermore, findings from focus group discussions reveal a number of training difficulties faced by the beneficiaries, including low literacy levels, lack of efficient teaching techniques, insufficient time for beneficiaries to fully comprehend the concepts, information overload, and the frustration they experience during training. On these premises, the study thus recommends that beneficiaries should be actively involved in all decision-making processes in order to understand their requirements and preferences as well as the transparent use of funding.

Background: Entrepreneurship literature indicates a high rate of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) failure in Lesotho, especially those operated by Basotho in major districts. Critical factors of market-driven strategies and access to finance are suggested strategic solutions to address this challenge. Aim: This article empirically investigates the influence of market-driven strategies and access to finance factors on SMEs’ competitive performance in Lesotho. Setting: The study was conducted in the four Lesotho districts of Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng and Maseru where Basotho SME enterprises dominate. Methods: A questionnaire was used to obtain the data from the surveyed districts. The study adopted the descriptive correlation design and used the stratified random sampling in selecting 400 SME owners and managers in the four districts in Lesotho. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The analysis of the data showed a positive and significant relationship between some factors of market-driven strategies and access to finance and as such influenced Basotho SMEs’ capacity to attain competitive performance in Lesotho. Conclusion: The findings showed that the technological dynamics and competitive intensity strategies play crucial roles in increasing SMEs’ capacity to attain competitive performance. SMEs’ incapacity is further compounded by the challenges associated with high collateral requirements by banks and inadequate access to financial information. Contribution: The complementarity of the relevant factors of market-driven strategies and access to finance contribute significantly to SMEs’ capacity to attain competitive performance. Keywords: Competitive growth, Market-driven strategies, Market orientation, Competitive intensity, Technological dynamics, Small and medium-sized enterprise

This research paper presents the COVID-19 situation and early control measures the Government of Pakistan took. The first coronavirus case was confirmed in Pakistani on February 25, 2020. To avoid any disastrous situation, The Pakistani Government has done everything possible to reduce the number of coronavirus cases across its provinces as much as possible up until now. We have investigated Pakistan's thorough response compared to the neighboring country China. The researcher performed trend analysis based on the data from the official COVID-19 record website of the government of Pakistan and GitHub - JHU CSSE for China. The data indicates a decline in COVID-19 cases and a high recovery rate in Pakistan. No double-figure positive cases from the last few weeks are recorded as of March 16, 2023. We have compared the strategies of Pakistan to combat COVID-19 with China as it shut down its border from March 2020 to October 2023 to protect its social system. On the other hand, Pakistan didn't shut down the border completely during COVID-19. According to the findings, we can state that no large-scale death toll has been recorded in Pakistan. Pakistan maintains its survival during COVID-19 due to the efficient cooperation of the stakeholders in the light of the Actor-Network Theory. Despite the lack of effective antiviral treatment, Pakistan took proactive steps to combat coronavirus. Furthermore, the lockdowns and other preventative measures implemented by the provincial governments led to decreased COVID-19 cases in the nation. The fact that only 4% of Pakistan's population is over 60 indicates less risk of a COVID-19 outbreak leading to a large-scale death toll. Despite the lack of effective antiviral treatment, Pakistan took proactive steps to combat coronavirus.

Upon being captured or held captive, an enemy combatant is subjected to ‘POW’ status and hence enjoys certain rights and protections based on the Geneva Conventions. Even throughout the period the combatant is in prison awaiting trial, he/she is to receive humane treatment from the State or belligerent party which has captured him/her as a suspect during the war. However, a complication arises with the differentiation of the term ‘enemy combatant’, which applies to both ‘lawful’ and ‘unlawful combatants’. While lawful combatants are automatically considered to receive ‘prisoners of war’ status regarding unlawful combatants, giving them a similar classification is frowned upon. As a result, the captured combatants are exposed to not receiving any rights that a POW may receive. The term itself has no official existence in the Geneva Conventions documents but is often used in other writings and has become a matter of debate. Unfortunately, the expression to address the ones who have taken part in an armed conflict illegally has made them vulnerable to cruel punishments and inhuman treatment while in the custody of the enemy. The question is, should that be the case that a person who has been captured during wartime and is suspected or proven to be taking part in hostile activity not be considered a POW or at least receive proper protection just because the Geneva Conventions do not mention the term in particular? This research paper discusses the discrimination made between lawful and unlawful combatants.

Background Access to finance has been identified as one of the biggest problems faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in most developing economies. Similarly, access to finance has been identified as a dominant constraint facing the SME sector in Lesotho. This paper established the factors related to access to finance that influence the competitive growth of the SME sector in Lesotho. The factors that were identified include financial information access, bank and business support services, the structure of banks, and the collateral requirements of the financial sector. Findings The results from our analysis indicated that a relationship exists between the independent variables of financial information access, bank and business support services, the structure of banks, and the collateral requirement by commercial banks. As such these independent variables are associated with SMEs’ capacity to attain competitive growth in Lesotho. Explicitly, the results indicated that Basotho entrepreneurs and managers see the predictors (collateral requirement, financial information access, and bank and business support services) as critical factors of access to finance that constrain most enterprises from accessing the necessary credit from banks, which ultimately influence the SMEs’ capacity to attain competitive growth in Lesotho. Conclusions The study concludes that access to finance significantly affects the competitive growth of SMEs in Lesotho. Thus, this study suggests that several specific and harmonized financial policy actions are needed in the Lesotho financial market to establish an enabling policy that will ease enterprises’ access to adequate funding programs. These funding programs should target improved financial schemes that are coordinated, competitive, and directed towards Basotho SMEs’ access to finance, and enables a harmonized credit policy that guarantees a win–win for SME loan applicants and the financial market operators.

Overflowing garbage bins and unnecessary truck visits to collect waste have always been core issues of sustainability and maintaining a green environment. In the recent past, a transition has been observed in waste management towards a better environment and the achievement of sustainability goals. Companies are not only focused on producing less but also transforming waste into energy and reusable products. This transition process needs to evolve through sustainable solutions and innovative marketing initiatives that increase awareness and education among end users. This study used a systematic literature review protocol to identify and review the available research on sustainable waste-management solutions, innovative marketing initiatives, and a proposed conceptual model. It analyzed the latest literature from 1976 to 2022 to assess waste-management trends using the Web of Sciences and Scopus databases. To evaluate the practical perspective, this study analyzed ten waste-management companies offering services in the USA, the UK, Korea, Finland, Ireland, Turkey, Brazil, Slovakia, Portugal, Denmark, and Canada to assess their technological and marketing development for the creation of a better future. It was found that Ecube, Enevo, smart bins, Compology, Bigbelly, Sensoneo, Citibrain, ACO recycling, Evrek, Rico, and BrighterBins focus more on technology and less on user awareness and marketing. There is minimal focus on education and empowerment of end users. Our study’s findings guide academics, practitioners, and policymakers to apply ambidextrousness in energy innovation, particularly in the waste-management sector. By implementing sustainable and innovative solutions, companies can not only reduce waste products, but they can also recover, recycle, and better dispose of the waste. However, to do so, companies also need to educate end users.

The investigation of existence Wing sequence in Half Butterfly Method (HBM) is motivated by the used of sequences such as Fibonacci, Catalan and Lucas sequences for key generation to encrypt and decrypt data. In 2017, Half Butterfly Method (HBM) a work for decomposition complete graph in distinct circuits based on wings movement was introduced. The hidden idea for series of movement in HBM is an eye opener to unravel the hidden pattern associated with the flip-flops of the wings movement. Thus, this paper oriented to construct a new sequence, Wing sequence based on the hidden patterns of the associate iteration for the flip-flops of the wings movement in HBM. The sequence is constructed by fixing one element and creating direction from one element to another element. The total directions of each element will generate a set of series sequence that is called as the Wing sequence.

Motor vehicle insurance (MVI), which is the most effective and widespread means of protecting personal property, has attracted a great deal of attention. It is crucial to understand the current development of Malaysia’s motor vehicle insurance industry. Based on this context, this article examines the development model of the Malaysian motor insurance industry and its relationship with the Malaysian economic development. This article reviews ways to achieve targeted product promotion and customization of motor vehicle insurance (MVI) according to regional characteristics. The purpose of this document is to lay a solid foundation for promoting the development of the Malaysian automobile insurance industry and its relationship with motor production in Malaysia. The article investigates the MVI policy’s effect on the economy and the production of car motors in Malaysia compared with other advanced countries. In addition to that, the article highlights the effect of COVID- 19 on the MVI industry.

Despite the rapid increase of students’ enrolment in online courses, higher education institutions in Malaysia face the problem of high dropout rates of students before completing their studies and earning a degree. With a view to addressing the issue, this study focused on critical factors to evaluate the effectiveness of distance learning systems using the criteria of course satisfaction and perceived learning. Further, this study developed a research model that integrated Transactional Distance Theory, Social Presence Theory and the Online Interaction Learning Model to facilitate student satisfaction with online courses. Three hundred and three usable online questionnaires were collected from respondents at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The data were analysed using SPSS and Amos version 22. Results supported all direct relationships between motivation, self-efficacy, self-regulated learning, instructor immediacy behaviour, perceived learning and course satisfaction. Interestingly, perceived learning fully mediated motivation, self-efficacy, and self-regulated learning. Findings from this study on the determinants of course satisfaction do provide guidelines to institutions on significant factors to prioritise when establishing an online learning system.

This paper proposes a network video transmission system for indoor art display systems and visual video monitoring. Due to the problems of high mean square error, poor signal capture performance, and long timing jitter in current optical transmission signals, this paper proposes a low-rate narrowband IoT long-distance communication synchronization capture algorithm and optimizes the algorithm. The algorithm improves the visual center processing algorithm with high computational complexity into a simple look-up table calculation. This can simplify the calculation process and improve the system’s operating speed. Finally, the paper implements a video communication indoor art display system with compatible multiple network interfaces based on high-speed multimedia DSP.

The organic food market has not reached its maturity yet in Malaysia. Consumers of organic food have increased in the last year. The development of organic food supply chain management shows substantial opportunities. Although it is only a small part of the food market, it gains the interest of consumers researchers and businessmen. Consumers became interested to know if the food they purchase is fully organic and what are the activities involved in the supply chain management of the organic food. This paper will discuss the factor that affects organic food supply chain management in Malaysia. In addition to that, the study discusses Malaysia’s policy in certifying organic food and standards. Also, the challenges facing food supply chain management. This paper will give a short review of the importance of organic food supply chain management in Malaysia which will give the reader a clear view of the standards and concepts of organic food in Malaysia.

Purpose This study aims to examine the potential determinants of entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) among business students. To that end, the study investigates the role of entrepreneurship education (EE) and entrepreneurial passion (EP) (inventing and founding), as well as the mediating role of attitude towards entrepreneurship (ATE) and the moderating role of university support. Design/methodology/approach A close-ended questionnaire measured on a seven-point Likert scale was used to collect data from business students at nine universities in Punjab, Pakistan. The sample size comprises 377 participants who were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was then applied to assess the study’s model and the postulated hypothesis. Findings The findings indicated that (a) every independent variable (IV) directly impacts EI [dependent variable (DV)] except EP for founding (EPF), (b) ATE significantly mediates the relationship between IV and DV (c) perceived university support positively moderates the relationship between ATE and EI. Originality/value As an implication to policy, the Government must ensure that students are exposed to business environments and find university support through different paths. Specifically, Pakistan’s Minister of Education and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) may consider designing university programs that lead to more influential EE. The empirical findings may help policymakers develop effective policies for promoting entrepreneurship.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is continuing to have severe effects on tourism-related industries, as safety precautions have become essential to follow. Based on this, this study aims to explore the role of perceptions of the tourist of safety in tourism destination choice with the mediating effect of tourist trust (TT) in the context of the Chinese tourism sector. In addition, this study considers improvements to safety measures for sustainable tourism and the benefits of the technology transformation in the travel industry because of COVID-19. For this study, a quantitative approach was used, and data were collected through convenient sampling. The questionnaire was measured on a 5-point Likert scale, and a cross-sectional approach was adopted for data analysis. The findings of this study show that the effect of the perceived safety of the social environment, perceived safety of facility and equipment elements, perceived safety of human elements, perceived safety of management elements, and perceived safety of natural environments is significant and positive on the tourist destination choice (TDC). In addition, TT is a significant mediator between these elements and TDC. Furthermore, this study concluded that COVID-19 had increased travel anxiety, with particularly negative effects on the Chinese tourism sector, but that the adoption of perceived safety measures could be beneficial in regaining TT for traveling, eventually giving tourists confidence in choosing their traveling destination.

In recent years, several factors, such as frequent extreme weather, disrepair of dams, and improper management, have caused frequent dam failures, posing a significant threat to people's lives downstream. At present, the life loss is evaluated using the empirical formula method, in which the recommended approximate and threshold results are obtained through linear regression or statistical analysis. However, this method is sometimes insufficient because of the lack of a historical dataset and low availability, and it tends to simplify or ignore the influence of some factors in regression. During the research, most objects are considered as individual cases, and thus, the universality and scientificity of the application of evaluation models or parameters need further discussion. The variable fuzzy set theory features rigorous mathematical clarity and fuzziness of things and is widely used in the optimal decision evaluation model. Although, the traditional variable fuzzy evaluation method is widely used to deal with the linear variation in the index, some indexes, such as dam storage capacity and downstream population at risk, can cause non-linear problems, directly affecting the accuracy of membership evaluation results. Therefore, an improved model was proposed, where the relative difference formula was improved through logarithmic transformation and boundary constraint. The improved method was applied to the sequencing of life loss risk consequences for four reservoirs. The evaluation result was consistent with the actual situation of the disaster and the actual mortality rate. The scientificity and practicability of the improved model were verified, providing a new perspective for reservoir risk ranking and enriching the risk management theory.

Entrepreneurial innovations lead to transformations in the existing business model, involving them integrating the new knowledge into the established entrepreneurial activities. The current study combines marketing strategies, entrepreneurial innovation, absorptive capacity, and consumer purchasing behavior in the health sector. This study investigates the impact of packaging and labeling strategies on entrepreneurial innovation and consumer purchasing behavior. Therefore, this study also investigates the mediating effect of entrepreneurial innovation between packaging and labeling strategies and consumer purchasing behavior. The study examines the moderating role of absorptive capacity between entrepreneurial innovation and consumer purchasing behavior. While using convenience sampling, this study used the consumer of medications as a sample from China. The research adopted a quantitative method to conduct the study analysis. A well-structured questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale has used for the study analysis. The adopted questionnaires were utilized in data collection with 702 with a 70% response rate, and Smart PLS was used to analyze the data. The findings of this study indicate that packaging and labeling strategies significantly influence entrepreneurial innovation and consumer purchasing behavior. Entrepreneurial innovation significantly mediates the packaging and labeling strategies and consumer purchasing behavior. The moderating role of absorptive capacity significantly affects entrepreneurial innovation and consumer purchasing behavior. The implications of the investigated model with innovative marketing strategies give new insights for managerial, policymakers, and research perspectives.

The study contemplates the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and green product innovation on organizational performance while considering the moderating role of competitive advantage and mediating role of green trust. Data have been accumulated through a structured questionnaire while distributing 259 questionnaires among employees working in the Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) companies. In this study, we have conducted reliability, validity, discriminant validity, and structural modeling analysis by using SPSS and Smart PLS for data analysis. The results have identified a significant and positive impact of CSR and green product innovation on organizational performance. Remarkably, green product innovation positively influences competitive advantage. Competitive advantage mediates the relationship between corporate social responsibility, green product innovation, and organizational performance. Further, this study has filled the lacuna of extant literature while analyzing the green trust moderating role between product innovation and organizational performance. ARTICLE HISTORY

The adoption and implantation of electronic government service are on the rise as government services to citizens through electronic means has increased. However , assessing the effectiveness of e-government systems is still limited in the literature. This study evaluates the effectiveness and benefits of information systems(e-registrar) at the Registrar General Department(RGD) in Ghana, using the updated DeLone and McLean IS Success Model. Via the purposive sampling technique, data for the study were collected from 102 staff of RGD and analyzed following the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling(PLS-SEM) technique. The results of the study indicate that service quality, system quality, and information quality positively influence system usage and user satisfaction. Also, system usage and user satisfaction positively influence the net benefits derived from the e-registrar system. The findings provide a relevant recommendation to policymakers and management of organizations when it comes to information systems implementation.