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1 – 6 of 6Su Peng Loh, Hishamuddin Omar, Abdul Salam Abdullahl and Maznah Ismail
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of calcium supplementation on the iron bioavailability from spirulina (SP) and ferrous sulphate (FE) as reference in iron…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of calcium supplementation on the iron bioavailability from spirulina (SP) and ferrous sulphate (FE) as reference in iron deficient rats.
Design/methodology/approach
Sixty‐four weanling male Sprague‐Dawley rats were first depleted of iron by giving low iron diet for a period of 28 days. The anaemic rats were repleted with iron sources from SP, spirulina+CaCO3 (SPC), FE, FeSO4+CaCO3 (FEC), normal diet (ND), normal diet+CaCO3 (NDC) for 21 days. Iron level of FE supplementation was twice the level of that in SP supplementation. Haematological variables were measured on the last day of preexperimental period and at the end of the repletion period.
Findings
Paired samples t‐test at P<0.05 showed that haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht) was increased in all the groups. The diet with added calcium did not significantly inhibit haemoglobin repletion after 21 days in SP and FE. The haemoglobin repletion efficiency (HRE) was significantly higher in rats fed with SP compared to FE (P>0.05). The presence of calcium did not significantly reduce the HRE of these groups.
Originality/value
This paper provides information on effects of additional calcium on iron bioavailability from SP as the intake of dietary supplementation is increasing worldwide.
Abu Rashed Osman and Ruswiati Surya Saputra
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between service quality, program quality, institutional image and student satisfaction in the context of higher…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between service quality, program quality, institutional image and student satisfaction in the context of higher education. Additionally, the study attempts to describe the mediating impact of institutional image between service quality, program quality and student satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The structural equation modeling was used to analyze the influence of mediating variable and hypotheses testing. The population of this study was fourth-year business students of nine “grade one” private universities in Bangladesh. Data (n = 310) were gathered from students pursuing studies at different private universities in Bangladesh.
Findings
The findings of this study revealed that image occupied full mediation role between service quality and student satisfaction. Furthermore, it also disclosed that the direct path of service quality and student satisfaction was not statistically significant.
Practical implications
These unique findings imply that academic authorities should nurture the institutional image and program quality rigorously to enhance student satisfaction. The findings of this study would benefit both practitioners and academics, especially in the perspective of Bangladesh private higher education.
Originality/value
Past researchers have examined the direct affiliation between service quality and student satisfaction. Hence, there is a deficiency of indirect link between service quality and student satisfaction. This study has incorporated image as a mediating variable to fulfill the deficiency in higher education.
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John Aliu and Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impacts of university and construction industry collaborations (UIC) activities in developing the employability of built environment…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impacts of university and construction industry collaborations (UIC) activities in developing the employability of built environment graduates.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a quantitative approach wherein data was obtained from professionals across academia, construction industry and government establishment within the South African built environment. A total of 204 questionnaires were administered to these professionals to provide information regarding the subject matter under question. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was adopted to examine possible relationships among identified factors that were obtained from a review of extant literature. SEM was performed using analysis of moment structures (AMOS Graphics, version 26) in testing the model and a best-fit was achieved after various model selections and validation tests were conducted.
Findings
The final model revealed that graduate employability can be improved through UIC as effective university-industry linkages provide students with mentoring opportunities and exposure to relevant training which improves their job market prospects and ultimately increases their professional relevance in the long run.
Practical implications
To continuously enhance the employability of students before graduation, universities are required to foster collaborations with the industry as such linkages are critical to the development of the future custodians of the construction industry.
Originality/value
There have been several generalized statements as to which of the UIC activities contribute to graduate employability. Therefore, through the use of SEM using AMOS, it was possible to state precisely the UIC constructs that are statistically significant and contribute to graduate employability.
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Kalsom Salleh, Siong Choy Chong, Syed Noh Syed Ahmad and Syed Omar Sharifuddin Syed Ikhsan
– This study aims to investigate the extent of influence of learning factors on tacit knowledge sharing among the public sector accountants.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the extent of influence of learning factors on tacit knowledge sharing among the public sector accountants.
Design/methodology/approach
A model comprising six learning factors and their conjectured relationships with tacit knowledge sharing was derived from literature review. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and used to collect data from 203 accountants employed by the Accountant-General's Department (AGD) in Malaysia. Factor analysis was employed to confirm the model's validity, after which the hypotheses formulated were tested using multiple regression analysis.
Findings
Learning factors such as training and learning opportunities have strong impact on tacit knowledge sharing, while feedback on performance evaluation, and information and communications technology (ICT) know-how and skills have moderate impact. Job rotation does not show any significant impact on tacit knowledge sharing.
Research limitations/implications
This paper contributes to the development of a replicable model for assessing the extent of influence of learning factors on tacit knowledge sharing, particularly in a public sector organization which has an agenda to adopt KM. However, generalizability could be an issue since this research was conducted on one public organization only. Further, the analysis was based solely on accountants' views.
Practical implications
As a knowledge node of public sector accounting knowledge and practice, the results suggest that the AGD should focus on the significant learning factors in order to leverage its accountants' tacit knowledge. This could facilitate the initial efforts of the AGD's KM implementation in terms of maintaining and growing its knowledge assets for better organizational performance.
Originality/value
This study filled the gap in mainstream literature by providing information on KM implementation in a public sector accounting organization.
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Hassanudin Mohd Thas Thaker and K. Chandra Sakaran
This study aims to explicitly explore the criteria or attributes that would influence buyer decision on purchasing residential property in Malaysia.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explicitly explore the criteria or attributes that would influence buyer decision on purchasing residential property in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
Generally, a total of 80 respondents participated in this study, and they hail from two states in Malaysia, namely, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. This study has structured the respondents’ demographic profiles into different categories such as gender, age, marital status, race, education, type of buyer and income level. For the purpose of analysis, this study has incorporated a versatile fuzzy approach known as the analytic hierarchy process to fulfil the objective of study. From the previous literatures, the extracted variables consist of home amenities, location, pricing, developer, financing, structural factor and community amenities.
Findings
The results from priority vector indicate that buyers give higher rank to the pricing (0.2330) criteria as the most influencing factor in buying residential property, followed by other criteria such as community amenities (0.1450), location (0.1430), financing (0.1420), structural factor (0.1260), home amenities (0.1060) and developer (0.1040) in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. In addition, the consistency index of 0.00384, which is lower than 0.10 (rule of thumb), postulates that the respondents clearly understood the question requirements and there is no inconsistency involved in the result.
Research limitations/implications
This study attempts to discover how all those seven elements influence buyer decision on purchasing residential property. The results indicate that the outcome seems to be reliable and justifiable with the current period in the context of Malaysia housing sector.
Originality/value
This study is expected to provide more insights into the consistency of attributes that influence the purchase of residential property in the context of Malaysia. The points highlighted in this study are expected to benefit various parties such as potential home buyers, housing developers, marketers and government policy regulators, as well as academic institutions, to design a better policy or blueprint that can enhance the development of the housing sector in Malaysia.
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Snigdha Malhotra, Tavleen Kaur, Kokil Jain, Prashant Kumar Pandey and Aniket Sengupta
People with disabilities (PwDs) encounter several impediments to employment prospects, contributing to India's huge employment gap. Entrepreneurship offers a different avenue for…
Abstract
Purpose
People with disabilities (PwDs) encounter several impediments to employment prospects, contributing to India's huge employment gap. Entrepreneurship offers a different avenue for PwDs to overcome these constraints. Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs) play a significant role in assisting PwD entrepreneurs. The present study aims to explore challenges encountered by entrepreneurs with disabilities (EwDs) in starting or sustaining a business in an Indian ecosystem. The study further aims to examine the status of entrepreneurial outcomes while comprehending the intersection of the challenges of disability and entrepreneurship. The study draws on stakeholder and social identity theories to understand this critical connection.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach is applied to study the phenomenon. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 EWDs and 5 ESOs to explore the challenges faced and the available support in the Indian context. The study explores the level of coordination and roles these organizations play in fostering an entrepreneurial culture for PWDs.
Findings
The research findings explore novel challenges and facilitators of entrepreneurial pursuits of EwDs. The study further offers implications for policymakers to foster inclusive infrastructure, financial institutions to provide accessible credit options, and ESOs to amplify tailored assistance. Importantly, these dynamics have implications for advancing relevant Sustainable Development Goals.
Originality/value
The intersectional lens of disability and entrepreneurial challenges offered to study PwD entrepreneurship highlights new directions for exploring the phenomenon in deeper detail. Further, the theoretical underpinnings of stakeholder and social identity theories provide practical and indispensable insights into the phenomenon.
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