bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malaysian Consumer Research: Does Computer Literacy Affirmative towards E-commerce Activities?
Authors: M. Dileep Kumar , . Normala S. Govindarajo
Published: February 2020

Rapid expansion of technology application, especially in the field of information technology, with the support of fine tune infrastructure, further correlated with severely with the ecommerce activities. This scenario is not much different in developed as well as developing countries. It is a placid trend nowadays that the customers are moving from traditional direct shopping practices to online shopping. In this scenario it is observed that the generations Y is more contented with online purchasing and adoption of e-commerce practices compare to generation X. It is hypothesized in this research that higher the computer literacy people have with higher the attitude in favor for technology adoption and ecommerce activities. Contextualizing this assumption to Malaysian scenario, fewer studies have been conducted so far and seldom any information that has shared across to the research world. Hence, a study was conducted to analyze the effect of computer literacy on internet usages and ecommerce activities among generation Y in the Malaysian context. This study provides interesting insights into the technology adoption aptitude of generation Y.
Organizational Commitment and Perceived Organizational Performance Among Health Care Professionals: Empirical Evidence From A Private Hospital in Northern Cyprus
Authors: Berberoglu Aysen
Published: February 2020

Organizational commitment plays an important role in employee behavior. It is related with self identification of the employee with his/her organization. Self-identified employee, with higher scores of commitment, is expected to be more motivated, retaining at the organization and performing at significant levels of performance. Perceived organizational performance, on the other hand, is concerned with how employees are observing their organizations in terms of success, sustainability and development. The aim of this study was to assess the hypothesized relationship between organizational commitment and perceived organizational performance among health care professionals, by taking a small-sized private hospital in North Cyprus as the setting. The study was conducted by utilizing structured, self-administered questionnaires and collected data was analyzed by using SPSS. Study revealed that in this case, there is a positive significant relationship between organizational commitment and perceived organizational performance and organizational commitment is affecting the perceived organizational performance of the health care workers.
Human Resource Development Activities in a Retail Franchise in Thailand: The Case of Coffee World
Authors: Ngaochay Thanee
Published: February 2020

International franchising in a rapidly developing economy such as Thailandâ€™s can offer a short cut to providing the newly-aspirant middle classes with the contemporary consumer goods brands they desire. The method also offers good opportunities for small scale investors and managers to obtain experience of managing high quality brands with full support from their international partners. However, they are likely to have to shoulder at least some of the burden of training their employees so that they are able to contribute to the overall service offering of the branch concerned. This paper uses a quantitative survey of 205 employees of the Coffee World franchise in Thailand to investigate the relationship between human resource development and organizational development in the businesses concerned. It is shown that the strengths of the relationships are limited and some ideas are provided for explaining why this might be.
The Role of Integrated Marketing Communications in Enhancement of SMEs Growth in South Africa
Authors: LEKHANYA Lawrence Mpele
Published: February 2020

The intention of this paper is to discover and empirically test the knowledge gap exist with regard to the role that integrated marketing communication (IMC) plays in the enhancement of SMEs growth. A quantitative approach is followed in this paper, with a questionnaire as the research instrument and questionnaire items established through a literature review. A sample of 374 SMEs owners/managers agreed to complete the questionnaire. In order to give a descriptive overview of variables relevant to the objectives of the study, a Cronbach test was performed. Certain ability in marketing communication by SMEs was evident from the sample. However, very few marketing communication tools are fully applied in order to enhance SMEs growth. A significant starting point, in attaching importance to the role of IMC enhancement of SMEs growth, is constituted by this paperâ€™s sample, even though it is restrictively small. Practitioners may, from this paper, understand where intervention guidelines are needed, in order to improve an IMC plan needed for SMEs. Compared to previous research done on large company practices, this paper represents an original trial to empirically apply the marketing communication approach within SMEs.
A Comparison of World and Domestic Price Volatilities of Oilseeds: The Ethiopian Case
Authors: Kelbore Zerihun G.
Published: February 2020

This study investigates and compares oilseeds price volatilities in the world market and the Ethiopian market. It uses a monthly time series data on oilseeds from February 1999 to December 2012; and analyses price volatilities using unconditional method (standard deviation) and conditional method (GARCH). The results indicate that oilseeds prices are more volatile, but not persistent, in the domestic market than the world market. The magnitude of the influence of the news about past volatility (innovations) is higher in the domestic market for Rapeseed and in the World market for Linseed. However, in both markets there is a problem of volatility clustering. The study also identified that due to the financial crisis the world market price volatilities surpassed and/or paralleled the higher domestic oilseeds price volatilities. The higher domestic oilseeds price volatility may imply that the price risks are high in the domestic oilseeds market. As extreme price volatility influences farmers` production decision, they may opt to other less risky, low-value and less profitable crop varieties. The implications of such retreat is that it may keep the farmers in the traditional farming and impede their transformation to the high value crops, and results in lower income hindering the poverty reduction efforts of the government. This is more important to consider today than was before, because measures undertaken to reduce poverty must bring sustainable change in the lives of the rural poor. For this reason, agricultural policies that enable farmers cope with price risks and enhance their productivity are crucial.
Local vs. Global Brands: Country-of-Originâ€™s Effect on Consumer-based Brand Equity among Status-Seekers
Authors: CHIU Sheng Yang
Published: February 2020

This paper examines the local and global automotive brands in conjunction with country-oforigin effect on consumer-based brand equity. Consumerâ€™s level of status-seeking motivation is considered when analysing the effect of brandâ€™s country-of-origin on consumer-based brand equity. Study conducted on 181 respondents showed that consumers generally prefer Asian than European automotive brands. Asian brands also ranked highest in perceived quality and brand loyalty, followed by European brands and local brands. The main difference of high and low status-seeking consumers is found in brand association, perceived quality, and brand loyalty of local brands. Low status-seeking consumers tend to rate brand association, perceived quality, and brand loyalty of local brands higher than high statusseeking consumers. This paper exhibits that the theory of consumer ethnocentrism and global branding strategies are not mutually exclusive.
An Optimal Peer Group Selection Strategy for Multiples-Based Modelling in the South African Equity Market
Authors: Nel WS
Published: February 2020

Although peer group selection is a key consideration when performing multiples-based valuations, there is a lack of theoretical guidance on an optimal peer group selection strategy in emerging markets. Principal Component Analysis-based biplots and correlation monoplots are used to assess the valuation performance of multiples whose peer groups are based on either industry classification or valuation fundamentals. The evidence suggests that multiples whose peer groups are based on valuation fundamentals outperform multiples whose peer groups are based on industry classifications, with a combination of valuation fundamentals Rg and RoE emerging as the optimal peer group variable. The evidence suggests that an optimal choice of peer group variable could secure an increase in valuation precision of as much as 41.77%.
Determinants of Poverty of Households: Semi parametric Analysis of Demographic and Health Survey Data from Rwanda
Authors: Habyarimana Faustin , . Shaun Ramroop
Published: February 2020

The main objective of this research is to identify the key determinants of poverty of household in Rwanda based on asset index and semi parametric modeling. The asset index for each household is established and thereafter the generalized additive mixed model is used to ascertain the key determinants of poverty of households in Rwanda. The semi parametric generalized additive mixed model allowed us to study the impact of nonlinear predictors as nonparametric and categorical predictors as parametric to the asset index. Using the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (2010), the characteristics of households and household heads are considered. Our findings show that the level of education, gender and age of household head, region (province), size of the household (number of household members) and place of residence (urban or rural) are significant predictors of poverty of households in Rwanda.
Indirect Tax Incidence under Inelastic Underground Economy Demand
Authors: SOLDATOS Gerasimos T.
Published: February 2020

This paper demonstrates theoretically that a profit tax does not affect the distribution of the firmâ€™s operations between the official and the underground economy. Or, if the firm was initially operating only officially, direct taxation of its business would not be a reason to go underground. Indirect taxation in the form of a sales tax does influence an already existing mix of official and underground activities, favoring the latter. And, it does constitute a reason to â€œgo undergroundâ€ for an otherwise fully official business. This is a thesis robust to market structure changes and to introducing tax evasion in the usual sense, provided the underground demand is inelastic. The tax authority can still collect the planned tax revenue through a combination of a cash-flow tax with indirect taxation, under only consumersurplus loss by the underground customer.
Macroeconomic Determinants of Liquidity of the Bond Market in Africa: Case Study of South Africa
Authors: Kapingura Forget M
Published: February 2020

The importance of the bond market to the financial system and broader economy of a country cannot be underestimated. Thus this study seeks to establish the determinants of liquidity in the South African bond market using monthly data covering the period 1995 to 2009, employing the Johansen cointegration test and the Vector Error Correction Model. Empirical results reveal that there is a longterm relationship between the selected macroeconomic variables and bond market liquidity in South Africa. Based on the empirical results, it is recommended that authorities should keep inflation at low and stables levels as well as a stable currency. Of great importance in the study is the role played by foreign investors in the bond market. The positive impact of the foreign investor participation on the bond market liquidity in South Africa suggests that authorities should remove restrictions on foreign investor activities to enhance liquidity in this important market.
Township Tourism: The politics and socio-economic dynamics of tourism in the South African township: Umlazi, Durban
Authors: Chili Nsizwazikhona Simon
Published: February 2020

The paper analyses how tourism development at Umlazi which is one of the second biggest Townships in the Southern hemisphere has been hampered by politics and socio economic dynamics that stifle the empowerment of both tourism entrepreneurs and local communities respectively. The impacts of tourism have been given much attention by scholars to examine the perceptions and attitudes of local residents towards Township tourism in South Africa. However, there is little research that focuses on how much political and economic dynamics of the past and present dispensations have adversely impacted on the tourism economic development of small emerging entrepreneurs and local residents of the Townships. This study attempts to make a little contribution to South African Township tourism by examining political and economic dimensions that hinder small businesses and local residents of uMlazi to thrive and get empowered through tourism. Township tourism in South Africa has slightly improved and grown in popularity since 1994 and is considered by the government and other social agents to be an appropriate opportunity for small businesses and the stimulation of local economic development. However, the paper argues that tourism fails to act as a panacea of economic development in the township of Umlazi, since there is lack of business opportunities, intervention and support of local government, private sector and racial groups that are endowed with more than enough financial resources. Data were collected by means of interviews that allowed the interviewer to pose some open-ended questions so that the interviewee could express his or her own opinion freely for the extraction of more information. Based on 30 respondents surveyed, the findings show that there are numerous obstacles that are directly linked to political and economic dynamics. These obstacles include lack of political intervention and financial support for tourism entrepreneurs and local residents of UMlazi Township. On the whole respondents viewed Township tourism negatively. They were generally of the idea that township tourism can only be of benefit to residents once it is often visited by racial groups who are better off financially after their fears about safety and security have been allayed.
An Exploration of the Impact of Digital Marketing on SMEs Growth and Brand Popularity in Rural South Africa
Authors: LEKHANYA Lawrence Mpele
Published: February 2020

The purpose of the study is to establish understand of digital marketing and its use by SMEs in rural South Africa, the extent of its use, examining contributing factors to its use and their implications. Primary data was collected using a quantitative research technique with the use of a structured questionnaire as the survey instrument. A total of 134 SMEs operating in rural KwaZulu â€“Natal were selected. Questionnaires were distributed to the business owners/ mangers between august and December 2014. SPSS (22.0) version was employed to for data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that some rural places in South Africa still experiencing ICT problems for being not available make it difficult for SMEs growth through the use of digital marketing. The reliability analysis, reflected coefficient values from 0.70 to 0.833. The analysis of factors limiting use of digital marketing among the rural SMEs, are presented with recommended strategies and implications on how to approach the challenges. Digital marketing of rural SMEs may be strengthened through awareness and providing adequate information about ICT and through diverse of internet marketing programmes.
The Finance-Growth Nexus: Evidence from Emerging Markets
Authors: Fanta Ashenafi Beyene
Published: February 2020

The finance growth literature ignores the role of bond markets in financing private investments. Moreover, the impact of bank crisis on the finance growth link has been largely overlooked. This paper aims at casting light at the finance growth link in emerging economies by accounting for bond markets and controlling for banking sector crises. Data on economic growth and financial development indicators for 15 emerging economies (drawn from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe) were analysed using a system generalized-method-of-moments (GMM) technique. It is observed that while banking sector development is related to economic growth (albeit negatively), no statistically significant relation is observed between stock markets and or bonds markets and economic growth. Moreover, a banking crisis is found to affect the finance growth link in such a manner that the link weakens when a banking crisis is introduced to the model. Our results are robust to omitted variable bias, simultaneity problem, heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation.
Brand Positioning for Sub-Saharan Africaâ€™s Rural Tourism Development
Authors: Ezeuduji Ikechukwu O.
Published: February 2020

Well-conceived and effectively managed rural tourism brand in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) can help build favourable reputation which enhances the confidence of tourists. The purpose of this paper is to formulate brand essence (functional and emotional benefits derivable from a brand) and brand position statement, for SSAâ€™s rural tourism development. This study conducted descriptive analysis of brand essence for SSAâ€™s rural tourism development. It is exploratory, rather than conclusive in nature. Functional benefits of SSAâ€™s rural tourism include her diverse natural and cultural attributes, friendliness of population, climatic conditions, and unique rural landscape. Her emotional benefits include the â€˜feel-goodâ€™ factor when tourists are offered the â€˜rural idyllâ€™ experience not found in any other continent or sub-continent, or buy local foods and souvenirs. This positive feeling of visiting SSAâ€™s rural areas adds richness and depth to the touristsâ€™ experience of being involved with her brand. The knowledge of rural tourism brand essence can help SSAâ€™s local communities, local governments and national governments to communicate not just the functional values, but also the emotional values of visiting rural areas to tourists. This will lead to particular relationships between local communities and stakeholders to enact these emotional values or rewards. SSAâ€™s rural tourism brand positioning statement could read: â€œTo tourists seeking nostalgic experiences, novelty and escape, rural SSA offers authentic rural landscape, â€˜rural idyllâ€™ experience, and amazing friendly populationsâ€.
Does Culture Matter to Pro-Social Behavior? Evidence from a Cross-Ethnic Lab Experiment
Authors: Sun Fengwei , . Xiaoxiao Wang , . Quanlan Yi , . Mengliang Wu
Published: February 2020

Recent investigations have uncovered large, consistent deviations from the predictions of Homo economics that individuals are entirely self-regarding. Our study undertook a cross-cultural study of behavior search for the evidences of other-regarding behaviors and its ethnic difference, and accounted for by anatomy of culture. This study recruited 90 subjects of three ethnic groups from market trade-based (ethnic Han), nomadism-based (ethnic Zang) and agriculture-based (ethnic Bouyei) areas in China and conducted public good provision experiment with stranger-treatment design. Under the assumption of self-regarding preferences, the Nash equilibrium is zero contribution by all in public account using backward induction. However, we found contributions did not reduce to zero over all three sessions. Besides, the differences in contributions between ethnicities strongly depended on the degree of ethnic dominance, and Zang harbored the strongest reciprocal preference generally over all group structures. A particular set of measurable factors was identified as proxies for cultural influences on behavioral differences observed in experiments between ethnicities. The results showed all of the cultural factors accounted for the behavioral differences between the ethnic Han and the other two minor ethnicities. However, behavioral difference between minor ethnicities was attributed to group structure only. (1) People may harbor various forms of prosocial emotions in economic affairs, and especially exhibit stronger at the initial phase rather than what canonical model assumes. (2) Behavioral differences between ethnicities are prominent and can be explained by differences in cultural influence.
STUDI IN SILICO POTENSI DNA BARCODE PADA ANGGREK LANGKA Paphiopedilum
Authors: Su'udi Mukhamad
Published: February 2020

Anggrek adalah tumbuhan berbunga yang memiliki nilai komersial tinggi. Eksploitasi anggrek yang berlebihan  menyebabkan keberadaannya di alam berkurang. DNA barcoding dapat menjadi alat yang efektif untuk deteksi anggrek langka seperti Paphiopedilum. Metode yang dilakukan dalam DNA barcoding anggrek Paphiopedilum adalah dengan studi in silico menggunakan Genbank (NCBI). Sekuen DNA dikoleksi dari database pada NCBI dengan cara menulis nama spesies dan gen yang dimaksud (matK, rbcL, dan ITS). Selanjutnya  data dianalisis menggunakan CLUSTAL X untuk menentukan tingkat homologi antar sekuen melalui penjajaran sekuen, identifikasi sekuen yang berpotensi sebagai barcode, dan pembuatan pohon filogenetik. Analisis bioinformatik menunjukkan bahwa hasil alignment dengan menggunakan lokus matK dan rbcL memiliki tingkat homologi yang tinggi, meski demikian matK dapat menunjukkan karakter spesifik dari P. sangii yang dapat dijadikan sebagai barcode. Sedangkan ITS memiliki tingkat variasi genetik yang lebih tinggi dan homologi yang rendah daripada matK dan rbcL. Barcode P. sangii dihasilkan dari lokus matK. Sedangkan pada lokus rbcL, semua spesies memiliki tingkat homologi yang tinggi, sehingga tidak mendapatkan sekuen yang berpotensi sebagai barcode. Variasi genetik yang tinggi dapat dipelajari pada lokus ITS, namun tidak ditemukan sekuen yang berpotensi sebagai barcode.
The The Effect of Black Soybean Flour Extract (Glycine soja) on Leukocyte Post Ovariectomy Implantation Mice (Mus musculus L.)
Authors: ABDI YENNY FEBRIANA RAMADHAN
Published: February 2020

Black soybean is one type of plant that has estrogenic activity, it can act as a source of natural exogenous estrogen. Decreased estrogen hormone in the body can be caused due to ovariectomy and menopause, it can affect the activity and number of leukocytes in the reproduction of female. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of black soybean flour extract to leukocytes post ovariectomy implant mice. This study used a completely randomized design (RAL) 4 treatments and  each 7 replicated. Treatment 1 (negative control), treatment 2 (positive control: estradiol concentration 50 ppm), treatment 3 and 4 respectively with the administration of black soybean flour doses of 0.31 g / ml and 0.63 g / ml. The data were analyzed using One Way Anova test with a confidence level of 95% or α = 0.05 and further analyze with Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that the administration of black soybean flour extract for 10 days in post ovariectomy implantation mice showed a significant effect, doses of 0.31 g/ml and 0.63 g/ml increased the total number of leukocytes and the number of agranulocyte leukocytes.
Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning (PBL) terhadap Sikap Ilmiah dan Hasil Belajar Peserta Didik pada Sub Materi Psikotropika
Authors: Rosdiana Yulia
Published: February 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui adanya pengaruh model pembelajaran problem based learning terhadap sikap ilmiah dan hasil belajar peserta didik pada sub materi psikotropika di kelas XI MIPA SMA Tasikmalaya. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan September 2018 sampai dengan bulan Juli 2019. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah quasy experiment. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh kelas XI sebanyak 5 kelas dan sampel yang digunakan sebanyak 2 kelas diambil dengan menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah non tes sikap ilmiah berupa angket dengan 16 pernyataan dan tes hasil belajar berupa soal pilihan majemuk sebanyak 33 soal. Teknik pengolahan dan analisis data menggunakan uji ANCOVA (Analysis of Covariance). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa PBL memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap sikap ilmiah siswa dengan ukuran efek 0,470 yang sedang. PBL juga memiliki pengaruh signifikan dan efek sedang terhadap hasil belajar, ukuran efeknya adalah 0,331.
CAREER DECISION AND READINESS IN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF LAO PDR
Authors: Onphandala Phanhpakit , Philavong Vanvisa , Sengkhamkhoutlavong Bouadam
Published: February 2020

Background and Purpose: In Lao PDR, young people have been striving to earn higher degrees, especially in economics or business administration, in the hope of having more opportunities to be employed in the public sector. Meanwhile, they also assume a high risk of unemployment, since the government intends to limit the number of approved civil servants. As labor demand is smaller than labor supply, there will be labor surplus and, even worse, the labor market is moving away from its equilibrium. This raises the questions of why young people aspire to work in the government and how they react to this phenomenon. Methodology: This research study involved a field survey which collected data from final year undergraduate students studying in the faculties of economics and business administration using a crosssectional questionnaire. The survey was conducted from June to August 2018. A descriptive analysis was employed to identify determinants of education and career decisions together with level of career readiness. Findings: The research findings from a sample of 571 undergraduate students, majoring in economics and business administration at four public universities in 2018, revealed that the most influential factors affecting career preference are job security and prestige. As competition among government applicants increases, they seem not to be well-prepared in terms of employability skills. Contributions: These research findings will be useful for the improvement of national policies relating to education and labor market development that aim to alleviate labor market inefficiency. Keywords: career decision, readiness, employability skill, undergraduate, Lao PDR Cite as: Onphanhdala, P., Philavong, V., & Sengkhamkhoutlavong, B. (2020). Career decision and readiness in undergraduate students of Lao PDR. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(1), 1-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss1pp1-26
LEGAL PERSPECTIVES ON NUCLEAR ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Ghazali Farahdilah , Ansari Abdul Haseeb , Mustafa Maizatun , Wan Zahari Wan Mohd Zulhafiz
Published: February 2020

This paper explores the potential of nuclear energy, particularly in the power sector, to solve energy challenges and to address the pertinent issues regarding energy sustainability in Malaysia. The deployment of nuclear energy in various developed and developing countries has conspicuously helped sustaining energy security and sustainability due to its compatibility and protection of the environment. In addition to energy security, nuclear energy also offers significant benefits to socio-economic aspects. Thus, nuclear energy in developing countries, including Malaysia, has the potential to emerge as a new prospect in the energy sector using sophisticated technology and expert personnel to maximize the energy benefits with the least environmental risk. This step would certainly meet future energy demands and help accelerate the country’s development with optimum energy generation in the country. Therefore, Malaysia should aim to resort to nuclear power generation whereby the current power sector is mainly generated by traditional means, with only a small fraction of it being renewable energy. With no experience in this field, Malaysia needs to establish collaboration with some country rich with nuclear-resource in order to build, maintain nuclear reactors and treat nuclear wastes. The development of such facility should also comply with the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Moreover, Malaysia has to introduce legislation and policies related to future nuclear energy. Thus, this paper discusses some of the pertinent issues related to the prospects of nuclear power generation in the country towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 
Keywords: Atomic energy, energy security, governance, sustainable development.
 
Cite as: Ghazali, F., Ansari, A. H., Mustafa, M., & Wan Zahari, W. M. Z. (2020). Legal perspectives on nuclear energy and sustainable development in Malaysia. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(1), 169-188. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss1pp169-188
STEM PROJECT-BASED APPROACH IN ENHANCING CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND INVENTIVE THINKING SKILLS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Authors: Saleh Salmiza , Muhammad Azila , Syed Abdullah Syed Mohamad
Published: February 2020

Background and Purpose: Formal learning in schools generally does not provide enough engagement for students to grasp the science concepts and skills taught to them. Therefore, the structured informal learning activities such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) integrated project-based learning is vital for students to partake in the more meaningful science learning process as it involves interdisciplinary activities. Hence, this paper discusses the study that underlies the structured informal learning activity, the STEM project-based approach, in enhancing conceptual understanding and inventive thinking skills among secondary school students.
 
Methodology: A quasi-experimental research design concerning treatment and control groups with pre-test as the covariate was employed in this project. The sample was selected based on the purposive sampling approach. Seventy Form Four students (33 male students and 37 female students) from a secondary school in Kedah, Malaysia were divided into 35 students of a controlled group (received conventional approach) and 35 students of the treatment group (followed STEM project-based approach). Data collected via the Newtonian Conceptual Understanding Test (NCUT) and Inventive Thinking Skills Test (ITST) were then analysed descriptively and inferentially.
 
Findings: The structured informal learning activity, the STEM project-based approach, was found effective in enhancing conceptual understanding and inventive thinking skills among secondary school students.  Further analysis showed that the elements of thinking skills (management and adaptation to complexity, self-regulation, curiosity, creativity, risk-readiness, and high-order thinking skills and sound reasoning) were also improved among students who followed STEM project-based approach.
 
Contributions: The study highlighted the importance of a structured informal learning activity, such as the STEM project-based approach in assisting students to grasp the science concepts and develop the required 21st-century learning skills besides formal learning in schools.
 
Keywords: Conceptual understanding, inventive thinking skills, Newtonian physics, physics education, secondary school students.
 
Cite as: Saleh, S., Muhammad, A., & Syed Abdullah, S. M. (2019). STEM project-based approach in enhancing conceptual understanding and inventive thinking skills among secondary school students.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(1), 234-254. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss1pp234-254
BETWEEN THE CLASSICAL MU'TAZILITES AND NEO-MU'TAZILITES: AN ANALYSIS OF HARUN NASUTION’S MODERN ISLAMIC THOUGHT IN INDONESIA
Authors: Awang Abd Rahman Amilah
Published: February 2020

Lately, the classical schools of Islamic theology are generally associated with various modern movements such as Neo-Kharijites and Neo-Mu'tazilites especially in terms of their negative influence. This paper aims at critically analyzing the way in which modern Muslim scholars claim the legacy of the classical Mu‘tazilite school. It specifically offers a critical overview of the spirit and contents of both early Islamic movements. It is attempted to draw a more objective picture of the classical Mu‘tazilite school, based on their primary sources. The Indonesian Harun Nasution is taken as an example of a Neo-Mu‘tazilite scholar.  This paper argues that the original Mu’tazilite spirit is not accurately represented by Harun Nasution. The Mu‘tazilite was the first theological school who tried to defend and preserve the original teachings of Islam in the face of the many challenges of their time. Today, the Mu‘tazilite school is often misrepresented by portraying it as a purely rationalistic school and liberal thought. It is the view of the author that the misrepresentation of the Mu‘tazilite school as being a radical school of thought that propagated liberal society solely guided by reason, will bring bad consequence to the understanding and development of Muslim society in general. It can be either giving opportunity to the rise of liberal society with the claim of past root of the history of Muslims as occurred in Nasution’s case or rejecting reason from being important source of knowledge acknowledged by Islam.
 
Keywords: Harun Nasution, Indonesia, Mu‘tazilite, Neo-Mu‘tazilite, rationalism.
 
Cite as: Abd Rahman, A. A. (2020). Between the classical Mu'tazilites and Neo-Mu'tazilites: An analysis of Harun Nasution’s modern Islamic thought in Indonesia.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(1), 336-355. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss1pp336-355
CUSTOMERS’ DEPOSIT BEHAVIOUR IN DUAL BANKING INDUSTRY: A MARKET STRUCTURE ANALYSIS
Authors: Mohammed Nafisah , Jauhari Azmafazilah , Mohammed Nadzirah
Published: February 2020

Background and Purpose: The aim of this paper is to evaluate public acceptance toward Islamic banking system in Malaysia by using the market structure analysis as proposed in industrial organizational studies. The structural approach framework was used to evaluate the nature and changes of market concentration in the Malaysian Islamic and conventional deposit markets.
 
Methodology: The well-known market concentration measure, namely concentration ratio (CR) is calculated to study the changes in saving behaviour among depositors in both banking markets. The concentration ratios of deposits for both banking markets are evaluated by using the banking firms’ level data for the period 1997–2016. Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis was also used to investigate the relationship between the total deposits and bank-specific variables.
 
Findings: It is found that interest or profit rate paid to the depositors are the factor that greatly affect the depositors’ choice of banks to save their money. Besides, experience doing businesses is more important to Islamic banks compared to conventional banks in order to attract depositors.
 
Contributions: The findings demonstrate that societies, especially the Islamic community, are still loyal to conventional banks, which have more experience in the banking operation. The findings of this study are expected to open the eyes of the Muslim community to use Islamic banking services, which are certainly sharia-compliance.
 
Keywords: Concentration ratio, deposit, dual banking, market structure, perception.
 
Cite as: Mohammed, N., Jauhari, A., & Mohammed, N. (2020). Customers’ deposit behaviour in dual banking industry: A market structure analysis. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(1), 356-377. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss1pp356-377
THE PLIGHT OF REFUGEES IN MALAYSIA: MALAYSIA AS A TRANSIT COUNTRY IN PROTECTING REFUGEES’ RIGHTS
Authors: Nordin Rohaida , Sahak Suzarika , Ishak Ma Kalthum
Published: February 2020

The role of UNHCR and respective transit countries is to help refugees find lasting solutions that will allow them to rebuild their lives in dignity and peace, via local integration, voluntary repatriation or resettlement in a third country. Awaiting resettlement, the refugees are always mistakenly believed to be economic migrants or illegal immigrants. Due to the absence of legal or administrative regulations governing refugees, they are exposed to detention with the possibility of refoulement. These refugees are not legally permitted to work, which leads them to work discreetly and are willing to perform low-paying jobs in order to earn a living. Children are denied proper education and healthcare, which are considered as luxuries they could not afford. All these are common and enduring plights that still haunt refugees in Malaysia. This article reviews the plight of refugees in Malaysia during the transitional period before resettlement, discusses the roles of Malaysia as a transit country, and proposes lasting solutions for refugees in Malaysia. It is hoped that this article will provide a better understanding of the roles of transit countries particularly Malaysia for protection of refugees’ rights especially on their resettlement. In addition, assistance from UNHCR and other NGOs are also important to solve this problem.
 
Keywords: Malaysia, refugee, resettlement, transit country, UNHCR.
 
Cite as: Sahak, S., Nordin, R., & Ishak, M. K. (2020). The plight of refugees in Malaysia: Malaysia as a transit country in protecting refugees’ rights.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(1), 378-394. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss1pp378-394
Authors: Syamsuri Syamsuri
Published: February 2020

Penyatuan arus informasi di arena perayaan hari wafat Sayyid Idrus bin Salim Aljufrie, menjadi agenda setiap tahun sehingga terjadi konsolidasi informal bagi Abnaul Khairaat. Berbagi cerita tentang kekeramatan Guru Tua melahirkan hubungan erat (kohesifitas) di kalangan massa Alkhairaat. Kisah keramat Guru Tua menjadi perbincangan peserta haul karena setiap orang yang hidup bersamanya memiliki pengalaman yang berbeda dengan orang lain yang juga murid Guru Tua. Pengalaman masing-masing pengikut Guru Tua, bertemu di arena haul. Itulah yang disebut konvergensi. Berbagi tema fantasi di Haul Guru Tua menjadi ajang narasi-narasi silaturrahim, yang memperkuat organisasi Alkhairaat. Kecintaan terhadap Guru Tua terimplementasi dalam wujud kecintaan terhadap organisasi kemasyarakatan (ormas) Alkhairaat.
Authors: Nurjaman Enang Yusuf
Published: February 2020

Suku Sunda sebagai etnis terbesar kedua setelah Jawa, dikenal sebagai suku yang tidak suka merantau, kondisi alam yang nyaman dan stigma “kurung batokeun” bisa jadi menjadi salah satu alasan kenapa suku Sunda tidak suka merantau. Akan tetapi seiring perkembangan, suku Sunda banyak juga yang melakukan pernatuan, bukan hanya merantau didalam negeri akan tetapi merantau keseluruh penjuru dunia, sehingga suku Sunda yang dikenal tidak suka merantau mulai terpatahkan. Salah satu yang menjadi destinasi merantau suku Sunda adalah Kota Ternate Maluku Utara. Pada penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui interkasi sosial dan pola komunikasi antar sesama perantau dari suku Sunda yang tergabung  dalam Paguyuban Pasundan, karena ingin melihat budaya komunikasi secara mendalam maka penelitian ini menggunakan penelitian kualitatif  etnografi komunikasi. Adapun kesimpulan yang dihasilkan dari penelitian ini adalah (1). Interaksi Sosial antara sesama suku Sunda di dalam Paguyuban Pasundan dilakukan secara intensif, muncul perasaan setara dan interkasi berlangsung dengan sangat baik. (2) Pola komunikasi sesama suku Sunda yang tergabung dalam Paguyuban Pasundan, cenderung terbuka, tanpa hambatan, setara dengan kualitas dan kuantitas komunikasi yang sangat signifikan baik.
Estudio comparativo del acoso escolar en centros laicos y religiosos de la provincia de Málaga en 2012
Authors: Del Hoyo Ramírez Minerva
Published: February 2020

El objetivo de estetrabajo fue analizar el papel queel acoso escolar tiene tanto en loscentros educativos laicos como enlos religiosos. Cuatrocientos treintay siete estudiantes de entre primeroy cuarto de la E.S.O contestaron auna serie de preguntas en las que seevaluaba el índice de acoso escolarsufrido mediante indicadores talescomo desprecio, coacción, restriccióncomunicativa, agresiones, intimidación,exclusión social, hostigamiento verbaly robos. Estos indicadores muestranla intensidad y el índice global delacoso. Los resultados halladosmanifiestan que entre las tipologías deacoso destaca la agresión verbal, conrespecto al sexo predomina el varóncomo principal víctima, no siendorepetidor, cursando 3º de la E.S.Oen un centro religioso y teniendo,principalmente, nacionalidad extranjera.
A Mathematical Model to describe the herd behaviour considering group defense
Authors: de Assis R. A. , Pazim R. , Malavazi M. C. , Petry P. P. da C. , de Assis L. M. E. , Venturino E.
Published: February 2020

A model for predator-prey interactions with herd behaviour is proposed. Novelty includes a smooth transition from individual behaviour (low number of prey) to herd behaviour (large number of prey). The model is analysed using standard stability and bifurcations techniques. We prove that the system undergoes a Hopf bifurcation as we vary the parameter that represents the efficiency of predators (dependent on the predation rate, for instance), giving rise to sustained oscillations in the system. The proposed model appears to possess more realistic features than the previous approaches while being also relatively easier to analyse and understand.
Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Selective Detection of 2-Nitropropane in Mainstream Cigarette Smoke
Authors: Chapman Gala M. , Junco Juliana Giraldo , Cardenas Roberto Bravo , Watson Clifford H. , Valentín-Blasini Liza
Published: February 2020

Although 2-nitropropane is a potentially harmful compound present in cigarette smoke, there are few fully-validated, modern methods to quantitate it in mainstream cigarette smoke. We developed an isotope dilution gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-GC-MS/MS) method for the detection of 2-nitropropane in mainstream cigarette smoke. The vapor fraction of mainstream cigarette smoke was collected in inert polyvinyl fluoride gas sampling bags and extracted with hexanes containing isotopically labeled internal standard, then purified and concentrated via solid-phase extraction using a normal phase silica adsorbent and a 100% dichloromethane eluant. This method is sensitive enough to measure vapor phase 2-nitro-propane concentrations in the nanogram range, with a 19 ng per cigarette method limit of detection. Product variability estimated from the analysis of 15 cigarette products yielded relative standard deviations ranging from 5.4% to 15.7%, and estimates of precision from two quality control products yielded relative standard deviations of 9.49% and 14.9%. Under the Health Canada Intense smoking regimen, 2-nitropropane in machine-generated mainstream smoke from 15 cigarette products ranged from 98.3 to 363 ng per cigarette.
Variability of old Scots pine Pinus sylvestris L. vegetative progeny from the Augustowska Primeval Forests
Authors: Matras-Zarzecka Małgorzata , Zarzecki Artur
Published: February 2020

This study was carried out in the clone archive of old Scots pine Pinus sylvestris L. trees located in the Augustowska Primeval Forest. The aim of the study was to determine the intra-clonal diversity among quantitative and qualitative traits of the vegetative progeny of Scots pine trees older than 200 years. Our analyses included traits such as survival rate, height and diameter at breast height (DBH), stem straightness, length and width of the crowns as well as branch thickness and growth angle. There was no significant correlation between the age of mother trees and the traits of their vegetative progeny. However, mother trees did affect the survival of the progeny. In overall, the survival rate of grafts in the archive is high (about 80% at the age of 13 years) and there have been no significant fluctuations in recent years. Nevertheless, the variability of quantitative traits among vegetative progeny was high with the average height ranging from 2.16 m up to 6.71 m, and in the case of DBH, ranging from 3.23 cm to 12.1 cm. Both, height of trees and their DBH, were significantly different among the analysed clones. These intra-clone differences in growth traits indicate a high environmental impact on the growth and performance of clones. However, the diversity of quantitative and qualitative traits is comparable to the differences observed in the economic seed orchards with seedlings at a similar age. Most of the genotypes planted in the archive are fully viable and have matured to the stage of seed production. The clone archive can thus be viewed as both, a conservation effort and to obtain valuable seeds from the point of view of tree breeding. Therefore, establishing archives of tree clones using valuable genotypes is an effective method of conserving individual genotypes even of very old individuals.
The Difficult Look Back: Slovenian Democratic Path after European Union Accession
Authors: Haček Miro
Published: February 2020

In the third wave of democratic changes in the early 1990s when the Central and Eastern European (CEE) political landscape changed radically and the democratisation processes started in the eastern part of the continent, Slovenia was one of the most prominent countries with the best prospects for rapid democratic growth. Slovenia somewhat luckily escaped the Yugoslav civil wars and towards the end of the 20th century was already on the path towards a stable and consolidated democracy with the most successful economy in the entire CEE area. After the dissolution of Yugoslavia, Slovenia had a simple and straight-forward political goals, i.e. to join the European union as soon as possible, thus consolidating its place among the most developed countries within the region. After some setbacks, this goal was accomplished in (so far) the biggest enlargement to the Union in May 2004. But what happened after Slovenia managed to successfully achieve its pair of major political goals? In this chapter, we search for an answer to this question and find out why Slovenian voters are increasingly distrustful not only of political institutions, but why so-called new political faces and instant political parties are so successful and why Slovenian democracy has lost a leading place among consolidated democracies in CEE.
PERANCANGAN POWERTRAIN PADA SEGWAY
Authors: Irawan Agustinus Purna , Irawan Agustinus Purna , Sumarsono Danardono Agus
Published: February 2020

Abstract: Segway is a personal vehicle with a battery power source which is driven by an electric motor. In designing the Segway, powertrain system design includes power, resources, transmission, steering, braking system and final drives. In the design and results of field tests performed, it was shown that the powertrain system segway is very good.
EVALUASI BESAR BUTIR TERHADAP SIFAT MEKANIS CuZn70/30 SETELAH MENGALAMI DEFORMASI MELALUI CANAI DINGIN
Authors: Sanjaya Riyan , Siradj Eddy S
Published: February 2020

Abstract: The research was conducted because of the many industries that use CuZn 70/30 as a raw material in industrialization. CuZn 70/30 was studied to obtain the strong mechanical properties of brass. Research CuZn 70/30 was evaluated using a process of heating of about 6150 ± 50C and then held for 90 minutes. The next process is the process of cold rolling by using a variety of reduction and then tested by using a Vickers hardness testing, tensile testing, observation of the microstructure. The result of this research is a fine microstructure (below 10 μm), hardness (HV 211.67). Tensile test also conducted to get how much resistance CuZn 70/30 to resist the pull. The cold rolling process causing the decrease the mechanical properties and also increase the plastic properties of the brass.