bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of ghrelin in the regulation of gastric acid secretion involving nitrergic mechanisms in rats
Authors: Bilgin HM , Tumer C , Diken H , Kelle M , Sermet A
Published: April 2021

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue
receptor (GHS-R), has been identified in the rat and human
gastrointestinal tract. Ghrelin has been proposed to play a role in
gastric acid secretion. Nitric oxide (NO) was shown as a mediator
in the mechanism of ghrelin action on gastric acid secretory
function. However, there is a little knowledge about this topic.
We have investigated the role of ghrelin in gastric acid secretion
and the role of NO as a mediator. Wistar albino rats were used in
this study. The pyloric sphincter was ligated through a small
midline incision. By the time, saline (0.5 ml, iv) was injected to
the control group, ghrelin (20 μg/kg, iv) was injected to the first
experimental group, ghrelin (20 μg/kg, iv) + L-NAME (70 mg/kg,
sc) was injected to the second group and L-NAME (70 mg/kg, sc)
was administered to the third group. The rats were killed 3 h
after pylorus ligation; gastric acid secretion, mucus content and
plasma nitrite levels were measured. Exogenous ghrelin
administration increased gastric acid output, mucus content and
total plasma nitrite levels, while these effects of ghrelin were
inhibited by applying L-NAME. We can conclude that ghrelin
participates in the regulation of gastric acid secretion through NO
as a mediator.
Cinderella Syndrome of Working Women in Cyber Literature
Authors: Fatimah Eva , Istiani Imas
Published: April 2021

Abstract. Cyber literature has been academically recognized in literary studies through multiple research studies. Cyber literature is manifested in various cyberspace, both maintained individually and professionally. Writing platforms on the internet, such as Wattpad, have been widely used. They provide space for writers and engage readers to create online writing communities. One of the most popular genres found in cyber literature is romance chick-lit, in which most main characters are working women. Although most protagonists are working women who are financially independent, they still search for men who have higher positions, social levels, and financial stability. They wish that such men will find and save them, referred to by Colette Dowling as Cinderella complex. The study investigates the Cinderella complex's indications on female protagonists in two Wattpad chick lit works: 1) Furious Boss & Naughty Secretary, and 2) Ex-lovers but Married. The indications of Cinderella Complex were shown through 1) the wish to be saved, 2) the girl-child lives on, 3) the achievement gap, 4) the intimations of helplessness, and 5) the blind devotion.Keywords: Cinderella complex; cyber literature, WattpadAbstrak. Sastra cyber sudah diperhitungkan sebagai bagian dari studi sastra secara akademik melalui berbagai penelitian yang sudah dilakukan. Sastra cyber terwujud di dalam berbagai ruang cyber, baik itu dijalankan secara individual maupun profesional. Platform menulis pada internet seperti Wattpad sudah marak digunakan sebagai tempat berkarya bagi penulis serta menarik perhatian pembaca untuk menciptkana suatu komunitas menulis secara online. Salah satu genre populer pada sastra cyber adalah chicklit romantis yang mana karakter utamanya adalah wanita pekerja.  Meskipun protagonis wanita merupakan wanita pekerja yang independen secara finansial, mereka masih mengharapkan pasangan yang berada di posisi, tingkat sosial dan kestabilan finansial yang lebih besar dari mereka. Studi ini bertujuan untuk mencari indikasi adanya Cinderella complex pada karakter protagonis perempuan melalui dua karya chicklit di Wattpad, yaitu: 1) Furious Boss & Naughty Secretary, dan 2) Mantan Tapi Menikah. Indikasi Cinderella complex yang ditemukan adalah 1) keinginan untuk diselamatkan, 2) gadis-kecil yang hidup di dalam diri, 3) kesenjangan prestasi, 4) tanda ketidakmampuan, dan 5) kepatuhan yang buta.Kata kunci: Cinderella complex; sastra cyber, Wattpad
Cooperativismo na Bahia: uma perspectiva histórica
Authors: Vasconcelos Junior Nilton
Published: April 2021

O cooperativismo no estado da Bahia, no período compreendido entre fins do século XIX e meados do século XX, tem sua trajetória resgatada por meio de levantamento em publicações de época. Um estudo exploratório que apresenta aspectos pouco conhecidos sobre essas experiências associativas no estado e sobre as iniciativas governamentais no fomento ao cooperativismo. Os resultados relatados no presente texto apontam para uma agenda de pesquisa que tenha como objetivo o aprofundamento da compreensão sobre aquelas práticas.
September v. Subramoney and its Implications for Transgender Persons in South Africa
Authors: Sloth-Nielsen Rachel
Published: April 2021

This article discusses the case of September v. Subramoney heard in 2019 in the Equality Court. Following a discussion of the case, the article examines the implications of this case for future jurisprudence with reference to the use of non-binding international law in South African litigation, the implications this case has for other transgender inmates as well as its implications for other state institutions, for example the principle of reasonable accommodation in so far as it applies to transgender persons, the recognition of gender identity as an analogous ground in discrimination law, and the endurance of the binary model of gender identification in South Africa.
The role of European rare habitats in conservation of rare phytodiversity of «Drevlianskyi» Nature Reserve
Authors: Orlov O. , Konishchuk V. , Martynenko V.
Published: April 2021

Classification scheme of rare habitats of Europe according to Bern Convention and Habitat Directive of EU was presented for the territory of Drevlianskyi nature reserve. It was shown significant habitat’s diversity of nature reserve from all main types of habitats — water (permanent and temporary lakes (waterbodies), watercources, reedbeds habitats), bog (eutrophic and mesotrophic mires), grassland (dry, mesic and wet grassland, floodplain and fen scrub, heaths), forest (leaved and conifer forests (woodland), rock (rocks and talus of silicate rocks). According to the results of field research, the territory of the reserve represented by 30 habitats (1 — ІІ leaves, 4 — ІІІ leaves, 25 — ІV leaves). It is established that the most common habitat 91T0 (Central European lichen Scots pine forests), which represented by 153 localities in A1C (dry pine forest) on an area of 421.5 ha. It was made a conclusion that the role of rare habitats in nature reserve Drevlianskyi is determinant for conservation of rare species of vascular plants that are protected by the Bern Convention, European Red List and included to the Red Book of Ukraine. The results of the analysis of the role of rare biotopes of Europe in the conservation of species of flora of different protection status on the territory of Drevlianskyi nature reserve show that most of the rare plant species of reserve listed in Resolution № 6 of the Bern Convention (Annex I), revised in 2011, are present in its rare settlements. The role of rare habitats of Drevlianskyi nature reserve in the conservation of rare species of flora is decisive — of the 29 species of plants of supranational and national levels of protection in rare habitats there are 24 species or 82.8% of their total number.
Forest typological and botanical features of «Mozh river valley» as the object of Emerald Network
Authors: Bezrodnova O. , Tymochko I. , Senchylo O. , Solomakha V.
Published: April 2021

Ecological and coenotic properties are given and the environmental importance of natural complexes of the Emerald Network of Ukraine «Mozh river valley» (UA0000299 Mozh river valley) in Kharkiv region is highlighted. The object is located in the valley of the Mozh River — a right-bank tributary of the Siverskyi Donets River (Don River Basin) and covers 12658.48 hectares; moreover this area has hardly undergone changes due to land reclamation measures. In addition, the emerald object includes the reserves of local significance «Mirgorodsky» and «Merefyansky», as well as the wetland «Zaplava r. Mzha». The investigated object currently represents a complex of various identified settlements from Resolution 4 of the Berne Convention (C1.222, C1.224, C1.225, C1.32, C1.33, C2.33, C2.34, D5.2, D6.1, E2.2, E3.4, E5.4, F9.1, F3.247, F3.4, G1.11, G1.36, G1.414, G1.51, G3.4232, G1.A1), which have natural-historical and geomorphological dependance. The main ecological and biotic features, areas and list of main plant species are given for them. In the studied area there are populations of rare species of vascular plants that have different sozological status. Annex I to Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention includes Jurinea cyanoides and Pulsatilla patens, and a number of species have state preservation status in Ukraine (Salvinia natans, Dactylorhisa incarnatа, D. fuchsia, D. majalis, Orchis palustris, Gladiolus tenius, Fritillaria ruthenica, Tulipa quercetorum, Stipa borysthenica, Pulsatilla pratensis) and at the regional level (Polygonum bistorta, Valeriana officinalis, Parnassia palustris, Veratrum lobelianum, Thelypteris palustris, Dryopteris cristata, D. carthusiana, Athyrium filix-femina, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, Comarum palustre, Carex pseudocyperus, Lycopodium clavatum, Orthila secunda, Rubus saxatilis, Dianthus stenocalyx). In case of increasing economic impact, the main conditions for the existence of natural complexes in this area is the necessity to streamline forest use, reduce the impact of a number of invasive tree and shrub species, and minimize the impact of drainage and plowing of floodplains. It is also necessary to regulate the stream of vacationers and reduce the degree of anthropogenic pressure on natural complexes.
Impact of forest fire on the vegetable cover of radioactively contaminated areas
Authors: Landin V. , Tishchenko O. , Gurelia V. , Kuchma T. , Feshchenko V.
Published: April 2021

This article presents the results of assessing the impact of fires on the vegetation of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and the zone of unconditional (mandatory) resettlement, Drevlyansky Nature Reserve using means of remote sensing of the Earth for the period from 1986 to 2020. The methods and criteria for assessing vegetation damage using spectral data obtained from space satellites of the Earth and using methods of geoinformation technologies are proposed. This methodology provides mapping vegetation through remote sensing imagery. Comparing space images of the territory of the exclusion zone and the zone of unconditional mandatory resettlement for 1986, 1999, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, for the period of 34 years after the accident, identified significant changes in the condition of lands belonging to forest and agricultural lands. In the result of the study revealed the changes observed in the boundaries of water bodies because drying of artificial reservoirs, changes in the direction of riverbeds, waterlogging of drainage canals and adjacent forest areas. The identified effect from fires in forests where dry forest materials have accumulated and from consequences of forest management. It is also noted, that according to the spectral data of space images, areas of forest damaged by insects are well defined. The study reveals
The influence of ecological conditions on the growing of fingerlings carp hybrids of different origin
Authors: Kuts U. , Tuchapska A. , Dobryanska O. , Kurinenko H.
Published: April 2021

The article presents an analysis of the ecological condition of reservoirs of the cultivation system of the State Enterprise «Lviv Research Station of the Institute of Fisheries NAAS» to create optimal conditions in ponds for growing carp hybrids of different genesis. It was found that the hydrochemical regime in the experimental ponds did not differ much because it mainly depended on the chemical composition of the water source of their water supply. In general, the main hydrochemical parameters that characterize the quality of pond water meet the standards for fishery reservoirs. According to OO Alokin’s classification, the water corresponded to a weakly alkaline or alkaline medium (7.0–9.1) and belonged to the hydrocarbonate class (HCO3 — 152.5–222.0 mg/dm3), with a predominance of SO42–, (69.2–72.8 mg/dm3), with an average mineralization in the range of 319.0–402.5 mg/dm3. Temperature indicators corresponded to seasonal dynamics and were in the range of 15–26°C, with the maximum value in July, while the content of dissolved oxygen in water did not fall below 2.43 mg·O/l. Phytoplankton of experimental ponds was represented by freshwater species (from 62 to 80) belonging to 7 systematic divisions. Chlorophyta 10450 dominated in number — 2836.79 thousand cells/dm3. Quantitative indicators of phytoplankton development were at the level of 2773.59–18496.62 thousand cells/dm3 by number and from 0.78 to 3.32 mg/dm3 by biomass. Zooplankton of experimental ponds was mainly represented by organisms of three systematic groups: Rotifera, Cladocera and Copepoda. At the time of the research, the quantitative indicators of zooplankton development in growing ponds ranged from 22.0 to 257.0 thousand specimens/m3 in number, and 0.36–19.1 g/m3 in biomass. The main role in the formation of zooplankton biomass was win back by young forms of branched crustaceans. The obtained indicators of the ecological condition of fish ponds will create optimal conditions for fish farming. Accordingly, they contribute to the positive physiological development of this year’s carp hybrids.
Zonal features of the dynamics of humus content in soils of Chernihiv region
Authors: Grischenko O. , Romanova S. , Zapasnyi V. , Shabanova I.
Published: April 2021

The humus condition of soils of Chernihiv region has been studied. The dynamics of humus content in the soils of the region during six rounds (1986–2015) of agrochemical certification of agricultural lands is generalized and analyzed. In comparison with the 5th round (1986–1990), there was a discrepancy between the processes of stabilization and increase of humus content in most districts and in the region as a whole in the ninth round (2006–2010), and in some districts in the tenth round (2011–2015) against the background of a sharp decrease in the application of organic fertilizers. It was found that the stabilization of humus content in the soils of the region during the V–VIII rounds of agrochemical certification and a sharp increase in its content in the ninth round, against a significant reduction of organic matter, correlates with the withdrawal of eroded, low-yielding lands with low humus content (r=0.76). Analyzing the dynamics of humus content over thirty years of research,it was found that its content has increased in all climatic zones, as well as in nineteen of the twenty-two districts of the region. The increase of the indicator is in the range of 0.01–0.72%, while in all districts there is a significant reduction of the surveyed areas and only in three districts of the region there is a decrease in the humus content. According to the results of the 10th round of agrochemical certification, the soils of Chernihiv region are characterized by an average humus content of 2.41%. The highest humus content is characterized by the soils of Bakhmatsky (3.56%), Talalaivsky (3.33%) and Pryluky (3.32%) districts, and the lowest — NovgorodSiversky (1.57%). Increasing the sown area of green manure crops, plowing straw and the use of other elements of biologization of agriculture are important factors in increasing the weighted average humus content in the soils of Chernihiv region.
Bioenergetic assessment of sewage sludge application under Silphium perfoliatum L. on sod-podzolic soils of Precarpathians
Authors: Lopushniak V. , Hrytsuliak G. , Dzhus G.
Published: April 2021

Many countries around the world are paying close attention to the search and use of the alternative energy sources that could replace fossil hydrocarbons: oil and gas. The grown biomass of the green plants is considered as an alternative energy source for biofuel production. One of the energy crops, which is able to form high yields of the biomass and can be used as a source of the bio raw materials, is Silphium perfoliatum L. Studies have determined the bioenergetic efficiency of the growing sylphia perforated with the introduction of different rates of the sewage sludge on sod-podzolic soils of the Precarpathian region. A comparative analysis of the morphometric parameters of the plants of the Silphiumper foliatum L. was held and it showed the changes in height and diameter of the shoots, length and width of the leaves, there was determined its productivity and energy yield with the Silphiumper foliatum L. biomass and there was also held a statistical analysis of the experimental parameters. It is established that the addition of the fertilizer based on the sewage sludge and straw at a rate of 30–40 t/ha and mineral fertilizers N10-50P14-52K58-74 under the sylphiaperforated provides an increase in the crop productivity at the level of 20.5–22.4 t/ha, the highest gross energy yield 356–385 GJ/ha with biomass and the highest energy efficiency. The energy efficiency coefficient is 1.2–1.3, and its correlation dependence on the yield of the dry biomass and energy reserves in humus is close. On the basis of the field research the mathematical equation of the forecast of the bioenergy efficiency depending on the norms of these wage sludge addition is made, the coefficients of the energy efficiency on the basis of an output of the dry biomass and energy stocks in humus of sodpodzolic soil are defined.
Assessment of yield and stability in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes of different ecological origin under conditions of the central part of Ukrainian Forest-steppe
Authors: Hudzenko V. , Polischuk T. , Demyanyuk О. , Babii O. , Lysenko A.
Published: April 2021

The study was conducted at the V.M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of NAAS in 2018–2020. The 96 spring barley accessions originating from 15 countries were evaluated in yield performance and its stability. The mean yield in the trial through the years varied from 265 g/m2 in 2018 to 447 g/m2 in 2020. The difference between the minimum and maximum yield of samples within individual years was 388 g/m2 in 2018, 522 g/m2 in 2019, 440 g/m2 in 2020. Thus, it was found that the studied genotypes differed significantly in the level of yield, both within a year and through years of the research. This is confirmed by the high percentage of the genotype in the total variance — 36.73%. The 15 accessions which in mean yield for three years exceeded the standard Vzirets have been identified. The genotypes Almonte (CAN), Smaragd (UKR), Skald (POL), and Vienna (AUT) had the optimal level of yield in contrasting weather conditions of different years. These accessions are the most valuable genetic sources for breeding usage under conditions of the central part of Ukrainian Forest-Steppe. The accessions Suveren (POL), Krok (UKR), Kormoran (POL), Severyanin (RUS), Avers (UKR), Tiver (UKR), Dar Nosivshchyny (UKR), Skarb (POL), AC Alma (CAN), Despina DEU), Glacier AL.38 (GBR) were characterized by different responses to contrasting weather conditions of different years. Therefore, when involving them in hybridization as parental components, a combined approach will be appropriate which based both on the ecological-geographical principle as well as taking into account the yield performance, depending on the conditions of different years. In order to comprehensively assess the genotype by environment interaction and to select genotypes with the optimal combination of yield and stability, it is advisable to combine statistical (graphical) models that differ in the principles of evaluation of genotypes
Efficiency of hop (Humulus L.) growing without cutting of main roots depending upon the underground plant part.
Authors: Ostromenskyi O. , Stetsiuk O. , Mykhailov M. , Kyrychenko L. , Panchenko I.
Published: April 2021

Cutting of main roots in the hop cultivation process is one of the most energy-intensive agrotechnical operations. And it is necessary to execute it in a short time during spring work. The purpose of this research was to determine the efficiency and influence of hop growing without cutting of the main roots in different development terms of shoots in the underground plant part during the spring period on the forming of the yield, cones quality and sparing of human labor and production costs. Research methods used were: field tests, laboratory tests, statistic analysis methods. Resultsof the scientific research proved the possibility of hop growing without cutting of the main roots in conditions of the Ukrainian Northern forest-andsteppe and Polissia zone. It was stated, that the highest broken of shoots percentage (86.9– 88.5%), which enhances yield +0.9 metric Centner from hectare, or +4.3% in comparison with the traditional technology, was recorded in the variants with uncut roots during the spring period until their appearance on the soil surface with the length of 3–5 cm. In the variants with uncut roots with the presence of eyes in the underground plant part and shoots which spread on the soil surface, the percentage of broken off shoots reached 20.0–26.5, and in this case caused the yield reduction of 1.0–1.8 metric Centner from hectare, or by 4.8–8.6% lower than in the control field. Alpha acids content in the hop cones in all given variants was practically identical and made 5.1–6.0%. Calculation of economic efficiency demonstrated, that hop growing technology without cutting of main roots offers the possibility to cut down the time limits (terms) used for this operation, spare human labor by 170 worker/hours and receive pure profit of 6.4 thousands Ukrainian Hryvnia for 1 Ha of hop garden, without losses in quantity and quality of hop cones. It is economically profitable to grow hops without cutting the main roots in comparison with the traditional hop growing technology.
The mechanism of introduction of the system of management of expenses at the enterprises of agro-industrial production
Authors: Moskalenko V.
Published: April 2021

The article highlights the key problems of effective cost management at the agro-industrial complex enterprises. The conceptual model of effective interaction between elements of the cost management system is provided and the algorithm of implementation of the cost management system at the agro-industrial complex enterprises is justified. The article unfolds the specifics of the arrangement of management accounting as a key element of the cost management system at the agricultural enterprises and presents the optimal system of accounts of management accounting and their interaction with the accounts of classical management accounting. The issues of development of internal standards of the cost management system at the agricultural enterprises and the concept of cost accounting by responsibility centres are highlighted. The task of such accounting is rather assistance in the arrangement of self-control of managers than control itself. Therefore, the main purpose of accounting for the responsibility centres is to assist management staff at various levels in compiling reports on the implementation of budgets (plans, programs, projects) and evaluation of performance. The article draws attention to the importance of classifying the costs of agroindustrial complex enterprises both for the assessment of stocks and determination of the financial result, as well as for management decisions and control. A large focus is concentrated on the peculiarities of calculating the cost price of agricultural products as one of the factors of production efficiency. The importance of establishing a system of budgeting and monitoring the implementation of budgets is emphasized. Finally, it is noted that the cost management process is reduced to such basic types of analytical work as the allocation of responsibility centres, cost classification, arrangement of accounting, cost planning and costing.
System of financial sustainability management of forestry enterprises of southern Ukraine
Authors: Diadchenko I. , Sakharnatska L.
Published: April 2021

The article considers the possibility of more efficient use of forest resources of the steppe zone of Ukraine, including by improving the level of financial stability of forestry enterprises in the South of Ukraine. For this purpose, on the basis of well-known principles of process algorithmization, a conceptual model of formation of the financial stability management system of forestry enterprises of the South of Ukraine is proposed. The presented model is based on the economic, social and environmental components (subsystems) of forestry enterprises and in each of them the necessary directions (possible effects) for improving the financial condition of economic entities are identified. The main reasons of normative and organizational nature, which make it impossible to increase the economic potential of forestry enterprises in the South of Ukraine, are highlighted. The directions of cooperation of forestry enterprises with local self-government bodies are offered, in particular: conclusion of commercial agreements on reconstruction of existing and creation of new parks and squares, construction of sanatoriums, cultural and entertaining, development of water purification and water-preserving functions of forest plantations. The mechanism of realization of the system of management of financial stability of the forestry enterprises which is based on realization by the forestry enterprises of a complex of the corresponding organizational and technical and administrative actions is presented. which consists in the implementation of the relevant stages of the enterprise, in particular: capitalization of own assets, identification of sources of funding and diversification of activities. It is substantiated as one of the directions of diversification of forestry enterprises, creation of energy crops on forest lands that cannot be used for other needs, and production of pellets from them for further sale. In particular, based on the calculations, it is proved that the proposed direction of diversification of forest enterprises in the South of Ukraine will not only improve their financial condition, but also attract low-value lands that are unsuitable for growing forests and crops, eventually improving their structure and content.
The Impact of Service Quality on Business Commitment in Contract Manufacturing Services: An Exploratory Study of F&B Industry in Malaysia
Authors: Zulkefli Abdul Rahim  , Boo-HoVoon  , Rasidah Mahdi
Published: April 2021

Business environment is highly competitive for food & beverage(F&B)industry due to the low entry barrier. In order to improve their financial performances, F&B manufacturers opt to offer contract manufacturing services (CMS).There is a formal relationship established between the service provider and the buyer. However, the impact of service quality on retaining the business relationship particularly has not been empirically investigated. To fill this gap, this study explores the determinants of contract manufacturing service quality (CMSQ) and the interrelationship between CMSQ, customer satisfaction and loyalty of the F&B CMSs’ customers in Malaysia. Four focus group interviews (28 participants) were held in this study and they comprised 12 contract manufacturers and 16 business customers. Three new dimensions were discovered from the focus group interviews; product development capability, Halal certification and outcome quality in addition to the SERVQUAL dimensions. Relevantinformation via structured questionnaires were collected via online survey and drop-off method. 146 usable questionnaires were analysed using partial least squares. The results indicate that CMSQ consists of eight dimensions namely empathy, assurance, reliability, responsiveness, tangibles, outcome quality, Halal certification and product development capability. The Empathy dimension is the most important dimension influencing customers’ decision to stay with the contract manufacturers.CMSQ was found to have a small effect size on loyalty while customer satisfaction largely influenced loyalty. The result implies that CMSQ is a complement in the formation of customer loyalty while customer satisfaction is a significant predictor of behavioural intention.The findings also provide empirical evidence that the contextual specific service quality is essential particularly for contract manufacturing in F&B.
Women on Boards of Philippine Corporations: Quantitative Explorations
Authors: Maria Cristina G. Bautista  , Marlene M. De Leon  , Rudyard Jose R. Nano IV
Published: April 2021

This inductive study explored the likelihood and correlates of gender diversity in corporate boards in the Philippines. The improvement of gender diversity on boards is of advocacy and policy interest as the country emergesto middle-high income status. Logistic regression analyses from individuals’ (in a directors’ talent pool) responses to an online survey showed that females had a likely odds of 0.10 to be on the boards, compared to males. For every one female getting onto boards, 9 would be unable to.Females with advanced degrees were 7x likely to be on boards than female and male counterparts. The odds of a board seat is significantly likely for individuals in some industries compared to a referent industry (government). At the firm level, controlling other variables in the model, as the size of boards are increased by a unit, the odds of having a woman on board increase 1.3 times.This implies that the likelihood of having a woman board of director rises if the size of boards is raised by a third. Corroboration from text mining technique applied to survey responses showed strong correlation across academic degrees (both bachelor’s and advanced), industry, and job title; pointing that having more women in C-roles increase the odds of increasing their numbers on corporate boards. Gender diversity on boards have been studied largely fromthedeveloped economy lens and/or international comparisons. These quantitative explorations showed pathways that can advance not only understanding and support for extant theories (human capital, resource dependence), but also point to further work (institutional, industry) that can provide levers for policy and advocacy, for countries with similar challenges.
The Impacts of Bilateral Trade and Foreign Direct Investment on Malaysia’s Economic Growth: The Roles of Singapore
Authors: Chee-Yie Wong  , Hui-Shan Lee  , Shyue-Chuan Chong
Published: April 2021

Open economy is essential for a country to achieve sustainable economic growth. There existsa bilateral tiebetween Malaysia and Singapore since 1965. Thisrelationship has made Singaporeachievedas a high-income nation that enjoys modern infrastructure and technology, skilled labour, and strong financial structure, but Malaysia is still trying to upgrade itself to become a high-income nation via open economy. Furthermore, Malaysia’s reliance on the external market has inevitablyleft the economy to be more exposed to external shock. This research analysesthe impacts of Malaysia’s bilateral trade and investment with Singapore on Malaysia’s economic growth from2008 to 2016. Vector error correction model (VECM) reveals that Malaysia’s exports to Singapore arepositive and significant on Malaysia’s economic growth and Malaysia’s OFDI in Singapore is significant but negative on Malaysia’s economic growth.However, Malaysia’s imports from Singapore and Malaysia’s inward foreign direct investment (IFDI) by Singapore have insignificant impacts on Malaysia’s economic growth. It concludes that only Malaysia’s exports to Singapore can help to increase Malaysia’s economic growth.Thus,Malaysia’sgovernment couldprovide incentives to encourage Malaysian local firms to boost the exportationsto Singapore.
Determinants of Micro-Enterprise Success through Microfinance Institutions: A Capital Mix and Previous Work Experience
Authors: Waseem Ul Hameed  , Hisham Bin Mohammad  , Hanita Binti Kadir Shahar
Published: April 2021

The prime objective of the study is to highlight the role of the capital mix (financial capital, social capital, human capital) on women micro-enterprise success with moderating role of previous work experience. Women owned micro-enterprise success is less as compared to the male owned micro-enterprsie, particularly in Pakistan. Rate of faliure in women micro-enterpeise is more, that is the reason women community is one of the most vulnerable group worldwide. It is evident from literature that less attention has been paid to highlight the importance of three types of capital for women micro-enterprise. To adress this issue, the current study adopted quantitative research approach and based on cross-sectional research design. Primary data was collected by using 5-point Likert scale. Questionnaires were distributed among the owners of women micro-enterprise in Pakistan by using area cluster sampling. SmartPLS 3 was used to analyze the data. It is found that financial capital, social capital and human capital has significant positive relationship with women micro-enterprise success and previous work experience moderates the relationship. Hence, this study contributed by developing a unique framework for women micro-enterprise success. It will be beneficial for practitioners to enhance women micro-enterprise success rate.
Attributes of Islamic Bank Service Quality: A Survey to Map Metropolitan Customer Satisfaction
Authors: Ade Sofyan Mulazid  , M. Arief Mufraini  , Desmadi Saharuddin  , Ahmad Tibrizi Soni Wicaksono
Published: April 2021

This study aims to analyze service quality of Islamic Banking in Jakarta. Data were randomly obtained from metropolitan customers with the CARTER approaches, which comprises of Compliance, Assurance, Reliability, Tangibles, Empathy, and Responsiveness used to determine customer satisfaction index and importance performance analysis. Although the overall result showed that metropolitan customers of Islamic banks are satisfied, gaps were found on attributes of the services provided. Therefore, continuous improvement is needed to ensure the proper use of information technology (e-Banking), the ability of banks in responding to problems and complaints quickly, and the hospitality of employees while attending to customers.
We “Meme” Business: Exploring Malaysian Youths’ Interpretation of Internet Memes in Social Media Marketing
Authors: Kee-Man Chuah  , Yumni Musfirah Kahar  , Looi-Chin Ch’ng
Published: April 2021

Social media marketing is gaining momentum in recent years due to its ability in reaching out to the target audience in a short period of time. Many forms of social media marketing strategies have been introduced and tested and one that is widely used is Internet memes. Despite its widespread use, there is a need to know if iconicity of memes would be affected when they are used in local contexts. Iconicity refers to the match between form (images and texts) and meanings. This paper reports findings from a qualitative study that investigated the iconicity of memes used in marketing by analysing their language features in relation the feedback obtained from the target respondents namely Malaysian youths. A total of 50 respondents were involved and they were told to rate 30 memes in terms of their level of understanding and interpretation. The subsequent in-depth interviews were conducted on five respondents. The findings show that most of the memes were high in terms of iconicity and only seven of them were low. The predominant language features were also analysed and memes with low iconicity tend to use complex sentences, full of short forms and slangs as well as imperative words. The findings from this study may not be generalised but it has provided insightful outcomes for local businesses in planning their social media marketing especially those that plan to capitalise on the rising trend of Internet memes.
Motivational Component of National Corporate Social Responsibility: Funding, Accounting and Reporting Aspects
Authors: Olha Osadcha  , Olha Pavelko  , Joanna Nakonieczny  , Oksana Zinkevych
Published: April 2021

The article describes accounting assurance for payroll payment in national company under modern business conditions. The purpose of research is to identify methods for social protection of employees, being the vital element of sustainable business activity. The issues of statutory and accounting regulations for payroll payment and other fringe benefits have been generalized; their alternative solution has been given. Distinguishing features of payments specified in national comparing to international accounting standards have been researched. Practical approaches to funding of motivational component for social protection of personnel in national business company have been analyzed. Considering current requirements of national accounting standards, the improvement in analytical accounting of accruals and payments to employees (compensatory as well as motivational benefits) have been suggested. These ideas will allow us to expand informational capacity of accounting assurance for fringe benefits and their types, monetary evaluation, employee categories etc. All the above mentioned will give the opportunity to control methods of organization and owner’s regulatory compliance of corporate social responsibility.
Prediction Model for the Persistence of Sharia Mutual Fund Performance in Indonesian Capital Market
Authors: Zaenal Arifin  , Sri Mulyati
Published: April 2021

Over the period of 2010 to 2012, the performance of Islamic mutual funds in Indonesia saw a high degree of persistence. However, the persistence rate decreased in the period of 2014 to 2016. Given such fluctuated rate, this research tries to identify the factors that influence the persistence of the mutual fund performance and, based on these factors, creates the predictive modelling of persistence rate. The samples of the study included all sharia mutual funds offered from 2010 to 2016 in Indonesian capital market. To construct the model, we used the Logit equation, while to evaluate the accuracy of the prediction model, we used the Expectation- Prediction Evaluation with a prediction evaluation for success of 0.5. The results of this study indicate that,of the whole mutual fund, the best model is a model involving the following variables: (1) the time interval since the mutual fund was launched, (2) the rank of the mutual funds, whether it was at the top 5 within 1-2 years after the launch, and (3) the number of newcomer funds during persistence testing. The level of accuracy of this model, when it was used to predict the whole sharia mutual fund persistence, was 64%. When the model was used to predict the persistence of equity performance of mutual fund, its level of accuracy rose to 77.78%. Whereas in the use to predict the persistence of fixed income mutual funds the accuracy rate amounted to 70%. The persistence of predictive model for mixed funds was based on different factors of compositions: (1) the number of funds under management, (2) the fact whether the mutual funds are in the top 5 within 1-2 years after the launch, and (3) the number of newly coming funds during persistence testing. This model had an accuracy level of 75%. It is expected that this study be used as a guide for investors wishing to invest in sharia mutual funds.
Influencing Factors of Facial Spa Treatment on Visit Intention: An Importance-Performance Matrix Analysis (IPMA) Approach
Authors: Sook-Fern Yeo  , Cheng-Ling Tan  , Kah-Boon Lim  , Elaine Lam
Published: April 2021

Nowadays, grooming is considered an essential part of life to maintaining and up keeping a healthy and hygienic outlook which plays a key role in social bonding. As it turns out, the desire to looking good has spawned a wide range of beauty products causing the beauty industry to thrive and grow at a rapid rate. In other words the Malaysian Beauty Salon Markets have become big business today, driven by a rising population, disposable incomes, urbanisation and increasing influence of western culture to look good and to feel good. The beauty market is valued at USD 119.24 million and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.23% in the next five years, to USD 153.86 million in 2015. As a result of a highly fragmented in this market, the need for differentiation from other salons is impendency for this industry. This research aims to study the different attributes of customer's concerns and reveals the final factors that generate customer intention to visit facial spa treatment centres in Malaysia. The effort is devoted to identifying those dimensions of services provided in facial spa treatment centres for instance, atmospheric, service quality, price, brand image and location which aid to build up a greater relationship with their patrons. Data is collected via questionnaires distribution from the target population of the female with the age range from 16-63 years old. A sample size of 308 was studied and data analysis involving Structural Equation Modeling SmartPLS version 3.0 software were used. Service quality reached the conclusion as the strongest predictor in influencing customer intention to visit facial spa treatment centres, followed by the factors of price and brand image. Further to that, an Importance-Performance matrix analysis was conducted in order to identify factors that need to be given priority for spa owners in Malaysia. These findings made contributions beyond the high context services for instance beauty salons, massage salons, hair salons, nail salons, financial consulting and medical care with the matching services characteristics.
Analysis of Motivational Factors of MSMEs Entrepreneurs to Be Halalpreneurs
Authors: Mumtaz Anwari  , Sri Rahayu Hijrah Hati
Published: April 2021

This study aims to examine the motivational factors of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) entrepreneurs to become Halalpreneurs based on their religiosity, attitude (awareness of halalentrepreneurship, intrinsic motivation, effort to seek out opportunity, creativity and motivation, honesty and integrity, risk-taking attitude, relative advantage and perceived desirability), subjective norm (family support and peer influence) and perceived behavioral control (perceived feasibility, government support). Data were collected from 239 Muslim entrepreneurs who run their MSMEs. Data were then analyzed using descriptive analysis and partial least square in SmartPLS 3.0. From the result, awareness of halalpreneurship, intrinsic motivation, effort to seek out opportunity, relative advantage, perceived desirability, family support, and perceived feasibility positively are found to influence halalpreneurial propensity significantly. Meanwhile,  creativity and innovation, honesty and integrity, perceived governmental support, peers influence, risk-taking attitude, and religiosity are not significant in influencing the MSMEs entrepreneur's halalpreneurial propensity.
Factors Influencing the Intensity of Using Digital Social Networks among Indonesian Millennial Tourists
Authors: Annisa Husnul Latifah  , Hapsari Setyowardhani
Published: April 2021

Millennials are typically fond of uploading their travel photos to social media to gain social recognition. Lombok is a tourist destination with considerable potential to increase the value and social status of its visitors, as it offers enough attractions to be considered among the world’s favorite celebrity tourist destinations; it is also globally renowned for its diverse natural and cultural beauty. This descriptive quantitative research aims to examine the effect of self-congruity, perceived social value, and experience satisfaction toward the intensity of using a digital social network to reinforce the identity of millennial users in Indonesia. This research involved 214 respondents who visited Lombok for leisure and used a digital social network to inform others of their tourism experience. After being analyzed with structural equation modelling as the data processor, the results show a direct and positive effect between perceived social value and the intensity of using a digital social network but no direct and positive effect between experience self-congruity and experience satisfaction on the intensity of using a digital social network.
Capital Structure and Financial Performance: Evidence from Three Malaysian Industries
Authors: Annisa Husnul Latifah  , Hapsari Setyowardhani
Published: April 2021

Millennials are typically fond of uploading their travel photos to social media to gain social recognition. Lombok is a tourist destination with considerable potential to increase the value and social status of its visitors, as it offers enough attractions to be considered among the world’s favorite celebrity tourist destinations; it is also globally renowned for its diverse natural and cultural beauty. This descriptive quantitative research aims to examine the effect of self-congruity, perceived social value, and experience satisfaction toward the intensity of using a digital social network to reinforce the identity of millennial users in Indonesia. This research involved 214 respondents who visited Lombok for leisure and used a digital social network to inform others of their tourism experience. After being analyzed with structural equation modelling as the data processor, the results show a direct and positive effect between perceived social value and the intensity of using a digital social network but no direct and positive effect between experience self-congruity and experience satisfaction on the intensity of using a digital social network.
Financial Literacy: The Impact on the Profitability of the SMEs in Kuching
Authors: Shafinah Rahim  , Vinod Raj Balan
Published: April 2021

This study aims at investigating the financial knowledge, financial behaviour and the attitude towards finance amongst on small medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) in Kuching. More specifically on how these powerful factors affect the profitability on fast growing business enterprises in largest city in the Borneo Island over the last decade. The research takes a descriptive approach fitting its underlying pursue and draws interesting conclusions with over 75% response rate. Analysis of the data collected clearly reveals that the knowledge of finance in general relates significantly stronger to the bottom line of these business entities relative to the owners’ financial attitude and their ensuing behaviour towards financial decision making. Therefore, small medium entrepreneurs are highly recommended to participate in financial education on a regular basis to keep them well informed and equipped with the latest ways of managing the finances of their businesses to ensurebetter financial planning, execution and monitoring of enterprises that inevitably will lead to increased and sustainable earnings.
Pricing Mechanism and IPO Initial Return: Evidence from Pakistan Stock Exchange
Authors: Waqas Mehmood  , Rasidah Mohd-Rashid  , Abd Halim Ahmad
Published: April 2021

This study adds to the extent of the literature by examining the impacts of pricing mechanism and premium offered on IPO initial return in Pakistan. Cross-sectional data were gathered using 90 listed IPOs retrieved from Pakistan stock exchange. Accordingly, ordinary least squares, quantile regression, robustness regression, and stepwise regression were employed to assess the factors that influenced initial return. This study describes the intensity of initial return in light of company specific and issue specific variables. Both closing and opening prices to offer price were incorporated to measure the initial return on the initial day of trading. The outcomes showed that after the reform of book building pricing mechanism, the initial return of IPOs increased, when compared to the fixed price offerings in Pakistan. This study concludes that information from book building pricing mechanism and premium had influenced both issuer and investor in subscribing IPO.