Pub Date : 2023-08-01DOI: 10.21833/ijaas.2023.08.023
Maher Trimeche, Mongi Zidi, Turki Al-Shalaki, Alnair Mohammed Ali Alnair, Elyas Saeed SaadAshwal, Mohamed Mohamed Hassan Ibrahim, Ashraf Abd El-Hakim Mohamed Megahed, Ibrahim El Husseiny Abdelmoneim Helal
This study explores the perspectives of social science experts on the emergence of family mutism resulting from the misuse of social networking platforms. It also seeks to identify the most effective social intervention program to restore Saudi Arabian family bonds strained by excessive social media use. This research is theoretically grounded in the cognitive framework of clinical sociology. The researchers adopted a descriptive methodology and conducted directed interviews with 20 experts from different disciplines at Hail University in Saudi Arabia, during the months of October and November 2022. The study reveals that the experts reached a unanimous consensus on the goals of the therapeutic intervention program, emphasizing the enhancement of family members' awareness and the provision of guidance on the prudent use of social media. From a theoretical perspective, all experts agreed that ecological theory served as the most appropriate framework to inform professional practice and guide the social intervention program. In addition, the study found that individual and group interviews with family members, along with individual and group sessions, were the most effective social intervention strategies. Professionals reflected on the complex social and psychological issues associated with family mutism, particularly in children and adolescents who are enmeshed in technological addiction and excessive reliance on social networking platforms. According to these specialists, family structure plays a pivotal role in mitigating family mutism, as they assert their competence in identifying the problem. This study provides invaluable insights into the optimal goals, theoretical paradigms, methodologies, and tools to address family mutism resulting from the inappropriate use of social media.
{"title":"Addressing family mutism: Expert perspectives and intervention strategies in the context of excessive social media use in Saudi Arabian families","authors":"Maher Trimeche, Mongi Zidi, Turki Al-Shalaki, Alnair Mohammed Ali Alnair, Elyas Saeed SaadAshwal, Mohamed Mohamed Hassan Ibrahim, Ashraf Abd El-Hakim Mohamed Megahed, Ibrahim El Husseiny Abdelmoneim Helal","doi":"10.21833/ijaas.2023.08.023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2023.08.023","url":null,"abstract":"This study explores the perspectives of social science experts on the emergence of family mutism resulting from the misuse of social networking platforms. It also seeks to identify the most effective social intervention program to restore Saudi Arabian family bonds strained by excessive social media use. This research is theoretically grounded in the cognitive framework of clinical sociology. The researchers adopted a descriptive methodology and conducted directed interviews with 20 experts from different disciplines at Hail University in Saudi Arabia, during the months of October and November 2022. The study reveals that the experts reached a unanimous consensus on the goals of the therapeutic intervention program, emphasizing the enhancement of family members' awareness and the provision of guidance on the prudent use of social media. From a theoretical perspective, all experts agreed that ecological theory served as the most appropriate framework to inform professional practice and guide the social intervention program. In addition, the study found that individual and group interviews with family members, along with individual and group sessions, were the most effective social intervention strategies. Professionals reflected on the complex social and psychological issues associated with family mutism, particularly in children and adolescents who are enmeshed in technological addiction and excessive reliance on social networking platforms. According to these specialists, family structure plays a pivotal role in mitigating family mutism, as they assert their competence in identifying the problem. This study provides invaluable insights into the optimal goals, theoretical paradigms, methodologies, and tools to address family mutism resulting from the inappropriate use of social media.","PeriodicalId":46663,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences","volume":"53 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134997152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-08-01DOI: 10.21833/ijaas.2023.08.025
Taufiqnur Selamat, Azlina Abu Bakar, R. Zirwatul Aida R. Ibrahim, Mazidah Mohd Dagang, Noor Insyiraah Abu Bakar, Jumadil Saputra
The COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled profound deficiencies in global mental health care and prevention, posing a disproportionate threat to public health worldwide. Social isolation, a consequence of the pandemic, has strained the boundaries of human cooperation, giving rise to a spectrum of mental health challenges including stress, fear, grief, anxiety, and depression. This research empirically investigates the concept of social distance concerning individuals with mental health conditions while considering biopsychosocial determinants, notably social media influence and attitudes. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on a sample comprising 424 students from public universities along the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The findings reveal that attitudes towards mental health and the influence of social media play substantial roles in predicting social distance from individuals with mental health conditions. These predictive factors contribute significantly, accounting for up to 10.6% of the variance in social isolation. The consequences of social distance encompass a broad spectrum, ranging from heightened fear and anxiety to the development of obsessive-compulsive disorders rooted in the fear of social rejection. A biopsychosocial framework emerges as the most comprehensive approach to understanding the intricate interplay of these multifaceted factors.
{"title":"Public health in the post COVID-19 pandemic and mental health onslaught: Social isolation based on a biopsychosocial approach","authors":"Taufiqnur Selamat, Azlina Abu Bakar, R. Zirwatul Aida R. Ibrahim, Mazidah Mohd Dagang, Noor Insyiraah Abu Bakar, Jumadil Saputra","doi":"10.21833/ijaas.2023.08.025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2023.08.025","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled profound deficiencies in global mental health care and prevention, posing a disproportionate threat to public health worldwide. Social isolation, a consequence of the pandemic, has strained the boundaries of human cooperation, giving rise to a spectrum of mental health challenges including stress, fear, grief, anxiety, and depression. This research empirically investigates the concept of social distance concerning individuals with mental health conditions while considering biopsychosocial determinants, notably social media influence and attitudes. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on a sample comprising 424 students from public universities along the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The findings reveal that attitudes towards mental health and the influence of social media play substantial roles in predicting social distance from individuals with mental health conditions. These predictive factors contribute significantly, accounting for up to 10.6% of the variance in social isolation. The consequences of social distance encompass a broad spectrum, ranging from heightened fear and anxiety to the development of obsessive-compulsive disorders rooted in the fear of social rejection. A biopsychosocial framework emerges as the most comprehensive approach to understanding the intricate interplay of these multifaceted factors.","PeriodicalId":46663,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences","volume":"38 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134998092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-08-01DOI: 10.21833/ijaas.2023.08.020
Nguyen Minh Sang
This research work employs advanced bibliometric methodologies to offer a comprehensive overview of 2,165 research works pertaining to financial inclusion. These works were culled from the Scopus database and span the period from 1998 to 2023, within the domains of business-economics and social sciences. The investigation delves into multifarious facets of the global landscape of financial inclusion research, encompassing an examination of the most extensively cited studies and prominent authors, the preeminent academic journals, the principal research keywords, and their interrelations, as well as the foremost research institutions. Additionally, it scrutinizes the trends in international collaboration within this field. Significantly, this study augments the existing body of knowledge on financial inclusion by virtue of its incisive analysis of the global publishing landscape, thereby discerning pivotal research trajectories. This research endeavors to serve as an indispensable resource for scholars, facilitating an in-depth comprehension of the financial inclusion domain and assisting in the identification of potential areas for further inquiry. It is poised to contribute substantively to both academic scholarship and policy formulation in the realm of financial inclusion.
{"title":"Mapping the landscape of financial inclusion research: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis (1998-2023)","authors":"Nguyen Minh Sang","doi":"10.21833/ijaas.2023.08.020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2023.08.020","url":null,"abstract":"This research work employs advanced bibliometric methodologies to offer a comprehensive overview of 2,165 research works pertaining to financial inclusion. These works were culled from the Scopus database and span the period from 1998 to 2023, within the domains of business-economics and social sciences. The investigation delves into multifarious facets of the global landscape of financial inclusion research, encompassing an examination of the most extensively cited studies and prominent authors, the preeminent academic journals, the principal research keywords, and their interrelations, as well as the foremost research institutions. Additionally, it scrutinizes the trends in international collaboration within this field. Significantly, this study augments the existing body of knowledge on financial inclusion by virtue of its incisive analysis of the global publishing landscape, thereby discerning pivotal research trajectories. This research endeavors to serve as an indispensable resource for scholars, facilitating an in-depth comprehension of the financial inclusion domain and assisting in the identification of potential areas for further inquiry. It is poised to contribute substantively to both academic scholarship and policy formulation in the realm of financial inclusion.","PeriodicalId":46663,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences","volume":"27 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136375086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-01DOI: 10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.018
G. Randima, Yapa Mudiyanselage Shashika Madhuwanthi Yapa, K. Masakorala, W. T. S. D. Kumari
The pollution of freshwater is a pressing global environmental concern, necessitating effective management strategies for polluted aquatic environments. Bioremediation has emerged as a highly promising environmentally friendly approach. However, the selection of suitable candidates capable of effectively degrading or removing pollutants remains a challenging task. The introduction of live candidates, particularly bacteria, into natural environments also poses its own set of difficulties. To address these challenges, immobilizing bacteria within carrier materials has emerged as a leading option. In this study, we meticulously assessed the suitability of four locally-available and low-cost agricultural and industrial waste materials as carriers to transport bacteria into water bodies. The selection criteria encompassed bacteria immobilization capacity, viability, and the resulting water quality after treatment. In order to facilitate comparison, the widely-used sodium alginate was included as a benchmark, and Escherichia coli was employed as the model bacterial inoculum. Our findings revealed that alkaline pre-treatment of corn husk, rice husk, rice straw, and sugarcane bagasse significantly enhanced the bacteria immobilization capacity of these materials. Notably, the viability of bacteria in carrier materials, including sodium alginate, exhibited remarkable resilience, with a count of 107 CFU/g material even after 49 days of storage at room temperature. Moreover, upon determining the quality parameters of the receiving water, the introduction of rice husk and sodium alginate materials demonstrated no significant adverse impact. The quality parameters were well within the acceptable range defined by the World Health Organization standards for drinking water and the Sri Lankan ambient water quality standards for various purposes. Based on the overall performance evaluation, we advocate for the application of rice husk and sodium alginate as superior carriers for delivering bacterial inocula to aquatic environments, particularly in polluted water bodies targeted for bioremediation efforts. Nonetheless, we recommend the collection of carrier materials only after the establishment of bio inoculum in the receiving water, as a precautionary measure to minimize any potential impact on the chemical oxygen demand of the water.
{"title":"Evaluation of locally-available agricultural and industrial waste materials as effective carriers for bacterial inocula in freshwater bioremediation","authors":"G. Randima, Yapa Mudiyanselage Shashika Madhuwanthi Yapa, K. Masakorala, W. T. S. D. Kumari","doi":"10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.018","url":null,"abstract":"The pollution of freshwater is a pressing global environmental concern, necessitating effective management strategies for polluted aquatic environments. Bioremediation has emerged as a highly promising environmentally friendly approach. However, the selection of suitable candidates capable of effectively degrading or removing pollutants remains a challenging task. The introduction of live candidates, particularly bacteria, into natural environments also poses its own set of difficulties. To address these challenges, immobilizing bacteria within carrier materials has emerged as a leading option. In this study, we meticulously assessed the suitability of four locally-available and low-cost agricultural and industrial waste materials as carriers to transport bacteria into water bodies. The selection criteria encompassed bacteria immobilization capacity, viability, and the resulting water quality after treatment. In order to facilitate comparison, the widely-used sodium alginate was included as a benchmark, and Escherichia coli was employed as the model bacterial inoculum. Our findings revealed that alkaline pre-treatment of corn husk, rice husk, rice straw, and sugarcane bagasse significantly enhanced the bacteria immobilization capacity of these materials. Notably, the viability of bacteria in carrier materials, including sodium alginate, exhibited remarkable resilience, with a count of 107 CFU/g material even after 49 days of storage at room temperature. Moreover, upon determining the quality parameters of the receiving water, the introduction of rice husk and sodium alginate materials demonstrated no significant adverse impact. The quality parameters were well within the acceptable range defined by the World Health Organization standards for drinking water and the Sri Lankan ambient water quality standards for various purposes. Based on the overall performance evaluation, we advocate for the application of rice husk and sodium alginate as superior carriers for delivering bacterial inocula to aquatic environments, particularly in polluted water bodies targeted for bioremediation efforts. Nonetheless, we recommend the collection of carrier materials only after the establishment of bio inoculum in the receiving water, as a precautionary measure to minimize any potential impact on the chemical oxygen demand of the water.","PeriodicalId":46663,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78013924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-01DOI: 10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.022
Fahad Dibbas Alshammari, M. Aichouni
Organizational excellence is a dynamic and evolving concept that refers to an organization's capacity to achieve strategic objectives at a fundamental level while consistently enhancing its capabilities to tackle external competition and deliver value to stakeholders. In Saudi Arabia, the Charity Excellence Model has been adopted as a national standard since 2014, aiming to ensure quality and excellence in nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and to enhance the sector's performance. This paper aims to investigate the efficacy of the excellence model and its influence on NPOs. A statistical analysis is presented, examining the results of award assessments carried out over four cycles (2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020). The findings demonstrate that the implementation of the excellence model criteria has positively impacted Saudi NPOs; however, their performance remains below the high maturity level targeted by the sector's leadership. This paper also explores potential improvements to the excellence model, considering recent updates in international and national excellence frameworks, as well as the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies in the nonprofit sector.
{"title":"Assessing the impact of the charity excellence model on nonprofit organizations in Saudi Arabia: A statistical analysis","authors":"Fahad Dibbas Alshammari, M. Aichouni","doi":"10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.022","url":null,"abstract":"Organizational excellence is a dynamic and evolving concept that refers to an organization's capacity to achieve strategic objectives at a fundamental level while consistently enhancing its capabilities to tackle external competition and deliver value to stakeholders. In Saudi Arabia, the Charity Excellence Model has been adopted as a national standard since 2014, aiming to ensure quality and excellence in nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and to enhance the sector's performance. This paper aims to investigate the efficacy of the excellence model and its influence on NPOs. A statistical analysis is presented, examining the results of award assessments carried out over four cycles (2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020). The findings demonstrate that the implementation of the excellence model criteria has positively impacted Saudi NPOs; however, their performance remains below the high maturity level targeted by the sector's leadership. This paper also explores potential improvements to the excellence model, considering recent updates in international and national excellence frameworks, as well as the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies in the nonprofit sector.","PeriodicalId":46663,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences","volume":"108 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74094175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-01DOI: 10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.021
F. Alrashed, Tauseef Ahmad, Kamaran Sattar, M. Aldaihan, Muneera M. Almurdi, Leen Khalid Alrashed, A. Shaheen, A. Alsubiheen
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges and stressors for medical students, potentially affecting their emotional well-being. This study aimed to explore the influence of stress during and after the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students' sociodemographic characteristics and their coping strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1st to 5th-year medical students utilizing a self-administered questionnaire, alongside the Kessler 10 Psychological Distress questionnaire, to collect data on perceived stress and coping variables. The findings revealed a notable gender disparity in stress levels during the COVID-19 period, with female medical students experiencing significantly higher stress prevalence (38.5%) compared to their male counterparts (16.2%). However, in the post-COVID period, medical students reported slightly lower stress levels, with female students at 26.9% and male students at 12.8%, compared to the COVID-19 phase. Nonetheless, stress levels were found to be significantly higher post-COVID compared to the during-COVID period. Furthermore, the study identified that stress severity varied across different medical school years, with 3rd-year students experiencing the highest stress levels (OR=8.9; P<0.0001), followed by 5th-year (OR=6.6; P=0.0004), 1st-year (OR=3.9; P=0.008), and 4th-year (OR=2.4; P=0.01) students. Among the coping strategies adopted by medical students to manage moderate to severe stress, "Religious activities" emerged as the most effective approach (OR=0.44; P=0.0001). Furthermore, the study highlighted a noteworthy increase in stress levels among female students during the transitional year of medical school, i.e., the third medical year, which marks the transition from preclinical to clinical training. Considering the study's findings, a support program is proposed, aiming to integrate psychological, organizational, and instrumental assistance. This program aligns with the participatory model of intervention and is designed to address the unique stressors faced by medical students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
{"title":"Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on stress and coping strategies among medical students: A cross-sectional study","authors":"F. Alrashed, Tauseef Ahmad, Kamaran Sattar, M. Aldaihan, Muneera M. Almurdi, Leen Khalid Alrashed, A. Shaheen, A. Alsubiheen","doi":"10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.021","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges and stressors for medical students, potentially affecting their emotional well-being. This study aimed to explore the influence of stress during and after the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students' sociodemographic characteristics and their coping strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1st to 5th-year medical students utilizing a self-administered questionnaire, alongside the Kessler 10 Psychological Distress questionnaire, to collect data on perceived stress and coping variables. The findings revealed a notable gender disparity in stress levels during the COVID-19 period, with female medical students experiencing significantly higher stress prevalence (38.5%) compared to their male counterparts (16.2%). However, in the post-COVID period, medical students reported slightly lower stress levels, with female students at 26.9% and male students at 12.8%, compared to the COVID-19 phase. Nonetheless, stress levels were found to be significantly higher post-COVID compared to the during-COVID period. Furthermore, the study identified that stress severity varied across different medical school years, with 3rd-year students experiencing the highest stress levels (OR=8.9; P<0.0001), followed by 5th-year (OR=6.6; P=0.0004), 1st-year (OR=3.9; P=0.008), and 4th-year (OR=2.4; P=0.01) students. Among the coping strategies adopted by medical students to manage moderate to severe stress, \"Religious activities\" emerged as the most effective approach (OR=0.44; P=0.0001). Furthermore, the study highlighted a noteworthy increase in stress levels among female students during the transitional year of medical school, i.e., the third medical year, which marks the transition from preclinical to clinical training. Considering the study's findings, a support program is proposed, aiming to integrate psychological, organizational, and instrumental assistance. This program aligns with the participatory model of intervention and is designed to address the unique stressors faced by medical students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.","PeriodicalId":46663,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88339061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-01DOI: 10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.020
Jimmy F. De Julian Jr.
The global furniture business faced a grim outlook during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly affecting the livelihoods of bamboo furniture makers (BFMs) in Barangay Arante, Sara, Iloilo, Philippines. This study aimed to identify the problems and profile attributes experienced by BFMs during the pandemic, with the objective of addressing and ameliorating their predicaments. Employing Maslow's Theory of Needs and employing a descriptive survey research design, the study carefully examined the challenges faced by BFMs. Twenty purposively chosen respondents participated in completing questionnaires, and the data were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, and rank for variable characterization. The findings highlighted two major problems faced by BFMs during the pandemic: An inconsistent and low supply of bamboo and a lack of sufficient business capital. Socio-demographic and livelihood data revealed that most BFMs were married males with over a decade of experience in the industry, and they initiated their businesses with a capital of less than 25,000.00 Philippine pesos (PhP). These revelations underscore the pressing need for financial and technical assistance to support BFMs during these challenging times. Consequently, positive and immediate action from national and local government units/agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions is crucial to safeguard the welfare of BFMs. Notably, this study diverged from previous works that primarily focused on furniture business operators' perspectives, instead centering on the viewpoints of the BFMs themselves. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on bamboo, specifically regarding the unique challenges confronted by rural BFMs during a pandemic. By recognizing and addressing these issues, the study aims to pave the way for meaningful extension work to assist and uplift the bamboo furniture industry in this difficult period.
{"title":"Challenges faced by bamboo furniture makers during the COVID-19 pandemic: An examination of problems and profile attributes","authors":"Jimmy F. De Julian Jr.","doi":"10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.020","url":null,"abstract":"The global furniture business faced a grim outlook during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly affecting the livelihoods of bamboo furniture makers (BFMs) in Barangay Arante, Sara, Iloilo, Philippines. This study aimed to identify the problems and profile attributes experienced by BFMs during the pandemic, with the objective of addressing and ameliorating their predicaments. Employing Maslow's Theory of Needs and employing a descriptive survey research design, the study carefully examined the challenges faced by BFMs. Twenty purposively chosen respondents participated in completing questionnaires, and the data were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, and rank for variable characterization. The findings highlighted two major problems faced by BFMs during the pandemic: An inconsistent and low supply of bamboo and a lack of sufficient business capital. Socio-demographic and livelihood data revealed that most BFMs were married males with over a decade of experience in the industry, and they initiated their businesses with a capital of less than 25,000.00 Philippine pesos (PhP). These revelations underscore the pressing need for financial and technical assistance to support BFMs during these challenging times. Consequently, positive and immediate action from national and local government units/agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions is crucial to safeguard the welfare of BFMs. Notably, this study diverged from previous works that primarily focused on furniture business operators' perspectives, instead centering on the viewpoints of the BFMs themselves. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on bamboo, specifically regarding the unique challenges confronted by rural BFMs during a pandemic. By recognizing and addressing these issues, the study aims to pave the way for meaningful extension work to assist and uplift the bamboo furniture industry in this difficult period.","PeriodicalId":46663,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences","volume":"39 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88876000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-01DOI: 10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.009
Abdifatah Farah Ali, Abdikarim Abi Hassan, H. Abdullahi, R. Abdulah
Cloud computing (CC) represents a third-generation computing platform that offers numerous benefits, including faster data transactions, cost advantages, elasticity, flexibility, and pay-per-use models, among others. However, CC adoption in developing nations, such as Somalia, is impeded by various challenges. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing CC adoption in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Somalia. Data was collected from 195 ICT officials and experts in the SME domain in Mogadishu, Somalia, and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed that cost savings, firm size, top management support, and regulatory support significantly influence CC adoption in SMEs. Conversely, security concerns and competitive pressure showed no significant relationship with CC adoption. This study contributes to the literature by examining the technology, organization, and environment (TOE) framework in the context of CC adoption and provides valuable insights to inform policymaking and promote CC adoption in developing nations. Nonetheless, the study's limitation lies in its narrow focus on Somalia, and the generalizability of the results to other developing nations may be limited.
{"title":"Analyzing the factors influencing the adoption of cloud computing by SMEs using the SEM approach","authors":"Abdifatah Farah Ali, Abdikarim Abi Hassan, H. Abdullahi, R. Abdulah","doi":"10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.009","url":null,"abstract":"Cloud computing (CC) represents a third-generation computing platform that offers numerous benefits, including faster data transactions, cost advantages, elasticity, flexibility, and pay-per-use models, among others. However, CC adoption in developing nations, such as Somalia, is impeded by various challenges. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing CC adoption in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Somalia. Data was collected from 195 ICT officials and experts in the SME domain in Mogadishu, Somalia, and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed that cost savings, firm size, top management support, and regulatory support significantly influence CC adoption in SMEs. Conversely, security concerns and competitive pressure showed no significant relationship with CC adoption. This study contributes to the literature by examining the technology, organization, and environment (TOE) framework in the context of CC adoption and provides valuable insights to inform policymaking and promote CC adoption in developing nations. Nonetheless, the study's limitation lies in its narrow focus on Somalia, and the generalizability of the results to other developing nations may be limited.","PeriodicalId":46663,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences","volume":"118 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77411986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-01DOI: 10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.004
Goh Ying Soon, J. Yew, Nurul Ain Chua, Jumadil Saputra, Ngo Kea Leng, Wong Hoong Cheong
Presently, the utilization of an automated pronunciation scoring system holds significant importance in the endeavor to enhance the pronunciation skills of non-native learners. A plethora of research endeavors have been dedicated to exploring the various factors that contribute to students' satisfaction with this technology. This particular investigation, however, narrows its focus to examine the influence of interface quality, system quality, and perceived usefulness of the automated pronunciation scoring system on students' levels of satisfaction. The approach employed in this study is quantitative, employing a cross-sectional design, and data was gathered through a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of 250 students from two universities in Malaysia. The collected data were subjected to analysis utilizing Structural Equation Modelling Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS), complemented by SmartPLS3.3 software. The outcomes of this analysis unequivocally indicate that both system quality and the perceived usefulness of the automated pronunciation scoring system significantly and positively impact students' satisfaction. However, it was found that the interface quality does not wield a significant influence on students' overall satisfaction. In conclusion, this investigation has successfully identified and explored the critical factors that contribute to students' satisfaction when utilizing an automated pronunciation scoring system. Moreover, the study establishes a strong correlation between the implementation of such a system and heightened levels of student satisfaction. These findings underscore the importance of diligently attending to interface quality, system quality, and perceived usefulness to optimize the effectiveness of an automated pronunciation scoring system. It is crucial for instructors to play an active role in ensuring that users are adept at navigating and interacting with the system, fostering a positive and fruitful learning experience.
{"title":"The effect of interface quality, system quality, and perceived usefulness of an automated pronunciation scoring system on student satisfaction","authors":"Goh Ying Soon, J. Yew, Nurul Ain Chua, Jumadil Saputra, Ngo Kea Leng, Wong Hoong Cheong","doi":"10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.004","url":null,"abstract":"Presently, the utilization of an automated pronunciation scoring system holds significant importance in the endeavor to enhance the pronunciation skills of non-native learners. A plethora of research endeavors have been dedicated to exploring the various factors that contribute to students' satisfaction with this technology. This particular investigation, however, narrows its focus to examine the influence of interface quality, system quality, and perceived usefulness of the automated pronunciation scoring system on students' levels of satisfaction. The approach employed in this study is quantitative, employing a cross-sectional design, and data was gathered through a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of 250 students from two universities in Malaysia. The collected data were subjected to analysis utilizing Structural Equation Modelling Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS), complemented by SmartPLS3.3 software. The outcomes of this analysis unequivocally indicate that both system quality and the perceived usefulness of the automated pronunciation scoring system significantly and positively impact students' satisfaction. However, it was found that the interface quality does not wield a significant influence on students' overall satisfaction. In conclusion, this investigation has successfully identified and explored the critical factors that contribute to students' satisfaction when utilizing an automated pronunciation scoring system. Moreover, the study establishes a strong correlation between the implementation of such a system and heightened levels of student satisfaction. These findings underscore the importance of diligently attending to interface quality, system quality, and perceived usefulness to optimize the effectiveness of an automated pronunciation scoring system. It is crucial for instructors to play an active role in ensuring that users are adept at navigating and interacting with the system, fostering a positive and fruitful learning experience.","PeriodicalId":46663,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81204902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-01DOI: 10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.001
Hedeliza Pineda
Despite being a relatively new process in higher education institutions (HEIs), accreditation has become an indispensable requirement for universities to remain competitive. Its significance lies in its crucial functions, such as evaluating the quality of academic or degree programs, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, establishing criteria for professional certification, and more. Nevertheless, the decision to seek accreditation remains voluntary for institutions, leading to a situation where not all of them pursue it due to various factors, including the perceptions of stakeholders. Therefore, this study aims to investigate stakeholders' perspectives on the impacts of accrediting science curricular programs in higher education institutions located in Central Visayas, Philippines. To achieve this goal, a mixed-methods research design was employed, and a survey was administered to stakeholders, including managers, faculty, alumni, and students, from four HEIs. The survey results were utilized to develop and validate a quantitative scale, revealing three distinct areas of impact associated with accreditation: Curricular, institutional, and societal. The outcomes of the survey indicated that stakeholders from the four HEIs perceived these impact areas positively, suggesting a willingness to pursue accreditation voluntarily if the need arises. Nonetheless, it is essential to emphasize that the recommendations arising from these accreditation processes should be diligently considered and adhered to. This study's findings may suggest that stakeholders developed positive perceptions regarding the impacts of program accreditation based on the level of compliance displayed by institutions with the recommendations made by accrediting bodies.
{"title":"Stakeholders' perceptions of the impact of accreditation of science curricula of higher education institutions","authors":"Hedeliza Pineda","doi":"10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2023.07.001","url":null,"abstract":"Despite being a relatively new process in higher education institutions (HEIs), accreditation has become an indispensable requirement for universities to remain competitive. Its significance lies in its crucial functions, such as evaluating the quality of academic or degree programs, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, establishing criteria for professional certification, and more. Nevertheless, the decision to seek accreditation remains voluntary for institutions, leading to a situation where not all of them pursue it due to various factors, including the perceptions of stakeholders. Therefore, this study aims to investigate stakeholders' perspectives on the impacts of accrediting science curricular programs in higher education institutions located in Central Visayas, Philippines. To achieve this goal, a mixed-methods research design was employed, and a survey was administered to stakeholders, including managers, faculty, alumni, and students, from four HEIs. The survey results were utilized to develop and validate a quantitative scale, revealing three distinct areas of impact associated with accreditation: Curricular, institutional, and societal. The outcomes of the survey indicated that stakeholders from the four HEIs perceived these impact areas positively, suggesting a willingness to pursue accreditation voluntarily if the need arises. Nonetheless, it is essential to emphasize that the recommendations arising from these accreditation processes should be diligently considered and adhered to. This study's findings may suggest that stakeholders developed positive perceptions regarding the impacts of program accreditation based on the level of compliance displayed by institutions with the recommendations made by accrediting bodies.","PeriodicalId":46663,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences","volume":"120 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85558361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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