Research and innovation are well established within UM-Wales, with the academic teams across each of our faculties active within their own fields, be it Business, Science & Technology, or Arts & Social Sciences. Each faculty has its own speciality areas of research, which ensures ample coverage of research opportunities.
Supporting Student-Led Research
The brightest ideas often come from fresh viewpoints; which is why the postgraduate students at UM-Wales are valued members of the research teams. Postgraduate students at UM-Wales are rewarded with intellectually stimulating programmes and the chance to add to the body of knowledge in their subject area and publish their research results. To produce comprehensive graduates, academically and professionally, UM-Wales places a strong emphasis on the importance of student conducted research in order to fulfill their innovative intuition. Our Students’ final thesis continues to be a source of tremendous pride for many years after their studies are complete.
We encourage research activities including conference participation, journal publications, and research collaborations related to the students’ particular area of interest. Research students are provided with full support by the academic team to produce original articles including reviews and appraisal of literature, empirical studies, conceptual studies, quantitative and qualitative contributions to become experts in their own right. Our research activities are all about feeding students’ curiosity and motivating them to contribute to the academic and professional industries’ body of knowledge.
Research Highlights
Board independence, women directors and firm performance in Malaysian small-cap firms
Abdullah, S. N., Aziz, A., Naz, F., & Zahra, K. (2024).
Journal of Social Economics Research, 11(2), 228-249.
This study examined how board independence and female directors (i.e., women in leadership) affected the performance of Malaysian small-cap firms. Small-cap firms trading on the Bursa Malaysia ACE (Access, Certainty Efficiency) market were the subject of this study due to the less strict listing standards imposed on them than large-listed firms. The 2012-2014 annual reports of firms listed on the ACE market were downloaded through the Bursa Malaysia website and the required data was hand-collected. The hypotheses were tested using quantile regression (QR). The data reveal that board independence and firm performance are unrelated unless company performance is in the 0.10 quantile. Board independence has a negative impact on business performance at the 0.10 quantile. Similarly, the connection between women directors and business success was negative in the lower quintiles particularly in the 0.10 and 0.30 quantiles. Nevertheless, in other quantiles, board independence and the presence of female directors on firm performance were not associated. The significance of the study lies in the possibility that small firms might find it excessively expensive to comply with the Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance (MCCG). This study examines the hitherto ignored roles of board independence and women directors in small-cap enterprises on firm performance.
Role of HRM Practices in Organization Performance: A Survey Approach
Arokiasamy, L., Fujikawa, T., Piaralal, S. K., & Arumugam, T. (2024).
International Journal of Sociotechnology and Knowledge Development (IJSKD), 16(1), 1-32.
In recent years, HRM has received a lot of traction. Human resource management is essential for all types of enterprises. The bulk of research indicates that HRM and organizational performance have a positive link. Each organization’s main goal is to attain high levels of performance in its goals and objectives. In this paper, HRM and practices were investigated. What part do human resources play in achieving organizational objectives? This survey will also evaluate HRM practices by analyzing the 40 papers that have been submitted. In addition, this article offers a thorough examination of the chronological assessment based on each publication. In addition, the results of each research paper’s analysis are displayed. A review of the literature was utilized to focus on and review the issue knowledge in this study. Finally, it expands on many research concerns that may be useful to researchers in doing more studies on HRM practices.
Adoption of Cryptocurrencies as a Means of Exchange
Hern, C. Z., Zakaria, N., Sulaiman, A., Min, F. S., & Kamaludin, K. (2024).
Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(7), 3451-3467.
This study examines the determinants impacting the adoption of cryptocurrencies for exchange. Through a quantitative approach, data from 104 respondents were gathered via an internet-based survey. Employing a Likert scale, the study examined the relationship between financial literacy, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and willingness to adopt cryptocurrencies. Results revealed that financial literacy did not directly correlate with the willingness to adopt cryptocurrencies, while perceived usefulness and ease of use exhibited a positive association with adoption. Notably, the present study highlighted the reliance on perceived financial literacy rather than actual levels. It emphasized the necessity of improving the accessibility and applicability of cryptocurrencies to encourage their adoption. The implications of this study are pertinent to policymakers and businesses venturing into cryptocurrency integration. Understanding the influencers of cryptocurrency adoption, especially perceived utility and ease of use, can inform strategic approaches to foster adoption of cryptocurrencies.
Gen Y Academicians' Emotional Labour and Wellbeing: The Moderating Effects of Human Resource Practices
Kasinathan, J. P., & Sethu, S. (2024).
International Journal of Business and Technology Management, 6(2), 100-112.
The study examines the moderating influence of human resource practices on the relationship between emotional labour and wellbeing of Gen Y academicians. Data were collected from 314 Gen Y academicians from private universities in Malaysia and analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM). The findings of the study show Gen Y academicians do experience emotional labour and employ both surface and deep acting at the workplace. More importantly the findings show that that there is positive and attributable human resource practices has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between emotional labour (Surface Acting & Deep Acting) and the wellbeing of the Gen Y academicians. Few studies to date have paid attention to the influence of human resource practices between emotional labour and wellbeing in the context of Gen Y workforce in an academic setting. The results of the study deserve attention of university management to better assist and support young academicians to manage their emotional health and as a result enhance their wellbeing at the workplace.
Investigating The Factors Impacting The Growth of The Metal Recycling Industry in Malaysia
Kuah, T. K., Wong, W. W., & Cheng, M. G. (2024).
Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 5(3), 161-169.
The metal recycling industry plays a pivotal role in the circular economy (CE), fostering jobs creation and bolstering a country’s GDP. Despite numerous studies scrutinising challenges within this sector, scant attention has been paid to its specific impacts in Malaysia. Thus, this study aims to delve into the ramifications of factors such as limited awareness, government policies, market price fluctuations, and workforce shortages on the growth trajectory of Malaysia’s metal recycling industry. Employing a quantitative approach, this research gauges insights from business proprietors, marketing and procurement managers, and executives within the metal recycling domain. Utilizing Likert questionnaires as the primary measurement tool, this study disseminated 170 surveys to targeted respondents. Findings from the study unveil significant, adverse correlations between independent variables-namely, lack of awareness, governmental policies, market price volatility, and lack of manpower-and industry growth. Furthermore, this study sheds light on the implications derived from these findings and outlines potential avenues for future research in this domain.
The Impact of Government Support on The Success of Startups Creation in Malaysia
Azhar, T. A. T., Wong, W. W., Zariney, A. A., & Nadisah, Z. (2024).
Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 5(3), 170-184.
This study delves into the influence of government support on the establishment and prosperity of startups in Malaysia, focusing on various forms of support including funding-related, policy-related, and incubator support. Employing a quantitative methodology, the research aimed to elucidate these relationships through questionnaire-based data collection. A sample of 334 respondents participated, with distribution facilitated via email and popular social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook groups. The questionnaire, utilising a 5-point Likert scale, aimed to discern the perceived importance of different forms of government support among Malaysian entrepreneurs. Data analysis and hypothesis testing were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. Results indicate a positive correlation between government support and startup success in Malaysia. Specifically, funding-related support demonstrated a significantly positive impact on startup success, while policy-related support exhibited a negative impact, and incubator support was found to be statistically insignificant. These findings contribute to the existing body of literature on entrepreneurship by offering insights into the efficacy of government support mechanisms in fostering startup success within Malaysia. This research could serve as a valuable resource for policymakers and businesses alike, aiding in the development of strategies to bolster the startup ecosystem in the country.
Corporate Governance and Financial Performance: A Case Study in The Pharmaceutical Sector in Malaysia
Rosalan, N., Hanif, N. R., & Zakaria, N. (2024).
Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 5(1), 41-55.
The introduction of the Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance has been progressively updated since its inception in the year 2000 and the latest update in the year 2021, proves that the government of Malaysia has been serious in regulating to ensure that the companies in Malaysia have been compliant with good corporate governance practices. Observing that it is an evergreen issue and to have more updated research, this study evaluates factors that could influence the effectiveness of corporate governance of five pharmaceutical companies listed in Malaysia and its relationship with the financial performance for the period of 2017 – 2021. The methodologies that have been employed for this study are descriptive statistics, non-parametric correlations, scatter plots and regression linear. The findings reveal that variables of board size, board independence, and disclosure of sustainability reports have correlations with the financial performance measured by the return on assets. However, the disclosure of sustainability reports is the only variable that has a significant correlation with ROA whereas board size and board independence do not possess similar relationships. For a better representation of the results’ precision and robust findings, it is recommended to have a longer study period than five years and a larger sample size by extending it to other sectors.
Examine the Factors Influencing the Firm Performance of Local Travel Companies in Malaysia
Bandara, A., & Wong, W. W. (2024).
Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 5(2), 137-150.
Malaysia’s travel sector is experiencing rapid growth after the COVID-19 pandemic and both domestic and international service providers are significant competitors in the current thriving market. This study investigates the elements that influence the firm performance of Malaysian local travel service providers. This study emphasizes impact of innovation, technology adoption, and core competency to the firm performance. Despite the considerable volume of scholarly research addressing this subject, the distinct and cumulative effects of technology, innovation, and core competency have not been sufficiently explored within the context of Malaysia. To fill this gap, this study rigorously explored technology adoption, innovation, and core competence, and how those factors influence to firm performance. This research applied a quantitative method, with data gathered via an online self-administrative survey. Survey questions were sent to 915 travel companies, and 219 responded. It was found that independent variables, innovation, technology adoption, and core competence have a positive effect on the performance of local travel enterprises. These critical success elements propel local travel companies to the top of the market, where they compete with other top international travel companies in providing online or offline services to customers. Thus, Local travel companies must set up the culture to generate innovative ideas, acquire latest technology, and continue training and upskilling program to achieve desire organization performance. The findings of this study will contribute to the Malaysian travel businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in the tourist industry.
The Educational Implications on the Association of Social Media Use and Mental Well-Being in the Post-Pandemic Period
Fitriana, M., Savitri, S. I., Ahmad, J., Ali, R. S., & Lathifah, Z. K. (2024).
Islamic Guidance and Counseling Journal, 7(1).
This study investigates the educational implications of the association between social media use and mental well-being in the post-pandemic period. As educational practices increasingly incorporate digital platforms, understanding the impact of students’ social media engagement on their mental health is imperative. The role of education in the transformation of information and knowledge within the realm of social media contributes to the significant influences towards individuals’ mental well-being, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Education also serves as an instrument of social change to help reduce anxiety of COVID-19 among people. This research, therefore, aimed at investigating the association between social media use and COVID-19 Anxiety and mental well-being among Malaysian adolescents. It focused on the importance of educational implications in the associations among the study variables. Using a convenience sampling technique with a correlational research design, 329 adolescents, 18 to 25 years old, were selected for this study. Social Networking Usage Questionnaire (SNUQ), Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) were uutilised to measure social media use, anxiety of COVID-19 and mental well-being of the adolescents respectively. Three scales showed high internal consistency with α = .92 for SNUQ, α = .90 for CAS, and α = .94 for WEMWBS. The findings of the study indicated a significant positive association between social media use and COVID-19 anxiety (r = .12, n = 329, p < .05), and a significant positive relationship between social media use and mental well-being (r = .19, n = 329, p < .001). However, results showed an insignificant association between COVID-19 anxiety and mental well-being among adolescents (r = -.051, n = 329, p > .001). The study concluded that the use of social media as a platform for educational transfer and information change abstains from anxiety of COVID-19 and uplifts awareness among Malaysian adolescents on the salient positive influences of it towards their mental health.
Assessing Project Cost Management Effect on Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Performance in Nigeria
Scholar J-Science and Education, 2(4).
In this review, assessing project cost management effect on small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) performance in Nigeria was undertaken. The study identified SMEs financing as the major setback encountered by operators of SMEs and examined the effect of project cost management on the performance of SMEs in Nigeria. Findings reveal that effective cost management is pertinent to the overall performance of SMEs. Furthermore, the study showed that by employing project cost management in their project plan, SMEs are poised to enjoy access to credit as well as thrive with limited finances. In essence, through project cost management, SMEs can effectively attain their project goals. Based on these findings, the study recommends that operators of SMEs should employ project cost management as an essential project management activity (PMA) in their operational plan by which they become viable to investors while maintaining a competitive edge in the business environment.
The Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) and New Media Literacy: A Study on Internet Usage and Youth Literacy
Che Zainal, C. N. A. S., Adnan, W. H., & Abdul Aziz, A. (2024).
e-Journal of Media and Society (e-JOMS), 7(1), 1-13.
The development of the Internet has had an impact on various aspects of our lives, including communication, business, and information gathering. Internet benefited individual and has it own advantages and disadvantages towards life. This study aims to comprehend the relationship between Internet use and youth new media literacy. The study, which involved young in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, aged 18 to 30, was carried out using a quantitative, cross-sectional survey and purposive sampling. The study’s findings revealed that respondents had good level of Internet proficiency and used their mobile phones regularly to access the Internet. Youth Internet usage variable of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT 2) have a positive correlation hence show that people accept and use the Internet for daily tasks. The relationship between Internet Use Bahaviour (IUB) and New Media Literacy (NML) are indicated was significant and supported (P-value: .000, C.R. value: 9.254). The interconnection between Internet usage and new media literacy highlights the significance of providing young people with the essential abilities to navigate the online environment proficiently. Engaging with the Internet without these skills may limit the potential benefits and expose individuals to various online risks.
Awareness of Gig Economy in Malaysia: Study at International University of Malaya-Wales
Bakar, A. S. A., & Hassan, N. H. (2024).
KnE Engineering, 455-461.
Digitalization has transformed the world of business tremendously. The world of employment has shifted from a conventional method to a more flexible and seamless way. A gig economy has opened secondary careers that have created more opportunities that consequently have boosted the country’s economy. This secondary career is referred to as “freelancing”, or work on a job basis. In Malaysia, awareness and knowledge on this matter is still lacking and needs more studies and investigation. Past studies in Malaysia found that the gig economy faces challenges in terms of job security and safety, protection policies, proper platforms and dissemination, etc. Due to this, more studies are required to examine better development and implementation for gig communities. The findings will facilitate the development of better platforms and communities for a gig economy. Thus, this study aims to understand the awareness and knowledge of Malaysian private higher education staff and students on the gig economy. As such, this study specifically gathers data at the International University of Malaya-Wales. The findings will provide insights to lecturers, students, even alumni on how this kind of economy will benefit them and other stakeholders. These findings will also enrich the current data and information for policymakers, employers, and practitioners.
Evolution of Digital Platform for Gig Economy in Design Industry
Bakar, A. S. A., Abd Razak, M. R., & Anwar, R. (2024).
KnE Engineering, 448-454.
Evolution in digital platform for gig economy has transformed rapidly since the global pandemic. The evolution spikes, especially on digital platform jobs, are referred to as “freelancers”, “giggers”, or “work on demand” depending on their industry. Hence, this study examines the evolution of digital platform for gig economy, specifically for design industry from various field such as advertising, graphic design, brand design management, photography, fashion, architecture and the latest in the digital era Non- Fungible-Token (NFT). Systematic literature review was applied to identify the objective of evolution in digital platform for the business market in design industry which leads to digital business. Client relationships and management were also included as the impact factors of the evolution. The current research synthesis is obtained to develop a fundamental conceptual framework for the purpose of delivering the summary of the available primary resources. The current study produced preliminary results in reflection amongst the designers on the forced evolution on the new digital platform, challenges in transformation of business plan, marketing Metaverse, and artificial intelligence (AI), the gig economy attitude toward work as well as reduced professional efficacy if lack of management. This study hopes to support the business for gig economy practitioner performance to shed light on the new normal of work in design industry.
Mediating Role of Social Media in Medical Tourism Visit Decision: A Behavioural Perspective
Kamalanathan, S., & Sethu, S. (2024).
International Journal of Business and Technology Management, 6(1), 146-156.
Social media (SM) has become the main communication medium for both personal and professional communication on a global scale. Despite its many benefits, it is challenging to persuade consumers to accept and use SM as a platform for exchanging health-related information. In contrast to other businesses where individuals utilise social media to freely share their real-life experiences, marketing medical tourism through interactive communication creates several hurdles owing to sensitive matters such as patient health and underlying risk. Healthcare providers’ advertising activities and medical tourists’ choices to visit are becoming increasingly reliant on
social media platforms. Potential medical tourists should use this technology to benefit from SM and learn more about health care. The goal of this research was to see if SM impacts a person’s decision to travel to a medical tourism destination. The researcher’s major focus was on social media platforms as a mediator element for medical tourists, as well as their effect on decision-making. To better understand how new technologies are adopted and utilised, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) were used to research new technology adoption and user behaviour, respectively. These will serve as the study’s fundamental hypotheses. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) – Partial Least Squares (PLS) will be utilised for data analysis. This study’s participants will be medical tourists seeking treatment in Malaysian private hospitals.
Zeolite-Based Poly (vinylidene fluoride) Ultrafiltration Membrane: Characterization and Molecular Weight Cut-Off Estimation with Support Vector Regression Modelling
Chan, M. K., Tan, S. J., Yeow, A. T., Ng, S. C., & Lau, W. J. (2024).
Membranes, 14(4), 91.
Zeolite serves as a promising additive for enhancing the hydrophilicity of polymeric membranes, yet its utilization for bolstering the mechanical strength of the membrane remains limited. In this study, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes were modified by incorporating various concentrations of zeolite (0.5–2 wt%) to improve not only their mechanical properties, but also other features for water filtration. Membranes with and without zeolite incorporation were fabricated via a dry–wet phase inversion technique, followed by the application of a series of characterization techniques in order to study their morphological structure, mechanical strength, and hydrophilicity. The membrane filtration performance for each membrane was evaluated based on pure water flux and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) rejection. Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) images revealed a dense, microvoid-free structure across all of the PVDF membranes, contributing to a high pristine PVDF membrane tensile strength of 14 MPa. The addition of 0.5 wt% zeolite significantly improved the tensile strength up to 19.4 MPa. Additionally, the incorporation of 1 wt% zeolite into PVDF membrane yielded improvements in membrane hydrophilicity (contact angle of 67.84°), pure water flux (63.49% increase), and high BSA rejection (95.76%) compared to pristine PVDF membranes. To further improve the characterization of the zeolite-modified PVDF membranes, the Support Vector Regression (SVR) model was adopted to estimate the molecular weight cut off (MWCO) of the membranes. A coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.855 was obtained, suggesting that the SVR model predicted the MWCO accurately. The findings of this study showed that the utilization of zeolite is promising in enhancing both the mechanical properties and separation performance of PVDF membranes for application in ultrafiltration processes.
Potentialities of Tannase-Treated Green Tea Extract in Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Applications
Ong, C. B., & Annuar, M. S. M. (2024).
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 1-20.
Green tea has garnered widespread interest in the past decades due to its content of health-beneficial polyphenols and catechins, besides reportedly exhibiting activities for the prevention, and possibly treatment, of many modern-life-associated afflictions. Hence, the functional food potential of health-beneficial beverages such as green tea is widely and commercially promoted. Biotransformation of green tea extract using enzymes such as tannase ostensibly enhances its beneficial well-being properties and disease-preventing functionalities. The tannase-treated green tea catechins may exhibit enhanced, amongst others, antioxidant, anti-tumour, anti-wrinkle, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity and anti-sarcopenia properties compared to native green tea extract. Nonetheless, the health benefits and therapeutic and toxicological effects associated with these compounds, before and after tannase treatment, present a scientific gap for detailed studies. Accordingly, the review surveys the literature from the late twentieth century until the year 2023 related to the aforementioned important aspects.
The Tannase from red yeast Rhodotorula glutinis: purification and characterization
Ong, C. B., Ibrahim, D., & Mohd Kassim, M. J. N. (2024).
Biocatalysis and Biotransformation, 42(2), 110-117.
The tannase enzyme was successfully purified to homogeneity from the culture broth of red yeast strain Rhodotorula glutinis DB2 in a three-tandem step involving ultrafiltration (5 kDa and 100 kDa systems), Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography, and DEAE Sepharose CL-4B anion exchange chromatography. The purified tannase appeared to be homogeneous on sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The purified tannase had a specific activity of 3.33 U mg−1, with a 1.3% recovery and overall purification of 302-fold. The molecular mass of the tannase estimated by SDS-PAGE was about 73 kDa. The tannase had an optimum pH of 6.0 and an optimum temperature of 40 °C. The most stable pH was 7.0, and the enzyme was stable up to 40 °C. One mmol L−1 of Fe3+, Sr2+, Na+, and Pb2+ were found to promote tannase activity, whilst 1.0 mmol L−1 of Ba2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Hg+, Ag+, Co2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Al3+, K+, Ni2+, and Li+ inhibited tannase activity.
The Architecture of 3D Sensory Scanner System for Storing Shelf
Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology.
The storage shelves are available in different sizes for storing objects in different shapes, colours, sizes and surfaces. Many technologies are available for transforming human-intensive jobs into machines, such as robots handling picking, placing and sorting, but these robots need datasets to process and handle effectively. A distance sensor is suitable to measure distances between objects and to obtain free spaces that are available in a shelf tier. A Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor can measure distances better than Ultrasonic (US) and Infrared distance sensors (IR) because it has good sensitivity to detect near and far objects. Spherical coordinates that are recorded from a LiDAR are transformed into cartesian coordinates to obtain a 3D impression of a shelf tier. This study aims to propose an effective 3D sensory scanning system to estimate the percentage of free space in a shelf tier by using cloud point data (CPD). The first step is to determine a suitable distance sensor that can be mounted on a tripod scanner to obtain CPD. The spherical datasets then were converted into cartesian coordinates. The motor speed was analysed with Pearson Correlation analysis to determine a suitable rotating speed to construct a 3D impression. Experimental results showed the designed scanner is capable to scan CPD at a suitable motor rotational speed, and with the 3D plot from cartesian coordinates, it is easy to distinguish between areas with and without objects in a shelf tier.
Utilization of LED Illumination Coupled With UV-C Irradiation to Improve The Post-Harvest Quality of Radish Microgreens
Rozali, S. E., & Sivaguru, N. (2024).
Food Research, 8(3), 33-40.
Microgreens are an emerging class of fresh vegetables that have been recognized as health -promoting foods due to their high phytonutrients and bioactive compounds. However, the major limitation to the growth of the microgreens industry is rapid quality deterioration upon harvest. Several studies have demonstrated that UV-C treatment may be an effective tool to extend the shelf life of fresh vegetables. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different LED illumination and UV-C irradiation treatments on postharvest quality and phytochemical accumulation in the microgreens. Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) microgreens were used in this study. The microgreens were cultivated under white and red:blue LED illumination. The harvested microgreens were subjected to UV-C irradiation (254 nm) at four different durations (5, 10, 15 and 20 mins) prior stored at 4°C for 12 days. The results showed that the red:blue LED illumination significantly improved the total biomass and chlorophyll content in microgreens. The width of cotyledonary leaves is also longer compared to the microgreens grown under white LED. The total flavonoid content was found higher in microgreens grown under red:blue illumination. The present study also demonstrated that the different durations of UV-C post-harvest treatment significantly influenced the post-harvest quality of microgreens. The harvested microgreens treated with 10 mins of UV-C irradiation have the highest fresh weight, and total chlorophyll and carotenoid content after 12 days of harvest. The long duration of UV -C treatment at 20 mins has caused severe deterioration as it showed the highest percentage of weight loss in the harvested microgreens. The preliminary results postulated that the cultivation of microgreens under red:blue LED illumination coupled with postharvest UV-C treatment potentially improves the post-harvest quality of radish microgreens.
A Comparison Study on User Acceptance of Digital Healthcare Services Among M40 and B40 Community in Selangor: A Study on Selangkah Application
Omar, N. N., Bakar, A. S. A., Hassan, N. H., Abdul, M. S., Rashid, S. N. A. M., & Zainal, C. N. A. S. C,
Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology
Over time, the global digital healthcare industry has started to take shape with the aim of offering benefits to all residents. Much effort has been put into improving the effectiveness and accessibility of the healthcare system in Malaysia for the benefit of its people. The Selangor state government is working to make all communities safer and healthier places, and one of its initiatives is the SELangkah application. Nonetheless, there are still concern over the take up of digital healthcare services among citizens especially those in the low-income and middle-income communities; B40 and M40. Previous study has shown that different economic status has an impact towards the acceptance level in technology services. Therefore, this study utilises qualitative research method to investigate the state of user acceptance in digital healthcare services among B40 and M40 users in Selangor through the case study of SELangkah application. Focus group discussion was conducted with over 10 participants from Selangor to evaluate and compare the acceptance level of digital healthcare services between both income group with the instrument development were guided by the Extended Technology Acceptance Model (ETAM). The area of group discussion covers users’ perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, behaviour, external challenges, and actual use. The findings show that both M40 and B40 group find the application to be beneficial; in addition, they believe there should be more awareness campaign to promote the application to the public. A few clear differences between the acceptance level of the two groups would be the simplicity of the language used in the application, the recommended features, and future needs between the two groups. M40 group find no difficulties to navigate the application but B40 group mention that the used words can be simplify. While M40 group recommended for gamification and high engagement features; the B40 group is looking more at practicality such as more information or linkages to nearby clinic. Nevertheless, both groups did not find major difficulties and they see a lot of benefit of the application. This will form the fundamental basis for future research efforts aimed at closing the technology acceptance gap and enabling a wider population to use technology as a tool to have a healthier life.
Sensory Attributes and Phytochemical Composition in Microgreens: Implications for Acceptability Among School Students in Selangor, Malaysia
Rozali, S. E., & Rahim, N. R. A. (2024).
KnE Engineering, 32-43.
Microgreens, the young seedlings of edible plants, have gained attention for their potential health benefits and culinary applications. This newly emerging functional food crop has the potential to sustainably diversify global food systems, facilitate urbanization and climate change responses, and advance human health. However, their reception among school students remains an understudied area, particularly in the Malaysian context. In this study, five microgreens species including ulam raja, red amaranth, red radish, daikon, and corn were evaluated for their sensory perception and acceptability among secondary school students in Selangor, and their phytochemical compositions. Among the evaluated species, corn exhibited the highest intensity of sweetness, ulam raja demonstrated a strong aroma and bitterness, while red radish was notable for its astringency and heat. Red amaranth had the highest intensity of grassy taste, and all five microgreens had a low score for sourness. Corn had the highest rating on acceptability of flavor and overall eating quality, signifying its favorable impression among students. Conversely, red radish and ulam raja received the lowest acceptability scores in both categories. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity was exhibited in ulam raja. These findings suggest the potential to leverage corn’s favorable acceptability to introduce microgreens into student diets. In general, this study highlights the correlation between sensory attributes and phytochemical composition, both influencing the Malaysian students’ perceptions of microgreens. By understanding their preferences, educators, policymakers, and entrepreneurs can formulate effective strategies for healthier eating habits among the youth and develop successful commercialization strategies.
