Legitimacy Contexts of BoP Markets: Characterization and Implications for Supply Chain Functions

An important market that is receiving increasing attention by firms relates to the poorest at the Base of the Pyramid (BoP). BoP businesses contribute to the first UN Sustainable Development Goal that calls for an end to poverty in all its manifestations. BoP businesses are regarded as financially and socially beneficial for both participating firms and poor communities. It is, however, understood that success in BoP markets cannot (and should not) be assumed, as it demands a profoundly different view towards managing supply chains. Focusing on this issue, our conceptual study contributes to the emerging debates in BoP and supply chain management research by elaborating the notion of legitimacy contexts (LCs) at BoP. We draw on institutional theory to characterize the LCs in BoP markets and discuss their implications for key supply chain functions. We argue that firms often design their supply chain functions for BoP business using their own LCs as opposed to those of BoP actors. This implies ignoring the institutional distance between BoP markets and firms and reveals a key culprit in the failure of BoP projects. We offer practical implications for firms intending to engage in BoP business.

A Conceptual Study on Self-Regulation Skills in the Context of Virtual Identity Use in Distance Education

In distance education, instructor control over learners is limited compared to traditional settings. Learning in distance education includes the process of developing the virtual identity of the individual. Learners and instructors use their virtual identities to share ideas and promote themselves by participating in social. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate self-regulation skills in the context of virtual identity use strategies in distance education and to evaluate them in a conceptual framework. Considering the literature, self-regulation skills need to be rearranged according to virtual learning to achieve academic success in distance education environments. It should be accepted that virtual identities are crucial to create participation in the classroom and support knowledge construction, and instructors should guide this. It is recommended to provide training to instructors and learners on the effective use of virtual identity and to carry out incentive activities to reflect self-regulation skills in the use of virtual identity and lessons.

A Decent Work and Economic Growth

Asnaf entrepreneur is a micro SME entrepreneur who plays a significant role in the contribution of the economic sectors. In 2018, Malaysia registered a total of 907,065 SMEs, with micro-enterprises accounting for 2.3% (20,612) of the total. The poor and needy entrepreneur is also part of the successful key to support Malaysian to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objective of this study is to identify the potential of poor and needy entrepreneur in Kedah Zakat Board (LZNK) to achieve SDGs. This paper uses a conceptual study method and explore the literature as a guide for enhancing knowledge on this area. This paper suggests a potential sustainable development model with four variables of poor and needy entrepreneurs in achieving SDGs goals. The contributions and implications of the study are discussed at the end of this paper.

A CONCEPTUAL STUDY ON ADAB OF THE LEARNED AND THE LEARNER IN ISLAM

Distinguished Muslim scholars in the past and at present time have given a great emphasis on the importance of adab (Islamic ethics) in a believers life. Due to global ever-changing progress and development in terms of advanced technologies, almost all aspects of human beings life are considerably affected. In education, the teaching and learning process has evolved accordingly where users have, eagerly or unwillingly, accepted online learning as part of teaching and learning strategies. This situation has created worries among those who uphold the conventional Islamic corpus approach and those who support todays need in education. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the concept of adab of the learned and the learner from the viewpoint of Imam al-Nawawi to provide a fundamental guideline for the online learning educators and novices. A deductive textual approach is used to achieve the purpose. It can be concluded that the narrative of adab for the learned and the learner is undeniably apparent which may benefit users of online learning. It is suggested that a further study may analyze this subject matter in-depth to provide clear adab-based teaching and learning strategies for Muslim users in particular.

Project Management Skills in Malaysian Economic Sectors

Objective of this conceptual study is to investigate the demand for project management skills in Malaysian economic sectors and to develop strategies on narrowing down the project management talent gap to enable the nation in leveraging on project management talents to implement strategic initiatives, driving change, and delivering innovation to Malaysia whilst contributing to nation’s productivity and standard of living. Previous studies on project management skills demand in Malaysian economic sector is limited, mostly related to non-Malaysian economies and other areas of skills. Demand and supply theory based on Graduate Tracer Study is used as basis to understand and close the gap in project management skills demand and project management talent shortages and, in consideration of potential job mismatch due to traits of workers and the impact of curriculum design on employability competence. This study on project management skills in Malaysia will serve as basis to identify the project management skills gap in Malaysian economic sectors. Proposed model of strategies expected to be developed in this study is aimed to provide granular level insights for government in adopting more targeted approach in meeting the demand for project management skills and narrowing down project management talent shortages.

Wearable E-Textile and CNT Sensor Wireless Measurement System for Real-Time Penile Erection Monitoring

Erection measurements are the most important indicator of male urological disease diagnosis, treatment, and results. Rigiscan has been used widely in studies and diagnoses for nocturnal penile tumescence for evaluating erectile dysfunction by measuring the number and timing of erectile dysfunctions during sleep. However, this device has limitations such as the weight and bulk of the device and has been questioned for its role as a standard for ED Erectile Dysfunction (ED) diagnosis. In this study, we propose a real-time wearable monitoring system that can quantitatively measure the length and circumference of the penis using electronic textiles (E-textile) and carbon nanotube (CNT) sensors. The E-textile sensor is used to measure the length, circumference, and gradient with portability, convenience, and comfort. Sensors were created by coating CNTs on latex for flexibility. The CNT-based latex condom-type sensor in our proposed system shows the length, circumference, and curvature measurements with changes in resistance, and the E-textile performance shows a 1.44% error rate and a cavity radius of 110 to 300. The results of this conceptual study are for supplementary sensor development with a combination of new technologies with alternatives or existing methods for measuring erection function.

Why companies succeed or fail: corporate cycles and firm function in tandem

Purpose This paper aims to underscore the need for developing a model of corporate cycles, which can explain how corporations rise, decline and fall in the marketplace. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual study that draws on prior theoretical and empirical insights of the entrepreneurial, managerial and social functions of the firm to develop a model of corporate cycles. Findings Firms that pass the test of the market and live for a long time, undergo cycles, expansions and contractions, driven by successes and failures in the way they configure and execute their entrepreneurial, managerial and social, functions. Practical implications A model of corporate cycles can explain how momentum rises and falls on Wall Street. It can also help predict revenue growth, a key variable in equity valuation models. Originality/value The originality of this study stems from a constructive synthesis of different concepts and theories of the firm to explain firms’ growth, decline and fall in the marketplace.