The Relationship between Content Used, Time Spent and Cyberbullying on Social Media with Social Skills

Based on the past research, there are still limited studies in proving content used on social media, time spent on social media, cyberbullying contributes to the social skills that are deemed unimportant and irrelevant in Malaysia. Therefore, this study is intended to show the variables do have a relationship with one another, determining each of the objectives in this research is proven right. This study applied the Theory of Planned Behaviour as the main theory to fortify and take the relationships at a greater distance between each variable. Quantitative methods were applied in this study and data were collected through the distribution of questionnaires to 181 respondents who were students at Kolej Universiti Poly-Tech MARA pursuing a Diploma in Corporate Communication. Besides, the findings showed a significant relationship between content used on social media, time spent on social media, cyberbullying to behaviour, and the reaction of an individual. Established evidence between variables that are, content used on social media, time spent on social media and cyberbullying is affecting behaviour and reaction of an individual. Hence, this study assisted the field of communication through the establishment of a more comprehensive variable related to the behaviour and reaction of an individual and supported to Planned Behavior Theory.

New Product Development: The Perspective of SMES in Malaysia

Small Medium Enterprise (SMEs) are growing rapidly in Malaysia and are the backbone of economic growth. Until today, there are more than 1 million SMEs company registered. The purpose of this research is to determine the best competitive forces and the best practices of New Product Development (NPD). The Porter’s Five Forces Theories or dimensions have been used to determine the competitive forces which is effective for new product development. The targeted population was the top level SME companies in the Southern Region of Malaysia and they are the producer of food and beverages. Data have been collected from 40 top level managers of the selected SME companies using quantitative method. The findings revealed that the best NPD practice is the commercialization, while the best sales competitive forces is threat of substitutes. The owners of the SMEs are recommended to transform their marketing strategies and product innovation to achieve their target and success in the future.

The CEFR Impact on English Language Educators Teaching Engineering Programmes at a Private University in Malaysia

This paper presents some preliminary findings of a multi-dimensional and interdisciplinary research. It explores the experience of language educators on the newly implemented policy by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia. The implementation of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a policy that develops through a whole continuum: from primary schools to universities. The paper fills the gap in terms of impact studies of the CEFR especially on engineering programmes where the desired CEFR levels are higher. This implementation affects language educators at university in various domains such as the required CEFR levels for language educators, teaching materials and support systems. The methodological framework used in this study is phenomenological study. It aims to explore the experience of the language educators. Interviews were conducted on three language educators teaching engineering programmes at a private university. Snowballing technique was used in identifying the research interviewees. Data gathered were analysed using Atlas.Ti, a qualitative analysis software. Preliminary result indicates that language educators were positive and welcome enthusiastically the change. However, challenges were immense and critical. This paper concludes that the implementation of the CEFR is a wise move for Malaysian students towards a higher level of proficiency in English.

Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L. R. Rr.]) Varietal Loss and its Potential Impact on Smallholder Farmers in Northern Nigeria: A Review

Pearl millet is an alternative source of livelihood for poor farmers who use it to supplement food and income. Pearl millet has high medicinal value and its consumption reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, constipation, and anemia. Pearl millets are an excellent source of protein and fiber, and a great source of starch, making it a high-energy food. It is an exceptional food source for babies from six months of age because it has high nutrients and is easily digestible. Pearl millet is the most widely cultivated millet varieties in the world. The cereal crop is grown in arid, infertile, marginal lands in Africa and Asia, and cope with unpredictable climatic conditions. Nigeria is the second-largest producer of pearl millet in the world with a tremendous amount of pearl millet diversity. However, there is growing recognition that the diversity of pearl millet in northern Nigeria is vastly diminishing thereby affecting the livelihood of smallholder farmers. This paper reviews the erosion of pearl millet, multiple drivers of loss of local varieties of pearl millet and presents some of the strategies that can be implemented to save the erosion of its diversity in northern Nigeria.

Exploration of Physical Environmental Sustainability Knowledge Index among Malaysian Youth

This article aims to explore the component of environmental physical sustainability knowledge index among Malaysian youths using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The respondents consisted of 100 Malaysian youths who were selected using purposive sampling techniques. A questionnaire on a scale of 1 to 5 Likert has been used to get feedback. The results showed that the products in each study build achieved acceptable reliability with a Cronbach Alpha value higher than 0.70 and met the requirements for a normality test. The data is then processed using the appropriate EFA grouping of constructive items. The results have identified four main components of Malaysian youth environmental sustainability knowledge from 69 questionnaire items, namely lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. This finding also meets the requirements of the specified index value (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity). This proves that these four components should be considered in the development of instruments to assess the environmental sustainability knowledge index among Malaysian youths.

Too Generous and Committed: Hullabaloos over Nigerian Foreign Policy Objectives

Nigeria’s afrocentric foreign policy has in no small measure benefited African continent. This has assisted Nigeria tremendously to have played a leading role towards ensuring peace, stability, cooperation and development in the African continent. The study examines the hullabaloos surrounding the too generous and committed nature of Nigerian foreign policy which has canvassed for varieties of opinions on the need for the country to adjust her foreign policy objectives. The study indicates that if there is need for Nigeria to adjust her foreign policy objectives towards Africa, it should be more favourable and not the other way round due to numerous unforeseen benefits. The study adopts role theory to describe the position and responsibility shouldered by Nigeria in Africa. As against the position opined by antagonists on the amendment of Nigerian foreign policy’s objectives, the theory explains that some benefits are either tangible or intangible forms. This study is qualitative that adopts both primary and secondary sources of data. Twelve (12) respondents were interviewed from various Nigerian government parastatals and higher institutions of learning. Data gotten from the interview was analysed thematically with the aid of Nvivo. The secondary data source was through books, journal articles, newspapers and policy documents.

Feminism against Beauty Standards in South Korea: Force Creates Resistance

This article explores about the resistance that women in South Korean made in regards to the unrealistic beauty standards that is projected for the Korean women in order for the to get a place in social involvement. Women in South Korea are marginalized, and although the population in women in South Korea is 49.93% in 2019 which is a balance number for both female and male, but their voices remain as minority within the society involvement. In regards, they are often isolated from important social and professional networks and subjected to the negative stereotyping of becoming a feminist. Women in Korea are ought to have the attributes of beauty standards or else, society would judge them and this is a sign that women are trapped with this kind of projection thus it become a barrier for them to grow themselves. Why beauty standards matter among women in South Korea and how global feminism influence women in South Korea to create a resistance against rigid beauty standards in South Korea? To explore this question, this study used qualitative method with phenomenology approach. Drawing on the concept of transnational feminism as well as feminist standpoint theory, this study expected to find the actions taken by the women in South Korea to oppress the idea of objectifying women into certain characteristic of beauty and the oppression of “pretty priviledge”.

Study on the Implementation of Drainage System at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)

Drainage systems play an important role in the development of managing surface runoff water. This is because without proper management of the drainage system, it can cause flooding in the area. Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) has suffered floods and caused significant losses. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to study the types of drainage systems available around the UTHM area. In this regard, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a number of respondents from the Development and Maintenance Office UTHM to study the problems of each existing drainage system around the area and to look at ways of improving the existing drainage system. The types of drainage systems available at UTHM have been identified as conventional drainage systems, Urban Stormwater Management Manual (MSMA), monsoon drainage, main drainage and land drainage. Problems such as drainage system, waste and clogged drainage also being identified. Among the improvements identified are replacing MSMA with open drainage. In conclusion, the study of drainage system implementation at UTHM can provide a clearer picture of the drainage system used around the study area.