Northern States Of Malaysia Research Articles

Health-related quality of life using EQ-5D among breast cancer survivors in comparison with age-matched peers from the general population in the state of Penang, Malaysia

Aim The aim of this study was to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) with that of the general female population in a northern state of Malaysia.

Determining the Career Success among the Hotel Managers in Northern States: The Role of Personality Traits

This study looks at the role of personality towards career success among the hotel managers in Northern states of Malaysia. Although, there is a growing body of literature on managers and their career success, this growing literature is rather prescriptive and logic-deductive in career success. Consequently, the basic element such as personality is rather viewed lightly. Due to the growth and performance of Malaysia’s hotel industry as well as Malaysia’s aim to add value to this industry, managers in this sector are expected to be under considerable pressure to perform well and succeed in their careers. Similarly, the importance of the service sector in boosting the economic development of Malaysia necessitates the need for managers within this sector to enhance their performance and succeed in their careers. This study examines the effect of personality traits towards managers’ career satisfaction in hotels located in north Malaysia. By using the quantitative approach as research methodology, questionnaires were developed comprised of the measurement items for personality and career success. Then, by using purposive sampling, managers were selected. Later, a total of 83 hotel managers participated in this research. Data analysis, however, revealed mixed results. In conclusion, although the relationship between personality traits and career satisfaction might seem marginal, the effects are still worth taking into consideration.

A cross-sectional validation study of EQ-5D among the Malaysian adult population

The objective of this study was to assess the construct validity of the EQ-5D instrument among the Malaysian population. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among Malaysian adults in three northern states of Malaysia. A pre-developed questionnaire consisting of both the EQ-5D and SF-12 items was used for data collection. Concurrent, convergent, and known group validity of EQ-5D were assessed against SF-12 and several known relationships with participants' demographic and illness characteristics. A total of 596 Malaysians participated in the study. The mean EQ-5D score was 0.93 (SD = 0.13), while the mean physical component score (PCS-12) and mental component score (MCS-12) scores were 48.9 (SD = 7.4) and 49.1 (SD = 8.0), respectively. Participants with a current medical problem had lower PCS-12 and MCS-12 scores and reported more problems with all of the EQ-5D dimensions; they also had lower EQ-5D and EQ-VAS scores (P < 0.05). Convergent validity was supported by a moderately positive correlation between EQ-5D and EQ-VAS with MCS-12 and PCS-12 scores; moreover, the stronger effect sizes between PCS-12 and the physical dimensions of EQ-5D as well as between MCS-12 with anxiety/depression scores further supported the convergent validity of EQ-5D. Responses to the EQ-5D dimensions only supported two of the four known group validity hypotheses of higher quality of life among individuals who are better educated and no medical problem. No association was found between income and gender with EQ-5D score. This study has demonstrated acceptable construct validity of the EQ-5D among the Malaysian population.

Study of Distinctive Capabilities and Entrepreneurial Orientation on Return on Sales among Small and Medium Agro-Based Enterprises (SMAEs) in Malaysia

The human development report in 2003 of United Nation Development Program (UNDP) reveals that among others, economic reforms to establish macroeconomic stability is crucial for sustainable human development. The study aims to establish pertinent factors influencing performance of small and medium agro-based enterprises in northern states of Malaysia. The study utilizes 125 sample firms that operate in agricultural sectors. Direct and indirect effects of distinctive capabilities on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and return on sales relationship among Malaysian agro-based entrepreneurs showed the development imperative.

A survey exploring knowledge and perceptions of general practitioners towards the use of generic medicines in the northern state of Malaysia

The objective of this study was to evaluate the general practitioners' (GPs') knowledge and perceptions towards generic medicines in a northern state of Malaysia. A postal cross-sectional survey involving registered GPs in Penang, Malaysia was undertaken. A 23-item questionnaire was developed, validated and administered on the GPs. Eighty-seven GPs responded to the survey (response rate 26.8%). The majority of the respondents (85.1%) claimed that they actively prescribed generic medicines in their practice. On the other hand, only 4.6% of the respondents correctly identified the Malaysia's National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau's bioequivalence standard for generic products. There were misconceptions among the respondents about the concepts of "bioequivalence", "efficacy", "safety", and "manufacturing standards" of generic medicines. GPs in this survey believed that a standard guideline on brand substitution process, collaboration with pharmacists, patient education and information on safety and efficacy of generic medicines were necessary to ensure quality use of generics. Furthermore, advertisements and product bonuses offered by pharmaceutical companies, patient's socio-economic factors as well as credibility of manufacturers were factors reported to influence their choice of medicine. Although it appeared that GPs have largely accepted the use of generic medicines, they still have concerns regarding the reliability and quality of such products. GPs need to be educated and reassured about generic products approval system in Malaysia concerning bioequivalence, quality, and safety. The current findings have important implications in establishing generic medicines policy in Malaysia.

Relationship between Customer Relation Management Performance and E-Banking Adoption: A Look at Malaysian Banking Industry

This study seeks to identify the relationship between CRM performance and e-banking adoption. CRM performance isthe process of value creation which results into the customer behavior intention (retain, repurchase, positive word of mouth), customer satisfaction and loyalty towards the product/brand. Despite of the popular practice of CRM in various industries, and particularly in banking, there is still lack of empirical studies, investigating to what extent the CRM performance influences on e-banking adoption. Hypothesized relationships were tested using survey responses from a sample of 307 lecturers at three public universities located in the northern states of Malaysia. The results which were compared with earlier findings illustrated that CRM performance does offer a positive influence on e-banking adoption and implications for further research were also being discussed.

Graduates’Work Experiences in Small and Medium Enterprises in the Northern States of Malaysia

This paper was designed to examine university graduates’ expectations and experiences of employment in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Northern States of Malaysia. A self-reported questionnaire data was gathered from 84 graduate employees. Graduates reported positive experiences in many areas. These often exceeded their expectations, and in general over-met expectations were much more common than under-met ones. The graduates’ work appeared to offer quite high autonomy, the chance to develop a wide range of skills, and to progress towards career goals, at least in the short term. In line with previous research, there were signs that pay; within enterprise career prospects and training were relatively weak areas. Taken as a whole, the results substantiated previous research done and challenge more negative images of employment in small enterprises, and also the preoccupation with under-met expectations in the literature on new entrants to enterprises.

A pilot study of the primary care management of knee osteoarthritis in the Northern States of Malaysia

Introduction: Primary care management of knee osteoarthritis OA has received little attention in the scientific literature and the main reason of this survey is to study and explore the variations and patterns of primary care management and assess both conventional and complementary therapy usage in knee OA in the primary care setting. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey of 100 randomly selected general practitioners (GPs) in the northern states of Malaysia (Kedah, Perlis, Pulau Pinang) was undertaken using questionnaires. The GPs involved were asked about basic knowledge of OA in terms of diagnosis, investigation, and treatment of OA. They were also asked their usage of conventional and complementary medication. Results: 80 (80%) GPs responded to the questionnaires sent. 85% of GPs were in solo practice and 15% in group practice. Most of the GPs surveyed (69%) were in practice for more than 10 years, 21% in 5- 10 years and 10% were in practice for less than 5 years. 65% GPs surveyed see an average of more than 20 patients per week, 25% see about 10- 20 patients and 10% see less than 10 patients per week. 75% of GPs surveyed would arrange an X-ray. 65% of GPs surveyed will arrange a blood test, mostly serum uric acid, rheumatoid factor and ESR. Pharmacological management consists of first line treatment with analgesics (32%), NSAIDs (59%) or a combination of the two (4%). Non-pharmacological management consist of advise an exercise (37%), weight reduction (23%) and referral to physiotherapy (8%). 89% of GPs surveyed prescribed some form of complementary medications. 68% prescribed glucosamine sulphate, 29% chondroitin sulphate, 18% cod liver oil, 12% evening primrose oil. Only 5% of GPs surveyed perform intra- articular injection. Conclusion: The data suggest that in the primary care, majority of GP over investigate the diagnosis of OA. Pharmacological interventions largely concentrate on analgesic and NSAIDs. The use of physiotherapy and non drug approach were enormously under-utilized. There is a need to further educate GPs in the management of OA.

Construct Validation of a School Principal Decision-Making Styles Scale

Whereas substantial research in decision-making styles has focused on the theoretical and conceptual definitions, relatively less empirical attention has been paid to the development of its measures. Thus, the purpose of this study is to develop and validate a measure of school principal decision-making styles based on Vroom and Yetton’s (1973) theoretical framework. The researcher initially developed a 40-item pool of the Principal Decision-Making Styles Scale (PDMSS), and then these 40 items were reduced to 27 items after experts’ examination of its content validity. These 27 refined items were administered to 120 primary school principals in the northern states of Malaysia. In order to examine the construct validity of the PDMSS, a factor analysis employing principal component extraction procedures with varimax rotation was used. The factor analysis resulted in a 19-item instrument that measures three extracted decision-making styles, namely, autocratic, participative, and delegation. Additionally, the item analysis showed acceptable internal consistency reliability for the overall and the three specific sub-scales of PDMSS. Moreover, the confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the three identified styles indicate a good model fit.

Managerial Styles: The Case of Organizations in the Northern States of Malaysia

Managerial Styles: The Case of Organizations in the Northern States of Malaysia