20 Articles Published

1. MOBILE LEARNING: A COMPARATIVE STUDY FOR THE FUTURE OF BLENDED LEARNING

Authors: CHEKRA ALLANI , HASSAN SHARAFUDDIN

Abstract: As the use of ICT in higher education matured, mobile technologies emerged as a new mode of flexible learning. Mobile learning opened up exciting learning experiences and challenges as well. In spite of the highly laudatory exposition of research in m-learning, as the literature in the field investigated the students’ interaction with various social networks both formally and informally, it investigated the application of learning principles in mobile learning,… little has been done in terms of evaluating the development of this new model of learning that is constantly on the move. This paper intends to gauge the proliferation of the m-learning through impartial data-based findings of a survey conducted upon a large cohort of Arab Open University students of Kuwait Branch and through previous recent studies in the domain.

Keywords: M-Learning, Blended learning, Open learning, socio-cultural mobility, Kuwait, ecology, agency, structure

Pages: 27 - 30 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-036-1-57

2. CREDIT RISK MANAGEMENT IN RURAL AND COMMUNITY BANKS IN GHANA

Authors: SAMUEL OPPONG BOAMPONG

Abstract: For almost all rural banks in Ghana, loans are the largest and most obvious source of credit risk; however, other sources of credit risk exist throughout the activities of a bank, including the banking book and in the trading book. The main goal of the research was to assess the credit risk management practices used by rural banks in Ghana precisely Ashanti region. To have information on this, annual reports of the selected rural banks of the years of study were thoroughly studied. In addition, interviews and questionnaire were used to collect information from key staffs that were directly related to the credit origination and credit risk management and the defaulters from the banks. A critical observation of the processes involved in the banks’ credit creation to its administration was made. The results of the study revealed that, the selected rural banks were making efforts to reduce their portfolio at risk to minimal. From the findings, the banks portfolio at risk showed a downward

Keywords: portfolio, risk, diversion

Pages: 41 - 45 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-036-1-60

3. EXPLORING INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHODS TO BRING UP THE INTEREST OF STUDENTS TO LEARN PHYSICS IN MALAYSIA IN THE NEAR FUTURE

Authors: CHEAH HEW MEE

Abstract: Currently, the Malaysian Physics curriculum aims to provide opportunities for students to acquire science knowledge and skills, besides developing thinking skills and strategies, and to apply this knowledge and skills in their everyday life, but also to inculcate in their noble values and the spirit of patriotism (KBSM, 2012). In order to achieve the objective of Physics curriculum of Malaysia, it is first very important to explore the factors affecting the interest and performance of Malaysian students in Physics, and from here identify the possible steps that can be taken to improve the situation. Some suggestions are given by the author for future methods that educators may implement to increase the number of students taking Physics in higher education.

Keywords: Physics, interest, innovative, creative teaching

Pages: 46 - 49 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-036-1-61

4. THE PRESENCE OF JAVANESE CULTURAL, DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AND EXTERNAL CONDITIONS TO THE JOKOWI ELECTED AS 7TH PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

Authors: SRI KARTIKA SARI ANTARIKSA , A . YANI . ANTARIKSA , KADEK AYU SUSIANI DEWI , RR DYAH EKO SETYOWATI

Abstract: Javanese Culture "attack without Armforces, Win without degrading " is the philosophy of Java, which means very noble, that strikes without Armforces and win without degrading. From the sample of respondents 1024 of 2100, spread over the period from May to July 2014, the result is that the people of Indonesia, choose a leader who is honest, simple, clean, no corruption, close to the people, to work for the people. 70 percent of respondents chose the leader of the tribe of any kind, not necessarily from the Javanese as the largest tribe in Indonesia, provided honest personality, simple, clean, no corruption, work for the people. Ethnic groups in the insert of researchers in the questionnaire are tribal leaders who have given birth in the Republic of Indonesia, namely: the Javanese, Sundanese, ethnic Makassar (Bugis), Minangkabau tribe, the tribe of Manado, the Batak tribe, Madurese and Ambonese. The rise of Javanese culture and philosophy of Java is shown Jokowi, makes people surprised

Keywords: Javanese Cultural, Demographic Factors, External Conditions.

Pages: 82 - 85 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-036-1-56

5. EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON POLYPROPYLENE FIBRE REINFORCED GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE SLABS

Authors: ABINAYAA DEVI.S , GOPALAKRISHNA.G.V.T , SUBBIAH ILAMVAZHUTHI.S , VARKEESH.A

Abstract: Geopolymer Concrete is one of the emerging construction materials as a substitute for conventional cement concrete, eliminating the usage of Ordinary Portland Cement. This paper aims to provide the failure pattern and yield line behaviour of Geopolymer concrete two way slabs with polypropylene fibres and compare with the conventional reinforced cement concrete. The Slab model used is of 1000mmx1000mmx30mm reinforced with 4mm diameter steel mesh. The failure pattern was studied experimentally for slab subjected to uniformly distributed load with fixed condition all-round. The results obtained agree with behaviour of conventional concrete. The results were validated using finite element model.

Keywords: Geopoolymer concrete,Polypropylene fibre,Yield line pattern,Finite element model.

Pages: 16 - 21 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-035-4-74

6. TUNNEL LINING ANALYSIS AND DESIGN USING STAAD PRO

Authors: KONG SIH YING , MOHAMMED OMAR AL-SHARAFI , SIVAKUMAR NAGATHAN

Abstract: The design of tunnel lining requires a proper estimate lining forces. In engineering practice different design methods tend to be used, varying from simple empirical and analytical formulations to advanced finite element analysis. This paper begins with a review of empirical and analytical analysis for tunnel lining forces and materials, followed by the design methodology, the analytical results and the concrete design of the tunnel lining using structural software known as STAAD Pro. The scope of this research is mainly focused on the analysis and concrete design of the tunnel lining. Finally, the results obtained are carefully shown in this paper and performed by mean of two different approaches: a tunnel lining analysis and a concrete design results, showing the excellent accuracy achieved in terms of displacements, stresses, reactions, bars criteria and main reinforcement.

Keywords: Tunnel lining,lining analysis, lining forces, lining design, staad pro

Pages: 27 - 30 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-035-4-76

7. DESIGN OF FRP/STEEL JOINTS BONDED BY THICK ADHESIVE LAYERS EXPERIMENTAL CHARACHTERIZATION AND NUMERICAL MODELLING USING DAMAGE MECHANICS

Authors: MOHSEN HESHMATI , REZA HAGHANI , MOHAMMAD AL-EMRANI

Abstract: The use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates to strengthen and repair of steel beams has increased during the last decade and is tending to replace traditional methods, such as welding or bolting of additional steel plates. In this context, one of the issues, which require more research, is design of adhesive joints used to bond FRP laminates to steel substrates. This paper is mainly concerned with evaluation of damage mechanics-based approaches to predict the strength of adhesive joints used to bond FRP laminates to steel beams. Adhesively bonded CFRP/steel double-lap shear specimens are numerically modeled using cohesive zone modeling (CZM) and the results are compared with experiments. The input cohesive material data are obtained from three series of experiments. The results indicate that the proposed methodology to obtain fracture data results in good predictions using CZM. The prediction method presented in this paper could be used in practice to determine the strength of

Keywords: FRP, steel, joint, cohesive zone model, finite lement analysis

Pages: 74 - 78 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-035-4-107

8. MACHINE DESIGN TEACHING ENHANCEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST BOHEMIA IN PILSEN

Authors: JITKA BEZDEKOVA , MARTIN HYNEK , MIROSLAV GRACH

Abstract: Technical faculties are permanently confronted with increasing demands for the quality of graduates and efficiency of education. In addition, the growing demand of the labor market regarding graduates and at the same time the decreasing interest from applicants who wish to study engineering are issues which technical faculties have to deal with. One of the ways to deal with these issues is to improve different aspects of teaching technical subjects in order to improve quality, efficiency, comprehensibility and attractiveness of Machine Design. The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of West Bohemia (FST) is concerned in this matter and it has launched the Machine Design Teaching Enhancement Project. Project-based learning materials and learning materials concerned with teaching of computer aided engineering (CAE) systems were developed as a part of the project. The learning materials have been developed by academics in cooperation with local engineering companies and so

Keywords: learning material, teaching, Machine Design, CAE, 3D models, design project

Pages: 5 - 8 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-69

9. FOSTERING INNOVATION TO BOLSTER ECONOMIC GROWTH: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR CHINA’S ECONOMIC POLICY

Authors: DERAKHSHAN FOAD , SAKUNASINGHA BENJALUX

Abstract: Fostering Innovation to cater to the needs of rapid economic growth has been a challenge for Chinese policy makers. Universities have been relied on to incorporate a culture of innovation in their education and research programs but many challenges remain.

Keywords: PRC; Innovation, Economic Growth, Higher Education.

Pages: 9 - 13 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-70

10. SELECTED CZECH ECONOMY INDICATORS INVESTIGATION UNDER FUZZY UNCERTAINTY

Authors: JANA NOWAKOVA , MIROSLAV POKORNY , RICHARD POSPISIL

Abstract: The effectiveness of economic time series analysis is based on a synthesis of an abstract model with a high degree of adequacy with respect to the modelling of real economic system. Complex economics systems are difficult to define, difficult to measure and the human element is incorporated. In the real world the system´s relationships are more or less non-specific and vague. The suitable theoretical background for abstract formalization and utilization of vague phenomenon of such uncertainty is fuzzy set theory. In engineering practice wherever there is a need to reflect the effects of unmeasured disturbances and influences are often used the fuzzy models. Therefore, the basic principles of fuzzy linear modelling and identification are presented. The paper mainly presents fuzzy analysis of the selected variables under these specifically defined conditions. The time-trend and seasonal cycles including their possibility areas are calculated, expressed and commented.

Keywords: complex systems, fuzzy number, fuzzy linear model, genetic algorithms, time series, GDP, construction production, agricultural production, unemployment, timetrend, seasonal cycle, possibility area

Pages: 14 - 21 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-71

11. TRANSFORMATION MANAGEMENT (TM) AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT THROUGH PARTICIPATION-DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OD)

Authors: KARL PRAMMER

Abstract: Organizational design and development is expected to fulfill multiple purposes such as a fast-paced and resource-effective implementation, broad and deep acceptance, and high sustainability of the solutions developed and implemented at the same time. These are expectations, which cannot be easily accommodated, in particular where development is supposed to encompass radical restructuring. The concept of TM deliberated in this paper intends to offer both a theoretical and tried and tested organizational development approach. Following a brief outline of the scientific background, on the basis of which the TM approach was born (section I), along with a few motivations for the development of the approach (section II) the paper is geared to shine a light on the key cornerstones of the approach in terms of project management, instruments of intervention, as well as the behavior of the people who practice this approach (section III).

Keywords: Organizational Development, Transformation Management, Project Management, Change

Pages: 22 - 28 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-72

12. THE SOCIAL CONSEQUEN CES OF INTER-ETHNIC MARRIAGES OF VIETNAMESE RURAL WOMEN

Authors: TRINH THI KIM NGOC

Abstract: The marriage of Vietnamese women with foreigners ever existed in history of Vietnamese nation. This has become a phenomenon through the communication and interaction between Vietnamese and foreigners while working and studying with each other. Vietnamese family history has been marked by the Vietnamese-French marriages during the French colonization in the late XIX century and the first half of XX century. Then in the 70s decades of the XX century, there also had marriage between Vietnam-U.S. and Vietnam-Korea as a consequence of the U.S war in Vietnam. During the country development in 80s-90s, there also had Vietnamese-Russian marriages from the working and studying in the area of Hoa Binh, Yaly hydropower construction,etc. Nowadays, the number of inter-ethnic marriages is estimated at 280,000 marriages between Vietnamese and foreigners. And we can’t deny the importance of marriages with foreign as a bridge of cultural exchange and mutual understanding, which is an important public d

Keywords: Social consequence, inter-ethnic marriages, transnational marriages, gold digger, prejudice and discrimination

Pages: 34 - 40 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-74

13. ASEAN-CHINA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: IT’S PEACE-PROMOTION EFFECTS OVER SOUTH CHINA SEA DISPUTE AND ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF WELFARE EFFECTS ON NOT-YET-READY ASEAN MEMBERS: CARBODIA, LAOS, MYANMAR AND VIETNAM

Authors: RONI BHOWMIK

Abstract: This paper selects one of the specific examples of free trade agreement in East Asia. This agreement is the world’s largest FTA in the developing world and is the third largest FTA in the world in terms of nominal GDP of about 6 trillion dollars and the world’s largest one in terms of population of about 1.9 billion people. Due to the country specific disparity among ASEAN members, the trade barrier reductions have been done only between China and six ASEAN old members until the other 4 ASEAN members are ready to join the ACFTA in 2015. In this paper analyze the ACFTA to clarify its trade creation and trade diversion effects on Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar (CLVM), which is not yet, realized the benefits of barrier reduction from China since 2010 until 2015.

Keywords: bers, trade, barrier, reductions, six ASEAN, members ACFTA, analyze

Pages: 41 - 45 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-75

14. ASSESSING LIFE ANNUITIES’ BIOMETRIC RISK UNDER THE NEW SOLVENCY DIRECTIVE

Authors: LOTFI BELKACEM , SANA BEN SALAH

Abstract: In this paper we propose to assess the biometric risk involved in a life annuity portfolio under the new solvency directive. In particular, a biometric scenario generator is developed to derive a distribution of the insurer’s liabilities useful for the solvency capital estimation. Then, gender-specific implicit longevity shocks are deduced in a marginal nested simulation context consistent with the Solvency II general principle. These shocks that are specified by age and maturity are proved to be less conservative than the unique permanent standard longevity stress what causes significant capital savings.

Keywords: Biometric risk, Solvency Capital Requirement, Simulation, Mortality modeling

Pages: 46 - 50 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-76

15. FOREST AND LIVELIHOOD (THE SOCIAL DYNAMICS OF ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF THE TRIBAL COMMUNITY OF JHARKHAND)

Authors: BELMATI JONKO

Abstract: The study aims to project the impact of livelihood contributions of forest resources to the tribal community of Jharkhand. The paper contributes towards the change in social life of tribal community in perspective of economic and social aspects. Forest produces providing the supplementary livelihood opportunity for accessing food security during their food insecurity period due to mono-cropping pattern followed in Jharkhand. Traditionally community has been involved in collection and trading of these forest produces for filling their needs but they have been exploited and these primary collectors of the produce do not get fair price as per the quality of the produce.More over with the poor marketing infrastructure wherein lack of both availability and access to storage facilities compels them to sell off their produce to the first market contact that is generally the haat or the petty trader. Forests in Jharkhand spreads over an area of 23605 square kilometers, which constitutes about

Keywords: forest economy, NTFP, tribal community, income, women participation, gender equality

Pages: 51 - 55 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-77

16. A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF ASSESSING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THE SERVQUAL METHOD APPROACH

Authors: MD. MAMUN HABIB , ASIF PARVEZ , BISHWAJIT BANIK PATHIK , HUMAIRA JAHAN

Abstract: This study represents the analysis of customer satisfaction level through SERVQUAL (service quality) method on a leading private bank of Bangladesh, namely Dhaka Bank Ltd. Customer satisfaction have been measured using the modified version of SERVQUAL as proposed by Parasuraman et al. (1988) [20], which involves five dimensions of service quality, particularly Reliability, Responsiveness, Empathy, Assurance, and Tangibles. To justify the satisfaction level on service provided by the bank towards the customers, survey research technique has been applied. Respondents were selected by simple random sampling procedure. The researchers used SPSS as a statistical tool to furnish data input and analysis for assessing satisfaction level of customers towards the bank. Findings of this paper demonstrates the satisfaction level of the customers at Dhaka Bank Limited, therefore, SERVQUAL would be applicable for banking industries whatever public and private banks.

Keywords: SERVQUAL, customer satisfaction, Dhaka Bank Ltd

Pages: 56 - 60 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-78

17. IMPACTS OF THAI BAHT ON TOURISM, SECTORAL FINAL DEMAND AND SECTORAL OUTPUT IN THAILAND

Authors: BUNDIT CHAIVICHAYACHAT

Abstract: The Thai baht had been volatile since the implementation of the managed floating system in July 1997. At the same period, expenditures of foreign tourists in Thailand had been the major sector that contributed a significant growth on Thai GDP and generated domestic final demand and final outputs. This paper aims to explore the impact of Thai baht on expenditures of foreign tourists in Thailand, sectoral final demand and sectoral output by using two-step approach cointegration, bridge matrix and input-output table. In the first section, the behavioral equation of expenditures of foreign tourists was estimated based on the annual data during 1997-2012. The results indicated that world GDP per capita, exchange rate and development of tourism sector significantly determined expenditures of foreign tourists . In contrast, domestic economic growth and political stability cannot explained the level of expenditures of foreign tourists with statistical significance. For every one baht depreciat

Keywords: Exchange rate, Tourism in Thailand, MacroIO Model

Pages: 61 - 64 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-107

18. DELAYED PSYCHOLOGICAL COGNITION AND SOCIAL INCOMPETENCY OF CHILDREN EXPOSED TO CHILD LABOR HARDSHIP IN IRAN

Authors: NEWSHA BADIEE , NICOLE JAFARI

Abstract: Street children otherwise known as working children, whose early developmental needs are not met may develop severe and irrevocable psychological and cognitive harm, in addition to social incompetency. The irreducible needs of children dictates that the minimal requirements of a child’s healthy development must include nutritional food intake; shelter, safety, education, developmentally appropriate experiences, and cultural continuity. In recent years and due to current political and social climate, Iran has experienced an exponential increase in the number of “Street Children”, labeling them as “Children of Labor”. These children, who are the youngest victims of such calamities, consequently lack proper developmental milestones, which may lead to traumatic experiences and developmental delays. In addition to a life of child labor and living on the streets, these children experience trauma such as psychological, social calamity, and emotional distress. Street children live a life of fe

Keywords: Street children, child labor, delayed cognition, social incompetency, living on the streets.

Pages: 65 - 72 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-108

19. A BRIDGE BETWEEN POVERTY REDUCTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS: PERSPECTIVE BANGLADESH

Authors: RAFEA KHATUN

Abstract: As a least developed country our county is also not free from the problem of poverty. Above half of our population are still living their life below poverty line. They are sometimes deprived of their basic necessaries of life for which their physical and mental growth can’t be flourished according to their needs. Besides these people can’t effectively participate in development project and they are also becoming victim of discrimination in distribution of that project’s outcome. So that they lag behind in many other sectors also. Recent shocks to the Bangladeshi economy in the form of natural disasters and rising food prices have partially dampened the rapid progress in reducing poverty. The year 2007 saw two natural disasters, floods and a devastating cyclone within a few months of each other. Another significant shock has beenthe steep rise in food prices, including the main staple, rice, which has revealed the risk posed by global price volatility for a net food-importing country li

Keywords: deficiency, scarcity, shortage, dearth, paveity, nsufficiency, denial one or many things.

Pages: 73 - 83 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-114

20. A SOCIO-HISTORICAL STUDY ABOUT THE MARGINALIZED STATUS OF JAPANESE LEATHER WORKERS

Authors: YUKO NISHIMURA

Abstract: This paper reflects on the low social status of Japan‟s leatherworkers, whose position in the social hierarchy has for centuries been that of untouchables or Burakumin (outcastes) and who were sometimes called by the most derogatory of Japanese terms, „eta,’ which means „filth.‟ There are three economic and historical roots to this enduring social stigma, two of them having to do with the demand of the military for leather armor, saddlery and other gear. First, in the 16th century, a truce between warring clans, achieved by the Tokugawa shogunate, brought with it a decrease in the demand for leather armor and other military trappings, thereby undermining the economic base of buraku communities; (2) at the same time, weak Japanese guilds left leather workers in servitude to leather merchants and the state, ultimately forcing them to accept their social status as untouchable pollutants and (3) the Meiji restoration in the late 19th century included a modernized military that required cop

Keywords: leather workers, Japanese untouchables, the pure and the impure, guilds, pollution

Pages: 94 - 98 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-007-1-118