Suchergebnisse

This study aims to explore how the state of Penang could enhance a circular approach to single-use plastic by implementing a new federal policy (Malaysia's Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastic 2018-2030). The study involves twelve semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including representatives from both the state and the federal governments, city council, producers, manufacturers, NGOs and the recycling facilities. The study clarifies what a zero single-use plastic policy means, presents alternatives to conventional single-use plastic as well as introduces several means of enhancing a circular approach towards single-use plastic such as improved waste management system, stakeholders' engagement, Extended Producer Responsibility, effective policy enforcement, a need for clearer communications along with identifying measurable Key Performance Objectives.

The Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) theory, introduced by Mehrabian and Russell in 1974, has become a dominant theoretical model in the service industry to determine consumer behaviour. However, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the theory are rare, and most research produces only empirical data. This research paper aims to compile and analyse research articles that have applied the SOR theory within the healthcare sector over the past five years to measure the model's effect and relevancy. The paper establishes a consistent method of compiling past papers from online databases, and only research papers cited under the SOR theory in the healthcare sector are analysed. The study finds that the SOR model is commonly used alongside other theories, such as Flow Theory and Theory of Reasoned Actions, and can be deemed generalizable to the service industry regardless of the industry. However, the paper has limitations, such as the overgeneralization of the collection of SOR papers without a specific scope, and future research could improve the results by carrying out a meta-analysis to further determine the overall model's reliability.

Improving sales performance, a case study in a Korean based adhesive company / Chie Chong Low and Cheng Ling Tan -- Getting out of 'commodity trap' and manage fluctuating company's profit margins / Hui Huang Tan and Nabsiah Abdul Wahid -- Improving sales performance of a Penang based car coating company / Shing Yeu Lim and Hasnah Haron -- Improving employees retention to endure sustainability / Nur Afifah Mohd. Ramli and Suzari Abdul Rahim -- Headcount constraint in an event organizing company, case analysis of a party organizer / Jaseetharaani Arunasalam and Hasnah Haron

In today's digital age, digital marketing has become an integral part of our daily lives. The internet, mobile applications, social media and other digital communication tools have become ubiquitous and are used by billions of people worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the factors that affect consumer purchase decisions in digital marketing. A set of self-administered questionnaires has been distributed to 166 respondents in Malaysia. The stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory was employed in this study. The independent variables included in this study are email marketing, social media marketing, mobile marketing, online advertising, influencer marketing and trust plays as a moderating variable in the study. The findings of this study revealed that five out of eleven hypotheses were supported. Trust significantly showed a mediation effect on the relationship between mobile advertising and online advertising on purchase decisions. These findings contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by providing inputs on digital marketing's effects, which can relate to the advancements in technology and innovation within the marketing sector. This research offers important insights for individuals, marketers and employers. Digital marketing is a powerful tool that can help businesses reach a larger audience, even with a limited budget. Utilising digital marketing tools like online advertising provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen online visibility, target the right audience, boost exposure and improve business outcomes.

Abstract
Background We investigate the pain relief and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in the treatment of metastatic vertebral tumors.
Methods This prospective pilot study enrolled patients with metastatic vertebral tumors treated between January 2018 and October 2019. The participants were randomized to the PVP and MWA + PVP groups. Clinical parameters, pain visual analog scale (VAS), analgesic use scores (AUS), and quality-of-life score (QLS) were compared between groups.
Results Sixty-seven participants were enrolled (PVP: n = 35; MWA + PVP: n = 32). There were no differences in bone cement injection volume, extravasation, and X-ray exposure time between the two groups (p > 0.05), but treatment costs were higher for the MWA + PVP group (26,418 ± 194 vs. 15,606 ± 148 yuan; p < 0.05). There were no significant improvements in VAS from baseline to 24 hours, 72 hours, 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months in the two groups (p > 0.05); at 6 and 12 months after the operation, the improvement from baseline was significant in the two groups (p < 0.05). The VAS was lower at 6 months (2.7 ± 0.7 vs. 3.2 ± 0.7) and 12 months (3.5 ± 0.8 vs. 4.0 ± 0.7) in the MWA + PVP group (both p < 0.01 vs. PVP). The AUS and QLS were improved with PVP at 6 and 12 months (p < 0.05) and with MWA + PVP at 12 months (p < 0.05). The AUS was lower at 6 and 12 months in the MWA + PVP group (p < 0.05 vs. PVP).
Conclusion MWA combined with PVP might be a safe and effective palliative treatment for pain from metastatic vertebral tumors.

Regime shifts&mdash ; rapid long-term transitions between stable states&mdash ; are well documented in ecology but remain controversial and understudied in land use and land cover change (LUCC). In particular, uncertainty surrounds the prevalence and causes of regime shifts at the landscape level. We studied LUCC dynamics in the Tanintharyi Region (Myanmar), which contains one of the last remaining significant contiguous forest areas in Southeast Asia but was heavily deforested between 1992&ndash ; 2015. By combining remote sensing methods and a literature review of historical processes leading to LUCC, we identified a regime shift from a forest-oriented state to an agricultural-oriented state between 1997&ndash ; 2004. The regime shift was triggered by a confluence of complex political and economic conditions within Myanmar, notably the ceasefires between various ethnic groups and the military government, coupled with its enhanced business relations with Thailand and China. Government policies and foreign direct investment enabling the establishment of large-scale agro-industrial concessions reinforced the new agriculture-oriented regime and prevented reversion to the original forest-dominated regime. Our approach of integrating complementary analytical frameworks to identify and understand land-cover regime shifts can help policymakers to preempt future regime shifts in Tanintharyi, and can be applied to the study of land change in other regions.