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This study intended to identify the factors that affect student satisfaction in campus cafeterias at public universities in Klang Valley region of Malaysia. The importance of culinary services as an element of nutrition influences the personal satisfaction of university students. Students' daily diets depend heavily on the canteens and cafeterias. A well-balanced and nutritious diet is essential for industrious students, especially those with a demanding learning environment or class schedule. SPSS and Smart PLS were used to analyse data from a sample of 222 students. Food quality, variety, price, and cafeteria hygiene significantly influence student satisfaction in campus cafeterias. The study's findings can assist university administrators in making sound choices regarding cafeteria management, thereby enhancing the culinary experiences of students and boosting their overall satisfaction. The results indicated that the quality of food served in the cafeteria has the most significant impact on student satisfaction through its presentation and taste.

Abstract: International Divisions' productivity was perceived to incline towards a downward trend which was contravened in 1996 re-organization objective of Telekom Malaysia. This study aims to analyze the root causes [...]

Customer loyalty is liable for persevering long-term sustenance of organisations in today's highly competitive business milieu. The present study investigated the various factors affecting customer loyalty towards retailers. Specifically, this study took the initiative to examine the effects of retailer qualities (attribute and awareness) on customer loyalty through the mediating role of customer satisfaction in the light of stimulus-organism response theory. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires from conveniently selected 270 retail customers in Dhaka, Bangladesh and were analysed through SPSS and CB-SEM tools to test the hypotheses. The results demonstrated that retailer qualities significantly affect customer satisfaction and loyalty, and customer satisfaction was a successful mediator for these relationships. The results will aid marketers in developing marketing strategies for customer loyalty and academically, be an important addition to the literature and extension to SOR theory. The findings will help the researchers in customer loyalty and retailing studies.

Abstract: The rapid diffusion on the internet widely documented high growth potential of Internet shopping in Malaysia, apparently there is still lack of understanding concerning the characteristics of Internet shopping [...]

Metal-based perfect absorbers that use metals such as aluminum (Al) can have their optical properties changed with temperature, subsequently affecting the device’s performance. The changes with temperature can critically limit the applications of absorbers at high powers or high temperatures. In this paper, we show a thermally stable broadband absorber based on an ultrathin layer of refractory ceramic, tungsten boride (WB). We experimentally analyze and compare the performance of the absorber with an aluminum (Al) based absorber. The multilayer perfect absorber has absorption higher than 85% in the wavelength range between 500 and 1600 nm over a large range of incident angles (up to 60°). We show that a WB absorber has significantly better temperature stability when compared with its Al counterpart, achieving stable operation up to temperatures as high as 270°C. These absorbers may find applications in solar thermo-photovoltaic energy conversion.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the variables that affect Muslim consumers’ perception towards tax rebate over zakat on income in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: A close-ended structured questionnaire was developed and a total number of 236 valid responses were collected through online survey from the Muslims residing in Malaysia. Findings: This study found that halal-haram aspect of Islamic Shariah, legal consciousness and religiosity of Muslim consumers are positive significant factors for growing perceptions towards tax rebate over zakat on income in Malaysia. Research limitations/implications: This study will definitely play an important leading role for the policy-makers and academicians in understanding the perceptions of Muslim consumers. Practical implications: This study can assist zakat and tax authorities in Malaysia for taking corrective actions to adapt or improve the current policy on the basis of its Muslim consumers’ perception. Social implications: The findings of this study can reduce the gap of understanding among Muslims in the society by letting other people’s perceptions towards tax rebate through zakat system in Malaysia. Originality/value: As there are not enough studies in this area, this study will definitely play an important leading role for the countries or policy-makers or concerned zakat or tax institutions all over the world in capitalizing the practices which is highly and positively perceived by the Muslim consumers in Malaysia.

Magnesium diboride (MgB_2) is a well-known superconductor at temperatures below 39 K. At higher temperatures, it behaves as a lossy material. In this paper, we examine the performance of MgB_2 nano-particles as saturable absorber in a ytterbium-doped fiber ring laser at room temperature: we show that the nano-particles can produce pulses between 200 and 1700 ns. The dynamics of the saturable absorber are both examined as a stand-alone saturable absorber and in combination with an acousto-optic modulator. We believe, to the best of our knowledge, that this is the first time that MgB_2 is used as a saturable absorber in a Q-switched laser.

In this study, a novel nano antenna is designed in order to convert the high frequency solar energy, thermal energy or earth re-emitted sun’s energy into electricity. The proposed antenna is gold printed on a SiO2layer, designed as a circular edge bow-tie with a ground plane at the bottom of the substrate. The Lorentz-Drude model is used to analyze the behavior of gold at the infrared band of frequencies. The proposed antenna is designed by 3D-electromagnetic solver, and analyzed for optimization of metal thickness, gap size, and antenna’s geometrical length. Simulations are conducted in order to investigate the behavior of the antenna illuminated by the circularly polarized plane wave. The numerical simulations are studied for improving the harvesting E-field of the antenna within 5 THz–40 THz frequency range. The proposed antenna offers multiple resonance frequency and better return loss within the frequency bands of 23.2 THz to 27 THz (bandwidth 3.8 THz) and 31 THz to 35.9 THz (bandwidth 4.9 THz). An output electric field of 0.656 V/µm is simulated at 25.3 THz. The best fitted gap size at the feed point is achieved as 50 nm with the substrate thickness of 1.2 µm.

The property industry acts as vital sector whereby the service environment directly correlates the customers’ behavioral intention in purchasing a property. However, to date, a study regarding service environment and its impact still not fully addressed in the property industry. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between service environment and customers’ behavioral intention moderated by income in Malaysian property industry. A total of 357 respondents participated in this study by using a convenience sampling. The result shown that lower middle income was significantly moderated the relationship between service environment and customers’ behavioral intention.

Designing an electronic sales strategy depends on identifying consumers online, their motivation for shopping and prospective products that have potentials of online sales. This study examines statistical relationships between the potential of online sales and factors affecting online sales. Much statistical significance makes this study a potential cornerstone for future research.

AbstractThis study is trying to investigate major factors driving e-commerce adoption, and assess the organizational readiness for Malaysian companies operating in FIZ (Free Industrial Zone) in the state of Penang and Kedah. This study used structured questionnaires and a purposive judgmental sampling method in getting responses from IT managers or decision-makers on e-commerce initiative. Dependent variable is the organization readiness level in adopting e-commerce strategy and independent variables are online competitiveness, customer relationship management and value chain management. This study shows that Malaysian companies are lagging in e-commerce initiative compared to American companies, but Malaysian companies are on par with European and East Asian companies. It reflects the general views that e-commerce is “American Originated” technology and American companies have an edge in adopting this new and enabling technology to enhance their global competitiveness. The Malaysian companies have been proactively evaluating and embarking on IT projects to enhance their international competitiveness and they are on par with European and East Asian companies in e-commerce initiative. This study shows Online Competitiveness, Customer Relationship Management and Value Chain Management are affecting decision on e-commerce initiative. The results of this research will also serve as an initial feedback to Malaysian authorities to step up their efforts in promoting IT awareness, and adopting new and enabling technologies in Malaysian companies. It is also hoped that this study can provide a guideline for Malaysian companies in evaluating and formulating effective strategies and policies into e-commerce in this information age.