Mohd Faiz Hilmi

Exploring Security Perception of Learning Management System (LMS) Portal

The advancement of information technology has changed the education landscape. Information technology has made e-learning possible and available on a large scale. The main component of an e-learning is a learning management system (LMS). By connected and accessed to the Internet, LMS are exposed to various threats. Proper understanding of these threats combined with strategy and best practices countermeasures will ensure a safe learning environment. Therefore this study will briefly explain ten domains of information security and presents the result on a survey on students information security perception of a learning management system. Overall, respondent has strong positive perceptions towards security of their LMS. This study provides an overall picture of information security elements of a learning management system. It can serve as an introduction which help LMS administrator to understand the issues and possibilities related to the safety of LMS.

Challenges and Outcome of Innovative Behavior: A Qualitative Study of Tourism Related Entrepreneurs

The tourism industry is currently Malaysia’s third most important industry in terms of foreign exchange earnings after the manufacturing and palm oil sectors. Its contribution to GDP growth is about 7.2%, suggesting that the industry is still in its infancy and therefore offers much scope for future growth. Furthermore tourism industry has been recognized as important economic activities especially during the current economic crisis. Malaysian government announced as part of the Mini Budget tabled in parliament on 10th March 2009 that RM200 million will be allocated to various tourism related programs. However, tourism industry is in a downward spiral due to various reasons such as global economic crisis and strong competition from other countries. Innovative efforts are necessary to further promote this industry so as to reap the full benefits and potential of this sector, besides giving it a competitive edge against its competitors like Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore. Emphasis should be given to the development of competitive tourism products or services to enhance foreign exchange earnings and savings. Innovative approach such as creativity is the key element for success. This paper attempts to synthesize the scope and role of innovation in the determination of effectiveness of tourism related entrepreneurs. Furthermore, this paper proposed that strategic innovativeness and behavioral innovativeness enhance performance of entrepreneurs. This paper presents the findings of the first phase of a larger research project on innovativeness of tourism related entrepreneurs. This initial phase involves an exploratory study into the innovative behavior of 23 tourism related entrepreneurs based in the island of Langkawi. Based on in depth semi-structured interview, the participant discussed their business challenges and innovative behavior that they adopted in responding to those challenges. This research contributes to the understanding of innovative behavior of tourism entrepreneurs. Participants in this research have provided some practical benefits by exploring their innovative behaviors as responses to their business challenges. However, given that the sample for this study is small, further research into this area is highly recommended.

Innovative behavior of Malaysian employees: An exploratory study

Innovation is becoming a buzzword for Malaysians. It is seen as a means of propelling Malaysia into a developed nation status. Malaysians have been urged to adopt an innovative mindset to achieve a high income nation. Within the innovation framework, innovative behavior of an individual serves as an important pillar to support a wider scope of innovation. Innovative employees lead to an innovative organization. From the same perspective, innovative Malaysians will lead to an innovative Malaysia. Drawing from a survey of 454 Malaysians, this study measures the level of innovative behavior, compare level of innovative behavior between gender and explore how Malaysians understand the term innovation.

Authentication of Electronic Version of the Holy Quran: An Information Security Perspective

The advancement in information technology has enabled the proliferation of electronic version of the Holy Quran. Many developers have come up with the electronic version of the Holy Quran which can be read online on computer or on a smart-phone. While such proliferation enables wider propagation of Islam, the introduction of electronic version of the Holy Quran also introduces an eminent threat to Islam. Electronic version of fake or false Quran has been detected. The possibility to securely authenticate electronic version of the Holy Quran would solve a majority of the threats. This study presents a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art, discussion, and a research survey of works conducted in this area. A solution is urgently needed to provide a good content security, and integrity of electronic version of the Holy Quran. This study concludes by summarizing issues, technique and prospects for authenticating electronic version of Quran.

Exploring intellectual capital of Malaysian small and medium entrepreneurs

Intellectual capital is one of the important resources for small and medium entrepreneurs. Proper manipulation of intellectual capital will become a source of sustained competitive advantages for the entrepreneur. This study explores the level of intellectual capital of Malaysian small and medium entrepreneurs. Furthermore this study also compare for any significant differences in the level of intellectual capital between micro, small and medium entrepreneurs. Based on a survey of 115 SMEs, this study found that Malaysian SMEs does exhibit a high level of intellectual capital. The survey also reveals that micro, small or medium entrepreneurs exhibit similar level of intellectual capitals.

Exploring human capital of Malaysian SMEs

Intangible resources has been considered to be one of an organizations most valuable assets. Human capital makes up a component of intangible asset. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of human capital in influencing the performance of Malaysian SMEs. 115 owner-managers of SMEs were surveyed. Results show that among different sizes of SMEs (micro, small and medium) there were no statistical significant differences in human capital and performance. Additionally, human capital impacts SME performance and is an important determinant of business performance.

Responsible innovation in the financial sector: an Islamic perspective

In today’s dynamic economic environment, innovation is commonly perceived as one of the critical mechanisms for businesses in attaining sustained competitive advantage. Moving alongside other secto...

Collaborative Learning Environment with Think-Pair-Share Method and Learning Tools for Learning Arabic Online

Many Muslims whose mother tongues are not Arabic find it difficult to comprehend the messages and meanings of the Quran although they can recite and memorize the verses of the Quran. The existence of many Arabic language centers provides the help needed for this Muslims. However for fulltime working adults, these facilities did not cater for their unpredictable free time. This paper describes a framework for Collaborative Online Arabic Learning software towards understanding Quran (COAL-UQ). The objectives of COAL-UQ are to provide users an online tools for learning Arabic anytime and anywhere, to ease the non-Arabic speakers in understanding the messages and meanings of the Quran and to exploit existing learning tools for learning a new language. We implement the Think-Pair-Share method introduced by Lyman in 1981 in the collaborative software. The software also integrates other online learning tools and utilizes the tools to realize the Think-Pair-Share method. We provide video conferencing tools so users can have face-to-face interactions with human tutor. This is very important in learning Arabic especially to understand the messages and meanings of the Quran.

Information Security Perspective of a Learning Management System: An Exploratory Study

The advancement of information technology has changed the education landscape. The process of teaching is no longer the same. Information technology has made e-learning possible and available on a large scale. The main component of an e-learning is a learning management system LMS. LMS has been widely used and are accessible through the Internet. By connected and accessed to the Internet, LMS are exposed to various threats. Proper understanding of these threats combined with strategy and best practices countermeasures will ensure a safe learning environment. Therefore this study will look into the information security aspect of LMS. There are two main purpose of this study. First, this study provides a review of information security in e-learning environments and explains the important of information security. Confidentiality, integrity and availability are considered to be the primary pillars of information security. In addition to these pillars, the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium introduced a common body of knowledge CBK comprised of ten domains relating to specific information security topics. These domains are the foundation of security practices for those involved in information security. In this article, each of these is explained within an e-learning context. It is recommended that institutions employing e-learning adhere to these domains. By applying the principles and practices associated with each domain, e-learning institutions should be able to provide an e-learning system with high confidentiality, integrity and availability. The second purpose of this study is to understand student perception of an information security perspective of an e-learning management system. To achieve this purpose, a survey was conducted targeted at undergraduate students in a distance learning program. 497 students responded to a survey questionnaires. Apart from demographics information, the survey asked the respondent to rate six statements related to how they perceived security of the learning management system which they are currently using. All six statements are rated using a five point Likert scale anchored at 1 Not at all to 5 Very much. Frequencies analysis was conducted to show the profile of the respondent. Overall, respondent has strong positive perceptions towards security of their LMS. This study provides an overall picture of information security elements of a learning management system. It can serve as an introduction which help LMS administrator to understand the issues and possibilities related to the safety of LMS.