Norshakirah Aziz

Trust-based partner identification method for e-supply chain (B2B) integrator – a case study of Malaysian construction industry

Lack of trust has been identified as one of the issues that hinder collaboration among business partners. Hence, there is a need to conduct a study in ensuring the entire supply chain components collaborates in a socially trustful environment. Thus, this paper reports on the findings of the study that has been conducted which investigates the trust values perceived by the business community. As a contribution, a trust-based model for trusted partners’ identification is proposed which will be later transformed into an IT implementable expert system. For the purpose of constructing and validating the method, the Malaysian construction industry is chosen as the case study due to its size and importance to the economy. Thus, this paper puts forward the background of the research, some relevant literatures which lead to trust values elements formulation, data collection and a glimpse of the proposed method for trusted partner selection.

A proposed framework for E-business Supply Chain Integrator

Construction industry remains as one of the most complex industries in Malaysia due to the many interdependent business supporting it. Currently there is no specific research done on how to integrate the entire supply chain components. This paper prepared to propose a solution to this problem. By providing a model framework for E-business Supply Chain Integrator (SCI), entire supply chain can be integrated. Hence, review of literature, initial finding, challenges and discussions on future work are highlighted in this paper.

Problematic of Massively Multiplayer Online Game Addiction in Malaysia

This study aimed to find causes of online game addiction among adolescents in Malaysia specifically focus on massively multiplayer online games (MMOG) in Malaysia. The relationship between causes and the addiction components will be investigated. This study used focus group discussion (FGD) as research methodology. Results showed that 3 main causes have been revealed which include; poor time management in which adolescents failed to manage their time wisely, social life in which they make more friends in virtual life compared to in real life and psychological and behavior which affect adolescent’s emotion and physical. Addiction components that had been discussed are linked to 3 main factors identified from previous study. The identified components that found influence gaming addiction among adolescents are; salience, mood modification, harm, loss of control and physical health are related to main causes of adolescents addicted to MMOG in Malaysia. Evidences that have been revealed by both medical experts and game experts had explored the highly engaging relationship between adolescent and MMOG addictive behavior which can be seen by observation through physical health.

A Fuzz Logic-Based Cloud Computing Provider’s Evaluation and Recommendation Model

The growing number of cloud computing providers has made the selection process difficult and time consuming. This motivates many research to propose cloud computing recommendation system. However, generating an overall rating of a provider based on accumulation of several performance parameters involves uncertainties especially when the computation comprises network-related performance parameters. Hence, this paper proposes a fuzzy logic-based model that evaluates providers based on downlink, uplink and latency parameters, and determines the best provider. The model was constructed based on historical data of the real cloud computing providers implementation. The model was compared against non-fuzzy model, and it showed that the proposed fuzzy logic-based model is better in terms of accuracy. This work implies faster and accurate selection of cloud computing provider.

Gamification Effect of Loyalty Program and Its Assessment Using Game Refinement Measure: Case Study on Starbucks

This paper explores the advantage of loyalty program in the domain of business, while Starbucks is chosen as a case study. It focuses mainly on the point system that provides a certain degree of gamification effect. It considers a game progress model of My Starbucks Rewards to derive a game refinement measure for the assessment of gamification impact. The assessment results indicate that the game element of point system in My Starbucks Rewards shows motivations towards the normal purchasing activities. On the other hand, the point system shows the decreasing of motivation effect towards customers’ purchases over the time. In short, customers are experiencing unsophisticated game experience in a point system which is proved to be a short term incentive that is useful to motivate customers in the early age for a short period of time. Starbucks incorporates both point system and tier system in its loyalty program, targeting to attract new customers as well as retain them for a long time to come. However, the current study only examines the point system of Starbucks. Further research might explore more on structure of loyalty program in restaurant or food industry.

LAN Chat Messenger (LCM) using JAVA programming with VOIP

LAN Chat Messenger (LCM) using VOIP offers zero cost communication among staffs in a company. Not limited to that, it is also allows them to chat, send files and free voice call. This study offers voice call and file transfer which helps to solve the communication issue especially on time and cost of the communication maintenance. The information exchange between individual becomes smoother and provides more options. The Rational Unified Process(RUP) development methodology was used in the development of the System and for implementation Client/Server network and TCP/IP was used. LCM is a standalone application using JAVA programming as the programming language and tested at one of the private organization as domain study.