Showing papers by "Universiti Teknologi Malaysia published in 2005"

Critical success factors for implementing knowledge management in small and medium enterprises

Abstract: Purpose – To date, critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing knowledge management (KM) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have not been systematically investigated. Existing studies have derived their CSFs from large companies' perspectives and have not considered the needs of smaller businesses. This paper is aimed to bridge this gap.Design/methodology/approach – Existing studies on CSFs were reviewed and their limitations were identified. By integrating insights drawn from these studies as well as adding some new factors, the author proposed a set of 11 CSFs which is believed to be more suitable for SMEs. The importance of the proposed CSFs was theoretically discussed and justified. In addition, an empirical assessment was conducted to evaluate the extent of success of this proposition.Findings – The overall results from the empirical assessment were positive, thus reflecting the appropriateness of the proposed CSFs.Practical implications – The set of CSFs can act as a list of items for SMEs ...

An empirical study of the important factors for knowledge-management adoption in the SME sector

Abstract: Purpose – To investigate the critical success factors (CSFs) for adopting knowledge management (KM) in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) – an area that has, to date, received very little attention in the literature.Design/methodology/approach – A survey instrument comprising 11 factors and 66 elements was developed. Through a postal survey, data were sought from SMEs in the UK. A parallel one was also administered to a group of academics, consultants and practitioners in the KM field in order to provide a more holistic view of the CSFs.Findings – The survey instrument was shown to be both reliable and valid. Pertinent statistical analyses were then performed. By integrating the results from both groups of respondents, a prioritised list of CSFs, in order of importance for implementing KM, was generated.Research limitations/implications – The number of responses received was rather small since KM is a new and emerging discipline, and not many SMEs have formally implemented it.Practical implications...

Insight into the 2004 Sumatra–Andaman earthquake from GPS measurements in southeast Asia

Abstract: Data collected at approximately 60 Global Positioning System (GPS) sites in southeast Asia show the crustal deformation caused by the 26 December 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake at an unprecedented large scale. Small but significant co-seismic jumps are clearly detected more than 3,000 km from the earthquake epicentre. The nearest sites, still more than 400 km away, show displacements of 10 cm or more. Here we show that the rupture plane for this earthquake must have been at least 1,000 km long and that non-homogeneous slip is required to fit the large displacement gradients revealed by the GPS measurements. Our kinematic analysis of the GPS recordings indicates that the centroid of released deformation is located at least 200 km north of the seismological epicentre. It also provides evidence that the rupture propagated northward sufficiently fast for stations in northern Thailand to have reached their final positions less than 10 min after the earthquake, hence ruling out the hypothesis of a silent slow aseismic rupture.

Photogrammetry and 3d laser scanning as spatial data capture techniques for a national craniofacial database

Abstract: Photogrammetry is a non-contact, high-accuracy, practical and cost-effective technique for a large number of medical applications. Lately, three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning and digital imaging technology have raised the importance of digital photogrammetry technology to a new height in craniofacial mapping. Under the support of the Eighth Malaysian Development Plan, the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (MOSTE) Malaysia allocated a grant to establish procedures for the development of a national craniofacial spatial database to assist the medical profession to provide better health services to the public. To populate the database with normal and abnormal (malformation, diseased and trauma and burn victims) craniofacial information, it is necessary to evaluate the technology needed to capture the essential data of craniofacial features. The paper provides a discussion on the basic features of the spatial data and the data capture techniques. Both are needed for the establishment of a national spatial craniofacial database. The discussion includes a brief review of the current status of two selected high-accuracy craniofacial spatial data capture techniques, namely, digital photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning. The paper highlights a system which has been developed for a Malaysian craniofacial mapping project. Laboratory tests with mannequins showed that the photogrammetric and 3D laser scanning system could achieve an accuracy exceeding the design specification of ±0·7 mm (one standard deviation) for all the measured craniofacial distances. However, tests with two living subjects showed that the accuracy was in the order of ±1·2 mm because of facial movement during data capture

The Effects of Porosity on Mechanical Properties of Cast Discontinuous Reinforced Metal–Matrix Composite:

Abstract: This paper presents the findings of porosity effects on the mechanical properties of cast discontinuous reinforced metal-matrix composites (DRMMCs). Aluminum-silicon alloy composite specimens are produced by the stir casting method with varied content of reinforcing silicon carbide (SiC) particles for metallographic study, porosity measurement, and tensile and fatigue testing. The factors of porosity formation are assessed from three different levels of stirring speeds, 100, 200, and 500 rpm, varied SiC content, and modification of the stir casting method. The evaluated porosity data exhibits increased SiC particle content and stirring speed has increased the porosity formation in the cast DRMMC whereas the modification of the stir casting method significantly has decreased the porosity content. The least content of porosity evaluated is at 0.09% in the modified stir cast DRMMC, while the highest is at 12.45% in the conventionally stir cast DRMMC. In monotonic tensile testing, increasing porosity content has decreased the ductility, tensile strength, and yield strength of cast DRMMC. Though, based on fully reversed (R super(1)/4 1) fatigue test, porosity formation has increased the cast DRMMC fatigue strength at 1 10 super(7)cycles. The fatigue strengths of cast DRMMCs at 5, 10, and 15% reinforcing SiC particle are 129.7, 141.5, and 157.3 MPa, respectively. These are due to either isolated porosity formation or porosity presence among particle clusters as observed in the metallographic studies.

Does soft TQM predict employees’ attitudes?

Abstract: Purpose – This study seeks to investigate the effects of soft total quality management (TQM) on employees’ attitudes within a large Malaysian semiconductor organization. Despite extensive research on “soft” TQM practices, there has not been much research this area. Therefore, the proposed model was developed with the intention of examining this relationship.Design/methodology/approach – Original research using self‐completed questionnaires, distributed to all staff within this organization, is thoroughly reported. The study sample consisted of 230 employees, resulting in a response rate of 76.6 percent. Data were analyzed by the latest version of SPSS, employing correlation and multiple regression analysis.Findings – The results revealed that employees' perceptions of soft TQM significantly relate to employees’ attitudes with those perceiving a greater degree of awareness of soft TQM exhibiting more positive reactions towards job involvement, career satisfaction and organizational commitment. It is also f...

Robust Motion Control for Mobile Manipulator Using Resolved Acceleration and Proportional-Integral Active Force Control

Abstract: A resolved acceleration control (RAC) and proportional-integral active force control (PIAFC) is proposed as an approach for the robust motion control of a mobile manipulator (MM) comprising a differentially driven wheeled mobile platform with a two-link planar arm mounted on top of the platform. The study emphasizes on the integrated kinematic and dynamic control strategy in which the RAC is used to manipulate the kinematic component while the PIAFC is implemented to compensate the dynamic effects including the bounded known/unknown disturbances and uncertainties. The effectivenss and robustness of the proposed scheme are investigated through a rigorous simulation study and later complemented with experimental results obtained through a number of experiments performed on a fully developed working prototype in a laboratory environment. A number of disturbances in the form of vibratory and impact forces are deliberately introduced into the system to evaluate the system performances. The investigation clearl...

Effects of control techniques and damper constraint on the performance of a semi-active magnetorheological damper

Abstract: Semi-active dampers change their damping force in real time by simply changing the damping coefficient according to a control policy. In this study, a number of semi-active control algorithms namely modified skyhook, modified groundhook and modified hybrid skyhook-groundhook controllers are evaluated to be used with a magnetorheological damper. The effectiveness of these control algorithms in disturbance rejection are investigated along with their ability to consistently provide the target force in the same direction with the damper velocity to overcome the damper constraint. From the simulation and experimental results, the modified hybrid skyhook-groundhook controller shows significant improvement in body acceleration, body displacement, suspension displacement without allowing excessive wheel acceleration magnitude. The modified hybrid skyhook-groundhook controller is also superior to the counterparts in overcoming the damper constraint by producing the target forces consistently in the same sign with the damper velocity.

Logistics outsourcing practices in the UK: a survey

Abstract: Outsourcing is widely regarded as a useful approach to lowering costs and gaining competitive advantage. Logistics and transportation were among the most popular areas that used outsourcing during the 1980s and 1990s. Thus, the strategy of employing the third-party logistics (TPL) providers’ services has attracted growing interest. However, studies that involve TPL providers have received considerably less academic attention. This paper presents current logistics outsourcing practices of UK firms as well as the trends from 1990 to 2003 based on a series of surveys by PE Consulting. The study is based on a mail survey of 224 logistics managers from various industries in the UK. It also provides insights into the reasons why some firms do not use the TPL services. Among the key findings, a change was found in the customers’ main concern about outsourcing their logistics functions from service to cost-related factors. The study displays the trend towards the development of longer term partnerships, and relat...

Terrestrial gamma radiation dose study to determine the baseline for environmental radiological health practices in Melaka state, Malaysia

Abstract: Environmental terrestrial gamma radiation dose rates were measured throughout Melaka, Malaysia, over a period of two years, with the objective of establishing baseline data on the background radiation level. Results obtained are shown in tabular, graphic and cartographic form. The values of terrestrial gamma radiation dose rate vary significantly over different soil types and for different underlying geological characteristics present in the study area. The values ranged from 54 ± 5 to 378 ± 38 nGy h−1. The highest terrestrial gamma dose rates were measured over soil types of granitic origin and in areas with underlying geological characteristics of an acid intrusive (undifferentiated) type. An isodose map of terrestrial gamma dose rate in Melaka was drawn by using the GIS application 'Arc View'. This was based on data collected using a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector survey meter. The measurements were taken at 542 locations. Three small 'hot spots' were found where the dose rates were more than 350 nGy h−1. The mean dose rates in the main population areas in the mukims (parishes) of Bukit Katil, Sungai Udang, Batu Berendam, Bukit Baru and Bandar Melaka were 154 ± 15, 161 ± 16, 160 ± 16, 175 ± 18 and 176 ± 18 nGy h−1, respectively. The population-weighted mean dose rate throughout Melaka state is 172 ± 17 nGy h−1. This is lower than the geographical mean dose rate of 183 ± 54 nGy h−1. The lower value arises from the fact that most of the population lives in the central area of the state where the lithology is dominated by sedimentary rocks consisting of shale, mudstone, phyllite, slate, hornfels, sandstone and schist of Devonian origin which have lower associated dose rates. The mean annual effective dose to the population from outdoor terrestrial gamma radiation was estimated to be 0.21 mSv. This value is higher than the world average of 0.07 mSv.

Hybrid intelligent Intrusion Detection System

Abstract: Intrusion Detection Systems are increasingly a key part of systems defense. Various approaches to Intrusion Detection are currently being used, but they are relatively ineffective. Artificial Intelligence plays a driving role in security services. This paper proposes a dynamic model Intelligent Intrusion Detection System, based on specific AI approach for intrusion detection. The techniques that are being investigated includes neural networks and fuzzy logic with network profiling, that uses simple data mining techniques to process the network data. The proposed system is a hybrid system that combines anomaly, misuse and host based detection. Simple Fuzzy rules allow us to construct if-then rules that reflect common ways of describing security attacks. For host based intrusion detection we use neural-networks along with self organizing maps. Suspicious intrusions can be traced back to its original source path and any traffic from that particular source will be redirected back to them in future. Both network traffic and system audit data are used as inputs for both. Keywords—Intrusion Detection, Network Security, Data mining,

A hybrid of genetic algorithm and support vector machine for features selection and classification of gene expression microarray

Abstract: Constantly improving gene expression technology offer the ability to measure the expression levels of thousand of genes in parallel. Gene expression data is expected to significantly aid in the development of efficient cancer diagnosis and classification platforms. Key issue that needs to be addressed is the selection of small number of genes that contribute to a disease from the thousands of genes measured on microarrays that are inherently noisy. This work deals with finding a small subset of informative genes from gene expression microarray data which maximise the classification accuracy. This paper introduces a new algorithm of hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Support Vector Machine for genes selection and classification task. We show that the classification accuracy of the proposed algorithm is superior to a number of current state-of-the-art methods of two widely used benchmark datasets. The informative genes from the best subset are validated and verified by comparing them with the biological results produced from biologist and computer scientist researches in order to explore the biological plausibility.

Effect of oil palm empty fruit bunch and acrylic impact modifier on mechanical properties and processability of unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) composites

Abstract: Interest in the use of natural fibers as fillers has grown over the past few years due to the advantages it offers. The use of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as a filler in the unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) is a new attraction in polymer composite technology. The objectives of this study are to investigate the effects of EFB fillers on processability and mechanical properties of unmodified and acrylic-impact modified PVC-U. To produce the compound, the PVC resin and the additives were first dry blended using a laboratory blender before being milled into sheets using two-roll mill. Test specimens were prepared using a hot press, after which impact and flexural properties were determined. The processability studies of the dry blend were carried out by using a Brabender Torque Rheometer model PL2200. The results showed that the incorporation of EFB filler into unmodified PVC-U decreased the fusion time, but increased the fusion time of acrylic-impact modified PVC-U. The end torque dec...

Optimum Overhang Geometry for Building Energy Saving in Tropical Climates

Abstract: In hot and humid climates, one draw back of using shading devices is the risk of reducing daylight level which in turn increases the use of artificial lighting. It is important to understand the magnitude of energy consumption for cooling and lighting when shading devices are adapted in order to propose optimum external horizontal shading strategies as design solutions. This study investigates the effect of six different alternatives of external horizontal shading devices on incident solar radiation, transmitted solar heat gains, natural-light penetration and energy consumption. The study was carried out using a standard, single fenestration perimeter office room in a typical high-rise office building. The investigation is conducted using eQUEST-3, which is a dynamic energy simulation program supported by DOE2.2 calculation engine. The results showed several optimum geometry of the external horizontal shading device depending on incident direct solar radiation, transmitted solar heat gains, natural-light penetration and energy consumption. This study concludes, considering the trade off between total heat gain and natural-light penetration to optimize the total energy consumption as the best option in designing external solar shading in hot and humid climates.

Review of physical vapour deposition (pvd) techniques for hard coating

Abstract: This paper is a review on the status of hard coating of various physical vapour deposition (PVD) techniques and compare their properties. The use of hard and wear resistant PVD coatings on cutting tools is now widespread in global manufacturing for reducing production cost and improving productivity, all of which are essential if industry is to remain economically competitive. The review includes the drawbacks of cathodic arc evaporation (CAE) and conventional magnetron sputtering processes and in this context their improvements. PVD techniques based on sputtering and cathodic arc methods are widely used to deposit hard coating for various cutting tools and many others. From the study, it was concluded that the CAE and radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering are the most widely used techniques and appropriate methods for thin film coating. Each technique has its own limitations and process parameters vary with the selection of PVD techniques. These techniques were further modified where uniform and dense coatings with improved adhesion can be achieved without the emission of macrodroplets from plasma streams

Location-based geocasting and forwarding (LGF) routing protocol in mobile ad hoc network

Abstract: Routing in mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) has been a subject of extensive research over the past several years. The location-based geocasting and forwarding routing protocol (LGF) is based on location information to reduce flooding and routing overhead. Unlike other position-based routing protocols, neighboring nodes in LGF that are in the forwarding zone rebroadcast a route request packet and send a route reply to the source. Other nodes that are beyond this zone do not participate. This algorithm reduces routing overhead, wireless bandwidth used and flooding of packets in the route discovery phase. The paper outlines the implementation of LGF in a real MANET test bed that integrates a GPS-free indoor location tracking mechanism with geocast-enhanced AODV-bis, an enhanced AODV-bis routing protocol which has been developed recently.