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Volume 5 Number 4 April 2019

Factors Affecting Investment Decision Making: Moderating Role of Investors Characteristics


Authors: Salam A. Alshamy
Pages: 965-974
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1311.1320
Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the factors affecting investment decision making. Moreover, the moderating effects of age, gender, and financial information were also tested. The study utilized a quantitative research design for that the data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent to 570 individuals out of that 374 questionnaires were returned however 372 of the questionnaires were found to be useable. The study framework had 6 constructs namely heuristics, financial information, corporate governance, risk aversion, and experience were independent variables while investment decision making was dependent variable while age, gender and financial education were moderating variables. All the latent construct were measured using multi items based on 5 point Likert scales from 1 strongly disagree to 5 strongly disagree. The results found the Heuristics, Risk Aversion, Financial Information, Corporate Governance and Experience to be significant factors affecting the investment decision making. Moreover, the moderating effect of gender was found to be significant in the relationship of (financial information, corporate governance, and experience) and investment decision making. The moderating effect of age was found to be significant in the relationship of (Heuristics, Corporate Governance, and Experience) and investment decision making while the moderating role of financial education was found to be significant in the relationship of (financial information, corporte governance and experience) and investment decision making.

Agreement, Adjustment and Satisfaction of Wives with Husbands’ Participation During Pregnancy: Causality Network Analysis


Authors: Javad RasouIi ; Hamidreza Farrokh-Eslamlou ; Jamileh Amirzadeh- Iranagh ; Farzaneh Monazzami
Pages: 957-964
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1303.1310
Abstract
This research project aims to study three aspects namely, Wives’ agreement, satisfaction and adjustment and focuses on the background factors affecting this phase in women’s life. In this analytical cross-sectional study, there were 340 pregnant participants who had referred to health centers in three districts in the city of Urmia, Iran. The questionnaire was used to collect data. Then SPSS (version 19) and Mplus 5 statistical tools were used to obtain association of variables. Significance level was 0.05. Women’s satisfaction with husbands’ participation during pregnancy was positively affected by the last pregnancy age: (βt=0.892(, husbands’ education: (βt =0.144), mother’s ethnicity: (βt=0.183), and wanted pregnancy: (βt=0.278), but it was negatively affected by sufficiency of income: (βt=-0.164) and husbands’ support to the wives at hospital: (βt=-0.160). The agreement parameter had a direct significant relationship with wives’ satisfaction with husbands’ participation during pregnancy and so did agreement parameter along with adjustment. Among the effective variables in these three dimensions, the variable of mother’s education was the only effective common variable. It can be concluded that the higher rate of satisfaction relates to educated women and as agreement increases, the general health of the spouses and improvement in their married life take place.

The Role of Just in Time, Total Quality Management, and Supply Chain Management toward Better Operational Performance


Authors: Jamal Ahmed Al-Doori ; Alaa Alhorani ; Ahmad Yousef Areiqat
Pages: 949-956
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1295.1302
Abstract
The medical sector has entered an epoch of rapid innovation and strengthened competition that demands more creativity. That rapidly changing environment demand more flexibility for the operations. Although, various studies are available on the effects of multiple approaches on operational flexibility still JIT, TQM, and SCM never have been verified in the same study. This is empirically varification, a questionnaire has been distributed by convenience sampling in the medical sector of Jordan. Total 318 responses received and SPSS have been applied for multiple regression analysis. It has found that all three approaches have positive effects on operational flexibility but very minor even no approach has significant effects. This study is unique because it applies three diversified approaches in the same study and findings are unique. It is recommended for all managers of a medical sector that JIT, TQM, and SCM are not beneficial for operational flexibility for developing countries due to lack of resources, technology, and education. This study will help the researches that more studies need to verify for Jordan hospitals. Moreover, future studies can be done to identify the reasons behind these unique findings.

Sasadu: The Religious Social Spirit of Sahu Tribe Community in North Maluku - Indonesia


Authors: Ricardo Freedom Nanuru ; Misnal Munir ; Sindung Tjahyadi
Pages: 939-948
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1274.1283
Abstract
Development in various sectors of life will certainly have a major impact on society, both positive and negative. One of the negative impacts of modern development is the erosion of the values of the local wisdom of the community, including the values of local wisdom of Sahu people contained in their traditional house called Sasadu. The purpose of this research was to find out the philosophical values contained in Sasadu traditional houses and write them as part of the preservation of the values of community wisdom which would later be useful as a development filter. The method used was a combined method between library research supported by field research. The results found in this research were that the Sasadu traditional house in Sahu tribe community has a long history and traditional architecture which includes (1) social authority values; (2) legal values and social ethics; and (3) a belief system that is still practiced until now. Based on the results of this research, it can be stated that as a tribal community that still holds strong the local traditions of their ancestors (seen from the whole village that still has Sasadu traditional houses), Sahu tribe must prepare themselves by renewing their traditional pattern of view and being open to change without abandoning their religious social values, so as to anticipate the swift flow of modern development.

Alleviating Poverty Through Islamic Microfinance: Factors and Measures of Financial Performance, and Roles of Islamic Values and Financial Policies


Authors: Adhitya Ginanjar ; Salina Kassim
Pages: 931-938
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1266.1273
Abstract
Indonesia has a strong presence of microfinance sector with the number of Islamic Microfinance Institutions (IMFIs) estimated to be around 5,000 currently. Microfinance is an effective tool in alleviating poverty in Indonesia due to the limited access to financial services by the poor who accounted for approximately 96 million Indonesians (or 37% of the total population), living on less than USD 1.90 a day. In the absence of collateral and steady income, the poor are considered too risky to be given credit facilities by the formal financial services providers and living in remote areas has also limited their access to formal financial services. This study aims to examine the poverty alleviation efforts from the perspective of the IMFIs in view of their direct involvement in the process and having rich information about financial issues facing the borrowers. The managers also understand about financial inclusion agenda as well as financial guidelines and regulations issued by the relevant authorities. A total of 34 managers of Baitulmaal Wa Tamwil (BMTs), which registered under the Sharia Cooperative Centre (INKOPSYAH) are taken as respondents from the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (JABODETABEK) areas. The first instrument was a survey questionnaire, and the second one was an in-depth interview to outline data related to the model design. The findings of this research are expected to contribute to better decision-making for the BMTs to further enhance its role in alleviating poverty. The findings also elaborate several dimensions to improving financial inclusion among the poor including providing financial services, implementing Islamic principles, significant policies, community-based framework concept and training financial education. This research highlights the need for a variety of strategies to warrant success of poverty alleviation efforts by BMT.

Nigeria–China Relations: The Contemporary Challenges


Authors: Dr. Adigbuo Ebere Richard
Pages: 923-930
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1258.1265
Abstract
2018 marks the 47th anniversary of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations. Nigeria’s relation with china is decisively important for the future of both countries and to an ever evolving international system. It is appropriate to understand the contemporary challenges facing this relationship. Thus, this article examines Sino-Nigeria relation with a view to providing a balance sheet of cost and benefits. To do this, the study rests on qualitative research method that examines and synthesizes extant literature on international relations and in particular relevant literature on Sino-Nigeria relations. It is thus discovered that in the bilateral relations between the two countries, China has gained more than Nigeria in terms of balance of trade and the unwillingness of China to transfer technology to Nigeria. Since the relationship is asymmetrical, the article concludes that China cannot solve Nigeria’s problem and that the latter must learn from China bitter and hard way to greatness.

An Exploration of EFL Students' Use of Online English Reading Strategies at University Level


Authors: Kate Tzu-Ching Chen
Pages: 918-922
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1253.1257
Abstract
The purpose of this survey method study was to explore English as Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ online English reading strategies using Taiwanese university students as examples. The relationships between online English reading strategy and individual students’ characteristics were also examined. Data was obtained through a self-developed questionnaire with a cluster sample of 537 students from 11 universities. The collected data was then analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, and one way ANOVA in SPSS v.23, with the significance level set at .05. The results indicated that the participated students used online English reading strategies in a medium level. No significant difference was found in students’ uses of these strategies in genders and years of English learning experience, but in grade level and perceived reading ability. This study results provided information that completes the literature and implications for practice and directions for further research.

The Analysis of Factors Influencing Earning Management of Conventional Private Banking in Indonesia


Authors: Agnemas Yusoep Islami ; Jacquline Tham ; S. M. Ferdous Azam ; Eddy Yusuf ; Albattat Ahmad
Pages: 912-917
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1247.1252
Abstract
Earnings management is an alternative action to achieve their goals, although this action will produce financial reports that can mislead the reader, in fact, many banks in Indonesia do this practice. This study attempts to examine the effect of factors that influence earnings management in conventional Indonesian banks. The variables in this study are credit risk, capital adequacy ratio (CAR), size, managerial ownership and institutional ownership as independent variables and earnings management variables as dependent variables. The population in this study is a conventional private bank in Indonesia. This study uses a purposive sampling technique. The criteria for objects that can be used as samples in this study were obtained by 55 private banks with the period under study from 2015 - 2017. The number of units of analysis of this study was 141 units. The analysis technique used in this study is multiple regression analysis to find the effect of managerial ownership, institutional ownership, credit risk, capital adequacy ratio (CAR), and size factors on earnings management in conventional private banks in Indonesia. This study found that factors, size of banking, and CAR had a positive and significant effect on earning management of conventional private banks in Indonesia. Management ownership factors have a negative and significant effect on earnings management. While Institutional ownership factors have no significant effect on earnings management. This study uses the Jones model in measuring earnings management. In the future it will be better if all models that can measure earnings management are used so that the model can be compared more accurately and more in accordance with the factors we will examine.

On the Conflict of the End of History between Islamic Caliphate and Global Liberalism: From the Perspective of Thought and Public Opinion Leaders in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan


Authors: Khawlah M. AL-Tkhayneh
Pages: 899-911
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1234.1246
Abstract
This study aims to explore the opinions of thought and public opinion leaders in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, regarding the conflict of the end of history between Islamic caliphate and global liberalism. These two schools of thought were recently represented by the revolutions of the Arabic Spring in a number of Arab countries as well as the rising of political Islamic movements and the calls for overthrowing the so-called non-Islamic regimes. The uprisings of the Arab Spring started in Tunisia in 2011, calling for the return of the Islamic caliphate. To this end, the researcher conducted 9 interviews with a group of thought and public opinion leaders in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, a country which lies at the heart of the Arab Spring events. The researcher used a historical approach and analyzed the interviews using an analytical descriptive approach, calculating the frequencies in the participants’ responses. The results show that as far as the end of history is concerned, all interviewees agreed that there is a recent conflict between the model of Islamic caliphate, on the one hand, and the model of democratic liberalism represented by the dissertation of Francis Fukuyama, on the other. Since the conflict exists but relies on the interpretations of the concept of caliphate and the liberal perspective, there are some thinkers who believe that there is no contradiction between these two schools of thought. Their beliefs depend on the way by which each school of thought perceives its model, since there is no standardized Islamic model or standardized liberal model. Conversely, some thinkers believe that the conflict is Islamic-Islamic, rather than Islamic-liberal; thus, closing the door for diligence could be viewed as one reason for this internal conflict. Additionally, because variation rather than similarity is to be expected, conflict does follow. The participants also believe that the perception of caliphate is different from one political trend to another and is not within the religious sense of jihad among the armed political Islamic movements. Therefore, one of the most important recommendations suggested in this study relates to activating the role of the mosque and the church in society in a manner that surpasses the media which has the greatest effect on people’s values, while taking into consideration modernism in all the fields that may contribute to the interest of the society, the necessity of respecting people’s religious and ethnic backgrounds as well as national freedom. This is because plurality does not mean partition, rather it involves the enrichment of national unity, developing national culture, appreciating the efforts of people, rather than overlooking them, and finally exerting all efforts to make use of the experiences of others in all the domains that may benefit the interest of the society.

The Strategy of Community Empowerment for Bunggu Isolated Tribe in the Mamuju District


Authors: Amrin ; Chuduriah Sahabuddin ; Sitti Mujahida Baharuddin ; Umi Farida ; Yusriadi Yusriadi
Pages: 894-898
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1229.1233
Abstract
The implementation of the development is intended for the prosperity of the people; the application is carried out thoroughly to the remote areas to reach areas inhabited by isolated tribes. Empowering isolated tribes communities aims to improve welfare through structuring the settlement environment of the population of the isolated community so that they can get out from the shackles of his alienation. Separate community empowerment strategies are carried out by realizing the four elements of community empowerment: inclusion and participation, access to information, a capacity of local organizations, and professionalism of empowering actors.

The Impact of Other Comprehensive Income Items on Financial Performance: Case of Jordanian Commercial Banks


Authors: Adul Aziz Saymeh ; Ayman Mansour Khalaf ALkhazaleh ; Eman Marwan Musallam
Pages: 881-893
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1216.1228
Abstract
This study aims to determine the effect of the independent variable other comprehensive income on the dependent variables represented by the financial performance of commercial banks. Researcher has studied the case of Jordanian Commercial Banks during the period 2012 to 2017. The study sample consists of 13 Jordanian commercial banks. The study independent variable was given by the quotient of other comprehensive income on net income.  The ratios: financial performance by return on assets, and return on equity were the two dependent variables. Study hypotheses were tested by the simple regression equation and T- test. It was found that there was a statistically significant effect of other comprehensive income on the financial performance as measured by the return on assets and return on equity. This significance can be attributed to the increasing weight of other comprehensive income items which makes the value of other comprehensive income an indicator of profitability and efficiency of banks and means of maximizing their wealth. It is recommended that Amman Stock Exchange, Securities Commission and the Companies Control Department, to urge the companies listed on ASE to increase the awareness of companies’ management about the importance of other comprehensive income concept.

Environmental Concern, Health Consciousness and Purchase Intention of Green Products: An Application of Extended Theory of Planned Behavior


Authors: Jabori Shanawi Abdulsahib ; Bilal Eneizan ; Anas Salman Alabboodi
Pages: 868-880
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1203.1215
Abstract
Human health is crucial for every human being with their right to utilize and opt for safe and healthy products. The main reasons for consumer awareness about the products they use in their daily life are health consciousness and environmental concern. The environment is affected due to several issues such as pollution etc. it has been the most the cause of concern for general public and as a result the concept of green environment and the green product has emerged in many countries. As far as Iraq is a concern this issue is at infancy level especially for new consumers, however, the growth in the demand for environmentally friendly products is an increasing trend. This paper aims to find out the purchase intention of consumers towards green products. For this purpose, the sample was selected from Salahaddin University Iraq. The sample size was 161 students from the university. The hypotheses were tested using Smart PLS 3 and the results for the inner and outer model were presented in the study. The results showed 10 significant hypotheses however it was limited to the sample of university students because it is supposed that university student is more focused towards their health as well as environment. Moreover, theoretically this study is limited to the theory of planned behavior. The study helps policymakers to formulate strategies to aware consumers regarding their health and environmental issues especially the students. The study also discusses the recommendations.

Impact of Collocation Instruction on Kuwaiti ESL/EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension


Authors: Dr. Abbas Habor. Al-Shammari ; Mr. Ahmad Ali Sahiouni ; Ms. Muthmainnah. M. Pd
Pages: 858-867
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1193.1202
Abstract
Collocation refers to a group of two or more words that often go together or located in a certain manner in speech and writing. This research was intended to observe the impact of collocation instruction on Kuwaiti ESL/ EFL learners’ reading comprehension. The setting of this pragmatic research was English Language Unit (ELU), Kuwait University. For this purpose, 80 Arabic-speaking English learners, both male and female, at intermediate level were selected from English Language Unit. The participants’ age ranged 22-25 years. Their level of English was determined on the basis of their scores on Nelson Proficiency Test which was administered at the same time in four different classes i.e., two classes as the experimental group while the other two classes as the control group for the purpose of recent research. Some participants, however, were disqualified from the data analysis because a few of them didn’t show up in the pre-experimental test, while others missed some of the sessions in the experimental stage, or failed to answer the questionnaire. Due to these reasons, the participants in the experimental group and the control group were not equal. Finally, there were 32 students in the experimental group and 35 students in the respective control group. Therefore, the final total number of the sample was 67 subjects. The statistics for this study were collected from 67 participants. The paired-sample t-test showed very interesting results. The participants in the experimental group performed better than the participants in the control group in reading comprehension test. This research verified that collocation instruction, before the test is administered, had an important impact on Kuwaiti ESL/ EFL learners’ reading comprehension.

Development of Environmental Education Model for Primary School Pupils in Malaysia


Authors: Norazilawati Abdullah ; Kung-Teck Wong ; Rosnidar Mansor ; Lilia Halim ; Haryanti Mohd Affandi
Pages: 852-857
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1187.1192
Abstract
The research was conducted to develop an Environmental Education Model and to identify the level of awareness, knowledge, attitude and skill of primary school pupils in Malaysia towards the environment using the model. The research was conducted through a survey using a questionnaire. The sample was randomly selected, involving 1000 pupils of Year 5  from Peninsular Malaysia divided into four zones, north zone (Kedah), east zone (Kelantan), west zone (Kuala Lumpur) and south zone (Melaka). The findings showed that the level of awareness, knowledge, attitude and skill of pupil were at a high level. The model had been developed by looking at direct impact testing through Evaluation Assessment Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) which suggested that awareness and skill factors were factors that significantly influenced pupils’ attitudes toward environmental education. Both relationships were positive.  However, the relationship between knowledge and attitude was not significant. The findings also revealed that the awareness factor was the factor that most strongly influenced pupil’s attitudes. It can be concluded that the awareness variable was the main predictor of this structure model in predicting pupils’ appreciation toward environmental education.

Discourse on the Consumerist Community Consumption


Authors: M. Chairul Basrun Umanailo
Pages: 846-851
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1181.1186
Abstract
This article aims at analyzing community consumption as a practice model which will create a new model in the understanding of the consumption to the consumptive pattern. In its development, community consumption pattern brings about a shift because of technology and modern facility availability. An approach used to write this report is library research, while the analysis technique applied is a content analysis aiming at getting a valid inference and can be reobserved based on is context. The presence of technology as a representation of facility in the fulfillment of needs are able to encourage the creation of social change, like the spreading of consumerist culture, the change of fashion and lifestyle mode where this condition is institutionalized in a community culture structure so that consuming goods do not only depend on the needs logic but also cover to someone’s emotional substance. That situation systematically shifts traditional values and directs to the global behavior. Consumption towards the construction of consumptive society becomes a conceptual and historical illustration to understand the consumption shifting to the consumptive practice.

Fiscal Risk Matrix for G20 Countries


Authors: Sergey Vladimirovitch Anureev
Pages: 838-845
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/jssr.54.1159.1166
Abstract
Risk matrix, as a well know tool for corporate finance, penetrates public finance as a simplified idea in budgetary guides in a small number of leading countries only. At the same time the complexity of socio-economic environment of public finance, needs of public finance manageability and high sovereign debt call for advanced the risk matrix design. The first step of the research is the observation of the leading countries’ matrix examples and articles targeting the same topic to determine the risk matrix structure. The second step involves comprehensive reading of the most transparent countries to create a list of the matrix factors. The factors include key socio-economic events as sources of risks and key budgetary variables changes as types of risks. The third step ranges the matrix elements (cells) by their occurrence in G20 countries based on comprehensive reading of IMF countries’ reports. The research result is a one-page risk matrix with 10x13 key factors and many ranging elements, designed as the compromise between the environment complexity and manageability needs for public finance.