Semiotic knowledge toward heritage product in tourism industry： A case of Terengganu

In order to provide an appropriate context for the current state of the heritage product in tourism industry, semiotic knowledge become an important role to know deeply the identity, philosophy, and also the meaning of behind the actual product. Scott （2000） stresses the requirement of aesthetic and semiotic content in a creative product, instead of creativity. But, how many of retailers and salespersons in heritage product believe the semiotic as knowledge to present the product and opportunities in their selling？ According to Kotler （2000） a good personal selling will provide a detailed explanation or demonstration of the product. The message can be varied by the salesperson to fit the motivations and interests or each prospective customer. So, the purpose of this paper is to closely examine the level of awareness among retailers and salesperson toward the important of semiotic knowledge as part of strategic persuasion in a selling process. This survey study will develop a sample among retailers and salesperson in Kuala Terengganu as a respondent who give the feedback to fulfill the research questions.

Corporate governance mechanisms and firm valuation in Malaysian listed firms： A panel data analysis

Corporate governance mechanisms emerge to tackle agency problems in ensuring that shareholders＇ funds are not expropriated or wasted on unprofitable activities. The issue arises as to whether these improvements have been effective in reducing agency costs, and therefore enhancing firm value. The objectives of this paper is to examine the effects of governance mechanisms of dividend, types of ownership structure, and board governance on firm value. This paper utilises a panel data analysis of 403 firms listed on the Bursa Malaysia over a four-year period from years 2002 to 2005. A hierarchical regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses and the data is analysed using the generalized least square （GLS） estimation technique. Overall, the results highlight the importance of moderating role played by board governance variables with types of ownership structure to influence firm value. However, the benefits of better corporate governance through enhanced board governance are not the same across all firms since their incentives vary with respect to dividend and different types of ownership structure mechanisms.

Forecasting on Crude Palm Oil Prices Using Artificial Intelligence Approaches

An accurate prediction of crude palm oil (CPO) prices is important especially when investors deal with ever-increasing risks and uncertainties in the future. Therefore, the applicability of the forecasting approaches in predicting the CPO prices is becoming the matter into concerns. In this study, two artificial intelligence approaches, has been used namely artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). We employed in-sample forecasting on daily free-on-board CPO prices in Malaysia and the series data stretching from a period of January first, 2004 to the end of December 2011. The predictability power of the artificial intelligence approaches was also made in regard with the statistical forecasting approach such as the autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA) model. The general findings demonstrated that the ANN model is superior compared to the ANFIS and ARFIMA models in predicting the CPO prices.

THE EMERGING CHALLENGE:THE VALIDITY OF COMPUTATIONAL ORGANIZATION MODEL AND METHODOLOGY

The validity of the computational organization model is a necessary condition and also poses a bottleneck in computational organization theory development.Established on the frontline of computational organization theory,this paper provides an overall discussion on the difficulties in validation and validation methodology of the computational organization model.First,different from natural engineering system model,and also exceeding the traditional empirical method,the computational organization model is faced with various subjective and objective difficulties during the validation progress;second,in developing the situational validation methodology based on relationships among problem field,modeling purpose and referents,it is important for the computational organization model that the validation is conducted according to certain degree;third,the establishment of verification,validation and accreditation approach(VV&A),which is different from the natural engineering system,is an irresistible trend for future development of the computational organization model.Model validation should be focused on concept validation,operation validation,and data validation,as well as the principle of iterative validation approach and such validation should be conducted throughout the modeling process;finally,the validation of computational organization model should be the process to enhance people’s confidence in the model.From the perspective of review,if the model is able to pass through all the validation tests,it is helpful for a better understanding of the model’s ability,limitation and applicability.In this case,research from interdisciplinary experts is required urgently.