Purpose Problems of Malaysian construction industry have often been associated, in part to incompetent construction manager (CM) when managing the construction projects. Although various education and training provisions have been introduced, critics argue that the provisions have not been effective. Central in the debate on the adequacy of the CM education and training offered is the answer to the question of “what constitutes the technical competency of the CM?” The purpose of this paper is to present the study that identifies the technical competencies required by the CM to address the question. Design/methodology/approach Multi-layered thematic analysis of literature was first carried out to identify the technical competency elements. Then, interviews were undertaken to confirm the elements of competencies. It was followed with questionnaire surveys to test the validity of the technical competencies against different contractors’ category and grade/size. Findings The findings suggest that the technical competencies of CM are generic, regardless of the size of construction organisation or the types of projects they undertake. A total of 16 CM technical competencies were identified which include the ability to manage: staff, materials, labour, plant, sub-contractors, safety, money, quality, time, environment, site administration, pre-construction activities, project closeout and handover, third parties, computer literacy, and construction contract. Originality/value The findings suggest that generic education and training is possible to develop technically competent CM. It also provides insights to the CM technical competencies which the industry is expecting.

The past decades have witnessed the beginning of a major directional change of consumer behaviour, from physical stores purchasing behaviour to online purchasing behaviour in the retailing industry, especially the youngsters in Malaysia. Therefore, the aim of this research is to evaluate and validate the impacts of perceived technology and perceived risk on the online trust and how online trust is related to online purchase intention. This study also investigates the impact of online trust in mediating the relationship between perceived technology and online purchase intention. A total of 250 sets of questionnaire were distributed to the full time undergraduate information technology students in a private university that is located in Kuala Lumpur. The findings revealed that perceived technology and perceived risk are positively related to the online trust; online trust is positively related to online purchase intention and perceived technology is positively related to the online purchase intention. In addition, the finding also concluded that perceived technology is positively related to online purchase intention, mediated by online trust.www.ccsenet.org/ijbm

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The research reported in the paper examines the impact of hygiene education on health awareness. The sample for the study consisted of 75 male and 75 female Sarna tribal 9th and 10th grade students selected on a stratified random basis from school located at Namkum block. The sample was classified into Control, Experimental Group I and Experimental Group II, each represented by 25 male and 25 female students. The Experimental Groups were exposed to audio-visual hygiene educational materials four times after a successive interval of one week. While the experiment group I was allowed to discuss, the experimental group II did not discuss the educational materials. Analysis of data based on F-test and t ratios indicated that: (i) the groups exposed to educational materials had better health awareness than the control group, (ii) health awareness increased remarkably with the frequency of the intervention, (iii) educational materials presented with discussion were more effective than the education materials presented without discussion.

Pondok is the earliest traditional Islamic education institution established in Malaysia in the 19th century. Kelantan is one of the states in Malaysia with many pondoks until it’s known as "Serambi Mekah" (the veranda of Mecca). However, the pondok system has experienced a drastic decline since the 20th century and some were closed. Among the factors that led to the fall of this institution are the challenges from modern educational institutions such as the schools and madrasah, the death of teachers and the dependence on the traditional system of studies. So, the pondok system needs to be modernised with the purpose to spread Islamic education and knowledge to the Muslim community in Malaysia today. Hence, the objective of this study is to review the development of Pondok Sungai Durian and to study the modernisation of the education system practiced by this pondok. To achieve this objective, this study used qualitative method of study, which were the library research and field studies based on document analysis, interviews and observations at Pondok Sungai Durian to obtain research data. The findings show that the transformation of Pondok Sungai Durian has created harmonisation between traditional learning system based on the halaqah, talaqqi and the use of turath kitab with the modern system based on a classroom system with a more contemporary syllabus. In addition, this system encourages and enhances students' knowledge as they are exposed to the traditional and modern studies at the same time, and this is important in generating the culture of knowledge and producing authoritative `ulama’ in this era of globalisation. Hence, the survival of Pondok Sungai Durian as a centre of Islamic education that retains the elements of traditional and modern studies is very relevant today. The development of the pondok system, especially Pondok Sungai Durian, has contributed to the development of charismatic characters among the `ulama’ (Islamic scholars), the intellectual development, da'wah and the growth of Islamic knowledge among Muslim community.