Malaysia is a developing multicultural nation that is experiencing population aging with an estim... more Malaysia is a developing multicultural nation that is experiencing population aging with an estimated seven percent of the population made up of individuals aged 65 and above in 2020. The diverse cultures as well as the growing older persons population makes Malaysia an interesting population to be studied; however, the stereotypes held about older persons (limited spending power and frail) have prevented marketers from giving the rightful focus on this growing market segment. Food consumption trend is different among age groups, and little is known about the restaurant choice behaviour among older persons in Malaysia. This study explored demographic characteristics that influence older persons restaurant visiting and ordering behaviour. Through qualitative approach, 15 informants aged 55 and above were purposively sampled from Klang Valley. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded; then transcribed, translated, content analysed and coded into themes. The results of this study revealed that the demographic characteristics that influenced dining out behaviour were education level, income and employment status, and culture and religion. Surprisingly, those with higher education level were more empathetic and tolerant towards low-skilled foreign workers. Additionally, they preferred the indoor comforts of clean air and air conditioning of the foodservice establishment; whereas their counterparts preferred the natural and spacious environment of outdoor dining. This study revealed some insights on the demographic characteristics that influenced older consumers dining out and ordering behaviour in Klang Valley; in the hope to initiate
Grasshopper has been long accepted as an exotic food by many countries in the Southeast Asian reg... more Grasshopper has been long accepted as an exotic food by many countries in the Southeast Asian region especially Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines and Indonesia. In the case of Malaysia, traditionally, grasshoppers particularly belalang padi is quite popular among the local farmers most notably at the countryside, where the grasshopper can be eaten raw, sun-dried, fried, flavoured with spices, and used in soups or as fillings for various dishes. In line with the increasing trend of introducing insects in high-end dining restaurant in the Western culinary world, restaurants in Malaysia has put an effort to introduce stylish and chic feast from grasshopper as a fusion culinary feature
Eggs are symbol of fertility. For generations eggs have been used as protein that is required by ... more Eggs are symbol of fertility. For generations eggs have been used as protein that is required by our bodily functions. Not only fresh eggs are used, many preserved eggs are also popular in many countries. For the Malays, hard boiled eggs are used as gifts in many events, especially in wedding reception and thanksgiving ceremonies. Telur pindang, which is popular in the state of Johor, is a hard boiled herbal egg that is served at weddings. It has been adopted from the Chinese culture. However, in the Chinese culture, century eggs and salted duck eggs have been passed down for many generations
No other insect has served the needs of humankind like the honey bees. Even in religious, holy an... more No other insect has served the needs of humankind like the honey bees. Even in religious, holy and noble references such as the Koran, Torah, Bible and Talmud, the miracles of honey have been cited several times. For centuries, honey is not only used as food but also as medicine wherein it helps prevent infection, fights bacteria, and promotes healing (wounds, burns, pains). During the ancient Egyptian era, honey is utilized for embalming and preserving mummies by preventing bacteria from reachingthe dead body. The role of honey is recognized in man's world of culinary. The best way to consume honey is to take it as it is because honey can be very soothing
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences : MJMS, 2021
Background The objective of the study is to assess the performance of the Food Safety Management ... more Background The objective of the study is to assess the performance of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) among powdered beverage manufacturers using Food Safety Management System Diagnostic Tools (FSMS-DI) and Microbial Assessment Scheme (MAS). Methods FSMS-DI was used to evaluate the context factors, core control and core assurance activities of five powdered beverage manufacturers with different types of FSMS certification. Manufacturer A is not certified with any FSMS, while manufacturers B, C, D and E are complied with MeSTI, GMP, HACCP and ISO 22000, respectively. For MAS, samples were collected from the selected critical sampling locations of two manufacturers who complied FSMS with the least (manufacturer B) and the most stringent (manufacturer E) requirements. The samples consisted of two different types of powdered beverage products were analysed for total plate count (TPC), Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, yeast and mould count (YMC). Results: The...
Athletes are a special group of consumers whose specific diet requirement is important during tra... more Athletes are a special group of consumers whose specific diet requirement is important during training and competition to ensure their success. As commercial foodservice establishments are increasing involved in providing foods to this group of consumers on one hand and the lack of research investigating the athletes’ dining satisfaction, especially meeting their diet requirement on the other hand, this study was conducted to investigate the influence of nutritional factors in athletes’ dining satisfaction and the acceptance of various foods provided in an international sporting event. Following a stratified random sampling, 700 athletes were selected from the entire population of 1330 participants. The final usable sample size was 450 (64.3% response rate). Regression analysis revealed that overall service, overall food quality, grooming of server, and nutritional information tag significantly influence the overall dining satisfaction among athletes. In addition, nutritional value,...
Cultural heritage food experiences in tourism destination hold a boundless impression on tourists... more Cultural heritage food experiences in tourism destination hold a boundless impression on tourists' loyalty towards a destination. The researchers conducted a survey on 100 international tourists and used multiple regression analysis to verify the factors affecting the intentional loyalty on heritage food consumption. Consequently, this study encountered that both Food Culture Involvement and Malaysian Food Culture had impact on tourists' Intentional Loyalty that involves revisiting Malaysia and repurchasing MHF. Also, this research outlines substantive recommendations on marketing strategies specifically for food providers to market MHF in establishing Malaysia as the distinctive food tourism destination in the eyes of the world.
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2008
BACKGROUND: In vivo investigations were made of the effect of defatted dried roselle seed powder ... more BACKGROUND: In vivo investigations were made of the effect of defatted dried roselle seed powder (DRS) on the lipid profiles of rats with induced hypercholesterolemia. The two‐batch sample consisted of 23 and 20 Sprague‐Dawley male rats randomly divided into four groups and fed with four different diets. The first batch of rats was fed with normal, hypercholesterol, hypercholesterol + 10 g kg−1 (w/w) DRS and hypercholesterol + 20 g kg−1 (w/w) DRS diets. The second batch of rats was fed with normal, hypercholesterol, hypercholesterol + 50 g kg−1 (w/w) DRS and hypercholesterol + 150 g kg−1 (w/w) DRS diets. Treatments were given for a total of 5 weeks.RESULTS: Results indicated that the addition of 10 g kg−1 and 20 g kg−1 of DRS did not significantly lower the plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels. In contrast, 50 g kg−1 and 150g kg−1 DRS significantly lowered (P < 0.05) the TC and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels.CONCLUSION: The addition of 50 g kg−1 and 150 g kg−1...
The growth of older adults globally is inevitable as the by-product of medical technology advance... more The growth of older adults globally is inevitable as the by-product of medical technology advancement and lower fertility rate. Nevertheless, this age segment does not receive the attention they should as a consumer. While there are many studies done about restaurant preferences of older adults, the factors that stand as a barrier for the older segment to visit a restaurant were not given much importance. To fill the gap in the literature, this research will focus on identifying the barriers preventing older adults to visit a restaurant. Qualitative approach was used in this study. 15 informants aged 55 or above were chosen from Klang Valley using the purposive sampling method. The semi-structured interviews were recorded using a voice recorder. The obtained recordings were then transcribed, translated, coded, and analysed. Atlas.ti software (version 7) was used to help in the coding of the themes. Barriers identified in this research were cleanliness, service quality, ageing, life's perspective and food. Recognising these barriers and improvising the restaurant marketing strategy based on it is expected to be beneficial.
This paper examines relationship between media literacy and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) ... more This paper examines relationship between media literacy and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables focusing on consumption of soft drink among adolescents in Klang Valley, Malaysia. In addition, this paper also determines soft drink consumption, level of media literacy and the influences of the TPB variables on the intention of soft drink consumption. A cluster sampling method was used in collecting data within the Klang Valley area. The sample consisted of 436 adolescents from secondary school, aged between 13 to 18 years old. Two main scales utilized were Media Literacy (ML) scale and TPB scale. The descriptive, multiple linear regression and Pearson product-moment correlation analyses were carried out to answer the research objectives. Results revealed that 36% of respondents drank a minimum of 1 can, bottle or glass of soft drink for the past seven days and possess good level of media literacy (35%). Meanwhile, 14% of variance in adolescents' intention of soft drink consumption is explained by TPB variables. Additionally, the total media literacy score towards soft drink advertisement was significantly positively correlated with attitude (r = 0.250, p<.05) and subjective norms (r = 0.174, p<.05). Conversely, total media literacy was significant negatively correlated with intention to consume soft drink (r =-0.19, p<.05) and indicated that media literacy could lower the intention to consume soft drink, thus can reduce soft drink consumption among adolescents. The importance of this study is to help the authorities, soft drink marketers and producers in Malaysia to better understand media literacy and adolescent soft drink consumption behavior.
Edible bird's nest 'yan wo' has been referred to as the 'Caviar of the East'. Like caviar, the sa... more Edible bird's nest 'yan wo' has been referred to as the 'Caviar of the East'. Like caviar, the salt-cured eggs of sturgeons, the edible bird's nest is expensive and prized as a delicacy, but more than caviar, it is also highly regarded as a health food. Premium nests come from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The edible bird's nests are essentially constructed from the salivary secretion of swiftlets, small birds that usually dwell in caves.
At a glance the title may remind you of the famous song. Interestingly, it is in fact describing ... more At a glance the title may remind you of the famous song. Interestingly, it is in fact describing a popular delicacy in the Asian region. You may not know the name of the chicken, but a description of this chicken may jog your memory. The unusual black-skinned and black-boned Silkie Chicken or scientifically known as Gallus gallus domesticus is named for its fluffy silk-like plumage that may range in colour from white, black, grey or gold. Uniquely the Silkie also has five toes compared to the normal chickens that have 4. Its friendly and docile temperament makes them charming as pets. The brooding characteristic of the "Silkie girls" also makes them excellent mothers even to adopted eggs of other chickens or birds. The Silkie is considered a delicacy in the Orient. Believed to have medicinal properties the Silkie is often an important ingredient in the Herbal Silkie Soup, which is often augmented with ginger and red dates. It is said that the soup can increase female fertility and nourishing for the developing human foetus, also restores the vitality of new moms. The Silkie are revered for their beauty, friendliness, adaptability and health benefits. The flesh and skin are eaten, the bones made into stocks. Nothing is wasted, even after the bones are spent; it is dried, crushed and made into pills used as medicine. It is said that the Silkie may protect against aging by preventing atherosclerosis, joint inflammation, and Alzheimer's disease. The eggs are said to lower cholesterol as it contains high levels of unsaturated fatty acid. So next time, you see a black-skinned, blackboned chicken with five toes, be sure to try it!
The foodservice industry is among one of the largest industries that contribute significantly to ... more The foodservice industry is among one of the largest industries that contribute significantly to Malaysia's economic growth. The restaurant businesses are operating as a highly competitive market as many food operators are competing with each other in attracting customers. Mamak restaurant is one of the well-established ethnic-based restaurants in Malaysia which is usually seen fully packed with customers most of the time. Despite, the popularity of Mamak restaurant has been acknowledged in many previous studies, there is no attempt done to explore factors that enable the Mamak restaurant to be successful. Therefore, this paper intended to explore success factors of Mamak restaurant in Malaysia based on the customers' perspective and the managerial practices of the Mamak restaurant operators. This paper also aimed to create a business model of success factors of the Mamak restaurant which could be a benchmark by prospective restauranteurs and researchers. The data was collec...
This paper examines relationship between media literacy and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) ... more This paper examines relationship between media literacy and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables focusing on consumption of soft drink among adolescents in Klang Valley, Malaysia. In addition, this paper also determines soft drink consumption, level of media literacy and the influences of the TPB variables on the intention of soft drink consumption. A cluster sampling method was used in collecting data within the Klang Valley area. The sample consisted of 436 adolescents from secondary school, aged between 13 to 18 years old. Two main scales utilized were Media Literacy (ML) scale and TPB scale. The descriptive, multiple linear regression and Pearson product-moment correlation analyses were carried out to answer the research objectives. Results revealed that 36% of respondents drank a minimum of 1 can, bottle or glass of soft drink for the past seven days and possess good level of media literacy (35%).Meanwhile, 14% of variance in adolescents’ intention of soft drink consu...
Edible bird’s nest ‘yan wo’ has been referred to as the ‘Caviar of the East’. Like caviar, the sa... more Edible bird’s nest ‘yan wo’ has been referred to as the ‘Caviar of the East’. Like caviar, the salt-cured eggs of sturgeons, the edible bird’s nest is expensive and prized as a delicacy, but more than caviar, it is also highly regarded as a health food. Premium nests come from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The edible bird’s nests are essentially constructed from the salivary secretion of swiftlets, small birds that usually dwell in caves.
Aging or growing old is an inevitable, rather than viewing this as another life stage, this trans... more Aging or growing old is an inevitable, rather than viewing this as another life stage, this transition period are not easily welcomed by many. The main reason is because with age we are getting more susceptible to disease and disability. This mind-set is changing slowly thanks to the progress in healthcare and government policy that not only care for their health but also helps the older people to lead a better life in their golden age. It is important to acknowledge this age group not just because they are living longer; it is also because they are getting bigger in size and economic power. The purpose of this study is to find out what would be the factor for older adults in Malaysia to dine out. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were done with Malaysian older people ages 55 and above (focusing mainly on those with education up to secondary school). 10 informers were interviewed for this study. The result of this study were analysed using the Atlas.ti software. Result of this stu...
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 2021
Placing Industry Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) at the forefront of the digital agenda in all manufacturi... more Placing Industry Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) at the forefront of the digital agenda in all manufacturing industries aims to modernize industrial capability and increase competitiveness. The foodservice industry embraces this current revolution, where digital dining offers mesmerizing experiences by making the trip to restaurants more appealing and interactive. However, it is questionable if Malaysia is ready to adapt or adopt IR4.0 technologies as issues pertaining to equipment, facilities, services, and employees appear as challenges. Thus, this study explores the internal issues and identifies external challenges the QSR restaurants' managerial team faces in implementing the self-ordering kiosk (SOKs). This qualitative research obtained the data from interview sessions with informants from the management team (managers and crews) of QSR restaurants applying SOKs at their places. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings showed that among the internal issues in implementing the SOKs are the insufficient number of employees and limited restaurant space. The customer acceptances, technology restrictions, and the need for regular updates are within the restaurants' external challenges in executing this innovation. In conclusion, the findings of this research can facilitate existing restaurants in managing the technology applied and, at the same time, improve their service in offering a digital dining experience to millennial customers.
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 2020
Researchers advocated that there are many issues of fresh graduates' competencies, including insu... more Researchers advocated that there are many issues of fresh graduates' competencies, including insufficient skills to meet the requirement as expected by the industry. The purpose of this study was to discover the entry-level competencies demanded by the restaurant employers towards fresh graduates. The dynamic workforce and the mismatch competencies claimed by employers are the issues that trigger education stakeholders, particularly in Malaysia. Responses were obtained from eight restaurant managers in Klang Valley, through a semi-structured interview. The data were then analyzed using thematic analysis. There were nine competencies emerged from this study, which reflect the entry-level competencies demanded by restaurant managers towards fresh graduates, namely: 1) attitude and behavior, 2) cognitive skill, 3) communication skill, 4) knowledge in the discipline area, 5) professionalism and work ethics, 6) technical skill, 7) teamwork, 8) leadership and 9) experience. It is anticipated that the findings will be able to fulfill the restaurant's needs by giving a clear picture of the essential competencies that need to be infused in the university's curriculum. Besides, both educators and fresh graduates will have an insight into the preparation for working in the restaurant industry.
Malaysia is a developing multicultural nation that is experiencing population aging with an estim... more Malaysia is a developing multicultural nation that is experiencing population aging with an estimated seven percent of the population made up of individuals aged 65 and above in 2020. The diverse cultures as well as the growing older persons population makes Malaysia an interesting population to be studied; however, the stereotypes held about older persons (limited spending power and frail) have prevented marketers from giving the rightful focus on this growing market segment. Food consumption trend is different among age groups, and little is known about the restaurant choice behaviour among older persons in Malaysia. This study explored demographic characteristics that influence older persons restaurant visiting and ordering behaviour. Through qualitative approach, 15 informants aged 55 and above were purposively sampled from Klang Valley. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded; then transcribed, translated, content analysed and coded into themes. The results of this study revealed that the demographic characteristics that influenced dining out behaviour were education level, income and employment status, and culture and religion. Surprisingly, those with higher education level were more empathetic and tolerant towards low-skilled foreign workers. Additionally, they preferred the indoor comforts of clean air and air conditioning of the foodservice establishment; whereas their counterparts preferred the natural and spacious environment of outdoor dining. This study revealed some insights on the demographic characteristics that influenced older consumers dining out and ordering behaviour in Klang Valley; in the hope to initiate
Grasshopper has been long accepted as an exotic food by many countries in the Southeast Asian reg... more Grasshopper has been long accepted as an exotic food by many countries in the Southeast Asian region especially Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines and Indonesia. In the case of Malaysia, traditionally, grasshoppers particularly belalang padi is quite popular among the local farmers most notably at the countryside, where the grasshopper can be eaten raw, sun-dried, fried, flavoured with spices, and used in soups or as fillings for various dishes. In line with the increasing trend of introducing insects in high-end dining restaurant in the Western culinary world, restaurants in Malaysia has put an effort to introduce stylish and chic feast from grasshopper as a fusion culinary feature
Eggs are symbol of fertility. For generations eggs have been used as protein that is required by ... more Eggs are symbol of fertility. For generations eggs have been used as protein that is required by our bodily functions. Not only fresh eggs are used, many preserved eggs are also popular in many countries. For the Malays, hard boiled eggs are used as gifts in many events, especially in wedding reception and thanksgiving ceremonies. Telur pindang, which is popular in the state of Johor, is a hard boiled herbal egg that is served at weddings. It has been adopted from the Chinese culture. However, in the Chinese culture, century eggs and salted duck eggs have been passed down for many generations
No other insect has served the needs of humankind like the honey bees. Even in religious, holy an... more No other insect has served the needs of humankind like the honey bees. Even in religious, holy and noble references such as the Koran, Torah, Bible and Talmud, the miracles of honey have been cited several times. For centuries, honey is not only used as food but also as medicine wherein it helps prevent infection, fights bacteria, and promotes healing (wounds, burns, pains). During the ancient Egyptian era, honey is utilized for embalming and preserving mummies by preventing bacteria from reachingthe dead body. The role of honey is recognized in man's world of culinary. The best way to consume honey is to take it as it is because honey can be very soothing
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences : MJMS, 2021
Background The objective of the study is to assess the performance of the Food Safety Management ... more Background The objective of the study is to assess the performance of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) among powdered beverage manufacturers using Food Safety Management System Diagnostic Tools (FSMS-DI) and Microbial Assessment Scheme (MAS). Methods FSMS-DI was used to evaluate the context factors, core control and core assurance activities of five powdered beverage manufacturers with different types of FSMS certification. Manufacturer A is not certified with any FSMS, while manufacturers B, C, D and E are complied with MeSTI, GMP, HACCP and ISO 22000, respectively. For MAS, samples were collected from the selected critical sampling locations of two manufacturers who complied FSMS with the least (manufacturer B) and the most stringent (manufacturer E) requirements. The samples consisted of two different types of powdered beverage products were analysed for total plate count (TPC), Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, yeast and mould count (YMC). Results: The...
Athletes are a special group of consumers whose specific diet requirement is important during tra... more Athletes are a special group of consumers whose specific diet requirement is important during training and competition to ensure their success. As commercial foodservice establishments are increasing involved in providing foods to this group of consumers on one hand and the lack of research investigating the athletes’ dining satisfaction, especially meeting their diet requirement on the other hand, this study was conducted to investigate the influence of nutritional factors in athletes’ dining satisfaction and the acceptance of various foods provided in an international sporting event. Following a stratified random sampling, 700 athletes were selected from the entire population of 1330 participants. The final usable sample size was 450 (64.3% response rate). Regression analysis revealed that overall service, overall food quality, grooming of server, and nutritional information tag significantly influence the overall dining satisfaction among athletes. In addition, nutritional value,...
Cultural heritage food experiences in tourism destination hold a boundless impression on tourists... more Cultural heritage food experiences in tourism destination hold a boundless impression on tourists' loyalty towards a destination. The researchers conducted a survey on 100 international tourists and used multiple regression analysis to verify the factors affecting the intentional loyalty on heritage food consumption. Consequently, this study encountered that both Food Culture Involvement and Malaysian Food Culture had impact on tourists' Intentional Loyalty that involves revisiting Malaysia and repurchasing MHF. Also, this research outlines substantive recommendations on marketing strategies specifically for food providers to market MHF in establishing Malaysia as the distinctive food tourism destination in the eyes of the world.
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2008
BACKGROUND: In vivo investigations were made of the effect of defatted dried roselle seed powder ... more BACKGROUND: In vivo investigations were made of the effect of defatted dried roselle seed powder (DRS) on the lipid profiles of rats with induced hypercholesterolemia. The two‐batch sample consisted of 23 and 20 Sprague‐Dawley male rats randomly divided into four groups and fed with four different diets. The first batch of rats was fed with normal, hypercholesterol, hypercholesterol + 10 g kg−1 (w/w) DRS and hypercholesterol + 20 g kg−1 (w/w) DRS diets. The second batch of rats was fed with normal, hypercholesterol, hypercholesterol + 50 g kg−1 (w/w) DRS and hypercholesterol + 150 g kg−1 (w/w) DRS diets. Treatments were given for a total of 5 weeks.RESULTS: Results indicated that the addition of 10 g kg−1 and 20 g kg−1 of DRS did not significantly lower the plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels. In contrast, 50 g kg−1 and 150g kg−1 DRS significantly lowered (P < 0.05) the TC and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels.CONCLUSION: The addition of 50 g kg−1 and 150 g kg−1...
The growth of older adults globally is inevitable as the by-product of medical technology advance... more The growth of older adults globally is inevitable as the by-product of medical technology advancement and lower fertility rate. Nevertheless, this age segment does not receive the attention they should as a consumer. While there are many studies done about restaurant preferences of older adults, the factors that stand as a barrier for the older segment to visit a restaurant were not given much importance. To fill the gap in the literature, this research will focus on identifying the barriers preventing older adults to visit a restaurant. Qualitative approach was used in this study. 15 informants aged 55 or above were chosen from Klang Valley using the purposive sampling method. The semi-structured interviews were recorded using a voice recorder. The obtained recordings were then transcribed, translated, coded, and analysed. Atlas.ti software (version 7) was used to help in the coding of the themes. Barriers identified in this research were cleanliness, service quality, ageing, life's perspective and food. Recognising these barriers and improvising the restaurant marketing strategy based on it is expected to be beneficial.
This paper examines relationship between media literacy and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) ... more This paper examines relationship between media literacy and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables focusing on consumption of soft drink among adolescents in Klang Valley, Malaysia. In addition, this paper also determines soft drink consumption, level of media literacy and the influences of the TPB variables on the intention of soft drink consumption. A cluster sampling method was used in collecting data within the Klang Valley area. The sample consisted of 436 adolescents from secondary school, aged between 13 to 18 years old. Two main scales utilized were Media Literacy (ML) scale and TPB scale. The descriptive, multiple linear regression and Pearson product-moment correlation analyses were carried out to answer the research objectives. Results revealed that 36% of respondents drank a minimum of 1 can, bottle or glass of soft drink for the past seven days and possess good level of media literacy (35%). Meanwhile, 14% of variance in adolescents' intention of soft drink consumption is explained by TPB variables. Additionally, the total media literacy score towards soft drink advertisement was significantly positively correlated with attitude (r = 0.250, p<.05) and subjective norms (r = 0.174, p<.05). Conversely, total media literacy was significant negatively correlated with intention to consume soft drink (r =-0.19, p<.05) and indicated that media literacy could lower the intention to consume soft drink, thus can reduce soft drink consumption among adolescents. The importance of this study is to help the authorities, soft drink marketers and producers in Malaysia to better understand media literacy and adolescent soft drink consumption behavior.
Edible bird's nest 'yan wo' has been referred to as the 'Caviar of the East'. Like caviar, the sa... more Edible bird's nest 'yan wo' has been referred to as the 'Caviar of the East'. Like caviar, the salt-cured eggs of sturgeons, the edible bird's nest is expensive and prized as a delicacy, but more than caviar, it is also highly regarded as a health food. Premium nests come from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The edible bird's nests are essentially constructed from the salivary secretion of swiftlets, small birds that usually dwell in caves.
At a glance the title may remind you of the famous song. Interestingly, it is in fact describing ... more At a glance the title may remind you of the famous song. Interestingly, it is in fact describing a popular delicacy in the Asian region. You may not know the name of the chicken, but a description of this chicken may jog your memory. The unusual black-skinned and black-boned Silkie Chicken or scientifically known as Gallus gallus domesticus is named for its fluffy silk-like plumage that may range in colour from white, black, grey or gold. Uniquely the Silkie also has five toes compared to the normal chickens that have 4. Its friendly and docile temperament makes them charming as pets. The brooding characteristic of the "Silkie girls" also makes them excellent mothers even to adopted eggs of other chickens or birds. The Silkie is considered a delicacy in the Orient. Believed to have medicinal properties the Silkie is often an important ingredient in the Herbal Silkie Soup, which is often augmented with ginger and red dates. It is said that the soup can increase female fertility and nourishing for the developing human foetus, also restores the vitality of new moms. The Silkie are revered for their beauty, friendliness, adaptability and health benefits. The flesh and skin are eaten, the bones made into stocks. Nothing is wasted, even after the bones are spent; it is dried, crushed and made into pills used as medicine. It is said that the Silkie may protect against aging by preventing atherosclerosis, joint inflammation, and Alzheimer's disease. The eggs are said to lower cholesterol as it contains high levels of unsaturated fatty acid. So next time, you see a black-skinned, blackboned chicken with five toes, be sure to try it!
The foodservice industry is among one of the largest industries that contribute significantly to ... more The foodservice industry is among one of the largest industries that contribute significantly to Malaysia's economic growth. The restaurant businesses are operating as a highly competitive market as many food operators are competing with each other in attracting customers. Mamak restaurant is one of the well-established ethnic-based restaurants in Malaysia which is usually seen fully packed with customers most of the time. Despite, the popularity of Mamak restaurant has been acknowledged in many previous studies, there is no attempt done to explore factors that enable the Mamak restaurant to be successful. Therefore, this paper intended to explore success factors of Mamak restaurant in Malaysia based on the customers' perspective and the managerial practices of the Mamak restaurant operators. This paper also aimed to create a business model of success factors of the Mamak restaurant which could be a benchmark by prospective restauranteurs and researchers. The data was collec...
This paper examines relationship between media literacy and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) ... more This paper examines relationship between media literacy and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables focusing on consumption of soft drink among adolescents in Klang Valley, Malaysia. In addition, this paper also determines soft drink consumption, level of media literacy and the influences of the TPB variables on the intention of soft drink consumption. A cluster sampling method was used in collecting data within the Klang Valley area. The sample consisted of 436 adolescents from secondary school, aged between 13 to 18 years old. Two main scales utilized were Media Literacy (ML) scale and TPB scale. The descriptive, multiple linear regression and Pearson product-moment correlation analyses were carried out to answer the research objectives. Results revealed that 36% of respondents drank a minimum of 1 can, bottle or glass of soft drink for the past seven days and possess good level of media literacy (35%).Meanwhile, 14% of variance in adolescents’ intention of soft drink consu...
Edible bird’s nest ‘yan wo’ has been referred to as the ‘Caviar of the East’. Like caviar, the sa... more Edible bird’s nest ‘yan wo’ has been referred to as the ‘Caviar of the East’. Like caviar, the salt-cured eggs of sturgeons, the edible bird’s nest is expensive and prized as a delicacy, but more than caviar, it is also highly regarded as a health food. Premium nests come from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The edible bird’s nests are essentially constructed from the salivary secretion of swiftlets, small birds that usually dwell in caves.
Aging or growing old is an inevitable, rather than viewing this as another life stage, this trans... more Aging or growing old is an inevitable, rather than viewing this as another life stage, this transition period are not easily welcomed by many. The main reason is because with age we are getting more susceptible to disease and disability. This mind-set is changing slowly thanks to the progress in healthcare and government policy that not only care for their health but also helps the older people to lead a better life in their golden age. It is important to acknowledge this age group not just because they are living longer; it is also because they are getting bigger in size and economic power. The purpose of this study is to find out what would be the factor for older adults in Malaysia to dine out. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were done with Malaysian older people ages 55 and above (focusing mainly on those with education up to secondary school). 10 informers were interviewed for this study. The result of this study were analysed using the Atlas.ti software. Result of this stu...
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 2021
Placing Industry Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) at the forefront of the digital agenda in all manufacturi... more Placing Industry Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) at the forefront of the digital agenda in all manufacturing industries aims to modernize industrial capability and increase competitiveness. The foodservice industry embraces this current revolution, where digital dining offers mesmerizing experiences by making the trip to restaurants more appealing and interactive. However, it is questionable if Malaysia is ready to adapt or adopt IR4.0 technologies as issues pertaining to equipment, facilities, services, and employees appear as challenges. Thus, this study explores the internal issues and identifies external challenges the QSR restaurants' managerial team faces in implementing the self-ordering kiosk (SOKs). This qualitative research obtained the data from interview sessions with informants from the management team (managers and crews) of QSR restaurants applying SOKs at their places. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings showed that among the internal issues in implementing the SOKs are the insufficient number of employees and limited restaurant space. The customer acceptances, technology restrictions, and the need for regular updates are within the restaurants' external challenges in executing this innovation. In conclusion, the findings of this research can facilitate existing restaurants in managing the technology applied and, at the same time, improve their service in offering a digital dining experience to millennial customers.
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 2020
Researchers advocated that there are many issues of fresh graduates' competencies, including insu... more Researchers advocated that there are many issues of fresh graduates' competencies, including insufficient skills to meet the requirement as expected by the industry. The purpose of this study was to discover the entry-level competencies demanded by the restaurant employers towards fresh graduates. The dynamic workforce and the mismatch competencies claimed by employers are the issues that trigger education stakeholders, particularly in Malaysia. Responses were obtained from eight restaurant managers in Klang Valley, through a semi-structured interview. The data were then analyzed using thematic analysis. There were nine competencies emerged from this study, which reflect the entry-level competencies demanded by restaurant managers towards fresh graduates, namely: 1) attitude and behavior, 2) cognitive skill, 3) communication skill, 4) knowledge in the discipline area, 5) professionalism and work ethics, 6) technical skill, 7) teamwork, 8) leadership and 9) experience. It is anticipated that the findings will be able to fulfill the restaurant's needs by giving a clear picture of the essential competencies that need to be infused in the university's curriculum. Besides, both educators and fresh graduates will have an insight into the preparation for working in the restaurant industry.
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Papers by Ainul Zakiah Abu Bakar / FOOD