This study analyses the challenges for the commercialization of university research for agricultural based invention. It aims at promoting the commercialization of agricultural based research to compete with the existing inventions. From the discussion, it shows that the commercialization of agricultural based invention of university research usually takes a longer time to be marketable, when compared to inventions by agencies such as MARDI and FAMA. The article implies that agricultural based invention of university research should be considered as a significant tool for economic growth. It suggests that a case study and a quantitative analysis will be useful to further formulate propositions and to learn the agricultural based invention of university research. � IDOSI Publications, 2011.

The introduction of Islamic pawn broking (Ar-Rahnu) in Malaysia is seen as a new micro credit instrument. This paper aims to provide a review on Ar-Rahnu's concept and challenges faced by Islamic pawn shops in Malaysia. The study employs library and archive research to achieve the objectives of the paper. Islamic pawn broking consists of four basic concepts namely Qardhul Hasan, Ar-Rahnu, Al-Wadi'ah and Al-Ujrah. The Islamic pawn broking have several advantages over conventional pawn broking because it provides a cheaper way to obtain financing and is free from interest. In addition, assets pawned are guaranteed to be kept safely and there is a fair practice in auctioning and bidding. In addition, Ar-Rahnu also helps finance educational needs and provides capital to small businesses and entrepreneurs. It implies that this instrument will help the community to increase economic capability of their families. Future research should study effective ways in managing challenges faced by Islamic pawn shops.

This study was conducted to analyze the relationship between debt-ridden life style (financial stress) and coping skills. A total of 150 respondents from Klang Valley in Malaysia were randomly chosen from government servants and private sectors employees. A questionnaire survey was conducted by post and SPSS was used to analyze the data. Besides the t-test was used to analyze other data, the relationships between two variables were observed through Pearson correlation test. The descriptive analysis was used to explain the differences and similarities among the respondent of this study. Significant overview of the financial burden and its impact on human life from Islamic perspective being enhanced as a reminder to the Muslim believer, that Islam indicates the debt ridden lifestyle should be avoided as postulate in Al-Quran and Al-Hadeeth and in accordance to the Maqasid-Al-Shariah underlined by Islam.

The Shariah Governance Framework (SGF) is a set of organizational arrangements through which Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) ensure effective oversight, responsibility and accountability of the board of directors, management and Shariah Committee. In measuring the IFIs compliance to the Shariah, SGF requires regular internal Shariah reviews and Shariah audit. This paper aims to identify the independence and competency quality that requires for human capital development in Shariah audit. This research adapts focus group study conducted with the stakeholders of IFIs which consist of regulators, IFIs management, employees and shareholders. The results from this study indicate that Shariah auditors must possess Shariah and accounting knowledge. However, if the Shariah auditors do not have the necessary qualifications, their experiences in the Islamic banking could be considered. In terms of independence, the Shariah audit function shall currently attach to the internal audit department. The findings of the study could be used in developing syllabus and training modules for Shariah audit that reflects the Shariah requirements and also the industry's needs. Future research could be done by expanding the sample of the study that covers wider group of informants to achieve variety of feedbacks from the Shariah audit experts.

Recent issuance of Shariah Governance Framework by Bank Negara Malaysia has shown a significant impact towards the establishment of the Shariah audit and consequently, towards the role of the Shariah Committee. It is the aim of this paper to study on the impact of the Shariah audit function towards the role of Shariah Committee with regards to the post implementation of the Shariah Governance Framework. The study adopts a single case study research. Findings from invdepth interviews reveal that the Shariah audit function has an added value in ensuring the compliance towards the Shariah principles. This study also provides challenging issues faced by the Shariah Committee of the selected establishment. Hence, it is believed that this study can be benefited by other IFIs in improving their Shariah Committees structure. Future studies could be done to examine post implementation effect of the adoption of Shariah governance framework in the context of other functions such as Shariah research, Shariah risk management and Board of Directors. � IDOSI Publications, 2013.

Product recalls are damaging to companies due to its effects to financial performance as well as the image of the company. Product recall management is the final step of traceability system in a company. When the incidence of product recall happens, a company must have a good recall management system that works as the last defense to the company's image. This study examines the product recall management in two companies operating in Halal industry. The objective of this study is to examine the implementation of Halal traceability measures and recall programs in the companies under the study. This study employed case study method to obtain data from two companies operating in Halal industry; one is a manufacturing of Halal product while another is a slaughterhouse. This study provides analysis on Halal traceability system implemented by two companies and the procedure of food recall produced by Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM). Findings of the study indicate that both of the surveyed companies practiced seven elements of traceability system to prevent them from involving in the incidence of food recall. The results also imply that food recall management and Halal traceability implementation are important in order to maintain the company from receiving negative impacts of food recall. Future comparative research on the similarities between food recall in Halal food and non-Halal food industry could be conducted to improve the product recall management in the Halal industry.

Worldwide, most of the mainstream media commonly reports bullying behavior. Nevertheless the instruments for measuring bullying behavior and the attitude towards bullying behavior among Malaysian adolescents are lacking. This study examined the reliability and validity of the peer aggression coping self-efficacy scale measuring the self-efficacy of bully victims among Malaysian adolescents. The scale, which consists of 45 items, was translated to Malay language using back translation method and its validity was examined using 176 high school students. The split-half reliability result revealed Cronbach's alpha of 0.91, indicating a high reliability. Four experts in the counseling field established face validity. The Peer Aggression Coping Self-Efficacy Scale provides a useful measure for examining children's self-efficacy. � IDOSI Publications, 2011.

West Indian Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus, is hardly seen to flower which contributes the major obstacle for hybridization. Induced mutation with gamma irradiation has been suggested as the solution to this problem. The objective of this study is to analyse the effect of gamma irradiation dosage on the survival rate of lemongrass prior to mutation. Vegetative stalks of lemongrass were exposed to different doses of gamma rays at doses of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120 Gy. Results showed that the practical ranges for induced mutation were 40, 60 and 80 Gy with mutation rates were 25.8%, 36.4% and 69.2% respectively. Dose 80 Gy was identified as the dose for LD 50. Irradiation caused plants to produce long above ground stem 50 (not stalk) with obvious appearance of nodes and internodes together with unique production of flowers. This phenomenon has created an astonishing opportunity for future studies in this flower of West Indian Lemongrass mutant as another potential source of Halal traditional medicine. � IDOSI Publications, 2012.