Proposed Marketing Strategy to Enter Methanol Market as Diversification for National Gas Company

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Methanol is a key material used as feedstock in the chemical industry which is mainly produced from natural gas and coal. Indonesia is well-known for its natural resources including the large reserves of natural gas which become the third largest in the Asia-Pacific. However, Indonesia and even Asia are having gaps between production and demand that need to be fulfilled. Indonesia only has one methanol producer and still importing a large amount of it despite the increasing demand. A national natural gas company is considering the possibility to produce methanol in order to fulfill the gaps as well as diversification to give adding value to natural gas and also commercialize the oversupply of natural gas from the termination of the export contract. The objective of this research is to find the best business strategy for the company considering various challenges and opportunities. The methodology used in this research is qualitative and quantitative methods using secondary data and primary data. The primary data is collected through a qualitative questionnaire that involved companies that confirm the obstacles in sourcing methanol. The collected data is used to conduct external and internal analysis through PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Customer Analysis, and VRIO Framework. The identified opportunities and challenges are then used to generate strategy through TOWS Matrix and 4P Marketing Mix. As a result, it is recommended for the company that will become a methanol supplier to set a competitive product price, choose a strategic place with high access to resources, promote the sustainability impact and multiplier effect to attract stakeholders and shareholders, and utilize the existing customer channel of natural gas to commercialize the new product.

Zinc Metabolism: A Review with Regard to Zn Finger Proteins, DNA Methylation and p53; In Reference to its Deficiency Syndromes and Tracing its Immunological as Well as Epigenetic Relations

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Epigenetics is the branch of biology that studies the effects of environment on genetics and vice versa. It is the connecting link between genotype and phenotype of an individual, and can be widely influenced by the nutrition and availability of certain essential micronutrients, in this review, zinc. Although a trace element, zinc is essential to the body as a core component of more than 300 proteins and enzymes, which when functioning normally impart structural and mechanical capacities to the body tissues and fluids. Zinc is ubiquitous to all parts of the body and regulates various metabolic and biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, tumorigenesis, along with the regular working of fetal and adult organs. The role of zinc-finger proteins is crucial to impart stability to a protein’s folds and in turn render it functional to play its role in gene expression to serve as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Zinc deficiency is a common occurrence in various parts of the world and is generally due to inadequate intake through the diet but may also manifest itself in an inheritable form. The effects of low zinc on a cellular level can be seen through a diminishing immunity, increased oxidative stress, reduced functionality of the p53 protein leading to tumor formation, incorrect DNA methylation. While phenotypically, zinc deficit can be both congenital and acquired. Some such diseases discussed here are irritable bowel syndrome, acrodermatitis enteropathica, thymic atrophy, celiac disease and preterm birth. In this review, the focus is on the aspect of zinc availability to cells as an epigenetic modulator/regulator and the subsequent consequences arising due to imbalance of zinc in the cell.

Financial Performance and Stock Valuation of Tobacco Company in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) Amidst the Hike of Excise Tax Rate Period 2017-2021

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In the tobacco sector, there was a consistent decline in the price of shares outstanding during 2017 – 2021. The consistent decline in stock prices in the market in the tobacco sector initiated the author to analyze the financial performance condition of all companies in the tobacco sector and the stock valuation of companies with the best financial performance compared to other companies. So, it can be concluded that the market price position is now undervalued or still in an overvalued position to be the basis for making investment decisions. In this study, the financial performance of tobacco companies will be analyzed using the method of the decree of the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) or decree No. KEP-100 / MBU / 2002. This method will result in the health level status (Healthy, Less Healthy, Unhealthy) of each tobacco company each year in the period 2017 to 2021. Stock valuation in companies with the healthiest company predicate from the tobacco sector on the Indonesian stock exchange for the 2017-2021 period. The Stock Valuation that will be used is the absolute and relative method. In the absolute method, the researcher used the discounted cash flow (DCF) method and Dividend Discount Model (DDM). As for the relative method, the researcher used Price to Book Value (PBV), Price to Earnings Ratio (PER), and EV/EBITDA.

Based on PBV, PER, and EV/EBITDA, the intrinsic value of HMSP is Rp. 660.56, Rp. 1,093.53, and Rp. 1,104.57, respectively. DCF generates a result of IDR 1,301.35, and DDM gets IDR 1,375.53. Since only the PBV results reveal overvalued outcomes when compared to the market price, even though the share price is still Rp 915, it can be said that the market price of HMSP’s shares is undervalued. As a result, the researcher suggests investing in HMSP shares. The suggestion is being made because there is a chance for investors to profit from capital gains and dividends because the market price of HMSP is still undervalued in comparison to its underlying worth.

Correlation of Body Composition and Coordination of Specific Footballers’ Position among Professional Football Players

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The game of football is a competitive team sport that requires an essential component of motor fitness, body composition, psychological, technical, and tactical components for enhanced performance. This study assessed the correlation of body composition and coordination of specific footballers’ positions among professional football players. This study utilised a correlational research design. Participants in this study comprised twenty-nine (29) football players who play for a professional team in Nigeria. There were 12 forwards, 6 midfielders, 4 goalkeepers, and 7 defenders among the participants. The participants’ hand-eye coordination was evaluated using the alternate hand wall toss test. The beurer diagnostic scale was used to measure the participants’ body fat percentage and muscle mass. Results were analysed using pearson’s product moment correlation and linear regression. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. A significant positive moderate correlation was observed between muscle mass and coordination among forwards (r = 0.550, p = 0.044). There was no significant correlation between muscle mass and coordination among defenders, midfielders, and goalkeepers. Likewise, there was no significant correlation between body fat percentage and coordination among football players in all the playing positions. The hand-eye coordination of forwards is significantly correlated with their muscle mass. In other words, a forward’s muscle mass affects their degree of hand-eye coordination. Therefore, football regulatory bodies and trainers could utilise the muscle mass of forwards to predict their hand-eye coordination ability. This finding should be considered by the coaches and governing bodies of football teams before designating players to playing positions in the game of football. Furthermore, there is a need for training programs specifically designed to monitor and enhance the muscle mass of forwards in a football team in order to enhance hand-eye coordination.

Proposed Integrated Marketing Communication Strategy at Serayu Kopi Medan

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Serayu Kopi is a food and beverage business that sells food and beverages, especially those made from coffee. Serayu Kopi was founded in 2017 with a vision to become a cafe that serves high quality food and drinks from local ingredients. Currently, Serayu Kopi has 18 employees to support its operational activities. Currently, Serayu Kopi is facing a problem where there is a very significant decline in sales from 2020. This is because the promotional mix has not been maximized to achieve sales targets. The author conducts internal and external analysis to reach the root cause of the Serayu Kopi problem. The internal analysis carried out is the current marketing strategy and the resource and capability framework. From the results of the internal analysis, it was found that the promotional mix carried out by Serayu was not optimal to achieve its target. The author conducted an external analysis consisting of PESTLE, Competitor analysis, and consumer analysis. From the results of the competitor analysis, it was found that competitors did a better promotional mix than Serayu. From the results of consumer analysis, researchers used the SEM PLS application in processing questionnaires and it was found that the target market of Serayu only chose 3 variables from Integrated Marketing Communications that were suitable for visit Intentions, namely: Advertising, Sales Promotion, and Personal Selling. These 3 variables are considered by consumers to be the main key in increasing Visit Intention. The results of the study reveal that the root cause of the decline in sales at Serayu Kopi is the gap between integrated marketing communications that are being carried out with expectations from consumers and promotions carried out by competitors. Therefore, the author gives two suggestions, namely improvements to integrated marketing communications that focus on 3 variables that are significantly related to visit intention, namely: Advertising, Sales Promotion and Personal Selling; and reducing the cost of production in order to maximize the profits found in running sales promotions.

Validated RP – HPLC Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Tadalafil and Dapoxetine in Combined Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

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Aim: To develop a new, simple, fast, rapid, accurate, efficient and reproducible RP-HPLC method for the simultaneous estimation of Tadalafil and Dapoxetine.

Background: Estimation of Tadalafil and Dapoxetine is a combination drug of choice used to treat preamature ejaculation in men.

Objective: The main objective of the Simultaneous estimation of combined drug is to establish identity, physical characteristics and potency of the drugs and to demonstrate the suitability of the assay method to provide useful data to ensure the technique gives satisfactory and consistent results.

Materials and methods: A HPLC (Inertsil, Water2695) with UV/VIS Detector/PDA detector, UV (lab India, UV 3000+ series) and Inertsil C18 250mm × 4.6mm × 5µm column was used. A new method was established for simultaneous estimation of Dapoxetine   and Tadalafil by RP-HPLC method.  The chromatographic conditions were successfully developed for the separation of Dapoxetine   and Tadalafil by using inertsil C18 5µm (4.6*250mm) column, flow rate was 1ml/min, mobile phase ratio was Phosphate buffer (0.05M) pH 3: MEOH (30:70%v/v) (pH   was   adjusted   with   orthophosphoric   acid), detection wave length was 260nm.

Results: The results were in good agreement with those obtained with official HPLC with absorption maximum of 260 nm by preparing mobile phase 70:30 methanol: phosphate buffer with flow rate 1 ml/min and it run for 30 minutes by selecting column Inertsil C18 4.6mm×250 mm. All the results obtained with good precise, accurate and robustness as per international conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the proposed RP-HPLC method is accurate, precise, sensitive, robust and reproducible for the simultaneous analysis of Tadalafil and  Dapoxetine    with less tailing factor and is also economical.Inertsil C18 column (4.6×250mm)5µ, flow rate was 1ml/min. Both samples scan in the range of 200 to 400 nm and maximum wavelength was identified at 260 nm.

The Digitalization of Distributor Management System at Pertamina Lubricants: Issues and Solutions on the Implementation Stage

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Pertamina Lubricants has stated digital transformation as one of its breakthrough projects to accelerate digitalization as one of its strategic initiatives. This strategic initiative has objectives to enhance channel management and the capability of distributors as strategic business partners to achieve their sales volume target set by the management of Pertamina Lubricants. This journal aims to evaluate and improve the digital distributor management system to help distributors of Pertamina Lubricants achieve their sales volume target.

Why Do Firms Apply Non-Market Strategies? Does it Really Pay?

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The purpose of this study is to provide a better understanding to non-market strategies of the firms, their external and internal drivers and whether firms attain gains from these strategies in practice by examining the selected existing studies on firms’ non-market strategies. The vast literature on non-market strategies shows that companies’ support in the political process of overcoming societal troubles and their collaboration with non-profit organizations increase. However, companies do not engage in non-market strategies with a pure altruism, contrarily they expect to reap benefits. The empirical studies on the relationship between non-market strategies and financial performance that are examined within the scope of this study indicate differentiating results. Based on these inconsistent findings of the present studies, the implications and directions for future studies are presented.

Proposed Service and Marketing Communication Initiatives to Strengthen Blibli Positioning in E-Commerce Industry

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Since the beginning of the pandemic, the trend of online shopping in Indonesia has been increasing as people are reluctant to shop outside their homes. This triggered the growth of the e-commerce industry, which then resulted in high competition in the industry. Each company provides a wide selection of products and competitive prices to increase sales. Blibli, as one of the leading e-commerce companies in Indonesia under Djarum Group, believes that there needs to be other initiatives beyond price and product variety to strengthen the company’s position. Blibli is committed to providing convenience and security in shopping by providing maximum service. By using primary and secondary data, the author analyses conditions of competitors, customer segmentation that prioritizes services, and how to effectively communicate the services that Blibli has. Primary data is obtained through questionnaires distributed to active users of e-commerce. Through the research conducted, it can be concluded that Blibli’s main competitors (Tokopedia and Shopee) currently do not use services as a differentiator. The author also proposes customer segmentation, namely the millennial generation, who are aware of the importance of service in online shopping. Blibli’s “positioning” proposed in this research is basically in accordance with Blibli’s current “positioning,” but Blibli needs to update its marketing communication strategy so that customers understand Blibli’s advantages. The proposal submitted by the author is expected to help Blibli strengthen its position in the industry as a company that always prioritizes customer satisfaction through excellent services.

The Psychological Aspects of Caregivers of Covid-19 Patient: A Descriptive Study

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Background: A global coordination effort is needed to stop the further spread of the virus, pandemic is defined as “occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population, on 31st December 2019”. In this COVID -19 pandemic situation, the caregiver plays a major role in giving care and giving psychological support through the help of the health professionals.

Objective:

  • To assess the psychological aspects of the caregivers of COVID – 19 patients.
  • To associate the psychological aspects of the caregiver of COVID – 19 patients with their selected demographic variables

Design: The quantitative approach was used in this study.

Setting(s): The study setting was the selected community area of Puducherry. The researcher selected the community area of Lawspet.

Participants: 200 caregivers of covid 19 patients who were present at the time of data collection.

Methods & Results: The research approach used for this study was a quantitative approach and descriptive design. The study was conducted in the community area of lawspet at Puducherry. Sample size 200 was selected by convivence sampling techniques. The researcher used demographic variables and an assessment scale for the psychological aspects of caregivers of COVID 19 patients.

The result shows that the majority of the caregivers 138(69%) were in the age group of 22-35 years, 145(72.5%) were females, most of the caregivers were married 101(50.5), majority of the caregivers were lived in urban area 103(51.5%), most of them are not received support from the relatives 150(75%) respectively.

The psychological aspects of the caregivers of the covid patients show that 155(77.5%) were having a severe level of changes in the psychological aspects, and 45(22.5%) were having a moderate level of changes in the psychological aspects.

The highest score of the mean value is 12.32 out of the 15 items in the physical and emotional stress domain and the lowest score of the mean value is 10.07 out of 15 items in the family and social isolation respectively.

The results predict that the demographic variables had not shown any statistically significant association between the psychological aspects of the caregivers of the COVID -19 patient.

The study reveals that the nurses need to promote the psychological aspect of caregivers of covid 19 patients.