Perspectives of Teaching and Evaluation in Mathematics

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Mathematics as a subject is quite unique in its processes and teaching in that it requires the least amount of memorization. Aside from the numbers and the functions of the operators themselves, not much needs to be memorized to do mathematics. This study is a review on all the different approaches of teaching the subject given by some famous educationists such as Bruner, Piaget, Vygotsky and Dewey in the past. Furthermore, various assessment methods for the subject have been discussed.

Augmenting Discussion Effectiveness through the Implementation of Thinking Routines to Visualize Learners’ Cognitive Processes

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The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of implementing thinking routines in a classroom setting to augment learners’ discussion proficiency. Adapting the theoretical framework proposed by Ron Ritchhart and his colleagues in their Visible Thinking Project, specifically focusing on three selected routines: See–Think–Wonder, Headlines, and Claim-Support-Question, this action study was conducted at an independent university in HCM City, Vietnam. The treatment was carried out in five direct meeting sessions with 35 intermediate English-level students in a communicative class. Data was collected through pre-while-post implementation aligning with interviews and observation. The results of this study reveal that these participants not only expanded their ideas to the given topic but also engaged in deeper questioning and exploring their peers’ arguments, thereby nurturing logical thinking and fostering a culture of self-directed learning beyond the classroom.

Optimizing Online Channels: Exploring the Interplay of E-Commerce in Customer Journey of Smartphone & Gadget Retail

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The rise of e-commerce has transformed the global retail industry, including the smartphone and gadget sector. In Indonesia, while online shopping has become more popular due to its convenience, smartphone brands still face challenges. Despite the growth of online platforms, many customers prefer shopping in physical stores, especially after the pandemic. This research aims to understand what drives consumers to shop online for smartphones and gadgets, and to offer insights and strategies for both smartphone manufacturers and e-commerce platforms to boost their online presence and attract more customers.

The study addresses key questions about consumer behavior: What motivates people to buy smartphones and gadgets online rather than in-store? How do they perceive their online shopping experience, and what factors affect their satisfaction? What obstacles do they face when shopping online, and how do they overcome them? How do they react to personalized marketing and recommendations? And what drives their loyalty and repeat purchases in the online market?

By using the Customer Decision Journey, Marketing Technology, and Porter’s Five Forces analysis, the research identifies important factors like delivery, promotions, store information, and ease of finding product details. The study will provide actionable business solutions and recommendations to help smartphone manufacturers and e-commerce platforms tackle challenges and improve their online market strategies.

Advancements in Alzheimer’s Disease: Emerging Therapies, Lifestyle Modifications, and Early Intervention Strategies

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: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, represents a major global health challenge, affecting over 45 million people worldwide with projections to triple by 2050 [1]. This progressive, irreversible neurodegenerative disease leads to cognitive decline, behavioural changes, and a significant socioeconomic burden [2]. Despite extensive research into its complex pathophysiology, involving beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles, the exact causes remain a mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors [3]. Current treatments primarily focus on symptom management, as no cure exists [4]. This literature review synthesises recent advancements in Alzheimer’s research, exploring new pharmacological treatments, emerging therapies, and the efficacy of prevention strategies. It particularly examines how lifestyle modifications and risk factor management influence disease progression. The review highlights the potential of early intervention in at-risk individuals, aiming to prevent significant neuronal damage before clinical symptoms appear. It discusses the impact of various lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, mental and social engagement, and cardiovascular health on AD risk. Understanding these connections is crucial, given the ageing population and rising prevalence of AD. This review aims to inform better clinical practices and health policies, potentially reducing Alzheimer’s impact and guiding healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers in effective interventions. Ultimately, these insights could substantially alleviate the socioeconomic burden of Alzheimer’s disease and improve public health outcomes.

Franchise Potential in Food Industry Expansion Strategies in East Kalimantan

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This study investigates the franchise potential in the food industry as part of expansion strategies in East Kalimantan, with a focus on the Wong Solo Group amid Indonesia’s capital relocation. Utilizing qualitative methods, including SWOT, PESTLE, Porter’s Five Forces, and the VRIO framework, the research provides a comprehensive analysis of strategic positions and opportunities for business expansion. The study reveals significant opportunities for growth driven by demographic changes, economic development, and increased consumer spending. Key findings indicate that Wong Solo Group’s established brand and operational expertise offer a strong foundation for expansion. However, challenges such as regulatory changes and intense competition need to be addressed. The SWOT analysis highlights internal strengths such as brand reputation and product innovation, while the PESTLE analysis underscores external opportunities and threats. Porter’s Five Forces analysis identifies competitive pressures within the food industry, and the VRIO framework assesses the group’s resources and capabilities. The study concludes with strategic recommendations for Wong Solo Group to leverage its strengths, address its weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities, and mitigate threats. These recommendations aim to ensure successful franchise expansion in the dynamic market environment of East Kalimantan, providing a roadmap for sustained growth and competitive advantage.

Analysis of Inventory Management System at Pharmacy of XYZ Hospital

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This research examines inventory management at the XYZ Hospital Pharmacy Installation in Bandung, with a special focus on medicines and medical devices. The background to this research is the significant increase in health costs and the importance of effective supply chain management to reduce unnecessary costs. Based on monthly stock and daily sales data from October 2023 to February 2024, this research uses quantitative methods to calculate optimal inventory levels, including Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), safety stock, and reorder point (ROP). This research also applies ABC analysis and cycle counting to prioritize inventory control. The research results show that the proposed inventory policy, especially the continuous review strategy, has the potential for significant cost savings for the XYZ Hospital Pharmacy Installation. For pharmaceutical products, achieving a 99% service level can result in savings of IDR 302,697,429, which is 48.17% of the average inventory level. For medical devices, potential savings reach IDR 70,602,064, which is 48.77% of the average inventory level. The total potential savings for all products is IDR 373,299,493. These findings highlight that hospitals currently do not have effective controls in managing inventory of single-use medical devices. Implementing strong inventory policies and procedures is critical to improving cost efficiency and optimizing inventory levels within an organization.

Improving Performance of Customer Relationship Management to Leverage Customer Loyalty (Case Study: MILKY CRM Loyalty Program)

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Customer Relationship Management (CRM) plays a crucial role for businesses as technology advances and consumer demands continue to rise. However, CRM implementation faces challenges from both external and internal factors within an organization. Ineffective CRM implementation can lead to customer dissatisfaction, decreased loyalty, reduced profitability, and missed business opportunities. This research aims to improve the MILKY CRM loyalty program by identifying the key root causes and proposing alternative solutions, ultimately determining the best alternative to enhance the program. The methodology includes in-depth interviews and analysis using the Kepner-Tregoe framework, which involves problem analysis, decision analysis, and potential problem analysis. Supported by external and internal analyses such as Porter’s Five Forces, Customer Journey Mapping, and an Integrated CRM Scorecard, the results are then utilized for a SWOT analysis.

The problem analysis identified 21 attributes as the root causes affecting MILKY CRM loyalty program performance. These attributes include Consumer Behaviour Change, Aggressiveness of Competitors, CRM Agency Capability, Healthcare Apps Strategic Partnership, Potential New Segments generated by New Entrants, CRM Differentiation, Strong Brand Reputation, Content Management, Ability Services Program, Customer Engagement, Customer Experience Improvement, Win Back Lapsed Customers, Incomplete metrics tracking on CRM scorecard, Financial Budget Constraints, Personalization Services & Rewards, Digital Acquisition Transition, Segmentation & Tiering Review, Balancing Strategy on Customer Acquisition & Retention, IT System Capabilities, and Human Capability on CRM. In the decision analysis section, alternative solutions were generated through TOWS analysis, and the best alternative was determined using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) tool. The top chosen strategy, Strategy #2: Optimizing CRM & Organizational Strategies for Enhanced Customer Engagement & Operational Efficiency (W/O Strategies), is recommended for future improvement. Focus areas include communication, resources, technology, and KPI metrics to mitigate potential problems. Overall, this research provides valuable insights and recommendations for enhancing the performance of the MILKY CRM loyalty program, ensuring its effectiveness in meeting customer needs and driving business success.

Evaluating Organizational Culture with the OCAI: Insights from the Competing Values Framework at PT. SGM

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This study analyzes the organizational culture of PT. SGM using the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) based on the Competing Values Framework (CVF). The research employs a quantitative approach, distributing OCAI questionnaires to all employees to evaluate six cultural dimensions: dominant characteristics, organizational leadership, management of employees, organizational glue, strategic emphases, and criteria of success. The findings reveal that PT. SGM’s current culture is predominantly clan-oriented, emphasizing a collaborative and supportive environment, with significant hierarchical elements reflecting structure and control. However, employees prefer a shift towards a more competitive market-oriented culture, focusing on achievement and innovation. The study recommends adopting a bottom-up approach to enhance employee participation and innovation, as well as implementing transformational leadership to balance the current culture with desired competitive and innovative traits. This approach aims to align the organization’s culture with employee preferences and market demands, fostering a dynamic and innovative work environment for long-term success.

Translation of Outdoor Signs in Nusa Dua Beach Area

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This research was conducted to have a closer look at Linguistic Landscape in one of coastal areas of Bali, Indonesia. It specifically conducted with the aim of analyzing the translation of outdoor signs, in the form of notice or information boards. This research also examines translation shifts occur within those outdoor signs.

This research is a qualitative descriptive study. The method applied for this research is observation method and include image capture and also note-taking technique. The problem formulated in this research applies Linguistic Landscape theory by Landry and Bourhis and also Translation Shift theory by Catford and  Simatupang.

The result of the research found that the form of translation of the outdoor signs in Nusa Dua beach area can be seen in the form of Notice board, cemented sign, or colored banner which has function to give information or warning to the people who visit the area. It also can be found that the shift occurs in the translation of the outdoor signs consists of structure and meaning shift.

Vendor Selection in the Cosmetic Industry using Analytics Hierarchy Process (A Case Study of Saejiva Company)

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The Indonesian fragrance industry, under the cosmetic industry, is growing, with an increasing income per capita in the perfume category, despite a dip in 2020. The global natural fragrance market, growing at an estimated 9% CAGR from 2023 to 2032, shows a strong preference for essential oil-based fragrances. Essential oils, derived from natural plant parts, are costly to produce due to large-scale machinery, skilled labor, and environmental factors. Companies often outsource these aspects to reduce costs and focus on core competencies like marketing and sales. Saejiva, a natural fragrance brand, currently faces challenges in vendor selection, experiencing issues with inefficiency, delays, and poor product quality from previous vendors, has the effect of reducing potential profits and necessitating a reevaluation of their vendor choices. This study uses the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to help Saejiva select a new vendor by prioritizing criteria that meet the company’s requirements and recommending the best vendor. Data was collected through literature reviews to identify relevant criteria, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) to find essential criteria for the company, and AHP questionnaires. Saejiva’s C-level executives acted as experts in the FGDs and AHP questionnaires to determine criteria priorities and vendor alternatives. The results showed the importance levels of criteria as follows: capability (0.3668), quality (0.1848), cost (0.1382), service (0.1068), capacity (0.0654), delivery (0.0606), warranty (0.0525), and performance history (0.0249). The importance levels of vendor alternatives were SKI (3.1994), AVF (2.7415), and SHB (2.0591). Thus, the best vendor recommended for Saejiva is SKI as the next vendor.