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Purpose: This paper aims to evaluate the awareness level of university students on energy conservation by focusing on their knowledge, attitude and practice. Energy awareness is a feasible energy conservation measure, but an inappropriate approach can cause the wastage of resources. The current number of reported awareness studies especially among the university student is quite limited, and focus is more given to the awareness on renewable energy, instead of energy conservation. Design/methodology/approach: A paper-based survey using a set of questionnaires that involved 2,857 respondents. There are four sections in this questionnaire, which are basic background information of respondents, knowledge (yes/true or no/false choice of responses), attitude (a scale of 1–10, where 10 indicates "strongly agree" and 1 chooses "strongly disagree") and practices (a scale of 1–10, where 10 indicates "Always" and 1 selects "Never"). The evaluation includes the correlation analysis of all awareness variables with an educational background to disclose the most critical aspects that should be highly considered in the forthcoming awareness campaign. Findings: This research revealed that university students have a high level of awareness of energy conservation. They hold a high knowledge level and show a positive attitude with very good energy conservation practices. However, some issues require serious attention in preparing energy management plans. Effective approaches should be taken by considering the field of study, gender and family economic status to enhance the awareness level of the university students on energy conservation. Originality/value: The absence of appropriate references complicates the preparation of energy management plans including the establishment of energy policy and strategies. The findings of this research can contribute some contextual information in the local perspective to ensure the effectiveness of the energy management program and strengthen academic leadership by emphasising the element of sustainability. This is crucial for developing an energy saving culture among the young generation that will be our future scholars and leaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The growth of web emerging technology and data visual demand from the World Wide Web (WWW) makes the need for information repositories become vital. Proper database development will assure the repository managing web content effectively aligns with web archive metadata standards. This paper aims to present the database design process for web archive content repository specifically to maintain social and cultural heritage values upon Malaysians as Mfigures. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical process start with literature review and validation from expert on the elements and scopes of research. Then, structured database design guideline which part of database life cycle (DBLC) was applied and combined with the step of comparative and mapping the conceptual model with metadata standard that is relevant with web archive content. The paper focuses on the first three stages: Database Initial Study, web archiving and Metadata standard mapping; and conceptual design to focus on data modelling. Another two stages of database design are logical design and physical design will be exposed later. Findings: The empirical process has produced initial conceptual data model, database structure that can be a basis of web archiving repository. The data model had also been verified with metadata data standards to assure the database structure implementation cater the need of web archiving repository features especially web information discovery. Research limitations/implications: Nevertheless, database design is the most effective way to develop good information architecture on the Net, but the absence of some important fields on related tables have been identified such as subject, language, coverage, right, publisher and contributor. The MFigures' database schema will continuously improve for better scope and coverage of web archive content suite with future information demands on the WWW. Practical implications: The conceptual data model act as a communication tool by the technical team in web application development. It can be revisited to suite with other different database management system or to suite with other similar scope of information repository requirements. Social implications: Mfigures was uniquely designed for collecting Malaysian social and cultural heritage, which are rarely design before, and it can be beneficial as Malaysia society future references for excellent motivations roles and successful stories. Originality/value: The Mfigure conceptual data model was empirically design and gone through a proper validation process by the industrial and academic experts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A surge of library activities and technological advances have increased the demand for data accuracy and agility among library clientele. Therefore, novel approaches are needed to extend library services. This paper aims to introduce the implementation of a prototype mobile library application (app) designed using an in-house open source system, Koha. Design/methodology/approach: This paper presents a case study using a metamorphosis process to create mobile apps. This case study is tested based on the library services with a set of activities during the system acceptance test (SAT) and also user acceptance test (UAT). An application programming interface (API) used to support two-way communication, including system-to-component and system-to-system connectivity. The design, features and advantages of this mobile app are discussed, illustrated and analyzed. The case study reports the mobile app version development from the Koha Open Source Library Information System. Findings: The app was tested using user acceptance test (UAT) and system acceptance test (SAT) by library staffs who found it functional, accessible, appealing and useful. Features such as Online Public Access Catalog search, library collection scanning, patron accounts, patron personal book collection, circulation, librarian chat, QR codes for borrowing books, social media integration and notifications of library activities and events were successfully tested. This process was useful for the creation of a mobile app based on the existing library System-Koha Open Source System. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to a case study of a national university in Malaysia. Practical implications: This study has some practical implications for implementing library mobile applications, e.g. it will encourage librarians to implement library applications in libraries. Originality/value: This study is useful for mobile developers and libraries that plan to offer mobile library services to their patrons. This paper presents a case study of metamorphosis existing process of library open source System-Koha Open Source System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper introduces the concept of manihah and develops a conceptual framework to address Malaysia's abandoned lands and food security issues. Design/methodology/approach: This is a conceptual paper based on insights from the existing literature and secondary data on food security, abandoned lands and manihah. Based on the prevailing gaps, the study proposes a conceptual framework of the Manihah Agricultural Financing Model to address Malaysia's abandoned land and food security issues. Findings: The proposed model can address abandoned lands and food security issues due to the new incorporation of manihah within Malaysia's agricultural and Islamic financial industries' milieu. Research limitations/implications: This is a conceptual paper mainly intended to spark a discussion on the potentiality of manihah. Practical implications: The paper contends that Islamic banks have a crucial role in furthering the socio-economic development agenda under the value-based intermediation (VBI). The paper will also be an excellent introduction to Islamic bank practitioners in understanding manihah's relevance to their daily operation. Originality/value: This paper introduces manihah as the potential solution to food security issues by utilizing abandoned lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to deliberate the significant impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It also discusses SMEs' practical approaches to capitalise on the renewed opportunity in the new normal by expanding their businesses regionally and globally. This paper also discusses the tactical and strategic interventions SMEs need to take to charge forward. Design/methodology/approach: The resource-based view of the firm (Barney, 1991) is used to explain how SMEs develop a sustainable competitive advantage in the new normal. The resource-based view focuses on the link between strategy and firm internal resources. Drawing from the resource-based view of the firm, internal analysis of the resources that are regarded as sources of competitive advantage controlled by the SMEs is imperative in today's business environment. Based on the resource-based view theory, this paper focuses on reinventing SME's strategies in the new normal to foster sustainability. Findings: Post-COVID-19 pandemic, SMEs must essentially be dynamic, forward-looking and transformational in capturing the regional and global markets' opportunities. They need to sharpen their internal competencies and realign their effective business strategy in seizing the vast opportunities in the international markets. Practical implications: How SMEs respond to COVID-19 has important implications for subsequent performance in the new normal. This study focuses on the different potential SMEs' reactions to COVID-19 and how their strategy affects SMEs performance and fosters sustainability in the new normal. Social implications: The sustainability of SMEs is critical for the nation's socio-economy. This study offers a holistic view of how SMEs respond to their challenges and help them choose the right business options. Originality/value: This paper's contents are solidly based on accumulated evidence, observation and critical arguments on the impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that caused numerous challenges faced by the SMEs, with a specific focus on SMEs operating in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to understand the influence of exposure to motivated offenders who may alter the vulnerability levels to phishing victimization. This is particularly focused on explaining the influences of individuals' online lifestyles and attitudes toward information sharing online on phishing susceptibility. Design/methodology/approach: This conceptual paper explores the risk of phishing victimization using criminological theories. The authors draw on empirical evidence from existing cybercrime literature and revisit routine activities theory (RAT) and lifestyle RAT (LRAT) to elucidate the risk of phishing victimization. This paper proposes that cyber-RAT, which was developed from RAT and LRAT, could interpret phishing victimization. Grounded on the intervention-based theory against cybercrime phishing, this study suggests that an attitude toward precautionary behavior (information sharing online) is essential to mitigate the phishing victimization risk. Findings: This paper aims to provide a clear insight into the understanding of phishing victimization risk using theoretical and empirical evidence. Originality/value: The theoretical perspective outlined provides the understanding of the impacts of online routine activities on a phishing attack which in turn will increase the awareness of phishing threats. The important role of the precautionary countermeasure, that is, attitudes toward information sharing online is highlighted to reconcile the phishing victimization risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Predicting the impact of social entrepreneurship is crucial as it can help social entrepreneurs to determine the achievement of their social mission and performance. However, there is a lack of existing social entrepreneurship models to predict social enterprises' social impacts. This paper aims to propose the social impact prediction model for social entrepreneurs using a data analytic approach. Design/methodology/approach: This study implemented an experimental method using three different algorithms: naive Bayes, k-nearest neighbor and J48 decision tree algorithms to develop and test the social impact prediction model. Findings: The accurate result of the developed social impact prediction model is based on the list of identified social impact prediction variables that have been evaluated by social entrepreneurship experts. Based on the three algorithms' implementation of the model, the results showed that naive Bayes is the best performance classifier for social impact prediction accuracy. Research limitations/implications: Although there are three categories of social entrepreneurship impact, this research only focuses on social impact. There will be a bright future of social entrepreneurship if the research can focus on all three social entrepreneurship categories. Future research in this area could look beyond these three categories of social entrepreneurship, so the prediction of social impact will be broader. The prospective researcher also can look beyond the difference and similarities of economic, social impacts and environmental impacts and study the overall perspective on those impacts. Originality/value: This paper fulfills the need for the Malaysian social entrepreneurship blueprint to design the social impact in social entrepreneurship. There are none of the prediction models that can be used in predicting social impact in Malaysia. This study also contributes to social entrepreneur researchers, as the new social impact prediction variables found can be used in predicting social impact in social entrepreneurship in the future, which may lead to the significance of the prediction performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Given the increased emphasis on embedding the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in the curriculum, research, engagement activities and operations of higher education institutions, this comparative study aims to replicate an earlier international study of Turnaround Leadership for Sustainability in Higher Education (TLSHE) in the unique context of Malaysia and Japan. This paper also presents a case for closer focus on developing Education for Sustainability (EfS) leaders in institutions of higher learning. Design/methodology/approach: This study is a quantitative comparative research. The authors collected data for EfS-related variables from lecturers affiliated with Malaysian and Japanese public and private universities. Building on the data and results from the TLSHE study, this study made a series of within- and between-sample descriptive comparisons from different angles and levels. To generalize the findings, this study used gender and experience outside higher education as control variables and compared the academics from the Malaysian and the Japanese institutions through the path modeling framework. Findings: The comparisons showed that except for two domains, namely, contextual factors influencing EfS leadership and the EfS leadership development approaches, the means of all other domains based on the data collected from the Malaysian sample were the highest, followed by means from the international TLSHE sample, and finally the means from the Japanese sample. This study also observed that transparency, engagement with EfS initiatives at different levels, passion for teaching and learning, and creative and lateral thinking were among the top indicators. The inferential tests revealed significant differences between the academics from Japan and Malaysia as well. Practical implications: The findings of the analyses can be used to ensure that the selection and development of EfS leaders (in this case, lecturers who may be formal or informal EfS leaders), not just at the central but at the local level in the distinctive context of Japan and Malaysia, focus on what counts and the good ideas embodied in the 17 UN SDGs are actually put into practice. This study has also highlighted the policy implications with respect to the gender and the previous work experience of lecturers outside higher education sector in more detail. Originality/value: This study compares the perceptions of two samples of academics from Asian countries with the perceptions of the international TLSHE sampled EfS leaders in terms of EfS leadership-related issues and therefore, increases the awareness of academic community in this regard. It also highlights the role of lecturers (e.g. professors) as intellectual academic leaders in achieving SDGs. Moreover, this study shows that lecturers' gender and previous work experience outside higher education should be considered when developing and implementing policies on EfS leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The conventional methods practiced by Development and Facilities Management Unit (UPPF) faced issues due to management deficiencies and negligent staffs to handle operation and maintenance processes of Chemical Facility (CFs) management at Malaysian Polytechnic. The prime objective of this paper is to improve the conventional methods which tend to be both cumbersome and ineffective in the Maintenance Management Systems (MMS) for UPPF at Malaysian Polytechnic. Design/methodology/approach: Primary data was gathered through the interview to develop the proposed system. The major conclusion drawn from the interview results was that there is a lack of comprehensive MMS that integrate operation and maintenance processes of CF management and software programming that provide the guides for decision-making processes. The interview results also revealed irregularities within the Malaysian Polytechnic's maintenance management database. Findings: The conventional methods had significantly little emphasis on defect diagnosis tools. It had also increased the inadequate strategic decision making to analyse information in improving the maintenance project outcomes for Malaysian Polytechnic's building. New MMS tools is suggested from findings and lessons learned as a good practice to reduce the frequent overhauling and repairs on the durability's performance and design of building control instrument. Originality/value: The new MMS potentially transform operation and maintenance processes of CF management into one of the most sophisticated technologies by providing access to all information published by all Malaysian Polytechnics institutions. This is in order to foster financial cooperation, the idea that being that Polytechnics who compete with one another become financially independent towards successful achievements of CF management for laboratory building and equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of scenarios, as part of foresight process in the attempt to anticipate and understand the future vulnerabilities, trends and challenges for macro planning process. Design/methodology/approach: The use of multidisciplinary knowledge, tools and methodologies with the aim of finding new solutions to the grand challenges faced by government have gained popularity in the Malaysian public sector. One of the tools gaining prominence is the use of scenario planning, where it has been widely used by both the public and private sectors to manage risk and develop robust strategic plans in face of uncertain future. The method is extensively applied by many corporations and multinationals particularly among international oil and gas organisations. In the public sector, scenarios have been effectively used in many areas and discipline to provide a broad and deep understanding and inclusive approach in formulation and development of policies. Findings: This paper described the use of scenarios to understand the present and future of anti-corruption, as well as anticipate emerging areas of corruption, both within the government and its ecosystem. This led to the formulation of the national level policy on anti-corruption. Research limitations/implications: The National Anti-Corruption Plan is an open and living document that will be continuously reviewed throughout its five years implementation duration. It is the reference document for ministries, agencies and governments-linked companies in Malaysia to develop their own Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan. Therefore, the document will be a strategic document for the Government of Malaysia to materialise their anti-corruption effort as a strategic conversation engagement with stakeholders that will provide new insights to the scenarios developed. Practical implications: Often, policymakers begin the process of policy formulation through the identification of the problem statement, with hypothesis developed for the subject matter by project owners and stakeholders. Upon understanding the problems, efforts will then be made to identify solutions or strategies through deliberation by stakeholders. However, this direct approach may produce gaps and lack the required future robustness. The use of scenarios will ensure inclusiveness of approach, taking into consideration all present challenges, anticipating future need and trends that emerged in domestic, regional and international contexts. Social implications: This paper addresses corruption by developing solutions that enable the government to solve present problem and to prevent future occurrences by anticipating incidents and areas of corruption; it is about proactive measures rather than reactive measures. This paper also emphasizes on a different perspective – looking at multiple lenses – understanding the systemic issues and interdependencies of anti-corruption challenges. The stakeholders then shift their lenses, narrowing the issues towards specific areas, from a broader perspective to a more focused perspective measure. This study ensures critical stakeholders' involvement and buy-in; findings and suggested solutions are shared and tested amongst targeted groups. This will enable collective insights and shared responsibility for stakeholders in ensuring the success of the implementation of the plan. Originality/value: The authors wish to highlight that reviews of various anti-corruption policy documents, especially in the Asia Pacific region were made. This was intended to highlight the significance of this paper and how it shows that the application of scenarios in formulation of a national level anti-corruption policy is unprecedented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the impact of business process reengineering on organizational performance in the Malaysian electronics manufacturing industry during the coronavirus pandemic. It also studied the moderating effect of strategic thinking on the relationship between these two concepts. Design/methodology/approach: Data of 103 samples are obtained from a survey of the electronics manufacturing companies listed in the Federation of Malaysia Manufacturers' directory. Data is analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Findings: The results show that business process reengineering dimensions, i.e. top management commitment, organizational readiness for change, information technology capabilities and people management have significant positive impacts on organizational performance; whereas organizational structure and other abovementioned dimensions were found to have a much stronger impact on organizational performance whilst strategic thinking exists in the organization. Practical implications: As the studied firms have been affected by the pandemic, the results will be useful for managers of the firms in the Malaysian electronics manufacturing industry by highlighting the dimensions of business process reengineering that can have a positive and significant impact on the organizational performance and by advising them to incorporate strategic thinking. Originality/value: The results extend the literature on business process reengineering dimensions, which impact organizational performance by empirically testing the relationship of those dimensions on the performance, with strategic thinking as a moderating variable in Malaysian electronics manufacturing companies. From the knowledge, studying strategic thinking as a moderator in the relationship between business process reengineering and organizational performance in electronics manufacturing companies in Malaysia is unique, especially during a global crisis, i.e. the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The advancement of technology in the last decades transformed the education from mortar and brick into online teaching and learning. It also changed the assessments from paper-based to technology-supported assessments. This study aims to examine how technology support student's online assessments in higher education institutions from diverse background. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from 411 undergraduates in both public and private universities in Malaysia and analysed using partial least square-structural equation modelling. Findings: The findings implied that performance expectancy and resources-facilitating conditions have a positive significant relationship with behavioural intention. IT experience moderates the relationship between effort expectancy, social influence and behaviour intention to use online assessment. Originality/value: This study offered new insights into the intention to use online assessment among diverse student's background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the industry's expectations on the key employability skills of fresh graduates in the communication and media industry. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has raised the question of whether the university should produce work-ready graduates with employability skills. Driven by the theory of human capital, society expects higher education to produce graduates with skills that are useful in their workplace. Design/methodology/approach: The data were gathered primarily through a quantitative survey, which was later extended to include qualitative interviews. Quantitatively, questionnaires were completed by 313 employers from the middle and top-level management from the communication and media industry. This study also expands on qualitative data through in-depth interviews with nine respondents who were among key decision-makers of recruiting graduates to garner their insights on required employability skills. Findings: The findings revealed the following employability skills required by the industry in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: communication, ICT or digital, leadership, interpersonal, and personal qualities skills. Research limitations/implications: These findings are beneficial to education providers as well as media and communication industries in preparing students and developing their skills to adapt to the changes in the workplace. Originality/value: The authors provide an empirical understanding of industry expectations towards employability skills in the Fourth Industrial Revolution of the communication and media industry within the Malaysian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: International assignments are an effective tool to develop employees' cultural competencies, yet expatriate failure rates remain high. This paper aims to examine salient stakeholders' (i.e. organisations, host country nationals (HCNs) and spouses) support as antecedents of expatriates' work adjustment and task performance. It also explores work adjustment as a mediator between support and task performance. Design/methodology/approach: Adopting the quantitative approach, survey data were collected from 112 expatriates who were married and based in organisations in Malaysia. Partial least squares-structural equation modelling was employed to analyse the data. Findings: The findings validate the direct influences of perceived organisational support (POS) on work adjustment, HCN support on work adjustment, and spousal support on task performance. The indirect effect of HCN support on task performance through work adjustment was also established. When expatriates' work adjustment improves as a result of receiving HCN support, their task performance is enhanced. Practical implications: This study evidences that expatriate-hiring firms should provide suitable support for expatriates when they work overseas. Local employees and spouses should likewise be tasked to help expatriates maximise their full potential in achieving successful performance in their assignments. Originality/value: The contribution of this study is the exploration of the relationships between support, work adjustment and task performance among expatriates. It also adds to the limited knowledge on the role of specific stakeholders in the expatriate context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The internet creates ample opportunities to start a mobile social commerce business. The literature confirms the issue of customer trust for social commerce businesses is a challenge that must be addressed. Hence, this study aims to examine the antecedents of trust in mobile social commerce by applying linear and non-linear relationships based on partial least squares structural equation modeling and artificial neural network model. Design/methodology/approach: This study applied a non-linear artificial neural network approach to provide a further understanding of the determinants of trust in mobile social commerce based on a non-linear and non-compensatory model. Besides, a questionnaire was distributed to 340 social commerce customers in Malaysia. Findings: The conceptual framework for investigating trust in mobile social commerce has various advantages and contributions to predicting consumer behavior. The results of the study showed there is a positive and significant relationship between social support, presence and unified theory of acceptance and use of technology2 (UTAUT2). In addition, UTAUT2 has fully mediated the relationship between social support, presence and trust in social commerce. Finally, the results concluded the relationship between UTAUT2 and trust in social commerce would be stronger when the diffusion of innovation and innovation resistance is high and low, respectively. Research limitations/implications: The current study provides a novel perspective on how customers can trust social m-commerce to provide real solutions to managers of encouraging e-marketing among consumers. Practical implications: This paper shows how businesses can develop trust in social m-commerce in Malaysian markets. The findings of this study probably could be extended to other businesses in Asia or other countries. Because trust in social e-commerce has a dynamic role in consumer behavior and intention to purchase. Originality/value: This study provided a new perspective on mobile social commerce and paid more attention to an investigation of such emerging commerce. The originality of this study is embodied by investigating an integrated model that included different theories that presented new directions of trust in mobile social commerce through social and behavioral determinants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the relationship between a sustainable university brand and the intention of international students to study at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), one of Malaysia's premier universities. Moreover, the study explored the moderating effect of opinion leaders on the intention of international students to study at USM. Design/methodology/approach: A survey involving 391 international students was conducted using a self-assessment questionnaire, data from which were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Findings: Empirical data show that USM's sustainability brand had a positive impact on international students' intention to study at the university, but opinion leaders had no significant sway in influencing this decision. This finding could be attributed to USM's established reputation as a sustainable university, which helps cement its standing as the top choice for international students. Research limitations/implications: This research only focussed on international students at one Malaysian university. Hence, the findings are not generalisable, in particular, to illuminate the experiences of students at non-Malaysian institutions, whose contexts are inevitably different than Malaysia's. Practical implications: This study offered a dimensional insight into the university management on the pivotal branding of sustainability as one of the important tools for attracting international students to study at the university. In light of the findings, it is suggested that universities magnify their efforts to support the sustainable agenda, to help create a sustainable university brand that adds value to the interests of stakeholders. Originality/value: Universities are continuously faced with challenges in terms of branding. Besides, not many universities are branded as sustainable universities despite the high involvement in sustainability-focused activities. Research has scarcely focused on the influence of the "sustainable university brand" on the marketing effort of the university to international students. In studies where this topic was highlighted, they focused on the opinion leader as the moderating influence of the choice of university amongst international students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the determinants that influence bank users' acceptance for Islamic financial technology (FinTech) services by extending the technology acceptance model (TAM) in the Malaysian context. Design/methodology/approach: The survey was conducted using convenience sampling. Moreover, 205 responses were gathered from users of the Islamic bank. On the same note, the literature on determinants of Islamic FinTech acceptance and TAM was reviewed as well in a bid to contribute to the factors that are instrumental in determining the acceptance of FinTech services. Findings: Findings of the study reveal that Islamic FinTech's services acceptance is determined by perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and also by another variable, which is consumer innovativeness (CI). On the contrary other factors, self-efficacy and subjective norms are found not to be influential in determining Islamic FinTech's acceptance by Islamic banking users. Originality/value: TAM is extended in the context of Islamic FinTech. A new variable, namely, CI is tested using TAM. CI is yet to be tested, therefore, this paper will be a useful reference for the policymakers, academicians and future researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite regulatory claims of straitening volatility and preventing crashes, evidences on circuit breakers' ability to achieve so are nonconclusive. While previous scholars studies general performances of circuit breakers, the authors examine whether Malaysian price limits aggravate volatility, impede price discovery, and interfere with trading activities in both tranquil and stressful periods. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a combination of parametric and nonparametric techniques consistent with Kim and Rhee (1997) to examine the major ex-post hypotheses in circuit breaker research. Findings: For calm markets, the authors find significant success of upper limits in tempering volatility with low trading interference. Lower limits show mixed results. Conversely, in crisis markets limits fare poorly in nearly all aspects, particularly for lower limits. Practical implications: Ramifications of the paper's findings are discussed through highlighting the asymmetric nature of price limits' ex-post effects. The paper also contributes to regulatory debate surrounding the quest for an optimal price limit. Originality/value: The paper is the first of its kind in documenting long-horizon evidence of ex-post effects of a wide-band price limit. Moreover, the paper is unique in its approach in bifurcating circuit breaker performance along the line of market stability periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to study the effect of knowledge management in formulating competitive strategies for knowledge-based small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative approach of a survey was carried out on 135 owners and managers of knowledge-based SMEs in Malaysia. Structural equation modeling technique was used to investigate the relationship between knowledge management and competitive strategies. SmartPLS software is used to analyze the quantitative data. Only SMEs which are involved in R&D and innovation were selected to get the right respondents who meet the objective of the study. Findings: The findings show mixed results. Most dimensions of knowledge management have significant relationships to differentiation strategy except for knowledge creation and knowledge acquisition, with only knowledge acquisition showing a significant relationship to cost leadership. Findings reveal that knowledge management has a positive effect on competitive strategies with more inclination toward differentiation strategy, compared to cost leadership strategy which does synchronize with their commitment in research and development and innovation. Research limitations/implications: This study is only focused on knowledge-based SMEs in central Malaysia. Second, the use of a survey approach minimized the flow of information. Practical implications: SMEs do have knowledge management practices but may not be exploiting it well. Mapping knowledge management practices would help SMEs identify their strengths and weaknesses to explore better business opportunities. This proves that SMEs are leveraging their resources through knowledge application, dissemination, storage and protection to be different than their competitors. However, their apparent lack of knowledge in knowledge acquisition and knowledge creation should be addressed accordingly, as it is important for their future continuous sustainability. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the literature of knowledge management relating to competitive strategies in SMEs. The study offers insights on how competitive strategies were formulated through knowledge management. The mixed results reveal a new different outlook of knowledge management relating to competitive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of technology on organizational performance of private higher learning institutions (HLIs) in Malaysia and to determine the area of focus for private HLIs in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: Data collection was carried out over two months through an online self-administered questionnaire and yielded 155 samples. Subsequently, the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the reflective measurement model and the structural model for validity, reliability and hypotheses, respectively. Findings: This paper discovered that between the two constructs of technology tested (technology management and technology usage), only technology management influenced organizational performance. Originality/value: As Industry 4.0 is disrupting the existing business environment, inquiring into the influence of technology is of critical importance for the organizational performance of private HLIs in Malaysia. This paper provides a different perspective of how technology affects the overall organizational performance of private HLIs which differs from past studies which focused more on the effects of technology on individuals such as teachers/instructors and learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the effects of hotels' brand attributes on consumers' (patrons' and guests') by fostering brand credibility and brand attachment towards the propensity of word-of-mouth. The study uses the signaling theory to assess the relationships among the constructs. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopts partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach to validate the research model and the research hypotheses. To test the hypotheses, 474 travellers in Malaysia were recruited. Findings: The empirical results reveal that hotel attributes have direct influence on brand credibility and brand attachment. Similarly, brand credibility has direct influence on brand attachment, while brand attachment also has direct influence on word-of-mouth. Consumers' brand credibility partially mediates the relationship between hotel attributes and brand attachment. Likewise, consumer's brand attachment also partially mediates the relationship between hotel attributes and word-of-mouth. Last but not least, brand credibility and brand attachment sequentially mediate the relationship between hotel attributes and word-of-mouth. The theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed together with its limitation and future research direction. Originality/value: First, in terms of measures, brand attachment construct is operationalised as a formative second-order construct, with three reflective variables (brand passion, self-brand connection and brand affection) as the first-order constructs. In addition, brand credibility is also operationalised as a formative second-order construct, with three reflective variables (expertise, trustworthiness and attractiveness) as the first-order constructs. On the other hand, hotel attributes construct is operationalised formatively as a higher-order abstraction of three categories of hotel facilities, which were also operationalised formatively (essential, culture compliant and in-room facilities). Second, this paper offers new insight into how brand credibility and brand attachment influence the relationship between hotel attributes and word-of-mouth. In a sustainability era, dissemination of complete and correct information is vital, to ensure consumers' acceptance (e.g. likelihood to recommend to others). Thus, it is suggested that hotel managers to pay close attention to the role of brand credibility and brand attachment in tourists' hotel choice, to secure sustainable brand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to discuss the mediating effects of innovation on the relationship between knowledge management and firm competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach: A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from small construction firms in the Eastern Region of Peninsular Malaysia. Out of the 190 construction firms surveyed, 153 (80.5%) respondents returned their completed questionnaire. These were used for data analysis. The data were then analyzed using the covariance-based structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings: Knowledge management had a direct and significant positive effect on firm competitiveness. Nonetheless, the effect of knowledge management on firm competitiveness was mediated by innovation. This indicates that knowledge management should be supported by technical and administrative innovations in the firm. Research limitations/implications: The data collected were from a limited sample of construction firms. In addition, conducting a study on a region of Malaysia may limit the generalizability of the model. Practical implications: While knowledge management is crucial for a firm's competitiveness, technical and administrative innovations must be concurrently improved for a stronger firm competitiveness. This is especially true in terms of financial strength and core competence. Originality/value: This paper provides some empirical evidence that technical and administrative innovations fully mediated the relationship between knowledge management and firm competitiveness. The results consolidate the resource-based view on the importance of internal resource and capability of the firm and improve KM research area. It also strengthens the view that KM is a critical factor for firm competitiveness, but a good KM without strong innovation will not increase the competitiveness of small construction firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to discuss the knowledge levels, attitudes and behaviours regarding the concept of sustainable development among pre-university programme educators, as well as the potential barriers and opportunities they face in adopting the concept of sustainable development in the teaching of the pre-university level chemistry module at a public university in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was conducted with eight educators of a pre-university programme at a public university located in Selangor, Malaysia. This pre-university programme exposes students to advanced courses in science, which are very much like first-year university courses for candidates who are interested in gaining admission to degree programmes. For this study, the focus was on chemistry educators only. The collected data were analysed through descriptive analysis following which interviews were conducted with the respondents. Findings: In general, the educators have good knowledge and attitudes towards the concept of sustainable development. Moreover, their projected knowledge (K), attitude (A) and behaviour (B) focus more on environmental dimensions, as opposed to other sustainable development dimensions. While the integration of the concept of sustainable development in chemistry teaching is restricted by a few barriers, such as content-based learning, lack of guidebooks related to sustainable development and an overcrowded curriculum, positive responses from the chemistry educators indicate that there are opportunities to implement sustainable chemistry concepts in the pre-university chemistry module. Research limitations/implications: The present study was conducted with several limitations; the data were obtained from a small sample size at an institute located within a public university. The respondents of this research consisted of only three existing chemistry educators and five administrators who are also educators. Further studies about sustainable chemistry teaching should include samples from other public and private universities. Originality/value: This paper is instrumental in assisting the Ministry of Education, administrators, as well as educators within the pre-university sector to shift their goals towards sustainable chemistry teaching to achieve success in education for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In Malaysia, research indicates that there is an interest amongst the stakeholders, namely, administrators and academicians to be engaged in education for sustainable development (SD), but it is rarely implemented as a part of the higher education curriculum due to various barriers. This paper aims to develop a framework for integrating SD concepts into the chemistry curriculum, using a case study approach. Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted at a local university located in Selangor, Malaysia, offering a foundation programme to students between 17 to 18 years of age. Data was collected using a qualitative approach that involved 12 experts as informants. The collected data was analysed via three coding stages, namely, open coding, category coding and thematic encoding using Atlas.ti 7.0 software. Findings: The research revealed that six aspects contribute to the integration of SD concepts into the chemistry curriculum, namely, educational policy, awareness, resources, curriculum, pedagogical approach and stakeholders' engagement. The proposed framework was formulated by considering these aspects. Originality/value: The findings of this study can be used as a guide to facilitate the integration of SD concepts into the chemistry curriculum. It is expected to encourage the involvement of more teachers in adopting sustainable chemistry teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - Personal bankruptcy is on the rise in Malaysia. The Insolvency Department of Malaysia reported that personal bankruptcy has increased since 2007, and the total accumulated personal bankruptcy cases stood at 131,282 in 2014. This is indeed an alarming issue because the increasing number of personal bankruptcy cases will have a negative impact on the Malaysian economy, as well as on the society. From the aspect of individual's personal economy, bankruptcy minimizes their chances of securing a job. Apart from that, their account will be frozen, lost control on their assets and properties and not allowed to start any business nor be a part of any company's management. Bankrupts also will be denied from any loan application, restricted from travelling overseas and cannot act as a guarantor. This paper aims to investigate this problem by developing the personal bankruptcy prediction model using the decision tree technique. Design/methodology/approach - In this paper, bankrupt is defined as terminated members who failed to settle their loans. The sample comprised of 24,546 cases with 17 per cent settled cases and 83 per cent terminated cases. The data included a dependent variable, i.e. bankruptcy status (Y = 1(bankrupt), Y = 0 (non-bankrupt)) and 12 predictors. SAS Enterprise Miner 14.1 software was used to develop the decision tree model. Findings - Upon completion, this study succeeds to come out with the profiles of bankrupts, reliable personal bankruptcy scoring model and significant variables of personal bankruptcy. Practical implications - This decision tree model is possible for patent and income generation. Financial institutions are able to use this model for potential borrowers to predict their tendency toward personal bankruptcy. Originality/value - This decision tree model is able to facilitate and assist financial institutions in evaluating and assessing their potential borrower. It helps to identify potential defaulting borrowers. It also can assist financial institutions in implementing the right strategies to avoid defaulting borrowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of foundation chemistry learners concerning the sustainable development concept.Design/methodology/approach Qualitative and quantitative studies were conducted. Atlas.ti software was used to analyse the chemistry curriculum based on selected themes and sub-themes. A survey was carried out involving 132 chemistry learners. The chemistry learners were students from a foundation programme in a local university located in Selangor, Malaysia. The collected data were analysed using SPSS 21.0 involving descriptive and inferential statistics.Findings Document analysis on the chemistry curriculum shows that water is the theme most covered in the chemistry learners' textbook, as compared to other themes. In general, the chemistry learners have good knowledge and attitude concerning the sustainable development concept. However, their knowledge and attitude do not reflect in their behaviour as an individual, as well as in the classroom. Moreover, their knowledge, attitude and behaviour focus more on environmental dimension, as compared to other sustainable development dimensions.Practical implications This paper is instrumental in assisting educators to assess how chemistry learners perceive sustainable development, and this may help to bring about changes to improve chemistry teaching and learning processes towards education for sustainable development.Originality/value This paper is an original and novel research paper which is first conducted on sustainable development concept in chemistry curriculum in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the conceptualisation of corporate communication management (CCM) and its dimensionality from the practitioners' perspectives. It proposes to validate an operational definition and dimensions of the CCM construct, which have not been identified in the literature.Design/methodology/approach The initial concepts are based on academic literature and followed by 12 face-to-face interviews with corporate communication practitioners and consultants from Malaysia to confirm the practicality of each dimension. QSR Nvivo Version 9.0 software is used to analyse the qualitative data. Then, the data are classified through deductive content analysis based on key words or themes.Findings The diverse perspectives are shown from the practitioners and consultants on the dimensionality of CCM. Most of the interviewees suggest that CCM dimensions include corporate advertising, corporate affairs, investor relations and employee communication within the corporate communication and other departments. They also found the public relations and media relations are clearly under corporate communications manager's supervision. This research confirms the concept of CCM and its dimensionality to operationalise the CCM construct. The CCM dimensions also offer opportunities for further research to develop the measurement scales.Originality/value This research contributes to the clarification on the subject matter by developing clear concepts of the CCM and by offering insights about the role of the CCM dimensions, which help managers to more successfully incorporate the CCM dimension into the corporate management strategy. This paper also examines the concept of CCM and confirms its dimensionality, which helps in developing the CCM measurement for further quantitative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The notion of students as change agents have widely been used in the campus sustainability literature, but very little has been done to unpack what it really means in practice. This paper aims to critically investigate university students' perspectives on their role as a change agent for campus sustainability in the context of Malaysian universities. Design/methodology/approach: In-depth interviews were carried out with 21 students that have been categorized as change agents through selection criteria at three leading universities in the area of campus sustainability in Malaysia. The data collected from the interviews were analysed through content-based and thematic analysis. Findings: Findings demonstrate that students are the backbone behind the implementation of campus sustainability activities. They play the multi-faceted role of leaders, supporters and ambassadors in initiating and driving campus sustainability. The results further suggest that support and freedom to act are the empowering factors that have driven these change agents in carrying out their initiatives. However, without a position, the students' voices are not significant. Originality/value: This study provides deeper evidence-based insights on the notion of students as change agents and how it can be operationalized in the context of campus sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Studies have highlighted concerns about the role of knowledge creation between human resource management practices and employee behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of green human resource management (green HRM) on employee green behaviour (EGB) through the mediation of environmental knowledge of lecturers in public research universities in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: This cross-sectional study examines the mechanism in which green HRM affects the EGB of lecturers through environmental knowledge in Malaysian public research universities. Smart PLS was used to analyse the relationships from 425 valid responses. Findings: The findings of the study show that green HRM affects EGB through the full mediation of environmental knowledge. This finding gives a theoretical implication in terms of ability, motivation and opportunity theory. Research limitations/implications: The scope of this study is limited to public research universities in Malaysia. Future studies may explore other variables that could expedite the relationship between green HRM and EGB. Implications include policy making that emphasises on enhancing environmental knowledge of lecturers. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, no study has been conducted using environmental knowledge as a mediator between green HRM and EGB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report how banking competition has fared ex post a major consolidation exercise completed during 2002-2004, which led to a complete restructuring of the sector in Malaysia. Nothing is known about the competitiveness of banking system ex post a major consolidation of banks in any country including Malaysia, a middle-income economy.Design/methodology/approach The authors apply two models, the Panzar and Rosse (1997) and the Lerner index (1934). The two competitiveness measures are quite refined, well received by researchers, but has yet been applied to measure banking sector competitiveness of a middle-income country to characterize post-merger behavior using post-global-crisis data set. The data were complemented by documentary analysis, including brand documents, descriptions of internal processes and copies of employee magazine articles.Findings The results indicate that, after 11 years of consolidation, the banking sector is not operating under perfect or monopolistic competition. Malaysia’s banking industry continues to benefit the charter holders at increasingly lower level because a cartel-like environment still provides trade-off of competition costs before 2002/2004 with the costs from a cartel-like industry structures now. There is only a weak evidence that, in recent years, the banking sector is moving toward more competition.Research limitations/implications The chosen area of research is to test the response of the banking sector ex post consolidation after a crisis. It enables researcher to compare results with those of other countries and may not be generalizable.Practical implications The findings reported in this study using corroborating measures for the first time, appear to suggest increasing concentration from consolidation may lead to the undesirable cartel-like industry structure where the exercise of market power in the name of stability may not be welfare promoting.Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study how the banking sector has performed ex post consolidation after a crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to review the literature of community-based mental health services (CMHS) optimization in Malaysia that focus on the aspects of perceived challenges or barriers and facilitating factors for community-based mental health centre (CMHC). Design/methodology/approach: Relevant peer-reviewed literature was identified and being reviewed in three databases and one local journal. Findings: Nine studies were eligible for inclusion and the extracted data were summarized into a narrative review. The evidence provided for what constituting an optimal implementation of CMHS in Malaysia appeared lacking. However, there are adequate recommendations and suggestions on the component of facilitating factors; on how to increase service user's engagement towards the improvement of mental health systems. Research limitations/implications: Research in the literature had focussed on the optimization aspects from the perspective of the service user. Additionally, this had been discussed through the lens of a variety of mental health systems and not specifically on the community-based perspectives. Originality/value: This current systematic review provides valuable and important evidence that further explorations of the existing experiences of the mental health care professionals in delivering CMHS in Malaysia CMHC. The review serves as the foundation for future research to explain the local explanatory framework on what are the best practise models for local CMHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study is the first attempt to analyze the effectiveness of recent two major tax policies, the reductions in personal and corporate income taxes and a rise in indirect tax and their combine, under both balanced and unbalanced budget conditions, on the economy and social aspects of Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses a computable general equilibrium model to investigate the impacts of all simulation scenarios on the key macro and micro indicators. Further, based on the 2012 Malaysia Household Income and Expenditure Survey, it uses a micro-data with a significant number of households (over 56,000 individuals) to analyze the impacts of tax policies on poverty and income inequality of Malaysian. Findings: Simulation results show that, under the balanced budget condition, personal and corporate income tax reductions increase economic growth, household consumption, and investment, while the rise in indirect tax has adverse impacts on these variables. However, in the unbalanced budget condition, all tax policies, except indirect tax policy, reduce real GDP and investment in the economy and the indirect tax policy has insignificant impacts on all indicators. All policy reforms reallocate resources, especially labor, in the economy. In both budget conditions, the reductions in corporate and personal income taxes, particularly the corporate income tax, decrease poverty level of Malaysian households. Results also indicate that both tax policies are unable to influence income inequality in Malaysia. Social implications: This study recommends that the government can increase its revenue by increasing indirect taxes as it does not have any impact on household welfare. In order to increase government revenues, initial increases in personal and corporate income taxes are suggested as they may have small negative impacts on the economy and welfare of households. Originality/value: One of the significant features of this paper is that it examines both expansionary and contractionary fiscal policies in a country that government budget depends on oil exports. Since the literature on this subject is limited, particularly in the Malaysian context, the authors used Malaysia as a case to show how tax reform policies affect the economy and poverty level of such countries. Distinguishing the Malaysian households into 10 deciles and analyzing the distributional impacts of tax policies on these categories are the most significant contributions of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancers and cardiovascular diseases have become a major health concern globally. As literature claims that frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes and its complications, this paper aims to evaluate the potential hypoglycemic properties in five types of non-leafy vegetables (pumpkin, sweet potato, bitter gourd, onion and lady's finger), which are commonly available in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: Articles were identified through several main search engines, including Pubmed, Google Scholar, Taylor and Francis Online, EDS, Wiley, ScienceDirect and Scopus. The search was limited to selected keywords to refine the outcome. Findings: All the five types of non-leafy vegetables demonstrate hypoglycemic properties to some extent. Emerging findings indicate that there are several phytonutrients in the non-leafy vegetables contributing to the hypoglycemic effects. To date, the underlying mechanism of action remains to be elucidated, although a number of potential mechanisms of action have been proposed in the literature. Originality/value: This review provides some insights into the hypoglycemic properties in non-leafy vegetables. In addition, phytonutrients that are responsible for the hypoglycemic effects and their mechanism of action are also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a hierarchical model to rank the challenges faced by the private Malaysian higher education institutions (HEIs) in the provision of quality education and subsequently their corresponding critical success factors (CSFs) to address those challenges. Design/methodology/approach: A sequential mix method was adopted in this study. Semi-structured interviews with 29 participants were initially conducted to identify the challenges and CSFs. This was followed by a questionnaire survey involving 158 respondents to prioritise the identified findings. Thematic analysis was conducted in the qualitative stage, uncovering the challenges and their corresponding CSFs. Data for both stages were accumulated from internal and external stakeholders of Malaysian private HEIs. Finally, the four stages of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) were applied to rank the challenges and CSFs. Findings: The qualitative stage identified eight challenges, i.e. "academics", "facilities", "students", "programmes and curriculum", "competition", "accreditation", "finance" and "research" together with their corresponding CSFs. The AHP enables the ranking of these challenges. "Finance" has been found to be the most crucial challenge and "high competency in managing the institution's finance" as the most important CSF to address this challenge. Research limitations/implications: As the study restricted its focus on Malaysian private HEIs, the results may not be generalised for public HEIs and foreign private HEIs operating in Malaysia. Originality/value: The hierarchical model developed in this study is deemed important for implementation to resolve the prioritised challenges. It spells out the specific areas in which the resources of Malaysian private HEIs need to be prudently disbursed and properly managed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of the organizational creative climate, knowledge sharing and innovative work behavior in startups development. This study also aims to discover the R square, predictive relevance and effect size of the developed model. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative method was used, and a total of 352 usable questionnaires were collected from employees at startups particularly in services sector in Malaysia. The structural equation was developed to explain the complicated relationship between organizational creative climate, knowledge sharing and innovative work behavior. The results of hypothesis were analyzed using structural equation modeling – partial least square (SEM-PLS) test. Findings: The results indicate that organizational creative climate significantly influence innovative work behavior (H1), organizational climate positively affects knowledge sharing (H2) and knowledge sharing significantly influence innovative work behavior (H3). In addition, the results also show that the R square values of innovative work behavior is weak (R2 = 0.067), while the predictive relevance value demonstrating the model has sufficient predictive relevance. Further, the results of effect size show medium effect for organizational creative climate and knowledge, while the remaining indicates small effect size. Practical implications: This study provides a comprehensible and clear understanding on how organizational creative climate and knowledge sharing play important role in fostering the individual innovative work behavior in Malaysian startups. Originality/value: Research on the significance of organizational creative climate, knowledge sharing and to innovative work behavior particularly in the startups context has not been sufficiently explored. This study shed new light to the startups eco-system stakeholders in stimulating individual innovative work behavior through the practices of sharing information as well as the creative climate and innovative elements in the entrepreneurial activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the data collected from Malaysian students to investigate the effects of students' entrepreneurial characteristics (need for achievement, locus of control, propensity to take risk, self-confidence, tolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty, and leadership) on their propensity to become entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: As a quantitative study, various analyses, such as exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling, were conducted to analyze the data collected from 257 students known to have participated in entrepreneurship course and programmes. Findings: The results show that leadership skill, need for achievement, tolerance of ambiguity, and risk-taking propensity are positively and significantly associated with students' intention to initiate entrepreneurial activities in Malaysia. Originality/value: The researchers have used data from the perspective of Malaysian students to increase the readers' understanding on students' entrepreneurial characteristics that could enhance their likelihood to become entrepreneurs in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is an on-going debate about the role of workplace internet leisure (WIL) and whether it is a vice or virtue. Considering this, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of WIL on workplace outcome variables such as employee satisfaction (ES) and employee productivity in the Malaysian context. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that yielded 282 responses. Partial least square technique using SmartPLS-3 was used to test the study hypotheses. Findings: Findings reveal that workplace WIL, workplace WIL policy and workplace autonomy orientation (WAO) affect employees' satisfaction. Additionally, the mediating role of ES was found to be significant. Practical implications: The findings of this study are valuable for both managers and policy makers. These results can benefit the managers of conventional banks in Malaysia to decide how to enhance employees' satisfaction and productivity by focusing on the key drivers such as WIL, workplace internet leisure policy (WILP) and WAO. Originality/value: This is a pioneering study which suggests that moderate use of WIL can have a positive and significant effect on workplace outcome variables. Moreover, this study theorised ES as a mediating variable; this helps to explain how organisations can transform workplace resources in term of internet leisure, WILP and WAO into high productivity by elevating employees' satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of peripheral service quality on football match spectators' emotions and behavioural intention. Design/methodology/approach: Data were obtained from a survey of 342 spectators of professional league football in Malaysia and analysed using the partial least squares technique. Findings: The results illustrated the significant role of both pleasant and unpleasant emotions in forming spectators' behavioural intentions. Furthermore, they demonstrated that the drivers of pleasant and unpleasant emotions are different. While entertainment, electronic devices and stadium announcers have positive effects on pleasant emotion, facilities and electronic devices have negative effects on unpleasant emotion. Entertainment, electronic devices and stadium announcers have indirect effects on behavioural intentions through pleasant emotions. Unpleasant emotions mediated the effects of facilities and electronic devices on behavioural intentions. Originality/value: The findings of this study suggest that football marketers must understand the crucial role of peripheral service quality and spectators' emotions. Through stimulating pleasant emotions in spectators and preventing unpleasant emotions from arising, football marketers can ensure that these spectators will attend football stadiums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of process and outcome quality on fitness members' delight and satisfaction. Furthermore, the relationships between delight, satisfaction and behavioural intention are investigated. Design/methodology/approach: Data were obtained from a survey of 379 members of fitness centres in Malaysia and analysed using the partial least squares technique. Findings: The results indicated that process quality and outcome quality had a significant effect on customer delight and satisfaction. Furthermore, customer delight influenced customers' satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Practical implications: The findings of this study will help fitness centre managers to understand the importance of outcome quality and delight in addition to process quality and satisfaction in shaping the members' behavioural intentions, thereby allowing them to differentiate their service from their customers. Originality/value: This study is the first attempt to investigate the importance of outcome quality and customer delight in the fitness industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate work engagement as a mediator of the impacts of supervisor support and self-efficacy on quitting intentions, and examine self-efficacy as a mediator between supervisor support and work engagement. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from 177 call center employees in Malaysia. The aforesaid linkages were tested through structural equation modeling. Findings: As hypothesized, self-efficacy mediates the relationship between supervisor support and work engagement, while work engagement mediates the impacts of supervisor support and self-efficacy on quitting intentions. Originality/value: Though work engagement is on the decline and employee turnover is on the rise, no attention has been given to investigating the impacts of supervisor support and self-efficacy simultaneously on call center employees' work engagement and quitting intentions so far. Therefore, the study aims to fill in this void. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the use of problem-based learning (PBL) with engineering students at a technical university in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: The setting provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact of PBL, since Universiti Kuala Lumpur offers both the traditional, predominantly classroom-focussed approach to engineering and the more hands-on approach referred to as Higher Technical and Vocational Education and Training (HTVET). The study sample consisted of 453 third-year students' enroled in both programmes at Universiti Kuala Lumpur. Findings: Students in the HTVET programme responded better to PBL teaching methods, as evidenced by improved performance on written as well as lab-based assessments. This result indicates that students using the hands-on approach advocated by HTVET tend to obtain the greatest benefit from experiential, student-centred learning approaches. The analysis suggests the possibility that the PBL approach is a moderator of student performance in HTVET programmes. This possibility merits further investigation. Research limitations/implications: The sample included students from only one institution of higher learning, which was chosen because both types of programmes are offered there. In addition, the current study does not consider potential mediating or moderating variables. Originality/value: The findings provide an empirical basis for implementing PBL as a form of experiential learning at higher education institutions, especially those using the HTVET model. Furthermore, they provide a justification for designing curriculum structures and student learning time with an emphasis on active and experiential learning, thereby maximising the effectiveness of a hands-on approach, rather than the "minds-on" theoretical approach advocated by traditional engineering programmes in enhancing the teaching and learning experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is, first, to examine student perspectives of their university experience in terms of the soft employability skills they develop; second, how prepared those students feel for the future employment market and finally investigate whether there are differences in perceptions between Chinese and Malaysian students given their different educational experience. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, 361 predominantly Chinese undergraduate students at two universities, one in China and the other in Malaysia completed the 15-item Goldsmiths soft skills inventory using an online survey. Findings: The results, analysed using factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, indicated that the university curriculum develops student soft skills, particularly in the Malaysian university and supports the relationship between soft skill and student preparedness for employment. The results also indicate that compared with the respondents from the Chinese university, the Malaysian university respondents were more likely to be positive to statements concerning their respective university's ability to develop their soft skills. Research limitations/implications: Such findings have implications for education providers and business in that it is important for universities to embed soft skills into the curriculum in order to develop graduate work readiness. Originality/value: What this research contributes is not only consolidation of existing research in the contemporary context of a disruptive jobs market, it takes research forward through analysing student perceptions from two universities, one in Malaysia and the other in China, of the skills they develop at university and the importance of soft skills to them and their perceptions of future employment and employability. Such research will provide insight, in particular, into the role of education providers, the phenomena of underemployment among graduates in China, and be of practical significance to employers and their perception that graduates lack the necessary soft skills for the workplace (Anonymous, 2017a; Stapleton, 2017; British Council, 2015; Chan, 2015). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of two promotional methods, namely, celebrity endorsed advertisement and selfie promotion, on customers' decision-making processes using the AISAS model. Design/methodology/approach: A within-subject experimental design was used to observe how young adults in Malaysia would respond to two promotional methods about a new seafood restaurant. A total of 180 responses were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were assessed and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Findings: The results show that while celebrity endorsed advertisement remains relevant to customer's decision-making processes, the effect of selfie promotion is comparable to celebrity endorsement. The sequential mediation for both models is found to be significant, but the AISAS model with selfie promotion produces better in-sample prediction (model selection criteria) and out-of-sample prediction (PLSpredict) compared to celebrity endorsed advertisement, thus suggesting its better representation to reality. Research limitations/implications: Despite being limited to young adults in Malaysia and a particular product, the study is essential to understanding the effect of celebrity endorsed advertisement and selfie promotion on decision-making processes. Practical implications: The study provides insights into how business organisations could exploit the advancement of communication technology to encourage selfie behaviour to promote their products in an innovative and competitive manner. Originality/value: The assessment of the effect of celebrity endorsed advertisement and selfie promotion on decision-making processes using PLSpredict and model selection criteria articulates the relevance of selfie as a promotional tool. It also provides an alternative technique for conducting model comparison research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanism by which uses and gratification (U&G) constructs predict continuance intention to play (ContInt) the augmented reality game Pokémon Go (PG), through multiple serial mediation technique, with enjoyment and flow as mediators. The model also integrates other motivational factors specific to PG, namely, network externality and nostalgia and investigates the process by which they influence ContInt through players' inherent need-to-collect animated monsters and online community involvement, respectively. Design/methodology/approach: The model was tested using 362 validated responses from an online survey of PG players in Malaysia. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyse the data. The predictive relevance of the model was tested via partial least squares-Predict. Findings: ContInt is influenced through various mechanisms. Enjoyment is the most important mediator, mediating three U&G predictor constructs (achievement, escapism, challenge and social interaction) and the outcome ContInt. Flow did not have any influence on ContInt unless coupled with enjoyment as a serial mediator. Network externality and nostalgia were found to only influence ContInt through mediators, online community involvement and need-to-collect Pokémon Monsters, respectively. Overall, the results show evidence of four indirect-only mediation paths and one complementary partial mediation path. Originality/value: Provides support for an integrated model incorporating psychological, social and gaming motivational factors. While most other studies focus on direct relationships, we focus on indirect relationships through multiple sequential mediation analysis, following the recent modern mediation analysis guidelines. Contrary to previous findings, flow was not an important factor in predicting ContInt for gaming and nostalgia does not link directly to ContInt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]