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Every year, World Bank Group (WBG) is conducting assessment for 190 countries and produces a ranking report based on Doing Business performance – an initiative to measure benchmark efficiency on business regulation and their enforcement by a sample study (e.g. for Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur City Hall - DBKL). One of the ranking categories is based on Dealing with Construction Permits (DCP) which made us proud as announce Malaysia ranks for 2019 is #3 (based on 2018 assessment). This achievement was based on continues efforts and studies from the last bottom of #137 (since, 2007), #113 (2012) and continues with positive results (straight improvement) respectively till this year. Maintaining the top three ranks is not an easy task; however, is not impossible either. Lots of study in innovations, suggestions and implementation should be carried out to maintain and improve Malaysian DCP ranks. As per DCP of this year assessment, Work Bank has suggested all countries with 5 new suggestions (new additional marking schema). One of them is to engage Geographic Information System (GIS) for land use, cadastre, water, electricity and sewage related datasets. This paper propose an initial study (concept paper) towards engaging GIS in DCP activity as a response (first action) suggested by World Bank Group; crucial in maintaining DCP rank for 2020 as well as to provide better business regulations and enforcements for DBKL or other local authority. Later, an impact study will be conducted, utilizing new integrated GIS system publishing service (GeoMap) and the output of the study will indicate whether Malaysia Productive Corporation (MPC) should engage or ignore the 5th suggestion by World Bank Group, or to enhance with other initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper evaluates the validity of the assumption that leadership strategies (LS) influence employee performance (EP) and extra-role behavior (ERB) among employees of biotechnology firms in Malaysia. Besides, this study also inspected the indirect impact of employee innovation orientation (EIO) on the relationship between LS, ERB, LS and EP. The survey was distributed among employees, asking them to report their perceptions of the given constructs. Using a purposive sample of 262 employees, the data examination was done through the structural model technique. The study's findings confirmed that leadership strategies play a significant and positive role in EP and extra-role behavior. The moderating impact of EIO on the association between LS and ERB is significant. The paper's findings provide theoretical implications by adding to the knowledge of the association between the variables under study in the workplace and biotech firms in particular. Furthermore, managers should acknowledge the benefits of effective leadership strategies that positively influence extra-role behavior and employee performance and focus on nurturing employee innovation orientation to impact extra-role behavior. Future research suggestions and limitations of the study are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global environmental concerns have garnered significant attention in recent times. Concerns about encouraging more ecologically friendly production to lessen the effects of pollution have been raised by industrial operations that cause environmental pollution. The adoption of an environmental management system in Malaysian firms, however, has received little attention. This paper explores the mediating effect of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework on the relationship between ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) and ESG performance of Malaysian companies. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4 was employed to assess the relationship through a conceptual model developed for this purpose. A total of 86 completed responses were collected from the targeted respondents in Malaysia of different industries. With ESG framework as a mediator, ISO 14001 EMS has an insignificant relationship with ESG performance, and the R2 value of ESG performance is 0.243. When the ESG framework is removed, ISO 14001 EMS has a significant relationship with ESG performance, and the f-square value is 0.176. This effect size is considered medium. The results provide an empirical proof for Malaysian companies to adopt the ISO 14001 EMS as a business tool, with ESG framework as a mediator in order to enhance their ESG performance. The study's conclusions highlight the implications of using ISO 14001 EMS as a tool for businesses in Malaysia to improve ESG performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused impact on the survivability and performance of organizations. Some organizations were forced to stop their daily business operations and suffer losses to the point of having to reduce their workforce. Organizational performance and organisational profit was also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the affected sectors in Malaysia is the tourism sector such as the hotel industry. Based on the current scenario, this paper highlights the organization's strategy in maintaining the survivability of the organization during the Movement Control Order MCO. This study uses a qualitative approach by interviewing two (2) Human Resource Managers in the hospitality industry at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The results of this study shows that the Turnaround Strategy is an effective strategy, in re-stabilize the performance of the organization for the sake of its survivability. Among the measures taken by the organization is by implementing the Turnaround Strategy which consists of three (3) dimensions such as asset reduction, cost savings and revenue generation. The organization's actions effect the organization's performance from the aspects of communication, productivity and leadership in the organization. Previous studies by Mann & Byun (2017) and Santana et al. (2017) stated that Turnaround Strategies are effective in maintaining organizational survivability during the COVID-19 pandemic. This preliminary research requires theoretical aspects in perceiving the extent of the organization's direction in adopting the Turnaround Strategy, workforce reduction and its relationship with performance in an organization when dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates how knowledge creation process mediates the relationship between customer orientation and firm performance for small hotels in Malaysia. A survey was conducted to gather data for this study from 308 small hotel owners located in five tourism regions in Malaysia. The results show that 1) customer orientation has a direct relationship with firm performance 2) a firm's customer orientation initiatives have an impact on firm's knowledge creation process that are dependent on the dynamic capabilities of their tourism entrepreneurs and 3) customer orientation displayed by small hotels is found to be partially mediated by the knowledge creation process and its impact on firm performance. This paper maintains that small hotels that display customer orientation are mostly dependent on their own resources instituted internally by their owners. However, firm performance improves if the firm dutifully builds its knowledge database from internal and external knowledge sources through socialization, externalization, combination and internalization processes. This study establishes the importance of customer orientation and knowledge creation, especially to those of as resource-based and dynamic capabilities respectively into renewed firm outcomes, to both academics and industry practitioners. This research findings are useful for tourism entrepreneurs, who are seeking to compete and achieve superior firm performance for effective business practices and enhancing return on investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reviews and assesses the performance of the manufacturing sector in general, as well as the catalytic industries identified in the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (1 IMP), to ascertain whether the initiatives and targets proposed in the Plan are adequate to energize and move the sector forward. In doing so, the paper uses industrial policy arguments -- market and government failures -- to explain the slow progress of the sector. The findings suggest that market failures -- in terms of lagging industrial capabilities and economies of scale, market frictions, lack of support for self-discovery by firms and diversification -- require government intervention. Nevertheless, defying comparative advantage and identifying frontier products that show lacklustre performance to spearhead the sector under the Plan certainly require substantial improvements in institutioncd capabilities, coordination and institutional learning, while maintaining respect for markets and incentives. The paper concludes that lack of recognition to address government failures limited the success of policies implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a tool to involve employees in the continuous improvement. SMEs are a well-known as the vital sector to Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, SMEs still face issues of their performances. Most of SMEs have issue in TQM implementation due to the lack of awareness and accepting of TQM. The objective of this paper is to examine the TQM implementation amongst SMEs, in order to enhance their performance by using Balanced Scorecard (BSC). 130 respondents from Malaysia SMEs in manufacturing sector have been sent in this survey. Finally, 64 respondents have responded, representing 49.2 of response rate. The result shows that TQM practices have positive and significant relationship towards the BSC with r=0.64 at P<0.05. Hence, TQM practices also have significant relationship with all of the four BSC perspective with p<0.05. This study demonstrated that TQM is important tool for improving BSC performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As Malaysian banks step into Basel-III era, a close look at their performance on risk adjusted basis using RAROC and EVA would throw significant light on their relative strengths and weaknesses. Post restructuring during 1999-2000, the regulatory framework of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) throughout 2001-2010 was mainly centered on capitalisation, risk management and governance practices in banks. Financial Sector Blue Print is viewed as the reference framework for growth of banks in the current decade. Though numerous studies have evaluated the performances of Malaysian banks in terms of efficiency and productivity gains before and after the merger and also at various phases during the last decade, no study has so far been reported to evaluate their performances using the above framework. This paper intends to fill up this gap. The period covered is 2001 to 2013. Findings of this paper would be of keen interest to the policy planners, investors and researchers alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a sample of listed firms in Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, this paper examines the association between busy board of directors and firm performance. We offer three results. First, we find that firm performance (measured by operating profitability and market-to-book equity) is negatively associated with busy boards. Second, we find that firms with busy boards have higher operating risk (measured by volatility of return on assets, volatility of stock returns and volatility of operating cash flow). Third, we find that the association between firm performance and busy boards is conditional on the firm's life cycle stage. For firms in the growth stage, busy boards are beneficial to firm performance suggesting that the experience knowledge and reputation accumulated with multiple directorships help busy directors to more effectively advise these firms. In contrast, for firms in the maturity stage of their life cycle, busy boards are detrimental to firm performance suggesting the monitoring role of board is weakened by multiple directorships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study empirically investigated the ERM Implementation model and proposed framework to identify and manage risks in Oil and Gas Sector in Malaysia. The study examined the role of ERM framework implementation in improving business performance by utilizing Economic Value Added as a measurement tool. The study also provides insights to the Oil and Gas Sector to gain higher profit returns, reduce cost of capital, and improve shareholders value. Moreover, it contributes significantly in the field of Enterprise risk management in Malaysia. The identification and management of risk is significant to organizations in managing risks efficiently. Expectations of stakeholders of the organization are high from executives and board of directors in managing the risk effectively. Linear regression analysis is utilized in analyzing the data obtained from the data collection performed for this paper. Purposive sampling has been employed in order to select the firms that are operating in Malaysian oil and gas sector. Primary data has been utilized to collect data with the help of structured questions and interview techniques that involve semi structured questions. The results of the regression analysis conducted for in this study suggested that a significant and positive relationship between Enterprise Risk Management with operational risk; market risk; political risk; health, safety and environmental risk; and, also business performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of leverage on the financial performance of general insurance companies in Malaysia, and investigate whether the leverage-performance relationship is a function of or contingent on the extent of product diversification. Design/methodology/approach – The sample consisted of the entire population of authorized general insurance companies operating during the period from 2006 to 2009 in Malaysia. A total of 94 observations were analysed. All the data used were sourced from the Malaysian Central Bank's (BNM) database. Findings – It is found that leverage is negatively associated with firm performance. However, there is a significant interaction effect between leverage and product diversity on firm performance. The finding indicates that leverage could be beneficial or detrimental to the financial performance of general insurance firms, contingent on the extent of product diversity of the firm. Research limitations/implications – As the scope of study is limited to the general insurance industry and the sample size is small, the findings of the study must be interpreted with caution and the results may not be generalizable to the life insurance sector or other industry. Originality/value – Findings of prior empirical studies on leverage-performance relationship and effect of insurance product diversification are rather mixed and inconclusive. Based on analysis of a single insurance (general) sector that is highly regulated, the paper provides empirical evidence that the benefits of product diversification strategy are contingent on level of the firm's leverage. The paper hence, enhances understanding and contributes to the existing literature on impact of leverage, product diversification on performance of the highly regulated general insurance firms in a developing country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically test a framework which identifies the relationships between supply chain management (SCM) practices, operational performance and innovation performance of Malaysian manufacturing and service firms. Design/methodology/approach – Data for the study were collected from a sample of 163 Malaysian manufacturing and service firms. The research model was tested using structural equation modeling. Findings – The results show that SCM practices in both the upstream and downstream supply chain have a direct and significant impact on organizational and innovation performance of Malaysian firms. Innovation improvement caused by SCM also results in better organizational performance. The findings also reveal that manufacturing and service firms in Malaysia do not have a significant difference in their SCM practices. Research limitations/implications – The time sequence of the association between the variables could not be concluded given that cross-sectional data were used. This study also focuse only on Malaysian firms. Practical implications – This paper shows the importance of SCM practices and how they directly influence organizational and innovation performance. This result will be encouraging to firms in other developing countries. This paper has developed and validated a multi-dimensional construct of SCM practices, and this tool can assist decision makers of Malaysian firms to evaluate the efficiency of their current SCM practices. Originality/value – The paper presents one of the few studies which empirically validates the relationships between SCM practices and organizational and innovation performances. The study also focuses on a developing country which is in transition from being manufacturing focused to service focused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Aims - The study aims to examine the influence of financial literacy on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach - The data were obtained from questionnaires distributed to 200 SME managers/owners. Multiple regression analysis was applied to test the influence of financial literacy on SMEs performance by controlling manager profile and SME-specific characteristics. Research Findings - Multiple regression results prove that financial literacy has a positive and significant impact on SMEs' performance. Managers/owners with financial literacy skills understand business-related financial concepts, including debt, savings, takaful, insurance, and investment, which ensure the good performance of their business. Theoretical Contribution/Originality - Similar research has been conducted outside Malaysia. However, there is a need to validate the financial literacy and SME performance relationship in the Malaysian environment due to differences in culture; ways of thinking; and legal, business, and political situations. These differences lead to different responses which then contribute to the way the effect of financial literacy on SME performance is explained. In addition, this study improves the consistency of the existing evidence on SME performance and expands the scope of the Resource-Based View (RBV) from the perspective of SMEs Research limitation & implications - Government agencies such as SME Corporation recognise the importance of financial literacy among entrepreneurs. Therefore, proactive efforts need to be accelerated to provide an adequate level of financial literacy among entrepreneurs. Furthermore, entrepreneurial finance can be introduced in formal and non-formal education to ensure that every layer of society enjoys the benefits regardless of their economic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Market expansion into foreign markets has become increasingly important for construction businesses, including Malaysian contractors. It is therefore imperative that these firms are able to sustain performance in international markets. This paper aims to determine the significant factors influencing the Malaysian contractors' performance in international markets. This study adopts a mixed method using questionnaires that were sent to 115 construction firms as a sampling frame. The quantitative findings were further validated through in-depth interviews with five firms currently operating at the international level. It was found that the firms' profit targets based on return on investment and revenues supported by the firms' competitive advantages due to employees' capabilities and competencies have significantly influenced the firms' performance. However, further insights disclosed that having strong and stable human relationships were very important to enhancing the firms' performance in international markets. The findings build further understanding of international strategies for construction in developing countries. Finally, the study identifies the need to develop a suitable tool to measure firms' performance by taking into consideration the complex elements within the identified significant influencing factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how controlling shareholders influence firm performance through the mediating role of firm efficiency in transforming inputs into outputs. To achieve this objective, it conducts a mediation analysis with 5,000 bootstraps on a dataset of 2,849 firm-year observations of publicly listed firms in Malaysia from 2009 to 2019. The findings reveal a positive relationship between controlling shareholdings and firm performance, with both total and indirect effects having this positive relationship. Moreover, while controlling shareholdings improve firm performance, firm efficiency partially mediates this relationship. Thus, improved firm efficiency plays a critical role in understanding the relationship between governance by controlling shareholders and enhanced firm performance. In summary, this study contributes to the existing literature by expanding our understanding of the complex relationship between controlling shareholdings, firm efficiency, and firm performance. In addition, the findings shed light on the importance of indirect channels in shaping organizational outcomes. As such, this study provides a valuable direction for future research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure on the profitability and firm performance of Halal food companies in Malaysia. Applying a quintitative method, the study utilised a dynamic GMM-based statistical technique for analysing the data from 75 public-listed Halal food companies in Malaysia from 2012 to 2021.The findings highlight a substantial relationship between CSR disclosure and profitability (ROA) as well as firm performance (TBQ) of Halal food companies in Malaysia. The result showed economic, environmental, and social CSR disclosures have a significant effects on ROA and TBQ in dynamic models. The outcome of the study implies that actively engaging in economic, environmental, and social CSR practices provides with a competitive advantage, contributes to long-term viability, and attracts socially conscious investors. It also emphasises the strategic importance of comprehensive CSR strategies for encouraging positive stakeholder relationships, managing diverse aspects of sustainability, and enhancing overall business success, including employee engagement and motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper examines the impact of corporate governance attributes and ownership structure patterns on corporate performance of Malaysian listed companies following the revised code on corporate governance in 2007. To provide an insightful assessment on the revised code's implications on firm performance, data before (2006) and after (2009) the revised code in 2007 were analyzed. Design/methodology/approach – The study involves analyses of 170 observations in a two-year period, 2006 and 2009. The sample of the study was selected on the basis of a stratified random sampling procedure to allow a representative sample of the various sectors listed on Bursa Malaysia. Based on data extracted from the annual reports of 2006 and 2009, corporate performance was captured using accounting performance indicators (return on assets and return on equity). In addition to descriptive analyses, multiple regression analysis was used to assess the influence of the governance and ownership structure attributes on firm performance. Findings – The findings revealed a decreasing trend of the financial performance of the sample companies over the two-year period which this study attributes to the recent global financial meltdown. In terms of corporate governance compliance, the results showed that there were cases of non-compliance of the basic requirements of the corporate governance code in Malaysia even after the revised code in 2007. In addition, the multiple regression results showed that only board meetings had significant negative association with firm performance following the revised code. None of the other variables had significant impact on firm performance before and after the revised code. Firm size and leverage, as control variables, however, showed significant association with firm performance. Practical implications – Given the lack of non-compliance by some of the sample companies in Malaysia to some basic requirements such as the required percentage of independent directors on corporate boards and the insignificance of governance attributes in enhancing performance, this study suggests that the revised code needs reinforcement, at best, or even an overhaul change to suit more to the Malaysian business environment. Originality/value – In distinction from most prior studies, this study provides ex-ante and ex-post examination of the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance, following changes in the regulatory environment. Such analysis is expected to have some practical implications in indicating whether recent regulatory changes are practiced in the corporate environment. This study draws evidence from Malaysia in adding to our understanding on whether changes in regulatory frameworks enhance firm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous literatures have demonstrated a significant research gap in terms of the quality of the management practices in the organizational performances of the SMEs particularly in the food processing industry in Malaysia. Subsequently, an exploratory study is conducted to verify the proposed critical success factors (CSF) and the model constructs for SMEs in the Malaysian food industry that is in line with these practices. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify CSF of quality management practices of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Malaysian food industry and to develop a conceptual framework of quality management practices based on the Total Quality Management (TQM) in relation to the organizational performance of the SMEs in the food processing industry in Malaysia. The quality management framework consists of leadership, corporate planning, human resource management, customer focus, supplier focus, information management, process management and quality assurance as the CSF. Finding from the exploratory study has supported the proposed constructs and results show that the instrument is reliable in measuring the construct. Thus, this study is important to support the SMEs in the food processing industry in Malaysia to manage and prioritize the implementation of QM in order to improve the organizational performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines institutional support (financial and marketing support) on export-oriented firms' performance or so-called born globals. We develop a model to address how financial and marketing support can help young entrepreneurial firms to overcome the liability of newness and smallness in gaining competitive capabilities. Using a quantitative method, data were collected from 217 manufacturers and service sectors in Malaysia, an emerging Southeast Asian market. The results suggest that government assistance in marketing leads to competitive capabilities and export performance; however, financial support neither contributes to competitive capabilities nor export performance. We found the significant role of competitive capabilities as a mediator in enhancing the relationship between marketing support and export performance. Practical implications drawn from this result can be offered as guidelines for the policymakers in supporting young entrepreneurs that lead to competitive capabilities and superior performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic has had an adverse effect on the global economy, particularly the hotel industry. Industry players have turned to big data to recover and improve their business performance. This paper aims to identify the key resources to develop and build big data analytics capabilities (BDAC). Drawing upon the knowledge-based and dynamic capability views, this research also examines the interplay among BDAC, organizational agility, marketing and organizational innovations, and firm performance in the hotel industry. The partial least square structural equation modeling is used for the data analysis, while quota sampling is used for the sampling design. Based on the statistical data analysis from 115 star-rated hotels in Malaysia, BDAC positively impacts organizational agility, marketing and organizational innovations, and firm performance. Likewise, organizational agility positively impacts firm performance, marketing and organizational innovations. The empirical findings provide researchers and industry players with meaningful insights for improving firm performance in the hotel industry using big data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two years, the Covid 19 pandemic was the greatest communicable outbreak that has upended almost every aspect of our lives. Despite this, the progress in realizing sustainable development remains as a challenge in the global perspective and yet it should be eliminated. The world is facing a pragmatic threat of climate change which potentially damage the Earth's ecosystems. There is a need for all relevant parties to cooperatively care for the environment in decreasing the environmental degradation and climate change in achieving sustainability to leave no one left behind. Our study highlights the perception of the firm at firm-level that can link environmental sustainability practices and firm performance, especifically in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Hence, in this study, we will examine how corporate sustainability orientation influences firm performance, and how corporate sustainability orientation influences firm performance through environmental practices with the use of the Natural Resource-based View (NRBV) theory and Stakeholder theory. This study uses a judgmental sampling method with a set of criteria to have an accurate result for the study. A total of 219 responses were collected and this study uses a Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach in data analysis. From the analysis, both corporate sustainability orientation and environmental practices were found significant, while the relationship between corporate sustainability orientation and firm performance was found significant through the indirect effect. For future studies, this study suggests researcher to explore corporate sustainability orientation in the perspective of firm-level and individual-level to have a comparison in terms of perception towards sustainability practices and how it impacts the firm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of firm-specific resources on firm performance has been a quest of many and widely studied worldwide. In today's business environment, arguments suggesting the relative importance of firm-specific resources in explaining firm performance variation are said to be of the greatest influence on the study of firm behavior. On the other hand, firms with strong, positive reputations can attract and retain crucial talent and often have loyal customers likely to buy a broader range of products and services. It can lead to higher sales generated by satisfied customers and their referrals and can potentially raise capital and share price, and improve the firm performance. An empirical study such as this attempts to investigate the combinations of resources of the firm and focus on reputational risk management concerning firm performance. As such, this study involves variables partially adopted from Donabedian Theory, such as intangible resources, namely capability as an exogenous construct towards endogenous construct and firm performance, as well as proposing a mediation model to analyze the mediated relationship of reputational risk in accelerating the relationship between capabilities and firm performance. This study applies variance-based structural equation modeling via Smart PLS to a sample of 161 listed firms in Malaysia as respondents. A judgment purposive sampling technique has been adopted as the respondents are derived from listed firms under Malaysian Bourse. Overall, the findings of this study reveal how firms may gain competitive advantages in terms of their reputation and eventually be able to sustain their firm's performances by implementing an integrative model of intangible resources such as capabilities and in their routines and processes within the firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) enables transferring technology from developed countries to developing countries, such as Malaysia, and simultaneously promotes sustainable growth. Although this has been proven, the contribution of Malaysian companies in CDM projects is low. Therefore, this study has been aimed at investigating the determinants of CDM adoption and its impact on companies' performances. Data were gathered by surveying 91 companies in the energy, agriculture, and forestry sectors in Malaysia implementing CDM projects. The data were analysed using the partial least squares technique. The results show that environmental regulations, competitiveness, and financial benefits have a positive impact on CDM implementation. Additionally, this study reported a significant positive effect of CDM implementation on economic performance. This paper extends the knowledge on the determinants and financial outcome of CDM implementation. The information given in this research might be beneficial for policy makers and managers in modifying tactics and strategies towards successful promotion of the CDM in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though several studies have been done on intellectual capital, ownership structure, and firm performance, their status has remained uncertain in developing countries like Malaysia. Prior studies have generally focused on a single industry and overlooked the input of all Malaysian non-financial firms. This study investigates the impact of intellectual capital, its components, and ownership structure on firm performance. This study employs a balanced panel data examination for the data of 409 non-financial firms from 11 sectors listed on Bursa, Malaysia for five years (2016–2020). The modified value-added intellectual coefficient model was applied to examine the effect of IC efficiency on firm performance. The empirical findings revealed that IC efficiency, human capital efficiency, structural capital efficiency, capital employed efficiency, and relational capital efficiency are positively and significantly related to firm performance. However, physical and structural capital is the most substantial element of intellectual capital efficiency in augmenting profitability. In addition, government and foreign ownership positively affect firm performance. The research will help managers, policymakers, and investors understand how IC investments increase performance and make prudent investment choices in government and foreign ownership firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main objective of this research is to integrate the resource-based view (RBV) to analyse how the relationship between firm performance and entrepreneurial orientation is mediated by outbound innovation among furniture firms in Malaysia. Research Design & Methods: In this research, data has been poised via questionnaire from the furniture firms in Johor state, Malaysia. In this study, 391 responses were considered and analysed. The partial least squares (PLS) model was employed to test the hypothetical relationships among entrepreneurial orientation, firm performance and outbound innovation intention to adopt open innovation practices. Findings: Research findings show that innovativeness, competitive aggressiveness, risk-taking, outbound innovation are statistically significant factors influencing entrepreneurial orientation and open innovation adoption among furniture companies in Malaysia. However, autonomy and proactiveness do not have significant effects on entrepreneurial orientation and open innovation adoption intention. Implications & Recommendations: Few implications that are significant for academics and practitioners are also debated according to research findings. This research can serve as a guideline for successfully implementing entrepreneurial orientation and open innovation among furniture firms in an emerging economy. Thus, offering an external knowledge search-collaboration mechanisms-superior performance framework. Through using this open approach, companies will seek to find opportuni9es for crea9vity that go beyond their current capabilities to dramatically boost success. Contribution & Value Added: This research, expanding the open innovation (OI) paradigm, explicates and measures the impact of OI's direct and mediating inputs on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and firm performance. The results are consistent with the current OI literature demonstrating the complex connection among together outbound innovation and EO dimensions and firm performance by investigating Malaysian furniture manufacturers by building scales and evaluating their validity by developing outbound innovation. The initial findings are direct ties between entrepreneurial orientation dimensions with business performance and outbound open innovation. All the indirect (mediation) relations among the study variables were the second part of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study focuses on common-law Malaysia, which is classified as an advanced emerging market. It assesses the association between environmental disclosure and environmental performance and examines the financial attributes of companies with different environmental disclosure scores. It investigates the relation between environmental disclosure quality and corporate governance, and also examines the extent to which effective environmental disclosures are value relevant and how they influence investor perceptions. The findings of the study show that environmental disclosure is positively linked to environmental performance. Company attributes, such as large size, the need for capital, profitability and capital spending, are positively associated with environmental disclosure quality. High quality environmental disclosers display effective corporate governance and would tend to face less difficulties in accessing capital markets. They generally are audited by a big 4 auditor or cross-listed on foreign stock exchanges and display significant levels of managerial and institutional ownership. High quality environmental disclosures are value relevant and improve investor perceptions. High quality disclosers overall belong to beverages, chemicals, food producers, forestry and paper, and industrial metals and mining. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction:Research has shown the negative impacts of climate change on the economy and how the state of the environment has been a complex global challenge. Prior studies have suggested immediate actions to avoid any unforeseen circumstances for all living things on Earth. Previous research has also supported all kinds of sustainability efforts as resolutions to address the deterioration of climate change caused by business activities. Originality: There is a need for companies to start acting and assigning employees to mitigate carbon emitted by corporations. This study is motivated by the lack of empirical evidence that examines how corporate carbon governance influences better carbon performance of organizations and authorizes organizations to implement and embed carbon accounting. Objective: This study used evidence from Malaysia to explore this subject matter and examined the association between carbon governance and carbon performance of corporations. The research also investigated the mediation effect of carbon accounting with respect to carbon governance and carbon performance. Findings: It is revealed that carbon governance had no significant influence on an organization's carbon performance although carbon accounting implementation positively influenced carbon performance. The findings imply that despite its insignificance, carbon accounting remains a vital matter to be deployed by organizations for better carbon emission mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the study on examining sustainable business performance determinants includes proposed variables of organizational learning culture and digital organizational culture. Organizational learning culture and digital organizational culture have been used in some previous studies but they were not recognized as determinants of sutainable business performance. The organizational learning culture is relevant in anticipating challenges and pressures while the digital organizational culture is relevant to the digital transformation. The empirical synergy of both supports sustainable business performance is quantitatively tested using the PLS-SEM tool and inputs of 207 samples collected from the Malaysia upstream petroleum industry. The results show that supports from organizational learning culture and digital organization culture on sustainable business performance are positive and significant. Digital organizational culture mediates the relationship between organizational learning culture and sustainable business performance. This research enriches the theory and literature on sustainable business performance and the role of organizational learning culture and digital organizational culture. It also provides fundamentals for industry practitioners and policymakers for relevant decision making and improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the determinants of firm performance for Malaysian retailers. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey was conducted to collect responses from members of the Malaysian Retailers' Chain Association. A total of 126 responses were obtained. Data analysis was done by using the PLS-SEM method. Findings: The results of the study indicate that Retail 4.0 adoption is able to improve retailers' performance as-a-whole by improving the four perspectives of firm performance as given in the Balanced Scorecard, i.e. the finance perspective, the customer perspective, the internal processes' perspective and also learning and growth perspective. Further, enterprise risk management was found to have a positive moderating effect on retailers' performance as-a-whole and also on the finance and customer perspectives of performance. Research limitations/implications: The study was conducted only in Malaysia and so, it might be geographically limited. Besides, it is cross-sectional in nature and therefore, the impact might be different if the study had been conducted over a longer period. Practical implications: This study provides a useful framework for retailers who are seeking to improve firm performance. Originality/value: This is one of the first studies to show the impact of Retail 4.0 adoption on firm performance. Besides, this is also the first time, enterprise risk management has been introduced as a positive moderator on the impact of technology adoption on retailers' performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has magnified the issue of financial insecurity. However, its effect on individual-organizational relations and, consequently, on organizational performance remains understudied. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the spillover effect of financial insecurity on the burnout–disengagement relationship during the pandemic. The authors investigate in particular whether the spillover effect influences the performance of moonlighting employees and also explore the mediating effect of disengagement on the relationship between financial insecurity and burnout interaction effect and the performance (i.e., mediated-moderation). This study collected responses from 162 public and private sector employees who are engaged in moonlighting activities in Malaysia. The results from the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed greater levels of financial insecurity and burnout associated with greater levels of work disengagement. The analysis of the interaction-moderation effect showed that when financial insecurity rises, the burnout effect on work disengagement increases among moonlighters. Using the PROCESS macro model, the results displayed burnout as a predictor of extra-role performance via a moderated (financial insecurity) mediation (work disengagement) relationship. Going forward, this study not only opens new avenues for research into the financial consequences of COVID-19 but also calls on managers to take proactive steps to mitigate the negative effect of the pandemic on the performance of moonlighting employees to keep them in the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main objective of this study is to verify the impact of entrepreneurial orientation dimension on firm performance of furniture industry in Malaysia. Research Design & Methods: In this study, we used a quantitative research method and collected data through a questionnaire from 391 furniture manufacturing company owners and managers, while following purposive sampling approach. The collected data was analysed using structural equation (Partial Least Square). To measure five entrepreneurial orientation dimensions, we adopted specific measuring instruments. Findings: The study shows that the three dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation - i.e. innovation, risk-taking, and competitive aggressiveness - make unique statistical contributions to the considered model. Findings indicate low levels of autonomy and proactiveness. However, the entrepreneurial orientation and FP models significantly influence the unique contribution of individual entrepreneurial activities in the Malaysian furniture industry. Implications & Recommendations: This article aims to fill the gaps in entrepreneurial orientation and performance literature within Malaysia's context. This article provides relationship information among performance and entrepreneurial orientation existence, allowing policy-makers and management interventions to improve OE levels. Contribution & Value Added: This study indicates that there exists a strong entrepreneurial orientation among Malaysian manufacturers, which furthermore establishes and provides basis for future research, as entrepreneurial orientation strongly impacts firm performance. The article is the first one to study complete entrepreneurial orientation dimensions as uni-dimensional in Malaysian manufacturing context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine factors of human resource management practices affecting organizational performance. This study employed descriptive method in gathering, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting the information. The descriptive research design helped in identifying the strength of the relationship between factors of human resource management practices affecting organizational performance. Questionnaires were distributed to employees of Jakel Trading Company in Johor, Malaysia and of the total obtained, 139 responses were usable and analyzed. Inferential statistics were also performed for data analysis and presentation purposes. Correlations and frequencies were among the statistical measures used in this study. Based on the findings, all three hypotheses formed at the beginning of the study were supported. The results of multiple regression showed that staff training, performance appraisal and rewards, as well as recognition are all significant factors of human resource management practices affecting organizational performance. It was also found that staff training and recognition do affect the organizational performance as a whole. This study provides input to employers on how to reward and motivate their staff for better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the past decade, human capital has been recognized as one of the crucial assets of any firm's overall performance. Previous studies widely advocated a linear link between human capital and innovative firm performance, arguing that there are a variety of factors to examine if the relationship between human capital and innovative firm performance is to be properly understood. The focus of this study was to examine the effect of social capital on the relationship between human capital and innovative firm performance. Specifically, it examined the relationship between human capital and social capital and between human capital and innovative firm performance. It also examined the relationship between social capital and innovative firm performance. A total of 294 questionnaires were obtained from managerial staff in automotive companies in Malaysia and the data was analysed using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) test. The results indicated a direct effect between human capital and innovative performance. It was found that human capital is significantly related to social capital and that there is a significant relationship between social capital and innovative firm performance, indicating the ability of social capital to improve innovative firm performance. Finally, it revealed that innovative firm performance could be achieved by human capital through the role of valuable social capital and that good innovative firm performance leads to more prudent and sustainable organisations. The results provide pertinent implications for academia, policymakers and market players while also contributing to the research fields of strategic management, human capital, social capital and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Aims - We examine the intellectual capital (IC) performance and its connection with firm value. We also investigate whether the adoption of an enhanced quality standard MFRS 139 that affect recognition and measurement of financial instrument's fair values, moderates the relationship between IC performance and firm value. Design/Methodology/Approach - We used panel data analysis of listed financial institutions' data for 2005 - 2015 period. Research Findings - A positive association between IC performance and firm value is found, proposing that IC is an important resource for firms. The results also show that MFRS 139 implementation strengthens the relationship between IC performance and firm value. This result proposes that the MFRS 139 adoption that reflects enhanced transparency could help investors in assessing firm value. Theoretical Contribution/Originality - This study introduces the effect of information asymmetry on the relation between resources (IC performance) and outcome (firm value) as described in the resources-based view. Thus far, not much is understood on the relationship between IC performance and firm value when transparency is enhanced by a new standard i.e. MFRS 139 adoption. Managerial Implications in the Southeast Asian Context - MFRS 139 adoption enhances managerial decision-making and control. The outcome suggests that mandatory adoption of MFRS 139 facilitates managers and investors to know the real value created by the firm and influence its share price. Research Limitations and Implications - The conclusion is limited to financial sector in Malaysia that experienced changes in the financial instruments standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anecdotal evidence showed that the portion of internet users to the population in Malaysia is relatively higher among developing economies. However, there are not many Malaysian listed companies that use the internet as a platform for financial information disclosure. Perhaps, the managers do not believe that there is positive association between internet reporting and firm performance. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of corporate internet reporting (CIR) on firm performance for a sample of 583 non-financial listed companies in Malaysia over the year of 2013. We use content analysis to retrieve the internet reporting items and test its validity and reliability before running the regression model. The findings showed that CIR has a significant effect on firm value. This means that more related information that is regularly disclosed on the company's websites can contribute more value to the firms. Meanwhile, company size does not significantly influence firm value. The firm's leverage is negative and statistically significant, and the growth brings a positive significant effect to the firm's value. In addition, in this study, the results support the resource-based view theory and the signaling theory between corporate internet reporting and firm value. The findings of the research suggest that companies should disclose more information through the internet in order to ensure the accessibility of financial information for stakeholders, and this will present a better image and reputation of the company's best practices in financial performance. CIR will help them to have meaningful investment decisions and persuade them to invest in the company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to test the role of pricing practices as an intervening variable in the relationship between service innovation management practices (innovation strategy, innovation process, cross-functional organisation, tools/technology, and system integration) and firms' performance in an emerging economy. Data were collected from 249 managers representing the Malaysian telecommunications sector using a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modelling (SEM) with SmartPLS software, version 3, was used to achieve the research objectives and to analyse the measurements and structural model. The results showed that, whereas innovation strategy, innovation process, cross-functional organisation, and system integration positively influence pricing practice, tools and technology has an insignificant effect on pricing practice. Interestingly, pricing practice mediates the relationship between innovation strategy and system integration regarding firm performance. The findings of this study suggest that, in the formulation of such a strategy, service firms should consider the pricing factor. Telecommunications service providers could use this model to implement pricing practices particularly driven by innovation practices to achieve the desired performance. The study could also assist managers in understanding suitable pricing practices in the context of the telecommunications industry. The originality of this study lies in the effort to adjoin service innovation management practices with pricing practices that lead to improving the performance of the telecommunications industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banking efficiency studies have tended to focus on quantifying the efficiency of financial institutions. Few attempts have been undertaken to compare the efficiency performance of domestic and foreign banks, and even fewer have compared the super-efficiency performance of both types of banks. Addressing this gap, the present study contributes to the existing literature by utilising Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to compute superefficiency scores for individual banks. The objectives of this study are to estimate technical efficiency and to estimate the super-efficiency index of Malaysian commercial banks over the period from 2000 until 2010. The results indicate that, in general, domestic banks perform better than foreign banks. However, the super-efficiency results reveal that individual foreign banks are more efficient than individual domestic banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid change in technology among organizations motivates the need for researchers and practitioners to form new practices by understanding, re-examining and integrating the key determinants of obsolete practices. In the same way, this study aims to compositely examine the role of leadership, concurrent engineering (CE) and teamwork in a Malaysian semiconductor manufacturing firm. A total of 226 survey responses were collected back from the 2100 surveys distributed and analysed using correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. The results showed that the relationship between leadership-CEteamwork and engineering performance was stronger than that of the other individuallytested relationships. Though best practices in leadership are important for achieving a team's goal, a more flexible and cooperative leadership may be formed with the integration of CE, teamwork and leadership. Top management should consider exploring more opportunities in all these components for improved engineering performance and synergy among engineering teams. Tactical strategies based on various leadership styles, team member competencies and CE approaches should also be formulated to strengthen the flexibility of current leadership styles. The results can be potentially used as general guidelines for the engineering management practice and research in engineering firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the impact of intranet resistance (i.e. co-workers affluence, negative prior experience, efficacy experience, poor systems design and loss of power) on manager's performance, which indirectly influences intranet withdrawal in Malaysia maritime industry. The structural equation modelling (SEM) results indicate that all intranet resistance factors negatively influence managers' performance and indirectly influence intranet withdrawal. This is probably the first work that investigate the impact of intranet resistance and withdrawal in Malaysia. The results provide insight on how the Malaysian maritime industry could improve their intranet adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary organisations are required to be responsible to their shareholders, customers, employees, communities and ecology in all aspects of their operations in order to gain a competitive advantage. An organisation's obligations toward society, known as corporate citizenship, are economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary. Corporate citizenship reflects one view of social responsibility that relates to the social responsibilities of organisations toward their stakeholders. Thus, this study examines the relationship between corporate citizenship culture and organisational performance. Overall, 261 respondents from a total population of 1379 were used in analysing the data. The units of analysis of this study are publicly listed companies in Malaysia. The findings suggest that all elements of corporate citizenship culture are significantly related to organisational performance, especially ethical citizenship. The results support theoretical predictions and reveal interesting findings that can help organisations to better understand how their performance affects society's perceptions of them and help change organisational behaviour to meet public expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambidexterity or the ability by individuals or firms to simultaneously and synergistically pursue both exploitation and exploration activities has been found to have positive effects on firm performance. However, the ambidexterity literature has been predominated by the studies at the organizational level, and little is known about the antecedents and consequences of ambidexterity at the individual level. This study examines environmental dynamism and social network as the antecedents of managerial ambidexterity, and knowledge brokerage and firm performance as the consequences. This study tests the mediating role of knowledge brokerage on the relationship between managerial ambidexterity and firm performance. Data are collected from 308 senior executives working in technology manufacturing firms in Malaysia using a questionnaire survey. The findings reveal that environmental dynamism and social networks are significantly and positively related to managerial ambidexterity, and knowledge brokerage mediates the relationship between managerial ambidexterity and firm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to consider and measure the intellectual capital towards the financial performances of the local banks in Malaysia. The study will implement the Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) method to evaluate the financial performances of the ten local banks in Malaysia. The study will determine how the intellectual capital influences the financial performances of banks in terms of two periods which are latest six years from 2011 to 2016 and the past ten years from 2007 to 2016. The regression analysis results to indicate that the components of intellectual capital have their influences towards the bank's financial performances indicators. Over the six years and ten years periods, Capital Employed Efficiency has the significant relationship on Return on Assets. For the Return on Equity, Human Capital Efficiency (HCE) has the significant relationship over the latest six years while Structural Capital Efficiency (SCE) has the significant relationship over the ten years. Then, SCE has the significant relationship towards the Leverage (LEV) for the latest six years compare to the past ten years whereby HCE has the significant relationship towards the LEV. These results determine that the banks need to focus on the three components of intellectual capital whereby all the three efficiencies have the influences to enhance the best financial performances in Malaysia's banking sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]