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The intention to use “Buy Now Pay Later” (BNPL) services among UUM alumni
Get PDFThe introduction of the “Buy Now Pay Later” (BNPL) service as one of the electronic payment methods due to the expansion of e-commerce, technological advances, and the widespread acceptance of digital payment methods. BNPL allows the consumer to purchase products or services by splitting the total payment into periodic instalments without incurring any interest but it is subject to processing fees and late payment fees depending on the BNPL provider itself. In recent years, BNPL has gained in popularity and managed to increase the number of users. According to Research and Market (2023), the BNPL Gross Merchandise Value in Malaysia is forecasted to rise US2.0 million in 2022. However, the growth of BNPL raises concerns about potential overspending, defaulting repayment and encourages debt accumulation. Therefore, identifying the variables influencing Consumer Buying Behavior regarding the utilization of BNPL services becomes the reason for conducting this study. The study employed quantitative approach using an online questionnaire. The underpinning theory for this study is the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) supported by the theory of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The respondents of this study are Alumni from the University Utara Malaysia (UUM) who graduated in 2021 and 2022 using a stratified random sampling technique. A total 356 data was collected and analyses using SPSS version 27. The results have shown that gender, age and level of income have no differences on Consumer Buying Behavior (CBB). Intention to Use BNPL services (I), Attitude (A), Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) and Performance Expectancy (PE) have a positive significant relationship on Consumer Buying Behavior (CBB). However, only Subjective Norms (SN) have a negative significant relationship towards Consumer Buying Behavior (CBB)
Case study : The correlation between tax disclosures with the level of acceptance of tax governance in Malaysia
Get PDFDue to the introduction of Tax Corporate Governance Framework, it has widen up the corporate governance scope for a company. It is because the stakeholders will consider the compliance of tax governance crucial which can affect the reputation and financial performance of the company in the long run. There has been limited research which study the correlation between tax disclosure and the level of acceptance of tax governance in Malaysian companies. Thus, this research paper used the quantitative methodology and content analysis to analyse the top 30 listed companies in Malaysia. The research into the level of tax transparency, which pertains to the TCGF, involves three key steps. The comparisons are segregated into three categories, high, mid and low level of tax transparency. From the results, stakeholders would have a better comprehensions regarding tax disclosure items of each companies. Further in depth studies should be conducted as tax strategy evaluation could contribute to tax fairness and responsible tax practices for companies. Lastly, all this collective effort may potentially influence tax policy discussions and regulatory changes towards more sustainable tax practice
Exploring Cognates in Relation to Arabic-english Codeswitching Among Undergraduates in Jordan
Get PDFArabic-English codeswitching has been an issue for many scholars. Scholars considered this phenomenon threatening Arabic language and identity among codeswitching users. However, exploring cognates in relation to codeswitching in this context justifying codeswitching as a natural positive phenomenon representing creativity of bilingual brain. For exploring cognates in relation to Arabic-English codeswitching among undergraduates in Jordan, the study raised five questions. The study used a mixed method research design. The study involved three qualitative research questions to investigate types of cognates, positions of codeswitching and the scope of cognate facilitation. The quantitative study involved two questions measuring frequency of cognates in Arabic-English codeswitching and response time of cognates and non-cognates in codeswitching among undergraduates in Jordan. Different versions of the Triggering Theory were adopted as theoretical framework. The target
population in the current study were undergraduates who studied English language and literature at the University of Jordan. Furthermore, the study followed the nonprobability snowball method and purposive method of sampling. The data were collected from the Focus group and self-paced reading experiment. Data were analysed using content analysis, AntConc Software, and Microsoft Excel calculations. The findings revealed that cognates involving overwhelmingly bilingual homophones facilitate neighboring preceding, following, or combining codeswitching. Moreover, the results showed that cognates have efficient frequency in codeswitching. Also, cognates were processed faster than non-cognates in ArabicEnglish codeswitching by undergraduates in Jordan. These findings made codeswitching as a subconscious phenomenon where no blame on its users. As well, the findings served language learning supporting the role of L1 vocabulary in FL and L2
Effectuating discourse functions through evaluation: an appraisal of the 2015 and 2019 Nigerian newspaper political campaign advertisements
Get PDFConsidering the place of language in contemporary political campaign discourse, this study examines how discourse functions were effectuated through evaluative language use with a focus on the 2015 and 2019 Nigerian newspaper political campaign advertisements. Though evaluation is integral to language and crucial in persuasive discourse, very few studies have explored its deployment in effectuating persuasioninduced discourse functions in Nigerian newspaper campaign advertisements. This study relies on evaluation strategy and qualitative research technique. The data is purposively selected from newspaper campaign advertisements of the two main political parties in Nigeria. The analysis is based on postulations from Appraisal Theory and Functional Theory of political campaign discourse. The results show that two discourse functions found in the sampled texts were effectuated via attitudinal evaluative processes and engagement strategy. Specifically, it is revealed that acclaim is constructed via a positive evaluation of the candidate's capacity cum propriety and positive reaction to policy implementation and projection. Attack, on the other hand, entails negative judgment of the opposition's capacity cum propriety and a negative reaction to policy implementation and projection. Furthermore, the engagement strategy is used as an instrument for validating acclaim and attack assertions. In conclusion, this study provides discreet involvement of evaluation in the construction of persuasion-induced discourse functions by successfully linking assumptions from two theoretical frameworks not considered related hitherto
Pertahanan Menyeluruh: Kajian Kes Peranan Kor Suksis Dalam Dasar Pertahanan Negara
No full textPenubuhan Kor Sukarelawan Polis Siswa Siswi (Kor SUKSIS) merupakan satu inisiatif penting untuk membantu Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) memelihara keselamatan negara di samping membentuk pemimpin masa hadapan yang berpersonaliti cemerlang dalam bidang kepolisan sejajar dengan prinsip Pertahanan Menyeluruh (HANRUH). Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengisi kelompangan dalam wacana HANRUH, dengan tumpuan khusus kepada peranan yang dimainkan oleh Kor SUKSIS. Ia mengkaji elemen-elemen HANRUH dalam Kor SUKSIS, cabaran yang dihadapi dalam membangunkan HANRUH dan mencadangkan strategi untuk mencapai objektif HANRUH dengan lebih berkesan. Kajian ini menggunakan data kualitatif yang diperoleh melalui temu bual, pemerhatian dan penelitian dokumen dokumen berkaitan yang lebih dikenali sebagai kaedah triangulasi. Kajian melibatkan temu bual secara mendalam dengan 22 orang pegawai PDRM yang terdiri daripada pegawai-pegawai kanan dari Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia Bukit Aman dan pegawai-pegawai penyelaras Kor SUKSIS Universiti Awam. Hasil kajian ini mendapati bahawa Kor SUKSIS berperanan sebagai polis dalam kampus, seiring dengan HANRUH, meskipun elemen ini merupakan perkara asing bagi badan beruniform berkenaan. Cabaran dalam melaksanakan HANRUH melibatkan aspek logistik, kewangan, kerenah universiti, jurulatih, pelatih, silabus latihan dan fasa selepas tamat latihan. Untuk meningkatkan keberkesanan latihan dalam mencapai HANRUH, kajian ini mencadangkan dua perancangan masa hadapan Kor SUKSIS iaitu perancangan jangka masa pendek dan perancangan jangka masa panjang, di samping perlaksanaan Seminar Memperkasakan Amalan Terbaik (SMART) sebagai strategi. Kajian ini mengukuhkan penemuan terdahulu berkaitan konsep HANRUH yang sering hanya wujud di atas kertas dan kelihatan kabur akibat kurangnya hebahan. Hasil kajian ini mempamerkan bahawa HANRUH merupakan perkara asing bagi Kor SUKSIS dan PDRM meskipun hakikatnya pengisian latihan bagi badan beruniform itu menyokong konsep berkenaan. Kajian ini dapat memberi manfaat daripada segi memperluaskan pengetahuan dan kefahaman berhubung konsep HANRUH dalam kalangan anggota PDRM dan pelatih Kor SUKSIS dalam usaha mempertahankan keselamatan negara
Politik Dalam Pengurusan Bekalan Air di Negeri Kedah
No full textPertambahan penduduk, pengembangan penempatan, sumber air mentah yang semakin berkurangan dan ekonomi komersil yang berkembang pesat telah menyebabkan peningkatan permintaan untuk bekalan air terawat, walhal bekalan yang mampu ditawarkan adalah terhad. Justeru, objektif kajian meneliti campur tangan politik dan kesannya ke atas profesionalisme dalam pengurusan serta khidmat pengguna di dalam Syarikat Air Darul Aman (SADA) di negeri Kedah. Kajian ini melibatkan analisis kes tunggal yang menggunakan kedua-dua metodologi kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Ia merangkumi lima kaedah penyiasatan iaitu penyelidikan perpustakaan, tinjauan ke atas 200 pelanggan SADA yang dipilih secara rawak, analisis dokumen, penyertaan pemerhatian aktif, dan temu bual bersemuka. Temu bual melibatkan 22 informan, terdiri daripada 14 pegawai kanan SADA dan lapan ahli politik Kedah. Dapatan kajian merumuskan campur tangan politik dalam pengurusan SADA berpunca dari beberapa sebab. Pertama, penguasaan monopoli ahli politik di dalam rangka ke struktur organisasi SADA mempunyai implikasi yang mendalam. Hubungan yang erat antara ahli politik dan pengurusan atasan mempengaruhi pembuatan and perlaksanaan dasar dan operasi harian syarikat. Kuasa luas yang dimiliki oleh pihak pengurusan tertinggi hasil naungan politik turut membuka ruang untuk salah laku. Campur tangan politik turut berlaku apabila ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) dan ahli parlimen bukan sahaja menyuarakan kebimbangan pengundi berkaitan isu bekalan air terawat, tetapi juga berusaha mendapatkan sokongan orang ramai dengan mempolitikkan pengurusan bekalan air itu. Penyelidikan ini mengambil kira kepentingan dalam meningkatkan kesedaran mengenai usaha pihak pengurusan untuk memastikan pengurusan bekalan air yang cekap dan mapan di Malaysia. Kajian ini mencadangkan pendekatan sinergi multidimensi, merangkumi penerokaan sumber air mentah, penggunaan air kitar semula, penstrukturan semula hierarki pentadbiran, pengukuhan langkah keselamatan air, strategi pengedaran yang sistematik, dan penyampaian perkhidmatan pengguna yang berkesan. Hasil kajian menyediakan kerangka model untuk mengubah SADA menjadi entiti profesional yang mementingkan pengguna dengan mengurangkan atau meminggirkan pengaruh politik. Rangka kerja ini berfungsi sebagai rujukan dan inisiatif strategik masa hadapan dengan memastikan penyampaian perkhidmatan yang berkesan, pengurusan tertinggi yang berwibawa, menyediakan autonomi dalam rancangan perniagaan, penetapan kadar tarif yang mencerminkan realiti semasa, mengawal aspek kewangan, modal operasi dan memberikan kebebasan untuk menetapkan dasar
Zero waste management among households: examining interaction effect between personal and situational factors
No full textSolid waste management is one of important areas to explore to ensure sustainability towards zero waste in the future. This study investigated the effect of personal and situational factors on Zero Waste Management (ZWM) among households in Kota Setar, Kedah and the interaction of both factors. This study also investigated the role of personal factors in moderating the relationship between situational factors and ZWM, as well as the role of situational factors in mediating the relationship between personal factors and ZWM, in order to prove an interaction between the factors related to the symbiotic effect. A survey was carried out on households within the Alor Setar City Council area. A sample of 368 respondents was obtained for this study. The data was analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings showed knowledge and experience, social norms, self-efficacy, and legal have a significant influence on ZWM. In addition, both personal and situational factors, in terms of social norms and finance, moderated the relationship between each factor and ZWM and proved a symbiosis relationship. The PLS-SEM results indicated that social norms, knowledge and experience, self-efficacy and legal were the major factors influencing households towards ZWM. This proves interaction effect exists among personal and situational factors. This study provides valuable contributions to both theory and practice in waste management. Theoretically, this study extends the applicability of Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model in the context of sustainable behaviour and adds to the body of literature on ZWM and symbiosis theory in social science. This study is among the first quantitative studies conducted in Malaysia investigating factors contributing to ZWM among households. In terms of managerial significance, these results guide policy makers to help them plan for strategies to enhance zero waste management among households in the Alor Setar City Council
The impact of microcredit financing on employment in Algeria
Get PDFNumerous empirical studies show that microcredit is an important tool for poverty reduction and contributes to strengthening the health and education sectors. However, very few studies have examined the relationship between microcredit and employment creation at the national level, particularly in the context of employment structure. This study analyses the impact of microcredit on employment creation in Algeria. The study uses the Algerian Financial Social Accounting Matrix (AFSAM) multiplier in analyzing the impacts of microcredit on formal and informal employment in total, and by gender as well as skill level in the various economic sectors during the First National Employment Policy (NEP), Second NEP and Additional Microcredit. The results show that the most effective microcredit policies for employment creation occurred during the First NEP (2010-2014). The allocation of microcredit to the services and transport & communication sectors during the First NEP increased the growth of formal employment among skilled female, while the allocation of microcredit to the agriculture, forestry and fishery, and industry sectors in the Second NEP and Additional Microcredit increased the growth of informal employment among unskilled females. The results show that different allocation of microcredit in various sectors are very crucial to increase the employment of the target groups in Algeria. Further results suggest that microcredit has improved the structure of female employment despite the marginal changes in the overall employment structure. This study will be beneficial to policy makers and industry practitioners in evaluating the impact of microcredit on employment creation in Algeria. This study will also benefit other researchers in developing better linkages among various policy options through the development of a Financial General Equilibrium Model
Asean International Chinese students' perceived images of Guangxi as a culturel tourism destination
Get PDFDestination marketers worked very hard to develop marketing strategies that target different tourist groups to enhance the competitiveness of the destinations. One strategy is to create favorable images among international Chinese students in China who could further promote China’s cultural tourism to the rest of the world. The Guangxi government realized the role of international Chinese students in promoting its image as a cultural tourism destination to attract more ASEAN tourists. For that reason, this study aims to construct a new research framework to examine the factors that influence the perceived image of Guangxi’s cultural tourism among international Chinese students from ASEAN countries. The framework is based on the cognitive-affective-conative (CAC) model of perceived image and incorporates several variables including informational familiarity, experiential familiarity, motivation, and cultural attachment as external influences on perceived images. The respondents for this study were 525 students who enrolled at various universities in Guangxi and were identified as international Chinese students from ASEAN countries. The study has successfully achieved the research objectives of testing the relationships between all relevant variables. This included verifying the effects of the four external dimensions of informational familiarity, experiential familiarity, motivation, and cultural attachment on perceived images, as well as analyzing the relationships among the three internal elements of perceived images: cognitive, affective, and conative images. Almost all of the main hypotheses were confirmed using multiple regression analyses, except for the effect of motivation on the conative image. In conclusion, the theoretical implication of this study will be the integration of tourism and psychology disciplines, and the development of a new research framework for understanding the factors that influence perceived images. The findings of this study can also assist the Guangxi government in formulating better strategies to attract ASEAN tourists by utilizing international Chinese students as the market bridge
The development and effects of Tariro Youth drug abuse intervention module (TYDAIM) on self-concept in Zimbabwe
No full textIn recent years, Zimbabwe has been grappling with the problem of drug abuse particularly among the youth. The situation has been exacerbated by the scarcity in appropriate treatments for drug abuse in Zimbabwe. Hence, this study developed and tested the effects of Tariro Youth Drug Abuse Intervention Module (TYDAIM). This module is guided by Christian Psychology, Christian Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CCBT) and the Bible, which focuses on self-control and self-concept enhancement. The study utilised a mixed approach, where “design based research” was employed for the module development and quasi-experimental method for the module testing. The TYDAIM was validated by eight experts in the fields related to the current study. A pilot study on 34 participants was conducted to test the adequacy of the study’s research instruments. Effects of the TYDAIM were tested on 56 youth drug abusers at a youth centre in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe using ANCOVA. The Brief Self-Control Scale and the Personal Self-Concept Scale were used to measure self-control and selfconcept levels of participants in both pre and post-test. Results from the study showed a significant effect of the TYDAIM intervention on post-test self-control results after controlling for pre-test, F (1, 52) = 0.790, p ˂ 0.05, with a large effect size Cohen’s d = 0.82. The study results also showed that there is a significant effect of the TYDAIM intervention on post-test self-concept results after controlling for pre-test, F (1, 52) = 1.115, p ˂ 0.05, whilst controlling for pre-test levels, with a small effect size Cohen’s d = 0.21. Data also showed that there is a strong positive correlation between selfcontrol and self-concept, r (54) = .92, p ˂ 0.001. The study concludes that the TYDAIM can be utilised to affect change among drug abusers. The study also recommends for future studies to use the module on a broader scale so that findings could be generalized to the entire drug abusers’ population in Zimbabwe