3127 research outputs found
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Climate-Smart Governance and Food Security: Exploring the Mediating Effect of Sustainable Supply Chain Practices
No full textThis study explores the continuing challenge of ensuring food security in an era of growing climate uncertainty and environmental decline. Weak coordination among institutions and inefficiencies within food supply chains have often limited the success of sustainable initiatives, despite an increasing commitment to climate-smart policies. The purpose of this study is to understand how climate-smart governance can improve food security through the influence of sustainable supply chain practices. Using a narrative review approach, data were gathered from the Scopus database and examined through an integrative thematic analysis to identify common ideas and relationships linking governance, sustainability, and the resilience of food systems. The review shows that effective climate-smart governance contributes to stronger food security when supported by sustainable supply chain practices such as green logistics, reduced food loss, digital innovation, and collaboration among stakeholders. These practices make governance efforts more effective by improving how resources are managed, reducing environmental pressure, and helping supply chains adapt to change. As a result, they support better food availability, access, and stability. The study makes a theoretical contribution by proposing a framework that positions sustainable supply chain practices as the connecting element between governance structures and food security outcomes. Practically, the findings provide valuable guidance for policymakers, supply chain professionals, and agricultural organizations to create more integrated and responsive governance systems that can promote sustainability, encourage innovation, and build resilient food networks capable of adapting to future global challenges
The Interrelationship among Perception of Event Quality, Perceived Value, Event Image, Satisfaction and Revisit Intentions of Road Runners in Taiwan
Full text linkThis study examined the interrelationships between perceived event quality, perceived value, event image, satisfaction, and revisit intentions among road race participants in Taiwan. The data collection involved 641 valid questionnaires from participants across nine road race events held during 2017-2018. Structural equation modeling analysis yielded three key findings. First, the theoretical model demonstrated satisfactory overall explanatory power. Second, event satisfaction and perceived value significantly and positively influenced revisit intentions. The analysis revealed the direct effects of event quality, event image, and perceived value on event satisfaction. In contrast, event quality and event image directly influenced perceived value, and event quality directly affected event image. Third, the model explained 63% of the variance in event image, 72% in perceived value, 70% in satisfaction, and 59% in revisit intention. The findings highlight the critical roles of perceived event quality, event image, perceived value, and satisfaction in predicting road race participants' revisit intentions in Taiwan. These results offer valuable insights for event marketing managers and organizers to enhance event outcomes
Are Indian Muslim or Mamak Restaurants Stealing the Spotlight from Malay Restaurants in Malaysia's Urban Areas?
Full text linkThe primary objective of a restaurant operation is to attain profitability by cultivating customer loyalty through outstanding service, unforgettable dining experiences, and strong connections that encourage repeat visits. This study investigates whether Indian Muslim or Mamak restaurants are outshining Malay restaurants in urban areas. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 120 customers at selected popular Mamak restaurants in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. These interviews aimed to understand customers' viewpoints and dining experiences. The findings reveal that Mamak restaurants have successfully adapted to shifting consumer preferences, establishing themselves as a resilient and favored dining option, particularly in urban settings. Their continuous innovation, technology integration, and extended operating hours have reinforced their appeal, slightly overshadowing Malay restaurants in these areas. The study highlights the importance of restaurant operators adopting proactive strategies that align with changing consumer demands and market dynamics to remain competitive and sustainable
The Impact of Total Quality Management Practices on Operational Efficiency in Malaysian Hospitality MSMEs
Full text linkTotal Quality Management (TQM) is looked at as a possible solution in this study. Four main principles are looked at: leadership-driven, Involvement of People, Process Approach, and Mutually-Beneficial Supplier Relationship. The researchers used a quantitative method to create a survey with a questionnaire that looked at four different factors that affect operational efficiency: leadership-driven, involvement of people, process approach, and supplier relationship. This study employed a probability sampling method, namely simple random sampling, to target several supervisors and managers in one hospitality company located in the southern region of Malaysia. The sample size of this pilot study consisted of 36 respondents. The data were examined via SPSS, highlighting the reliability of both the independent and dependent variables. The study employed analytical approaches including descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The study's findings showed that "Leadership Driven" and "Mutually-Beneficial Supplier Relationship" did not affect how efficiently operations ran. However, a significant positive relationship emerged between operational efficiency and both the "Involvement of People" and the "Process Approach." These findings point to a clear strategy for several ongoing successes in the hospitality industry: fostering staff empowerment through active engagement and optimising internal processes through the implementation of TQM principles. This research provides valuable insights for addressing current operational challenges and positioning the hotel for enhanced performance in the future
Determinants of Secondary School Teachers’ Purchase Intention Towards Ready-To-Eat Products in Dungun, Terengganu, Malaysia
Full text linkThe increasing demand for ready-to-eat products has become a significant trend, particularly among busy professionals like secondary school teachers in Dungun, who often face time constraints due to their professional commitments. While consumer behavior and purchase intentions in Malaysia have been widely studied, limited research specifically explores secondary school teachers' purchase intentions toward ready-to-eat products. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the factors, particularly the most significant ones, that impact secondary school teachers' purchase intentions for ready-to-eat products in Dungun. The study gathered 205 respondents by distributing a printed and online survey via WhatsApp to secondary school teachers in Dungun. Then, the data was analyzed using SmartPLS 4 to determine the frequency of demographic profiles, descriptive analyses, measurements, and structural models. This study reveals that the three independent variables- convenience, price and brand are significantly influenced by purchase intention, and brand is the most significant factor. Understanding the factors that influence school teachers to purchase their RTE items is crucial, as this knowledge will enable them to design high-quality RTE products
Assessing the Impact of Social Media Marketing Factors on Restaurant Customers’ Purchase Intentions in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Full text linkIn recent years, digital platforms, particularly social media, have transformed how customers discover and choose dining options. These platforms significantly influence purchase decisions, marking a shift in how businesses in the food and beverage sector engage with their audiences. Hence, this study aims to assess the impact of social media marketing on the purchase intentions of restaurant customers in Negeri Sembilan. It focuses on three key factors, which are menu visuals, advertising, and electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM). A cross-sectional study has been conducted using purposive sampling, targeting customers with dining experiences at restaurants in Negeri Sembilan who are familiar with social media. A total of 342 usable responses have been collected through an online survey, ready for analysis conducted using SPSS Version 26 to provide meaningful results addressing the research questions of this study. The findings from the hypotheses show that key factors like advertising, menu visuals, and e-WOM have a significant, positive effect on customer purchase intentions. e-WOM and advertising are significant, with e-WOM being the most impactful factor. However, menu visuals have a weaker impact. Descriptively, the respondents have also ranked e-WOM and advertising as their top-priority factors towards their purchase intentions. This study advocates the significance of efficient social media strategies in boosting consumer interactions and influencing buying intentions, offering restaurateurs and marketers insightful information. Hence, expanding the research to include longitudinal studies would provide deeper insights into changing consumer behaviours over time
Assessing Hotel Guests’ Satisfaction: The Influence of Hotel Image, Trust and Green Practices in Malaysia
Full text linkThis study examines the correlations between satisfaction and key factors such as brand image, trust, and green practices among hotel guests in Malaysia. As environmental awareness grows among consumers, many hotels have adopted green practices to meet the evolving expectations of environmentally conscious travelers. A survey was conducted with 386 Malaysian respondents aged 18 and above, all with prior experience visiting hotels that implemented green practices. Data was collected using convenience sampling through a structured Google Forms survey comprising three sections and a qualifying question about the respondents' experience with green hotels. The findings reveal a positive correlation between guest satisfaction and the variables of green practices, trust, and hotel image. This study underscores the importance of integrating sustainable practices into hotel operations not only to enhance brand image but also to build trust with guests, thereby fostering long-term customer satisfaction and loyalty. The results provide valuable insights for hotel managers seeking to improve service quality and establish a competitive edge in the growing green tourism market
Digitalizing the Activities of Small-Medium-Size Construction Firms
Full text linkGhana's construction sector faces many obstacles, such as modernization, inefficiency, and safety hazards. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are pivotal in job creation, economic expansion, and infrastructure development. To stay competitive, SMEs must embrace digital transformation as the industry experiences a digital revolution. This study examines the digital transformation of Ghanaian SME construction firms between 2018 and 2023, focusing on safety concerns, inefficiencies, and regulatory barriers, as well as the advantages of digitalization, such as improved communication and project management. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining structured surveys for SME employees with in-depth interviews with key stakeholders to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The study investigates the use of digital technologies such as building information modeling (BIM), wearable technology, and real-time monitoring to address operational and safety issues. It also examines how digitization affects communication, resource allocation, project efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Factors such as government programs, technology adoption, and safety training are evaluated to determine their contribution to improving safety and productivity in the construction industry. The findings reveal that digital technologies significantly enhance project outcomes, safety management, and resource utilization. Government regulations also play a crucial role in supporting digitization initiatives. The study provides practical insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers seeking to promote innovation and growth among SMEs in Ghana's construction sector
Why Women Leave Corporate Jobs for Self-Employment: A Systematic Literature Review on Stress-Induced Career Shifts
Full text linkThe phenomenon of women leaving corporate jobs to pursue self-employment has gained significant attention due to the increasing prioritization of autonomy, flexibility, and personal well-being. Stressors such as rigid work cultures, gender biases, and work-life conflicts emerge as critical drivers of this career shift. This systematic literature review (SLR) aims to consolidate fragmented research to understand why women transition from corporate roles to self-employment, focusing on stress-related factors, the experiences and outcomes of self-employment, and the influence of organizational, societal, and individual factors. Using the PICo framework, the review examines studies that explore the problem (women, stress, corporate jobs), interest (career shifts, self-employment, transitions) and context (workplace stress, organizational culture, work-life balance). A comprehensive search strategy was applied to databases such as Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar, and the PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed to ensure systematic identification, screening, and inclusion of high-quality studies. The findings reveal systemic workplace stressors, diverging perspectives on self-employment’s efficacy, and the influence of intersecting identities and external factors on career decisions. These insights underscore the urgent need for organizational reforms and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems. This research benefits policymakers, organizations, and practitioners by providing evidence-based recommendations to address workplace inequities and support women’s sustainable career transitions
From Use to Habit: Rethinking Consumer Spending Behavior in Malaysia's Digital Payment Ecosystem
Full text linkThe rise of digital payment systems has significantly reshaped financial transactions across Southeast Asia, with Malaysia emerging as a key player in this transformation. This study examines how specific features of digital payment platforms—such as convenience, perceived security, and rewards programs-alongside demographic factors, influence consumer spending behavior. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the research focuses not just on adoption but on post-adoption behaviors among Malaysian users. A structured survey of 500 active digital payment users was conducted, and the data were analyzed using regression and ANOVA techniques. Interestingly, the results challenge common assumptions in both academia and industry. Although participants expressed generally positive views about the convenience and security of digital payments, none of these factors-including rewards or demographics, were found to predict their spending behavior significantly. These findings suggest that once consumers become accustomed to digital payments, their usage patterns may be shaped more by habit, emotional response, or lifestyle fit than by the platform features themselves. This insight opens up new conversations around how digital finance should be designed, marketed, and studied going forward. The study concludes by calling for more nuanced, behaviorally grounded models and practical strategies that go beyond technical efficiency