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Factors Influencing the Purchase Intention of Modest Fashion Products: A Study on Muslim Women Consumers in Malaysia
Full text linkRecognized as one of the Muslim dominated countries, Malaysia is seen to have a good prospect for marketing modest fashion products. Nevertheless, modest fashion presents unique marketing challenges due to its sensitivity to religious issues and its niche consumer base. While established brands like dUCk, Naelofar, and Jovian are believed to benefit greatly from having well-known figures as their founders, other businesses require effective marketing strategies to compete in the market. Therefore, this research aims to identify the primary factors that drive Muslim women consumers in Malaysia to purchase modest fashion products. The study adopts a quantitative research method, with data collected through an online survey from a sample of 116 valid responses. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 29 and AMOS version 29 for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The result revealed that two out of three hypotheses were supported. Muslim Influencers (MI) had a significant positive effect on Purchase Intention (PI), while Design and Trend (DT) demonstrated a significant negative effect, suggesting that consumers prioritize modesty over trends. Brand Consciousness (BC), however, was revealed to be insignificant in influencing the PI of Muslim women consumers for modest fashion products. The findings contribute to the understanding of Muslim women's consumer behavior in purchasing modest fashion, offering practical guidelines for brands to prioritize value-aligned marketing strategies. The study also discusses its limitations and provides directions for future research
A Conceptual Framework of the Factors Affecting Customer Attitude towards Islamic Banking in Malaysia
Full text linkEver since the establishment of the first Islamic bank in the country, Islamic banks in Malaysia have been facing stiff competition against the conventional banks. Despite the dominance of Muslims in the population of the country, not all Muslims have subscribed to Islamic banking products and services. It is important to identify the factors that customer attitude towards Islamic banking in the country. Therefore, this research aims to explore the factors that could affect customer attitudes towards Islamic banking in Malaysia. Hence, this research presents a conceptual framework on the effect of awareness, Shariah compliance, individualism, and image on customer attitude towards Islamic banking. Research hypotheses are proposed based on the theorised relationship among the variables in this research. Significant effects are expected between awareness, Shariah compliance, individualism, image, and customer attitude towards Islamic banking. This research highlights the importance of Islamic banks to influence awareness, Shariah compliance, individualism, image, and customer attitude to enhance customer attitude towards them in the highly competitive banking industry
The Nexus between Product Features, Brand Image, Service Quality and Islamic Banking Performance in Malaysia
Full text linkThis research aims to explore the factors that could affect Islamic banking performance in Malaysia. Hence, this research presents a conceptual framework on the effects of product features, brand image, and service quality on Islamic banking performance. Research hypotheses are proposed based on the theorised relationship among the variables in this research. Significant effects are expected between product features, brand image, service quality, and Islamic banking performance
Evaluating the Impact of FAMA Initiatives on the Empowerment of Women Agropreneurs within the Rural Transformation Centre of Kelantan: An Analytical Study
Full text linkThis study evaluates the effectiveness of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) programs in fostering entrepreneurship among retailers and wholesalers, so-called Agropreneurs, within the Rural Transformation Center (RTC) in Kelantan, Malaysia. Initiated as part of the Rural Transformation Initiative and aligned with the National Blue Ocean Strategy 4, these programs aim to enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of rural residents through comprehensive training and support systems. The study underscores the need for continuous support and tailored programs that address the specific barriers faced by women in agriculture, aligning with previous research advocating for gender-focused interventions in agricultural development. Utilizing quantitative methods, data were gathered from structured questionnaires distributed to 75 retailers and 8 wholesalers, with analyses conducted using IBM SPSS version 22. Findings reveal a significant improvement in various managerial, financial, and marketing competencies among participants, with average capability scores increasing across all categories. Retailers, in particular, showed marked enhancements in financial management and marketing strategies, reflecting high levels of satisfaction with RTC services and their impact on local employment and business visibility. In contrast, wholesalers exhibited relatively modest improvements, albeit still indicating positive trends in their entrepreneurial activities. The study underscores the critical role of structured support mechanisms in promoting sustainable economic development and entrepreneurship in rural settings, emphasizing ongoing investment in community-driven solutions for equitable resource distribution and inclusive growth. These results contribute to the growing body of literature highlighting the importance of initiatives that empower local communities and foster economic resilience in rural areas
Assessing Perceived Benefits and Perceived Barriers to Students’ Physical Activities
Full text linkPhysical activity is essential for maintaining individual health through indoor or outdoor activities. Whether the individual or group initiates it, the physical activity should be encouraged and included for students at the university. However, students encounter various barriers that hinder their engagement, including time limitations, a lack of motivation, and inadequate access to facilities. Nevertheless, they recognize the numerous benefits of physical activity, including improved mental and physical health, stress alleviation, and enhanced academic performance. This study investigates the relationships between perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and students’ physical activity. A cross-sectional, quantitative approach was adopted, with data collected through structured online questionnaires. The sample comprised 150 students selected using convenience sampling. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 23, employing descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The findings indicated a significant positive correlation between perceived benefits and physical activity, while perceived barriers did not demonstrate an important relationship. This study highlights the necessity for universities to improve access to facilities, offer flexible scheduling, and cultivate a supportive environment that promotes active lifestyles among students
Market Sentiment and Stock Return Volatility in Malaysia: Evidence using the GARCH-X Model
Full text linkMarket sentiment is a key determinant of stock market volatility, particularly in globally interconnected economies such as Malaysia. With the rising role of retail investors in digital trading environments, understanding sentiment’s influence on market behavior has become increasingly important. Although regulatory frameworks exist to protect investors, surveillance practices often rely on traditional indicators like price and trading volume, which may not fully capture real market dynamics.
This study addresses this gap by empirically examining the effects of market sentiment—measured through the Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI)—alongside macroeconomic variables on stock returns and volatility in Malaysia. Using the GARCH-X Model with stock return data from January 1990 to January 2025, results reveal that CSI has a positive and significant relationship with stock returns. This suggests that investor confidence influenced Malaysia’s stock market returns more strongly than geopolitical events or monetary policy factors. Findings also indicate that the stock market does not always align with macroeconomic fundamentals in the short term. Instead, volatility intensifies during periods of instability, amplifying when new shocks occur. Over the long run, however, the market adjusts and reverts to equilibrium. These results underscore the importance of enhancing regulatory tools for real-time volatility monitoring and improving structured, legal, and accessible data sharing. Such measures would strengthen market resilience and ensure effective responses during crises or adverse global events, ultimately supporting more stable and transparent financial markets in Malaysia
The Mediating Role of Personal Initiative in The Relationship Between Social Capital and Women's Self-Employment
Full text linkThis study examines the mediating role of personal initiative in the relationship between social capital and women's self-employment in Mbarara City, Uganda. The inquiry was driven by the persistent gender gap in economic participation and the growing importance of self-employment as a pathway to women’s economic empowerment in developing contexts. Grounded in Social Capital Theory and Gender Role Theory, the study conceptualizes personal initiative as a dynamic force that channels the benefits of social capital into tangible entrepreneurial action. A cross-sectional, quantitative design was employed, with data collected from 378 self-employed women across Mbarara City using stratified random sampling. Results from Pearson correlations, multiple regression, and mediation analyses reveal that both social capital and personal initiative have a significant and positive relationship with women's self-employment (? = .229 and ? = .430, respectively). Moreover, personal initiative was found to partially mediate the relationship between social capital and women's self-employment, accounting for approximately 51.8% of the total effect. These findings highlight the necessity of fostering both structural support systems and internal motivational factors to enhance women's economic participation. Policy recommendations include integrating entrepreneurship training with network-building programs and addressing institutional barriers that constrain women's proactive engagement in business
Exploring Dilemmas about the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1967 Protocol under Modern Refugee Trends: International Refugee Law in Perspective
Full text linkThe study explores the 1951 Convention’s dilemmas to assess whether it is abreast with modern refugee trends or not. Mixed-bag migration is explored under the Convention, unlike previous studies that concentrated on pull and push factors. Mixed-bag migration adoption sets this study apart from others. Aims- The study is necessary due to the open arms and solidarity of Europeans to receive Ukrainian refugees. In contrast, Syrian and Afghan refugees were discriminated against. Design- Grounded in Civil Solidarity as a Transformative Practice, and Building an infrastructure of Dissent, to explore the Convention’s dilemmas. The study adopts a literature review, otherwise known as a ‘‘meta-study. Findings-The findings reveal that the Convention is outdated with modern refugee trends; mostly children, women, and ordinary men. They commit no crimes to warrant any persecution. They migrated due to unbearable conditions, whereas in the 1950s, refugees were intellectuals, Soviet dissident men with different political opinions. The Protocol’s implementation triggered a ‘‘refugee floodgate. Refugees nowadays are non-Europeans, unlike 1950s. Refugees' floodgate led to civil solidarity withdrawal, and financial costs outweighed human rights, which contravenes the non-refoulement principle. Unsuccessful applicants are repatriated. The Convention neglects internal but protects international refugees. Contribution-I argue that a seventy-four-year refugee policy on inclusivity is needed with refugee-led organizations and governments for a public-private partnership. I recommend the Convention’s re-examination to ensure modern refugee law, which should contain burden-sharing mechanisms. Conclusion-In-depth academic debates on the Convention’s dilemmas and factors that trigger current refugee situations are needed. Since refugee demography has changed, but non-refoulement remains static
Skill Up or Fall Behind: A Global Bibliometric Review of Employability in Accounting Education
Full text linkThis study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research on employability in accounting education from 2000 to 2025. Based on 422 documents retrieved from the Scopus database, it maps the scholarly landscape using citation analysis, authorship trends, source journals, keyword co-occurrences, and geographic and disciplinary distribution. The findings reveal a significant rise in research output since 2015, driven by growing concerns over graduate employability amid rapid technological change. The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom are the most prolific contributors, with key journals including Accounting Education and Journal of Accounting Education. Frequently cited studies focus on curriculum alignment, soft skills development, and digital competency integration. The analysis underscores a global shift toward future-ready curricula while identifying underexplored areas in developing regions. These insights provide valuable guidance for educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers seeking to improve employability outcomes in accounting education
The Relationship between Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction among Administrative University Staff
Full text linkOver the past decade, organizational commitment and job satisfaction have been crucial elements in the organization’s overall success. Many previous studies have merely focused on measuring employees’ job satisfaction among academic staff. But there are two categories of workforce who work hard in developing the university, which are the academic and administrative staff. However, the study on job satisfaction among administrative staff is still lacking in providing evidence. Thus, the objective of this study is to examine the relationship between organizational commitment and job satisfaction. The sample size is 103 participants was selected by using convenience sampling. To collect data, Allen and Meyer’s organizational commitment questionnaire and Brayfield and Rothe’s job satisfaction questionnaire were used. The research methods utilized in this study were descriptive, correlation and multiple regression and have been analyzed by using SPSS version 25. In this study, three hypotheses have been tested. According to the result of the multiple regression, this study accepted only two hypotheses, which are affective and normative commitments. They have a strong and moderate relationship with job satisfaction among administrative staff at a private university in Sarawak. Continuous commitment, on the other hand, was not accepted because the p-value is more than the 0.05 significance criterion. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by identifying additional support in the relationship between variables and assists policymakers in reviewing current policies to design better guidelines to promote organizational commitment and job satisfaction