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Academic Performance (CGPA) Influences Mental Health: A Study of Students at Seremban Medical Assistant College (SMCA)
Get PDFMedical students, especially in Malaysia, face many challenges due to their field of study and expectations of their profession. It is widely acknowledged that medical courses are among the hardest academic pursuits. In Malaysia, medical students must undergo a five-year undergraduate program, continuing with a clinical rotation and practical experience to sharpen their knowledge and skills. Despite the awareness given, the stigma of mental health persists, leading medical students to hesitate in seeking help out of fear of being perceived as weak. The study identifies whether mental health influences academic performance (CGPA) among medical students at Seremban Medical Assistant College (SMCA). This study used a quantitative method, and a questionnaire was distributed to 215 respondents. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). It was found that there were significant areas where CGPA influenced the mental health of SMCA medical students. Specifically, it was observed that as CGPA increased, there was a corresponding decrease in mental health among the students. This shows that the students are experiencing mental health issues due to their responsibility to maintain a good academic performance in their field of study. In addition, this study offers valuable insight to health practitioners and students on the importance of maintaining mental health and helps in raising awareness
Determinants Affecting the Acceptance of Cashless Payment Among SMEs in Malaysia: Proposal of A Conceptual Framework
Get PDFThere is little uncertainty regarding the driving forces behind the adoption of cashless payment by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), a trend expected to persist and exert a significant impact on SMEs in Malaysia. Such developments are facilitated by collaborative efforts, trust, and a societal inclination towards practicality. Despite the growing body of scholarly and practical research on cashless payment, existing guidelines for its adoption, implementation, and integration into business strategies in Malaysia lack comprehensive research support. This study seeks to propose a new acceptance framework to explore the utilization of cashless payment solutions among small business owners in Malaysia to maximize the benefits of the sustainability of their businesses. 100 respondents of SMEs from four regions in Peninsular Malaysia were involved in the interview to collect the data. The findings of this study are instrumental in enhancing the understanding of e-payment adoption within the SME payment system landscape and its effects on business performance. Additionally, the proposed conceptual framework can be used for future research to determine the relationship between factors of cashless payment adoption and SME performance
Increasing access to business incubation services for cottage start-ups to promote inclusive entrepreneurship in Southwest Uganda
Get PDFIn the last 30 years, Uganda has grappled with rising unemployment, notably impacting small businesses, with 85% failing within the first five years. This trend is pronounced in the cottage industry, where 46% of businesses couldn't sustain operations in 2017. In Mbarara district, 65% of cottages established in 2015 had closed or relocated by 2019. This study explores the impact of business incubation support services on reducing cottage start-up failures and promoting inclusive entrepreneurship in Mbarara City. Examining 800 start-ups in handicrafts, soap making, pottery, tailoring, and shoe making, the study employed a correlational research design. The data, collected through a Likert scale questionnaire, revealed that access to finance, capacity building, and information technology (ICT) adoption accounted for 13.2% of the variation in cottage enterprise growth potential. Notably, increased finance positively correlated with growth, while capacity building showed no significant association. ICT adoption, however, had a negative correlation. The study emphasizes the need for cottage entrepreneurs to receive more training on product improvement, additional capital, equipment, and partnerships. In conclusion, access to capacity building, funding, and ICT adoption is pivotal for cottage enterprise expansion, advocating for incubation support services to enhance collaboration, funding, equipment, and product improvement training for cottage entrepreneurs
Financial Innovations and Profitability of Commercial Banks in Uganda
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between financial innovation and profitability of commercial Banks in Uganda. The study was prompted by the low profitability evidenced by some banks being closed down because of low profitability. The study adopted a cross-section and descriptive research design using Roscoe 1975 to get a sample size of 24 commercial banks. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the responses. Based on the goals of the study, the data was examined for validity and reliability, examined using SPSS, and the results were reported. The results showed that the profitability of commercial banks in Uganda had a positive and significant association with both process and product innovation, suggesting that improving one will benefit the other. However, product innovation was found to be a stronger predictor of profitability in commercial Banks in Uganda. With these findings, the study contributes to providing empirical evidence that financial innovation in commercial banks is highly influenced by commercial banks introducing and improving their products/services since it results in profitability. There is also a need to put much emphasis on Financial Innovations by continuously introducing and improving on the existing products/services. The Commercial Banks in Uganda should promote and appreciate Financial Innovations as they are vital not only in enhancing cost minimization, thus improving profitabilit
Understanding and Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Places of Worship: A Case Study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Get PDFGender-based violence (GBV) in places of worship is a prevalent issue in societies around the world, including KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. This study investigates the occurrence, nature, and consequences of gender-based violence (GBV) in KZN's places of worship. A quantitative research approach was used to collect data, and 2835 respondents from 11 district municipalities in KZN participated. The outcomes of this study indicate a significant incidence and knowledge of GBV in places of worship. Approximately 55.38% of respondents reported being victims of GBV in places of worship. However, most of these occurrences are carefully concealed to protect the dignity of both the church and the perpetrators. Based on these findings, this study advocates a more robust legal system to protect women and children, the closing of places of worship where abuse has been documented, and the eradication of damaging gendered norms and beliefs as ways to combat GBV. This study also suggests implementing awareness and education programs, training religious leaders and community members, establishing reporting mechanisms, offering support services, advocating for policy changes, empowering marginalized groups, and investing in additional research and monitoring. These efforts are critical for fostering safer and more supportive settings in places of worship where everyone can worship without fear of violence or prejudice
Exploring the Usability and Engagement of Students in an Educational Board Game on Personal Financial Planning
Get PDFTraditional teaching approaches lack engagement, personalization, flexibility, and effective evaluation, thereby limiting learning outcomes. Consequently, these systems face challenges in engaging students, meeting their individual needs, adapting to diverse learning situations, and accurately assessing their competency. Educational board games (EBGs) offer a dynamic and engaging learning experience through play and personalized learning, promising optimal outcomes to overcome these obstacles. The objective of this study is to investigate how usability influences student engagement using the MEEGA+ evaluation approach during EBG play in a Personal Financial Planning course at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Melaka, Kampus Bandaraya Melaka. This quantitative study involved a self-administered questionnaire and a purposive sample of 200 bachelor’s degree students in the course. PLS-SEM was utilized to assess the model and hypothesized relationships. The operability and accessibility of educational games significantly enhanced student engagement, underscoring the utility of board games for learning through play. Usability, experience, and engagement should be integral considerations in instructional game design. The MEEGA+ assessment model can be applied to evaluate game-based learning across various EBGs. Board games have the potential to enhance educational outcomes, underscoring the necessity for further research in game-based learning. The study also suggests that the MEEGA assessment model can assist designers and educators in developing effective game-based learning experiences
Developing Life-long Investment Literacy of Students through Initial Public Offerings (IPO) One-Stop Support Center and Stock Trading Simulation
Get PDFInitial Public Offerings (IPO) One-Stop Support Center website is created to help students, the public and academic researchers. One of the significant features of this website is a stock trading simulation which enables stock trading practice in a simulated or virtual environment. It simulates the experience of trading equities with virtual currency. The main aim of this trading simulation is to offer students and the public (potential retail investors) a risk-free environment to learn and practice trading before entering the real stock market. This study aims to understand the influence of trading simulation as an educational tool in improving students’ lifelong learning skills through the development of investment literacy. This study was conducted using a qualitative approach. To fulfill the objective of this study, an online survey was distributed through a Google Form. A total of 110 respondents consisting of students enrolling in FIN768 (Investment and Portfolio Analysis) course, public, and academics in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam and Puncak Alam, Selangor took part in the online survey. This study finds that 89.10 percent of the respondents agree that this stock trading simulation is very useful for their life-long learning. This study contributes mainly to the students by providing them with valuable learning experiences and practical skills that extend beyond traditional classroom teachings
Factors Influencing Changes in Consumer Behavior amidst Post COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic had an immediate and significant impact on consumer behavior, radically changing attitudes and behaviors, as reflected in sales figures. While some researchers believed the pandemic would lead to lasting changes, others expected a return to pre-pandemic behavioral patterns. Despite this ambiguity, there has been little research on the factors influencing consumer behavior, especially about the demand for everyday goods. This study, rooted in the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the protection motivation theory (PMT), investigated the determinants of consumer behavior in the purchase of daily necessities following the COVID-19 outbreak. In light of the possibility that the pandemic could have caused a new pattern of consumer behavior during the endemic phase, a convenience sampling of 1438 respondents was conducted. Using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), the present study found that choice, information, and perceived economic stability (PES) positively affected consumer behavior, while COVID-19 and risk had negative effects. Interestingly, stress had no impact on consumer behavior. These findings provide valuable insights for companies desiring to understand and anticipate customer behavior during and beyond the pandemic. The present study not only identifies the factors influencing consumer behavior but also enables salespeople to develop strategies to proactively address changes in consumer behaviors
The Influence of Proactive Personality, Social Support and Self-Esteem Towards Career Adaptability Among Full Time Postgraduate Business Faculty Students
Get PDFThis paper studies the relationship between proactive personality, social support and self-esteem on career adaptability among postgraduate business students, in a public university in Malaysia. The study used the quantitative approach and online survey questionnaires to collect data from the business doctoral students. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between proactive personality, social support and self-esteem with career adaptability among postgraduate students. The study collected from 214 postgraduate students reported that proactive personality and social support are significant in explaining career adaptability while self-esteem was found not significant in explaining career adaptability. This study sheds light on the factors contributing to postgraduate students’ career adaptability. The main challenge lies in adjusting to the work environment, which is influenced by the workplace and the support from employers, especially the Human Resource (HR) teams. HR can develop strategies to help these students better adapt to their new roles, making their transition into the professional world smoother and more successful
The Perception of Health Belief and Vaccine Valence Towards Domestic Tourist Intention to Travel during COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFThis research investigates health risk perception and vaccine valence as factors that affect Malaysian intention to engage in domestic vacations. An online survey was created with Google Forms and distributed to a sample of 265 domestic travellers at least 18 years of age in May and June 2021; this is when the nationwide vaccine program started in Malaysia. The result indicates that vaccine valence risk perception was a significant factor in affecting domestic vacation intention. Only perceived behavioural control and subjective norms mediated the relationship between health risk perception and domestic vacation intention. Overall, vaccine valence risk perception tested significantly with all constructs in this study due to the various factors, especially the timing of data collection where the data collection was carried out amid the national vaccination program. Hence, the vaccine is now perceived as a hope for many as the solution to the current pandemic problem. It indicates that domestic vacationers will return once vaccinated and when tourism sectors are open for business and resume their regular operation. These findings extend the body of knowledge for the theory of health belief and theory of planned behaviour in predicting tourist intention to travel during a pandemic. Findings also indicate the positive impact of vaccine valence on the tourist's intention to travel, which provides a glimpse of future tourist behaviour when facing similar uncertainties