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Gig Economy: Is It a Trap or Stepping Stone for the Informal Sector?
Get PDFThe informal sector and technology have complex interactions, shaping economic activity, job trends, and social outcomes, especially with the rise of the “gig economy”, in which individuals work on an as-needed basis through online platforms. This article explores several theoretical frameworks, such as modernization theory, dependence theory, structuralist approaches, and post-structuralist viewpoints, and investigates how different frameworks explain the effects of technology on informal economic activity. This article also reviews for comprehending the correlation between the informal sector and technology. Besides that, this article explores the dual nature of the gig economy, examining whether it serves as a trap that perpetuates the vulnerabilities of the informal sector or as a stepping stone toward more excellent economic stability and mobility. Although the gig economy provides opportunities for income generation, skill development, and flexible working conditions, it also presents substantial challenges, such as job insecurity, a lack of benefits, and potential exploitation. This paper also addresses the implications for policy and future research directions by the sustainable development goal (SDG) of fostering sustainable, inclusive, and long-term economic growth, as well as full and productive employment and decent work for all
Exploring Culture and Sustainability: Community Participation in Indigenous Tourism in Malaysia
Get PDFNowadays, Indigenous tourism contributes to the conservation of cultural heritage and further supports sustainable development for Indigenous communities, which ultimately increases socio-economic well-being. By providing unique cultural experiences, Indigenous tourism gives greater recognition and respect for the culture while also economically benefiting. This paper aims to examine how such dynamics operate in the context of Indigenous tourism from the viewpoint and experiences of Indigenous community members who participated in tourism initiatives. Identifying culture as one of the crucial parameters that determine successful outcomes in this field, this study intends to explore how people participate in sustainable development through tourism and close important gaps using a cultural lens. Numerous databases containing scholarly research, including the Emerald Insights, Science Direct, and Web of Science, have been used in this study. As a response to the ever-growing call for inclusive and respectful tourism, this study aims to contribute valuable insights and geographical relevance to defining policy change, practice modifications, or academic pursuits of Indigenous tourism. The result of this study will fill crucial empirical research gaps in terms of how cultural restoration, tourism management, and community participation can be optimized for sustainable development with nuanced voices that are necessary to drive policy change as well as practice modifications
The Smart Organization Movement: A Review and Research Agenda for Digital Competencies
Get PDFIn the rapidly evolving landscape of the digital era, organizations are grappling with the imperative to cultivate and harness digital competencies among their workforce to remain competitive. The 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review (12MP MTR), under one of the 17 Big Bold Measures calls for strengthening sectors and industries with high growth and high value (HGHV). The call to focus on Global Business Services (GBS), identified as one of the strategic industries on the digital competencies of its future work talent is deemed imperative in producing a future agile workforce. The advent of emerging technologies and the increasing interdependence of various industries on digital platforms necessitate a future workforce that embodies agility in adapting to change. This problem statement delves into the pressing issues surrounding digital competencies and the imperative for a future workforce model characterized by agility. Hence, the main objective of this study is to explore a Digital Competency Model for the Malaysian future agile workforce. Academics and practitioners could also refer to this study to enhance their knowledge of digital competencies and workforce agility using a smart organization perspective
The Development of Halal Well-Being Experience Quality: A Conceptual Framework
Get PDFIn recent years, the hospitality and tourism industry has increasingly focused on enhancing the well-being of guests by providing tailored experiences that address their physical, mental, and spiritual health. This shift has spurred the development of Halal well-being experiences, specifically designed to cater to Muslim travelers by aligning services and facilities with Islamic principles. Halal well-being experiences include a range of services such as Halal-certified food, prayer facilities, gender-segregated wellness amenities, and activities promoting spiritual health. These offerings are vital for Muslim travelers who seek destinations and accommodations that respect and cater to their faith-based needs. To address these challenges, a comprehensive framework for Halal well-being experience quality is essential. This framework should include clear guidelines for service provision, training programs for staff, and effective marketing strategies. This research aims to explore the current state of Halal well-being experiences in the hospitality industry, identify the key challenges and opportunities, and propose a framework for enhancing service quality. The study provides insights and recommendations for developing and promoting Halal well-being experiences that cater to the needs of Muslim travelers. The research underscores the importance of seven dimensions of tourism experience quality (TEQ) in influencing tourist well-being: Halal hedonism, Muslim-friendly involvement, local culture friendliness, refreshment experience, meaningfulness experience, knowledge experience, and novelty experience. These dimensions collectively enhance the physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being of Muslim travelers, promoting a holistic approach to well-being in the tourism sector
Factors Affecting the Intention to Receive Future COVID-19 Booster Vaccines in East Coast States in Malaysia
Get PDFThis conceptual paper is presented to study the factors affecting the intention to receive future COVID-19 booster vaccines in three East Coast states in Malaysia, which has become a concern to the government and health system in the country. It begins by reviewing the literature on associated factors and intentions against the booster vaccination. The Theory of Planned Behavior is used as the basis of the study. This study is driven by the low vaccination rates in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang. Past studies have discussed the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in the country, but very few focus on these states. Due to the limited findings on the issues, this study, therefore, attempts to explore the factors influencing vaccination intention using a quantitative method. The survey distribution and data collection focus on the three states' residents. The findings are believed to be able to provide new insight and knowledge, especially to the healthcare providers and government to increase the vaccination rates in these states and prevent the severity of COVID-19 comeback
Trend-Driven Innovation for RTE Food Market: A Comparison Study Between Consumers from Malaysia and Indonesia
Get PDFThe ready-to-eat (RTE) food market is growing worldwide. Nevertheless, a limited study was found where researchers compare consumer behavioral intention toward RTE foods between countries. This study compares consumers in Malaysia and Indonesia regarding their food preferences and behavioral intentions toward RTE foods. Using a quantitative cross-sectional approach, the researchers developed an online survey and distributed the survey link to consumers aged 18 years and above from both countries via social media platforms. The dataset comprised 321 responses from Malaysia and 262 from Indonesia. Based on the analyses, findings reported some similarities and differences in consumer preferences and behavior intention between both countries. The highest percentages of Malaysian respondents were recorded for plant-based, genetically modified, gluten-free, and allergen-free foods. Interestingly, the highest percentage of Indonesian respondents reported for insect-based food than the Malaysians. More Malaysian consumers preferred ethnic foods from different cultures than Indonesians. About the same highest percentages of consumers from both countries preferred cell-cultured meat, 3D printed foods, and vegan foods. For Malaysian samples, attitude and subjective norms significantly influenced their behavior intention toward RTE foods. For Indonesian samples, subjective norms and behavioral control significantly influence consumer behavior intention toward RTE foods. Findings are relevant for food producers and marketers to explore the young consumer market and to identify new products to fulfill the market demand. This study broadens and deepens the current understanding of both countries' RTE food trends and consumer behavioral patterns. Food producers should promote RTE food products by highlighting their benefits through marketing channels
Managing Complexities in Giant Freshwater Prawn Breeding Facilities in Perak, Malaysia: A Case Study
Get PDFMalaysia's aquaculture industry has seen significant growth in recent years, with the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) emerging as a key species of economic importance. This study examines the intricate challenges faced by hatchery owners’ breeding facilities in Manjung, Perak, Malaysia as they strive to maintain and improve the brood stock production of this valuable crustacean. The research focuses on multifaceted, operational aspects of managing giant freshwater prawn hatcheries. Through a combination of field studies guided by qualitative methodology, the identification of primary obstacles encountered at Manjung breeding facilities was evaluated via current management practices. The findings revealed that hatchery owners lack adequate managerial skills in handling operational matters such as budgeting, labor utilization, utilities, marketing, and networking. The most critical factor was cost-effective sourcing of healthy, brood stock supply from local fishermen. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of genetic diversity in broodstock populations as hatcheries struggle with inbreeding depression, necessitating the development of more robust breeding programs. From the socio-economic standpoint, a holistic approach to addressing these issues, emphasizes the need for increased collaboration between research institutions, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders. The study provided a comprehensive overview of the complexities inherent in managing giant freshwater prawn breeding facilities in Malaysia. By identifying key challenges and potential solutions, it aims to contribute to the sustainable development of this vital sector of Malaysia's aquaculture industry. The findings have implications for policy-making, industry practices, and future research directions in the field of freshwater prawn aquaculture and food security agenda.???????????????
Evaluating Trust in Blockchain Technology for Waqf Adoption: Insights from Importance-Performance Map Analysis
Get PDFBlockchain technology offers transformative benefits for waqf by enhancing transparency, security, and efficiency. Its decentralized ledger system allows for independent transaction verification, reduces central authority risks, and improves accountability. However, while the potential benefits are significant, the success of blockchain-based waqf initiatives hinges on the level of trust that stakeholders place in this technology. Therefore, the study aims to examine the effect of trust in blockchain technology on the intention to adopt waqf blockchain with insight from importance-performance map analysis to better understand the relations between trust and intention. The study adopted a survey research design and data was collected through questionnaires distributed throughout Malaysia. The collected data were then analyzed using Smart-PLS software. The results of the analysis indicate a strong positive relationship between trust in blockchain technology and the intention to adopt waqf blockchain. However, the importance-performance map analysis shows a critical disparity exists between user expectations and actual performance, especially regarding the transaction process, which scored the lowest in performance. This implies a need to focus on improving the transaction process to align with user expectations
Employer Brand Knowledge (EBK), Sustainability Practices and Employer Attractiveness: A Perspective of Millennial Employees
Get PDFEmployer attractiveness is crucial in talent management as it helps attract, retain, and engage top talent, thereby ensuring a competitive edge and long-term organizational success. This study aims to determine the relationship between Employer Brand Knowledge (EBK) and various dimensions of sustainability practices on employer attractiveness, particularly among Millennial employees. A quantitative research method was employed, with 90 questionnaires collected from Millennial employees in a publicly listed company in Malaysia. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 to test the hypotheses. The findings reveal that only one dimension of EBK namely employer image has a significant positive relationship with employer attractiveness. Contrary to our expectations, none of the sustainability practices was found to be related to employer attractiveness. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how EBK influences the perception of employer attractiveness as it not only broadens the theoretical understanding but also provides practical insights for employers seeking to improve their attractiveness to the Millennial workforce. It is also suggested that employers who are more familiar with employees, have a positive reputation, and maintain a strong image are more likely to be attractive to millennials. Implications and recommendations for future research are also discussed in the study
The Influence of Zakat Assistance on Academic Achievement Among University Students in Malaysia and Indonesia: A Pilot Study
Get PDFIt is well known that knowledge and education are the best solutions to abolish the Asnaf people from poverty. As a result, zakat institutions actively play an essential role in distributing zakat funds through educational assistance to the asnaf groups in Malaysia and Indonesia. This measure ensures that the asnaf groups receive educational opportunities and succeed like others. Dropping out of studies due to failure to pay tuition fees is among the issues that are often reported in most past studies. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify and analyze the influence of zakat assistance on the academic achievement of students at Universiti Teknologi MARA Terengganu Branch, Malaysia (UiTMCT) and Universitas Sains Al-Qur'an, Indonesia (UNSIQ). This study also provides recommendations to empower zakat assistance at UiTMCT and UNSIQ. This study used a quantitative research method involving data collection by distributing questionnaires to 54 students at UiTMCT and UNSIQ. The findings were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software (version 24). The t-test results showed a significant difference in academic performance and governance between UiTMCT and UNSIQ, with a p-value of less than 0.05. This study is anticipated to provide insight to the community on the efforts to empower zakat institutions to assist asnaf fisabilillah in higher education institutions (IPTs) in Malaysia and Indonesia