UPTM Journal (Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia)
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Siti Nuraina Mohd Asri Digital Transformation As A Catalyst For Sme Business Model Innovation
This study explores the transformative impact of digital technologies on the business models of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. It investigates how digital transformation enhances operational efficiency, market expansion, and customer engagement while addressing key challenges, including limited resources, digital literacy gaps, and resistance to change. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, in-depth interviews with SME owners and managers across various industries revealed critical strategies for digital adoption. Key findings include phased implementation, gradual integration of digital tools, and targeted staff training as pivotal to achieving successful outcomes. Digital transformation was found to significantly broaden customer reach, foster innovation, and enhance business resilience. Additionally, the study highlights the role of supportive ecosystems, including government policies, digital infrastructure, and training programs, in facilitating SMEs' transition into the digital economy. By addressing these structural and operational gaps, the research provides practical recommendations for SMEs and policymakers to promote sustainable growth, innovation, and global competitiveness. This study emphasizes the need for a strategic and inclusive approach to digital transformation, ensuring SMEs are well-equipped to thrive in an increasingly digitalized and dynamic market landscape
barriers to applying value chain in rural entrepreneurship context
This study explores the barriers to the application of value chain strategies in rural entrepreneurship, focusing on Malaysian SMEs. By employing a qualitative case study approach, the research identifies critical challenges such as fragmented supply chains, environmental constraints, inadequate infrastructure, and policy- related gaps. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with rural entrepreneurs engaged in agriculture-based enterprises, providing nuanced insights into the operational and systemic difficulties they face. Key findings highlight how small-scale production, seasonal dependencies, weak supplier networks, and poor logistics significantly hinder the adoption of effective value chain practices. These challenges limit the competitiveness and growth of rural businesses. Moreover, the study emphasizes the role of e-commerce and digital technology as potential enablers to bridge these gaps, despite existing barriers like low digital literacy and outdated infrastructure. The research underscores the needfor integrated policy interventions, capacity building, and infrastructural development to enhance rural entrepreneurship. By addressing these barriers, policymakers can create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, fostering economic growth and reducing rural- urban disparities. The findings provide actionable insights for stakeholders to support marginalized entrepreneurs and promote sustainable development in rural areas
Customer Satisfaction as a Predictor of Repurchase: Evidence from Klang Valley.
This study investigates how customer satisfaction predicts Klang Valley residents’ intentions to repurchase local fried chicken products. Entrepreneurs often seek strategies to build customer loyalty and encourage repeat purchases. Consumers have various expectations, including service quality, food quality, and menu variety. Using a quantitative design with random sampling, a questionnaire was distributed to Klang Valley residents to gather objective insights on customer satisfaction predictions. A pilot test with 103 respondents aged 15 to 65 assessed the reliability of the instrument. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, reliability testing, and Pearson correlation to examine the relationships between independent variables and repurchase intention. The results showed high reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding 0.7, 0.8, and 0.9. Correlation analysis revealed a moderately positive relationship between food quality, service quality, menu variety, and customer satisfaction. This indicates that these factors influence customers’ intentions to repurchase local fried chicken products. The main aim of this study is to contribute to the existing literature on customer satisfaction and repurchase behaviour while providing insights for local entrepreneurs. By understanding the role of perceived value and satisfaction in shaping repurchase intentions, local businesses can develop effective strategies to enhance customer loyalty and competitiveness within the Klang Valley fried chicken market
The The Impact of Organizational Commitment on Job Satisfaction among Employees in Nigeria.
The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of organizational commitment on job satisfaction among the employees in the food manufacturing industry in Nigeria. This study examines the effect of the three factors of affective organizational commitment, continuance, and normative commitment on job satisfaction. It further discusses the relationship of affective, continuance and normative commitment towards job satisfaction. A sample of 220 respondents from the food industries in Nigeria was examined using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. This study used descriptive statistics and multiple regressions to analyze the effects among variables. The researcher discovered that there is a significant positive relationship between affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment and job satisfaction. This research contributes to the literature of job satisfaction and organizational commitment, comprehensively in the dimension of commitment which are affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment of the respondent in the food manufacturing industry. Therefore, the research is valuable for the education sector, educators, food industry management and future researchers
Financial Performance Analysis of Food and Beverages Companies in Malaysia.
This study aims to analyse the financial health and business processes of selected organisations. It entails figuring out how stable, marketable, profitable, and liquid the business is. This study closely examines three companies operating in the Malaysian F&B industry. By investigating Bursa Malaysia issued the company's annual report for the financial condition in 2019 before the COVID outbreak. The five financial ratios calculated for each organisation in this study are the liquidity, efficiency, debt, profitability, and marketability ratios. Comparing these ratios is to establish which company is more competitive and effective. The results of this study of company performance based on financial ratios not only evaluate the debt ratio but also measure the efficiency with which a company employs its assets and resources, evaluate the company's ability to generate revenue to sales, and finally evaluate the stock price
The Impact of Digital Transformation on Businesses Model Smes
Over the years, digital transformation has emerged as an important driver of business development and survival especially for SMEs. To a certain extent, this research focuses on identifying how SMEs in Malaysia adapt to digital technologies and work through the implications of changes to business models by incorporating digital tools into their organisations. Malaysia has various SMEs that play a major role in the country’s economy though some of these challenges include; financial constraints, lack of lack of adequate computer skills to handle ICTs and organizational resistance to change. This study reveals that most SMEs experience difficulties in implementing digital technologies even though governments support their expansion. For the purpose of this study, an interpretivist research paradigm is employed, and data is collected through the administration of semi-structured interviews with selected SME owners. To reach these primary research questions, thematic analysis to unearth patterns was used due to the following research questions: The paper has shown that digital transformation increases competiveness and flexibility in businesses but is a challenge for SMEs due to several factors including; limited capital, readiness of technology and organizational resistance. Understanding the level of digital readiness of the SMEs as part of the reality and the subsequent institution of the best interventions including training, easily available financing for the firms and simplification of frameworks that indicate preparedness for digital adoption are evident from this study. To increase the chances of utilizing digital technology for innovations and the enhancement of operational efficiencies, the following represents the challenges that should be addressed by SMEs; Policymakers and practitioners will find this research helpful with specific focuses on creating the right environment for accelerating digital transformation in the context of Malaysian SMEs
Entertainment's Impact On Shopping Behavior In Small City Malls
This qualitative study delves into the intricate relationship between entertainment amenities and shopping behavior within small city malls, focusing on the context of Semenyih, Selangor. Small city malls are uniquely positioned within their local economies, facing challenges such as competition from local businesses and the imperative to tailor their offerings to the diverse preferences of their clientele. This research aims to provide valuable insights for mall managers and retailers seeking to adapt to the evolving needs and behaviors of consumers in these smaller urban centers.
Employing qualitative research methods, a series of in-depth interviews were conducted with employers in Semenyih. The sampling strategy utilized a combination of maximum diversity sampling and snowball sampling to ensure a comprehensive representation of perspectives within the local community. Through these interviews, we sought to capture the nuanced interactions between entertainment amenities and shopping behaviors, as well as to identify the challenges faced by stakeholders in navigating these dynamics.
The research questions guiding this inquiry revolve around understanding the various roles that entertainment offerings play in shaping shopping behaviors, uncovering the specific challenges encountered by mall managers and retailers in adapting to these changes, and proposing future strategies to enhance the overall shopping experience for local communities.
The findings of this study not only shed light on the unique dynamics at play within Semenyih but also offer broader implications for small city malls globally. Understanding the complex interplay between entertainment amenities and shopping behaviors is essential for stakeholders to remain competitive and responsive to the evolving demands of consumers in smaller urban centers. By providing actionable insights derived from real-world experiences, this research contributes to the body of knowledge surrounding consumer behavior in small city contexts and offers practical guidance for mall managers and retailers aiming to thrive in this evolving landscape.
 
Online learning condition during covid-19 pandemic among public university students
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to unexpected changes in all Institut Pengajian Tinggi Awam (IPTA) operations. In the course of the lockdown, there had been a sudden shift in the educational system from face-to-face instruction to online instruction. Studies have shown that progress in online learning and teaching will be considerably more successful if all students have access to a conducive and healthy learning environment. Thus, the present study seeks to determine the level of online learning conditions during the pandemic among IPTA students. A total of 410 students between the ages of 18 to 32 from 20 IPTAs were selected randomly to participate in the study by answering a series of survey form. Several factors, including insufficient access to appropriate ICT devices, constant internet disruption, and a lack of enthusiasm or motivation to study online, contributed to the study's findings, which indicated a need for improvement in the level of online learning condition among university students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Consequently, students who received appropriate information from their educators and perceived the enjoyment and usefulness of the learning sessions will have greater advantages in dealing with learning processes during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared to students who did not share the same feelings and treatment
Board Diversity in Financial Distress Companies in Malaysia
The declining financial performance is often associated with the weak function of the board’s role in the companies. The number of publicly listed companies categorised as Practice Note (PN17) by Bursa Malaysia shows an increase due to financial distress. This study examines the effectiveness of board diversity in financially distressed companies categorised as PN17 by Bursa Malaysia using content analysis of annual reports for five years as secondary data. The characteristics of board diversity include board professionalism and a politically connected board. In contrast, the proxy of financial distress will be measured using Altman Z Score for multiple regressions in evaluating financial performance ratios. Implementing the Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance (MCCG) in 2021 also assessed the effectiveness of board diversity and its interaction with financial distress. The findings from this study are expected to provide evidence that board diversity may have a significant relationship with financially distressed companies. Overall, this study may assist investors, practitioners, and external regulators in monitoring the company by assessing the effectiveness of board diversity from being classified as a financially distressed company
The Effect of Work-Life Balance, Job Stress and Job Motivation on Job Satisfaction – A Conceptual Framework.
Women employees are vital in any organisation, including the public sector. The primary duty of the public sector is to support citizens by providing public services and products. It indeed signifies the importance of public employees in society. One primary concern regarding the perception of women employees toward job satisfaction during the Work-From-Home (WHM) policy has been debated among researchers. However, very few studies were found to examine public employees' job satisfaction. Thus, it is timely to explore the job satisfaction of public employees, especially women, due to the significant role that public employees play in assuring efficient delivery of public services and products, more particularly during the lockdowns following the Covid-19 pandemic. Assuming role conflicts faced by them, especially when working from home, this study aims to examine the factors that affect women public employees’ job satisfaction during the implementation of the WFH policy in Malaysia. However, problems still prevail which include quality of services and accidents that affect users and the government’s image. The problems are closely related to the employees in respect of their performance in managing their responsibility. Hence, there is great significance to examine factors that influence employee job satisfaction. This paper provides a literature review on the relationship between work-life balance, work stress and job motivation on job satisfaction