UNIMAS Journal (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)
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Brown Banana Leaf (Musa x paradisiaca) Improve Betta splendens Hatching, Larvae, Survival and Growth Performance While Affecting its Sex Ratio
Full text linkThe effectiveness of brown banana leaf (BBL) Musa x paradisiaca as a culture media for rearing Betta splendens larvae was investigated. Larvae (n=630, 3 days old, 6 replicates) were reared in 7 rearing medium; C1 (no leaf, control), C2 (0.7 g brown catappa leaf, positive control), T1 (0.7 g; Treatment 1), T2 (0.8 g; Treatment 2), T3 (0.9 g, Treatment 3), T4 (1.0 g, Treatment 4) and T5 (1.1 g, Treatment 5) of BBL per litre of rearing water respectively. Throughout the 80 days trial period, larvae were first fed microworms twice daily for two weeks, then Artemia for another two weeks, followed by ad libitum feeding of commercial feed twice daily. Water quality was monitored every two days, and water was changed every two weeks. The hatching rate, survival, growth parameters and sex ratio were determined after 80 days. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in all the parameters observed. The highest hatching and survival rates were found in treatment C2 (95.86%; 95.56%) and T5 (95.63%; 95.56%). For treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4, the hatching (HR) and survival rate (SR) was 85.75±7.31% (HR), 68.89±13.11% (SR); 75.54±2.04% (HR),76.67±15.64% (SR); 89.76±0.587% (HR), 74.44±22.08% (SR) and 92.63±2.23% (HR), 61.11±6.56% (SR) respectively. The lowest percentage of hatching rate was shown by C1 at 68.08±1.089% while the lowest survival rate was shown by T4. The highest specific growth rate (SGR) was T3 (6.00±0.34% day-1) (weight) and T5 (3.45±0.10% day-1) (length). The SGR for C2, TI, T2 and T4 was recorded at 5.837±0.34, 5.857±0.5, 5.81±0.429 and 5.612±0.243 % day-1 respectively. The sex ratios were skewed in 2 treatments; T1 (12 male: 19 female) and T5 (19 male: 9 female) with the rest showing no significant difference to the 50:50 (M:F) ratio. Hatching rate, SGR and sex ratio was not recorded for C1 as all larvae reached 100% mortalities after two weeks of the rearing trials. Based on the result, it is safe to conclude that BBL is a good and safe alternative/replacement to catappa leaf for usage in the aquaculture industry
THE IMPACT OF MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES ON ISLAMIC STOCKS MARKET PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA
Full text linkThis study examines the relationship between macroeconomic variables and the performance of Islamic stocks in Malaysia, focusing on the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Hijrah Shariah Index. By analyzing the effects of interest rates, inflation, gross domestic product (GDP), and foreign direct investment (FDI), the research addresses existing gaps in understanding how these factors influence Shariah-compliant equity markets. The study adopts a quantitative design using 15 years of quarterly data (2009–2023), yielding 60 observations. An Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model is applied to assess both short- and long-run dynamics, complemented by diagnostic tests to ensure validity and reliability. The results show that GDP exerts a statistically significant negative influence on Islamic stock market performance in both the short and long run, whereas interest rates, inflation, and FDI exhibit no significant effects. These findings offer important implications for investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders, supporting more informed decision-making and contributing to efforts to strengthen the resilience of Malaysia’s Islamic capital market
Work-Life Balance and Career Development: How Job Satisfaction Mediates Their Impact on Turnover Intention Among Indonesian Generation Z?
Full text linkThe study examines how guiding a balance between responsibilities at the workplace and personal life and opportunities for career development influences the decision to leave work. Job satisfaction also acts as a mediating role for employees in Indonesia’s Generation Z. A group of 393 Gen Z employees aged 18-26 from West Java, Indonesia took part in the survey selected conveniently via Google Form. The data analysis technique in this study uses SPSS with the path analysis method, survey questions by 5-point Likert Scale. This paper aims that work-life balance and career development can attract the turnover intention of Gen-Z employees in Indonesia with evidence of the acceptance of all hypotheses proposed. This paper deepens our understanding of how Work-Life Balance, Career Development, Job Satisfaction, and Turnover Intention are interconnected with Generation Z employees and provides evidence of how work-life balance, career development, and job satisfaction can influence turnover intention
INTEGRATED EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY ANALYSIS OF CONTAINER TERMINALS: A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK USING DEA, SBM, MPI, AND PREDICTIVE MODELING: ASSESSING EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF MALAYSIA'S CONTAINER TERMINALS
No full textContainer terminals are critical nodes in the global supply chain, connecting maritime and inland transport systems. This study evaluates the efficiency and productivity of nine Malaysian container terminals over a 15-year period (2003–2018) using an integrated framework of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Slack-Based Model (SBM), Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI), and Machine Learning (ML) techniques. It benchmarks performance, diagnoses inefficiencies, tracks productivity trends, and predicts future efficiency. DEA and SBM reveal disparities, with high-performing terminals near the efficiency frontier and underperformers showing resource slack and throughput shortfalls. MPI highlights the role of innovation in driving long-term competitiveness, while predictive modeling using ML provides actionable insights for proactive planning. This study bridges traditional efficiency analysis with modern predictive tools, offering recommendations to optimize terminal operations and sustain competitiveness
IMPULSIVENESS AND MARKETING STRATEGIES IN THE DIGITAL ERA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Full text linkThe unpredictability and interplay between logic and emotion make impulse buying a fascinating and distinct consumer behavior, particularly in a digital context. Previous reviews have focused on general consumer behavior or impulse buying in offline contexts, often neglecting modern digital triggers. This study aims to synthesize and critically analyze existing research on online impulse buying, focusing on the factors that drive this behavior in digital environments. This paper is a systematic literature review using two robust methodologies, PRISMA and TCCM, which provide a transparent framework for identifying, selecting, and synthesizing relevant studies. Based on a systematic review of 85 articles from the Scopus database, our study finds (1) the influence of specific antecedents, consequences, mediators, and moderators on online impulse buying; (2) the central role of theories such as Stimulus-Organism-Response, Flow Theory, and Para-social Interaction in conceptualizing this behavior; and (3) the unique situational dynamics of e-commerce, social commerce, and mobile commerce, each shaping impulse buying differently. This study provides a comprehensive foundation for future research in this dynamic field. This study uniquely contributes by integrating multidisciplinary perspectives (e.g., psychology, technology, and marketing) and highlighting how contemporary innovations, like technology-driven platforms and live-streaming shopping, influence consumer behavior
Everyday Precarities and Systemic Exploitations: Indonesian Migrant Workers in Sarawak's Palm Oil Industry
Full text linkThe Malaysian palm oil industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, yet it faces a critical labour shortage, particularly in Sarawak, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and migration barriers. A significant portion of the workforce in Malaysia’s palm oil plantations comprises Indonesian migrant workers, many of whom are undocumented. This study explores the role of undocumented Indonesian migrant labour in addressing the labour shortages in Sarawak's palm oil sector, focusing on the systemic challenges these workers face. Through in-depth interviews with 15 undocumented migrant workers and 5 key informants, this qualitative research highlights the legal, social, and economic vulnerabilities that contribute to exploitation and poor working conditions. The study reveals the complexity of migration patterns, the predominance of male workers in physically demanding roles, and the exploitation facilitated by undocumented status. Additionally, the research uncovers the gendered divisions of labour that limit women’s participation in core plantation tasks. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of the systemic challenges facing the palm oil industry in Sarawak and underscores the need for policy reforms to protect migrant workers’ rights and improve labour conditions. By focusing on Sarawak, this study adds a critical perspective to the broader discourse on migrant labour in Malaysia, particularly in regions often overlooked in existing literature
THE IMPACT OF FOREIGN INVESTORS' ABNORMAL TRADING ON THE ABNORMAL RETURNS OF BANKING SECTOR STOCKS: THE CASE OF VIETNAM
Full text linkThis study aims to analyze the impact of foreign investors' abnormal trading on the abnormal returns of banking sector stocks in Vietnam from 2006 to 2023. The data sample includes 631 abnormal buy events, 571 abnormal buy events on net purchase days, 477 abnormal sell events, and 432 abnormal sell events on net sell days of foreign investors. The study employs the event study methodology with parametric and non-parametric tests. The results show that abnormal buy events and abnormal buy events on net purchase days by foreign investors convey positive information and have a positive impact on stock prices, creating positive abnormal returns, with stock prices forming new equilibrium levels. Abnormal sell events and abnormal sell events on net sell days convey negative information and have a negative impact on stock prices in the short term, after which prices tend to return to their initial states as before the events. The study suggests that investors can observe foreign investors' trading behavior as reference information in their investment decisions regarding banking sector stocks. Furthermore, it recommends that the government consider relaxing the "room" limit on foreign ownership in Vietnamese commercial banks to align with the objective of upgrading the stock market
Influence of Temperature and Oxygen Injection on Population Growth of Marine Rotifers, Brachionus plicatilis
Full text linkRotifers (Brachionus plicatilis, Brachionidae) are critical live feed for marine, crustaceans, and ornamental fish during their early developmental stages. This study investigated the effects of temperature and oxygen injection on rotifer population growth. A five-day experiment was conducted with nine treatments combining temperatures (26 °C, 28 °C, and 30 °C) and oxygen injection frequencies (0, 2, 4, and 6 times/day). Each treatment was triplicated, with 27 experimental jars containing 4 L of water, a filter, and aeration at 200 mL/min. Commercial Nannochloropsis sp. was used as feed through automated feeders. The results show significant effects of temperature and oxygen injection on population density, growth rate, and egg production (p<0.01). Statistical analysis was conducted using two-way ANOVA to assess the significance of main and interaction effects. The highest population density (308 individuals/mL) and growth rate (1.14 day⁻¹) were observed at 30 °C with 6 oxygen injections/day, followed by 256 individuals/mL with 4 injections/day. The lowest density (32 individuals/mL) and growth rate (0.62 day⁻¹) were recorded at 26 °C with 4 injections/day. Egg production was highest (27.09 ± 2.49%) at 30 °C with 6 injections/day. These findings indicate the critical role of temperature and oxygen injection frequency for optimizing rotifer production for aquaculture
Physicochemical Properties of Pili (Canarium ovatum) Nut Oils Extracted Using Different Extraction Solvents
Full text linkThere is still lack of information on pili (Canarium ovatum) nut oil from Sabah, Malaysia. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate the physicochemical properties of pili nut oils obtained from Soxhlet extraction by using different extraction solvents such as petroleum ether, hexane, acetone and ethanol. The extracted pili nut oils were assessed for colour, refractive index, slip melting, and cloud point; iodine, free fatty acid, peroxide, p-anisidine, totox values; carotene content, thermal behaviour, fatty acid composition, and triacylglycerol profile. The highest oil yields were obtained by extraction using petroleum ether and hexane. The physical and chemical properties of oil are found to be significantly differed with different extraction solvents. The major triacylglycerols of pili nut oils were palmitoyl–di–oleoyl glycerol (PPO) and di-palmitoyl–oleoyl glycerol (PPO) with oleic and palmitic were the most predominant fatty acids. All extracted pili nut oils were below than the permitted range of free fatty acid content, peroxide and totox values (maximum 10 meq O2/kg) for cooking oils. The pili nut oil extracted with petroleum ether contained the highest (~ 110 ppm) β-carotene. Among the extraction solvents, petroleum ether was the best in terms of oil yield, quality, and β-carotene content
THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL LITERACY ON FINANCIAL PLANNING BEHAVIOUR AMONG UNIMAS STUDENTS
Full text linkThis research investigates the impact of financial literacy on the financial planning behavior of university students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). This study highlights the importance of financial literacy in encouraging responsible money management by focusing on three main areas: financial awareness, knowledge, and skills. Employing a quantitative approach, primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered electronically to 400 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Multiple linear regression was used in the data analysis process to ascertain the impact of literacy aspects on financial planning behavior, which includes debt management, saving, and budgeting, and descriptive statistics to profile respondents. The results show that students' financial planning practices are highly impacted by all three aspects of financial literacy, with financial knowledge having the biggest impact. The findings highlight how crucial focused financial education is in helping young adults develop sound financial habits. This study offers valuable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to enhance financial literacy programs within higher education institutions to foster better financial decision-making among students