UNIMAS Journal (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)
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Influencing Factors Of Digital Transformation In Developing Economies A Case Study Of Malaysia's SME Sector
Get PDFThe digital transformation of SMEs encompasses more than the mere adoption of new technologies; it necessitates comprehensive changes in business processes, organizational structures, and corporate culture. This research leverages the technical, organizational, and environmental (TOE) framework to examine SME leaders' perspectives on the key elements driving digital transformation within their organizations, focusing specifically on organizational factors. Data were collected from 232 Malaysian SME leaders and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to ensure reliability and test the hypotheses. The findings indicate that digital strategy, technical capability, and managerial capability significantly influence SMEs' ability to digitalize their business processes. These conclusions are framed within the Malaysian context of SMEs, acknowledging that the industrial type of SME participants was not controlled for. The study suggests that SME leaders should formulate strategies to streamline digital transformation and invest in organizational and technological resources to enhance their digitalization efforts, thereby improving their capabilities and international competitiveness
How COVID-19 Affected Moroccan Stock Market An empirical inquiry
Get PDFIn this study, we explored how COVID-19 influenced Morocco's stock market by employing an ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) model. We used daily series data collected from March 5, 2020, to June 30, 2021, as the dataset in this study. Results showed that, in the long run, an increase in new cases and deaths adversely affected the stock market. Furthermore, controlled variables such as the exchange rate had a negative influence on the Moroccan stock market, whereas Standard & Poor's had a positive impact. Our findings are important for policymakers, governmental authorities, and investors as they shed light on how emerging stock markets, such as Morocco's, responded during periods of uncertainty
HOW FINTECH IS DOING INNOVATIONS AND EFFICIENCY IN THE BANKING SECTOR?
Get PDFPurpose - the purpose of the research is to examine the impact of fintech on bank efficiency in the Asian banking industry, where bank efficiency has been measured using the DEA (data envelopment analysis) approach for technical efficiency as a proxy. Methodology - the methodology of the research includes the sample consisting of 92 privatized commercial Asian banks from 2016-2022 and uses cross-country analysis. The panel regression models have been utilized, consisting of a fixed effect model. The model has run after the diagnostic check and the data validation has been satisfied with the stationary, serial autocorrelation, heteroscedasticity, homogeneity and multicollinearity issues. Results - The results show that fintech funding has a significantly positive effect on bank efficiency. Based on the results, it concludes that fintech funding is doing innovations using funding and improving efficiency in Asian banks. Implication - the implication derived from the empirical evidence of the study is that fintech funding brings innovations that positively consequence on bank efficiency in Asian banks. Limitation - the limitation of the study is that there was no data available before 2016 since fintech was a new technology during the time
DETERMINING SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES' ADOPTION INTENTION OF SOCIAL CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT IN CHINA: THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF ATTITUDE
Get PDFIn today’s digital era, social customer relationship management (social CRM) has become a vital tool for businesses seeking to strengthen customer relationships. Despite its advantages, the adoption of social CRM among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains relatively low. Drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), this study investigated the factors influencing SMEs’ intentions to adopt social CRM in China. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the conceptual framework and hypotheses. Based on a survey of 198 SMEs in Zhejiang, the findings reveal that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and attitude are significant direct determinants of adoption intention. Additionally, the results highlight the central role of attitude in mediating the effects of performance expectancy and effort expectancy on SMEs' intention to adopt social CRM. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors shaping social CRM adoption in SMEs
Inhibition of UVB-mediated Oxidative Stress in Immortalized HaCaT Keratinocytes by n-hexane Terpenoid Rich Canarium odontophyllum Extract (TRCO) as Evinced by Markers of Photodamage: Antioxidative Properties of Dabai Leaves Extract
No full textAcute exposure of eukaryotic cells to ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation leads to a number of detrimental effects, one such prominent effect of UVB exposure is increased production of free radicals which can lead to oxidative damage. Although, the human skin is well equipped with endogenous antioxidant defence system, often increased levels of free radicals lead to oxidative damage in skin. Skin inflammation, accelerated skin aging, and formation of wrinkles are all consequences of UVB induced photodamage. Hence, it is posited that supplementation of an exogenous antioxidant derived from natural products could prevent and reduce oxidative damage in skin cells. This study set forth to investigate the antioxidative role of terpenoid rich Canarium odontophyllum Miq. (Dabai) extract on acute UVB-induced photodamage human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT). We first evaluated the antioxidative capacity of increasing concentrations of crude extracts of TRCO Dabai extracts (62.50 µg/mL, 125 µg/mL, 250 µg/mL, and 500 µg/mL) through FRAP assay. We found all the tested TRCO extract exhibited antioxidative capacity in dosage dependent manner. We further investigated the effects of pre-treatment 250 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL TRCO on UVB-induced photodamaged HaCaT cell by measuring oxidative stress markers of lipid peroxide (LPO content), protein carbonyl (PC) content, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities. Both 250 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL TRCO extract pre-treated UVB-induced HaCaT cell group exhibited significantly reduced lipid peroxides content and GST activity compared to the positive control (p<0.05). Pre-treatment of 250 µg/mL TRCO extract significant enhanced GSH-Px activity (p<0.05). However, no significant difference in protein carbonyl content could be established across all tested groups. Therefore, our results suggest that TRCO extract can offer protection against oxidative damages caused by UVB exposure, and said protective effects can be attributed by its antioxidant properties
Synthesis, Antibacterial Properties and Molecular Docking of Nitrobenzoylthiourea Compounds and their Copper(II) Complex: Nitrobenzoylthiourea Compounds and their Copper(II) Complex
No full textThe rise of multidrug-resistant microbial pathogens has increased the demand for highly effective antibiotics. Five nitrobenzoylthiourea ligands (1–5) with amino acid side chains and their corresponding Cu(II) complexes (6–10) were synthesised with yields ranging from 43% to 90%. The successful synthesis of ligands 1-5 were confirmed by the absence of the ν(NCS) stretching band and the presence of the ν(NH) band, indicating the complete reaction of all (NCS) with a series of amino acids as well as the appearance of two N-H signals in the 1H NMR spectra of all the synthesised ligands. On the other hand, the shift of the (C=O) carboxylic peaks in the Cu(II) complexes suggested successful coordination of ligands to the metal ion via the carboxylate group. The antibacterial activities of these compounds were tested against six bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the disc diffusion method. The Cu(II) complexes (6-10) exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity compared to the ligands (1-5), especially against gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa). For example, compound 4 showed moderate activity against K. pneumoniae with a 14 mm inhibition zone while its Cu(II) complexes, 8 recorded better inhibition against K. pneumoniae with a 16 mm inhibition zone. Molecular docking studies on all complexes (6-10) also revealed higher binding affinity with targeted proteins with binding energy between -10.4 kcal/mol to -9.0 kcal/mol, in comparison with ligand 2 and 4 with the binding energy of only -7.7 kcal/mol (against S. aureus) and -6.9 kcal/mol (against K. pneumoniae). The enhanced antibacterial activity of all complexes correlates with the higher binding affinity obtained for all complexes. Hence, this study concludes that the nitrobenzoylthiourea derivatives, and particularly their Cu(II) complexes can show potential as antibacterial agent although more thorough investigation are required to develop these compounds into useful drugs
Navigating Sustainability A Bibliometric Analysis Of Carbon Management Accounting
Get PDFIn the era of increasing concerns over climate change and sustainable development, Carbon Management Accounting (CMA) research gains paramount attention. Previous studies focused on specific aspects of carbon accounting, leaving a gap in comprehensive exploration of CMA's holistic approach to sustainability challenges. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of CMA research and its implications for sustainability efforts. Bibliometric and network analyses, utilizing Harzing's Publish or Perish (PoP) and VOSviewer (VOS) software, 200 Scopus-indexed documents from 2013 to 2022 were examined. Performance analysis, citation analysis, journal analysis, and network analysis were employed to examine the field from research practice and system perspectives. From a practice-perspective, the analysis reveals CMA research as an "advancement," depicting progressive, impactful, and dynamism within the field. The system-perspective displays a “transformative” role characterized by prominence, synergy, and integration. Popular themes among researchers and countries include keywords like "carbon," "carbon accounting," "environmental policy," and "climate change." A significant gap between sustainability development and the carbon accounting model in CMA is identified, emphasizing the need for further integrated research. This study is pivotal for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers, aiding sustainability efforts and addressing global climate change
Sustainability Committee And Environmental, Social And Governance (ESG) : A Systematic Literature Review
Get PDFThe objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive systematic literature review (SLR) of the empirical studies on the impact of sustainability committee (SC) and SC’s characteristics on ESG issues. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method, 34 papers published between 2017 and 2023 were selected from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The majority of the existing literature explored this topic in a cross-country context, with a particular focus on stakeholder theory. It was further found that empirical studies extensively focused on the presence of SC in relation to ESG; while less emphasis was placed on the characteristics of SC. While SC size and independence are the most commonly studied characteristics, it is also essential for future studies to further examine how other SC characteristics, such as gender diversity, expertise, and education, can exert an influence on ESG matters. Notably, there is a significant methodological gap. In addition, limited studies adopt qualitative and/or mixed methods in examining this relationship. Finally, the paper provides future research opportunities related to SC and ESG issues and identifies gaps in knowledge
Anthropomorphism And Authenticity Exploring The Dynamics Of Virtual Influencers In Contemporary Marketing
Get PDFThis study investigates the influence of Virtual Influencers (VIs) on consumer behaviour and their implications for brands. The objective is to understand how consumers perceive and interact with VIs compared to traditional human influencers. Findings reveal that VIs offer unique advantages, including constant availability, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness, which can enhance brand engagement. However, concerns about authenticity, trustworthiness, and ethical implications persist. Utilizing anthropomorphism theory, the study demonstrates that brands can foster consumer connection and trust by imbuing VIs with human-like traits. Detailed analysis indicates that while VIs can effectively engage consumers, the perceived lack of authenticity poses a challenge. Nevertheless, when VIs are strategically integrated into marketing campaigns, they can significantly influence consumer behaviour and brand perception. Ultimately, these insights enable companies to develop targeted marketing strategies, leveraging VIs to shape consumer culture and brand narratives effectively. This research underscores the potential of VIs in modern marketing, providing a framework for brands to navigate the evolving digital landscape
THE IMPACT OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND COMPETENCE LEADERSHIP ON INNOVATIVE WORK BEHAVIOR: A MEDIATED MODEL
Get PDFThis paper aims to delve into key elements that encourage teachers to participate in innovative work practices within a fiercely competitive setting. Current studies on the evolution of the fundamental mechanisms and limiting factors that explain the relationship between transformational leadership and leadership competencies in innovative work behavior are mediated by organizational citizenship behavior, knowledge sharing, employee voice, and organizational communication. The framework of this study is based on social exchange theory (SET) and conservation of resources theory (COR). PLS-SEM along with Smart PLS version 3.0 software was adopted for data analysis, which includes analysis of measurement models and structural models. The questionnaires were distribute to 299 teachers in the Riau Islands province. Data analysis showed that competence leadership, organizational citizenship behavior, and organizational identification further enhance innovative work behavior among teachers. However, the results further revealed that transformational leadership, knowledge sharing, and employee voice do not affect innovative work behavior. Additionally, this study found the influence of organizational identification as a mediator on the relationship between competency leadership and innovative work behavior, organizational citizenship behavior as a mediator for the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior, and organizational identification as a mediator for the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior among teachers. The current research provides useful insights regarding transformational leadership and leadership competencies that can generate positive energy in secondary school teachers in the Riau Islands, Indonesia, thereby encouraging innovative thinking