UNIMAS Journal (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)
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Corporate Governance, Capital Structure and Moderating Effect of Women on Board of Directors in Malaysia's Energy Firm
Get PDFIt is undeniable that corporate governance is an important element towards the capital structure across industries as it affects the financial decision which drives the companies’ reputation and revenue. However, the big question is what drives the relationship of corporate governance and capital structure within the industry. As we move into the twenty-first century, diversity and inclusion has been discussed globally. This shift can differentiate the board decision on financial strategy in terms of capital structure. Hence, the motivation behind this research is to investigate the moderating role of women on board towards the relationship of corporate governance and capital structure. Data is collected from annual report of 24 listed energy firms in Bursa Malaysia over the period of 2015 to 2019. As a result, to determine the research objectives, this study employs descriptive statistical analysis, correlation coefficient, and random effects regression models. Moreover, the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimate is used for robustness, and the results obtained differed from the random effect models. According to the findings of this study, board size and the proportion of women on boards of directors have a negative and substantial link with capital structure in terms of leverage level. Meanwhile, there is a positive and significant association between CEO duality and firm leverage, but no relationship exists between board independence and leverage. Additionally, when there is a large proportion of female directors on the board, the influence of board size on the firm's leverage level is beneficial
Financial Literacy and Financial Behaviour in Four Different Age Groups in Malaysia
Get PDFThe goal of this research was to look at the association between financial literacy and financial behaviour in different age groups. Financial literacy was judged by the number of accurate answers from questions that required the respondent to calculate and also was based on the respondents' responses on a scale of 1 to 5. The age groupings were as follows: 13–19, 20–39, 40–59, and 60 and over. Long-term financial behaviour included retirement saving and investment, whereas short-term financial behaviour included expenditure and emergency savings. The data was gathered from a sample of 300 respondents through a survey method. It was analysed using Ordered Logistic Regression. The findings are broadly similar with those of other investigations. However, some of the results may differ due to its geographical boundaries, sample size, and research design. This research demonstrates policymakers and financial practitioners with a detailed financial assessment of various age groups, along with valuable insights
Characterisation of Trichoderma spp. and Assessment as Biocontrol Using Dual Culture Assay Against Fungi Associated with Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) Diseases in Sarawak
Get PDFBlack pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is one of the most widely used spices in food, beverage, cosmetics, and medicine. Black pepper production has suffered from various fungal diseases. Microbial biological control is an essential part of integrated disease management to reduce the heavy reliance on chemical fungicides. Trichoderma fungi comprise a large group of rhizocompetent filamentous fungi widely used in the biocontrol of plant pathogens. Three field surveys conducted on five black pepper farms in Belaga, Sarawak, identified three fungal diseases: yellowing, black berry, and foot rot. Based on the morphological and molecular characterisation, the identified fungal causal agents were Fusarium solani (yellowing disease), Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (black berry disease), and Phytophthora palmivora (foot rot disease). Twenty isolates of Trichoderma spp. were isolated from secondary forest and Biopark in Bintulu, Sarawak. Trichoderma isolates were characterised based on the morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis using the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Trichoderma isolates were separated into five distinct species, namely T. harzianum, T. virens, T. brevicompactum, T. tawa, and telomorphic Hypocrea lixii. Among the Trichoderma fungi, T. harzianum was the most frequently (65%) isolated species. Trichoderma harzianum (Isolates of TJ9, 10, and 16) showed antagonistic and inhibitory effects by 61 to 70% on in vitro mycelial growth against three common fungal pathogens of black pepper, P. palmivora, C. gloeosporioides, and F. solani. This study highlights the potential of using native Trichoderma fungi as biocontrol agents in the black pepper integrated disease management program
Diet Analysis of Sympatric Colobine Monkeys from Bako National Park, Sarawak, Borneo
Get PDFHabitat quality and abundant of food resources are among the key factors influencing the continued existence of primates in the wild. Although much has been studied on primate habitats and their diets, little is known about the nutritional value of the colobines’ foods. This study aimed to assess the dietary nutrient compositions of two sympatric colobine monkeys, Trachypithecus cristatus and Nasalis larvatus, in Bako National Park using proximate analysis of faecal, leaf and fruit samples of eight dominant tree species in Bako NP. Five nutrient parameters, namely crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash, phosphorus, and energy content, were choosen to assess the nutritional demands of the monkeys in the wild. The faecal samples showed significantly higher percentage of crude fibre (27.58%) in N. larvatus compared to T. cristatus. In contrast, crude fat (8.52%), ash content (1.79%) and phosphorus (5.76 mg/g) were found to be significantly higher in the faecal samples of T. cristatus than in N. larvatus. The nutrient composition of leaves samples from the tree species consumed by N. larvatus and T. cristatus showed a significantly higher percentage of crude protein (14.56%) in Barringtonia asiatica (sea poison tree) and higher ash (13.70%) in Morinda citrifolia (Indian mulberry). Meanwhile, nutrient composition in fruit samples showed highest percentage of crude fibre (32.58%) and crude fat (12.35%) in Calophyllum inophyllum (Alexandrian laurel), whereas higher phosphorus (5.76%) and energy (24.26 KJ) were recorded in Ceriops tagal (Yellow mangrove). The higher crude fiber detected in N. larvatus’ faecal samples compared to T. cristatus may indicates that N. larvatus experiences lower digestibility as they are incapable of completely digesting the tough leaves or fruits. This study provides useful information for the conservation and management of these primate species especially on their dietary requirements in captivity or in a new habitat
The Mediation Effect of Online Shopping Habits on Personality Traits and Intention to Recommend; the Covid-19 Effect
Get PDFThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has transformed conventional buying to online shopping habits. Despite the importance of customers’ future behaviour, insufficient studies have highlighted the role of online shopping habits on the intention to recommend. The study investigated how the Big Five Personality Traits (BFPT) influence online shopping habits, the relationship between habit and intention to recommend, and the habit as a mediator by applying the convenience sampling method. A total of 347 usable data were collected online and analysed using structural equation modelling with the Smart Partial Least Squares (Smart PLS) software. The study found that agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism positively affect online shopping habits, but not openness. Furthermore, online shopping habits positively impact the intention to recommend and mediate the relationship between the BFPT and the intention to recommend. The study also provides valuable information for conventional stores and online platform managers to develop marketing strategies to retain and attract new customers. Moreover, the study discussed the limitations and future research recommendations
Fitness Trainers’ Physical Attractiveness and Gym Goers’ Exercise Intention
Get PDFIn line with the law of attraction, physical attractiveness has been widely used in marketing as well as advertising due to its potency in persuading consumers to take action. However, would physical attractiveness of a fitness trainer influence gym goers’ intention to exercise? This question motivated this research. Based on recent literature reviews, several research constructs were identified to form a research framework to investigate the physical attractiveness phenomena in the fitness industry. Hypothetically, the impact of the physical attractiveness of a fitness trainer on gym goers’ exercise intention is postulated to be mediated by trainer’s perceived expertise, trustworthiness, likeability and perceived health. Questionnaires were administered among gym-goers from 10 randomly selected fitness centres across three districts of Melaka State in Malaysia, and 192 final sample data were obtained. Data analysis reveals fitness trainer’s perceived expertise and likeability significantly mediates the relationship between the physical attractiveness of fitness trainers and gym goers’ exercise intention. Physical attractiveness of fitness trainers does impact the exercise intention of gym goers indirectly. Implications of the findings to theory and practice are also discussed in this paper, as well as suggestions for future studies
Mediation of Psychological Capital on Human Resource Management Practices and Firm Financial Performance
Get PDFThe purpose of the study is to examine the mediating effect of psychological capital on the relationship between human resource management practices and financial performance in small businesses in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was utilised to collect data from a sample of 401 small businesses operating within the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The findings show that human resource management practices, psychological capital and financial performance are positively correlated to one another. Moreover, through hierarchical regression analyses, psychological capital was found to partially mediate the relationship between human resource management practices and financial performance. Based on the findings of the research, small business owners/managers can use the study results to develop strategies and interventions that can enable their firms to thrive
Factors Affecting Social Sustainability Performance amongst Malaysian Manufacturing Companies
Get PDFMalaysia is among 192 countries that adopted the 2030 agenda for sustainable development to move towards more sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth through strengthening the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable development. However, among the three pillars, social sustainability is often disregarded than economic and environmental. Social sustainability is an aspect of sustainability or sustainable development that encompasses human rights, labour rights, and corporate governance. It brings a better environmental and positive influence on the employees working in the industry. This study aims to investigate the relationship between diversity practices, environmental practices, product responsibility and, safety and health practices on social sustainability performance in the manufacturing industry in Malaysia. A total of 384 questionnaires were distributed amongst manufacturers with multinational corporation status based on the purposive sampling method. Eighty-two usable questionnaires had been received and analysed. The findings of this study revealed that only diversity practices and safety and health practices significantly influenced the social sustainability performance. Future research is suggested to verify the significance of these factors as well as other potential factors in different industries for better understanding and knowledge of the social sustainability issues in Malaysia
Towards Society 5.0: A Pilot Study on Costless Smart Transportation Business Model
Get PDFThe goal of Society 5.0 is to create a human-centric society that solves economic development challenges so that people can enjoy an active, comfortable, and high-quality life. Society 5.0 is a society that thoroughly provides various needs of people, regardless of region, age, sex, language, etc., by supplying all the items and services required for the continuation of the society itself. This paper focuses on our attempt to facilitate transportation technology as one of the drivers to achieve Society 5.0 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Costless Smart Transportation (CST). Our approach delivered a costless transportation service for the society while still being able to provide profits to the management and business partners. Our implementation strategy of the technology is focused on tourism, education, retail, culinary, and industrial that also provides business opportunities to other sectors. The implementation of the business model is realized through a web-based administrative system and a mobile app for clients and business partners. Our pilot study has shown that the proposed business model allows all levels of society to participate and benefit from it yet allows the program to be sustainable in the long run
Designing a Pedagogy for Higher Education Success:An Empirical Study in Malaysia
Get PDFThe purpose of the present study is to develop a conceptual research model and test its applications to educationalists to design the pedagogy for higher education success particularly for higher education institutions in developing nations. Earlier studies have lesser dimensions on student-centered-learning whereas the current study exposes most of the potential predictors while conceptualizing the model and is highly suitable during the turbulence period of COVID-19. The findings of the study revealed that smart classroom, user-friendly technology, and partnership have a positive influence on higher education success. The present article considered the perceived benefits namely language skills, computing abilities, and rational thinking as a mediating variable and enact its important role in higher education success. The proposed model is useful for educationalists to design the course curriculum for higher education institutions. The significant findings obtained in the present study can be applied and customized to higher education institutions in the globe for long term sustainability to orient towards students’ career development. In the digital era with online education in force during an unforeseen situation like COVID-19, user-friendly technology will be the ultimate alternative in higher education teaching and learning as it emerges as the result of this study