UNIMAS Journal (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)
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CEO Characteristics, Firm Policy, and Firm Performance
Get PDFThis research aims to investigate the effect of CEO characteristics (female gender, education, and age) on the financing policy (interest-bearing debt to total assets), investing policy (capital expenditure), and firm performance (return on assets) when it is controlled by firm size and firm age. Our research uses the data of the manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in the period 2010 - 2017. The results of our research show that female CEOs have a significant negative effect on financing policy. This has a significant positive effect on firm performance, but no significant effect on investing policy. We also found that CEO education negatively and significantly affects financing policy, but positively and significantly affects investing policy and performance. Meanwhile, CEO age has a significant negative influence on financing policy but no significant influence on investing policy and performance. Our research results support behavioral finance theory by providing empirical evidence that CEO behavioral aspects are correlated with the female gender, education, and age in terms of significantly affecting firm policies and performance. The implication of this research is that investors should know the CEO characteristics of the companies in which they invest their money because the CEO characteristics can be used as references to predict performance and CEO policy decision-making
Impact of Inflation and Exchange Rate on ASEAN Income Inequality
Get PDFThe study aims to examine and analyse the inequality of income in ASEAN countries. The income inequality among ASEAN countries was measured by using the Williamson index. The trend of inequality was also described in a graph. Furthermore, the affecting factors of the inequality of income such as economic growth, inflation and exchange rate were analyzed by using panel data regression. The study used the data from 1994 to 2019. The results showed that the average of Williamson index is 0.71, which indicates the high inequality in ASEAN. Meanwhile, the trend of inequality during the last 25 years showed a decline from year to year. The result shows that the income inequality is affected by inflation and exchange rate significantly. Consequently, this highlights the significance of exchange rate and inflation on the reduction of inequality and also the promotion of ASEAN economic integration
Factors Influencing the Purchase of Circular Economy Products: A Comparative Analysis of Malaysia and Turkey
Get PDFIrresponsible production and consumption of products are the main reason for environmental decimation. To mitigate this alarming burden on the environment, a new approach has been proposed, called “The Circular Economy”. The main objective of this system is to introduce new systems of production, consumption, and disposal, for growing global prosperity. This philosophy is also aligned with the United Nations goals of sustainability, commonly known as SDGs, particularly, the goal of responsible production and consumption (SDG No. 12). Circular economy from a marketing perspective has been hardly explored and/or investigated. This research, therefore, attempts to extract and empirically investigate those critical factors related to the circular economy that have an impact on consumer behaviour in general, and consumer purchase intention in particular. For this purpose, the theory of planned behaviour is adapted with the addition of two more factors related to the circular economy, which are convenience/ availability, and environmental impact, as extracted from the literature to examine their effect on consumer purchase intention. Data were collected from two countries; Malaysia and Turkey, to undertake the comparative analysis. A total of 377 consumers of circular products from Malaysia, and 351 consumers from Turkey, were used for data analyses. Complex statistical techniques like exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling with confirmatory factor analysis and hypotheses testing were used to analyse the data. Comparative analyses were undertaken, where each finding from Malaysia and Turkey were compared, including structural model comparison. Interesting findings emerged, which will certainly contribute to helping policy-makers devise strategies that are not only sustainable and aligned with the philosophy of the circular economy but will also ensure positive consumer behaviour
Modelling the Significance of Global Mind-Set and Halal Brand Trust to Determine the Performance of Halal SMEs
Get PDFThis study investigated the impact of global mind-set (GM) and halal brand trust (HBT) on halal entrepreneurial performance (HEP). This study extends the entrepreneurship literature by adopting the dynamic capability theory (DCT) to assess HEP. Data were collected from 311 SMEs established in Indonesia using the simple random sampling method, whereas the variance-based partial least-square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was used for test the proposed conceptual model. This study revealed the significant effect of GM and HBT upon HEP. Additionally, entrepreneurial competency (EC) and effectual logic (EL) displayed partially mediating effects. This study found that online food delivery (OFD) had strengthened the relationship between EC and HEP. Nevertheless, EC had no statistical impact on EL, while OFD negatively affected the GM-HEP link. Due to the limited scope of this study, the cross-sectional approach adopted in this study is viewed as a limitation. Besides, constriction in time had led this study to be conducted within a specified time-frame. As such, future studies may adopt the longitudinal approach over a period of three to five years in order to overcome the listed limitations. This study assessed the effect of GM and HBT on HEP as fresh insight to better comprehend the determinants of HEP in uncertain condition. This study has extended the theory of Teece et al. (1997) DCT within the context of HEP. Upon determining the effect of two new constructs (GM and HBT) through the lens of DCT and validating the proposed model, this study offers theoretical and contextual contributions to the overall body of knowledge with PLS-SEM
Homestay Service Experience for Tourist Satisfaction and Sustainability Amidst Covid-19 Challenges
Get PDFAlthough tourist homestay experience has been commonly recognized as an important criterion for community-based and eco-friendly destination loyalty, not much is known about the measurement of its service experience. A scientific inquiry into the tourist experience will be an essential differentiation tool for sustainable competitive advantage in this alternative hospitality sector. Our research aims to develop a measure of homestay service experience and to use this measure to investigate the influence of homestay service experience on tourists’ satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Specifically, the HomeServE inventory is established through qualitative and quantitative processes. Focus group interviews and questionnaire survey techniques were employed. A total of 866 usable questionnaires were obtained from the nationwide survey. Reliability and validity analyses were done on the measurement items. Measurement and relationship analyses were done using the confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Eight dimensions (32 items) of homestay service experience were identified (i.e., Culture, Guiding Service, Food and Beverage, Environment, Cleanliness, Accommodation, Services, and Accessibility). The measurement and model fit indices were found to be satisfactory. This newly found multi-dimensional construct of tourist service experience is in line with tourist-oriented service management. It was found that service experience has a direct positive effect on tourists’ satisfaction. Managerial and research implications of the measurement were discussed for more effective tourist experience management
The Mediating Effects of Student Attitudes on the Learning Preferences and Perceived Academic Stress Towards Online Education
Get PDFThe study investigates the association of the learners' preferences of students and perceived academic stress and the mediating impact of students’ attitudes towards online education. The study participants were the students of the seven major universities and colleges in Ilocos Norte, and they were chosen using a convenience sampling technique. The study employed a quantitative research design and a casual research approach to measure the relationship between learning preferences and perceived academic stress and the mediating effect of students’ attitudes towards online education. Using linear regression, the findings revealed a low positive relationship between learning preferences and perceived academic stress. Moreover, concerning the mediating effect of the students’ attitudes towards online education, using structural equation modelling, the results were that there was an established effect. Implications, conclusions, and recommendations were also provided in the study
Embracing Hybridity: A Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Social Enterprises
Get PDFUnlike commercial enterprises, social enterprises are required to generate both social and economic value. Hence, the sustainability of social enterprises must be considered from a dual perspective: generating and sustaining the envisioned social impact and sustain financially over time to make the social impact continuous. Prioritising social objectives over financial endurance can be suicidal as it may jeopardise the long-term financial viability of the enterprise. Hence, both business and social impact dimensions are to be given equal weightage and incorporated into the enterprise business model, considering the frictions that may exist during their co-existence and finding ways to balance both in long term. The paper starts with an analysis of various dimensions and interpretations of social enterprises followed by a review of literature on business models. The need of innovating the conventional business models used by commercial enterprises to suit social enterprises are then discussed and a business model canvas for social enterprises is proposed, suiting the dual objectives of the enterprise. The paper concludes with the case of a social enterprise, set up for the upliftment of urban poor, to illustrate the application of the proposed social business model canvas
Driving the Green Vehicles Shift: An Evaluation of Malaysian Consumers’ Acceptance
Get PDFWith the current drastic changes in global weather, more countries are worried about the sustainability of the ecosystem. Global leaders are more concerned about the drastic climate change, and various initiatives are being taken to prevent further damage to the ecosystem. In Malaysia, the transportation sector, mainly motor vehicles, emitted approximately 97% of carbon monoxide to the environment, causing harmful air pollution. Because of this, green vehicles were introduced to overcome this problem. However, there remain various challenges that may impede or trigger the interest of Malaysian consumers in accepting green vehicles. Thus, this study applies the cognitive-affection model to predict the consumers’ intention to accept green vehicles. Using a purposive sampling among current vehicle drivers, a face-to-face survey was conducted and gathered a total of 606 responses. Data were analysed using statistical measurements such as descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Five latent factors such as consumers’ acceptance, perceived quality, perceived value (environmental concern, acquisition and maintenance cost), and government policies were identified. The results indicated that perceived value (environmental concern), perceived quality, and government policies have a strong positive relationship with consumers’ acceptance. The perceived value showed a negative relationship with consumer acceptance, indicating that consumers would only consider accepting green vehicles if they were cheaper and had a low maintenance cost
Terminalia catappa Leaves Effects on Aquatic Primary Productivities
Get PDFTerminalia catappa leaf, also known as Ketapang leaf, is well known for its medicinal properties and long history of use in aquaculture. Studies on the effects of leaf extracts on fish productivity are scarce. This study performed a time-series observation of ground young and mature T. catapppa leaves on tropical phytoplankton productivity. The young and mature leaves were prepared as fine powder separately. For the time-series experiment, 10 grams of each ground leaf were added to 10 L of lake water containing phytoplankton and incubated at room temperature with ambient illumination. The chlorophyll a saturation optical density was quantified on alternate days using a spectrophotometer and the data were analysed using Origin 6.0 Software. On Day 11, the chlorophyll a percentage had decreased by 73% and 81% in the control and mature leave treatment carboys, respectively. Meanwhile, the sample treated with young leaves of T. catappa showed only a 29% decrease. The results have shown that phytoplankton treated with young T. catappa powder demonstrated a positive but weak correlation (R² = 0.123), represented by the chlorophyll saturations. This study supported the hypothesis that young T. catappa leaves sustained phytoplankton growth
Spatial and Temporal Disparities of Leptospirosis Transmission in Sarawak (Malaysia), 2011-2018
Get PDFThis study is to analyse the spatial distribution of leptospirosis and identify its high and low incidence clusters in Sarawak. The annual incidence rate at the district level was calculated using confirmed report of leptospirosis cases from year 2011 to 2018. Empirical Bayes estimation smoothing of relative risks was used to display the spatial distribution of leptospirosis across the study region. Moran's Global Index and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) were used to analyse the existence of global and local spatial autocorrelation. Data were analysed using ArcGIS and Geoda software at the district level. The annualised average incidence reported during the study period was 20.83 per 100,000 population, with the highest cases reported in year 2018 (n = 870). The Global Moran's Index revealed spatial clustering of leptospirosis incidence in 2012 (Moran's I: 0.23), 2013 (Moran's I: 0.33), and 2014 (Moran's I: 0.45), while 2011 (Moran's I: -0.01), 2015 and 2016 (Moran's I: 0.09), 2017 (Moran's I: 0.13), and 2018 (Moran's I: 0.04) showed random patterns. High incidence clusters of leptospirosis were primarily congested in the Southeast of Sarawak, involving districts such as Kapit, Belaga, Song, Tatau and Lubok Antu. Spatial and temporal patterns of leptospirosis incidence were heterogeneous across Sarawak. This study facilitates the implementation of targeted interventions and control measures for leptospirosis in Sarawak by identifying spatial cluster and outliers