UNIMAS Journal (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)
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Determinants of Life Satisfaction among Female-Headed Households in Malaysia
Get PDFFemale-headed households in Malaysia have been a financially vulnerable community in the society where their life satisfaction becomes a question. Therefore, this study aims to determine the factors affecting life satisfaction among female-headed households in Malaysia. A total of 527 respondents who are single, divorced, separated or widowed women, with children in the home including those on public assistance participated in this study which adapted a multi-stage sampling method using self-administered questionnaire. The results show that locus of control, religiosity, financial capability, and financial vulnerability have positive significant relationships with life satisfaction. The multiple regressions show that locus of control, religiosity, financial capability, and financial vulnerability are significant determinants of life satisfaction among female-headed household in Malaysia. More knowledge, and enhancement through financial workshops could be helpful to empower female-headed household on the use of modern financial instruments. Hence, able to increase financial capability and reduce financial vulnerability of female-headed households in Malaysia towards a better life satisfaction
Democracy and the Covid-19 Pandemic. A Cross-Country Perspective within Cultural Context
Get PDFOur paper investigates the influence of democracy upon the spread of COVID-19. For the purpose of our study we use a sample consisting of 185 worldwide countries affected by the spread of the new coronavirus disease (54 high income and 131 low income countries). First, we find that in high income countries, higher levels of democracy reduce the spread of COVID-19 while in the low income countries its influence is exactly the opposite. Second, we find clear evidence that three dimensions of culture (individualism versus collectivism, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity versus femininity) influence people’s behaviour in relation with the spread of COVID-19 in a large manner. This study’s addressability is wide, from regular people to top policymakers, through their common goal of limiting this pandemic and all the negative effects it brings along. Our findings are important as their policy implications suggest that democracies perform badly for the poorest people and what can be done to improve their record
Determinants of Export Competitiveness of Agricultural Products in Malaysia
Get PDFThis study intends to evaluate the export competitiveness of agricultural products using the data of 186 agricultural commodities in Malaysia for the period ranging from 1988 to 2014. Besides, this study engages in the total export of the world with Standard International Trade Classification Revision Three-SITC Revision 3 (5-digits code) to analyse the index of comparative advantage of agricultural commodities in Malaysia. In addition, the study employs Balassa (1965) index of Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) to measure competitiveness. The findings show that 56 commodities have comparative advantage. Apart from that, this study also empirically examines the determinants of competitiveness which are commodities price, GDP per capita, labour participation and capital formation. The results of cointegration tests estimation indicates that there is a long-run relationship between the variables under study. The outcomes denote that price of commodities, GDP per capita and crises in 2008 have negative association while labour participation and capital formation are positively relatedly to competitiveness. The results also specify that there is a short-run dynamic impact on competitiveness with the variables. This study suggests that the government should consider intensifying the current economic policy through focusing on downstream products by taking the benefit of its comparative advantage in upstream industries to increase competitiveness
Application of Cost-Benefit and Break-Even Analysis for the Development of Stingless Bees Farming in Malaysia
Get PDFThe information about the economic and financial aspects of stingless bees farming is still limited along with some issues of high selling price and expenses. Therefore, the study initially aims to describe comprehensively cost-benefit, and break-even analysis of stingless bees farming in Malaysia. The study uses primary data and employs about 124 stingless beekeepers in all regions in Malaysia as number observation. The sampling method uses non-probability sampling, while the costing analysis, net return, input-output ratio, cost-benefit ratio and breakeven analysis are applied as analytical techniques. As a result, the stingless bees farming may generate considerable earnings, mainly in the area of Peninsular Malaysia, whilst the Sarawak region shows efficient cost of production in the break-even point. Furthermore, labor expense constitutes a predominant concern in the production and hive investment is required as high capital expenditure. The study recommended that the government and beekeepers should find alternative hive systems in order to reduce cost and focus on the massive production of stingless honey bees in the Sarawak area, while Peninsular Malaysia may turn into a main concentration of trading and marketing honey products
Political Connection and Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from Indonesia
Get PDFThis paper aims to investigate the influence of political connection on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expense in Indonesia. We use a sample of 682 firm-year observations between 2010 and 2015. Using the individual-level of political connections, we find that the political connection is an important determinant of CSR expense. The political connection effect is analyzed based on the different characteristics of ownership structure, board structure, and affiliated party. We find that state-owned enterprises and privately-owned enterprises that politically connected are positively associated with CSR expenses. Interestingly, the evidence shows that politically connected board of commissioners are more willing to spend in CSR activities, while politically connected board of directors have no significant concern regarding CSR. Furthermore, politically connected firms that contribute to CSR are from government-leaning firms, while opposition-leaning firms show different matters. The findings are robust using different measures of political connection and controls
Factors Influencing the Extent and Quality of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure in Indonesian Shari’ah Compliant Companies
Get PDFThis study aims to assess the extent and quality of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure practices of Shari’ah Compliant Companies (ShCCs) in Indonesia. Further, the study examines the factors influencing the extent and quality of CSR disclosure of ShCCs in Indonesia. A checklist comprising of 33 items was constructed to measure the extent and quality of disclosure. Using data from the year 2014 annual reports of 100 ShCCs in Indonesia, the results showed that the extent and quality of CSR disclosure among ShCCs in Indonesia were low with more than half of the sample companies scored less than 50% for extent of disclosure and all sample companies scored less than 50% for quality of disclosure. The multiple regression analysis revealed that award and leverage had an impact on the extent and quality of CSR disclosure. The findings indicate the need for improvement in the disclosure practice in annual reports of ShCCs. The relevant regulatory authority may issue guidelines and monitor companies’ compliance to the guidelines to assist companies in enhancing CSR disclosure. Continuous and concerted efforts by the regulatory authority and ShCCs are necessary to ensure achievement of social transparency and accountability. This in turn may propel the development of Islamic capital market to the next level
CEO Characteristics and Environmental Performance: Evidence from Indonesian Banks
Get PDFFollowing the paradigm shift of company performance, from merely financial aspects to the balance between economics and environmental aspects, a study that explores the drivers of company environmental performance is indispensable. This study aims to empirically examine the role of CEO characteristics in determining the environmental performance from CEO's gender, age, expertise, and international experience in Indonesian banks. We use secondary data from banks' annual and sustainability reports that were analysed using panel data regression. The results demonstrate that CEO's international experience and education level positively affect bank's environmental performance while foreign CEO and CEO's abroad study exhibit negative effect. Our findings emphasise that CEO plays a great role in initiating banks' environmental activities. CEO's decision is crucial to adopt environmental practice that leads to better environmental performance. The study contributes to the Indonesian literature by providing empirical evidence of CEO factors in determining banks' environmental performance, in which there are very limited studies examining the role of CEO. We also suggest the Indonesian Financial Service Authority to encourage banks to deliver higher environmental contribution by maximizing the role of CEO
Designing, Developing and Evaluating a Sustainable Shariah-Compliant E-Commerce Fashion Prototype
Get PDFThis paper describes the full process of design, development and evaluation of a Shariah-compliant e-commerce fashion prototype. The prototype was designed and developed based on Fogg’s (2003) Persuasive Technology principles, namely, the principle of suggestion, principle of similarity and principle of trustworthiness which are able to persuade consumers to visit and eventually purchase products from this site. User Experience Testing was conducted to evaluate user experience in terms of screen layout, features and functionality of the site. Findings of the study indicate that the information offered is useful and the website is well-designed. In addition, the suggestions on size and clothes based on users’ body measurement are helpful when choosing suitable clothes based on one’s body type. Therefore, it can be concluded that Shariah-compliant fashion on this e-commerce site is interesting, useful and user friendly, and thus, can be a sustainable go-to site of e-commerce for Muslim women
International Demand for Medical Tourism in Malaysia: Evidence from Panel Data
Get PDFThe present paper attempts to investigate the significance influence of some selected economic variables on the international demand for medical tourism in Malaysia by utilizing Pooled Mean Group (PMG)/Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model based on panel data set of ASEAN-4 countries spanning from 2001 to 2017. Findings of the study indicate that the price of medical tourism, travelling cost, real per capita income, exchange rate and health expenditure are statistically significant in influencing international demand for medical tourism in Malaysia for both long run and short run. Moreover, price of tourism in the substitute destination (Indonesia) and inflation are also statistically significant in determining international demand for medical tourism in Malaysia in the short run. The findings are in line with the economic theory. Therefore, to attract more international medical tourists, Malaysia needs to maintain it price competitiveness relative to other substitute destinations in the region, reduce the transport cost as well as improve the quality of medical services provided. Besides, private operators and market participants should influence necessary changes in medical tourism framework to ensure that services are effective and efficient. Ultimately, market players in medical tourism sector should practice Sustainable Responsible Investment (SRI) with aim to stabilize between medical tourism development and social responsibility
Loneliness, Coping Strategies and Perceived Social Support among Students of Public Universities in Malaysia during the Covid-19 MCO
Get PDFThe unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic had prompted many governments to enforce lockdown to prevent the virus from spreading. In Malaysia, a series of Movement Control Orders (MCO) were introduced starting March 18, 2020. As a result, many people’s lives were affected, including university students. These affected students had to stay in their campus residential facilities, isolated from family, relatives and friends, which could lead to the feeling of loneliness. This study aims to explore the phenomenon among students stranded on campus during MCO periods. Approximately 243 students from several public universities were surveyed using Google form. Results from the 210 usable responses showed that most of these students experienced moderate loneliness and often used coping approaches like acceptance, positive interpretation, active coping, and active solitude. Friends seemed to be a more immediate source to seek for support in times of isolation. Correlation results suggested that social support availability is negatively associated with student loneliness experience, and positively related with student coping strategies. Specifically, the availability of support from friends and significant others may minimize loneliness experience