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THE COMPLEX INTERPLAY BETWEEN CHINA’S ETHNIC CONFLICTS, NATIONAL SECURITY AND GRAND STRATEGY
No full textThe relationship between internal conflicts and national strategic decision-making remains complex and often unclear. This article examines the case of Xinjiang to explore the intricate connections between ethnic conflicts, national security, and China’s Grand Strategy—factors that have significantly shaped the global order. Through an extensive literature review, the study highlights ethnic conflicts particularly in Xinjiang, serve as a primary driver for China’s Grand Strategy, emphasizing national security and strategic interests. Moreover, the findings suggest that military and economic imperatives play a crucial role in designing this strategy, particularly through the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which intends to promote regional development and stability in the state. The study demonstrates that ethnic conflicts intensify the state’s focus on national security, influencing key policy-making decisions. Ultimately, it argues that China’s Grand Strategy is designed to ensure both national survival and sustained prosperity
INTEGRATING SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY AND ENGAGEMENT THEORY: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO FRANCHISEE-FRANCHISOR RELATIONSHIPS
No full textFranchisee–franchisor relationships are critical to the sustainability and success of franchise systems, influencing operational consistency and overall brand perception. This study integrates Social Exchange Theory (SET) and Engagement Theory (ET) into a unified conceptual framework that captures both transactional and relational dimensions of these relationships. Social Exchange Theory emphasizes trust, reciprocity, and fairness as foundational principles that shape mutual obligations, while Engagement Theory highlights the role of emotional and cognitive involvement as key drivers of commitment and performance. The integration of these theories offers a holistic perspective on how franchisee support services, leadership engagement, and regulatory frameworks interact to influence brand equity. The proposed framework enhances SET by incorporating emotional engagement, and extends ET through its inclusion of trust and fairness, thus bridging relational and engagement-based theoretical perspectives. Franchisee engagement is positioned as a mediating variable, while regulatory frameworks act as moderators in the enhancement of brand equity. This research employs structural equation modeling (SEM) and thematic analysis to validate the model and suggests avenues for future studies, particularly in addressing sector-specific challenges, cross-cultural dynamics, and the impact of technological innovations. The findings contribute to both theoretical advancement and practical strategies for fostering sustainable and competitive franchise ecosystems
Trends and insights on the intersection of financial technology and cybersecurity research: A bibliometric review (2014-2024).
No full textThe main goal of this study is to reveal the most distinctive trends in the intersection between financial technology (FinTech) and cybersecurity using bibliometric study of the Scopus database sources. The analysis revealed that the research of FinTech and information and cyber security has been growing consistently over the years, since 2014. Implications wise, this study provides researchers and practitioners with a more in depth understanding of how the components of information security and cybersecurity intersect in FinTech based on the trend of the current publications in both areas. Specifically, this study could support researchers in a better insight into and summarization of the most foundational knowledge of information and cyber security factors to FinTech developments. This bibliometric analysis is expected to offer an insight into the structural knowledge of cyber and information security integration with FinTech in the last decade, which is a crucial step in determining the future of research in this area
JAPAN’S SHIFT FROM PACIFISM: REARMAMENT AMID SECURITY CHALLENGES
No full textAmidst shifting security dynamics in East Asia, Japan faces an evolving strategic landscape, particularly in response to mounting threats from North Korea and China. Through a descriptive analysis of primary and secondary sources, this study investigates Japan\u27s trajectory towards potential constitutional amendment and further militarization, with a focus on Article 9—a key provision renouncing the use of force and restricting military capabilities. By tracing historical contexts and the U.S.-Japan security alliance, the paper explores Japan\u27s post-war pacifism and the gradual evolution of its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) within constitutional constraints. Despite inherent constraints, Japan has developed a robust military force, challenging traditional perceptions of its rearmament. While the nation has incrementally expanded its defense posture, legal and political obstacles remain, necessitating constitutional revisions to align its military strategy with contemporary security challenges. Externally, Japan faces threats such as North Korea\u27s nuclear ambitions and China\u27s assertive regional policies, while internally, public sentiment, historical legacies, and legal obstacles shape the discourse on constitutional reform. Japan\u27s path towards constitutional amendment hinges on regional security dynamics and the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance. The extent of US commitment to regional stability and its capacity to address Japanese security concerns may significantly determine the pace and direction of Japan’s defense normalization. Although Japan is militarily prepared to address emerging security threats, its constitutional constraints persist as a legal challenge. Findings indicate that through a series of incremental military policies, Japan has effectively rearmed itself with credible self-defense capabilities, despite the continued legal restrictions imposed by its pacifist constitution
THE RELATIONSHIP OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND VALUE ARCHITECTURE TOWARDS BUSINESS PERFORMANCE IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
No full textThe digital economy has become a pivotal force driving nations towards enhanced competitiveness and customer value delivery, with Malaysia being no exception. Despite this imperative, the pace of digital adoption within Malaysian businesses trails considerably behind the global average. This research endeavours to elucidate the intricate relationship between digital transformation, value architecture, and business performance. Employing a quantitative methodology and random sampling technique, data was gathered through a survey questionnaire administered to 150 respondents from the manufacturing sector. Results revealed significant correlations between digital transformation, value architecture, and business performance. Notably, the manufacturing subsector emerges as a significant influencer on both digital transformation and business performance. These findings underscore the widespread acceptance of digital transformation and value architecture within the manufacturing industry as indispensable tools for augmenting business performance. Consequently, the manufacturing sector assumes a pivotal role in driving economic growth and societal advancement, characterized by employment expansion and export stimulation. Moreover, this study advocates for enhanced operational efficiency, aligning with Malaysia’s strategic initiative, My Digital, aimed at catapulting the nation into a high-income, digitally-driven economy
ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL DEMAND FOR AUTONOMOUS SHUTTLE BUSES AT UUM: A STUDY ON TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE FOR STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
No full textAutonomous vehicles (AVs), particularly autonomous shuttle buses, are emerging as sustainable and cost-effective transportation solutions, with the potential to reduce travel costs by 6%–11%. At Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), the current shuttle service is plagued by overcrowding, delays, and inconsistent driver behavior, negatively affecting the student commuting experience. Despite the potential advantages of AVs, user acceptance remains limited due to concerns about safety, trust, and system reliability—especially in unfamiliar settings. This study aims to assess the potential demand for autonomous shuttle buses among UUM students, focusing on four key determinants: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust, and safety. Data were collected from 380 student respondents and analyzed using IBM SPSS software for descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. The findings reveal that perceived ease of use, trust, and safety significantly influence the intention to use autonomous shuttle buses. However, perceived usefulness, while positively associated, does not have a statistically significant impact on demand, suggesting that students are more influenced by functional reliability and confidence in the system. These results offer valuable insights for universities and transport technology developers. To ensure successful implementation, initiatives should prioritize trust-building, system safety, and user-friendly designs to support the adoption of autonomous mobility in campus environments
GREEN MARKETING ANALYSIS IN SKINCARE BUSINESS: A CASE STUDY OF GARNIER AND NPURE
No full textGarnier and Npure, two skincare brands, utilize green marketing as a core business strategy. This study employed descriptive quantitative analysis methods with non-probability sampling techniques and SEM PLS to investigate the two skincare brands. The study aimed to identify the characteristics of consumers and green marketing practices for these brands, analyze the effect of green marketing on purchase intention through brand image, and develop recommendations to increase purchase intention and brand image through green marketing. The findings reveal that green marketing has a positive and significant effect on both purchase intention and brand image for Garnier and Npure. Furthermore, brand image is shown to have a positive and significant effect on purchase intention and partially mediates the relationship between green marketing and purchase intention for these brands
CONSUMER PREFERENCES IN CHOOSING A COFFEE SHOP IN THE CITY OF BREMEN, GERMANY
No full textGermany is one of the countries in the Europe that has high coffee consumption. Bremen is one of the cities in Germany that is experiencing rapid growth in the coffee industry. Understanding consumer preferences when choosing a coffee shop is essential to support business growth and improve consumer experience. This research was initiated to answer the question of what factors most influence consumers\u27 decision to choose a café in Bremen. Factors such as coffee taste, ambience, price, and interior design are important. The study was conducted from October 2023 to January 2024, using non-probability sampling techniques or non-random sampling with a purposive sampling method. Conjoint analysis was employed in this study. The consumer preferences of coffee shop visitors in the City of Bremen are closely related to the important values that consumers choose when deciding on a purchase based on the order of important values. It is known that coffee shop consumers in the City of Bremen attach great importance on facilities, coffee shop atmosphere, location, price, coffee shop service and products
The effect of lean management practices towards operational performance of semiconductor firms in Penang : A case of integrative mechanism
No full textIntroduction: The existing body of literature indicates that lean management is a comprehensive concept, originating from the Toyota Production System, and encompassing various typologies. This research subsumed all the lean typologies into a holistic model of lean management practices encompassing lean manufacturing concepts and frameworks, lean tools and techniques, and lean activities, as critical dimensions. Similarly, the literature showed that the effect of lean management practices on operational performance was investigated in isolation, with little focus on the impact of intervening variables in this research stream. Drawing supported by System Theory and Resource Based View (RBV), this research investigates the effect of lean management practices on operational performance, with integrative mechanisms as mediating variables, in an entirely new context (Semiconductor firms in Penang, Malaysia).
Objectives: The research aimed to empirically investigate the effect of Lean manufacturing concepts and frameworks, Lean tools and techniques, and Lean activities on operational performance. As well, the research aimed to empirically investigate the mediating effect of integrative mechanisms on the relationship between Lean manufacturing concepts and frameworks, Lean tools and techniques, Lean activities, and operational performance.
Methods: This study employs a quantitative approach based on a cross-sectional design, focusing on data collection from randomly selected employees of semiconductor firms in Penang through a systematic sampling technique. The primary objective is to examine cause-and-effect relationships between variables. Therefore, the population of the study is 100,000 employees and the sample size is 382 employees. While a well-structured questionnaire was used to collect responses and research data was analyzed using SPSS (statistical package for social sciences) and PLS-SEM (partial least squares-structural equation modeling).
Results: The research finding is quite fascinating, the effect of Lean management practices on operational performance and integrative mechanisms has been empirically established. Accordingly, the research finding provided statistical support for the indirect effect of lean management practices on operational performance, through integrative mechanisms. Hence, seven (7) direct and three (3) indirect hypothesized effects were statistically supported.
Conclusion: In conclusion, this research accentuated the efficacy of lean management practices as a significant driver of operational performance and integrative mechanisms within organizational settings. The implication is that firms can adopt lean as a tool to integrate internal work processes and achieve operational excellence.
The impact of cost of poor quality on continuous improvement initiatives : A case study on General Electric
No full textThis study examines the impact of the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) on Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives within General Electric (GE), addressing a critical gap in understanding how quality-related costs influence operational efficiency and financial performance. The study is motivated by the persistent challenge organizations face in mitigating COPQ while sustaining CI efforts. Utilizing Smart PLS 4.0, a two-step approach was employed, comprising measurement and structural modeling. The measurement model confirmed construct reliability and validity, while the structural model established significant relationships among key variables. The findings reveal that COPQ substantially undermines CI efficacy, leading to increased inefficiencies and reduced financial performance. Conversely, strategic investments in quality enhancement mitigate these costs and improve productivity and employee engagement. The study surveyed professionals across GE, achieving a response rate of 78.5%, with a majority of respondents aged 36 to 45 (49.1%) and possessing at least a bachelor\u27s degree (46.9%). The results emphasize the necessity of a holistic approach to quality management, integrating COPQ considerations into CI strategies to optimize organizational performance. By elucidating these interactions, this research contributes to the broader discourse on quality management and CI, offering valuable insights for academia and industry. Simultaneously, the study\u27s findings provide a foundation for future research and practical applications in diverse organizational contexts, reinforcing the need for proactive quality management strategies to enhance operational excellence