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MOTIVATION, SATISFACTION AND LOYALTY IN ADVENTURE TOURISM: A CASE STUDY OF KUANTAN 188 TOWER
No full textThis study explores the influence of motivation and satisfaction on visitor loyalty in the context of adventure tourism, focusing on the Skywalk activity at Kuantan 188 (K188) Tower in Kuantan Pahang, Malaysia. As experience-driven travel becomes increasingly prominent, understanding the psychological and experiential factors that encourage visitor retention is essential for sustainable tourism development. Employing a quantitative research design, data were collected from 265 visitors using purposive sampling, targeting individuals who had experienced the skywalk activity. A structured questionnaire measured motivation, satisfaction, and loyalty using a 7-point Likert scale, and the instrument demonstrated high reliability across constructs (Cronbach’s α >0.90). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to examine the relationships among the variables. The findings reveal that both motivation (β = 0.320, p < .001) and satisfaction (β = 0.531, p < .001) significantly influenced visitor loyalty, with satisfaction emerging as the stronger predictor. These results underscore the importance of delivering fulfilling and emotionally engaging experiences in enhancing loyalty especially in exciting and thrilling adventure tourism and nature-based tourism environments. The study contributes to the growing body of adventure tourism literature by empirically validating the link between visitor experience components and loyalty behavior. The findings offer valuable insights for tourism managers, marketers, and policymakers in designing targeted, experience-based tourism strategies
CAFFEINE CONNECTIONS: IDENTIFYING CONSUMER REVISIT INTENTIONS IN PENANG COFFEE HOUSES
No full textWith the global coffee trend fostering growth in coffee-related businesses, understanding these elements such as food quality, service quality, and contextual experience are crucial for sustaining customer loyalty and business competitiveness. This study investigates the factors influencing consumers\u27 revisit intentions to coffee houses in Penang, focusing on food quality, service quality, and contextual experience. The research aims to provide insights for coffee house businesses to enhance customer retention and thrive in a competitive market. The research employs a quantitative approach, analyzing responses from 100 online questionnaires distributed between January and March 2022. The study focuses on three main variables: food quality, service quality, and contextual experience. The study employs descriptive and inferential analyses, specifically Pearson correlation and regression analysis, to examine the relationships between food quality, service quality, contextual experience, and revisit intentions. Findings suggest that high food quality, excellent service, and positive contextual experiences significantly enhance consumers\u27 likelihood to revisit. Furthermore, contextual experience emerges as the most critical factor, significantly influencing consumer revisit intention. The findings reveal that food quality does not significantly influence revisit intentions (p > 0.05), indicating its limited role compared to other factors. In contrast, service quality and contextual experience significantly predict revisit intentions, with contextual experience emerging as the strongest predictor. These insights are crucial for coffee house owners to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of consumer behavior in the context of Penang\u27s thriving coffee culture
SEJARAH, IDENTITI NASIONAL DAN GENERASI MUDA: ANALISIS BIBLIOMETRIK: (History, National Identity, and the Younger Generation: A Bibliometric Analysis)
No full textKepentingan penghayatan sejarah kepada generasi muda Malaysia sering terabai dan dianggap tidak penting dalam menelusuri arus kemodenan kini. Umum tidak menyedari kepentingan penghayatan sejarah menujahkan keutuhan identiti nasional yang membawa kepada keharmonian masyarakat heterogen Malaysia. Sejarah memerlukan penghayatan yang tinggi kerana ia merupakan teras dalam memastikan semua warganegara memiliki identiti nasional yang unggul. Justeru, makalah ini akan membincangkan mengenai trend di peringkat global mengenai penyelidikan sejarah dan identiti nasional, seterusnya perkaitan antara sejarah dan identiti nasional serta kepentingannya kepada generasi muda. Pengumpulan data adalah secara analisis bibliometrik dari pangkalan data Scopus yang melibatkan 67 artikel jurnal berbahasa Inggeris dari penerbitan 5 tahun terkini (2019-2024). Dapatan membincangkan trend penerbitan mengikut tahun, negara dan tema/kata kunci serta membincangkan perkaitan antara sejarah dan identiti nasional serta kepentingannya kepada generasi muda. Implikasinya, penyelidikan berkaitan sejarah dan identiti nasional dalam kalangan generasi muda perlu diperluaskan memandangkan generasi ini adalah pemangkin kepada kemajuan negara melalui identiti negara merdeka.
ABSTRACT
The importance of historical appreciation among the younger generation in Malaysia is often overlooked and deemed insignificant in navigating the currents of modernity. People does not realise the importance of historical appreciation in strengthening national identity, which lead to fostering harmony within Malaysia\u27s heterogeneous society. History is not merely as enhancing knowledge and understanding; rather, a profound appreciation of the nation’s history serves as a cornerstone in ensuring that all citizens embody a strong sense of national identity. Therefore, this paper will discuss global trends in historical research and national identity, as well as the relationship between history and national identity and its relevance to the younger generation. Data collection was conducted through bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database, analysing 67 English-language journal articles published over the past five years (2019–2024). The findings explore publication trends by year, country, and theme/keywords, while also emphasizing the connection between history and national identity and its significance for the younger generation. Implication, research on history and national identity among the younger generation needs to be intensified, as this generation plays a pivotal role in driving the nation’s progress and embodying the identity of an independent country
WATER POLITICS AND POPULIST GOVERNANCE IN MALAYSIA: A CASE STUDY OF MUHAMMAD SANUSI MD NOR ADMINISTRATION IN KEDAH, 2020-2024: (Politik Air dan Pemerintahan Populis di Malaysia: Kajian Kes Pentadbiran Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor di Kedah, 2020–2024)
No full textIn this article, I examine the intersection between water governance and populist political strategies in Malaysia by focusing on the administration of Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, the Chief Minister of Kedah from 2020 to 2024. The study investigates how the issue of inter-state water disputesparticularly Kedah’s demand for payment from Penang for raw water from Sungai Muda has been politicised and deployed as a populist narrative to consolidate political legitimacy. Drawing on the hydro-hegemony framework and theories of resource nationalism, I argue that Sanusi’s administration strategically framed water not merely as a resource, but as a symbol of state sovereignty and economic justice. Through qualitative content analysis of public speeches, policy documents, and media coverage between 2020 and 2024, this study reveals how water politics in Kedah reflect deeper tensions in Malaysia’s federal-state dynamics and the absence of a coherent legal framework for transboundary water governance. I demonstrate that the water discourse under Sanusi’s leadership illustrates a distinctive form of populist governance where rhetorical appeals to state rights, economic victimhood, and resource control are mobilised to assert autonomy within a fragmented federal structure. The findings contribute to broader discussions on environmental populism, subnational resource disputes, and the politicisation of infrastructure in emerging democracies. This study also highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive federal policy on water-sharing agreements to prevent political exploitation of vital resources.
ILMU SILAT SYEIKH ABDULLAH: SEBUAH KRITIKAN: (Syeikh Abdullah Silat’s Teaching: A Critical Study)
No full text
Syeikh Abdullah merupakan tokoh pendakwah yang mengislamkan Raja Kedah iaitu Seri Paduka Maharaja Derbar Raja sekaligus menyebarkan Islam di Empayar Kedah. Yahya Said yang merupakan pengasas Silat Kalimah menisbahkan ilmu persilatannya berasal daripada Syeikh Abdullah atau digelar Syeikh Tajrid, tetapi kesemuanya adalah berdasarkan riwayat lisan semata-mata. Silat Cekak yang diasaskan oleh Hanafi Ahmad yang beliau pelajari ilmu silat itu daripada Yahya Said turut menyebut mengenai Syeikh Tajrid. Berdasarkan permasalahan tersebut, maka artikel ini memiliki dua objektif. Pertama, mengenal pasti kebenaran gelaran Syeikh Abdullah iaitu Syeikh Tajrid. Kedua, mengenal pasti pengajaran silat Syeikh Abdullah dalam catatan sejarah. Kajian ini dilakukan secara kepustakaan yang menjadikan tiga buku sebagai rujukan utama bagi memenuhi objektif iaitu Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, Salasilah Atau Tarikh Kerajaan Kedah dan Al-Tarikh Salasilah Negeri Kedah. Selain itu, bahan-bahan penulisan daripada Silat Cekak dan Silat Kalimah juga dijadikan rujukan. Dapatan kajian dianalisis secara kritis. Hasil kajian mendapati tiada langsung catatan bahawa Syeikh Abdullah membawa gelaran Syeikh Tajrid melainkan penisbahan “Qumairi” yang terdapat beberapa perbezaan sebutan. Selain itu, tiada dalam mana-mana catatan sejarah bahawa Syeikh Abdullah mengajarkan silat, melainkan beliau ditampar dan ditumbuk oleh Iblis dalam Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa. Penelitian awal mendapati bahawa silibus Silat Kalimah atau Silat Cekak yang wujud sekarang ini berkemungkinan adalah hasil pengalaman Kesultanan Kedah mengambil ilmu persilatan daripada pelbagai sumber.
ABSTRACT
Sheikh Abdullah was a prominent Islamic missionary who converted the King of Kedah, Seri Paduka Maharaja Derbar Raja, to Islam and subsequently spread Islam throughout the Kedah Empire. Yahya Said, the founder of Silat Kalimah, attributed his martial arts knowledge to Sheikh Abdullah, also known as Sheikh Tajrid, although this claim is based solely on oral tradition. Silat Cekak, founded by Hanafi Ahmad who learned the martial art from Yahya Said, also references Sheikh Tajrid. Given these issues, this article has two objectives. First, to verify the authenticity of the title "Sheikh Tajrid" attributed to Sheikh Abdullah. Second, to identify any historical records of Sheikh Abdullah teaching silat. This study was conducted through a literature review, using three main books as primary references to fulfill the objectives: Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, Salasilah Atau Tarikh Kerajaan Kedah, and Al-Tarikh Salasilah Negeri Kedah. In addition, written materials from Silat Cekak and Silat Kalimah were also used as references.The research findings were critically analyzed. The results show that there is no historical record indicating that Sheikh Abdullah held the title Sheikh Tajrid, except for the attribution "Qumairi," which appears with varying pronunciations. Furthermore, there is no historical evidence that Sheikh Abdullah taught silat, apart from an account in Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa where he was slapped and punched by Iblis (the Devil). Preliminary observations suggest that the current syllabus of Silat Kalimah or Silat Cekak may be a product of the Kedah Sultanate’s accumulated experiences, drawing martial arts knowledge from various sources.
SEEKING SELF THROUGH FASHION: HOW SELF-DETERMINATION DRIVES LUXURY APPAREL PURCHASES IN EMERGING ECONOMIES
No full textLuxury brands are gaining popularity in both developed and emerging economies. Recent research has advocated wider use of self-determination theory (SDT) in marketing studies, suggesting that it has high predictive accuracy for understanding consumer motivations. Underpinned by this particular theory, this study aims to measure the impact of intrinsic motivations (brand commitment, hedonic motivation, and self-congruity) and extrinsic motivations (social motivation) on the purchasing intention of luxury fashion apparel brands in a developing country. Data was collected from 490 luxury apparel brand users, utilizing both offline and online modes via survey questionnaires. The proposed relationships were analyzed using PLS-SEM. Intrinsic motivations (brand commitment, hedonic motivation) and extrinsic motivation factor (social motivation) positively impacted purchase intention of luxury fashion apparel, while the impact of self-congruity (intrinsic motivator) was insignificant. This study adds to the body of knowledge about luxury branding by reassessing and expanding SDT with a new set of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in collectivist society. The present study is among very few studies in marketing science that explicitly applied SDT. The uniqueness of this study is that it empirically examines consumer behavioral differences towards luxury buying in the luxury fashion apparel segment, utilizing SDT. Therefore, it is a major addition to the body of literature in the area. The findings of the study provide marketers with practical insights into luxury customer behavior, enabling them to target consumers in a growing economy, making them a high-potential market
TOURIST DECISION-MAKING WHEN SELECTING A DESTINATION: AN ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS ANALYSIS OF CONSUMPTION VALUES
No full textWithin the context of tourism-related activities, numerous factors may influence a traveller’s choice of destinations. Therefore, it is crucial to understand which factors will mostly influence destination selection. It is common knowledge that in a destination selection process, people are likely to visit sites they believe are worthwhile. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used in the study, and the data were collected from twelve experts, including six academicians of tourism and destination marketing, and six tour guides with more than ten years of experience in the sector. The research aims to determine the priority order of consumption values in determining the preferences of tourists for the destinations they have selected. The results show that "epistemic value" was the most important factor in determining a tourist’s choice of destination. Moreover, it was found that the following dimensions, namely functional value, i.e., "worth the money", emotional value, i.e., "feel secure", social value, i.e., "meet friendly and hospitable people", epistemic value, i.e., "providing novelty experiences", and conditional value, i.e., "personal safety" have also been given priority. By identifying the priorities of a tourist in the destination selection process, it is envisaged that tourism businesses operating in tourist destinations will be able to provide better value-added activities, such as in food and beverage, lodging, entertainment, and travel agencies. In providing theoretical and empirical information for those involved in the sector, a more efficient process is thus ensured. With the help of this knowledge of what is expected of tourists as consumers, it will be easier to develop comprehensive strategies and solutions
ROBO-ADVISORS AND AI-DRIVEN FUNDS: CATALYSTS IN THE DYNAMIC EVOLUTION OF ASSET MANAGEMENT
No full textIntegrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into investment finance has been transformative; however, its dynamic evolution in asset management remains underexplored. This study aims to comprehend and investigate the presence of AI in Malaysian asset management, its evolution in relation to current traditional practices, and its performance. A mixed-methods approach was employed. Qualitative text analysis was conducted on 702 fund reports and official AMC documents to identify the presence of AI technologies and their role in transforming traditional practices. Quantitative methods were utilised to evaluate performance: user ratings of robo-advisor applications were analysed to measure adoption and satisfaction, while Welch\u27s t-test compared the annual returns of AI-driven and human-managed equity funds to assess performance. This study identified two prominent AI in asset management: robo-advisors and AI-driven funds. Robo-advisors automate investor profiling and fund recommendations, whereas AI-driven funds use algorithms for autonomous trading decisions. AI adoption varies among asset management companies (AMCs), with differing levels of integration. This transformation has supplanted traditional unit trust consultants (UTCs) with robo-advisors and human fund managers with AI-driven funds. Preliminary findings indicate high user satisfaction with robo-advisors because of their efficacy and convenience. AI-driven funds yield annual returns comparable to those of human-managed funds in the equity category, demonstrating their proficiency in managing complex investment strategies. These findings illuminate AI\u27s transformative potential in asset management, suggesting it could replace traditional roles and achieve competitive performance. This study lays the groundwork for future research on AI\u27s long-term impact and scalability in the industry, enriching the understanding of AI\u27s evolving role in finance
THE RECONSTRUCTION OF FUNCTIONS USING DIDACTIC TRANSPOSITION: A FOCUS ON THE TEXTBOOKS FOLLOWING THE MALAYSIAN AND INDONESIAN MATHEMATICS CURRICULA
No full textPurpose – This study is aimed at exploring how the topic of functions was organised into knowledge to be delivered in textbooks based on the Malaysian and Indonesian mathematics curriculum, and how the topic reconstruction in both countries differed.
Methodology – A documentary research method was used in this study. Study data were collected through the examination of school mathematics textbooks, specifically Grade 8 textbooks in Malaysia and in Indonesia. The data used was the sequence of tasks presented in the chapter on functions in each country’s mathematics textbooks. This study analysed data by identifying the learning objectives of functions in both countries\u27 curricula; categorizing task sequences in textbooks using the didactic co-determinacy framework—from domain level to sector level, theme level, and task level; and examining the similarities and differences on the topic of functions and the categorized task sequences in textbooks following the Malaysian and Indonesian mathematics curricula respectively.
Findings – The findings indicated that the presentation of functions in Malaysian and Indonesian textbooks followed a similar sequence, beginning with an introduction to functions, progressing to their representation, and concluding with their application in solving real-world problems. Malaysian and Indonesian textbooks both introduced functions as a subset of relations and demonstrate various representations, including arrow diagrams, ordered pairs, tables, formulas, and graphs. While both curricula shared a common foundation in the set-theoretical definition of functions, they differed in their approach to problem-solving. Malaysian textbooks emphasized the use of function graphs more extensively, whereas Indonesian textbooks frequently utilized function formulas as problem-solving tools.
Significance – This comparative study provides a practical application of the didactic transposition process of knowledge organised in the mathematics curriculum of two different countries. The results also contribute to the potential pathway for learning functions by drawing lessons from two different systems of education
EFFECTIVENESS OF MOBILE LEARNING IN NARRATIVE WRITING AT SECONDARY SCHOOLS
No full textPurpose – Mobile learning has several applications that can be advantageous in the field of education. They play a significant role in technology assisted learning. Employing mobile learning in teaching writing skills offers communication, collaboration, and fun learning. It also creates a conducive learning environment among the students. Integration of mobile learning in teaching writing skills allows educators and students to enter the digital era, as the technology used in teaching and learning writing skills via mobile learning is more effective than the conventional approach.
Methodology – The mixed-method research design was used to analyse the effectiveness of integrating mobile learning for Form 4 students in Malaysia when they are learning narrative writing skills. A pre-test and a post-test were used to gather quantitative data, while participant observation and focus group interviews were used to collective qualitative data.
Findings – The findings elucidated that the students were able to develop their narrative writing skills by using mobile learning as there was an improvement in the post-test when compared with the pre-test.
Significance – This study has recommended that mobile learning should be included in teaching various types of writing skills in Malaysian national schools, and appropriate writing materials could be created via mobile learning. Future researchers would need to create a specific writing application which can be employed via mobile learning to enable students to improve in their overall writing skills. This could be a non-conventional teaching method that could be used in the future