28725 research outputs found
Sort by
Examining the effects of Governance Indicators on Economic Growth in Nigeria: an ARDL Approach
Get PDFThe effects of certain governance indicators on economic growth in an African country (Nigeria) have been researched in this study. Governance indicators such as institutional quality, and rule of law are analysed to understand their effect and direction on economic growth. The data are from the World Development and Governance Indicators (WDI & WGI) and cover the years 1996 to 2016. Using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to estimate the relationship, we discovered that the coefficient of governance indicators produces mixed results, even though the index of governance has a negative influence on economic growth. Furthermore, uni-directional causality was evident between certain governance indicators and trade openness. Significant policy implications suggested by the findings include the government of this African country should put in more effort into improving the general governance structure toward stability. Hence, this will lead to increased investor confidence in the countries’ economie
E-Government Practices and Organizational Performance in Malaysia Local Governments
Get PDFe-Government implemented to enhance the quality and performance of services in the public sector. Malaysia faces various issues and challenges in developing e-Government, including organizational performance weaknesses. Therefore, empirical studies are important to demonstrate the impact of eGovernment on the performance of the public sector holistically and comprehensively, which is greatly needed to serve as input in efforts to improve the quality of e-Government. This study explores the literature on e-Government and organizational performance to see the extent of e-Government's contribution to the performance of the local government sector. To fill the research gap, an empirical study using quantitative research methods was conducted on local government in Malaysia. A total of 149 questionnaires were distributed to Local Authorities in Malaysia, and 87 questionnaires were returned. Then, the data were analysed using descriptive methodology and an inferential statistical approach. The study findings indicate that the implementation of e-Government does not have a significant impact on organizational performance. The difference results may be attributes to variations in the e- Government development index between developed and developing countries. Additional factors such as the difference acceptance level and challenges in implementation may further affect the outcomes. Therefore, the study's findings conclude that the direct relationship is not significant. It is possible that other intermediate factors or variables exist within the relationship, which could allow for the study to be tested indirectly
Analisis Dialek Kelantan dan Simbol Budaya Masyarakat dalam Telefilem Ikan Singgang Cicah Budu (Analysis F Kelantan Dialect and Community Culture Symbol in the Telefilm Ikan Singgang Cicah Budu)
Get PDFDialek merupakan bahasa daerah atau setempat yang digunakan di seluruh negara. Setiap negeri mempunya dialek yang tersendiri. Walaupun Masyarakat di Malaysia mempunyai kepelbagaian etnik dan terdiri daripada satu rumpun, namun adakala dielek yang digunakan tidak mampu difahami oleh semua golongan masyarakat di negara ini. Justeru, kajian ini meneliti simbologi budaya menerusi kaedah analisis semiotik dengan pendekatan Saussure (1916), (petanda dan tanda) dan membincangkan makna bunyi nasal dialek Kelantan menerusi telefilem “Ikan Singgang Cicah Budu”. Penelitian terhadap perubahan bunyi nasal dalam dialek Kelantan (Barthes, 1972) (denotasi dan kontanasi) mengalami perubahan bunyi nasal [n] kepada [ƞ]. Kemudian ia juga turut meneliti perubahan pada bunyi nasal [n], [m], [ƞ] kepada bunyi vokal e taling [ě]. Sementara itu, ia juga melihat perbandingan sebutan perkataan yang mengandungi konsonan nasal dalam dialek Kelantan dengan sebutan perkataan dalam Bahasa Melayu moden. Justeru, pendekatan simbologi dan juga analisis tekstual terhadap telefilem “Ikan Singgang Cicah Budu” mengikut babak-babak yang terpilih. Ia dianalisis menerusi minit ke minit dalam setiap babak yang menggunakan dialek Kelantan yang menggunakan bunyi nasal tersebut. Dapatan menunjukkan terdapat 7 perubahan bunyi nasal [ n ] kepada [ ƞ ], dan 32 perubahan bunyi nasal [n], [m], [ƞ] kepada bunyi vokal e taling [ě]. Perubahan yang berlaku ini menunjukkan perbezaan kosa kata dalam dialek Kelantan dengan Bahasa Melayu Moden. Hal ini menunjukkan bahawa kosa kata asal Bahasa Melayu Moden yang diubah oleh masyarakat Kelantan hanya boleh difahami dalam kalangan mereka. Secara keseluruhannya, kajian ini mendapati bahawa dialek Kelantan memainkan peranan penting dalam variasi Bahasa Melayu walaupun ada bunyi nasal yang sukar difahami. Malah, ia menunjukkan kepelbagaian bahasa yang diukur menggunakan dialek iaitu isoglos dan menunjukkan keunikan Bahasa Melayu di Malaysia
Profile Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) di Bawah Agensi Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) di Daerah Sik, Kedah
Get PDFPerusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) dianggap sebagai kategori perniagaan yang sangat penting di seluruh dunia. Menurut SME Corporation Malaysia, 98.5 peratus daripada jumlah perniagaan di Malaysia terdiri daripada Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS). Namun begitu terdapat isu yang melibatkan data dan maklumat usahawan tidak dikemaskini yang menjadi kepada masalah dalam memperolehi maklumat perniagaan usahawan. Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk mengenal pasti direktori dan profil usahawan yang menjalankan perniagaan di bawah penyeliaan agensi keusahawanan di Daerah Sik, Kedah. Kajian ini tertumpu kepada perusahaan mikro, kecil dan sederhana (PMKS) di bawah Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), di Daerah Sik, Kedah. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kualitatif dengan menemubual secara bersemuka pegawai agensi yang bertindak menyelia aktiviti keusahawanan di Daerah Sik, Kedah. Seterusnya, penyelidik menganalisis data dan maklumat berkenaan usahawan yang diperolehi melalui AIM. Hasil kajian mendapati terdapat 20 orang usahawan mikro, kecil dan sederhana berdaftar di bawah AIM di Daerah Sik yang berpotensi untuk dikembangkan. Justeru, adalah wajar membangunkan PKS yang berpotensi demi kestabilan ekonomi di Malaysi
Challenging Islamophobia by Action (An Overview of the Islamic Activist Movement in America from A Fiqh Aqalliyāt Perspective)
Get PDFThe issue of Islamophobia and the treatment of minorities is deeply rooted in the culture of Muslim societies. Throughout history, Islamic constitutional law has focused on the treatment of minority groups. However, the meaning of "minority" has evolved and shifted from referring to non-Muslim minority groups to Muslim minority groups. This research employs a qualitative methodology with an Islamic law and legal sociology approach, relying on empirical data. The article aims to emphasize the need for reassessing "minorities" and setting new standards in combating Islamophobia through a sociological approach by advocating fiqh al-Aqalliyat as a tool to promote inclusivity among the Muslim majority. The results show that the movement against Islamophobia, based on the study of maqashid al-shariah with an emphasis on fiqh al-aqalliyat, is the main choice for American Muslim minoritie
Factors Influencing Fast Food Consumption among Public University Students: A Case Study at Universiti Utara Malaysia
Get PDFThe prevalence of fast food consumption among students is on the rise. Although there is a growing study investigating consumption of fast food among adolescents and adults in Malaysia, little attention has been paid to university students. This is perhaps the first study to examine factors influencing fast food consumption within a sample of students in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). Primary data from a survey were used. An ordered logistic regression analysis was utilised to estimate the odds of consuming fast food. The explanatory variables consisted of demographic factors, peer influence, knowledge about fast food, lifestyle and mental health. Findings of the present study showed that most of the students in UUM consumed 1 to 2 times of fast food per week. Males tended to consume more fast food than females. Fast food consumption was lower among Chinese students than Malays, Indians and those of other ethnicities. Students who have excellent academic performance were less likely to consume fast food than those with poor academic performance. High personal income was associated with increased odds of consuming fast food. Students who were influenced by their peers were more likely to consume fast food compared to those who were not. Living a healthy lifestyle was associated with reduced odds of fast food consumption. These findings are important in the sense that they can assist UUM and government in developing more effective measures aimed at lowering students’ fast food intake. Intervention measures directed toward reducing fast food consumption among UUM students who are males, are Malays, have poor academic performance, have high income and adopt unhealthy lifestyles may yield promising outcome
Gen Z’s Loyalty Unpacked: The Interplay of Brand Image, Service Quality, and Price on Satisfaction and Trust
Get PDFThe Malaysian telecommunications market is exceptionally competitive, compelling companies to innovate, collaborate, and adapt their strategies so as to retain a competitive advantage and enhance customer loyalty. This study investigates the intricate relationships among brand image, service quality, perceived price, customer satisfaction, customer trust, and customer loyalty, with a focus on Gen Z within the Malaysian telecommunications sector. Using a self-administered questionnaire survey, 187 responses were gathered from individuals within the Gen Z cohort. The numerical data was subsequently analysed using the statistical technique of Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The empirical results highlight the significant influence of brand image, service quality, and perceived price on customer satisfaction and trust. Moreover, customer satisfaction acts as a vital mediator among these variables, effectively heightening customer loyalty. Interestingly, the impact of customer trust on loyalty, as well as its role as a mediator between brand image, perceived price, service quality, and loyalty, is not significant. This finding suggests that, within the telecommunications context, trust may not serve as a primary driver of loyalty. The study makes significant theoretical contributions to consumer behaviour models by clarifying the complex relationships among the key constructs and highlighting the importance of mediation analysis in understanding customer dynamics. Practically, it advises telecommunications companies to prioritise effective branding, enhance service quality, and implement suitable pricing strategies to boost customer satisfaction and foster loyalt
Rural Youth Entrepreneurial Aspiration: An Assessment of TPB and Self-Efficacy
Get PDFThis study examines the factors influencing entrepreneurial intention among rural youth in Malaysia, focusing on the roles of attitude, perceived behavioural control, subjective norms, and self-efficacy within the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Hence, TPB framework is proposed to be applied into rural contexts, it explores how self-efficacy interacts with psychological and social factors to shape entrepreneurial aspirations This study employed a quantitative approach, where valid data from 346 respondents were collected through an electronic survey over eight weeks. The subsequent analysis conducted with SPSS 24 and SmartPLS 4.0, tested ten proposed hypotheses. The findings reveal significant positive correlations between all three attitudinal factors (attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control) and entrepreneurial intention, with self-efficacy identified as a key mediator. Despite potential reservations about entrepreneurship, rural youth with higher self-efficacy are more likely to pursue entrepreneurial activities, emphasizing the importance of self-belief in fostering entrepreneurial success. The study highlights managerial implications, advocating for targeted self-efficacy enhancement programs such as entrepreneurship training and mentorship, as well as policies that provide access to resources and support networks tailored to rural youth. However, a limitation of the study is the lack of exploration into strategies for building self-efficacy. Future research should explore innovative methods, such as virtual reality (VR) simulations, to further enhance self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention
Exploring the Experiences and Perspectives of Student Teachers Teaching in Mabolo National High School, Cebu City, Philippines
Get PDFPurpose - To improve teacher education and education quality, this study explores the experiences and learning of student teachers during their practice instruction in public high schools in the Philippines. Methodology - Semi-structured, in-depth focus group discussions with student teachers were conducted employing a phenomenological research design using Colaizzi’s approach. Eight groups of student teachers participated in the focus group discussions (FGDs). Each group comprised five students, with 40 participants in total. Findings - According to the findings, student teachers often struggle with the practical realities of teaching in public school and real-world scenarios instead of controlled training environments. Additionally, teaching-related learning experiences are crucial for adapting to diverse student characteristics and developing teaching styles. A mentoring program is found to be essential, despite issues of communication and confidence. Moreover, having supportive mentors play a significant role in helping student teachers to become effective educators. The study also emphasized the need to enhance the teaching and learning setting through digital tools. Significance - This study provides important insights into the obstacles and potential for improving teacher education quality in the Philippines and expanding the teaching practice progra
Assessing Tax Auditors’ Understanding of Reinvestment Allowance in Malaysia
No full textTax auditing is one of the main activities in promoting tax compliance. Therefore, ensuring the highest standards of tax knowledge among tax auditors on issues such as reinvestment allowance (RA) incentive is crucial in achieving highest audit quality. Differing interpretations of the act by the tax auditors may lead to inconsistency in tax audit judgement. In relation to this issue, this study is conducted to investigate the level of understanding on RA among tax auditors in the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM). A qualitative method is utilised to achieve the study objective by conducting interviews with 20 tax auditors through an online platform. Through a thematic analysis, this research reveals various points of view, explaining the level of understanding on RA among the IRBM tax auditors. Findings show a variable level of understanding of RA among officers, with a notable disparity between those with years of experience in taxation and newer officers. The study concludes that while there is foundational awareness of RA among tax auditors in the IRBM, there is a need for enhanced and ongoing education to ensure comprehensive understanding and effective implementation of RA policie