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Special Border Economic Zones between Malaysia and Thailand
Get PDFThe evolving landscape of global trade and economic cooperation has spurred the establishment of Special Border Economic Zones (SBEZs) as a comprehensive strategy to catalyse economic growth and enhance collaboration between neighbouring countries. These zones have developed as a distinctive economic strategy to harness the potential of cross-border collaboration, while addressing the particular socio economic difficulties of border regions as globalisation continues to change the dynamics of global commerce and investment. However, the main challenge to such an effort is understanding how to fully tap the potential of the SBEZs to facilitate cross-border trade, drive economic development, and advance regional integration while simultaneously minimising potential hazards and unfavourable effects. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the relationship between Malaysia and Thailand and the relevance of a SBEZ between the two neighbors. It aims to pursue these objectives: (1) To delve into the historical trajectory of economic progress in the relationship between Malaysia and Thailand, (2) To critically examine the importance of the SBEZs in the Malaysia-Thailand context from various aspects, and (3) To critically evaluate the SBEZs by comparing the economic development of Malaysia and Thailand and by analysing the factors that led to the Thailand-Malaysian SBEZ. Content analysis was used to analyse the secondary data obtained from journals, publications, and official reports. The findings are as follows: 1) There have historically been several economic periods in the relationship between Malaysia and Thailand; 2) In the Malaysia-Thailand region, Special Border Economic Zones are significant in terms of their role in trade facilitation, economic growth, investment, industrialisation, and regional economic balance; and 3)Three factors had an effect on the development of the SBEZ
Performance-Based Reward System and Organizational Agility in the Banking Industry in Nigeria
Get PDFAs organizations strive to maintain a competitive edge, the need for a more agile workforce has become increasingly apparent. Performance-based reward systems have emerged as a powerful tool to facilitate this transformation, by aligning employee motivation with the organization’s strategic goals. However, the overemphasis on individual performance metrics may inadvertently promote unhealthy competition and undermine collaboration. Hence this study examines the effect of performance-based reward system on organizational agility in the banking industry. Specifically, the study seeks to determine how competence-based reward system will affect organizational agility; to examine the impact of reward and incentives on organizational agility. The study has adopted a survey research design to obtain data from a population of 221 staff members of the Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), which represent the broader banking industry in Nigeria. A sample of 142 was drawn through Taro Yamane and sampled randomly. The study used primary data and questionnaires. Multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses. The study found that organizational agility was affected by the competence-based reward system; and incentive and reward proxy by continuous improvement incentives, teamwork reward, and balancing reward objectives determines the organizational agility of the GTB and the broader banking industry in the country. In conclusion, the performance-based reward system has a significant effect on organizational agility in the banking industry in Nigeria. Thus, the study recommends that banks and other financial organizations should adopt the following aspects of a competence based reward system such as continuous learning, cross-functional collaboration, and skill development as a strategy for achieving a high level of organizational agility in the GTB through its employee
The Concept of Fatwa DSN-MUI on Waqf Insurance Benefits and Investment Benefits in Sharia Life Insurance: Historical Study
Get PDFIn general, Indonesian people still do not understand waqf management in Islam correctly and thoroughly. If Muslims examine the benefits of waqf more deeply, it can be ascertained that the benefits can be reaped in this world and the hereafter. The discourse of productive waqf and cash waqf is echoed in Indonesia by several Indonesian figures, thinkers, and scholars so if the main obstacles to waqf are not addressed, it will have an impact on misuse and fraud in waqf. The Indonesian Waqf Board (BWI) should cooperate with the DSN-MUI to issue this waqf fatwa. This article aims to review and analyze the benefits of waqf insurance and investment benefits in Sharia life insurance based on DSN-MUI Fatwa No. 106 of 2016. This research uses a qualitative method with a literature study approach. The results of this study indicate that the principle of this fatwa uses the legal basis of the Qur'an and Hadith by using the istislahi pattern, which is the consideration of benefits based on general nash. In this pattern, general verses are collected to give birth to several general rules that are used to protect or bring certain benefits. They are based on Maqashid Sharia,31 so that they can help optimize the waqf program in Indonesia. The issuance of the fatwa on waqf insurance benefits and investment benefits in Sharia life insurance is due to a request from an Islamic financial institution, namely Sun Life Financial Syariah and Al-Azhar Waqf Institution, which applied for the determination of the Sharia aspects of life insurance investment benefits for waqf products and waqf insurance policies. For this reason, this DSN-MUI fatwa can be said to be in accordance with the general principle that fatwas are responsive, proactive and anticipator
Factors Influencing Students Being Deceived in Pyramid Scheme in Malaysia
Get PDFSince the middle of the 20th century, multi-level marketing (MLM) became a way of doing business. Unfortunately, not every MLM opportunity is a legitimate business opportunity. Many pyramid schemes, frauds plotted to part the unwary from their money, are disguised. The syndicate activities behind the MLM had targeted university students to make a profit through participation in their business. Therefore, this study intended to measure the factor that might affect the involvement of students being duped in pyramid
schemes, including the ambitious, desire to try, surrounding society, family background, and deceived by advertising. This study examines the relationships between the ambitious with being duped in pyramid schemes. This study employed a quantitative method where a questionnaire is used as a method in the collection of the data. The hypothesized relationships are tested using survey responses from 119 university students in Malaysia. The finding of the study revealed that two determinants had a positive relationship
being deceived in pyramid schemes among the students: family background and surrounding society. This study’s findings are able for universities and industries can revise their policies to discern the extent of student involvement in the pyramid scheme businesses and take the initiative to help students who fall into this scheme
Student Perspective Toward Energy Conservation in Universiti Utara Malaysia
Get PDFClimate change and global warming, driven by CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel consumption, are critical issues. In Malaysia, while the energy mix is sustainable, the industry and transportation sectors heavily rely on fossil fuels. To address this, energy conservation is essential to modify behaviors and reduce energy usage, as reliance on conventional energy sources is no longer viable. This study aims to determine the current energy conservation practices among Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) students and investigate the relationship between these practices and students' energy conservation perspectives. Focusing on UUM students from academic session A221 (semesters 1 to 7), researchers used quantitative methods, distributing a questionnaire via Google Forms on social media and gathering responses from 377 students. Data analysis using SPSS revealed that the mean attitude score of 31.87 is higher than the levels of awareness, energy conservation knowledge, and subjective norms, indicating that attitude significantly influences students' perspectives on energy conservation. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between awareness levels, energy conservation knowledge, attitudes, and subjective norms. Based on these findings, energy-saving intervention strategies are proposed for student accommodations. The government is urged to implement educational programs and campaigns to enhance awareness and promote energy conservation practices among students. The study highlights the importance of attitudes in shaping energy conservation behaviors and the need for comprehensive educational efforts to foster sustainable practices
Development and Usability Analysis of eFloraCyntok: a Digital Botanical Repository for Herbal Plant Conservation
Get PDFThe Digital Botanical Repository at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), known as eFloraCyntok, was developed to address challenges in traditional data management and limited accessibility to herbal plant information within UUM's herbal garden. Physical access restrictions to the garden necessitated a digital platform to enhance the dissemination and usability of plant information. The primary objective of eFloraCyntok is to support conservation, research, and educational initiatives by improving data management, accessibility, and user engagement. The repository was developed through a structured process that included user requirement analysis, the design of a botanical database and high-resolution image storage, the creation of an intuitive user interface, database-interface integration, and the implementation of advanced search functionalities. Usability testing, conducted using the Website Analysis and Measurement Inventory (WAMMI) framework, revealed both strengths and areas for improvement. Findings indicate that users found the repository effective in information retrieval and visually engaging, with 49% agreeing the structure was logical and 67% noting ease in finding information. However, challenges in navigation, error tolerance, and introductory explanations were identified, impacting ease of learning and initial user experiences. Despite these limitations, eFloraCyntok significantly enhances accessibility to botanical knowledge, supports academic research, and promotes public awareness of herbal plants and their medicinal uses. By addressing usability issues and incorporating user feedback, the repository can evolve into a model digital platform, contributing to the preservation and utilization of herbal resources while bridging the gap between physical and digital botanical gardens
Property Purchase: Issues and Challenges Facing by First House Buyers in Malaysia During Covid-19 Pandemic (Year 2020-2022)
Get PDFThis article intended to identify issues and challenges facing by first house buyers when they are buying first house in Malaysia. The results from this article can provide insights to related stakeholders in helping first house buyers to come up with better policies. With the development of the economy, housing prices are still unaffordable and are gradually rising every year. However, household income has not increased accordingly, which is the main problem affecting Malaysians’ difficulty in affording a house. Previously the Malaysian homeownership rate is already declining due to the expensive house price where the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a severe downturn2 Jurnal Pembangunan Sosial, Vol. 27 (July) 2024, pp: 1–24 to Malaysia, especially the housing market which has been affected poorly. This article adopted quantitative research method where the primary data was collected through questionnaire surveys. The sample size was determined by referring to Krejcie and Morgan method. The questionnaires are distributed through internet platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp to collect more responses as online survey brings convenience to respondents. 155 responds were collected from the respondents. From the results, unstable financial positions, unemployment rate, difficulty in obtaining loans, and location factors are the first house buyers’ main issues and challenges. These factors required intervention from the government to save the economy through several policies. Since majority of first house buyers are not familiar with the issues and challenges that they need to consider before making the decision to purchase their first house, this article’s outcomes help first house buyers to do decisions by discussing the issues and challenges that need to be considered. Furthermore, the outcomes can be referred to once the first house buyers encounter similar situations as the results can be used as guidance to help them to understand the problems
Demographic, Economic and Psychological Drivers of Women's Participation in Rural Tourism in Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India
Get PDFRural tourism has gained global popularity, with varying characteristics across regions. This study explores the demographic, economic, and psychological factors influencing women's participation in rural tourism in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. Despite its proximity to Sikkim, Darjeeling remains under-researched, particularly regarding women's motivations. Data from 200 women, including 50 in the hospitality sector, were collected via a pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire to understand the push factors for their involvement. The analysis shows that middle-aged, married women with secondary or less education dominate the rural tourism workforce. Their primary motivations are economic need, improved educational opportunities for their children, and escaping socioeconomic challenges. Significant economic drivers include contributing to family businesses and achieving financial independence. Psychological factors, such as improving living conditions and securing future stability, also play a crucial role, though aspirations for leadership and decision-making are less prominent due to cultural norms. The findings highlight rural tourism's critical role in providing employment and empowerment opportunities for women in Darjeeling. Enhancing participation and empowerment requires addressing economic and psychological needs, improving income levels, supporting leadership roles, and fostering greater family decision-making power. These efforts can strengthen women's involvement in rural tourism, boosting their socioeconomic development and quality of lif