INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT PRACTISES (IJEMP)

WORK–LIFE BALANCE AND EMPLOYEE RETENTION IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY: THE MODERATING ROLE OF LEADERSHIP EMPATHY

Nor Khafizah Muhamad Saleh — 2026-09-09

Despite the challenging working conditions, irregular working hours and significant emotional labor that the hotel industry is known for, the industry in competitive urban destinations like the Klang Valley, Malaysia, is still struggling to retain employees. While work–life balance (WLB) has received a great deal of attention as a key factor in the retention of employees, the nature of the relationship between WLB and employee retention may differ depending on the context of the relationship in which WLB is experienced. Based on Leader – Member Exchange (LMX) theory, this study explores the relationship between WLB and employee retention (ER), as well as the moderating and direct role of leadership empathy (LE) in the WLB – ER relationship. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was utilized in this study with a total of 311 respondents who are employees of four-star hotels in Klang Valley, Malaysia. After data cleaning, 306 valid responses were used for data analysis. The measurement instruments were based on proven scales and the data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using 5,000 bootstrap resamples. The results show that WLB is positively and statistically significant with ER (β = 0.272, t = 3.847, p < 0.001). There is also a positive and statistically significant correlation between LE and ER (β = 0.544, t = 8.549, p < 0.001). Importantly, the relationship between WLB and LE is positive and statistically significant (β = 0.138, t = 2.562, p = 0.010; f² = 0.032), which is indicative of the moderating effect of LE. The findings suggest that the strength of the WLB–ER association varies according to employees’ experience of LE. The study builds on LMX theory by using LE as a relational predictor of employee retention, and as the relational condition through which an organizational support practice (WLB) is related to employee retention. The findings provide practical implications for hotel management by highlighting the importance of combining WLB practices with empathetic leadership to support employee retention and workforce sustainability.

DIGITAL FINANCE STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY WELFARE IN BANGUNREJO TOURISM VILLAGE

Musdalifah Musdalifah — 2026-09-15

In an effort to support community-based tourism practices (CBT) and the principles of Good Village Governance (GVG), this study investigates digital-based financial governance in Bangunrejo Tourism Village, Kutai Kartanegara Regency. This research explores Pokdarwis Mentari’s financial management practices through observation, documentation, and interviews. A qualitative descriptive approach is used in a case study. The results showed that limited sources of income, non-real-time recordkeeping, conflicts of interest between landowners and managers, and a lack of support from the village government were all factors that made a digital financial recording system less than ideal. Because of these limitations, the financial management of tourism villages becomes non-transparent, inaccurate, and untrustworthy. These findings suggest that digitalization faces problems that are not only technical but also structural and institutional. To achieve efficient and sustainable digital financial governance in Bangunrejo Tourism Village, it is necessary to build managers’ capacity, diversify income sources, enhance cooperation, and consistently apply GVG principles.

DRIVING BUSINESS SUCCESS AMONG INFORMAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: THE POWER OF COMPETENCIES, RISK-TAKING, AND PROACTIVENESS

Nurul Hidayana Mohd Noor — 2026-09-10

The informal economy is characterized by economic activities conducted without formal registration with government agencies, thereby evading taxes, labour, and social regulations. The causes of the informal economy are diverse, including a lack of formal employment opportunities, low professional qualifications, limited access to credit, and excessive bureaucracy in formalizing businesses. To manage informal business, understanding the internal factors is the key to success. Accurate analysis can reveal hidden strengths and weaknesses, paving the way to an effective and sustainable strategy. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the influence of entrepreneurial competencies on the sustainable business performance of informal women entrepreneurs and to assess the mediating effects of risk-taking and proactiveness on this performance. The method used in this study was a cross-sectional survey of 300 informal women entrepreneurs in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. A total of 276 respondents were included, and the data were analyzed using multivariate Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The study findings showed that competencies, risk-taking, and proactiveness had a significant direct influence on the sustainable business performance. Risk-taking and proactiveness were also found to be significant as mediating factors. Business performance is greatly influenced by internal factors that entrepreneurs can control and optimize. By understanding and improving these aspects, entrepreneurs can increase their chances of success.

EXPLAINING EMPLOYEE JOB PERFORMANCE THROUGH EMPLOYEE AGILITY: A CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF DIGITAL COMPETENCY, PERSONAL INNOVATIVENESS, AND PERCEIVED ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP

Almizar Amil Hamzah — 2026-09-03

Purpose: This conceptual paper develops an employee-level framework explaining how digital competency, personal innovativeness, and perceived adaptive leadership contribute to employee job performance through employee agility in the context of digital transformation. Methodology: The conceptual framework is developed through an integrative synthesis of relevant theoretical and empirical literature, with the Theory of Work Adjustment providing the overarching theoretical lens for specifying the relationships among digital competency, personal innovativeness, perceived adaptive leadership, employee agility, and employee job performance. Findings: The proposed model positions employee agility as the behavioural mechanism through which digital competency, personal innovativeness, and perceived adaptive leadership contribute to employee job performance. Digital competency provides employees with the capability to respond to digital work demands, personal innovativeness supports willingness to experiment with unfamiliar technologies, and perceived adaptive leadership provides an environmental condition supportive of behavioural adjustment. Employee agility is therefore proposed to mediate the relationships between these three antecedents and employee job performance. Research Implications: The framework provides a theoretical basis for subsequent empirical testing of the proposed mediation relationships and extends the application of the Theory of Work Adjustment to employee adaptation during digital transformation. Practical Implications: The model suggests that organisations seeking to sustain employee performance during digital transformation should develop digital competency, encourage technological innovativeness, strengthen adaptive leadership behaviours, and support employee agility.

BEYOND FINANCE: KEY SUSTAINABILITY DIMENSIONS FOR MALAYSIAN SOCIAL ENTERPRISES

Nik Fazlin Hiryati Nik Jaafar — 2026-09-15

Social enterprises aim for long-term sustainability to balance their dual social and economic missions, though they risk prioritising economic goals over societal benefits due to resource constraints In Malaysia, insecure foundations of finance have severely undermined the sustainability of social enterprise. While studies have brought financial dimensions into the limelight, this study identifies three equally critical non-financial sustainability aspects, which are continuous improvement, structured operations, and leveraging mutual strengths. These insights stimulate the enrichment of existing literature by introducing a critical non-financial dimension, demonstrating that non-economic factors are equally vital to long-term organizational viability. It also offered practical guidance to stakeholders to help social enterprises navigate the intricate issues encountered.

PENGETAHUAN, SIKAP DAN CABARAN DALAM PELAKSANAAN ELEMEN MERENTAS KURIKULUM (EMK) KEUSAHAWANAN DALAM KALANGAN GURU

Khadijah Zainal Abidin — 2026-09-09

Elemen Merentas Kurikulum (EMK) Keusahawanan telah pun diperkenalkan dalam kurikulum sekolah Malaysia bagi memupuk minat keusahawanan, namun kajian empirikal tentang faktor yang mempengaruhi pelaksanaannya masih terhad. Kajian ini bertujuan mengenal pasti faktor yang mempengaruhi pelaksanaan EMK Keusahawanan serta menentukan faktor yang paling dominan dalam menyokong pembangunan kompetensi keusahawanan murid. Ini bersesuaian dengan Teori Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) sebagai asas konseptual yang menerangkan bahawa peningkatan pengetahuan membentuk sikap positif, yang seterusnya mempengaruhi pelaksanaan amalan dalam konteks pendidikan keusahawanan. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan reka bentuk tinjauan deskriptif yang melibatkan 400 orang guru sekolah menengah di Selangor. Keputusan analisis regresi berganda menunjukkan bahawa model kajian adalah signifikan (F = 120.098, p < .001) dan berjaya menerangkan 47.6% varians dalam pelaksanaan EMK Keusahawanan (R² = 0.476). Sikap merupakan peramal yang signifikan dan paling dominan terhadap pelaksanaan EMK Keusahawanan (β = 0.633, p < .001), manakala pengetahuan (β = 0.088, p = .069) dan cabaran (β = −0.046, p = .214) tidak didapati sebagai peramal yang signifikan. Dapatan ini menyokong Teori Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) dengan menunjukkan bahawa sikap memainkan peranan utama dalam mempengaruhi pelaksanaan EMK Keusahawanan sekali gus memberikan panduan kepada Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia dalam mereka bentuk program pembangunan profesional guru yang memberi penekanan kepada pembentukan sikap positif bagi memperkukuh pelaksanaan EMK Keusahawanan serta menyumbang kepada perbincangan global mengenai pendidikan keusahawanan.

The Cross-Curricular Entrepreneurship Element (EMK Entrepreneurship) has been introduced into the Malaysian school curriculum to foster students' entrepreneurial competencies. However, empirical evidence on the factors influencing its implementation remains limited. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the implementation of EMK Entrepreneurship and determine the most dominant factor in supporting the development of students' entrepreneurial competencies. The study was underpinned by the Knowledge–Attitude–Practice (KAP) Theory, which posits that knowledge shapes positive attitudes that subsequently influence the implementation of practices in the context of entrepreneurship education. A quantitative approach employing a descriptive survey design was adopted, involving 400 secondary school teachers in Selangor, Malaysia. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the research model was statistically significant (F = 120.098, p < .001) and explained 47.6% of the variance in the implementation of EMK Entrepreneurship (R² = 0.476). Attitude emerged as the only significant and the strongest predictor of EMK Entrepreneurship implementation (β = 0.633, p < .001), whereas knowledge (β = 0.088, p = .069) and challenges (β = −0.046, p = .214) were not significant predictors. These findings support the Knowledge–Attitude–Practice (KAP) Theory by demonstrating that attitude plays a central role in influencing the implementation of EMK Entrepreneurship. The findings also provide practical guidance for the Ministry of Education Malaysia in designing strategic teacher professional development programmes that emphasise fostering positive teacher attitudes to strengthen the implementation of EMK Entrepreneurship, while contributing to the global discourse on entrepreneurship education.

A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF CURRICULUM COURSE CONTENT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION IN UAE HIGHER EDUCATION

Abdullah Al-Ameri — 2026-09-15

The United Arab Emirates has prioritised entrepreneurship education (EE) to reduce reliance on the public sector and support its transition to a knowledge-based economy. To promote entrepreneurial intention (EI) to students in universities, entrepreneurship programmes have been established. Nevertheless, it has been shown that the existing results are still below national policy expectations. This article maintains that ineffective student motivation or insufficient institutional resources are not the primary challenge. Rather, the issue lies in the lack of alignment between the EI development approaches influenced by the psychological, cultural, and structural contexts of EI in the UAE and the taught entrepreneurship courses reflected in current curricula. This paper critically reviews the UAE-based, theoretically applicable literature to discuss the impact of curriculum design on entrepreneurial intention. It assesses paramount and declarative instruction, growth of self-efficacy, integration with role models, online learning, content that remains gender conscious and compatibility with the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The review determines five important conclusions. Instruction that relies on theory constrains the development of self-efficacy. Misaligned culturally controlled curricula undermine the social norms and perceived behavioural control. Equity: Gender-responsive course design is not an equity effort, but a construction requirement. Ineffectiveness of the the curricula and ecosystem support programme due to poor alignment. Last, the disjuncture between the entrepreneurial intention and business creation indicates systemic impediments that cannot be overcome through a reformed curriculum. The article wraps up by providing institution-specific and theoretically grounded recommendations to higher education institutions, policymakers, and educators of entrepreneurship in the UAE.

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES WITH INNOVATION FOR STRATEGIC SUCCESS IN SMALL FAMILY BUSINESSES IN BULACAN

Selina Panlilio — 2026-09-09

Small family businesses in Bulacan are facing challenges in sustaining their operations due to changing market conditions, growing competition, and the need to balance the innovation with conventional management practices. While conventional management provides stability, and continuity, integrating innovation has become vital for long-term sustainability. This study examines the influence of innovation on business strategy and family management practices among small family businesses in Bulacan. Using the results of survey and interview questions given to 151 small family business owners in Bulacan, the study explored the connections between business strategy, innovation, and family management practices. The results show that both business strategy and innovation predicted the level of sustainability of family management practices with business strategy being slightly more effective. The results also showed that innovation predicted the strategic use of business strategy practices with the strategic use of business strategy practices in turn predicting the sustainability of family management practices. The study provides some implications regarding the need for family business owners to balance the need to innovate while maintaining conventional management practices. With that, the study adds to the body of knowledge on family businesses by suggesting that innovation can strengthen the effectiveness of conventional family management practices rather than replace them.

A REVIEW OF MOONLIGHTING LITERATURE: ANTECEDENTS, CONSEQUENCES, AND MEDIATING MECHANISMS IN POST-PANDEMIC WORKPLACES

Mughaneswari Sahadevan — 2026-09-15

Moonlighting, the practice of holding secondary employment alongside a primary job, has emerged as a significant phenomenon reshaping contemporary employment relationships. This systematic review synthesizes peer-reviewed literature published between 2020 and 2026, examining antecedents, consequences, and mediating mechanisms of moonlighting behavior. Following PRISMA guidelines (Page et al., 2021), the review analyzed empirical studies from major academic databases. The findings reveal that job dissatisfaction, financial need, and work-life imbalance consistently predict moonlighting intentions, while organizational commitment and employee engagement serve as key mediating variables. Consequences include dual effects on organizational performance and employee well-being. Methodological limitations, including a regional bias towards South Asian contexts and a predominance of cross-sectional designs, are critically examined. The review proposes a dual-pathway conceptual framework to guide future research and offers practical implications for human resource management in hybrid work environments.

TAHAP TEKNOSTRES DALAM KALANGAN PEKERJA MUSLIM DI PERUSAHAAN KECIL DAN SEDERHANA DI NEGERI SEMBILAN

Siti Aishah Sokhibul Fadil — 2026-09-15

Teknologi Maklumat dan Komunikasi (ICT) merupakan elemen penting dalam pengurusan sesebuah organisasi bagi memastikan ianya terus kekal cemerlang dan relevan pada masa kini termasuklah Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS). Penggunaan ICT boleh membantu PKS mengembangkan kecekapan operasi perniagaan, berinovasi, memperluas akses kepada pasaran dan pelanggan, serta bersaing dengan firma yang lebih besar. Peningkatan penggunaan ICT di PKS setiap tahun menunjukkan satu perkembangan yang positif dan seharusnya dikekalkan secara konsisten dan sentiasa ditambah baik sesuai dengan persekitaran yang semakin digital kini. Namun, kebergantungan yang tinggi terhadap ICT dalam sektor pekerjaan boleh menyumbang kepada gejala teknostres seperti kemurungan, kelesuan, kebimbangan, sukar memberi tumpuan dan ketegangan otot dalam kalangan pekerja. Oleh itu, kajian tinjauan ini telah dilaksanakan bagi meninjau tahap teknostres dalam kalangan pekerja PKS. Populasi kajian terdiri daripada pekerja Muslim PKS di Negeri Sembilan dan seramai 25 orang responden telah terlibat dalam kajian ini. Kajian ini menggunakan instrumen soal selidik sebagai alat pengukuran yang utama dan data dianalisis secara deskriptif menggunakan perisian IBM SPSS Statistics versi 23 untuk mendapatkan skor frekuensi, peratusan, min, sisihan piawai dan interpretasi min. Hasil kajian menunjukkan secara keseluruhan tahap teknostres responden berdasarkan lima dimensi teknostres berada pada tahap sederhana (nilai min = 2.89). Dimensi lebihan beban teknologi mencatatkan tahap sederhana tertinggi (nilai min = 3.29) berbanding dimensi teknostres yang lain dan menjadi faktor utama yang mendorong berlakunya teknostres dalam kalangan pekerja Muslim PKS. Impak daripada dapatan ini boleh membantu pihak PKS menambah baik pengurusan beban tugas ICT dan jadual masa bekerja di samping memberi sokongan seperti menyediakan kursus dan latihan ICT bagi membantu masalah kerumitan teknologi serta menyediakan infrastruktur yang bersesuaian dengan teknologi semasa. Beberapa cadangan turut dikemukakan kepada pengkaji-pengkaji lain pada masa hadapan bagi menambahbaik kajian dalam bidang teknostres dan PKS di Malaysia.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an important element in the management of an organization to ensure it remains excellent and relevant in the present, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The use of ICT can help SMEs enhance their business operational efficiency, innovate, expand access to markets and customers, and compete with larger firms. The increase in ICT usage in SMEs each year shows a positive development and should be consistently maintained and continuously improved in line with the increasingly digital environment now. However, the high dependence on ICT in the employment sector can contribute to symptoms of technostress such as depression, fatigue, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and muscle tension among workers. Therefore, this survey study was conducted to examine the level of technostress among SME workers. The study population consists of Muslim SME workers in Negeri Sembilan, and a total of 25 respondents participated in this study. This study uses a questionnaire as the primary measurement tool, and the data is analysed descriptively using IBM SPSS Statistics version 23 software to obtain frequency scores, percentages, means, standard deviations, and mean interpretations. The study results show that overall, the level of technostress among respondents based on the five dimensions of technostress is at a moderate level (mean value = 2.89). The dimension of techno-overload recorded the highest moderate level (mean value = 3.29) compared to other dimensions of technostress and became the main factor driving technostress among Muslim SME workers. The impact of these findings can help SMEs improve the management of ICT task loads and work schedules, as well as provide support such as offering ICT courses and training to address technology complexity issues and providing infrastructure that is compatible with current technology. Several suggestions have also been put forward to other researchers in the future to improve studies in the field of technostress and SMEs in Malaysia.

BREAKING THE SILENCE AT WORK: BARRIERS TO REPORTING PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN CONTEMPORARY WORKPLACES: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Sutiman Abd Shukor — 2026-09-09

Psychosocial hazards and work-related mental health have become central concerns in contemporary occupational health and safety practice, yet they remain substantially underreported in many workplaces. Underreporting weakens hazard identification, delays intervention, distorts surveillance data, and permits harmful working conditions to persist. Despite growing recognition of psychosocial hazards, existing research remains fragmented across occupational health, organizational behavior, and regulatory literatures, limiting the development of integrated reporting strategies. This critical narrative review synthesizes recent empirical studies, international guidance, and regulatory developments, with emphasis on work published over the past decade and selected foundational sources. It explains why reporting remains difficult even where mental health policies, employee assistance programs, or psychosocial risk procedures are formally available. Such arrangements often concentrate on supporting individuals after distress has emerged rather than building the organizational capability to receive, protect, interpret, and act on reports of work-related harm. The evidence shows that silence arises from the interaction of stigma, anticipated career penalties, low psychological safety, limited managerial competence, confidentiality concerns, poorly designed channels, and institutional systems that grant psychological injury less legitimacy than physical harm. A consistent pattern emerges employees are more likely to speak when psychological health is treated as a legitimate safety issue, retaliation is credibly prevented, managers respond competently, and visible corrective action follows. Based on this synthesis, the review proposes a conceptual Psychosocial Reporting Capability Framework (PRCF), which integrates institutional context, organizational climate, managerial practice, and reporting infrastructure. The PRCF provides a practical framework to guide policy development, reporting-system design, managerial capability building, and organizational learning. The review argues that sustainable psychosocial risk management depends on embedding trusted reporting mechanisms within occupational safety systems and treating psychological health as an integral component of workplace safety governance.

BREAKING BARRIERS TO EXPORT: HOW CULTURE INFLUENCE MALAY MSME READINESS FOR INTERNATIONALIZATION IN MALAYSIA

Khairul Anuar Rezo — 2026-09-15

This conceptual paper explores the role of Malay cultural values on internationalization readiness among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) entrepreneurs in Malaysia. In spite of decades of government support and various export promotion programs, there is a paradoxically low prevalence of Malay MSMEs in the international market relative to the similar Chinese Malaysian MSMEs. A continued gap in export figures indicates that mainstream internationalization theories, primarily based in Western secular cultures, may be inadequate to the Malay entrepreneurs. In line with the Resource Based View and Uppsala model, this paper proposes an integrated framework of the Malay cultural values (collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, kinship trust, and Islamic-derived values viz. halal orientation and work ethics) to three internationalization readiness dimensions: resource readiness, psychological readiness, and network readiness. Six testable propositions are developed. The paper posits that cultural factors act as not only a barrier but a potential strategic asset, especially to the markets with cultural affinities to Malaysia. Practical implications follow from this argument including recommendations for the culturally congruent mentorship programs, export promotion strategies, and policy interventions by agencies for Malaysian export promotion.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT: INSIGHTS FROM SCIENCE AND ISLAMIC ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

Amminudin Ab Latif — 2026-09-10

Climate change has emerged as a growing challenge to transportation, water and energy supplies, and urban infrastructure. Such systems are vulnerable to increased temperatures, heavy rain, floods, droughts, and other risks and hazards that may impair their safety, performance, and service life. This is a narrative review of the research concerning climate-resilient infrastructure and Islamic environmental ethics. The three discussed concerns include the risk of infrastructure, adaptive mechanisms, and three Islamic ideals: Khalifah (stewardship), Mizan (balance), and Amanah (trust and responsibility). The scientific approaches are divided into four areas: resilient design and risk-based planning, sustainable materials and efficient resource use, green and nature solutions, and monitoring, modeling, and intelligent technologies. Islamic ethics introduces ethics to these technical approaches. Khalifah believes in planning and development of the community. Mizan stresses the necessity to work on the balance between development and environmental limitations. Responsible decisions must be made in the life cycle of infrastructure for Amanah. Malaysian examples, such as the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) and the Green Building Index, show how these ideas can be applied. The review identifies four main benefits of this integration: responsible use of resources, long-term resilience, fair distribution of benefits and risks, and responsibility to future generations. Future studies should develop and test an Islamic ethical assessment framework for climate-resilient infrastructure.

SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION AMONG PUBLIC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA

Mastura Ayob — 2026-09-03

Sustainable entrepreneurship has received increasing scholarly attention as an approach to addressing environmental and social issues while supporting economic development. This study examines factors associated with sustainable entrepreneurial intention (SEI) among students at selected public universities in Malaysia. The study is grounded in the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), which provides a theoretical framework for understanding students’ intention to engage in sustainable entrepreneurship. A quantitative approach was employed, with data collected through an online survey of 310 undergraduate students. The findings indicate that attitude (β = 0.307, p < 0.001), subjective norms (β = 0.234, p < 0.001), and self-efficacy (β = 0.344, p < 0.001) are significantly and positively associated with SEI, with self-efficacy emerging as the strongest predictor. The findings support all proposed hypotheses. Students with more positive attitudes, more favourable subjective norms, and greater confidence in their abilities are more likely to report stronger SEI. The study contributes to the literature on sustainable entrepreneurship by providing empirical evidence from Malaysian public universities. The findings also offer insights for universities and policymakers, particularly for strengthening entrepreneurship education and raising students’ awareness of sustainability.

LEADERSHIP STYLES AND EMPLOYEE JOB SATISFACTION IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR: A STUDY OF TRANSFORMATIONAL AND TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP AMONG PRIVATE HOSPITAL STAFF IN KUALA LUMPUR

Nor’ Ain Abdullah — 2026-09-15

This study investigates the relationship between transformational and transactional leadership styles and employee job satisfaction within a Malaysian private healthcare setting. A quantitative correlational design was employed, using primary data from 317 clinical and non-clinical staff at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Validated instruments included the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). Data were analysed using SPSS for descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between transformational leadership and job satisfaction (r = 0.557, p < 0.01), with transformational leadership emerging as a strong predictor (β = 0.476, p < 0.001). Transactional leadership also demonstrated a positive correlation with job satisfaction (r = 0.479, p < 0.01) but was not a significant predictor when both leadership styles were considered simultaneously (p = 0.179). The model explained 31.5% of the variance in job satisfaction (R² = 0.315, F = 72.079, p < 0.001). These results align with recent research suggesting that while transactional behaviours provide structure and clarity, transformational behaviours inspire greater emotional commitment and long-term satisfaction. The study contributes to leadership literature by providing empirical evidence from the Malaysian private healthcare sector, underscoring the importance of transformational leadership in enhancing job satisfaction.

MICROCREDIT AS A CATALYST FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A BIBLIOMETRIC REVIEW BEYOND FINANCIAL INCLUSION

Zuraidah Mohamed Isa — 2026-09-09

This study examines the development of scholarly research on microcredit and its role in promoting economic development through a bibliometric perspective. While microfinance research has traditionally focused on financial inclusion, recent studies increasingly position microcredit within broader development frameworks, including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inclusive growth, social capital development, and sustainable finance. Despite the growing importance of these perspectives, the intellectual evolution of microcredit research remains fragmented. Therefore, this study maps the development of scholarly knowledge on microcredit and economic development, identifying major research themes, influential contributions, and emerging directions that reflect the transition of microcredit from a financial inclusion mechanism to a multidimensional instrument of sustainable and inclusive development. Data for the study were retrieved from the Scopus database, resulting in 246 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 1996 and 2025. Bibliometric techniques were employed using Harzing’s Publish or Perish and VOSviewer to examine publication growth, citation performance, subject area trends, and keyword co-occurrence patterns within the literature. The findings indicate that research on microcredit and economic development recorded a significant increase in publication output towards 2025, reflecting growing scholarly interest in sustainable development, financial inclusion, and inclusive growth agendas. The dataset consisted entirely of English-language journal articles that recorded a strong citation impact, averaging 19.28 citations per article. Social Sciences and Economics emerged as the dominant subject areas, while the increasing presence of Environmental Science indicates a rising interest in green microfinance and climate-related financing initiatives. Keyword analysis further revealed that themes such as women’s empowerment and social capital are central to understanding how microcredit contributes to broader economic and social transformation, particularly in developing regions such as South Asia and Africa. This study contributes to the existing literature by demonstrating how microcredit research has expanded beyond conventional banking and financial inclusion perspectives towards a more multidimensional development framework. The study also highlights emerging research directions, particularly the integration of FinTech and climate-responsive financing within the evolving “Microcredit Plus” approach.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE CHALLENGES AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG DUAL-CAREER COUPLES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Suhanom Mohd Zaki — 2026-09-02

Work-life balance has become an increasingly important issue for dual-career couples due to the growing complexity of managing professional responsibilities alongside family and personal commitments. Despite a substantial body of research on work-family dynamics, the existing literature remains fragmented across different disciplinary perspectives, limiting a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by dual-career couples and the coping strategies they adopt to address them. Therefore, this systematic literature review aims to synthesize contemporary evidence on work-life balance challenges and coping strategies among dual-career couples. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, an advanced search strategy was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases for studies published between 2021 and 2026. Following the screening, eligibility assessment, and quality evaluation processes, a total of 47 primary studies were selected for final analysis. The findings revealed three dominant themes. The first theme, Dyadic Work-Family Conflict, Spillover-Crossover, and Well-Being Outcomes (n=22), highlights the impact of work-related pressures and stress affect both partners and influence well-being and family functioning. The second theme, Gendered Family Roles, Childcare Responsibilities, and Spousal or Family Support (n=13), emphasizes the influence of gender norms, caregiving demands, and support systems. The third theme, Organizational Support, Policy, Work-Life Integration, and Intervention Strategies (n=12), underscores the importance of supportive workplace practices. Overall, work-life balance among dual-career couples is shaped by the interaction of individual, relational, family, and organizational factors. The findings provide valuable insights for researchers, employers, and policymakers seeking to develop evidence-based strategies that enhance employee well-being and promote sustainable dual-career family functioning.

HUMAN RESOURCE PLANNING AMONG YOUTH WORKERS

Safiah Suhaimi — 2026-09-15

Youth employment remains a critical issue in contemporary labor markets worldwide. Despite their potential as a dynamic workforce, youth often face challenges such as underemployment, inadequate compensation, and limited career development opportunities. Effective human resource planning, encompassing compensation and benefits, recruitment and selection, and career development for youth, is essential to address these challenges and improve labor relations among youth. This paper examines the current problems faced by youth in the labor market and highlights effective human resource planning strategies based on compensation and benefits, recruitment and selection, and career development to enhance youth integration and retention in the workforce.

EVALUATING THE EXTENT OF MUSLIM-FRIENDLY HOSPITALITY SERVICES (MFHS) STANDARD COMPLIANCE AMONG THEME PARK ESTABLISHMENTS IN MALAYSIA

S.A Sharmeela-Banu — 2026-09-09

The continued growth and diversification of the tourism industry have increased demand for Muslim friendly services for various forms of tourism Although there is an increasing effort to implement Muslim Friendly Hospitality Services (MFHS) standards in the accommodation and food service sectors, limited attention has been given to their application in theme park establishments. This research aims to explore the current level of compliance, practices of operations and methods employed by the theme parks and to identify the challenges faced by the theme parks in achieving MFHS standards. A qualitative research method with semi-structured interviews was conducted with eight operational management personnel from selected theme park establishments in Malaysia. The informants were purposively selected based on their involvement in the decision-making process and operation of the services at the operational level. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify the themes emerged in relation to the compliance practices, awareness and challenges faced by the theme parks in achieving MFHS standards. The findings indicate that the level of MFHS compliance varies across the theme park establishments. There are inconsistencies in the formal implementation of MFHS policies, training of staff and achieving the full MFHS standards among the theme park establishments. The challenges faced by the theme park operators in achieving MFHS standards include a low level of awareness on the requirements of MFHS certification, financial constraints, operational constraints and lack of enforcement by relevant regulatory authorities. This study highlights the need for stronger institutional support, clearer operational guidelines and increased training initiatives to improve compliance. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on Muslim friendly tourism and provide practical recommendations to theme park operators and policy makers to enhance Malaysia as a leading Muslim friendly tourism destination.

POST-PANDEMIC MANAGEMENT: AN INTEGRATIVE FRAMEWORK OF DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES, RESILIENCE, AND HUMAN-CENTRIC DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Mohammad Khairuddin Majidillah — 2026-09-17

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the phenomenon of organisational change. Yet, the post-pandemic management scholarship remains fragmented in terms of the integration of resilience, digital transformation, and human-centric approaches. The existing literature has tended to focus on short-term solutions to crises, revealing a major lack in the development of long-term, adaptive management models to assure sustainable performance and manage uncertainty. This conceptual paper suggests an integrated paradigm for post-pandemic management, based on the theories of dynamic capacities, organisational resilience and socio-technical systems. The main point is that organisations must go beyond reactive measures by aligning three key dimensions: adaptive resilience, digital capabilities creation, and employee-centered management practices. While past research has looked at these aspects individually, this paper argues that their synergistic interdependence forms a higher-order competence necessary for managing post-pandemic volatility. Conceptually, the paper proposes a triadic integrative model that conceptualises resilience as an embedded dynamic capability in digitally enabled and human-centric organisational systems. In this study, we contribute to overcoming theoretical silos and broadening post-crisis management discourse towards a holistic and future-oriented paradigm. This is important because it provides a systematic structure for scholars and practitioners in building sustainable, adaptive, and inclusive management methods to respond to ongoing disturbances and improve organisational performance in the post-pandemic era.

ETIKA KERJA ISLAM DALAM INSTITUSI UNTUK PEMBANGUNAN RANTAIAN BEKALAN HALAL: SATU KERANGKA KONSEPTUAL

Noor Malinjasari Ali — 2026-09-15

Perkembangan pesat ekonomi halal global telah meningkatkan keperluan terhadap sistem logistik yang bukan sahaja cekap dari segi operasi, malah mampu mengekalkan integriti dan etika. Walaupun perhatian akademik terhadap logistik halal semakin meningkat, kebanyakan kajian masih berorientasikan pematuhan dengan menekankan pensijilan dan pengasingan, berbanding penginstitusian nilai etika Islam. Kertas ini membangunkan dan memajukan konstruk Keupayaan Penginstitusian Etika Islam (Islamic Ethics Institutionalisation Capability, IEIC), iaitu satu keupayaan dinamik yang menterjemahkan niat moral Islam kepada sistem tadbir urus dan pengukuhan teknologi secara berterusan. Berasaskan Teori Institusi, model yang dicadangkan menggabungkan tiga mekanisme yang saling mengukuhkan, iaitu penginternalan etika, tadbir urus etika, dan pengukuhan teknologi. Ketiga-tiga mekanisme ini membolehkan organisasi menterjemahkan nilai etika kepada proses institusi yang tersusun, boleh dikesan, dan adaptif. Rangka kerja ini menjelaskan bagaimana IEIC menghasilkan kedua-dua legitimasi institusi melalui penerimaan sosial dan pematuhan kawal selia, serta legitimasi spiritual melalui akauntabiliti kepada Allah SWT (taqwa). Dengan meletakkan etika sebagai keupayaan organisasi yang boleh diperbaharui (Teece, 2007), IEIC mengembangkan teori keupayaan dinamik ke dalam domain moral serta memperkayakan kajian pengurusan Islam melalui pemahaman berasaskan proses tentang ketahanan etika. Kertas ini turut menghuraikan syarat sempadan yang mempengaruhi perkembangan IEIC, termasuk kematangan institusi, keterbenaman budaya, dan kesiapsiagaan digital, serta mengemukakan cadangan yang boleh diuji bagi menghubungkan nilai etika, sistem tadbir urus, dan ketelusan teknologi dengan prestasi rantaian bekalan halal yang lestari. Daripada segi kaedah kajian, kajian ini merupakan kertas konseptual mengenai etika kerja Islam. Kajian ini menyimpulkan bahawa integriti halal jangka panjang bergantung bukan pada penguatkuasaan luaran, tetapi pada penginstitusian dalaman etika Islam. Oleh itu, IEIC menyediakan rangka teori dan praktikal untuk mentransformasikan logistik halal kepada sistem yang mampu mengawal selia dirinya sendiri.

The rapid growth of the global halal economy has intensified the need for logistics systems that not only ensure operational efficiency but also uphold integrity and ethical values. Although scholarly attention to halal logistics has increased, existing studies remain largely compliance-oriented, emphasizing certification and segregation rather than the institutionalisation of Islamic ethical values. This paper develops and advances the construct of Islamic Ethics Institutionalisation Capability (IEIC), a dynamic capability that translates Islamic moral intentions into sustained governance systems and technology-enabled reinforcement mechanisms. Grounded in Institutional Theory, the proposed model integrates three mutually reinforcing mechanisms: ethical internalisation, ethical governance, and technological reinforcement. Collectively, these mechanisms enable organisations to transform ethical values into structured, traceable, and adaptive institutional processes. The framework explains how IEIC generates both institutional legitimacy through social acceptance and regulatory compliance, and spiritual legitimacy through accountability to Allah (taqwa). By conceptualising ethics as a renewable organisational capability (Teece, 2007), IEIC extends dynamic capability theory into the moral domain while enriching Islamic management scholarship with a process-based understanding of ethical resilience. This is a conceptual paper on Islamic Ethical Values. The paper further identifies the boundary conditions that shape the development of IEIC, including institutional maturity, cultural embeddedness, and digital readiness, and proposes testable propositions linking ethical values, governance systems, and technological transparency to sustainable halal supply chain performance. The study concludes that long-term halal integrity depends not on external enforcement but on the internal institutionalisation of Islamic ethics. Therefore, IEIC provides both a theoretical and practical framework for transforming halal logistics into a self-governing system.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSONAL ATTITUDES, SUBJECTIVE NORMS, AND PERCEIVED BEHAVIOURAL CONTROL ON ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION OF URBAN YOUTH IN CHINA

Chunmei Zhou — 2026-09-09

While China has developed comprehensive policies to boost urban economic development and foster an innovative environment, there is still a lack of entrepreneurial spirit among urban young people. The misalignment of national innovation agendas and entrepreneurial intentions of urban youth may impede the shift towards a knowledge-based economy and the generation of stable and sustainable jobs. Therefore, it is important to examine the personal and situational factors that may influence entrepreneurial intention for this group. This study is based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour which extends entrepreneurship studies by shedding light on the entrepreneurial intentions of urban youth through the personal attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Measurement instruments were modified from validated research instruments. Quantitative cross-sectional descriptive correlational research was used to examine relationships between the study constructs. Partial Least Squares (PLS) Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the collected data and was done with the help of SmartPLS 4. The results indicated that personal attitude, perceived social expectations and perceived behavioural control positively and significantly influenced entrepreneurial intention each. The findings indicate that entrepreneurial attitudes, perceived ability to handle entrepreneurial role and encouragement from influential others are factors that are more likely to influence the entrepreneurial thinking of young people when entrepreneurial attitude is perceived positively. The longitudinal approach is recommended for future studies to observe the changes over time and give more concrete evidence of the causal relationships between the psychological variables and entrepreneurial intention.

HR COMPLIANCE ON BENEFITS, WAGES, AND COMPENSATION FOR CONTINGENT WORKERS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF MALAYSIA'S LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Jogeswari Ramamoorthy — 2026-09-15

The exponential growth of contingent work arrangements in Malaysia's digital economy has exposed significant gaps in the nation's labor law framework. This paper critically examines human resource compliance concerning benefits, wages, and compensation for contingent workers including freelancers, gig workers, and independent contractors within Malaysia's regulatory landscape. Drawing upon statutory analysis, case law examination, and comparative regulatory approaches, this study argues that the Employment Act 1955's binary classification system (employee versus independent contractor) is fundamentally inadequate for addressing the realities of contemporary contingent work. The paper critiques recent legislative developments, including the Gig Workers Act 2026, while proposing comprehensive reforms to ensure equitable protection for Malaysia's contingent workforce. The analysis reveals that current compliance mechanisms place disproportionate burdens on workers while providing employers with ambiguous safe harbors, ultimately perpetuating systemic vulnerabilities among approximately 1.2 million Malaysian gig workers.

FACTORS OF ISLAMIC FINANCIAL PLANNING PRACTICES AMONG MUSLIM PROFESSIONALS: A CONCEPTUAL PAPER

Nurulhuda Abd Rahman — 2026-09-10

Islamic financial planning (IFP) is a strategic approach to achieving financial sustainability and individual well-being in this world while attaining al-falah (success and prosperity) in the hereafter. IFP integrates financial objectives with Shariah principles and encompasses of wealth generation, accumulation, protection, purification, and distribution. While financial freedom provides individual with greater financial flexibility, the pursuit of financial freedom without appropriate knowledge, discipline and ethical guidance may encourage inappropriate and impulsive financial decisions potentially that lead to financial distress, increased indebtedness and long-term instability. Therefore, effective IFP is crucial for individuals, particularly Muslim professionals who are not only responsible for managing personal finances but may also entrusted to manage financial resources and making important decisions in organisations. This article explores a conceptual framework of the factors influencing IFP practices among Muslim professionals in Malaysia based on the narrative literature review. It discusses four determinants of IFP practices: financial knowledge, financial behavioural, religious commitment and social environment. The role of Maqasid al-Shariah in guiding financial decisions is also emphasised, particularly in preserving wealth, faith, and overall well-being. Accordingly, this conceptual framework integrates financial, behavioural, religious and social dimensions from a Maqasid al-Shariah perspective to provide a comprehensive understanding of IFP practices. The framework also offers useful insights for relevant stakeholders in designing appropriate initiatives to strengthen financial capability and Shariah-compliant financial planning practices.