INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT PRACTISES (IJEMP)

THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION ON CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE: THE MODERATING ROLE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Shiyi Wang — 2025-08-11

Corporate environmental information carries significant social externalities, necessitating effective environmental regulation to guide and standardize disclosure practices. Drawing on stakeholder theory, legitimacy theory, and agency theory, this study examines the impact of environmental regulation—perceived by corporates within the regulatory framework—on corporate environmental disclosure while also investigating the moderating role of corporate governance. Based on a panel dataset of 327 listed pharmaceutical companies in China, covering the period from 2018 to 2022, this study employs fixed effects regression analysis to test these relationships empirically. The Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) regression is also applied as a robustness check to address potential endogeneity concerns. The results indicate that intensified environmental regulation significantly promotes corporate environmental disclosure among Chinese pharmaceutical firms. Furthermore, corporate governance is found to positively moderate this relationship, strengthening the effect of environmental regulation on disclosure practices. These findings offer important implications: policymakers should reinforce environmental regulation and improve enforcement mechanisms, while firms should enhance corporate governance structures to further improve their environmental disclosure performance.

THE MODERATING EFFECT OF NON-PERFORMING LOANS ON THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MACROECONOMIC DRIVERS AND FTSE KLCI MOVEMENTS

Evawaynie Valquis Md Isa — 2025-09-22

This study investigates the moderating effect of Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) on the relationship between Real Interest Rates (RIR), the Industrial Production Index (IPI), and movements of the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (FTSE KLCI) from 2008 to 2023. Anchored in the Credit Risk Transmission Theory, it employs a quantitative panel data approach using the Fixed Effects Model to examine how credit risk influences the transmission of macroeconomic shocks to the capital market. The study is timely as Malaysia faces rising NPLs in the post-pandemic period, particularly in SMEs, construction, and retail sectors, raising concerns over banking stability. Volatility in real interest rates, driven by Bank Negara Malaysia’s OPR hikes to combat inflation and support the ringgit, has disrupted investment behavior and increased market uncertainty. Meanwhile, the Industrial Production Index has weakened due to contractions in manufacturing and export-dependent sectors, reflecting global demand challenges. These macroeconomic pressures have contributed to the underperformance of the FTSE KLCI compared to regional peers, highlighting its sensitivity to both global and domestic imbalances. Findings reveal that NPLs significantly amplify the effects of RIR and IPI on FTSE KLCI movements, emphasizing the importance of financial sector health in emerging markets. The results contribute to the expanding literature on macro-financial linkages and offer practical implications for monetary authorities, banks, and investors. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Malaysia’s Vision 2030, this study stresses the need for effective NPLs management and stronger macroprudential coordination to ensure capital market resilience and long-term economic stability.

INTEGRATIVE REVIEW ON VALUE CO CREATION IN ECOTOURISM INDUSTRY

Umol Syamsyul Rakiman — 2025-09-23

This article presents an integrative review of literature on value co-creation in the eco-tourism industry between 2020 and 2025. Value co-creation is a collaborative process where tourists, local communities, enterprises, and governance structures engage to generate shared benefits across ecological, social, and economic dimensions. In eco-tourism, this process aligns with principles of sustainability, cultural preservation, and community empowerment, while shifting tourists’ roles from passive consumers to active participants in shaping experiences. Despite growing scholarly attention, existing studies remain fragmented across contexts such as heritage tourism, community-based conservation, and post-pandemic recovery, with limited synthesis of how co-creation is implemented, operationalized, and evaluated. Using Torraco’s (2016) integrative review framework, this article systematically identified, screened, and analyzed 17 peer-reviewed articles from major academic databases and snowball searches. Findings highlight five dominant themes: (1) stakeholder engagement in conservation and cultural exchange, (2) the role of digital platforms in extending collaboration, (3) governance and policy as both enablers and barriers, (4) crisis adaptation in contexts such as COVID-19, and (5) emerging tools for measurement and evaluation of co-creation outcomes. The review underscores that value co-creation enhances visitor satisfaction, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment, yet faces challenges including inclusivity gaps, governance rigidity, and tensions between economic and ecological objectives. This article concludes that value co-creation is a strategic pathway toward sustainable eco-tourism, but requires strengthened policy support, digital inclusivity, standardized measurement, community empowerment, and crisis-resilient strategies. These insights hopefully provide a foundation for advancing both research and practice in sustainable tourism development.

BEAUTY IN THE DIGITAL AGE: WHAT INFLUENCES WOMEN TO BUY SKINCARE ONLINE?

Harn Foo Wei — 2025-09-19

As e-commerce continues to grow, understanding consumer behavior in the online skincare market becomes increasingly important. This research examines the key factors influencing women’s intention to purchase skincare products online. It examines the relationship between Product Price (PP), Brand Trust (BT), Perceived Usefulness (PU), Review Credibility (RC), and word of mouth (WOM) with purchase intention among women. Using a quantitative approach, this study aims to gather and analyze data from Malaysian women to assess the impact of these factors on their intention to purchase skincare products online. Data is collected through a questionnaire distributed via email, with a sample size of 395 respondents. The study utilizes reliability analysis, multiple regression analysis, and Pearson's correlation analysis for data analysis. Evidence from the study shows that brand trust and word-of-mouth significantly impact purchase intention, whereas product price, perceived usefulness, and review credibility show no significant effect. The study intends to explore consumer behavior trends among female shoppers in Malaysia's digital skincare industry, in particular the online skincare market among women. These insights could inform e-commerce strategies for skincare companies and help businesses enhance brand credibility and leverage word-of-mouth marketing. It will ultimately contribute to the development and improvement of the online skincare retail sector in Malaysia.

ISLAMIC ESG: RESEARCH PROGRESS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh Salin — 2025-09-22

The purpose of this study is to provide a descriptive overview and depicts the current and future trend of research in Islamic ESG. Bibliometric analysis is used to objectively scrutinize the bibliographic data collected from the Scopus database. Various methodologies and approaches are used to provide the results for research topics, impacts and directions, as well as patterns of collaboration. This study examines how the Islamic ESG has evolved between 2012 and 2023. This study finds that the publications increase significantly from 2021. Corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, environmental, sustainability, sustainable development, Islamic banks, Islamic corporate finance and Islamic finance are among the popular research and collaboration trends found in the extant literature, reflecting the multidimensional nature of ESG research within the Islamic context. Malaysian authors published more articles followed by authors from Indonesia and Italy. Based on this, several key research gaps and further suggestions are acknowledged for future studies. This is original as compared to the existing bibliometric literature, this study is among the pioneer wide ranging bibliometrics study on Islamic ESG. The request to have a specific model of ESG that complies with Shariah and aligns with Islamic teaching in the future cannot be underestimated, knowing that the Muslim community right now has exceeded two billion worldwide. This study is beneficial to potential researchers, scientific journal editors, practitioners, policy makers and students to understand the current research progression and evolution of ESG from an Islamic perspective.

ENHANCING WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE IN PRIVATE MEDICAL COLLEGES THROUGH STAFF TRAINING: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Salma Hayat — 2025-09-25

This research critically evaluates whether staff training in private medical colleges enhances workplace performance, focusing on effective training techniques and challenges. By adopting a systematic literature review that appraises and synthesizes previous studies to investigates the role of various training techniques in enhancing workplace performance, identifying effective practices, challenges, and areas required for further improvements. Through the PRISMA approach, 24 research articles were systematically selected, and published from 2016 to 2024 in Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Researchgate, IEEE, and Google Scholar. Proper screening of studies has been performed for further consideration from an initial list of 648 articles. This finding indicates integrated workshops, soft skills training, and experiential learning boost staff capabilities, job satisfaction, and workplace performance. It also reveals the importance of training needs for stakeholders, emphasizing a structured training framework while its conclusions are restricted by secondary data and geographical limitations of existing research. This study focused on staff training techniques and associated challenges but analysis may not be applicable for digital training, which has become a fundamental aspect of modern workplace learning. Excluding articles published before 2016, the finding may introduce limitations in the accuracy of the result. Existing literature mostly focuses on a single aspect of training either soft skills or technical (hard skills) training without combining all these aspects into one framework. The study also assists existing literature on staff training and workplace performance in private medical colleges.

WHAT SHAPES TAXPAYER BEHAVIOUR? A BIBLIOMETRIC EXPLORATION OF TAX INCENTIVES, TAX DEDUCTION, AND TAX RELIEF

Umikalsom Mohamed Ariffin — 2025-08-10

This study examines the global research landscape surrounding the factors that influence taxpayer behaviour, with a specific focus on tax incentives, tax deductions, and tax relief. Governments widely employ these fiscal tools to influence compliance, stimulate economic growth, and support social development. Nonetheless, academic inquiry into their behavioral impact remains fragmented. The primary aim of this research is to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of scholarly output in this domain and to identify key trends, thematic clusters, and collaborative networks within it. The central problem addressed is the lack of a consolidated understanding of how these tax mechanisms have been studied globally, as well as the existing gaps, particularly in developing countries. Using Scopus as the primary data source, a total of 825 peer-reviewed documents published between 2000 and 2025 were extracted through a keyword search strategy that included the terms “Tax Incentives,” “Tax Deduction,” and “Tax Relief.” The data were cleaned using OpenRefine and visualised through VOSviewer for co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and citation analysis. Results show that the United States, China, and the United Kingdom are the leading contributors, with “Tax Incentives” being the most frequently occurring keyword. Key thematic areas include investment promotion, corporate tax avoidance, Research and Development (R&D) support, and emerging links to sustainability and innovation. Although Malaysia ranks 12th in publication output, its contribution remains modest. This reveals a significant research gap in the Malaysian context, where extensive use of tax incentives is prevalent in policy practice, yet empirical and behaviour-focused academic studies are limited. In conclusion, this bibliometric review highlights a growing and diversifying research interest in tax-based behavioural tools. It underscores the urgent need for more context-specific studies in Malaysia to support evidence-based policymaking and optimise the effectiveness of fiscal instruments.

BEYOND ENTERTAINMENT: INNOVATING E-COMMERCE WITH TIKTOK SHOPPING AND ITS IMPACT ON GEN Z CONSUMERS’ BEHAVIOR IN MALAYSIA

Wan Maisara Wan Mohamad — 2025-09-19

The integration of social media and e-commerce has transformed consumer behavior, with platforms like TikTok playing a pivotal role in shaping new online shopping experiences. This research explores the innovative role of TikTok's shopping features in influencing the consumer engagement and purchasing behaviors of Generation Z in Malaysia. Known for their digital fluency and preference for interactive content, Gen Z represents a key demographic in the social commerce revolution. Despite TikTok's growing presence in the region, limited research exists on how the platform's unique algorithm, user interface, and personalized shopping features influence consumer decisions, particularly in Malaysia. This study adopts a quantitative research method, utilizing a structured questionnaire to gather data from Gen Z users in Malaysia. The research focuses on the ease of use of TikTok’s shopping features, the influence of influencer marketing, and the integration of social and commercial content. The results indicate that while TikTok’s personalized and interactive features foster high levels of engagement, the conversion from engagement to purchase remains suboptimal. Key factors such as user interface design, trust in influencers, and the seamless blending of entertainment and commerce play significant roles in shaping Gen Z’s purchasing behavior. The findings provide valuable insights for marketers and businesses looking to optimize TikTok as a platform for social commerce. By understanding how TikTok’s features influence user engagement and purchasing decisions, brands can tailor their strategies to create more authentic, engaging shopping experiences that resonate with Malaysia’s Gen Z demographic. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on social commerce, offering practical recommendations for leveraging TikTok's innovative features to enhance e-commerce outcomes.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND THEIR ROLE IN WORK STRESSORS AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE DIGITAL AGE

Hanis Marhaini Masri — 2025-09-23

Technology's quick development has fundamentally altered the nature of work, offering both benefits and challenges in managing workplace pressures and striking a balance between work and home life. With an emphasis on how digital tools and platforms affect the lines between work and home life, this conceptual paper investigates the connection between technological developments and their effects on job-related pressures. This study examines how technology can be both an efficiency enhancer and a possible cause of stress, drawing on important theoretical frameworks such as the Boundary Theory and the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model. Employees can now be contacted at any time because to the enhanced connectedness brought about by technology tools like smartphones, email, and cloud-based communication systems. But the continual connectedness has made it harder to distinguish between work and personal life, which leads to more stress at work. Additionally, although technology might increase flexibility, it frequently leads to a culture that is "always-on," which exacerbates burnout and makes it difficult to completely disconnect from work. This paper makes the case that although technology has enormous potential to increase productivity and flexibility at work, its widespread impact on work-life balance calls for a reassessment of both organizational and personal coping strategies. This paper proposes a conceptual framework to understand the impact of technology, emphasizing the need for adaptive work practices, digital detox strategies, and organizational policies that prioritize employee well-being. By providing insights into how businesses and individuals might handle the challenges of the digital age, the study hopes to add to the expanding corpus of literature on digital work-life integration and stress management. In an increasingly interconnected world, the paradigm offers a starting point for future study that may direct interventions meant to lessen work-related stress and improve work-life balance.

DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE WAQF PRODUCT MODEL: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Norlaila Mazura Hj. Mohaiyadin — 2025-09-30

Muamalat is the pulse of Islamic economic and social engagement in daily living, which includes Waqf. Waqf is recognised as a powerful economic driver, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education. However, in-depth studies into the sustainability of the Waqf product model in higher education institutions remain limited. This preliminary study explores the development of a sustainable Waqf Product model at the National Defence University of Malaysia from a religious institutional logic perspective, namely Shariah Compliance. This study adopts a qualitative approach that supports the interpretivism philosophy, specifically an interpretive case study. It employs a judgmental sampling technique by interviewing key players in university Waqf management at the National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM), along with supporting documents and field notes. Findings indicate the existence of challenges in implementing Waqf at the university, along with potential solutions. Besides, the potential of asset-based Waqf products at NDUM was observed. Theoretically, the findings present the development of a sustainable waqf product model in religious institutional logic and SDG 4: Quality Education perspectives. Practically, it indicates a need for a policy on income generation for the university.

ZAKAT MANAGEMENT AND EFFECTIVENESS: A BIBLIOMETRIC REVIEW (2011–2025)

Nora Baizura — 2025-09-10

This study presents a bibliometric analysis of research on zakat management and its effectiveness from 2011 to 2025, using the Scopus database. The purpose is to identify prevailing research methods, influential authors, journals, countries, and emerging thematic trends. The study adopts a science mapping approach, utilizing VOSviewer and Microsoft Excel to analyze 149 publications, including journal articles, conference papers, book chapters, and reviews. Data were categorized based on publication trends, subject areas, keyword co-occurrence, geographical contributions, authorship patterns, and institutional influence. The analysis reveals a steady increase in publications over the past decade, with a significant surge from 2019 onwards. Social sciences, arts and humanities, and business and management emerged as dominant subject areas, while Indonesia and Malaysia demonstrated notable research productivity. Despite the strong zakat traditions in Gulf countries, their comparatively lower research output indicates significant untapped potential for cross-country comparative studies, offering opportunities to deepen understanding and strengthen global zakat management practices. Keywords such as “zakat,” “zakat management,” and “blockchain” indicate a growing interest in integrating technology into zakat systems. The most productive institutions include Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, and Universitas Airlangga, highlighting strong academic engagement in Southeast Asia. Citation analysis identified key articles shaping the discourse, particularly those addressing governance, efficiency, and technology adoption. The study concludes that methodological diversity is still limited, with a need for greater adoption of mixed-method approaches and advanced analytical frameworks. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars, offering a roadmap for future research to enhance the effectiveness, transparency, and socio-economic impact of zakat management.

THE INFLUENCE OF CONSUMPTION VALUES AND ATTITUDE ON FRUIT PURCHASE INTENTION: A CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS

Awisal Fasyni — 2025-09-22

Enhancing fruit consumption seeks to elevate the fruit industry while tackling elevated incidences of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and obesity. This research aims to establish a framework derived from a literature review to elucidate the elements affecting customer propensity to purchase fruits. A comprehensive literature review on the intention to purchase fruits was conducted to establish a conceptual framework that delineates the relationship between consumption values, attitudes, and fruit purchasing intentions. The research demonstrates that possessing positive consumption values may foster a favorable attitude that results in customers' inclination to purchase fruit. The conceptual model will aid practitioners in understanding the influence of consumer consumption values and attitudes on boosting purchasing intentions. Future study should include quantitative and structural equation modeling (SEM) to validate the effects of the proposed framework and hypotheses.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT NEXUS IN ECONOMIC GROWTH DYNAMICS: REFRAMING AGEING AS OPPORTUNITY

Mingqi Hu — 2025-09-25

Based on the panel data of 31 provincial administrative regions in China from 1990 to 2020, this paper employs the System GMM approach to study the impact of population aging on economic growth, as well as the mediating mechanism and moderating role of the Human Development Index (HDI). The results show that population aging significantly inhibits economic growth, which is consistent with existing international studies. At the same time, HDI can significantly promote economic growth and slow down the negative impact of population aging on economic growth. The intermediary effect test shows that part of the total effect of population aging on economic growth is indirectly realized through HDI, accounting for about 30% of the total impact, indicating that increasing HDI can partially offset the slowdown in growth caused by aging. The GMM estimation result of the system is robust, which has passed the correlation test of AR (1) and AR (2) sequences and the Hansen over-identification test, indicating that the model setting and the selection of instrumental variables are reasonable. The contribution of this paper is to reveal the significance of improving the level of human development in the context of population aging: on the one hand, it expands the theoretical understanding of the impact of population aging on economic growth, and emphasizes the intermediary mechanism of HDI, a comprehensive development indicator; On the other hand, it provides empirical evidence for formulating policies to actively respond to aging, and suggests that the level of human development should be comprehensively improved through education, health care and income distribution policies to alleviate the adverse impact of aging on the economy and achieve long-term sustainable growth.

ECHOES OF CONFORMITY: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF INSTITUTIONAL ISOMORPHISM IN PUBLIC SECTOR STUDIES

Nor Ashikin Mohd Nadzari — 2025-08-10

The concept of institutional isomorphism, first introduced by DiMaggio and Powell, has increasingly shaped understandings of how public sector organisations respond to external pressures, including regulatory mandates, professional norms, and environmental uncertainty. However, previous literature often overlooks the complex interplay between these pressures across governance levels and varied contexts. To address this gap, this study employs bibliometric tools, including Scopus Analyzer, OpenRefine, and VOSviewer, to systematically analyze 304 documents published between 1992 and 2025. The analysis maps publication trends, co-authorship networks, influential authors, and keyword co-occurrences, providing a nuanced picture of research patterns and thematic developments. Key findings reveal a marked growth in publications since 2010, peaking around 2020–2022, with contributions from a diverse range of countries and interdisciplinary collaborations. The co-authorship network highlights the central roles of authors such as Powell W.W. and Oliver C., while emerging scholars and regions, including Malaysia and China, reflect a widening global interest in the field. Keyword analysis further identifies evolving research themes, from traditional concerns of legitimacy and compliance to contemporary emphases on sustainability, environmental management, and innovations. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the extent and dynamics of scholarly engagement with institutional isomorphism in public sector contexts and the emerging directions for future research. The findings underscore the growing complexity and relevance of institutional theory in understanding public sector transformations in an increasingly interconnected and regulated world.

THE MALAY SHAMAN AS ENTREPRENEUR: ETHNOGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS

Alexander Stark — 2025-09-19

Non-Western business models have received a greater amount of attention in recent years. In this article, the researchers analyze the entrepreneurial concept of traditional Malay shamans. The researchers conducted qualitative research and focused on two shamans: one originates from a rural area and one resides in an urban environment. Furthermore, they lived in two geographical regions, namely Kelantan (Malaysia) and West Sumatra (Indonesia). The researchers closely studied the daily routines of the shamans and carried out unstructured interviews. It was detected that their entrepreneurial activities are embedded in a system of family relationships and that profit-making is of minor importance, particularly for the healer, who lives in a village with its own form of subsistence. Furthermore, the Malay shamans follow a flexible timetable and can be easily contacted by their patients and customers. They also use the terminology of the local worldview, which gives them the opportunity to become more popular.

IMPACT OF GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON FIRM’S PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

Umol Syamsyul Rakiman — 2025-09-22

Sustainability is the focus of many manufacturers, yet uncertainty of competitive advantage that can be gained from sustainability causes manufacturer flinches from implementing green supply chain management. This research focuses to examine the implementation level of green supply chain management practices among manufacturing industry in Malaysia. The relationship between green supply chain management practices and operational performance also being studied in this research to show the competitive advantage that can be gained by firm. The green supply chain management that is covered in this study is internal green supply chain management, green supply chain management with suppliers and green supply chain management with customers. Furthermore, the operational performance of firm is identified through product quality, operational flexibility, delivery time and production cost. There are 111 respondents who work in manufacturing industry certified of ISO 14001, answered the questionnaire that send through email. The data is analysed through Software of IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The result showed that there is high implementation level of internal green supply chain management practices while for the external green supply chain management practices are having medium implementation level. Furthermore, the green supply chain management practices have significant and positive relationship with the operational performance. Therefore, implementation of green supply chain management practices helps the manufacturer obtain competitive advantage via better operational performance together with achieving sustainable development.

THE INFLUENCE OF BIG FIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS AND MOTIVATION ON STUDENT RESILIENCE IN MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITIES

Dalili Izni Shafie — 2025-09-30

This study investigates the influence of Big Five personality traits and motivation on student resilience among Malaysian university students. Personality traits: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism are established as core dimensions of individual differences, while motivation remains a central driver of academic performance and persistence. Drawing on Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Determination Theory, the study employed a quantitative survey design with data analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings validated the proposed theoretical assumptions, demonstrating significant effects of both Big Five personality traits and motivation on student resilience, thereby supporting the study’s hypotheses (H1 and H2). The predictors explained a substantial proportion of the variance in resilience, with R² values ranging from 0.421 to 0.414. Importantly, the R² value of 0.414 exceeded Cohen’s (1988) recommended threshold of 0.26, affirming the robustness and stability of the research model. These results highlight that personality traits and motivation positively and meaningfully enhance resilience among students. The study contributes theoretically by bridging Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Determination Theory in understanding resilience, and practically by providing insights for universities and policymakers to develop targeted interventions that strengthen resilience and motivation. Such efforts are crucial to improving student well-being, adaptability, and academic success in Malaysia’s higher education context.

VALUE CO-CREATION MODEL: IDENTIFYING CULTURAL RESOURCES FOR BAIJIU TOURISM IN BOZHOU, CHINA

Xue Han — 2025-09-01

This study intends to explore the value co-creation model in identifying cultural resources for emerging tourism niche, Baijiu tourism in China. However, according to the data statistics of the Bureau of Culture, Tourism and Sports of Bozhou City in Anhui region, since 2020, the number of tourists visiting Bozhou has shown a downward trend, and the revenue is also not optimistic. the concept of cultural tourism resource development in Bozhou city is still relatively conservative. The tourist attractions in the city are still mainly shallow sightseeing tourism, lacking a hierarchical model system. This study explores the role of multi destination stakeholders in collaborating with each other to create values for the Baijiu tourism industry in Bozhou city. This is a qualitative explorative study, and data are collected through 20 participants in semi-structured interviews and participation observations. The study found that various stakeholders in Baijiu tourism, including tourists, Baijiu consumers, Baijiu enterprises, government and local community, made significant contributions through their collaboration in preserving cultural heritage in identifying those resources for Bozhou city, a city with rich historical background and important cultural sites. Suitable tangible and intangible type of cultural resources related to Baijiu tourism had been identified by stakeholders. Besides that, by identifying the cultural resources, the collaboration between various destination stakeholders with one another could create a cultural heritage framework and has a great potential in promoting Bozhou city as Baijiu tourism hub. The study concludes with the idea that stakeholders’ mechanisms could also create a brand output value to enhance Baijiu tourism industry. It recommends Baijiu tourism can be further enhanced by considering the China’s rating system for tourist destinations to achieve excellent 5A rating level for cultural resources identified in Bozhou.

GREEN HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE QUALITY IN THE UAE ENERGY SECTOR

Al Jabri Ahmed Abdallah Rashid — 2025-09-22

Purpose: The study investigates the impact of green human resources management on the service quality in the UAE energy sector. The study thus examines the extent to which UAE’s energy and power sector adopts Green Human Resources Management and the relationship between Green Human Resources Management and the UAE energy and power sector service quality. Methodology: This is quantitative study with data collected from 1221 respondents using probability sampling approach. Data are collected with a questionnaire and the data gathered through the questionnaire are subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Finding(s): The results show that there is a high adoption of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) methods in the UAE's energy and power sector and there is significant relationship between the adoption of GHRM and service quality in the sector. Implication: The study concludes by recommending adoption of GHRM in other sectors so as to enhance service quality. Originality/Value: This study adds to the scarce body of research on GHRM in the Middle East by providing empirical support for its applicability in raising service standards in the energy industry. The study is thus important, as it will enable us to understand the crucial relationship between green human resources and service quality.

FORMULATING INSIGHTS ON JOB SATISFACTION AND ITS IMPACT ON JOB PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA'S PUBLIC SECTOR

Mohd Azhar Mohd Yusuff — 2025-09-24

This study aims to explore the factors that influence job satisfaction and its impact on job performance among civil servants in Malaysia. Using a qualitative approach with a Basic Qualitative Inquiry design, data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with five participants from various public sector departments. The findings revealed that job satisfaction was influenced by supportive leadership, task success, recognition, and benefits provided to employees. In addition, project success motivated employees to enhance their performance. However, challenges such as frequent policy changes, management instability, and lack of recognition negatively affected motivation and commitment. Recognition also emerged as a cross-cutting theme, influencing both satisfaction and performance depending on its presence or absence. This study contributes to the literature by offering new insights into the relationship between job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and job performance in the public sector. Practical suggestions include introducing clear KPIs, meaningful reward systems, and professionalism courses to strengthen satisfaction and performance. The study also highlights the need for more systematic management and a more appreciative approach to foster a productive work environment.

EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ISLAMIC DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A STUDY ON ASNAF STUDENTS DEVELOPMENT

Siti Khalilah Basarud-din — 2025-08-05

This study examines the potential of Islamic digital entrepreneurship as a practical approach to empower Asnaf students in focusing on how Islamic entrepreneurial values align with the rapid growth of digital technology. Using a qualitative methodology grounded in an extensive literature review, the article explores the main entrepreneurs’ characteristic and educational models that are critical for cultivating digital entrepreneurial skill within this group. The findings indicate that the empowering Asnaf student in digital entrepreneurship programs and their traits. The study concludes that a deliberate integration of Islamic values into digital entrepreneurship education could play a key role in creating sustainable economic opportunities and improving the socio-economic status of Asnaf community.

DETERMINANTS OF JOB SATISFACTION AMONG FOR-PROFIT NURSING HOME CARE WORKERS IN KLANG VALLEY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT AND WORK ENGAGEMENT

Adlina Azmi — 2025-09-19

This study investigates the determinants of job satisfaction, specifically job demands and job resources, among care workers in for-profit nursing homes in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Particular attention is given to the mediating roles of organizational support and work engagement. Grounded in the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model, this study examines the impact of job demands and job resources on job satisfaction. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was adopted, utilizing a structured questionnaire administered to 150 care workers selected through two-stage cluster random sampling. The study measured five key constructs: job demands, job resources, organizational support, work engagement, and job satisfaction. Findings indicate that excessive job demands negatively impact job satisfaction, while sufficient job resources and strong organizational support enhance work engagement and job satisfaction. Structural equation modeling revealed that both organizational support and work engagement mediate the relationship between job demands, job resources, and job satisfaction. These findings offer practical implications for policymakers and administrators of for-profit nursing homes by underscoring the importance of fostering a supportive work environment and ensuring adequate resources. The study contributes to the theoretical development of the JD-R model within the Malaysian context. It aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting decent work conditions in eldercare services.

ENHANCING EMPLOYEE RETENTION THROUGH TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK BASED ON SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY

Yusmawati Hussain — 2025-09-22

Employee retention is a vital component of effective human resource management where organizations face persistently high turnover rates across various sectors. This ongoing issue negatively impacts productivity, elevates operational costs, and undermines workforce stability. This conceptual paper explores two essential determinants of employee retention such as training and development and the working environment within the Malaysian organizational landscape. Grounded in Social Exchange Theory, the study introduces an integrative conceptual framework that demonstrates how organizational support in the form of skill development and a positive work atmosphere promotes reciprocal employee commitment and retention. Drawing on recent empirical research, the model emphasizes that employees who perceive ongoing developmental support and a healthy work environment are more likely to stay with their employer. This paper enriches the human resource management discourse by offering a specific theoretical model and suggests avenues for future empirical testing of the proposed framework.

HOW DOES WORKPLACE SOCIAL SUPPORT INFLUENCE TURNOVER INTENTION

Lina Diao — 2025-09-25

Although tourism-related activities have rebounded after the COVID-19 pandemic, and China has emerged as the world's second most powerful tourism market, China’s hotel industry continues to face severe employee turnover challenges, resulting in huge costs and organizational disruptions. Grounded in social exchange theory (SET), this study examines how workplace social support, comprising perceived organizational support (POS) and coworker support, affects organizational commitment and, consequently, turnover intention. Based on data collected from 285 Chinese hotel employees, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) is applied to test five hypothesized relationships and investigate the mediating role of organizational commitment. The results demonstrate that support from both the organization and coworkers is a significant factor in shaping employees’ attitudes towards organizational commitment and their intention to quit. Notably, coworker support exerts a stronger influence on commitment than organizational support, highlighting the critical role of peer relationships in retention. Pleasant social relationships are critical, this network enhances employee well-being, creates a positive work context, and increases the workers’ sense of belonging to the business. The study highlights actionable insights for hotel management, also empirically validates SET in China’s hotel context. It advances theoretical understanding while offering practical strategies to mitigate turnover intention through targeted social support mechanisms.

THE INTERPLAY OF SUPPLY NETWORK STRUCTURE AND FOOD SAFETY COMPLIANCE IN MALAYSIAN SMALL FOOD ENTERPRISES

Mohd Hafiz Mohamad Zahari — 2025-08-11

This study explores the relationship between supply chain management and sustainable business performance among small food service enterprises in Malaysia, emphasizing the mediating role of food safety compliance. Given the increasing regulatory demands and operational challenges faced by small food businesses, this study offers timely insights. Using SmartPLS and responses from 50 business owners and managers, the findings reveal that supply network factors such as transparency, flexibility, and integrity positively influence food safety adherence, which in turn supports long-term business viability. However, a direct link between supply network structure and sustainable outcomes was not observed, underscoring the mediating role of food safety compliance. The study also includes case-based insights to illustrate real-world challenges in food safety and supply chain practices. Due to the small sample size, generalizability is limited. The study contributes to both theory and practice by contextualizing performance factors in a regulated, resource-constrained environment.

A COST-BENEFIT PERSPECTIVE ON THE WORK-FROM-HOME SETUP: LIVED EXPERIENCES OF PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS IN THE PHILIPPINE CONTEXT

Maria Cristy Felipa L. Lopez — 2025-09-23

This study explored the lived experiences of teachers from selected schools in Cauayan, Isabela, who transitioned to a work-from-home (WFH) arrangement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by Rational Choice Theory, the study examined how teachers balanced the challenges and benefits of remote teaching in financial, emotional, and professional terms. A descriptive phenomenological approach rooted in Husserlian philosophy was used. Ten teachers were purposefully chosen, and their experiences were captured through detailed, semi-structured interviews. After transcription, teachers’ statements were grouped into clusters of meaning, which were then examined to identify themes. Six key themes emerged. Some teachers experienced short-term relief from reduced daily expenses, but these savings were quickly consumed by higher costs for utilities and technology. Teachers took part in self-directed learning, which helped their personal and professional growth, while support from their institutions made it easier for them to adjust to remote teaching. Working from home brought certain advantages, like saving on transportation costs and gaining opportunities to develop new skills. At the same time, remote teaching brought challenges, such as higher household expenses, heavier workloads, and a sense of disconnection. The study indicates that teachers showed strong resilience, providing insights that can shape policies to build on current support for their well-being, maintain effective school functioning, and ready the education system for future challenges.

RECENT SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIS)

Cik Othman Abdullah — 2025-09-24

This systematic literature review explores the evolving landscape of organizational culture in higher education institutions (HEIs), aiming to understand its multifaceted impact on institutional dynamics and performance. In recent years, organizational culture has garnered increasing attention in higher education due to its critical role in shaping employee behavior, leadership effectiveness, and overall institutional success. However, there is limited consolidated insight that holistically maps the scope of current findings in this domain. To address this gap, we conducted an advanced systematic search using the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases, guided by the PRISMA framework. The search strategy employed key terms such as "organizational culture," "workplace culture," and "higher education institution," resulting in a final dataset of 40 peer-reviewed articles. Through rigorous screening and thematic synthesis, three core themes were identified: (1) Organizational Culture and Employee Outcomes, which highlights how workplace culture influences motivation, engagement, and performance; (2) Organizational Culture, Leadership, and Institutional Performance, emphasizing the interconnection between leadership styles and cultural alignment in driving institutional effectiveness; and (3) Organizational Culture Typologies, Structures, and Academic Environment, which examines various cultural models, governance structures, and their implications for teaching and research ecosystems. The review reveals that a strong, well-aligned organizational culture positively correlates with improved employee satisfaction, leadership cohesion, and institutional performance. In conclusion, the study provides a comprehensive synthesis of current literature, offering valuable insights for policymakers, academic leaders, and researchers seeking to cultivate effective organizational cultures within higher education institutions.

INTEGRATING ZAKAT CAPITAL ASSISTANCE WITH SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A SUSTAINABLE MODEL FOR EMPOWERING ASNAF MICROENTREPRENEURS IN MALAYSIA

Shuhairimi Abdullah — 2025-08-05

This study proposes an innovative Zakat Social Enterprise Model (ZSEM) that integrates Islamic social finance with social entrepreneurship principles to empower Asnaf microentrepreneurs in Malaysia, with particular focus on rural women in Perlis. Through qualitative interviews with 12 Asnaf beneficiaries and participatory focus group discussions, we identify critical intersectional barriers including gender disparities, geographic isolation, and financial exclusion that hinder effective utilization of Zakat capital. The research adopts a community-based approach to co-develop sustainable solutions tailored to rural contexts, such as mobile banking access, childcare- inclusive business models, and halal market linkages. Our findings demonstrate that combining Zakat funds with structured entrepreneurial support can significantly enhance business viability, with pilot data showing 60% higher survival rates compared to conventional aid models. The proposed ZSEM framework operationalizes Maqasid al-Shariah by incorporating Shariah-compliant financing (Qard al-Hasan), digital financial literacy training, and gender-responsive policy measures, ensuring alignment with Islamic economic principles and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 5, 8). Key policy recommendations include blockchain-based Zakat transparency systems and a National Zakat Entrepreneurship Taskforce to institutionalize best practices. This study contributes to Islamic social finance and inclusive development literature by providing an actionable model for transitioning Asnaf communities from aid dependency to economic self-sufficiency.

FACTORS INFLUENCING SUSTAINABILITY OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE FRANCHISEE’S BUSINESSES IN MALAYSIA

Fauziah Samsudin — 2025-09-19

The growth of the franchise business in Malaysia has significantly contributed to the national economy, amounting to approximately RM30.03 billion of the Malaysian gross domestic products (GDP), compared to RM10.02 billion in 2009. However, in terms of GDP percentage contribution, the results have been inconsistent. According to the International Franchise Association (2022), approximately 32,700 franchised businesses in Malaysia shut down within the first six months following the COVID-19 outbreak as of August 2020. Without major government advocacy, it is predicted that another 36,000 franchised units may not survive. Previously, the Malaysian government aimed to increase the number of franchise outlets from 10,720 in 2010 to 76,010 outlets in 2020, with an expected creation of 150,800 jobs and a projected GDP growth contribution of 9.4% (KPDNKK, 2016). To sustain this growth in the 21st century, franchise entrepreneurs must foster sustainable creative value while navigating the challenges of an evolving business environment and adapting to the global innovation process. Both internal and external limitations affect business survivability. This paper aims to explore franchise models by analysing different dimensions and strategies related to franchise business sustainability goals. Agency Theory, Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory, and Contingency Theory are integrated to examine the potential relationships between key variables and to develop a comprehensive research framework. A total of 241 franchisee companies from the food and beverage sector in Malaysia participated in this study. Data was collected through surveys and analysed using SPSS and Partial Least Squares (PLS) procedures to test the study’s hypotheses. This study contributes to both theoretical and practical knowledge by offering a robust research framework. It provides a clear understanding of the impact of selected variables as strategic factors influencing franchisee business sustainability. The findings can be beneficial for companies and academicians in developing effective strategies for the franchise industry.

MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIP OF ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCIES AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY IN COMMUNITY-BASED RURAL TOURISM HOMESTAY PROGRAMME

Nur Farrah Ain Zainuddin — 2025-09-22

This study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and economic sustainability in community-based rural tourism homestay programmes in the northern region of Malaysia. Familiar with the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory, the research explores how internal entrepreneurial competencies and skills serve as strategic resources that contribute to the economic sustainability of rural homestay operators. A quantitative research design was employed, involving 141 homestay entrepreneurs who responded to structured questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to assess the measurement as well as structural models. The findings depict a significant positive connection between entrepreneurial competencies as well as economic sustainability, confirming the importance of these competencies as critical drivers for long-term financial viability in rural tourism. The results provide substantial implications for policy makers and tourism development agencies in enhancing the entrepreneurial capacity of rural communities through targeted training and support initiatives.

THE INFLUENCE OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP, ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT, PROACTIVE PERSONALITY, AND AI LITERACY ON TASK PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF WORK ENGAGEMENT IN CHINA

Xi Wang — 2025-09-25

As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly transforms the manufacturing industry, understanding the human factors that influence task performance is vital. This research explores how transformational leadership, perceived organizational support, proactive personality, and AI literacy influence task performance among employees in manufacturing companies in Hunan Province, China. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the research examines the satisfaction of employees’ needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness promote work engagement, which serves as a mediator in these relationships. The study adopts a quantitative methodology, with the intention of collecting the data through structured surveys from employees in AI-integrated manufacturing companies in China. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) will be utilized to analyse the direct and indirect impacts of the independent variables on task performance via work engagement. The data will be collected and analysed, and the results are expected to indicate that transformational leadership, organizational support, proactive personality, and AI literacy significantly enhance task performance, both directly and indirectly, by boosting work engagement as hypothesized in this research. This research advances current knowledge by applying SDT in AI-enabled workplaces and is expected to offer practical recommendations for managers seeking to enhance employee motivation and task performance amid technological change.

CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, AND COST OF DEBT IN CHINA’S PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

Shiyi Wang — 2025-08-11

In China, one of the largest emerging markets, the growing public demand for sustainable development has led creditors to place greater emphasis on corporate environmental performance. This study uses a sample of 1141 firm-year observations of Chinese listed pharmaceutical companies from 2018 to 2022, to empirically examine the impact of corporate environmental disclosure (ED) on the cost of debt (COD), as well as the moderating effect of corporate governance on this relationship. By employing a Fixed Effects regression model, the results show that enhanced ED significantly reduces the COD. Furthermore, corporate governance plays a significant positive moderating role in this process. Similar results are obtained using the two-step system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation, which can address the potential endogeneity issues. These findings provide valuable insights for Chinese pharmaceutical companies on how enhancing ED and governance can help lower financing costs, leading to a better balance between profitability and environmental protection. Specifically, such improvements are likely to result in more favorable financing conditions, benefiting companies, creditors, and the public in an evolving market. This paper also offers practical recommendations for corporate managers, creditors, and policymakers, aiming to enhance environmental disclosure standards, integrate such disclosures into financial risk assessment frameworks, and strengthen the effectiveness of corporate governance.

LITERATURE REVIEW ON WELL-BEING AND RESILIENCE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Izmayani Sa’adin — 2025-09-19

In today’s fast-changing economic landscape, businesses must develop strategic approaches to ensure organizational success and staff retention. As digital transformation and AI-driven innovations workplaces, HR departments play a vital role in fostering well-being and resilience through technology-enabled strategies. Well-being and resilience are two fundamental ideas in Human Resource Management (HRM) that improve the performance of both employees and organizations. The present study evaluates the literature on well-being, resilience, and HRM viewpoints through an analysis of 15 peer-reviewed academic papers. The review is structured into two tables: the first presents article details (title, author, journal, and year of publication), while the second summarizes key findings and recommendations. Two primary findings are highlighted in the study: first, a variety of HR management strategies that are intended to improve individual and organizational performance; and second, the identification of well-being and resilience gaps and how HRM measures can address them. Ultimately, the effectiveness of HRM in improving performance depends on the combined efforts of individuals and organizations, as well as the integration of AI-driven innovations.

REWARD AND SUPERVISOR SUPPORT AS KEY DRIVERS OF EMPLOYEE RETENTION IN MALAYSIA

Yusmawati Hussain — 2025-09-23

Employee retention remains a pressing challenge for Malaysian organizations, driven by heightened job mobility and shifting workforce expectations. This paper examines the roles of reward and supervisor support as complementary drivers of retention, drawing on Social Exchange Theory to frame their combined influence. Rewards are positioned as sources of extrinsic satisfaction through fair compensation and recognition, while supervisor support provides socio-emotional resources that build trust, care, and organizational attachment. Together, these factors reinforce employees’ commitment and reduce turnover intentions, offering a more sustainable pathway to retention than when applied in isolation. By synthesizing recent empirical findings with theoretical perspectives, this study contributes to the academic literature on employee retention in emerging economies while offering practical guidance for managers and HR practitioners seeking to develop integrated retention strategies in Malaysia’s competitive labour market.

ASSESSING TAX AWARENESS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY TEKNOLOGI MARA: A STUDY ON ATTITUDE, MORAL, KNOWLEDGE & PERCEPTION TOWARDS TAX AUTHORITIES

Noorliana Safian — 2025-09-30

This study investigates the factors influencing tax awareness among undergraduate students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), with particular emphasis on tax knowledge, attitudes, morale, and perceptions of tax authorities. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the research explores how these elements shape students’ intentions and behaviours regarding tax compliance. Employing a quantitative approach, data were collected through a cross-sectional survey administered to a representative sample of 384 undergraduate students. The findings reveal that tax knowledge and positive attitudes towards taxation significantly enhance tax awareness, reinforcing previous literature that highlights the critical role of education in fostering compliance. Moreover, students' perceptions of the role and effectiveness of tax authorities were found to substantially influence their tax morale and intentions to comply. These results suggest that integrating comprehensive tax education into university curricula and enhancing the visibility and accessibility of tax authorities may meaningfully improve future taxpayers' awareness and compliance. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers and educational institutions aiming to cultivate a more informed and compliant taxpaying population in Malaysia.

ENHANCING PERFORMANCE IN SMES: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR AI ADOPTION THROUGH DIGITAL READINESS AND EMPLOYEE DIGITAL SKILLS

Hasfah Nurhanum Mustafa — 2025-09-19

In today’s rapidly changing digital era, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming business operations by enhancing efficiency, innovation, and productivity. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which play a vital role in driving economic growth, often struggle to leverage AI for competitive advantage. Despite the significant potential of AI to enhance SME performance, adoption rates remain relatively low due to technological and organizational barriers. This study applies the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework to investigate the factors influencing AI adoption in SMEs which impact on performance. This study, focuses on proposed conceptual model which combines technological factors (digital readiness) and organizational factors (employee digital skills) as key determinants of AI adoption. It seeks to bridge the gap in existing research by providing a structured approach to assess in-depth understanding into TOE constructs such as digital infrastructure readiness and employee digital skills. As a research proposal, this study will employ Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Reliability Analysis Cronbach’s Alpha to validate the conceptual model, followed by Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to examine relationships among key constructs. This finding will provide valuable insights for SMEs top management, government. policymakers and technology players by offering effective guidelines to enhance AI adoption and drive sustainable growth in the SMEs.

A REVIEW ON THE CONCEPTUAL APPROACH TO AGROPRENEURIAL EDUCATION: CULTIVATING ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION AMONG MALAYSIAN GRADUATES

Nur Shahafiqah Nadiah Jaffery — 2025-09-22

Agriculture is an important part of Malaysia’s economy. In recent years, more people have become interested in agropreneurship, which means starting businesses in agriculture. This paper looks at how university education can help graduates become agropreneurs by focusing on three key areas: agropreneurial curriculum, agropreneurship experiental learning, and university support. Using ideas from entrepreneurial learning theory and institutional support theory, this paper suggests ways universities can encourage students to become agropreneurs. A goo d curriculum should teach agribusiness, sustainable farming, money management, and market strategies. Agropreneurship experiental learning such as farm training, internships, and mentorship helps students apply their knowledge in real situations. Support from universities, like funding, business incubation programs, and expert advice, makes students feel more confident about starting an agro-business. This paper suggests that if universities improve their curriculum and provide more support, more graduates will choose agropreneurship as a career, helping Malaysia’s agriculture sector grow. The study can help universities, teachers, and policymakers create better agropreneurial education programs. Future research can test these ideas to see how well they work in real life.

SUPPORTING URBAN LIVING FOR PART-TIME ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES

Norina Haziqah Ismail — 2025-09-25

This study aims to investigate the challenges and support systems for part-time urban entrepreneurial activities in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It examines how urban space conditions the possibility of sustainability and growth of such initiatives, particularly in the case of marginalized groups, such as the urban poor. Entrepreneurial resilience, access to digital infrastructure, and the socio-economic context determine whether part-time entrepreneurship is a viable option. The study is statistical and measures information in a way that evaluates the lives, barriers, and resource needs of part-time entrepreneurs. The implications aim to inform targeted policy interventions and urban development approaches that foster inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems and support the creation of sustainable livelihoods in rapidly growing urban areas.

MAPPING THE RESEARCH LANDSCAPE ON AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP AND WORK PERFORMANCE: A BIBLIOMETRIC REVIEW

Sofiah Drahman — 2025-08-10

Authentic leadership has developed as a pivotal construct in organizational behavior research, particularly concerning its influence on employee work performance. Despite growing scholarly interest, the evolution, thematic structure, and research trends in this domain remain fragmented. This research aims to systematically map the global research landscape on authentic leadership and work performance using bibliometric analysis. The main objective is to identify publication trends, influential authors, core journals, collaborating countries, and thematic clusters that define the field. A total of 2,942 documents were retrieved from the Scopus database, spanning from inception until 2024. To ensure data consistency and reliability, OpenRefine was used for data cleaning and standardization. VOSviewer software was employed for co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence network visualizations, while the Scopus Analyzer provided descriptive statistics on publication and citation trends. The findings reveal a steady growth in publications over the last decade, with the United States, China, as well as the United Kingdom being the most prolific contributors. High-impact journals and key authors were identified, along with the most frequently cited articles shaping theoretical and empirical foundations. Keyword analysis indicated strong thematic linkages between authentic leadership, work engagement, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and employee performance. The co-authorship network suggests increasing international collaboration, while the co-citation analysis highlights a consolidated knowledge base anchored in leadership theory, positive psychology, and performance management. This review not only offers an in-depth overview of past and current research trends but also identifies underexplored areas and potential directions for future studies. The study contributes to the consolidation of authentic leadership research and provides a valuable reference point for academics, practitioners, and policymakers aiming to enhance employee performance through leadership practices rooted in authenticity.

ADOPTION OF CASHLESS PAYMENT TOWARDS MALAYSIAN CITIZEN IN TAPAH

Nurhasniza Idham Abu Hasan — 2025-09-19

The adoption of cashless payment systems in Malaysia has grown significantly, yet many citizens particularly in rural and less technologically developed areas still prefer traditional cash transactions. This study investigates the factors influencing the acceptance of cashless payment systems among Malaysian citizens in Tapah, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework. A structured questionnaire collected data from 384 respondents through convenience sampling, supported by descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression. Findings reveal that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence significantly impact users’ acceptance of cashless payment systems. Among these, performance expectancy showed the strongest influence, followed by effort expectancy and social influence. The data also indicate that preference for cashless methods strongly correlates with adoption, while income level did not have a statistically significant effect. Descriptive results show a generally positive perception toward digital transactions, particularly among younger, urban participants. The study's results confirm that systems perceived as efficient, easy to use, and endorsed by peers are more likely to be adopted. The findings provide useful insights for financial institutions, technology developers, and policymakers to enhance adoption by focusing on user-friendly system design, public education, and addressing social trust. By understanding the behavioral drivers behind digital payment use, this research supports Malaysia’s vision of fostering a secure, inclusive, and cashless digital economy. For future research, stratified random sampling should be considered across different Malaysian states or incorporate qualitative interviews to explore user attitudes in depth. Additional variables, such as perceived risk, trust, and facilitating conditions, could also be explored to provide a more comprehensive understanding of digital payment behavior.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE UNITED STATES HOUSE PRICE INDEX: A MULTIPLE LINEAR REGRESSION APPROACH

Nor Azriani Mohamad Nor — 2025-09-23

This study aims to develop a robust model for predicting the House Price Index (HPI) by analyzing its key determinants within the U.S. housing market. Utilizing a Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) approach, the analysis using R software. The findings indicate that several macroeconomic factors significantly impact the HPI. Through a stepwise selection process, Model 4, which includes the Stock Price Index, Consumer Price Index, Unemployment Rate, and Mortgage Rate, was identified as the best-fitted model. Despite the presence of some multicollinearity, this model demonstrated superior predictive power and a significantly higher Adjusted R-squared value of 0.9585 compared to alternative models. The results underscore the importance of a comprehensive analytical framework for understanding housing market dynamics. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and investors, offering a reliable tool for anticipating HPI trends and informing decision-making to enhance market stability and affordability.

THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) INTEGRATION IN ORGANIZATIONS

Noor Azizah Zamir — 2025-09-30

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a significant strategic challenge for organizations, extending far beyond technical implementation. While AI offers transformative potential for operational efficiency and decision-making, its adoption is fraught with critical issues. These include widespread employee resistance to change, fears of job displacement, significant digital skill gaps, and profound ethical concerns regarding responsible use. This study argues that effective leadership is the pivotal factor in navigating these challenges. Through a qualitative review of academic literature, industry reports, and case studies, this paper examines the essential leadership competencies required to support the integration of AI. We identify key leadership roles in strategic planning, ethical governance, change management, and employee engagement. Our findings indicate that leadership, particularly through strategic vision and planning, is the critical success factor influencing AI adoption outcomes. The study concludes that leaders must be proactive in guiding digital transformation, building trust, and fostering a collaborative culture between humans and machines. Practical recommendations are provided for leadership development, focusing on enhancing digital literacy, implementing ethical frameworks, and ensuring AI integration promotes both organizational performance and human-centric values.

NAVIGATING THE LABYRINTH OF SUBJECTIVE CAREER SUCCESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Siti Zaharah Safin — 2025-09-10

Subjective career success, an individual's own evaluation of their career achievement and satisfaction, is a critical yet immature construct in career research. The literature review addresses the lack of consensus regarding its measurement and conceptualization by synthesizing findings from 50 Scopus peer-reviewed articles (2010–2024). The study identifies determinants of subjective career success, including personal values, proactive behaviors, interpersonal relationships, and cultural contexts. Recognition, job satisfaction, and meaningful work are significant consequences. Despite these observations, gaps remain, including the creation of culturally responsive measures and addressing underrepresented populations, such as minorities and women. The overreliance on qualitative analysis, also indicate the need for longitudinal studies and mixed-methods research. The article integrates socio-emotional selectivity theory and the motivational theory of lifespan development to explain how subjective career success evolves across life stages. The findings provide action plans for organizations and individuals, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal values with career goals and establishing conducive work environment climates. Future research is suggested to focus on the refinement of measurement instruments, exploring diverse populations, and theory-practice gaps to enhance career satisfaction in dynamic working environments. This review contributes to both theoretical advancement and practice-based insights on subjective career success.

DOMINANT FACTORS OF WORK-LIFE BALANCE IN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN HOME-BASED FOOD BUSINESS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY FROM BANGLADESH PERSPECTIVE

Faria Islam Oridi — 2025-09-22

Purpose: The study aims to identify the factors influencing women entrepreneurs to balance their work and life while performing home-based business in Bangladesh. Methodology: A qualitative approach is adopted in this study. Both snowball and convenience sampling techniques are used to get the study participants. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, the researchers conducted 20 in-depth face-to-face interviews of women entrepreneurs from four districts including kushtia, jhenaidah, jashore, and khulna. Content analysis approach is applied to analyze data. Findings: The results of this study demonstrate that the main elements influencing the work-life balance of women entrepreneurs include multiple tasks, time management, social and family support, mental and physical health issues, dependent care, financial and socio-cultural factors. Furthermore, the study discovers that most of the respondent experience challenges in balancing their personal and professional lives. These challenges differ depending on demographic characteristics. Women entrepreneurs, who have supportive families, can reduce family conflicts related to business operations from home. The study also reveals that home-based food business creates the opportunity for women entrepreneurs to keep their family as the first priority. Practical Implications: The results will be useful in developing an all-encompassing framework to support women entrepreneurship in home-based food business. It will encourage women to start their business to achieve financial ability as well as personal fulfillment. The academicians can further scrutinize the dimensions of work-life balance to develop suitable balancing strategies for home-based women entrepreneurs. Moreover, the study findings will generate fundamental guidelines for policymakers in promoting entrepreneurial endeavors among women in home-based business.

PERSEKITARAN KERJA DAN PENGEKALAN PEKERJA: BUKTI EMPIRIKAL DARI LEMBAGA MINYAK SAWIT MALAYSIA (MPOB), SELANGOR

Suhaily Rozali — 2025-09-24

Tujuan pelaksanaan kajian ini adalah untuk meneliti kaitan antara persekitaran kerja dengan pengekalan pekerja. Kajian ini melibatkan para pekerja yang berkhidmat di Lembaga Minyak Sawit Malaysia, Selangor. Kajian ini menggunakan instrumen borang soal selidik dalam talian, yang terdiri daripada lima item berkaitan maklumat demografi serta sepuluh item menggunakan skala Likert. Pendekatan kuantitatif digunakan dalam kajian ini, yang melibatkan 305 orang pekerja Lembaga Minyak Sawit Malaysia sebagai responden. Data kajian ini dianalisis dengan menggunakan perisian Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) versi 26 bagi mendapatkan nilai min, peratus, kekerapan, korelasi Pearson serta menjalankan analisis regresi. Kajian ini mendapati bahawa persekitaran kerja memainkan peranan dalam mempengaruhi pengekalan pekerja. Analisis Korelasi Pearson menunjukkan hubungan yang signifikan antara persekitaran kerja dengan nilai pekali r = .530**, serta nilai signifikan kurang daripada 0.001. Keputusan ini disokong oleh analisis (ANOVA) yang merekodkan nilai signifikan .000 dan nilai F = 118.421, membuktikan bahawa model yang digunakan adalah signifikan sebagaimana tahap signifikan yang diterima iaitu p ≤ 0.001. Ini menunjukkan bahawa analisis regresi telah membuktikan wujud sumbangan yang signifikan antara persekitaran kerja dengan pengekalan pekerja. Nilai pekali bagi persekitaran kerja juga didapati signifikan (Sig = 0.000, t = 10.882). Dari aspek praktikal, hasil kajian ini turut menyumbang beberapa faedah dan kebaikan kepada organisasi yang dikaji. MPOB disarankan untuk memberi fokus kepada aspek persekitaran kerja yang kondusif dan selamat. Hal ini kerana apabila persekitaran kerja berada dalam keadaan kondusif, para pekerja akan berasa seronok untuk bekerja serta memperoleh kepuasan kerja yang jauh lebih baik.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between work environment and employee retention. The study was conducted among employees serving at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Selangor. An online questionnaire was employed as the research instrument, consisting of five items on demographic information and ten items measured using a Likert scale. A quantitative approach was adopted, involving 305 MPOB employees as respondents. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26, employing descriptive statistics (mean, percentage, and frequency), Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. The findings revealed that the work environment plays a significant role in influencing employee retention. Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated a significant relationship between the work environment and employee retention with a coefficient value of r = .530**, and a significance value of less than 0.001. This result was further supported by ANOVA analysis, which recorded a significance value of .000 and an F value of 118.421, confirming that the model used was statistically significant at p ≤ 0.001. Regression analysis also demonstrated a significant contribution of the work environment towards employee retention, with the coefficient found to be significant (Sig = 0.000, t = 10.882). From a practical perspective, the findings of this study provide valuable implications for the organization under investigation. It is recommended that MPOB should be focus on creating a conducive and safe work environment. A supportive environment enhances employees’ job satisfaction and motivates them to remain committed to the organization.

IMPAK BANTUAN RUMAH BAITULMAL TERHADAP KESEJAHTERAAN HIDUP ASNAF

Nur Afifah Fadzil — 2025-08-05

Baitulmal merupakan satu institusi yang mengendalikan harta orang Islam. Menerusi baitulmal, ia menjadi satu institusi kebajikan yang bertujuan membasmi kemiskinan dan membantu orang Islam dalam menelusuri kelangsungan hidup. Kajian ini memfokuskan kepada impak bantuan rumah baitulmal yang meliputi dua skop iaitu bantuan bina rumah baru dan bantuan baik pulih rumah. Metodologi kajian ini adalah berbentuk kualitatif dan menggunakan pendekatan temu bual separa berstruktur dan fokus berkumpulan. Responden yang terlibat adalah terdiri daripada 24 orang responden iaitu dua belas responden yang menerima bantuan bina rumah baru dan dua belas responden lagi yang menerima bantuan baik pulih rumah. Huraian data temu bual adalah dengan menggunakan pendekatan tematik. Hasil temu bual menunjukkan bahawa para responden memberikan respons bahawa bantuan ini memberikan perubahan positif dalam kualiti kehidupan mereka dan memberikan lebih keselesaan untuk berteduh. Bantuan ini juga merupakan satu tindakan efektif yang dilaksanakan oleh Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Istiadat Melayu Perlis (MAIPs) bagi memperbaiki keadaan kehidupan golongan asnaf.

Baitulmal is an Islamic financial institution that manages the wealth of Muslims, serving as a charitable body dedicated to alleviating poverty and supporting the Muslim community in sustaining their livelihoods. This study examines the impact of Baitulmal housing assistance, focusing on two types of support: the construction of new homes and the repair or renovation of existing homes. The study employs a qualitative methodology, using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 24 respondents participated in the study, 12 recipients of newly constructed houses and 12 recipients of home repair assistance. Data from the interviews were analysed using a thematic approach. The findings indicate that the respondents experienced a positive shift in their quality of life and greater comfort in their living conditions following the assistance. This initiative, implemented by the Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Istiadat Melayu Perlis (MAIPs), is shown to be an effective initiative in enhancing the well-being of the asnaf community.

FTSE KLCI DYNAMICS: IMPACT OF REAL INTEREST RATES AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INDEX

Evawaynie Valquis Md Isa — 2025-09-19

This study examines the impact of the Real Interest Rate (RIR) and the Industrial Production Index (IPI) on the movements of the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FTSE KLCI) from 2008 to 2023. As Malaysia transitions toward a more market-based financial system, critical issues arise regarding how macroeconomic variables affect stock market behaviour in an emerging market context. Despite the growing body of literature, there remains a gap in understanding how monetary and real sector indicators jointly influence stock market dynamics, particularly in the Malaysian context. RIR, which reflects the real cost of capital, affects corporate borrowing and speculative investment, while IPI serves as a proxy for economic productivity and industrial growth. This study applies a Random Effects Model to 16 years of FTSE KLCI data, using key diagnostics (ADF, VIF, Breusch-Pagan, Durbin-Watson) to ensure robust, reliable results. Findings show that RIR exerts a significant negative effect on stock market movements, suggesting that higher real interest rates act as a stabilizing force. In contrast, IPI has a positive and significant relationship with stock movements, indicating that industrial expansion increases market responsiveness. These results support the semi-strong form of the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH), affirming that public macroeconomic information is swiftly absorbed into asset prices. With strong explanatory power (R² = 0.9925), the study offers key insights into how macroeconomic factors shape stock market dynamics in Malaysia’s growing capital market.

ZAKAT WAKALAH DISTRIBUTION EFFECTIVENESS: INSIGHTS FROM ACCOUNTABILITY AND SOCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT IN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR

Naimah Zaini — 2025-09-22

Zakat has long been recognised as an essential instrument for socio-economic development in Muslim societies. In Malaysia, the practice of zakat wakalah, where zakat payers are authorised to distribute a portion of their zakat directly, has become an important mechanism to support social initiatives. Despite this, zakat institutions continue to face persistent criticisms related to transparency, efficiency, and accountability. While non-profit organisations have adopted performance measurement frameworks to evaluate their social outcomes and impacts, zakat institutions have yet to establish a structured approach to assess and communicate their social performance. This study addresses this gap by critically reviewing the literature on accountability, performance measurement, and Islamic social finance, with the aim of developing a conceptual framework for measuring the social performance of zakat wakalah distribution. The paper contributes theoretically by extending the application of performance measurement frameworks into the Islamic social finance context, and practically by providing zakat institutions with a foundation to enhance accountability, transparency, and stakeholder trust.

"FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREER SUCCESS OF FACULTY IN CHINESE PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES: A SOCIAL COGNITIVE CAREER THEORY (SCCT) PERSPECTIVE"

Chunlong Zeng — 2025-09-30

This study investigates factors influencing faculty career success in Chinese private universities through the lens of Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT). Quantitative and sequential mixed-methods data from 152 faculty across three provinces reveal that self-efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations significantly predict career success (β = .33, p<.001). However, policy instability catastrophically mediates this relationship, weakening the efficacy-success link by 72% when promotion criteria frequently change. Qualitative analysis of 18 dissonant cases identifies three adaptation archetypes: "Stealth Researchers" (embedding scholarship in teaching, 42%), "Compliance Pivots" (abandoning core research for institutional priorities, 33%), and "Exit Preparers" (seeking public-sector roles, 25%). The research critically expands SCCT’s environmental dimension, demonstrating how market-driven precarity transforms "support" into fluid constructs like peer networks and workload flexibility. Findings urge institutional reforms prioritizing policy consistency, mental health support, and strategic resource allocation to mitigate talent attrition in China’s commercialized higher education sector.

ELECTRONIC BANKING (E-BANKING) AND PERFORMANCE OF ISLAMIC COMMERCIAL BANKS IN INDONESIA

Hamdi Agustin — 2025-08-11

One of the cashless transactions implemented by Islamic Commercial Banks in Indonesia is internet banking or Electronic Banking (e-banking). The purpose This study to examine the impact of the implementation of electronic banking (e-banking) on the financial performance of Islamic Commercial Banks in Indonesia. The population of this study consists of all Islamic Commercial Banks in Indonesia from 2013 to 2023. According to the Islamic Banking Statistical Data from the Financial Services Authority (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan) in 2013, there were 11 Islamic commercial banks in Indonesia. Due to mergers of several Islamic banks, this study obtained data from 6 Islamic commercial banks as samples. The research findings indicate that the implementation of Electronic Banking (EB) has a negative effect on Return on Assets (ROA). This result is suspected to be caused by the costs associated with electronic banking services, such as infrastructure, maintenance, and human resources, which require higher expenses compared to the revenue generated from internet banking services. Moreover, the increasing frequency of updates to electronic banking services could potentially lower the bank's profitability (ROA) due to the significant costs associated with updating devices, which in turn reduces income. Overall, the costs incurred by Islamic banks to provide internet banking services involve various large cost components, ranging from system development and maintenance to transaction costs, security, and Sharia compliance. The variables of SIZE, DEPOSIT, NPF, and OEOI have an impact on the performance of Islamic Commercial Banks in Indonesia.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BELANJA DAPUR MYDIN PROGRAM: AN ANALYSIS OF UiTM ASNAF STUDENTS, JOHOR BRANCH, SEGAMAT CAMPUS

Mahasin Saja Mearaj — 2025-09-22

Belanja Dapur Mydin program is one-off initiatives organized by zakat unit of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor in collaboration with Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Johor (MAINJ). The program is implemented to help the non-resident of asnaf zakat of UiTM Johor in purchasing food stuff for their daily lives. This research is conducted to study the impact of financial aid from the implementation of the program to the asnaf students. This is to ensure that they can satisfy their daily necessities to survive in university life other than focus on their academic performance. This study uses qualitative method by using semi-structured interviews. The interview involves 10 non-residents of asnaf students of UiTM Johor. The interview is analyzed by using thematic approach. The result of the study shows that the informants give positive feedback after joining the program. It can be classified into freedom of finance and choice, economic benefit and daily support, appreciation and long-term hope, value of spirit and prayer and program improvement of time constraint. In conclusion, the program gives a big and positive impact towards asnaf students in terms of purchasing food for daily needs. It is also suggested that this sort of program needs to be implemented frequently with the involvement and collaboration of various organizations like educational institutions, non-governmental organization or private sectors. It is very important to ensure the program conducted remain competitive and give a long-term impact towards the asnaf students.

EXPLORING LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOURS THAT SHAPE SAFETY PERFORMANCE: A TRANSFORMATIONAL LENS

Nadwatul Husna Mustapha — 2025-09-24

This study examines the role of transformational leadership in improving employee safety through elements of motivation, guidance, enforcement, support for employees, and monitoring. Transformational leadership plays a key role in influencing employee safety behaviour and performance. By providing inspiration, guidance, and positive role models, transformational leaders can strengthen safety practices in the workplace, as well as ensure employees consistently adhere to established safety procedures. Furthermore, the study also emphasizes the importance of support to workers in the form of ongoing training, adequate rest, and recognition of their efforts, all of which contribute to improved workplace safety. Additionally, effective safety policy enforcement and monitoring, achieved through awareness campaigns, play a crucial role in ensuring employee compliance. The results of this study demonstrate that transformational leadership enhances employee motivation and strengthens the enforcement of safety policies, ultimately leading to an overall increase in employee safety.

UJIAN KESAHAN DAN KEBOLEHPERCAYAAN FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI BUDAYA KEUSAHAWANAN DALAM KALANGAN BELIA ASNAF DI PERLIS MENGGUNAKAN SPSS

Mohd Khairulnizam Zahari — 2025-08-05

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menguji nilai kesahan dan kebolehpercayaan faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi budaya keusahawanan di kalangan belia asnaf di Perlis. Kajian ini memberi tumpuan kepada tiga pemboleh ubah bebas, iaitu sikap keusahawanan, kemahiran keusahawanan, dan pendidikan keusahawanan, dalam membentuk budaya keusahawanan sebagai pemboleh ubah bersandar. Skop kajian melibatkan belia asnaf di negeri Perlis, yang merupakan kumpulan sasaran penting dalam usaha meningkatkan kesejahteraan sosioekonomi melalui bidang keusahawanan. Kaedah kuantitatif digunakan untuk mengumpul data daripada responden. Dalam kertas kajian ini, perisian SPSS digunakan untuk menguji kesahan dan kebolehpercayaan faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi budaya keusahawanan dalam kalangan belia asnaf di Perlis. Semua nilai bagi ujian kesahan dan kebolehpercayaan adalah signifikan dan boleh diterima.

This study aims to examine the validity and reliability of the factors influencing entrepreneurial culture among asnaf youth in Perlis. It focuses on three independent variables—entrepreneurial attitude, entrepreneurial skills, and entrepreneurship education—in shaping entrepreneurial culture as the dependent variable. The scope of the study involves asnaf youth in the state of Perlis, who represent a key target group in efforts to enhance socioeconomic well-being through entrepreneurship. A quantitative approach was used to collect data from respondents. SPSS software was employed to test the validity and reliability of the factors influencing entrepreneurial culture among asnaf youth in Perlis. All values obtained from the validity and reliability tests were significant and acceptable.

REVIVING AL-KASB: THE ROLE OF TAHFIZ AND PONDOK INSTITUTIONS IN CULTIVATING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Salman Hamzah — 2025-09-19

In an era of rising demand for ethical and sustainable economic practices, the Islamic concept of Al-Kasb, which emphasizes lawful and ethical earning, has regained scholarly and practical attention. This mini review investigates the potential of Tahfiz and Pondok institutions, two traditional Islamic educational models, in reviving Al-Kasb through the cultivation of social entrepreneurship. Drawing on interdisciplinary studies, the review explores how these institutions, deeply rooted in spiritual education and community engagement, can evolve into catalysts for value-driven enterprise. The discussion centers on three interrelated themes: social impact, institutional environment, and the integration of social entrepreneurship. Findings suggest that these institutions are uniquely positioned to instil Islamic ethical principles within entrepreneurial ventures aimed at community empowerment and sustainable development. However, challenges persist, including limited financial resources, lack of integration with formal systems, and insufficient context-specific models. The review highlights the need for culturally grounded, Shariah-compliant frameworks tailored to the lived realities of these institutions. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of how traditional Islamic education can intersect with modern social enterprise, reviving Al-Kasb in ways that are both ethically sound and socially impactful.

ANALISIS SCORE TERHADAP PENERAPAN ELEMEN KEUSAHAWANAN MURID SEKOLAH RENDAH DI MALAYSIA

Siti Nuur Rahmah Mahmood — 2025-09-22

Seiring dengan keperluan Revolusi Industri Kelima (IR 5.0), penerapan elemen keusahawanan dalam pendidikan sekolah rendah merupakan inisiatif strategik ke arah melahirkan generasi yang berdaya saing, inovatif dan berdaya tahan. Walaupun kepentingannya semakin diiktiraf, perbincangan mengenai usaha memupuk nilai keusahawanan—seperti pemikiran kreatif, kepimpinan, penyelesaian masalah, daya tahan dan keberanian mengambil risiko—dalam kalangan murid sekolah rendah masih terbatas dalam wacana pendidikan. Kertas konsep ini bertujuan untuk menghuraikan pelaksanaan elemen keusahawanan dalam kalangan murid sekolah rendah dengan menggunakan Model SCORE sebagai kerangka sistematik. Analisis konseptual dijalankan berdasarkan lima komponen utama model ini: Kekuatan, Cabaran, Pilihan, Tindakan dan Keberkesanan. Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa Model SCORE membolehkan guru dan pihak sekolah merancang intervensi pendidikan keusahawanan secara berperingkat dan bersesuaian dengan konteks setempat. Model ini turut menekankan kepentingan pendedahan awal, pembangunan profesional guru, penglibatan komuniti, dan pemantauan program secara berterusan. Kelemahan utama kajian ini adalah penumpuan kepada satu model tunggal; oleh itu, kajian lanjutan menggunakan kerangka alternatif seperti SWOT, TOWS, NOISE dan SOAR boleh menawarkan perspektif yang lebih luas. Penemuan ini membawa implikasi penting terhadap dasar pendidikan keusahawanan, reka bentuk kurikulum dan strategi latihan guru di peringkat sekolah rendah. Kajian empirikal lanjutan disarankan untuk menilai kesan pelaksanaan elemen keusahawanan terhadap sikap dan tingkah laku murid dalam konteks bilik darjah sebenar.

In response to the demands of the Fifth Industrial Revolution (IR 5.0), the integration of entrepreneurial elements in primary school is a strategic initiative to develop a generation that is competitive, innovative, and resilient. Despite its growing importance, discussions on fostering entrepreneurial values—such as creative thinking, leadership, problem-solving, resilience, and risk-taking—among young learners remain limited in educational discourse. This concept paper aims to elaborate on the implementation of entrepreneurial elements among primary school pupils using the SCORE Model as a systematic framework. A conceptual analysis was conducted based on the five components of the model: Strengths, Challenges, Options, Responses, and Effectiveness. Findings indicate that the SCORE Model enables educators and schools to design phase-based, context-specific entrepreneurial interventions. It also highlights the importance of early exposure, teacher professional development, community collaboration, and continual program monitoring. The primary limitation of this study is its reliance on a single model; therefore, future research employing alternative frameworks such as SWOT, TOWS, NOISE, and SOAR may yield broader perspectives. These findings have significant implications for entrepreneurship education policy, curriculum design, and teacher training strategies at the primary school level. Further empirical investigation is recommended to assess the model’s impact on students’ entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviours in actual classroom settings.

WOMEN IN THE BOARDROOM: CONTRIBUTIONS AND CHALLENGE IN MALAYSIAN COMPANIES

Suhaila Zainal Abidin — 2025-09-25

Despite recognising the important role of women directors in improving company performance, their representation on corporate boards remains limited, prompting ongoing debate. This study aims to explore the director's understanding of board diversity, its importance, and women directors' contributions and challenges to reveal the reasons behind the underrepresentation of women directors on corporate boards. The theoretical framework of the study is based on the agency, stakeholder, and resource dependency theory. Employing a qualitative research approach, we interviewed six directors from publicly listed Malaysian companies to extract subjective insights into the contributions and challenges associated with women directors in the boardroom. The findings reflect that the concept of gender diversity is generally recognised and valued by the respondents, primarily for reasons related to board effectiveness, representation and regulatory compliance. It also highlights the three key contributions of women directors in terms of stakeholder representation, decision-making, and engagement in CSR, which would result in enhanced company financial performance, good image and sustainability. However, respondents highlighted challenges in identifying suitable female candidates due to industry-specific knowledge gaps and limited talent pool awareness. This study contributes to understanding gender diversity in corporate governance and the complexities surrounding women's representation on corporate boards. It offers valuable insights for future research and organisational practices.