Academic Journal of Business and Social Sciences

Do Oil Price Volatility and Exchange Rates Affect International Tourist Arrivals Asymmetrically? A Case Study of Sabah

Lily Jaratin — 2024-12-17

This study examines the asymmetric effect of exchange rates and oil price volatility on international tourist arrivals in Sabah, Malaysia, using a nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model. The study findings showed there is long-run cointegration amongst the studied variables. In addition, the results also showed a significant and inverse long-run relationship between exchange rates, oil price volatility, and international tourist arrivals for both positive and negative series of exchange rates and oil price volatility. However, only the volatility of oil prices has an asymmetric influence on international tourist arrivals, where a decrease in oil price volatility has a more significant effect than an increase, indicating that positive information, such as a decline in oil price volatility, has a greater influence on tourist arrivals in Sabah. Thus, these findings highlight the importance of incorporating economic considerations with asymmetric effects into models of tourist arrivals. Practically, the findings provide significant insights for tourism stakeholders, allowing for more informed decision-making and strategic planning. Acknowledging potential limitations, such as the study's narrow focus on Sabah and excluding other potential factors is essential. Future research can expand the analysis to include additional variables and investigate additional destinations to provide a complete understanding.

Enhancing Quality Education through Comprehensive Teacher Education: A Systematic Review of Literature

Badriya Ambu-Saidi — 2024-12-22

This paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) focusing on the pivotal role of teacher education in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which emphasizes inclusive and equitable quality education for all. The review synthesizes key themes emerging from a thorough analysis of selected research articles, highlighting areas such as evaluation and assessment in teacher education, innovative teaching approaches, continuous professional development, student-centered learning, feedback and assessment practices, teacher perceptions and support systems, and policy implications and educational reforms. The analysis procedure involved a rigorous thematic analysis of the selected literature, where the data were coded, categorized, and synthesized into seven critical themes. Each theme was examined in-depth, drawing on empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of how teacher education contributes to the broader goals of inclusivity, equity, and quality in education. The findings offer valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers aiming to enhance educational practices and outcomes.

Exploring the Integration of M-Kids Mobile Apps in Preschool Education: Assessing Readiness

Wan Irma Sabrina Idris — 2024-12-22

The reality for children today is that their education and all areas of learning demand tech, but many parents (and even educators) worry about the amount of screen time the kids are getting. Digital products become part of education, and it is important that these tools are appropriate for the development stage on which they focus. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, 1.57 billion students were out of school across over 190 countries worldwide driving home a critical need for outside-the-box education solutions. One such solution is the M-Kids Mobile Apps, which use serious games to support Islamic preschool education while adhering to developmentally appropriate practices (DAPs). This study examines the effectiveness of the M-Kids Mobile Apps through two phases: (1) by observing 150 preschool children aged 5 to 6 years during the app's implementation, and (2) through a post-implementation survey assessing usability from the perspectives of teachers and parents. This survey evaluates the app’s efficiency in engaging children and supporting their cognitive development and behaviour. Findings from the study revealed that the M-Kids Mobile Apps significantly improved children's understanding of moral and Islamic values, with 82% of parents and teachers expressing satisfaction, particularly with the app's ability to help monitor children's behavioural development and performance. By integrating the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Design and Islamic Design Principles, the M-Kids Mobile Learning Applications have enriched the learning experience for preschool children, fostering both cognitive and behavioural growth. Still, worries persist about how more time on screens might affect young children. The study can be considered crucial because it investigates the advantages and drawbacks of utilizing digital applications for preschoolers with prominence on moral & cognitive development. Validation of the educational use of screens through this M-Kids app, which tries and ensure a more organized approach with its agenda-oriented driver for consideration. One of the research questions will be discussed on, whether educational screen time can enhance learning without the negative effects typically linked to digital devices.

Factors Impacting Teacher’s Organizational Citizenship Behaviour

Mohd Azrin Akmar Md Kamar — 2024-12-22

The informal connections between teachers' Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB), school environment, competency level, empowerment and team commitment have not received much empirical attention. Additionally, the influence of certain aspects of job satisfaction and organizational commitment on teachers' overall community benefit is seldom given much thought. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine whether these values had any real bearing on the OCB and how it affects the organization among the teachers at the school in Alor Setar. This study is significant because it looks into the OCB of teachers and how they contribute to the education sector, which is growing more and more important in Malaysia. To find out how these interactions affect teachers' OCB, pertinent hypotheses have been established, tested, and investigated further. In this study, 400 primary school teachers from Alor Setar were involved in completing the questionnaires. The results showed that the school environment, competency level, empowerment, and team commitment significantly influenced teachers' OCB. These findings were validated by the Pearson correlation analysis.

Greenwashing: Analysing the Discrepancy Between Environmental Rhetoric and Corporate Practices

Michele Lee Mei Siew — 2024-12-22

Amid the global spotlight on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, companies are increasingly challenged to align their sustainability initiatives with tangible results and transparent communication. This paper examines the extent to which the marketing language used in corporate reports aligns with the documented substantive environmental initiatives. The study analyses data from twenty-four major food and beverage companies, exploring the extent to which these firms fulfil their plastic pledges and the potential impact on their ESG risk ratings. Findings reveal that while companies are progressing toward their green goals, many fall short of achieving at least 30% of their intended initiatives. With only 20% of companies attaining this benchmark, the paper delves into the fine line between sustainability adaptation and greenwashing. The findings highlight the important alignment of marketing claims with real-world actions, and the adoption of multifaceted approaches to assess corporate sustainability in the pursuit of a more sustainable future for businesses and the environment.

Hybrid Learning in Malaysian Public Universities: Balancing E-Learning Platform Quality and Student Satisfaction

Nor Irwani Abdul Rahman — 2024-12-22

Advancements in Information Technology (IT) have revolutionized various sectors, including education, with e-learning emerging as a pivotal medium in higher education. This study explores the determinants of e-learning success, particularly focusing on student satisfaction in Malaysian public higher institutions during the hybrid learning model, which includes two years of remote study followed by on-campus completion. Utilizing DeLone and McLean's IS Success Model, the study investigates the impact of technology, design, and e-learning environment on student satisfaction. A quantitative methodology was employed, involving 315 students. Results from Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses reveal significant positive correlations between e-learning design, technology quality, and the e-learning environment with student satisfaction. Notably, technology quality exhibited the strongest influence, while the e-learning environment showed a weaker, non-significant relationship. The study concludes that enhancing e-learning platform design and technological infrastructure is crucial for improving student satisfaction. These findings offer valuable insights for educational institutions aiming to optimize e-learning platforms, addressing challenges such as infrastructure limitations and accessibility issues, particularly for students from rural areas. The research contributes to the academic discourse on e-learning, providing a foundation for future studies to further explore the complex dynamics of online higher education success.

Inheritance Risk Management and Tax Breaks for Family Businesses

Murad Ali Ahmad Al-Zaqeba — 2024-12-22

This paper delves into the intricate landscape of inheritance risk management within family-owned businesses, emphasizing the utilization of tax benefits as a crucial aspect of navigating these complexities. Maintaining the longevity of family enterprises across generations is imperative for preserving wealth and ensuring economic stability. However, challenges such as intricate inheritance laws and potential estate taxes can impede smooth ownership transfers within family structures. Through an exploration of various legal frameworks and inheritance planning approaches, this paper investigates strategies aimed at mitigating these challenges. Estate planning instruments, such as wills and trusts, are examined for their role in safeguarding family enterprises against discord arising from inheritance disputes. However, this paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of various inheritance planning approaches in mitigating risks within family-owned businesses, evaluate the impact of current tax breaks and incentives on long-term profitability and succession planning for family enterprises. Moreover, the methodology employed in this study centers on a comprehensive review of scholarly articles, legal documents, government reports, and industry publications. The findings underscore the significance of strategic inheritance planning and tax optimization in ensuring the longevity and prosperity of family businesses. This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the intricate dynamics of inheritance risk management and tax planning within family-owned businesses. By offering practical insights and recommendations, it aims to empower family enterprises to navigate complex challenges effectively and sustainably. Future research endeavors could focus on examining the behavioral responses of individuals and families to inheritance taxes and their implications for wealth transfer strategies, conducting comparative studies across different jurisdictions to understand variations in tax implications for gifts and inheritance, longitudinal research to monitor the effects of tax law changes on wealth transfer effectiveness and family business sustainability.

Marital Status as the Mediator Role towards Work Engagement on Life Satisfaction Among Working Women in Sabah, Malaysia

Elpidia Juli — 2024-12-22

Background: Work engagement is a good practice in work organizations and very important in this world today. In addition, work engagement has been implemented in many studies for two decades. Women populations are higher than men and they are highly needed to get involved in labor force to improve the stability of economy. However, in Malaysia, DOSM (Department of Statistics, Malaysia) produced statistics on where women that involved in labor force still lower than men. In addition, very few studies focused on work engagement among working-class women towards their life satisfaction in Sabah, Malaysia. Objective: This research aims to test marital status as the mediator role towards relationship between work engagement and life satisfaction among working-class women in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Methodology: A total of 348 working women in public sectors in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia participated in the study by using snowball sampling method. An online questionnaire and physical questionnaires distributed to the respondents at government sectors. Result: Working-class women’s marital status fully mediates the relationship between work engagement and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), which is one of dimensions in life satisfaction. Further research is needed to investigate specific marital status that has higher level of mediator role towards the relationship between work engagement and life satisfaction among working-class women in Sabah, Malaysia.

The Factors affecting Occupational Stress: A Case Survey at District Office and Land of Kota Setar

Mohd Zuhairy Zakaria — 2024-12-22

Workplace stress is indeed a global concern, impacting individuals, organisations, and economies alike. Occupational stress is a critical issue that often results in burnout, adversely affecting employees’ job performance and overall satisfaction. This research aimed to identify the factors impacting occupational stress among workers in the District Office & Land of Kota Setar, Kedah Darul Aman. The study included 108 employees as respondents, and data were collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, correlation, and regression were conducted on the obtained data. The findings revealed that work overload had a positive and significant relationship with occupational stress, while organisational support and growth opportunities were negatively associated with stress levels among the workers in the mentioned district. This study is significant as it will increase the understanding of the management of District Office & Land of Kota Setar on the factors and the preventive measures that should be taken to reduce the employees’ stress and enhance the employees’ performance towards achieving the organisational objectives and sustainability.

The Uses and Gratifications of TikTok among the Gen Z in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Wei Liang Ng — 2024-12-22

This study investigates Generation Z's interaction with TikTok in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Employing the uses and gratification framework, this study analyses user motivations, usage patterns, and satisfaction. A quantitative approach using surveys and demographic data collected (N=313) reveals a diverse sample with balanced male and female representation and ethnic backgrounds. The findings demonstrate that TikTok is evolving into a participatory platform, with users dedicating significant time to engaging with personal interests. User motivations for TikTok use are driven by a combination of cognitive, affective, escapist, and social needs, ultimately fulfilling a desire for gratification. These insights offer valuable strategies for content creators, marketers, educators, and policymakers to enhance their engagement with Generation Z on TikTok. The study highlights the platform's potential for entertainment, education, and fostering online communities. Additionally, it contributes to a deeper understanding of TikTok's role in contemporary digital culture and its impact on youth engagement in Malaysia and beyond.

Unveiling the Influence of Employees’ Intrinsic Motivational Factors on Work Performance in the Malaysian Banking Industry: Investigating the Role of Psychological Ownership as a Mediator

Kamalesh Ravesangar — 2024-12-22

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effect of psychological ownership on the relationship between intrinsic motivating factors and front-line employees’ work performance at banking sectors in Malaysia. Basically, this study examines the influence of four independent variables which categorized as intrinsic (Achievement, Personal Growth, Advancement and Responsibility) motivating factors whereas dependent variable is front-line employees’ work performance. This study was conducted to identify problems concerning work performance of front-line employees which specifically on poor employee retention, work-related stress, and inflexibility in Malaysian banking sectors. Personal distribution and online mail questionnaires were used as research tools in this study. A total of 3700 front-line employees were chosen as respondents for the questionnaire, but only 370 are entitled for further analysis. The survey data was collected over the course of one month. The results stated that only responsibility and advancement have significant positive influence on front-line employees’ work performance whereas personal growth have positive impact on psychological ownership. Meanwhile, the four independent variables do not have any effect on work performance with the existing of psychological ownership. The findings of this research will assist bank management in implementing effective strategies for improving employee work performance that eventually led to business growth.