Labuan Bulletin of International Business and Finance (LBIBF)

FROM TEXTBOOKS TO CHEQUE BOOKS: CHARTING FINANCIAL LITERACY PATHS FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

2024-12-24T10:43:32+08:00

Being financially literate is fundamentally essential, especially for university students who are on the cusp of transitioning into the workforce and facing the challenge of independently managing their finances. This skill is particularly critical as they prepare to make significant financial decisions, navigate through various financial responsibilities, and establish a foundation for their future economic well-being. The primary objective of this study is to assess financial literacy among university students and explore variations based on gender, age, and academic programs. The study involved the participation of 299 university students, and data collection occurred both at the onset and culmination of the semester. The study's findings reveal that there exists no noteworthy gender-based disparity in terms of financial literacy. Nevertheless, notable distinctions emerged in the domain of basic financial literacy questions when analysed across different age groups, as well as in advanced financial literacy questions when scrutinized by the program of study. These findings bear relevance for educators and policymakers, as they suggest the necessity for tailored interventions aimed at augmenting financial literacy among university students. Furthermore, this study serves as a compass guiding future research endeavours in the realm of financial literacy.

DATA INSIGHT: DATA VISUALIZATION ON URBANIZATION AND MIGRATION PATTERNS OF THE MALAYSIAN POPULATION

2024-12-22T15:49:24+08:00

The demographic and economic environment of Malaysia has been impacted by two important phenomena: urbanisation and migration. The distribution of the population across the nation as well as the expansion and development of metropolitan centres have both been impacted by migratory patterns at the same time. Despite the importance of understanding the dynamics of urbanization and migration patterns in Malaysia, there is a lack of comprehensive data analysis on this topic. This research aims to design and develop an interactive dashboard that offers information related to the urbanization and migration patterns of the Malaysian population. Data analysis and data visualization for this project research were performed using Jupyter Notebook and Power BI framework. Agile methodology has been used in this research. The first objective of the research is to identify the system requirements for the data visualization on urbanization and migration patterns of the Malaysian population. The second objective is to design an interactive dashboard and the third objective is to develop an interactive dashboard of urbanization and migration patterns of the Malaysian population. The findings from the first objective are the functional and non-functional requirements of the system. The findings of the second objective are the storyboard, wireframe, flowchart and use case diagram, and the findings for the third objective are front-end development and back-end development for the data visualization. Findings from this research reveal that the factors for migration driven by economic opportunities, educational prospects, and family reunification, and business opportunities. Encouraging unrestricted access to the datasets and visualization tools can foster cooperation and additional study, leading to a more thorough comprehension of Malaysia's urbanization and migration patterns. This can benefit the data visualization industry and become applicable and effective in tackling the changing issues of urbanization and migration trends in Malaysia.

EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONSCIOUSNESS AND REPURCHASE INTENTION AMONG MALAYSIAN CONSUMERS

2024-12-17T11:11:14+08:00

The aftermath Covid-19 pandemic has reshaped consumer purchasing behavior. Driven by the need to avoid physical contact, people have become even more accustomed to purchasing via mobile. This phenomenon has resulted in changes in consumer purchasing behavior and habits, with many customers scrutinizing brands and pricing before making online purchases. This study used the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) paradigm to examine consumers’ consciousness behavior to explore information quality and perceived risk toward repurchase intention in Malaysia. Online questionnaires were disseminated to 149 mobile shopping users in Malaysia using a quantitative approach. The results demonstrated that information quality and perceived risk substantially affect awareness. The respondents only indicated information quality as a significant indicator for repurchase intent, and the study offers support on consciousness as a mediator between perceived risk and repurchase intention. The study has practical implications for online merchants and mobile commerce developers that seek to understand better consumer preferences and trends.

EMPOWERING FOOD SOVEREIGNTY AND SECURITY IN MALAYSIA: A FRAMEWORK FOR RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN FARMING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

2024-12-15T14:01:22+08:00

Malaysia experienced a shortage of chicken in 2022, leading to a surge in prices and significant strain on the broiler industry. At the same time, the supply chain of the industry was heavily controlled by cartels lead instability in the demand and supply of the industry. To overcome the issue Malaysia need to come out with an alternative model for the industry. One of the models that can be implemented is through the community's involvement in the industry. Therefore, this paper proposes a chicken farming framework that can reduce reliance on external sources and promote self-sufficiency and resilience among community members. It is developed based on a pilot project funded by the Ministry of Finance through a social enterprise development initiative, supported by the Johor State, Batu Pahat District Veterinary Office, local industry players, suppliers, and local entrepreneurs. The project is located in Parit Sulong, Batu Pahat, Johor with the involvement of 12 participants or small chicken farmers. Upon completion of three farming cycles, the participants were able to generate income increment from 5-10%. Based on that, this paper proposes a new framework focusing on empowering small-scale chicken farmers as new suppliers within the community through enhanced access to resources, capacity-building programs, and sustainable market integration initiatives. This framework can be used to support the sustainability the future of Malaysia's broiler supply chain.

GOVERNANCE APPROACH IN INSTITUTIONAL DECISION-MAKING TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL PATTERNS AND TRENDS

2024-12-20T10:40:54+08:00

This bibliometric analysis investigates governance approaches within institutional decision-making for sustainable development. Understanding the global trends, influential actors, and interdisciplinary collaborations shaping this crucial research area is a significant challenge. To address this challenge, a comprehensive bibliometric study was conducted utilizing Scopus and VOSviewer software, analyzing a dataset of 1800 documents published between 2003 and 2023. The analysis examined publication trends, identifying prominent authors and their affiliated institutions and characterizing the subject areas contributing to the field. Further investigations mapped keyword co-occurrence networks to highlight key research themes and explored the geographical distribution of research output to reveal patterns of international collaboration. Results indicate a substantial growth in publications over the past two decades, with a concentration of research in specific geographic regions and a strong emphasis on sustainability, environmental governance, and institutional decision-making processes within the analyzed literature. These findings provide valuable insights into the evolution of research in this critical area, highlighting dominant themes and collaborations and identifying potential areas for future research. The study contributes to a broader understanding of effective governance strategies for achieving sustainable development goals on a global scale.

SLOW MOVING PRODUCT IN RETAIL INDUSTRY: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF ISSUE AND CHALLENGE

2024-12-23T13:42:34+08:00

This study investigates the phenomenon of slow-moving products in retail, which is an area of great concern because of its implications on the management of inventory, the profitability of retail, and the sustainability of the business. Even though researchers have managed to shed light on retail dynamics, only a few have researched the implications of turnover for the slow-moving stock. Thus, this study intends to address this issue by examining the literature on slow-moving products in terms of authorship, focus countries, trending keywords, and research focus over the years. Employing Scopus Analyzer and VOSviewer software, 1,036 documents were examined to determine publication trends, influential countries in the field, and networks of co-authorship spanning 1963 to 2024. The analysis pointed to the fact that the number of publications after 2010 increased significantly, and this was after the introduction of data analytics and optimization techniques that address the issues of slow-moving inventory. It emerged that the United States, China, and several European countries dominate this field owing to a strong global collaborative network. In conclusion, the study established that the research on slow-moving products has evolved from the uni-dimensional focus towards multifaceted dimensions that include technology, supply chain, and environmental responsibility. These findings highlight the critical role of international collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches in addressing the complexities of slow-moving inventory in the retail industry. The insights generated by this analysis provide a foundation for future research and practical applications in inventory and supply chain management, as well as sustainable retail practices.

FINANCIAL LITERACY AND DIGITAL INCLUSION AMONG WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

2024-12-20T15:31:53+08:00

This systematic literature review (SLR) explores the financial literacy as well as digital inclusion intersection within women entrepreneurs, emphasizing the crucial role these factors play in fostering entrepreneurial success. The study begins by addressing the global rise of women entrepreneurs and the distinct obstacles they encounter in obtaining financial resources and digital tools, which are essential for business growth. The problem statement highlights the ongoing gender gap in financial literacy and digital inclusion, which limits women's entrepreneurial potential. To address this issue, we conducted a comprehensive search of scholarly articles from reputable databases such as Scopus and Econbiz, emphasising research published between 2019 and 2024. The study was organized according to the PRISMA framework, resulting in 26 final primary data sources that were analyzed. The findings are categorized into three themes: (1) digital financial literacy (DFL) as well as financial inclusion, (2) gender and financial inclusion, and (3) the influence of financial literacy with regard to business and economic development. The review also identifies key factors influencing this gap, including socio-cultural barriers, educational disparities, and limited approach to financial services as well as digital technologies. The conclusion emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and policy measures to strengthen financial literacy as well as digital inclusion within women entrepreneurs, thereby empowering them to fully leverage their entrepreneurial capabilities and contribute to economic growth. This study adds to the ongoing conversation about gender equity in entrepreneurship by providing insights for policymakers, educators, and practitioners who seek to support women within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

ILLUMINATING MARKET CAPITALIZATION DRIVERS IN MALAYSIAN BANKING SECTOR

2024-12-17T11:02:45+08:00

This study elucidates the drivers of market capitalization in the Malaysian banking sector by examining factors such as dividend yield, fintech disclosure, bank size, and return on assets (ROA) between 2018 and 2022. The study explores the complex dynamics influencing market capitalization by drawing on pertinent theoretical frameworks such as the Efficient Market Hypothesis Theory, Resource-Based View Theory, Signaling Theory, and Stakeholder Theory. The analysis explains how banks strategically respond to stakeholder interests by examining how dividend yield affects market capitalization via the lens of stakeholder theory. When fintech disclosure is assessed using Signaling Theory, it is discovered that investors' opinions of risk management techniques and technological innovation have a beneficial impact on market capitalization. Examined through the lens of Resource-Based View Theory, bank size shows a strong positive correlation with market capitalization, highlighting the benefits that larger banks have over smaller ones. Additionally, using the Efficient Market Hypothesis Theory as a guide, the study looks at the relationship between ROA and market capitalization, emphasizing how profitability influences investor confidence and financial resilience. The results highlight the strategic adaptability of Malaysian banks in matching the demands of stakeholders, legal specifications, and market conditions with their disclosure policies. Through the integration of insights from several theoretical viewpoints, this study provides a thorough comprehension of the multifaceted elements affecting market capitalization.

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF MEDIATORS, MODERATORS, AND SECTORAL VARIATIONS

2024-12-24T10:55:54+08:00

Although the positive impact of Transformational Leadership (TL) on Organizational Effectiveness (OE) is widely acknowledged, there remains a lack of understanding regarding the specific factors and conditions that optimize this relationship. This study addresses this gap by systematically reviewing 23 empirical studies across various sectors—including education, healthcare, banking, manufacturing, and hospitality—to identify the critical mediating and moderating processes that influence the TL-OE relationship. The findings show that TL impacts OE through varied mediating and moderating factors across sectors. Key mediators—including organizational commitment, job satisfaction, organizational culture, innovative behavior, and psychological empowerment—enhance the relationship between TL and OE. In addition, organizational structure, job demands, and knowledge sharing act as critical moderators, shaping the strength of this relationship. Each sector—education, healthcare, banking, manufacturing, and hospitality—presents unique contextual and operational characteristics that affect the effectiveness of TL, highlighting specific needs and challenges in implementing TL to enhance OE. These findings provide valuable guidance for organizational leaders, suggesting that customized TL approaches aligned with sector-specific characteristics and demands are important to optimizing OE.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND PRECISION AGRICULTURE: OPTIMIZING CROP MANAGEMENT AND YIELD_ A NARRATIVE REVIEW

2024-12-17T08:23:25+08:00

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in precision agriculture represents a transformative advancement in optimizing crop management and yield. This narrative article examines the role of AI technologies in enhancing agricultural practices by analyzing recent developments in AI-driven tools and methods. The review synthesizes findings from various studies to highlight the impact of AI on crop monitoring, predictive analytics, and decision-making processes. Key AI applications such as artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, crop management, yield optimisation are explored to understand their effectiveness in improving crop management strategies. The article identifies emerging trends and future research directions, emphasizing the potential of AI to address challenges in precision agriculture and promote sustainable farming practices

MAPPING THE SHIFT TO DIGITAL AUDITING: TRENDS AND INSIGHTS FROM A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

2024-12-24T11:02:32+08:00

The advent of digital technologies has transformed the auditing landscape, enabling enhanced accuracy, efficiency, and transparency in audit processes. However, integrating digital tools within auditing practices remains uneven, with significant gaps in understanding emerging trends and their implications. This study explores the advancements in auditing through digital technologies using bibliometric analysis to map the evolution and current state of research in this domain. Leveraging Scopus Analyzer and VOSviewer software, we systematically analysed 668 publications, spanning a wide range of scholarly works. The analysis focused on identifying influential authors and collaborative networks, as well as mapping keyword co-occurrence and citation trends. Results reveal a steady growth in publications since 2015, highlighting the increasing scholarly interest in topics such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and data analytics in auditing. Prominent clusters indicate a shift toward automation, fraud detection, and ethical considerations in digitally enabled audits. Despite these advancements, gaps persist in addressing the behavioural and organisational challenges associated with digital adoption in auditing. This study provides valuable insights into the trajectory of research in digital auditing, offering a comprehensive overview for academics and practitioners. By synthesising trends and identifying future research opportunities, our findings contribute to advancing the understanding of digital transformation in auditing and fostering its effective implementation in practice.

THE EFFECT OF E-WALLET ADOPTION TOWARDS THE SMES PRODUCTIVITY: A CONCEPTUAL VIEW

2024-12-23T04:16:26+08:00

Norm living during pandemic has completely change the way consumers perceive e-wallet. Businesses including SMEs has continued to offer using e-wallet as transaction method. This study aims to: (i) to determine the factors influenced e-wallet adoption among SMEs and (ii) to determine the impact of e-wallet adoption towards the organization’s productivity of SMEs. The past literature related with e-wallet adoption mostly focusing on the e-wallet user - the buyer in economic cycle. However, literatures on e-wallet adoption from the seller perception are limited. Hence, the theoretical frameworks build based on four variables from UTAUT with two additional variables for technology adoption. The potential outcome from this paper is performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating condition have a positive relationship with the adoption while perceived risk and perceived cost shows a negative relationship. Meanwhile, the exogenous variable of organisation productivity has positively affected by e-wallet adoption. The results presented in this study will be used to discuss both the current and upcoming research trends. This work will, in the end, aid researchers in better understanding the development of e-wallet use, particularly as it relates to sellers' perspectives.