Labuan Bulletin of International Business and Finance (LBIBF)

DUAL-MARKET BOND DYNAMICS: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ISLAMIC AND CONVENTIONAL SHORT- AND LONG-TERM INSTRUMENTS AMID SHIFTING MONETARY POLICIES

Amirul Ammar Anuar — 2026-06-23

This study examines the yield dynamics of Malaysian sovereign bonds, focusing on short-and long-term instruments and the distinctions between conventional bonds and Islamic bonds (sukuk) during the dynamic period from 2019 to 2025. This study first analyzes how short- and long-term bond yields respond to monetary policy changes and then compares the yield behaviors of bonds and sukuk across these categories. This study employed a combination of descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and t-tests on data from Malaysian sovereign debt instruments. The findings reveal that both short-term bonds and sukuk are highly sensitive to interest rate changes, reflecting their role as immediate indicators of monetary policy shifts. In contrast, long-term bonds are more responsive to inflation expectations and GDP growth, which aligns with theories of long-term yield dynamics. Notably, no statistically significant difference in returns is observed between conventional bonds and sukuk, suggesting similar performance in terms of yields. Amid dynamic market conditions, evolving policies, and the unique challenges faced by emerging economies such as Malaysia, particularly those with dual-market structures, these findings validate existing theories and provide critical insights for policymakers, investors, and researchers, especially in the context of dual-bond markets during periods of market volatility.

ISLAMIC WORK BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH GOODNESS

Hanudin Amin — 2026-06-23

This work examined Islamic work behaviour and mental health goodness in Malaysia. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) was used in this study with the integration of perceived piety and mental health goodness. A total of 404 respondents from two public universities were analysed. The findings reported favourable outcomes in which all observed factors were statistically important. Besides, Islamic work behaviour was significantly related to mental health goodness. The results obtained were confined to public universities and the theory selected. Furthermore, the results obtained serve as a useful reference guide for top management to consider Islamic work behaviour for employees’ training and productivity. In fact, the framework developed in this study reflects the specific topic of Islamic work behaviour and mental health goodness, sourced from the context of Malaysia.

OIL PRICE IMPACTS AND SECTORAL VULNERABILITY: EVIDENCE FROM A MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRY

Shariff Umar Shariff Abd Kadir — 2026-06-23

The study investigates the differential exposure of Malaysia’s key economic sectors such as agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, and construction to oil price shocks. Employing a Structural Vector Autoregression (SVAR) model with short-run zero restrictions, the analysis disentangles the dynamic transmission mechanisms linking global oil price fluctuations to sectoral output in a resource-dependent, middle-income economy. The findings reveal that positive oil price shocks have a statistically significant and generally beneficial impact across all sectors, with mining and quarrying showing the highest sensitivity due to its direct link to global energy markets. Manufacturing, construction, and agriculture follow in descending order of responsiveness, reflecting differing degrees of international exposure and domestic value chain integration. By modelling these asymmetric sectoral responses over a long historical period, the study contributes novel empirical insights into the macroeconomic implications of resource dependence and offers valuable guidance for policymakers in managing external commodity-driven volatility.

EXPLORING CRYPTOCURRENCY ADOPTION AMONG UNDERGRADUATES’ STUDENTS

Sia Sapini — 2026-06-23

This study investigates determinants of cryptocurrency adoption among Malaysian undergraduates through an extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework, extended variable. Employing a quantitative design, data from 271 students at Universiti Malaysia Sabah were analysed via partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings reveal performance expectancy, social influence, and trust as significant positive predictors of adoption, whereas effort expectancy and facilitating conditions exhibited non-significant effects. The study’s originality lies in contextualising UTAUT within Malaysia’s under-researched tertiary education sector, highlighting trust as a critical socio-cultural determinant often overlooked in technology adoption models. Practical implications suggest that universities and policymakers should prioritise cryptocurrency literacy programmes and regulatory frameworks that enhance platform security to foster informed adoption. A limitation is the single-institution sampling, which constrains generalisability; future research should explore demographic variables (e.g., age, discipline) and cross-cultural comparisons. By bridging theoretical and empirical gaps, this work advances understanding of behavioural drivers in digital finance, offering actionable insights for academia and Southeast Asia’s evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

CUSTOMER BEHAVIOUR TOWARD SHARIAH-COMPLIANT DIGITAL GOLD SAVING: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Muhammad Shahrim Bin Sehak — 2026-06-23

The results of the study are not significant, which is a gap that researchers should address in this paper. Previous studies have found that customers use bitcoin currency a lot in their digital gold savings. Researchers need to conduct a study on customer behavior in Shariah-compliant digital gold savings. For example, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), Gold Investment Accounts (GIA), and Digital Gold Wallets. This is because bitcoin currency is not exchanged in the form of physical gold and has an element of gharar in its investment. The literature review also explains that market price modeling, bitcoin currency protection, and related phenomena. This is because bitcoin currency cannot be Ar-Rahnu to obtain the value of gold leased digitally to physical. This study aims to identify customer behavior in Shariah-compliant digital gold savings in Malaysia. Therefore, the theory used in this research is the Theory of Planner Behaviour (TPB) to measure the extent to which customers use digital gold platforms to saving gold that is Shariah-compliant.

DIFFERENCES IN PERCEPTIONS, EXPERIENCES, AND JOB SATISFACTION BETWEEN THE GENDERS IN THE CAMBODIAN ACCOUNTING PROFESSION

Oknha Eam — 2026-06-23

This study investigated gender-based disparities in workplace perceptions, experiences, and job satisfaction among accountants in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Utilizing a cross-sectional, quantitative methodology, survey data from 102 respondents were analyzed. Results indicated no significant differences in workplace experiences or satisfaction levels between genders. However, gendered differences emerged in how professional qualities and workplace environments influenced job satisfaction. For male accountants, job satisfaction was significantly related to professional qualities, whereas female accountants associated it more with workplace environments. These findings underscore the importance of inclusive workplaces and provide a basis for further exploration into systemic inequalities.

BRIDGING BUSINESS PROCESS INNOVATION AND DATA ANALYTICS VALUE CREATION: A BIBLIOMETRIC AND THEMATIC REVIEW OF GOVERNANCE-ORIENTED RESEARCH

Siti Farah Norbaini Mohamad — 2026-06-30

The convergence of data analytics and Business Process Innovation (BPI) has become a critical driver of organizational value creation, yet the role of governance as an integrative mechanism remains fragmented across existing research. Despite substantial investments in analytics capabilities, many organizations struggle to translate data-driven insights into sustained business value due to misalignment among analytics, processes, and governance structures. This study addresses this gap by conducting a comprehensive bibliometric and thematic review of governance-oriented research linking data analytics and BPI. Data were collected from the Scopus database using an advanced keyword-based search strategy encompassing Data Governance, Data Analytics, BPI, Value Creation, Digital Transformation, and Big Data Analytics, resulting in a final dataset of 902 publications published between 2016 and 2025. The analysis employed Scopus Analyzer for descriptive statistics, OpenRefine for data cleaning and harmonization, and VOSviewer for bibliometric mapping, including keyword co-occurrence, citation analysis, and co-authorship network visualization. The results reveal significant, accelerating growth in publications, particularly after 2021, with dominant research themes centred on digital transformation, big data analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and organizational performance. However, governance-related concepts appear less central within the network, suggesting a persistent fragmentation among the governance, analytics, and process innovation research streams. Furthermore, citation analysis shows that highly influential studies predominantly focus on analytics capability and digital transformation, with limited explicit integration of governance perspectives. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that while the field is rapidly expanding, it lacks a cohesive, governance-oriented framework to effectively bridge BPI and the creation of value from data analytics. The findings provide a strong foundation for future research to develop adaptive governance models that align analytics capabilities with business processes to achieve sustainable value creation

THE PRACTICE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL AGILITY AND SMALL BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS: LESSON FROM LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Ayobami Elegunde — 2026-06-30

One of the challenges of small businesses in developing economy like Nigeria is the ability to compete with medium and large businesses especially the multinational firms in the market. This demands that it is important for small businesses to be agile in their approaches to compete. Thus, the study examined the practice of entrepreneurial agility and its influence on the competitiveness of small businesses operating in commercial hub of Nigeria which is Lagos. The study adopted descriptive research design as well as simple random sampling. Data were collected from the primary source. The data collected from the respondents were to subjected diagnostic test and regression analysis was employed for the analysis of data. Findings indicated that continuous innovation has a significant effect on small businesses competitiveness in Lagos metropolis. Opportunity identification has a significant effect on small business competitiveness in Lagos metropolis. The study therefore concluded that entrepreneurial agility is a significant determinant for small businesses competitiveness in Lagos State. It was recommended that small businesses in Lagos State should continue to be innovative and improve on the existing innovation in line with market demands. Also, small businesses should continue to seek and pursue business and economic opportunities that occur in the environmental changes for competitive purpose(s). The study added to the body of knowledge on entrepreneurship literature by introducing the concept of entrepreneurial agility and as it is being practised by the small businesses in a developing economy like Nigeria. The introduction of entrepreneurial agility makes the study to be novel. The perspectives (continuous innovation and opportunity identification) of viewing entrepreneurial agility makes the study to be original and adds value to the existing body of knowledge.

A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF HOW FINANCIAL BEHAVIOUR DRIVES EFFECTIVE DEBT MANAGEMENT

Fatin Basirah Samli — 2026-07-07

The growing complexity of personal financial environments has intensified the importance of understanding how financial behaviour influences effective debt management. Despite increasing attention, the literature remains fragmented, with limited synthesis of the field’s intellectual foundations and the progression of emerging research trajectories. To bridge this deficiency, this bibliometric analysis embarks on the development, key themes, and collaborative patterns in research on the role of financial behaviour in effective debt management. Data was systematically extracted from the Scopus database based on three core keywords: “personal debt management”, “financial behaviour”, and “effective measures”. A total of 136 peer-reviewed documents were identified and analyzed using the VOSviewer alongside Scopus Analyzer. The findings demonstrate an increase in publication output, particularly after 2015, indicating growing academic interest in behavioural aspects of financial decision-making. Keyword co-occurrence analysis reveals thematic concentrations around financial literacy, personal finance, and debt, alongside emerging topics including financial stress, sustainability, and digital financial practices. Additionally, co-authorship network analysis identifies the United Kingdom and the United States as principal contributors, underscoring high levels of scholarly output and robust patterns of international research collaboration. These findings underscore the multidisciplinaries, integrating insights from economics, psychology, and finance. The study concludes that financial behaviour holds a central and decisive influence in the formation of efficient debt management strategies, alongside increasing emphasis on behavioural interventions and financial education. This bibliometric evidence provides a foundation upon which subsequent research and policy formulation can be developed, with the aim of strengthening financial well-being while reducing debt-related vulnerabilities.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN GREEN LOGISTICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL RESEARCH TRENDS (2016-2026)

RENUGALA M SHOLLUNAYAGAM — 2026-07-07

The environmental impact of logistics operations has accelerated the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance operational efficiency and environmental performance. However, research on AI-enabled green logistics remains fragmented, limiting a comprehensive understanding of its intellectual development. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of AI-enabled green logistics research using 1,929 peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus between 2016 and May 2026. Following data cleaning with OpenRefine, performance analysis and science mapping were conducted using VOSviewer and Scopus analytical tools, including citation, keyword co-occurrence, and co-authorship analyses. The findings indicate rapid publication growth since 2020, with machine learning, intelligent transportation systems, optimisation, emission reduction, and energy efficiency emerging as dominant research themes. The United States, China, and the United Kingdom lead global research collaboration, although the field remains conceptually fragmented with limited theoretical integration. This study provides a comprehensive knowledge map, identifies key research gaps, and proposes future research directions for AI-enabled green logistics and environmental performance.

BENEFITS OF VENDOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY: A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW

Lizah Majid — 2026-07-08

Vendor Development Programmes (VDPs) are increasingly recognised as strategic mechanisms for strengthening buyer and supplier relationships, improving supply chain efficiency, and driving innovation. This study explores the benefits of VDPs within the oil and gas sector, an industry characterised by complex supply chains, stringent quality requirements, and high operational risks. The findings suggest that VDPs provide notable advantages to buyers, including enhanced cost control, assured supply reliability, and preferential treatment from suppliers. For suppliers, VDPs create opportunities for bilateral knowledge sharing, capability enhancement, reputational growth, and sustained business expansion. By fostering collaboration and long-term partnerships, VDPs demonstrate their potential to transform procurement practices into value driven and innovation focused processes, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and competitive oil and gas supply chain.