Malaysian Journal of Business and Economics (MJBE)

ASYMMETRIC EFFECTS OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND HUMAN CAPITAL ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: NEW EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN

2025-12-19T12:03:29+08:00

The aim of the current study is to examine the asymmetric nexus between FDI, human capital and economic development in Pakistan for the period of 1980-2021. Using a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model (NARDL), we investigate the impact of positive and negative shocks in FDI and Human capital on economic development. The NARDL bound test indicates evidence of co-integration between the variables used in the model. The results show that FDI has asymmetric effect on economic development in Pakistan, with positive shocks having a significant and positive effect on economic development in the long run and short run. While negative shocks in FDI has adverse influence on economic development. Similarly, human capital is found to have asymmetric effect on economic development, with increases in human capital having a positive and significant impact on economic development, while decreases in human capital have a negative and significant impact. In the long run labor force and natural resources have positive and significant relationship with economic development, but in the short run it is negative and significant link with economic development. In the last, this study recommended policies that the government encourages spill-over effect and diversify FDI to reduce dependence on a single sector, develop high-skilled workers by invest in education and training, increase flexibility and reduce rigidities in labor market, encourage entrepreneurship, implement sustainable management practices, invest in infrastructure and logistic to improve the efficiency of natural resources.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT AND JOB PERFORMANCE OF WOMEN EMPLOYEES: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF EDUCATION IN SABAH, MALAYSIA

2025-12-19T12:27:09+08:00

This study examined the relationship between career advancement and job performance among women in Sabah, Malaysia, focusing on the mediating role of education. Despite the growing emphasis on gender equity in the workplace, women continued to face significant obstacles in career progression, particularly in less developed states like Sabah, where cultural, familial, and psychological factors intersect with professional aspirations. Using a quantitative research method, data were collected from a sample of 390 women employed in both the public and private sectors in Sabah to examine the influence of key factors, including work-life balance, family responsibilities, and fear of success, on job performance. The findings revealed that both work-life balance and family responsibilities played a critical role in shaping job performance. At the same time, fear of success acted as a psychological barrier that prevented women from reaching their full career potential. Education, as a mediating factor, significantly enhanced job performance and career advancement opportunities by equipping women with the necessary skills and confidence to overcome societal and psychological barriers. The study suggested that workplace policies and educational initiatives tailored to these factors can substantially promote gender equity and improve women’s professional outcomes in Sabah.

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE DIVERSITY AND EXCESS CEO PAY: THE MODERATING EFFECT OF FAMILY OWNERSHIP

2025-12-26T11:58:50+08:00

This study examined how remuneration committee diversity influences their perspectives, which, in turn, influences excess CEO pay using an unbalanced panel of 3,290 public listed firms in Malaysia (2017-2021). The study also explored whether family ownership played a moderating role in this relationship between committee diversity and excess CEO pay. Using an index based on demographic characteristics (gender, age, ethnicity) and cognitive characteristics (education backgrounds, financial expertise, multiple directorship), the study found that aggregate measures better capture diversity than individual attributes. Findings indicated diverse committees exercise greater restraint regarding excess CEO pay, while family ownership reinforces oversight roles, addressing literature gaps across developed and emerging economies. Furthermore, the association between remuneration committee diversity and excess CEO pay was strengthened by family ownership, mitigating type 2 agency conflicts. The study contributes significant influence of a country’s institutional setting on the monitoring effectiveness of remuneration committee diversity which contributes to the ongoing discussion on excessive CEO pay.

HOUSEHOLD SIZE DOES MATTER IN SHAPING LOCAL FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS (FMCG) PURCHASING INTENTION IN SABAH

2025-12-30T22:58:21+08:00

This study investigates the impact of household size and age on consumer purchase intentions for locally produced fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) food and beverage products in Sabah, Malaysia. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behaviour, which highlights the influence of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control, this study aims to examine how these demographic factors shape consumer support for local FMCG food and beverage products. Although various government initiatives have been introduced to promote local consumption, empirical evidence on how household size and age affect consumer behaviour in the FMCG sector remains limited. Data were collected from 356 valid responses via an online self-administered questionnaire using snowball sampling. The study examined two (2) independent variables, household size and age, and their relationship with purchase intention, defined as consumers’ willingness to buy locally produced FMC food and beverage products. One-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests were employed for analysis. The results indicate that household size has a statistically significant effect on purchase intention, with larger households demonstrating higher intention to purchase local products. In contrast, no significant differences were found across age groups, suggesting that support for local FMCG food and beverage products is relatively stable across generations. These findings have practical implications for both marketers and policymakers. Larger households may respond better to strategies such as value-driven promotions, bulk packaging, and family-focused campaigns. Meanwhile, the lack of significant age differences supports the use of inclusive marketing strategies that appeal across demographic boundaries. Future research should expand the demographic scope and explore behavioural factors such as trust, convenience, and product familiarity, which may mediate the relationship between consumer characteristics and purchase intention.

MONETARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY INTERACTIONS IN MALAYSIA: IMPLICATION FOR TRADE

2025-12-30T23:44:10+08:00

This study examines the interactions between monetary and environmental policies in Malaysia and their combined impact on sustainable trade. Drawing on Ecological Modernization Theory (EMT), the research investigates whether macroeconomic tools such as interest rates and inflation can be effectively coordinated with environmental indicators like carbon emissions to promote trade openness. Using annual time-series data from 1990 to 2020 and applying the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach, the study estimates both short-run and long-run relationships among trade openness, monetary variables (interest rate and inflation), macroeconomic indicators (GDP per capita and exchange rate), and environmental performance (CO₂ emissions). The results reveal the existence of a stable long-run cointegration relationship among the variables. In the long run, inflation is found to significantly reduce trade openness, whereas exchange rate depreciation and economic growth enhance trade integration. Moreover, CO₂ emissions exert a negative and statistically significant effect on trade openness, demonstrating that environmental sustainability has emerged as a critical determinant of international competitiveness. Short-run dynamics indicate that inflation and economic growth have immediate effects on trade activity, while environmental impacts operate primarily through long-term structural channels. The findings also highlight that trade openness, although beneficial for economic expansion, is associated with increased environmental pressure. These outcomes emphasize the importance of integrated policy mechanisms to balance economic competitiveness with environmental sustainability. By extending EMT to include monetary dimensions, this study contributes to a more holistic understanding of sustainable development policy and offers actionable insights for policymakers navigating Malaysia’s transition toward a low-carbon economy.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES IN ISLAND TOURISM: A CASE STUDY OF LAYANG-LAYANG ISLAND RESORT

2025-12-26T16:20:19+08:00

This study examined the sustainable development challenges faced by Layang-Layang Island Resort within the context of island tourism. The research investigated key operational, economic, environmental, and political factors affecting sustainability and explores strategies to enhance the resort's competitive advantage. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected from 55 tourist reviews and in-depth interviews were conducted with resort employees. Findings revealed that there were significant challenges in the context of sustainability, including limited recreational offerings, environmental pressures, operational constraints, and regulatory uncertainties. The study concluded with recommendations for improving sustainability and enhancing visitor engagement, highlighting the interconnectedness of these challenges and the need for a holistic approach for sustainability in island tourism.

THE EFFECTS OF DEMOGRAPHICS AND INSURANCE PLAN CHARACTERISTICS ON MEDICAL CLAIMS IN EMPLOYER - SPONSORED HEALTH INSURANCE

2025-12-30T23:18:59+08:00

Accelerating health care costs because of technological advances and a higher prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases have contributed to the rising costs of providing health care benefits by many employers. This study identified the factors affecting medical claims for hospitalisation under employer-sponsored health insurance (ESHI) plans where the premiums are partly sponsored by the employer. Data were extracted from one of the government statutory bodies in Malaysia that provides private health insurance coverage to its employees. The research is novel for the fact that government employees are eligible for almost free health care benefits at public health institutions, but the institution in this study offers private health insurance. We use the two-part model (TPM) to identify factors that affect the probability of filing at least one claim and also to identify the determinants of total expenditure incurred during the period under study. The results reveal that marital status, age, type of plan, and premium level are significant factors that determine the probability of claiming, while age and gender significantly influenced the amount of claims. Therefore, understanding the design of health benefits and the composition of employees and their expenditures on health care is a continuous process in ensuring that the health benefits program is not only appropriate but also sustainable. The implications of the study extend beyond the local context, offering valuable lessons for employers, insurance providers, and policymakers worldwide in balancing cost efficiency with employee well-being.

IMPACT OF ONLINE ADVERTISEMENT ON CUSTOMERS’ PURCHASE INTENTION TOWARDS ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCTS: A STUDY ON YOUTH CUSTOMERS OF BANGLADESH.

2025-12-31T00:25:39+08:00

This study examines the impact of online advertising on the purchase intentions of youth customers toward organic food products in Bangladesh. Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was employed as the theoretical foundation, leading to the development of seven hypotheses derived from existing literature. Primary data were collected through a self-structured questionnaire using a non-probability simple random sampling method, with responses from 345 youth customers across Bangladesh. The dataset was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21 and Microsoft Excel LTSC Professional Plus 2021, applying descriptive statistics, reliability testing and multiple regression analysis. The results indicate that customer information, entertainment, rewards, advertisement value and credibility significantly influence youth customers’ attitudes toward organic food products. Furthermore, attitude was found to play a crucial role in shaping purchase intention. These findings highlight the importance of well-designed online advertisements in promoting organic food consumption among young consumers in Bangladesh. The study provides valuable implications for marketers and policymakers in designing effective digital advertising strategies to foster sustainable consumer behavior.

THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL NETWORKS ON THE ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENSION OF TUNISIAN WOMEN

2025-12-31T00:35:51+08:00

This study aims to investigate the impact of different types of social networks—informal (strong ties such as family and friends) and formal (weak ties such as support organizations and entrepreneurial associations)—on the entrepreneurial intention of Tunisian women.

A quantitative approach was employed, involving a structured survey administered to a sample of 100 Tunisian female entrepreneurs. The data were analyzed to assess the influence of both informal and formal social network components on entrepreneurial intention.

The results indicate that informal social networks play a more significant role in shaping the entrepreneurial intention of Tunisian women compared to formal networks. Specifically, having a close entrepreneurial role model, favorable subjective norms, and support from family and friends are key factors that strengthen entrepreneurial intention more effectively than access to support organizations or affiliation with entrepreneurial associations.

BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS ON THE RESEARCH ON LOCAL OFFICIALS IN CHINA BASED ON CITE SPACE

2025-12-26T16:55:50+08:00

Local officials, acting as dual agents who embody both state and social roles, constitute a crucial element in local governance. Based on the literature about Chinese local officials within the WOS database from 2001 to 2023, this current paper employs CiteSpace 6.2.R6 software to analyze the number of publications, research countries, research institutions, and keywords in this field. The results reveal that the number of publications has increased significantly since 2018. Both China and the United States exhibit a substantial lead in the number of published articles. Most of the publishing institutions are top universities in China, with Peking University, Renmin University of China, and Fudan University ranking in the top three. The keyword analysis of the literature discloses that the current research hotspots of Chinese local officials mainly focus on official promotion, economic performance, official turnover, and environmental governance. Furthermore, the relationship between officials and environmental governance emerges as a prospective research trend. Visualizing the research hotspots of Chinese local officials and comprehensively summarizing the research progress in this field can serve as a valuable reference for scholars to enhance future research in this field.