Malaysian Journal of Business and Economics (MJBE)

ASSESSING ECONOMIC WELLBEING FOR DEVELOPMENT SUSTAINABILITY: A REVIEW ON A POTENTIAL PATHWAYS FOR SABAH

2024-11-19T15:21:55+08:00

Sabah, located on the island of Borneo in Malaysia, has a diverse economy driven by various sectors. Sabah's economy has historically relied heavily on agriculture. The state is renowned for its production of palm oil, cocoa, and other agricultural commodities. Sabah's fertile land and tropical climate make it well-suited for cultivation. Palm oil is a significant export commodity, contributing substantially to the state's economy. Sabah is blessed with rich biodiversity, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant indigenous cultures, making it a popular tourist destination. The state's attractions include Mount Kinabalu, one of Southeast Asia's highest peaks, pristine diving sites in places like Sipadan Island, and diverse wildlife in conservation areas such as the Kinabatangan River. Tourism plays a crucial role in Sabah's economy, generating revenue, employment opportunities, and foreign exchange earnings.

UNLOCKING RETIREMENT CHOICES: FACTORS SHAPING SAVINGS SCHEME SELECTIONS IN SABAH'S STATUTORY BODIES AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES

2024-11-19T15:47:11+08:00

This study was carried out to seek deeper understanding of why statutory bodies and local authority employees are more attracted to choose the Government pension over the EPF contribution as a retirement scheme. Specifically, it was conducted to examine the knowledge and understanding of retirement schemes available to them and to determine factors affecting employee’s evaluation of the Government pension and the EPF retirement schemes. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen 2000) was used as the research framework, and quantitative method was employed as the approach to research. There were three major findings from this research. Firstly, employees were aware, understand the choice and can differentiate between the two schemes. However, their awareness level was rather low for them to make informed choices. Secondly, social factors formed the basis in making the choice meanwhile psychological factors established the need to make the choice. However, economic factors were the determining factor in making the decision to choose a scheme. Income level, age, and gender were significantly moderating variables influencing the decision to choose a pension scheme.

PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH AGROTOURISM ACTIVITIES IN RANAU, SABAH

2024-11-19T16:04:08+08:00

Promoting sustainability through agrotourism is an excellent approach. Farmers could promote sustainability and provide opportunities for visitors to experience farming in addition to their own agricultural endeavors. One of the areas in Sabah that attracts most visitors is Ranau, which is recognized as a tourist destination and core for the agricultural sector. The study’s primary goal was to use agrotourism to promote sustainable development. Five farmers were randomly chosen for this study and conducted in-depth interviews to gather data using a qualitative methodology. Three stages of the coding method in qualitative data analysis were used to analyze the study’s results and produce fresh research findings. The results of the study indicated that agrotourism activities were a possible way to promote sustainability. Activities related to agrotourism have the potential to protect the environment, boost economic viability, engage communities and raise awareness and education. The local council and state government can make extensive use of these findings and prepare guidelines and policies. This would help the agrotourism sector, particularly in the Ranau district, which is a popular tourist destination in Sabah. It might also serve as a pilot study that other districts hope to promote their area as an agrotourism destination could utilize as a point of reference.

A STRATEGIC APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR SABAH

2024-11-20T10:24:33+08:00

The study aims to assess the sustainable development goals achieved by Sabah in comparison with the other states in Malaysia. The study revealed that in terms of infrastructure, health and education, Sabah is below the national level but the poverty rate and the unemployment rate seems to be otherwise. Thus it can be concluded that strategies planning clear, manageable and measurable mechanism should be established to evaluate the effectiveness of the policy towards achieving the sustainable goals.

NAVIGATING THE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT BY EVALUATING THE MINIMUM WAGE POLICY ON SABAH'S WORKFORCE

2024-11-20T11:58:00+08:00

The implementation of the minimum wage policy in Malaysia has yielded significant benefits for low-income workers, notably in reducing poverty and lifting many above the poverty line especially in Sabah. While the policy has faced criticism, its positive effects on the economy are evident through increased consumer spending and overall economic growth. Importantly, in Sabah, the policy did not result in significant adverse effects on employment, as initially feared. Instead, it contributed to higher wages and an improved standard of living for low-income workers in the state. However, the policy's impact has not been uniformly positive across all sectors, with some experiencing challenges that may require a more nuanced approach. Moving forward, a targeted strategy in setting minimum wage rates could be crucial to ensuring the policy's long-term success, balancing the needs of workers with the unique conditions of different industries.

THE DETERMINANTS OF WOMEN LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION IN SABAH

2024-11-20T12:03:18+08:00

This study aims to identify the determinants of women's labour force participation (WLFP) in Sabah. Despite government and NGO efforts to provide benefits to women, and an increase in WLFP rates, male labour force participation remains higher. The objective of this study is to identify the determinants of WLFP by examining the effects of education level, family considerations, and flexible working arrangements in Sabah. Specifically, it seeks to investigate the moderating effects of work-life balance, marital status, and occupation level on these factors and WLFP in Sabah. A quantitative approach was employed with a sample size of 127 women participating in the labor force in Sabah. The results, derived from multivariate analysis and PCA using SPSS, showed the demographic profile of respondents and descriptive statistics. Additionally, measurement model evaluations were generated through SmartPLS 4.0. The study found that education level, family considerations, and flexible working arrangements significantly affect WLFP. Furthermore, the moderating effect of work-life balance on the relationship between family considerations and WLFP was observed. Future research should emphasize the broader context of women's labour force participation, particularly in Sabah.

UNCOVERING THE FACTORS DRIVING MSMES TO EMBRACE GREEN FINANCE: A STUDY IN SABAH, MALAYSIA

2024-11-20T12:21:31+08:00

Green economy is an alternative path to accomplish sustainable development using green financing. Despite the Malaysian government has introduced various green funding, the participation from the Micro, Small and Medium-sized industries (MSMEs) is still considerably low. Therefore, this study sought to explore the predictors that influence the purchase of green financing among services and manufacturing MSMEs owners in Sabah. Guided by the theory of planned behavior (TPB), a research model was established, consisting of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. In addition, the theory of decision-making under uncertainty and theory of environmental attitude were incorporated in the present research model to build and measure the general attitude within the TPB framework. Using purposive sampling technique, the data was collected from a cross-sectional sample of 147 MSME owners through an online self-administrated questionnaire. Moreover, the research model was assessed using a PLS-based structural equation modelling technique to examine the hypothesized relationships. The findings highlighted that the constructs of TPB exert significant relationship on the behavioral intention except for subjective norm. Perceived behavioral control was also evidenced as a highly significant predictor of behavioral intention, followed by attitude.

FROM TOURISM TO GLOBAL RECOGNITION: ELEVATING SABAHAN BRANDS THROUGH TOURIST INFLUX

2024-11-20T12:41:48+08:00

This paper investigates the role of Sabah's tourism industry in promoting local brands on a global scale, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape where tourism is experiencing significant growth. Sabah, known for its natural beauty and diverse cultural heritage, has seen a notable rise in tourist arrivals, with over 2.5 million visitors recorded in 2023 and a projected 3 million for 2024. The tourism sector’s contribution to Sabah's economy is substantial, not only in revenue generation but also in creating employment opportunities and fostering local entrepreneurship. The study focuses on the concept of tourism branding, highlighting how Sabah can leverage its indigenous culture, biodiversity, and eco-tourism offerings to build a strong and distinctive "Sabahan" brand. This brand identity can differentiate the region from other destinations while promoting sustainable tourism practices. Through an analysis of the economic impact of tourism on local businesses, branding strategies for local products, and the unique opportunities offered by Sabah’s cultural and natural resources, the paper discusses how local businesses can overcome challenges and capitalize on tourism-driven growth. The study also explores the spillover effects of tourism across sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, and transportation, emphasizing the importance of an integrated approach to regional economic development. The paper concludes by offering recommendations for enhancing Sabah’s global brand visibility, suggesting that a well-executed tourism branding strategy could position Sabah as a premier destination for eco-conscious and culturally engaged travelers. The study underscores the potential of tourism as a driver of sustainable economic development and cultural preservation, creating a positive feedback loop between regional branding and tourist influx.

EXPLORING THE ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES POLICY IN SABAH

2024-11-21T09:33:19+08:00

This study explores the adoption and implementation of sustainable business practices in Sabah, Malaysia, in the context of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Plan 1.0 (2021-2025) and the broader goals of sustainable development. The research develops a policy framework tailored to Sabah's unique environment, emphasizing the integration of environmental stewardship, economic growth, and social equity. By reviewing existing policies and comparing them with successful international frameworks, the study identifies gaps and opportunities for enhancing sustainability in Sabah's business sector. The findings highlight the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and local communities in overcoming economic, technological, cultural, and behavioral challenges. The proposed framework aims to foster a balanced approach to development that preserves natural resources while promoting economic resilience and social well-being. The study concludes with recommendations for strengthening Sabah's policy framework to support and reward sustainable business practices, ensuring long-term environmental and economic benefits for the state.

ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND FUTURE OF FEMALE EMPLOYEES AT THE HOTEL INDUSTRY IN SABAH: A POST COVID-19 INVESTIGATION

2024-11-21T14:27:34+08:00

ABSTRACT

The hotel industry is one of the industries that was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the global shut down of travel and tourism throughout the pandemic. This inevitably affected the hotel industry and the numerous employees in the female-dominated industry. The impact of COVID-19 on the hotel industry and female employment in the industry is likewise observed in Sabah, a touristic state in Malaysia. This study aimed to investigate the issues and challenges faced by female employes to remain in the hotel industry in Sabah during the pandemic. In addition, the study also revealed the future prospects for women in the hotel industry following the pandemic. In order to uncover the insights of female employees in the hotel industry, a qualitative research design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to recruit respondents who worked in the hotel industry when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the nation and when the hotel industry started to re-open in Malaysia. A total of 12 female employees in the hotel industry in Sabah were interviewed to investigate their experiences as hotel employees. The data were then transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed the issues and challenges faces by female employees included the bleak outlook for the industry, having to achieve work targets, and managing team members. The findings of this study contributed to gender studies of the hotel especially in the midst of crisis and provide ideas for elevating women in the hostel industry.