Malaysian Journal of Business and Economics (MJBE)

ANALYSIS OF ELASTICITIES OF HOUSEHOLD FUEL TYPES IN THE NORTHEASTERN REGION OF NIGERIA

Maina, Yakaka Bukar — 2023-12-31

Demand for fuel types relies on how low their prices are and the household income. This study used secondary data obtained from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics General Household Survey (2021) to analyze household fuel demand sources in the North-East Zone of Nigeria. The study used the AIDS model. The results showed that all energy sources except kerosene were comfort goods (elasticities = 1). Kerosene was found to be a necessity (elasticity < 1). This means that households will demand more kerosene if its price falls, but they will demand significantly less kerosene if its price rises. All energy sources were also price elastic (elasticities = 1). This means that households will demand less energy if its price rises, and vice versa. Finally, the results showed that all energy sources had a complementary relationship (negative elasticities). This means that if the price of one fuel type rises households will demand more of other fuel sources. The study recommends that there should be Investment in grid expansion, LPG subsidies, and awareness campaigns for clean energy adoption by the relevant stakeholders which includes government, private, non-governmental organizations, development partners and civic society organizations.

EVALUATING THE BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION OF SMALL SNACK FOOD PRODUCTION ENTERPRISES IN CHINA BASED ON THE VARIM MODEL

Li Haibo — 2023-12-31

This paper examines the business model innovation situation, evaluation, and key factors of small snack food production enterprises in China and provides suggestions for enterprises. A questionnaire designed using the VARIM model evaluates business model innovation based on five aspects, combined with the influential role of relational resources, digital technology, and long tail theory. It is hypothesized that relational resources, digital technology, and long tail theory have a positive impact on business model innovation, and that the VARIM model assesses profitability potential. It is hypothesized that firms should utilize these factors for business model innovation to improve competitiveness and sustainability. The findings and conclusions of this paper are based on assumptions and speculations, which need to be verified and corrected by subsequent practical investigations.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE OUTCOMES OF COMMERCIALLY-ORIENTED ACADEMIC-INDUSTRY ENTREPRENEURIAL COLLABORATIONS

Kizito Emmanuel Nyeko — 2022-12-31

This study seeks to analyse the experience of academicians from foreign branch campuses and private universities in Malaysia and point out the multi-level factors that influence the outcomes of commercially-oriented academic-industry entrepreneurial collaborations. This study is cross-sectional and follows an explanatory factor analysis research design. Data was collected from 510 academics from 36 foreign branch campus universities and private universities using a simple random probability sampling method. First, only two multi-level factors, ‘age’ and ‘readiness to collaborate,’ are significant when testing the relationship between cross-functional engagement and the performance factor ‘effective knowledge transfer’. Second, only two multi-level factors, 'age' and 'readiness to collaborate’, are significant when testing the relationship between cross-functional engagement and the performance factor ‘effective knowledge transfer’. It categorises the various types of commercially-oriented academic-industry collaboration activities. Secondly, it illustrates the consequences of each kind of commercially-oriented academic-industry collaboration. Lastly, it measures the performance of commercially-oriented academic-industry collaboration against the performance variables in developing nations like Malaysia.

THE IMPACT OF REGULATORY MEASURES AND INTERNAL OVERSIGHT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF REGIONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS VIA SAP ACCRUAL BASE IMPLEMENTATION

Asrini, Amri Amir — 2023-12-31

ABSTRACT

This research aims to examine and elucidate the influence of regulations and internal controls on the efficacy of the regional financial management information system (SIPKD), mediated through the introduction of an accrual-based accounting system. Employing quantitative research methods, a questionnaire was utilized to gather data from 80 respondents in private capacities, including heads of OPDs, Budget User Authorities (KPAs), Budget Technical Implementing Officers (PPTKs), and Expenditure Treasurers across 20 Provincial Government Organizations (OPDs) in Jambi, Indonesia. The collected data underwent analysis using Wrap-PLS 7. The results demonstrated that the implementation of SAP accruals acted as a complete mediator, as direct regulatory measures and internal controls did not significantly impact the SIPKD's performance. However, when mediated through these two external variables, there was a significant positive effect on the SIPKD's performance. These findings imply the necessity of updating local governmental regulations and enhancing internal oversight to align with the SAP accruals policy, thereby achieving performance benchmarks for regional financial management information systems.

ANALYSING UNEMPLOYMENT DETERMINANTS IN MALAYSIA USING THE VECM METHODOLOGY

Ng, Kuang Yong — 2022-12-31

This research examines the factors influencing unemployment in Malaysia, considering both short-term and long-term perspectives through the utilization of the VECM (Vector Error Correction Model) methodology. After reviewing relevant literature, various macroeconomic indicators such as GDP growth, foreign direct investment, inflation, interest rate, and exchange rate were selected for analysis. Quarterly time series data spanning from (Q1) 2010 to (Q1) 2020 was employed for this study. Applying the VECM approach, the findings uncovered distinct relationships between these variables and unemployment. Specifically, a noteworthy positive correlation was observed between GDP and unemployment, indicating that as GDP increases, unemployment tends to rise as well. Conversely, in the short term, inflation displayed a significantly negative impact on unemployment, suggesting that higher inflation rates might be associated with lower unemployment rates temporarily. In the long run, the study identified a significantly positive relationship between GDP growth and unemployment. Intriguingly, foreign direct investment exhibited a notable increase in unemployment over the long term. Additionally, the causality test highlighted a one-way causal relationship from the identified determinants (GDP, inflation, foreign direct investment) to unemployment. Overall, this research underscores the complex interplay between key macroeconomic indicators and unemployment in Malaysia. The study's outcomes emphasize the significance of considering both short-term and long-term effects when analyzing the impact of economic variables on unemployment.

PERCEPTIONS OF MALAYSIAN CONSUMERS REGARDING THE RE-IMPLEMENTATION OF GOODS AND SERVICE TAX (GST) AND ITS IMPACT ON SPENDING BEHAVIOR

Swee Kiow Tan — 2023-12-31

This study examined the mediating effect of consumers’ awareness and perception on the re-implementation of the GST on consumer spending behaviour in Malaysia. The study involved 537 respondents in the online survey. Findings reveal that the GST rate and the tax system’s complexity positively influence consumers’ awareness and perception towards the re-implementation of GST. Additionally, demographic factors, consumer awareness and perception significantly impact on consumer spending behaviour. Interestingly, consumer awareness mediates the relationship between tax rate and consumer spending behaviour, but not consumer perception. Thus, this provides insights to various stakeholders such as scholars, consumers, industry players and the Malaysian Government.

EXAMINING THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE INTENTION TO REGISTER FOR HAJJ AMONG DEPOSITORS IN TABUNG HAJI SABAH

Mustafa Kamal — 2023-12-31

Registration for Hajj in Malaysia through Tabung Haji (TH) is a significant and religiously important process for Malaysian Muslims who wish to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Hajj pilgrimage is one of fundamental pillars of the Five Pillars of Islam and a compulsory religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey at least once in their lifetime. TH is a government-owned institution that specializes in facilitating the Hajj for Malaysian Muslims by providing comprehensive Hajj packages, support and guidance. Unfortunately, however, there are a significant number of TH depositors who are unaware of the need to register for Hajj as evident from the number of depositors who have not registered for Hajj against the number of depositors who are already eligible for Hajj registration. Thus, the aim of this study is to reveal the determinant that influence TH depositors in their intention to register for Hajj in Sabah. The study also notes the relationship between perceived behavioral control, ibadah personality and service quality with the intention to register for Hajj. The study applied a quantitative analysis by distributing survey questionnaires among TH depositors in the state. The findings indicated that all three factors, namely perceived behavioural control, ibadah personality and quality of the service, are the influencing reasons on the intention of TH depositors to register for Hajj in Sabah. This study is significant as it is one of the earlier studies in Malaysia, particularly in Sabah, that examine the intention to register for Hajj from the perspectives of TH depositors. Therefore, the findings will have the practical use particularly for TH to enhance their strategies in attracting TH depositors to register for Hajj.

ANTICIPATED AND UNANTICIPATED MONETARY VARIABLES EFFECTIVENESS IN MEASURING FINANCIAL STABILITY IN MALAYSIA DURING CRISIS

Caroline Geetha — 2023-12-31

This study aims to investigate whether the anticipated and unanticipated changes in monetary variables can influence stock returns during a crisis. The financial stability was measured by the stock returns which was the dependent variable of the study. The independent monetary variables used were the interest rate, inflation rate, exchange rate, money supply and the GDP. All the variables were measured in the form of anticipated and unanticipated monetary variables. The analysis began with a unit root test that revealed that both anticipated and unanticipated monetary variables were having unit root problems at level but not at 1^st difference. Thus, the variables were found to be integrated at 1^st difference. The ARDL method was used to establish the long-run relationship and error correction modelling for the short-run relationship. Monthly data from January 2010 to September 2020 were used. The anticipated monetary variables did have a long-run relationship with stock returns, but all the monetary variables were insignificant at a 5 per cent significance level. However, the anticipated monetary variables did establish a short-run relationship with stock returns. Unfortunately, when unanticipated monetary variables were used both short-run and long-run relationships were established. All the unanticipated monetary variables were significant in explaining the changes in the stock returns except for the unanticipated interest rate.

INVESTIGATING FACTORS INFLUENCING INTENTION TO BE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Thien Sang Lim — 2023-12-31

This study examines the factors associated with high school students' intent to pursue a career as a professional accountant. The study was prompted by a report that in 2020 the number of professional accountants in Malaysia was short of target. A research model was
developed based on the theory of planned behavior and data from 110 respondents were
analyzed. Data for this study was collected through an online survey. Targeted sampling was used to collect the data. The descriptive analysis was performed with SPSS 26, while the measurement model analysis was performed with SmartPLS 3.0. Based on the results,
there are significant associations between attitudes, the influence of friends and family, the
influence of teachers, and perceived behavioral control regarding the intention to pursue a
career as a professional accountant. The findings have implications for the role of parents
and teachers as the most important people in students' lives in deciding their future careers as professional accountants. The outcome of this study is intended to provide parents, teachers, and the school with information to develop positive attitudes in students and influence them in a way that may lead them to consider becoming a professional accountant.

TAX COMPLIANCE ECONOMY AMONGST TAXPAYERS IN KOTA KINABALU

Mohaneswari a/p Renganathan — 2023-12-31

The gig economy is a term used to describe an economic activity in which many short-term jobs are available, rather than permanent jobs, and is considered one of the various business models in the gig economy. This study examines taxpayers' views on their level of taxpayer awareness, trust in government and tax socialization on tax compliance in the gig economy. This paper therefore provides new insights into tax compliance studies by introducing the concept of gig entrepreneurship, which is increasingly becoming a popular segment of the economy, especially among the younger generation. The study was conducted among 10 participants in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and an in-depth interview was used to collect data for this study. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings of this study can be useful for the government to create a clear tax framework in promoting the gig economy in order to expand the tax base for the government.

A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS: MARKET SUSTAINABILITY FOR SECOND-HAND PRODUCTS

Ai Ling Lim — 2023-12-31

The rising global trend towards sustainable consumption has generated substantial interest in second-hand goods as a potential substitute for traditional purchases. Consequently, this study offers an in-depth bibliometric and literature review examination of academic research on second-hand commodities. The content explored herein is deemed to make a significant scholarly contribution to this area of study. A total of 401 eligible articles, authored between 1974 and 2022, were discovered using the appropriate keywords second-hand, pre-loved, or pre-owned. The bibliometric study reveals a consistent rise in the volume of academic articles concerning second-hand goods since 2019. Notably, the leading institutions producing this literature include Cebu Technological University, the University of Tehran, and the University of Hong Kong. Furthermore, the research uncovered five main subject areas: vintage and nostalgia, sustainability, circular economy, fashion, and sharing economy. Most studies of second-hand products focus on how design can enhance environmental performance. One of the five co-words analysis clusters scrutinises sustainable design users' behavior. This can help scholars in related fields select research partners and directions.