Malaysian Management Journal

SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CONSUMPTION AND EXPENDITURE ON VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS AMONG YOUTH IN MALAYSIA

2022-04-24T12:48:58+08:00

Consumption of vitamins can lower the risks of various noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Nevertheless, only a small proportion
of adults in Malaysia consume vitamin supplements, and this may contribute to the increase in the prevalence of NCDs across the country. Despite the high prevalence of NCDs and low consumption of vitamin supplements, there is insufficient research that assess individuals’ use and expenditure on vitamin supplements. The objective of the present study is to examine the effects of sociodemographic factors on vitamin supplement spending among youth in Malaysia. The primary survey data were collected using convenient sampling (n = 482). In addition to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), a lognormal hurdle model was used to explore factors affecting consumption and amount decisions of vitamin supplements. Results of the present study showed that higher-income and less-educated individuals spent more on vitamin supplements compared to lower-income and welleducated individuals. Expenditure on vitamin supplements was higher among Chinese than Malays. Being male and married increased the likelihood of consuming vitamin supplements. In conclusion, sociodemographic factors play an important role in determining consumption and expenditure on vitamin supplements. With the present study’s findings, policymakers could better understand which cohorts of the Malaysian population to be focused on. Therefore, a more effective policy directed towards promoting the use of vitamin supplements can be formulated.

THE EFFECT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ON EARNINGS MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA’S FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: MODERATING ROLE OF CEO COMPETENCY

2022-08-22T10:23:18+08:00

The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating effect of CEO competency on the relationship between corporate governance (CG) and earnings management (EM) of Nigerian financial firms. The sample covered 37 financial firms listed in the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) from 2010 to 2019. This study adopted a panel regression estimator to analyse the testable hypotheses. It was found that CEO competency only moderated the relationship between audit committee and EM but not on the other CG variables. This finding implied that CEO competency was important when accounting oversight was in balance with EM. While the agency hypothesis on CG was supported, the study upheld the idea that CEO competency undermined EM. As a result, the study advocates for broader CEO oversight and resource measures, including CEO remuneration and CEO social capital, to lessen the impact of CG in the EM of financial institutions. The effect of the Covid-19 crisis on the link between CG and EM should be the subject of future studies. Future research should examine how the Covid-19 issue affects the CG mechanism’s ability to reduce EM and determine whether the effect is positive or negative.

EFFECT OF SERENE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN MALAYSIA

2022-06-29T10:22:20+08:00

The effect of business environment on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has been widely studied. Nevertheless, research on the effect of a serene business environment on the performance of SMEs is insufficient, notably in the context of Malaysia. Therefore, this study examined the effect of a serene business environment on SMEs’ performance in Malaysia. Related literature was critically reviewed, and five hypotheses on the effect of serene business environmental factors on performance were formulated. By adopting the cross-sectional survey design, the data of 148 respondents were collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools – Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Partial Least Square – Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). From the empirical findings, Malaysia’s serene business environment is critical in stimulating the performance of SMEs. Financial market environment, technological environment, and regulatory environment exerted a positive significant effect on SMEs’ performance. Nonetheless, economic environment and competitive environment indicated a strong, but negative significant effect on SMEs’ performance. These findings proposed new insights in this field of research by providing relevant research implications and suitable recommendations to business managers and policymakers in Malaysia.

CRISES AS HARBINGERS OF OPPORTUNITIES: AN EMPIRICAL INSIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AS MODERATOR BETWEEN ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY AND STRATEGIC AGILITY

2022-07-29T22:33:08+08:00

The upstream oil and gas businesses in Nigeria suffer from insufficient absorptive capacity, poor knowledge management in
their operations, and a lack of capability to address difficulties in the country effectively. These factors impeded their capacity to be
strategically agile in reacting to the sector’s issues, eventually stifling their performance. This study investigated the moderating influence of knowledge management on the relationship between absorptive capacity and strategic agility in the upstream oil and gas industry of Nigeria. A survey research design was used. Instruments were sent to the upper and intermediate management of upstream oil and gas businesses in Lagos State. The validity and reliability of the instrument were examined, and the findings indicated that the questionnaire was valid and reliable. Smart Partial Least Square (PLS) 3.0 was used for data analysis, coupled with Structural Equation Modelling. The research indicated that absorptive capacity had a substantial impact on strategic agility and that knowledge management strengthened the association between absorptive capacity and strategic agility among the chosen upstream oil and gas enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study recommended that upstream oil and gas businesses employ good knowledge management methods and construct excellent absorptive capabilities to financially engage strategic agility measures
that will guarantee greater success than their sector competitors. The study’s theoretical and managerial ramifications, as well as its limits and future research opportunities, were discussed.

EFFECTS OF EXTENDED VALUE CHAIN ACTIVITIES ON PROFIT EFFICIENCY IN MALAYSIAN PLANTATION COMPANIES

2022-11-01T19:41:39+08:00

The palm oil industry in Malaysia is the main driver of Malaysia’s agricultural sector due to its significant contribution. High demand
and attractive earnings of palm oil have attracted high participation from plantation companies in this industry. Therefore, this study
aimed to assess the level of profit efficiency of plantation companies involved in different value chain activities, as well as the factors that influence the profit efficiency of these plantation companies. A total of 40 Malaysian plantation companies listed in Bursa Malaysia from 2000 to 2018 with different value chain activities were examined using panel data. The evaluation of profit efficiency was based on data analysis, which included working capital costs, labour costs, and property, plant, and equipment (PP&E) costs that affect the plantation companies’ profit function. The parametric approach, also known as Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), was used to assess
the profit efficiency of these plantation companies empirically. The results revealed that the average profit efficiency of 40 plantation
companies was 60.3 percent, implying that an estimated 39.7 percent of profit was lost due to a combination of technical inefficiencies and allocative inefficiencies in plantation companies. Other findings were based on value chain activity categories (pure upstream plantation companies and downstream integrated plantation companies), whereby downstream integrated plantation companies had the highest profit efficiency (76.6%) when compared to the pure upstream plantation companies (54.2%). As a result, the study showed that plantation companies engaged in extended value chain activities were more profit efficient than plantation companies that did not extend their value chain activities (referring to pure upstream plantation companies).

THE AGILITY AND COMPASSIONATE LEADERSHIP OF THE NEXT NORMAL

2023-01-05T13:32:15+08:00

This research investigates insight into how leaders could lead the rising waters of the Covid-19 pandemic with agility and compassion.
Based on pertinent literature, leaders must redefine their leadership mindset to harness team behavioural change toward team dynamics in organizational resilience. Through phenomenological research of eight companies’ leaders, a proposed model was presented to define the behavioural shift that facilitates leaders in orientating team mindset while embracing compassion. The next normal needs of the organization on the change of leaders’ behaviour, implying that building unique and pleasing agile and compassionate practices would lead to an improved organizational team workplace. This focuses on leaders’ efforts to empower teams through a cohesive concept to enable long-term team success. The research contributes to the body of knowledge through its constructivist approach and identification of underlying team dynamics pivotal for organizational resilience.

BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS AND SWOT ANALYSIS IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF COMPETITIVE STRATEGY: A CASE STUDY VCI INDONESIA COMPANY

2023-03-20T11:59:04+08:00

This study aims to develop an advanced business model canvas (BMC) by incorporating the results of a SWOT analysis in the context
of VCI Indonesia Company. The research focuses on understanding the competitive strategy of VCI Indonesia Company, particularly
those that emphasize natural ingredients and target specific consumer segments. To achieve this, interviews were conducted to gather insights related to the nine pillars of BMC and SWOT analysis from VCI Indonesia Company. The collected data was then analyzed, resulting in the compilation of BMC and SWOT analysis tables. The findings of the study highlight the competitive advantages of VCI Indonesia Company in utilizing natural ingredients and their potential for expanding and implementing new marketing strategies. By incorporating the SWOT analysis results into an enhanced BMC model, this research introduces a novel competitive strategy that can ensure the company’s sustainability and adaptability to changes in the market. Notably, this study is unique in its focus on the business strategy of natural body care product companies, offering valuable insights from the consumer’s perspective that have not been extensively explored in previous research. The practical implication of this research lies in providing business recommendations based on consumer preferences and market competition for companies that sell natural products.

AFFORDABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN NORTHERN REGION OF MALAYSIA

2023-01-29T17:06:02+08:00

The problem of housing affordability has emerged as a significant concern in urban centers, particularly in emerging countries. While
each country defines affordability differently, housing affordability refers to the capacity to possess a residential property or dwelling
that satisfies fundamental living requirements in relation to its price, standard, and whereabouts. However, the majority of generally
comprised of individuals and families with lower to moderate incomes, residing in various urban areas across Malaysia find it
difficult to purchase a home. The aim of this research is to evaluate the housing affordability index in Malaysia’s Northern Region (Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak, and Perlis) by proposing a maximum affordable housing cost determined by income level. The findings revealed that the housing affordability index has deteriorated as a result of growing income-price inequalities. It is suggested that government or housing policy makers to be responsible to establish a fair housing price that is determined through convincing and widely accepted judgments. Establishing prices could be based on genuine supply and demand dynamics, rather than being influenced by unfair trading practices, manipulation, or exploitation.