Vol. 15 No. 1(I)SI (2023)

Cybersecurity threats are a serious issue faced by many organizations in this new information era. Therefore, security leaders play a significant role not only to ensure that all their employees are practicing good security behavior to protect organizational information assets but also to ensure that security technology has been installed properly to protect network infrastructure. This study aims to examine cybersecurity protective behavior (CPB) among employees in the organization and focus on the role of leadership competencies and information security countermeasure awareness. The questionnaires were distributed via email and self-administered, and the study managed to obtain 245 responses. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was used to analyze the final data. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) testing shows that all the measurement items of each construct were adequate in their validity individually based on their factor loading value. Moreover, each construct is valid based on its parameter estimates and statistical significance. The research findings show that Procedural Information Security Countermeasure (PCM) awareness strongly influences CPB compared to a leader's information security competencies (ISI). Meanwhile, ISI significantly influences PCM awareness. This study adapts the theory of leadership competencies in the context of cybersecurity, which is particularly beneficial to any industry in improving organizational information security strategic plans.

The selection of contractors for the project is one of the important tasks faced by the client such as developers and government agencies. To ensure that the client has selected a reliable contractor which has a good previous record, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia has established one program named SCORE by assessing seven (7) scopes of assessment which are business performance, financial capability, technical capability, project management, procurement management, best practices, and management ability. Thus, this study was done to assess the level of capability and adaptability of Malaysian contractors in the business management aspect (Scope 1). This study adopted a mixed methodology involving quantitative through secondary data and qualitative research methods through interviews. The data collected for this study is through secondary data from CIDB’S database which cover from the year 2017 until 2021. Besides that, a series of interview sessions were done to find out further suggestions for the improvement of Malaysian contractors. The findings have shown that business performance among Malaysian contractors is one of the lowest scores as compared to other scopes. Thus, this study has proposed several suggestions to increase the performance of Malaysian contractors, especially in business performance such as holding awareness programs and coaching programs.

E-payment offers efficiency in terms of speed, security, convenience, and cost, especially during this pandemic. The study involves monthly data that spans from January 2016 to June 2021. This study aims to investigate selected payment channels and instruments' influence on the retail e-payment transaction. The study is also interested to examine the interaction effects of Covid-19 on the relationship between credit card usage and retail e-payment transaction. The study employs Newey-West standard error regression in achieving the objectives. It is proven that traditional e-payment channels such as ATMs do not support the emergence of e-payment development in the country. The findings reveal Covid-19 significantly influences the emergence of e-payment in various ways. Unsurprisingly, internet banking usage showed great potential during the pandemic with a substantial increment since 2020. Oppositely, a credit card gives an adverse impact on the e-payment transaction and the impact is more apparent during the pandemic. In response to the new norm post-pandemic, the study suggests emphasis should be given to crucial e-payment infrastructures, particularly internet banking and debit card to foster the harmonization of the e-payment eco-system in Malaysia. Covid-19, despite its disastrous effect on society, blesses and supports the Financial Sector Blueprint 2022–2026.

Firms often face significant challenges to stay competitive in the present economic environment, thus, dynamic capabilities are vital as it is a substantial factor in accomplishing better business performance. This study involved yearly data of 62 firms in the ACE market that engaged with dynamic capabilities, the data was collected from the year 2012-2021. The data was gathered from the firm's annual report and has been analyzed using two-step GMM. Generally, the ACE market is consistently associated with inferior performance and capital compared to the main market. Hence, the market has the possibility of being delisted and affecting capital market performance. Therefore, this study includes dynamic capabilities in the ACE market to study the market’s performance. The results obtained are consistent with the theory, whereby changes in dynamic capabilities contributed to a positive return on the firm’s performance. However, the small capital nature of the ACE Market limits the investment in the dynamic capabilities. This study concluded that more priority to be given to the awareness of dynamic capabilities in the current competitive era. The result proved that the investment in the dynamic capabilities improved the performance of the Ace market even though some of the firms in the ACE market ignored dynamic capabilities due to capital constraints. Thus, policymakers should play their role in providing grants for the firms in the ACE Market to improve the investment in dynamic capabilities.

The purpose of this research paper is to demonstrate the adaptability of lean six sigma using the DMAIC method in reducing the time spent on recruiting new employees for the Supply Chain Logistics Department. Six Sigma is a data-driven, disciplined technique and methodology for reducing defects in any phase, to achieve six standard deviations between the mean and the closest design limit, as modeled by the DMAIC method (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control). DMAIC is a method for optimizing, improving, and securing business processes and designs. The DMAIC improvement phase is a key component of Sig Sigma tools. The study focuses on the time spent in the recruiting process of new hires for the supply chain logistics site. The recruiter was interviewed to gather secondary data. Using the Lean Six Sigma DMAIC approach, process efficiency has increased, processes have become faster, and data is more easily accessible. Following the implementation of improvement solutions, the time from the improvement stages can be reduced with the current process using lean six sigma approaches. The company was able to make significant improvements by utilizing its lean six sigma implementation skills, saving time and money while improving quality. The study evaluates prior research and makes recommendations for future research.

The study investigates the relationship between unemployment and economic growth in selected Southeast Asian countries using annual time series from 2000 to 2020. Panel OLS, fixed effect, and Random effect were performed with an error correction method to ascertain the relationship between explanatory variables and response. The error correction term indicated a long-run relationship between unemployment and economic growth. The study used two models to evaluate the relationship between unemployment and economic growth. Model one explains how economic growth affects unemployment, while model two is devoted to examining the effect of unemployment on economic growth. The test results for model one indicated that the Random effect is the best-fitted model and concluded that economic growth has no significant influence on unemployment. However, Foreign Direct Investments makes a negative influence on unemployment. Further, model two investigates the effect of unemployment on economic growth, where Pooled OLS was selected. According to the test statistics, it can be concluded that unemployment harms economic growth, while Foreign Direct Investments and Inflation have a positive influence on economic growth. However, trade openness makes a negative effect on economic growth. Therefore, it can be concluded that the validity of Okun's law in Southeast Asian countries is limited.

Islamic insurance (takaful) companies have continuously used the latest technology to serve their customers better. One of the potential technologies that takaful operators can consider is drones. Nonetheless, the adoption of drones has shown an imbalanced pattern between regions, with some countries displaying more commendable experiences than others. In the context of Malaysia, such adoption can be regarded as negligible, if not minimal. While drones have numerous positive effects, this study focuses on emotional management through the lens of social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA) based on disaster victim identification (DVI). DVI is the process of identifying corpses (often in large numbers) following a disaster, either natural or man-made disaster. This study provides preliminary findings that support the need for drones to be integrated into takaful operations, based on the SCBA method focusing on emotional management. The findings indicate that emotional management affects not only the family of the victim but also the first responders involved in the search and rescue (SAR) operation and their families. Hence, proper consideration must be given to using drones in takaful operations with the government disaster agency.

The study was conducted to explore and understand factors that determine consumers' intention to recycle e-waste from the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Behavioral Reasoning Theory (BRT). A cross-sectional survey was designed and data was collected from 339 respondents who used an extensive number of electronic devices. The findings suggest positive attitudes towards recycling; social norms and perceived behavioral control are significant to the intention to recycle e-waste. In addition, attitude is explained by two determinants; reasons for recycling and environmental value. Finally, environmental value is also significant in explaining reasons for and reasons against recycling. The study is important for theoretical and managerial implications in describing consumers' acceptance of e-waste recycling by considering the values that promote the act, and the risks that prohibit them from acting positively. Likewise, the findings would help in building an impactful environmental protection regulation for the sustainability agenda.

Malaysia is heavily dependent on landfilling as a method of waste disposal, and as a result, severe space constraints, health issues, and environmental issues will eventually affect the country. This essay aims to give a general overview of solid waste recycling in Malaysia at the level that affects a community or country the most, the family. In Malaysia, households are the main producers of municipal solid waste, with recyclable materials making up between 70 and 80 percent of the total waste found in landfills. To improve solid waste management from a recycling perspective, it is important to consider Malaysia's current household solid waste recycling policy and program status. Wastes are still dumped in open areas of land without any attempt at recovery or recycling, despite the high potential and opportunities for doing so. Malaysia's rate of 5% illustrates the rarity of this practice when compared to recycling rates in neighboring nations. The government is committed to greatly enhancing solid waste management services for all citizens, particularly waste minimization. Since wastes, separation, and recycling make up a sizable portion of the major changes in the current policy implementation, it is a good thing that the emphasis on recycling as a sustainable waste management strategy has undergone a paradigm shift. The question of whether the 2020 goals can be met is still up in the air, but there is a chance for a successful implementation of sustainable solid waste management, especially in recycling. These issues and challenges in recycling practice were highlighted in this context, particularly from the aspects of information availability and other loopholes within solid waste management policies and, related recycling programs within the community.

Sustainable development is an emerging paradigm designed to strike the balance between the ecological health of the planet and human development in a manner that ensures that both meet the needs of the present without compromising the future. However, little is known about the determinants of sustainable development among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. As such, the present study fills up the gaps by examining the relationship between integrated management systems, technology and innovation capability, sustainability orientation, green corporate image, government support and sustainable development. This research applies a quantitative survey method using a self-administrated survey questionnaire to collect data from SMEs in Malaysia. Data from this survey will be analyzed using PLS-SEM to examine the associative relationship between determinants of sustainable development and sustainable development. This study will contribute to the body of knowledge by documenting factors that lead to sustainable development, namely integrated management systems, technology and innovation capability, sustainability orientation, green corporate image and government support. It also will benefit both enterprises and the government in building competitive, resilient, and sustainable enterprises in the domestic and international markets.