Vol. 16 No. 1(I) (2024)

The construction sector is one of the main contributors to a country's economic growth and development. However, the sector is often associated with several issues such as abandoned projects, being unable to be completed in the proper period, or not complying with the standards in the contract. Among the factors that cause this failure is related to developer personality characteristics that impact project management efficiency. Therefore, the study's objective is to assess the influence of elements in religious values and entrepreneurial factors on the performance of firms in the construction sector. A total of 226 respondents from contractors of various registration grades were used as the study sample. The results of the multiple regression analysis found that the religious factor did not affect the firm's performance. This is linked to the attitude of contractors who often turn their backs on religious values and instead use common sense in making decisions and actions. However, all entrepreneurial factors (entrepreneurial competencies, management practice and innovation) show a significant positive influence on firm performance in the construction sector. From a policy perspective, this study highlighted to various stakeholders in the construction industry the existence of laxity in the practice of religious values among contractors which is an obstacle to achieving better performance in the implementation of a project. Concerning that, the emphasis on religious values needs to be applied thoroughly in every training program in addition to empowering entrepreneurial values based on innovation. All of these values are important elements in ensuring a firm's sustainable comparative advantage and performance in the construction sector.

This article explores the factors influencing innovative work behavior (IWB) among academics in the field of education, with a specific focus on STEM teachers. The inquiry adopts the conceptual framework of selfdetermination theory. A literature review methodology is employed, encompassing an examination of journals, conference papers, theses, and a conceptual approach. Variables in this analysis are delineated and measured in accordance with previous research and recommendations. The findings of this study highlight the significance of intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, and job engagement as pivotal characteristics contributing to the cultivation of innovative work behavior among employees. The study's limitations stem from its reliance on a literature review and the analysis of prior research findings to construct a conceptual framework concerning STEM teachers' innovative work behavior. Future empirical research is recommended to comprehensively elucidate additional factors fostering innovative work behavior. The research findings corroborate earlier studies, suggesting that to bolster Malaysia's standing in the Global Innovation Index (GII) and, indirectly, to advance the goals of the NSTIP 2021-2030 aimed at cultivating a technologically proficient society, educational administrators in Malaysia should actively foster teachers' engagement in innovative work behavior activities, leveraging their competencies and strengths. This study provides valuable insights into the individual factors influencing teachers' propensity for innovative work behavior and their potential to enhance Malaysia's education system.

Intellectual capital is a vital element in strategic resources and enhances the productivity of companies in the knowledge-based economy. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the sectors in Malaysia are affected by staff and apply knowledge-based processes and procedures. The study aims to assess the influence of intellectual capital (IC) efficiency on financial performance in Malaysia's healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic. The VAIC technique was used in the study, as well as panel data analysis with STATA 14. The sample was drawn from three (3) years of healthcare annual reports, spanning 2019 to 2021. Eleven (11) healthcare companies were chosen because they have the capacity to develop public healthcare services and provide high-quality medical facilities. The findings for VAIC ranking show Hartalega, the main producer of disposable gloves marked as the highest ranking of efficiency and the least efficient is TMC Life. For panel data analysis, the results exhibit value-added human capital (VAHU) and value-added capital employed (VACA) are observed to have a significant and positive relationship with the dependent variable; Return on Equity (ROE). Human capital and capital employed are considered the most efficient resources to generate profit and the vital elements in the Malaysian healthcare sector to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This study contributed to the body of knowledge in the Malaysian healthcare sector about intellectual capital literature. Malaysian healthcare organizations can benefit from incorporating more intellectual capital into their operations to preserve long-term development progress.

According to the recent Malaysian MADANI Budget 2023 which has been declared by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, it is notable that 7 billion was allocated to help micro-entrepreneurs, women and youth. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the clients have appropriate financial literacy to ensure that the loans can be repaid accordingly. For microcredit clients to have this ability, they should have sound financial literacy to be able to manage their money, make wise decisions, and maintain vigorous spending. Thus, to promote sustainable financial sustainability, the objective of this study is to assess the level of microcredit financial literacy of microcredit clients in enhancing their knowledge, skills and transparency that can lead to financial sustainability. Further, it will also test empirically whether microcredit financial literacy can integrate the cognitive comprehension of financial knowledge, skills and responsibility with respect to financial sustainability. This study will use an exploratory sequential mixed-method research design that combines quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (interviews) data. The data-gathering method then continues with concentrated group interviews on selected microcredit clients. This covers clients from TEKUN Nasional Melaka to deliberate on related problems. Data analysis in qualitative research focuses on the systematic search and arrangement of interview transcripts. Interviews are necessary to gain a thorough understanding of issues with financial knowledge and skills among clients. It is expected that the study will benefit the policy maker, microcredit clients and the government in enhancing financial inclusion and sustainability. Thus, the government's slogan "Developing Malaysia MADANI" can be achieved.

A notable challenge for Malaysian women entrepreneurs is the lack of adequate financial literacy, which leads to a major setback in their business growth. According to the National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2019 – 2024, the significant objective of Malaysia’s Strategic Plans, is to educate women entrepreneurs in engaging in good financial management systems, by actively focusing on vulnerable parts of society. This comprises nurturing money management knowledge and skills via community-based and instilling encouraging behavior toward financial plans. However, it was discovered that women entrepreneurs have poor financial knowledge and a narrow-minded "just live for today" mindset when it comes to financial planning. The FOMCA fully supports Bank Negara Malaysia’s anxious, absence of financial knowledge in the year 20222023. Failure to hold the values of appropriate financial management systems is a key problem for community development. Thus, the purpose of this study is to raise financial literacy among Malaysian women entrepreneurs to encourage accountable behavior and rational thinking to improve financial knowledge, financial skills and financial responsibility. Women entrepreneurs play a vital role in creating a sustainable, viable and wealthy community. In sum, it may decrease poverty among those in the category of B40 community. Thus, this study is extremely referred to in the cognitive approach of strong financial knowledge, financial skills and financial responsibility of the group to be considered, giving importance to the development of the community economic activities and program. This study adopts the theory of resource-based view and uses a mixed-method design that combines the quantitative research methods of questionnaires and qualitative research method of semistructured in-depth interviews to improve the level of financial literacy that is anticipated to advance financially literate women entrepreneurs for sustainable economic wellbeing. The outcome of this study is expected to alleviate women entrepreneurs’ economic well-being since there is no specific benchmark of financial literacy for women-based entrepreneurship currently. Integrating the standpoints of women entrepreneurs is recognized as the mission of the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development to increase the number of participants and raise the status of women entrepreneurs in this country as well as towards "Developing Malaysia MADANI", support the principles of Shared Prosperity Vision and the mission of SDG2030.

This study explores the intentional use of QR code applications in Malaysia through the lens of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT 2), focusing on five key constructs: which is performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), hedonic motivation (HM), habit (H), and trust (TR). An online survey was constructed and disseminated to a random sample of 215 respondents located in the Southeast region. The primary objective of this survey was to collect data regarding their intentions to utilize QR code applications. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), aiming to understand the relationship between the UTAUT 2 factors and behavioral intention towards QR code usage. The analysis revealed that all the UTAUT 2 factors which are performance expectancy, effort expectancy, hedonic motivation, habit, and trust have a positive significant relationship with the behavioral intention to use QR codes application. Among these, trust emerged as the most influential factor, underscoring its critical role in the adoption of QR code technology. This finding highlights the importance of addressing security and privacy concerns to foster trust among users, which is pivotal for the wider acceptance and use of QR codes in Malaysia. The study provides valuable insights for developers, marketers, and policymakers looking to enhance the adoption of QR code technology, emphasizing the need to build a trustworthy and userfriendly QR code ecosystem. Keywords : Acceptance, Behavioral Intention, UTAUT2, Expectancy, Trust.

The engineering industry has several obstacles as the worldwide economy slows, including macroeconomic hardship, lack of resources, organizational deficiencies, and an overall incapacity to respond to major concerns. In the past few years, they have gotten increasingly intense and serious. Empirical supply chain administration studies identify impediments that hinder the engineering industry in emerging nations, such as South Africa. This research aims to investigate supply chain limitations in the South African engineering industry. The literature was evaluated as well as interviews that were semi-structured and were used to get thoughts from 15 senior supply chain professionals. To examine qualitative data, ATLAS.ti (version 7) software was used for content analysis. The conversations revealed six topics, such as a shortage of capital in supply chains, innovative supply chain process restrictions, supply chain administration changes, supply chain cooperation, supply chain administration, and scheduling administration. engineering companies should use systems to manage their supply chains, integrated options, and collaboration managing project techniques and technology. The findings reveal a shortage of expenditure in supply management processes and the fact that engineering companies are still lacking a strategic perspective on managing their supply chains. However, it seems that supply chain tactics may improve an organization's efficiency and business performance in engineering companies.