Vol. 16 No. 3(I) (2024)

A competency-based framework (CBF) is a standardized metric facilitating various HR functions including recruitment, assessment, training, performance evaluation, and career development. This paper aims to investigate the process of developing CBF, the benefits and the challenges associated with its development and implementation. The paper explores some of the key issues encountered and lessons learned from the practical application of competency frameworks within organizational settings. This paper offers recommendations to guide practitioners and researchers in navigating the complexities associated with CBF implementation. It also guides those endeavoring to develop competency-based frameworks, offering a comprehensive step-by-step process. The focus is on fostering stakeholder engagement, aligning frameworks with organizational objectives, and leveraging technological advancements to enhance integration and effectiveness within the evolving landscape of digital transformation and innovation driven by AI. Additionally, future research opportunities are highlighted to assist organizations in navigating the changing dynamics of the digital era.

Safety and security have become a source of concern for tourism stakeholders and beyond, due to their role in destination attractiveness and their capacity to affect tourists’ intent to travel. Unfortunately, insecurity appears to be a common feature in many emerging economies like Nigeria, where herdsmen, religious and political violence, kidnapping, etc. affect tourism development and growth. This study aims to: comprehend the safety and security features of Ogbunike Cave; second, identify the challenges to safety and security in the cave; and third, document ways to ensure sustainable safety and security in the cave. Using in-depth interviews and secondary data, the study showed poor safety and security measures for visitors in the cave. The implication of this is that visitors’ safety is not guaranteed, and this may likely affect the attractiveness of the cave and cause limited patronage. The study, woven from the perspective of protection motivation theory (PMT), suggests that the protection of visitors in tourism destinations like caves should be paramount. A safe and secure destination remains attractive, with highly competitive value; therefore, police posts, first aid boxes, emergency numbers, and log books appear useful for sustainable safety and security measures in caves. The study is novel, it appears to be the first to discuss the safety and security of Ogbunike Cave, and the implications may extend to other caves in the state and beyond. The suggestions are invaluable to tourism planners and stakeholders.

Compared to any other field, the research on the Innovative Work Behaviour (IWB) among academicians has been a neglected area. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the determinant factors influencing IWB among academicians at Politeknik Tuanku Sultanah Bahiyah (PTSB). Social Exchange Theory (SET) was underpinned to determine the relationship between training, reward, knowledge sharing and IWB. Additionally, this study also included work engagement as a mediating variable in the relationship between training, reward, knowledge sharing and IWB. IWB can be defined as the intentional generation, promotion, and realization of new ideas within a work role, workgroup, or organization. It is important to analyze how these dimensions tend to influence the IWB. Data for this study was collected from 118 academicians at Politeknik Tuanku Sultanah Bahiyah (PTSB), Kulim, Kedah and the collected data was analyzed by using Smart-PLS. The findings revealed that two dimensions, which are training and knowledge sharing have a significant relationship with IWB whereas reward has an insignificant relationship with IWB. Furthermore, work engagement was found to be significant in mediating training and knowledge sharing, however, work engagement was found to be insignificant in mediating reward and IWB. As a result, it is suggested for institutions and the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) to appropriately apply relevant specific tactics to enhance those components as well as IWB. Future research is suggested to replicate this study to other institutions. Next, it is suggested to test other independent variables and mediating variables to deeply understand other determinants that influence IWB.

The incidence of rising global temperature, extreme weather, depletion of finite resources, and other environmental impacts has shown as one of the most crucial issues to deal with. The situation to create lowcarbon communities and sustainable systems through sustainable event management—that is, the switch from conventional event management concept to more environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices among the event company by engaging with various stakeholders. Recent studies suggested that evidence on sustainable intentions concerning events in Malaysia is still limited. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, environmental consciousness and economic benefit toward sustainable capabilities. This paper will contribute to future literature regarding understanding what drives the event management intention toward sustainability contributing to the existing green behavior and body of literature. It will increase stakeholder awareness and policymakers to be more innovative in reducing environmental impact. This paper is expected to better understand company behavior toward adopting ecologically ethical and socially accountable methods. More research needs to be done to validate and reinforce the proposed theoretical framework. Therefore, future research should concentrate on both qualitative and quantitative research designs by examining the relationship between the antecedents and intention. Ideally, insights from practitioners and academicians are highly encouraged in substantiating the proposed theoretical framework.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia play a vital role in economic development by creating job opportunities and lowering unemployment rates. Numerous studies have been undertaken to improve business performance, with an emphasis on areas such as finance, SME characteristics, and knowledge management. However, in today's technological context, the importance of social media in business, particularly for Malaysian SMEs, should not be underestimated. As a result, the major goal of this study is to assess the internal consistency of the acquired data, facilitating subsequent systematic analysis. In this study, Cronbach's Alpha is used to validate the customized questionnaire. Data were collected from 141 respondents to investigate the effects of compatibility, cost-effectiveness, interaction, and trust on social media usage, as well as its implications for organizational performance. The questionnaire had 36 items and used a 5-point Likert scale to assess internal consistency. Preliminary reliability analysis revealed strong relationships for all variables, demonstrating the instrument's reliability in improving research quality. Furthermore, the study discovered that social media usage had a significant positive influence on SMEs' non-financial performance, notably in terms of cost saving or cost reduction in marketing, enhanced customer service, better customer interactions, and more convenient access to information. Furthermore, compatibility, trust, cost-effectiveness, and interactivity were identified as the main factors influencing social media adoption among SMEs.

There is little uncertainty regarding the driving forces behind the adoption of cashless payment by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), a trend expected to persist and exert a significant impact on SMEs in Malaysia. Such developments are facilitated by collaborative efforts, trust, and a societal inclination towards practicality. Despite the growing body of scholarly and practical research on cashless payment, existing guidelines for its adoption, implementation, and integration into business strategies in Malaysia lack comprehensive research support. This study seeks to propose a new acceptance framework to explore the utilization of cashless payment solutions among small business owners in Malaysia to maximize the benefits of the sustainability of their businesses. 100 respondents of SMEs from four regions in Peninsular Malaysia were involved in the interview to collect the data. The findings of this study are instrumental in enhancing the understanding of e-payment adoption within the SME payment system landscape and its effects on business performance. Additionally, the proposed conceptual framework can be used for future research to determine the relationship between factors of cashless payment adoption and SME performance.

The Israel-Palestine conflict has traditionally been portrayed by mainstream media through dominant narratives that often align with specific viewpoints and agendas. In this context, the rise of citizen journalism has introduced both challenges and opportunities by providing alternative perspectives and counter-narratives to mainstream representations. However, the precise impact and role of citizen journalism in shaping these counter-narratives during the Israel-Palestine confrontations remain underexplored and require further investigation. Therefore, this study aims to examine how citizen journalism is utilized to offer alternative perspectives on the mainstream media’s coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict and to influence public perception of products and services associated with Israel. The study finds that social media has amplified the reach of citizen journalism, serving as a platform for digital activism among Palestinians, and providing alternative narratives to those presented by mainstream media. This has enabled Palestinians to garner support from international allies, condemn the violence committed by Israeli military forces, and contribute to Israel's gradual loss in the battle of public opinion, thereby limiting the effectiveness of Israeli propaganda in both mainstream and new media.

The automotive industry's rapid expansion and rising consumer appetite for automobiles have created an unprecedented demand for automotive lubricants. This surge in demand reflects lubricants' essential role in ensuring optimal performance, longevity, and efficiency of automotive engines and mechanical components. In the present day, consumers exhibit increased precision and selectivity in their purchasing behavior, underscoring the necessity for careful deliberation before making a purchase decision. Given the diverse range of products available, it is essential to understand consumer preferences to ensure that the selection is aligned with market demands and expectations. Thus, this paper aims to develop a conceptual model for automotive lubricant purchase behavior based on the Theory of Consumption Values (TCV), which are divided into five parts: functional value, emotional value, social value, and epistemic value. The consumption value theory, applicable across diverse goods and services, emerges as a valuable framework. Its versatility enables a comprehensive understanding of consumer preferences and behaviors across various markets, facilitating informed decision-making for businesses and policymakers. Through this conceptual model, the paper endeavors to provide insights into the complex interplay of value perception and provide insights into the drivers behind consumers’ choices regarding automotive lubricants.

The focus on success has overshadowed the happiness of students, leading to increased stress levels and eventual disengagement and dropout. This study prioritized the importance of student motivation in their happiness. It aimed to determine whether there is a link between motivation in learning and the happiness of Gen Z students in a Malaysian institution. 120 business faculty members enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in Malaysia participated in an online survey. The survey consisted of close-ended questions and utilized a Likert-type scale to gauge levels of agreement or disagreement regarding happiness using The Happiness Measures (HM). The analysis of the data was performed with SPSS Statistics Version 29. The study findings indicated a strong and meaningful correlation between happiness and three predictor variables: selfefficacy, active learning strategy, and achievement goals. Moreover, the research emphasized the capacity of extracurricular pursuits to improve the welfare of Generation Z students.

In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining health and personal wellness has become a top priority. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in this effort, offering innovative solutions through mobile health applications. These applications use AI-driven algorithms to analyze user data, including sleep patterns, food intake, daily activity levels, diet preferences, stress indicators, and meditation, to provide personalized recommendations and insights. Mobile health applications have the potential to improve healthcare systems by enhancing health and disease management, communication, efficiency, treatment adherence, reducing costs, and increasing access to health interventions. This paper aims to provide a better understanding of the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare tools by examining the factors influencing the intention to use mobile health applications in Malaysia. It will discuss the extended UTAUT constructs and the concept of personal health characteristics, such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and health consciousness.