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

The study establishes the relationship between employee performance, training, knowledge management and Kaizen culture. Primary sources, specifically questionnaires distributed to respondents via online Google Forms and printed copies, provided the data for this study. This study included a convenience sample of 113 respondents from selected private companies in Johor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan. The study found no statistically significant relationship between training and knowledge management about employee performance. The introduction of Kaizen culture in certain organizations in the southern region of Malaysia proved to have a significant influence on employee performance. This study highlights the significance of implementing a kaizen culture to enhance employee performance. Implementing the kaizen principle would immediately affect several aspects such as employee engagement, empowerment, communication, and recognition. Although earlier studies have examined employee performance and its management antecedents, there is a lack of understanding of the relationship between training, knowledge management, and the kaizen culture, specifically within the private sector in Malaysia.

The SERVQUAL model has been used for several years to illustrate the relationships between tangible, assurance, reliability, responsiveness, empathy, and customer satisfaction. This paper posits that the SERVQUAL model requires an extension to better explain the relationships between the factors that influence customer satisfaction. The main difference is that the revised SERVQUAL includes the dimensions that apply to the online service industry or e-commerce, thus the proposed e-SERVQUAL comprises fulfillment, efficiency, privacy, and system availability. In this paper, e-SERVQUAL pinpointed two underpinning theories which are e-SERVQUAL and Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory (EDT). This study delves into the foundation, expansion, and evolvement of both theories particularly in the online food delivery service industry in Malaysia. The main objective of this paper is to present the reviews of the literature on e-SERVQUAL and Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory on the relationship between the elements that influence e-customer satisfaction. The study contributes to developing and improving the model that defines service quality in a digital service context. Correspondingly, it emphasizes the robustness of the theories and further enriches the academic literature.

Islamic banks play an important role in Malaysia’s financial system by offering various services to individuals, businesses, and governments. Nonetheless, as the world confronted unprecedented crises the Islamic banks faced a new set of tests that would not only define their performance but also underscore their adaptability and durability. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of unexpected crises on the performance of Islamic banks. It also delves into various Islamic bank's key characteristics that might influence the Islamic bank performance such as capital adequacy, bank size, credit risk, and non-interest income. Data spanning from 2000 to 2022 and covering seven (7) Islamic banks are utilized using the panel static method. It reveals that bank characteristics such as capital adequacy, credit risk and non-interest income significantly impact Islamic bank performance. Nonetheless, deposit and bank size do not influence Islamic bank performance. The major highlight of the unexpected crises depicts a negative relationship with bank performance nonetheless it is not significant. This finding supports the claim that Islamic banks remain largely unaffected by unexpected crises. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of these factors is crucial for policymakers, investors, and bank stakeholders to assess the health and performance of Islamic banks.

The Malaysian halal industry, especially in logistics and manufacturing, confronts several challenges due to globalization, including competitiveness issues. As a result, ensuring sustainable competitiveness has become crucial for maintaining compliance with Islamic halal Syariah standards. Preserving the sector's competitive edge while upholding halal management practices is a significant concern for businesses in Malaysia's halal industry. However, many halal companies lack the resources needed to identify the most effective strategies and methods to enhance their performance and competitiveness. This conceptual paper examines the interplay between Halal logistics, Halal manufacturing, competitiveness, and organizational sustainability within the Halal industry. The paper posits that effective integration of Halal logistics and manufacturing practices is not only essential for compliance with religious standards but also for enhancing the competitive advantage and sustainability performance of organizations. By exploring theoretical frameworks and existing literature, this paper highlights the critical role that Halal practices play in driving organizational success and proposes directions for future research in this growing field.

Stong Geopark is a prominent natural attraction site in Kelantan, characterized by its rich biodiversity and variety of plant and animal species, catering to diverse visitor interests such as wildlife enthusiasts, explorers, and tourists. Geoguides play a vital role in helping visitors comprehend the significance of the geopark's geological features, the interconnectedness of the ecosystem, and the knowledge of indigenous communities. However, the tourism industry faces challenges in meeting the requirements for various forms of tourism services, including geoguiding. This study aims to profile the geo guides at Stong Geopark and better understand their areas of expertise. The research employs a quantitative approach, surveying 39 geoguides, to provide a comprehensive profile encompassing their age, English proficiency, income distribution, tour frequency, and identified areas of expertise. The findings reveal three distinct clusters of geoguides' areas of expertise: Cluster 1 - Nature and Adventure, Cluster 2 - Nature, and Cluster 3 - Adventure. The study also highlights the need for the majority of geo guides to receive additional training in English communication skills and continuous professional development courses. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the profiles of geoguides at Stong Geopark, emphasizing the importance of supporting and developing local geoguides' expertise to enhance the effectiveness of geopark management and visitor satisfaction. Furthermore, the study provides a spatial understanding of Stong Geopark by highlighting the locations of active geo guides about the distribution of geosites. This offers a comprehensive overview of the geopark's geography. The findings can inform policymakers, tourism authorities, and geopark management in developing targeted strategies for capacity building and professionalization of geo guides, ultimately contributing to the sustainable development of Stong Geopark as a thriving ecotourism destination.

It is well known that knowledge and education are the best solutions to abolish the Asnaf people from poverty. As a result, zakat institutions actively play an essential role in distributing zakat funds through educational assistance to the asnaf groups in Malaysia and Indonesia. This measure ensures that the asnaf groups receive educational opportunities and succeed like others. Dropping out of studies due to failure to pay tuition fees is among the issues that are often reported in most past studies. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify and analyze the influence of zakat assistance on the academic achievement of students at Universiti Teknologi MARA Terengganu Branch, Malaysia (UiTMCT) and Universitas Sains Al-Qur'an, Indonesia (UNSIQ). This study also provides recommendations to empower zakat assistance at UiTMCT and UNSIQ. This study used a quantitative research method involving data collection by distributing questionnaires to 54 students at UiTMCT and UNSIQ. The findings were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software (version 24). The t-test results showed a significant difference in academic performance and governance between UiTMCT and UNSIQ, with a p-value of less than 0.05. This study is anticipated to provide insight to the community on the efforts to empower zakat institutions to assist asnaf fisabilillah in higher education institutions (IPTs) in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Financial management in business ensures that the goals of an organization are achieved. It has become a priority for every business to have good financial resources to ensure sustainability. However, many entrepreneurs are found to need help managing their finances well and are used to supporting a lavish lifestyle. As an outcome, they had to take a personal loan from a financial institution, and this personal loan is a big commitment because they must pay it back with a high loan rate. This situation puts an additional burden on entrepreneurs, which eventually becomes the cause of business failure. Employing a mixed method, this study's objectives are to evaluate the financial literacy of female entrepreneurs of micro-businesses in Malaysia and to determine the causes of financial illiteracy. This study involved 100 female entrepreneurs in the survey study and 20 female entrepreneurs of micro business in the interview study. The survey data were examined using descriptive and inferential statistics, and interview data were examined using thematic analysis. The survey findings have revealed that most female entrepreneurs have a low level of financial literacy, and financial literacy significantly influences business success. Interview data revealed that most informants still need to adopt the systematic accounting system, are unable to organize financial and personal accounts, do not have proper financial savings, and cannot calculate product costing and selling price. Therefore, this study will help female entrepreneurs manage their future financial practices.

This study analyses the value of collaborative education strategies for improving workforce development in Malaysia, focusing on collaborations between educational institutions and industry. In recent years, the Malaysian job market has experienced major challenges, especially in terms of graduate preparation for employment. Many graduates struggle due to inadequate skills and limited employment opportunities, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive educational changes. These coordinated activities aim to bridge the education-industry divide by developing connections between academia and the business sector. Moreover, the study uses a qualitative approach, conducting in-depth interviews with industry managers to understand better the impact of partnership programs, government support, and community participation on workforce readiness. Through these interviews, the study emphasizes the importance of collaborative education in providing graduates with the skills and competencies they need to succeed in a competitive work market. The findings show that, while these collaborations significantly boost graduates' employability and skill sets, issues such as unequal access to opportunities and an overreliance on government assistance remain. Furthermore, the analysis discovers gaps in the available literature, particularly in the context of Malaysia, emphasizing the need for further research targeted to this environment. Future research directions will include empirical investigations to quantify the impact of collaborative education initiatives, quantitative analyses to evaluate the efficacy of various programs, and policy recommendations to improve Malaysia's workforce development and foster long-term economic growth. By addressing these issues, the study hopes to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how collaborative education may effectively bridge Malaysia’s skills gap.

This study provides a socio-economic profile of Mahang and Nagalilit, two sub-districts in Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia. Residents of Mahang primarily rely on rubber tapping and oil palm cultivation, industries vulnerable to monsoon weather. In Desa Keda Nagalilit, locals are employed in the nearby hitech industrial area, oil palm plantations, or as shop assistants. Many households earn below the minimum wage, compelling residents to take on multiple jobs for financial stability. Data was systematically collected through questionnaires focusing on household demographics, socio-economic conditions, and lifestyle patterns. The analysis offers valuable insights into the living conditions and challenges these communities face, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research revealed income disparities and variations in living standards between sub-districts, underscoring the socio-economic impact of the pandemic. It further examined how variables such as age, income, employment status, and education correlate with financial strain, mental health issues, and disruptions to daily life. Findings demonstrate significant relationships between socioeconomic factors and the pandemic's effects, emphasizing the need for targeted measures to alleviate poverty, improve education, and enhance residents’ overall quality of life while addressing financial and mental health challenges.

The persistent challenge in STEM education is the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, particularly in underserved communities with limited access to advanced educational tools. This study, conducted as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, aims to address this issue by evaluating the effectiveness of the PolyDuino Arduino Kit in enhancing STEM education among secondary school students. The study specifically targeted Form 2 and Form 3 students from four selected schools in Kuala Muda and Yan, Kedah districts. An experimental research design was employed, involving approximately 120 students who participated in a series of hands-on workshops facilitated by trained educators. Data were collected through observational assessments and self-reported surveys, focusing on students' engagement, conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, and collaborative behavior. The findings revealed that 70% of the students demonstrated a strong understanding of the PolyDuino Arduino concepts, with 50% frequently applying their knowledge to create functional projects. Additionally, the study observed significant improvements in student engagement and collaboration, although variations in problem-solving effectiveness were noted. The implications of this study highlight the potential of CSR programs to make substantial contributions to education by providing valuable resources and opportunities for practical learning, particularly in regions with limited access to educational tools. Despite its promising outcomes, the study's limitations include a geographically constrained sample and the short-term nature of the data collection, suggesting the need for future research to explore long-term impacts and broader applicability.