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

Breast cancer disease remains a significant burden in global public health, affecting women with new cases and mortality. In 2018, Malaysian women of different races, like Malays, Chinese, and Indians, were diagnosed with breast cancer, approximately 17,000 in total. The consequence is that their quality of life was affected, especially in physical and emotional health. Nowadays, the use of social media among users is increasing, and in healthcare, it examines the role of social media in patient education and social support, which highlights the importance of modern digital technology. This conceptual study examines the factors affecting quality of life, moderated by the role of social media influence. Sociodemographic, psychological state, self-care behaviors, social support, and healthcare support systems were among the factors identified. The study relies on the integration of the quality-of-life model and social cognitive theory in conducting the literature review. Furthermore, this study has implications for improving the quality of life through social media, promoting patient-doctor engagement with social media, supporting policymakers in improving public health outcomes, and identifying potential future research topics. Theoretical contributions with integrated frameworks and an innovative approach to breast cancer survivorship were also identified. Policymakers and healthcare professionals have an opportunity to make practical contributions through the use of social media. The study's limitations were a narrow focus on cancer research, limited generalisability, and a broad range of social media investigations

The study explores a characteristic of successful asnafpreneurs to address the number of registered asnafpreneurs seeking aid more than the number of successful asnafpreneurs produced in Southern Malaysia. However, the current industry can still not completely produce an independent business owner based on the Asnaf title. The study aims to determine successful entrepreneurs' internal and external characteristics in Southern Malaysia. A quantitative method was used in this study. Respondents were chosen using the nonprobability sampling method. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Descriptive analysis (frequency and percentage) and hypothesis testing (chi-square test, correlation, and regression) were utilized to solve the research topic. Study finds that internal factors and external factors play an important role in asnafpreneurs success. Chi-square Test analysis revealed that Pearson's significant value was at the 0.00 level. This indicates that it is less than 0.05 at this level. This test successfully rejects H0, which means there is no correlation between internal factors with a successful characteristic of asnafpreneur and there is no correlation between external factors with a successful characteristic of asnafpreneur. Other authors may study the other geography parts and new challenges for asnafpreneurs to succeed in the future.

The informal sector and technology have complex interactions, shaping economic activity, job trends, and social outcomes, especially with the rise of the “gig economy”, in which individuals work on an as-needed basis through online platforms. This article explores several theoretical frameworks, such as modernization theory, dependence theory, structuralist approaches, and post-structuralist viewpoints, and investigates how different frameworks explain the effects of technology on informal economic activity. This article also reviews for comprehending the correlation between the informal sector and technology. Besides that, this article explores the dual nature of the gig economy, examining whether it serves as a trap that perpetuates the vulnerabilities of the informal sector or as a stepping stone toward more excellent economic stability and mobility. Although the gig economy provides opportunities for income generation, skill development, and flexible working conditions, it also presents substantial challenges, such as job insecurity, a lack of benefits, and potential exploitation. This paper also addresses the implications for policy and future research directions by the sustainable development goal (SDG) of fostering sustainable, inclusive, and long-term economic growth, as well as full and productive employment and decent work for all.

The study aims to identify and analyze the reason for the project delay in ABC Company located in the heart of Malaysia specializing in oil and gas and oil and gas-related products. The study utilized observation techniques and data from an official report. The observation was done on an ongoing project and the assessment of record was done on previously completed projects. The outcome of such observation was analysed and simplified using a tool namely the Cause and Effect Diagram or Fishbone Diagram. The study found that shortage of manpower, local authority approval, improper planning, and the COVID-19 pandemic as the root causes that led to project delay.

The market value of a brand is reflected by brand equity. It signals consumers' recognition and preferability toward certain brands. In a highly competitive market, brand equity becomes crucial as it can lead to customer loyalty and product resilience. Strong brand equity helps a company to stand out among competitors and can significantly influence financial performance by driving higher sales volume and profitability. As more Malaysians shift their lifestyles and become more health-conscious after the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand in the healthcare market has expanded massively. By focusing on the healthcare market, especially on dietetics and nutrition consultation services, this paper seeks to evaluate how brand equity influences consumers’ intention in making purchases. Four dimensions of brand equity will be investigated, consisting of perceived quality, brand awareness, brand association and brand image. A total of 194 data were collected using the convenience sampling method in the Subang Jaya region, Malaysia. The findings of this study showed that perceived quality, brand awareness, and brand association have a positive significant impact on purchase intention for dietetics and nutrition consultation services while brand image was found to be insignificantly influencing purchase intention. This provides insight and implications for the dietetics and nutrition consultation services market and practitioners, especially in formulating their marketing strategies.

This article examines the significance of human resource management (HRM) in innovation, organizational culture, and organizational effectiveness. The conceptual framework creation was supported by extracting information from literature research on related study topics, such as resource-based views and organizational effectiveness. This paper seeks to address the existing gap in the literature on organizational effectiveness by emphasizing the role of HRM in influencing business performance. Specifically, it focuses on the intermediate impact of HRM on innovation and culture. This research can help higher education institutions better understand how human resource policies can improve long-term performance by encouraging innovation and fostering an effective culture.

In recent years, live-streaming commerce has witnessed remarkable global growth, catalyzed in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. TikTok, originally a video-sharing app, has undergone rapid expansion and now offers livestreaming capabilities. This review aims to explore how TikTok livestreaming is reshaping the marketing landscape. The objective is to uncover the advantages of TikTok livestreaming for various stakeholders, shedding light on its potential implications for marketers, customers, and content creators. A comprehensive examination of existing literature was conducted, analyzing studies, reports, and academic papers. The analysis focused on the multifaceted benefits of TikTok live streaming for marketers, customers, and content creators. It also considered practical implications for businesses utilizing this platform. TikTok livestreaming fosters real-time engagement between marketers and customers, leading to enhanced trust and more effective product demonstrations. It appeals to younger demographics, offering a valuable marketing avenue. For customers, it facilitates interactive, informative, and emotionally engaging shopping experiences. Content creators can leverage TikTok live streaming to monetize their content and deepen connections with their audience, enhancing brand exposure. In conclusion, TikTok livestreaming is reshaping e-commerce by facilitating immersive, interactive, and trust-building experiences for marketers, customers, and content creators. Marketers should focus on quality interaction, product presentation, and partnering with suitable content creators. Collaborations with influencers should consider credibility and alignment with brand values. Leveraging TikTok's livestreaming capabilities offers the potential to cultivate customer loyalty and retention, transforming conventional marketing paradigms in the process.

Employee engagement has been one of the deepest issues for organizations. Organizations are currently struggling to survive due to the tough current economic environment, whereas the only tool for the organization to achieve a competitive advantage is by engaging employees to foster a competitive edge in the marketplace. Previous studies discovered that employee engagement in Malaysia is still steadily improving but falling behind its neighboring countries, including Indonesia and the Philippines, with the result rising only by four points to 63%. In addition, it was revealed that our country still ranks among the lowest in the region. This study focuses on employee engagement among call centers at selected telcos in Malaysia. There are many theoretical approaches to examining the quality of work life and employee engagement. Hence, this study adopted the Spillover Theory and Self-Determination Theory to explain the relationship between independent variables and employee engagement.

This conceptual paper explores the impact of leadership styles, work-life balance, and the physical environment on psychological well-being using the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model as the theoretical framework. In the contemporary workplace, evolving job demands, rising expectations for mental health support, and persistent stressors like job insecurity have increased the need for organizations to prioritize employee well-being. Leadership is identified as a critical mediating variable that enhances or mitigates the effectiveness of job resources, such as work-life balance and physical environment, in promoting psychological well-being. Transformational and servant leadership styles are emphasized for their role in fostering supportive work environments that buffer the negative effects of high job demands. Additionally, the paper underscores how well-designed workspaces and balanced work-life integration can significantly enhance employee well-being, contributing to higher engagement and performance. The JD-R model provides a robust lens through which the interactions between job demands, resources, and leadership can be examined. This framework offers organizations practical strategies to safeguard employee psychological well-being by fostering leadership that advocates for flexible work arrangements and supportive physical environments. Future research should empirically validate the proposed relationships to further refine the role of leadership in promoting employee well-being.

The trend towards buying organic food is declining among young adults, which raises concerns about factors influencing their purchasing behavior . This study investigates factors affecting young adults’ buying behavior of organic food products, including environmental concerns, knowledge, and health consciousness. Survey data was collected from 100 young adults in Selangor, Malaysia. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The results showed that knowledge about organic food was the strongest predictor of young adults’ organic food purchasing behavior. In addition, concern for the environment had a significant positive influence on young adults’ organic food purchasing behavior, while health consciousness showed no significant influence. These findings offer practical implications for manufacturers: to provide clear product details that can enhance consumers’ knowledge and highlight environmental advantages in marketing strategies to encourage consumption. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the value of environmental awareness and knowledge of organic food and shedding light on the minor influence of health awareness-a topic that has received less attention in other studies.