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

Transportation is a major challenge for energy conservation, with road transport in Malaysia being a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Malaysia, traditional fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel dominate the transportation sector, which has become the second-largest source of GHG emissions, accounting for 20% in 2014. This increase in CO2 emissions, driven by rising vehicle ownership and economic growth, underscores the urgent need for effective emission reduction strategies. The rapid growth in road transportation in Malaysia is linked to socioeconomic factors, including rising incomes and urbanization, leading to higher energy consumption and pollution. Data indicates a significant increase in vehicle registrations from 1990 to 2018, with motorcars and motorcycles being the most common. This growth, fueled by subsidies and decentralization, has exacerbated the sector’s environmental impact. The Green Technology Master Plan Malaysia 2017–2040 aims to address these issues by setting ambitious targets to enhance renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and promote eco-friendly fuels. Key strategies include expanding public transportation, increasing the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), and introducing alternative fuels like hydrogen. Malaysia has substantial potential to reduce CO2 emissions through initiatives such as expanding EV infrastructure, promoting natural gas vehicles, and improving public transit. Effective implementation of these strategies can significantly lower the transportation sector’s carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable future.

This study utilizes the job demands-resources model to examine the relationship between job resources (like organizational climate, co-worker support, authentic leadership, knowledge diversity, and work-life support practices), burnout, psychological capital, and mental health among employees at multinational companies in Beijing. An online survey was filled out by 173 people, and the data were analyzed with PLS-SEM. The results suggest that authentic leadership and work-life support practices had no impact on psychological capital, whereas a positive work environment, helpful co-workers, and a broad range of expertise did. In addition to having direct effects on mental health, psychological capital also indirectly affects mental health through burnout. This study adds to the current literature by examining the mental well-being of employees working for multinational firms in Beijing.

This study experimentally investigates the relationship between economic growth and government spending in Malaysia from 1990 to 2022 using time series data. The study analyzes the impact of total government spending on economic growth, covering housing, healthcare, social services, military, and education while identifying which sector has the most effect on economic growth. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method is employed to evaluate the effects of these expenditures. The findings demonstrate that, in the short run, all variables significantly affect economic growth, hence refuting the null hypothesis. However, only trade openness and labor spending positively impact long-term economic growth. Research indicates that housing and education expenditures are the primary long-term drivers of economic growth in Malaysia. The data suggest that the Malaysian economy contradicts the Keynesian theory, as less government spending appears to improve the real GDP growth rate. The inverse relationship between government spending and economic growth indicates that government expenditure may not be the primary catalyst for economic growth, hence supporting Wagner’s law. These findings provide policymakers with essential insights for optimizing government spending to improve economic development results.

The paper analyses the relationships between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Energy Consumption, Unemployment, and their effects on Income Distribution in Malaysia from 1990-2022. Despite economic growth, Malaysia faces income inequality, especially among ethnic groups. The study uses ARDL regression to find that FDI promotes income distribution by creating jobs and facilitating technology transfer. Increased energy availability boosts industrial production, which is crucial for equitable income distribution. High unemployment, particularly among graduates, exacerbates income inequality. Government initiatives aim to address unemployment through skills enhancement and entrepreneurship. The study concludes that FDI and energy consumption positively influence income distribution, while unemployment has a negative impact. The findings are valuable for policymakers in fostering inclusive growth and equitable income distribution in Malaysia. As Malaysia is an export-oriented country, these insights can lead to impactful improvements in the export sector, further boosting employment opportunities and economic resilience.

Employee performance is a critical determinant of growth and success within manufacturing organizations, making it essential to understand the factors influencing it. This study delves into the effects of work stress and the work environment on job performance, specifically within the electronics manufacturing sector in Penang, Malaysia. The research addresses how role ambiguity and conflict can act as stressors and also explores how intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors related to the work environment affect job performance. The study sample comprised 116 participants from five electronics manufacturing firms located in Bayan Lepas, Penang. Data collection was conducted through a structured questionnaire, and the analysis was performed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The results confirmed that the measurement model was robust, providing a solid foundation for validating the structural model. The PLS-SEM analysis demonstrated that the model had significant predictive capability, revealing that both work stress and the work environment exert substantial effects on job performance within the electronics manufacturing industry in Penang. Specifically, role stressors such as ambiguity and conflict were found to negatively impact job performance, while a supportive and motivating work environment positively influenced it. The study's results align with the theoretical frameworks of role stressors and self-determination, suggesting that effective management of stressors and the cultivation of a motivating work environment are essential for optimizing employee performance in the manufacturing sector.

Quality of life (QoL) among university students is a critical concern that impacts not only their academic success but also their overall well-being and prospects. Social relationships are critical for university students' quality of life. Positive social interactions and a supportive network can enhance students' sense of belonging and emotional well-being. However, many students struggle with loneliness and social isolation on campus. This study aims to investigate the association between civic engagement (social engagement, social network, and social embeddedness) and the QoL among university students. We conducted this cross-sectional study among 179 university students on the UiTM Puncak Alam campus via an online survey. We adapted the questionnaire from previous studies and used SPSS version 29 to analyze the data. The Pearson correlation test revealed a link between all the independent variables and the dependent variable, demonstrating both convergent and concurrent validity. The regression analysis showed that social embeddedness was the best predictor of QoL, followed by attitude and behavior. A secure social environment can help one adapt more effectively and provide emotional support, which lowers the risk of depressive symptoms and improves the QoL. In addition, active involvement in social activities helps to increase the sense of belonging to the university community. Identifying oneself as a member of a group of peers, faculty, and staff contributes to the student’s self-concept and higher self-esteem, which is vital in terms of psychological health and QoL.

Effective innovation is possible when one can innovate. Malaysia has serious problems due to a lack of R&D and innovation skills. Furthermore, small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) in developing nations have received less attention in past research on Malaysian innovation. A quantitative strategy is employed to meet the study's goals. A survey approach is used to collect data from the owners, chief executives, and management of ICT SMEs. The research collected and analyzed a total of 200 respondents. The research models and hypotheses were assessed using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique. This research comprises the difference between Innovative Centric Human Resource Management (ICHRM) (Acquisition; Development; Egalitarian; Collaborative; Documentation, Information System) and Innovation Capability (Radical; Incremental), also the relationship between ICHRM and Innovation Capability, using Knowledge Management Capacity as a mediator. Based on the findings of this study, the majority of HRM practices are suitable for SMEs' incremental innovation capabilities. This study also presents empirical evidence of the impact of ICHRM on knowledge management capacity on innovation, focusing on the impact of each dimension in ICHRM components that were linked to organizational processes, with a focus on the influence on incremental and radical innovation.

Homestay have been a part of the tourism industry for a long time, however, their prevalence is still lower than the other travel-related services. Determining the factors that homestays should have to improve their performance and level them with other tourism services is the goal of this pilot study. Thus, this study aims to investigate how homestay performance can be improved by using the TOE Framework. To do this, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed among 50 homestay coordinators in the pilot study. To verify the validity and internal consistency of the measures, a few tests were carried out on the data by using SPSS 29 software. The three factors examined in this study which are technology, organization and environment factors were all determined to be significant. The findings show that homestays should give each of these factors top priority if they want to improve their performance and stay competitive in the tourism industry. In conclusion, the uniqueness of this study has contributed to the development of the most effective homestay business plan and provided empirical data for the study, both of which are essential resources for decision-makers engaged in the execution of future research.

This study investigates the determinants of bank liquidity in both Islamic and Conventional banks across 15 countries, focusing on key variables such as profitability, capital adequacy, bank size, and credit risk. Utilizing data from 107 Islamic banks and 506 Conventional banks spanning from 2013 to 2022, the analysis reveals significant differences in liquidity management between the two banking systems. The Random Effect Model (REM) was employed based on the Hausman test results to ensure robustness. The findings indicate that profitability negatively impacts liquidity in Islamic banks, likely due to investments in less liquid, Shariacompliant assets, while it positively influences liquidity in Conventional banks, where profits are often reinvested into liquid assets. Capital adequacy emerges as a crucial determinant of liquidity in both bank types, highlighting the importance of maintaining strong capital buffers. The study also finds that credit risk significantly reduces liquidity in Conventional banks, whereas it has a lesser impact on Islamic banks. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of liquidity management practices in Islamic and Conventional banks, offering valuable implications for bank managers, policymakers, and regulators.

This paper explores the correlation between managerial coaching, emotional intelligence, social support, employee resilience, and retention among healthcare workers in Malaysia's public healthcare sector. Retaining healthcare staff has become a severe difficulty in the BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible) environment, worsened by the COVID-19 epidemic. The study suggests that managerial coaching, emotional intelligence, and social support are essential for developing resilience among healthcare workers. This resilience, in turn, impacts their ability to stay in their jobs. The study will employ a quantitative cross-sectional survey approach to examine the links inside specific public hospitals in Malaysia. The results are anticipated to offer a vital understanding of how public healthcare in Malaysia can strategically improve staff resilience and retention, guaranteeing the long-term viability of the healthcare workforce in a world after the pandemic. This study enhances our comprehension of the intricate processes that impact staff retention in the public healthcare industry, providing practical implications for policymakers and healthcare managers.