1,364 research outputs found

    Japan's New Trade Policy:Good or Bad for ASEAN?

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    Because Japan is a primary investor and trading partner of all the troubled economies, in the midst of the crisis, Japan was called in to help the crisis-stricken countries by opening its market to cheaper imports from South East Asia. The article analyses the opening to trade of the Japanese economy with the help of a gravity equation on panel data using a Hausman-Taylor estimator. We show that there is no certainty that such a role, that is the opening of Japan, will have positive effects for the ASEAN countries, although no detrimental effects are expected. In the worst case scenario, this move and its impact on ASEAN countries would have neutral effect. This new Japanese policy, if applicable, appears to be not enough to (1) help ASEAN countries emerge from the financial crisis and (2) enable Japan to play the role it could and/or should in the region. Although many look at this solution – Japan opening its national market -- as the only one, on the contrary, Japanese help has been different and has proved to be very crucial to the ASEAN countries in need. In fact, the case of Malaysia is a good example of how Japan can help to foster the economy. Their experience shows that, next to trade ties, a greater emphasis can be put on a technical and/or other type of co-operation. Within this framework, Japan has helped Malaysia to recover faster from the crisis, without the former having to open wider its market to the latter. However, Japan is also driven by its own interests. Thus, if it wants to play a leading role in furthering ASEAN integration, especially in economic aspects, it will have to consider, soon or later, opening up its market to appear more reliable to its neighbours.Asian crisis – Hausman-Taylor – FDI, Gravity equation, Japan – ASEAN – Malaysia

    Banking Services Transformation and Financial Technology Role

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    The primary purpose of this paper is to explore and discuss the role of Fintech in the transformation of Malaysian banking services. The research design is qualitative and secondary source analysis is conducted. Secondary data is collected from relevant journal articles, research papers, editorials, websites and official documents. Based on the analysis, it is concluded that different key drivers played an influential role in the progress of the Fintech industry in Malaysia. Financial literacy programs and Malaysia Stack are some notable initiatives that support the Fintech progress in Malaysia. A range of Fintech businesses is operating in Malaysia that are transforming different banking services including payments solutions, lending personal loans, credit cards, personal finance management solutions and one- stop-shop online banking. Underserved populations, flexible regulatory environment and increased level of interest of state authorities are some of the critical aspects for the future progress of Fintech business in Malaysia. The research paper explains the role of Fintech businesses in the Malaysian banking industry. Many have viewed Fintech as a disruptive technology, however, this study highlighted that Malaysian banking services are transformed by Fintech business and there are still opportunities for the progress of the Fintech industry in Malaysia

    A Longitudinal Analysis of Malaysia’s Innovation System in Shaping Innovation Capability, 1965–2016

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    This thesis assesses the policies and strategies implemented between 1965 and 2016 in building Malaysia's Innovation capability through the National Innovation System lens. Malaysia, a newly industrialised economy, became an upper-middle-income country relatively early due to its open economy and industrialisation efforts. However, its development story is between a rock and a hard place. It is no longer an attractive alternative for foreign investors, nor can it compete at the innovative frontier

    information strategies for Malaysia: geographical, organisational, political and technological implications for development

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    Malaysia has undergone radical social, economic and political development over the last four decades. The information systems put in place to provide informational support for managing development projects have also changed from manual systems in the 1960s and 1970s, to computerised systems based on batch and on-line processing and networking in the 1980s, and multimedia in the 1990s. Two large-scale information system programmes were studied in detail. The National Project Monitoring System (SETIA) and the National Land Information System (NALIS) involved co-ordination of individualised information systems and sharing of information by agencies at Federal, State (including District) and local authorities. Collection of information and the subsequent analysis of that information was guided by two theoretical frameworks: first the organisational perspectives framed by Web models which help in understanding the dynamics of computing in development; and second the subjective epistemological stance framed by structuration theory which helps to frame an understanding of the complexities of social relations surrounding information systems development. This research demonstrates how organisational behaviour, and a socio-political culture influenced by economic interests and personal ambition, can complicate large scale information systems development. Reluctance to share information; differences of appreciation and awareness and varying levels of understanding of the technology in use; inadequate and incompatible information; inadequate working strategies and standards; and imbalanced infrastructural support are among the major reasons for lack of success. However, in the implementation of information systems, problems related to human factors are not unique to Malaysia; rather they are common even among 'advanced' countries. But developing countries like Malaysia are often more sensitive to changes in economic and political environments. The concluding chapter of this thesis places the information strategy issues in the context of Malaysian and Southeast Asian political and economic events of 1998

    Malaysia, institutions and the middle-income trap : challenges in human capital development and income inequality in the manufacturing sector

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    Malaysia's growth performance in recent years has been lacklustre. This research attempts to identify what institutional issues may have contributed to this performance. The research examines the impact of institutional quality on economic performance generally. The study proceeds at two levels: at the cross-country level and at the sectoral level. The research uses econometric and case study analysis to explain the effects of institutions on economic performance and identify the fundamental causes of less satisfactory economic outcomes. Recommendations for institutional reform then follow. At the cross-country level, a stochastic frontier model was used to analyse the relationship between institutions and economic efficiency, to rank the economic efficiency of Malaysia in relation to other countries over time, and to explain what the reasons are for changes in economic performance. Economic efficiency is defined here by measuring numerically a best practice frontier and evaluating the performance of countries included in the study (or other economic units) relative to that best practice frontier. The results suggest that overall, and at the middle income level, institutions related to 'Government Effectiveness' have the strongest impact on economic efficiency. Institutions related to 'Control of Corruption' and 'Rule of Law' are important to economic efficiency at the middle income level while institutions related to the 'Rule of Law' matter the most to economic efficiency at the high income level. Using a case study approach, the thesis investigates the links between human capital development and manufacturing sector output and the determinants of wage inequality in the manufacturing sector. A stochastic frontier model is again used, here to investigate the contribution of the different skills level to manufacturing sector output. The results demonstrate that unskilled labour contributes most significantly manufacturing sector output. Using the 'supply-demand-institutions' framework and implementing it within a modified industry wage equation framework, the determinants of the wage gap at the industry level in the manufacturing sector were identified. Difference in skill levels are found to have the biggest impact on increasing the wage gap in Malaysia's manufacturing sector. The analysis suggests three key reasons for the weak human capital development in Malaysia's manufacturing sector. First, Malaysia's education and training institutions have failed to produce skilled labour in sufficient numbers and quality. Second, skills development through training, retraining and up-skilling in the manufacturing sector has not produced the required human capital with the appropriate skills. Private sector linkages as well as the public-private sector partnerships that are necessary for effective training and development are at much lower and unsatisfactory levels in Malaysia's manufacturing sector compared to the successful East Asian economies. Third, labour policies in the manufacturing sector provide incentives for firms to rely on unskilled or semi-skilled labour rather than use high skilled labour. The unlimited supply of unskilled labour and weak human capital formation in the manufacturing sector (that Malaysian policy and institutional settings allow) in turn leads to increasing wage inequality. The government's response to human capital development and income inequality is primarily race-based, and has failed to resolve these issues. This approach is unlikely to be successful in addressing the middle-income trap. A move away from race-based institutions will be necessary to break through the middle income trap

    Application of the decision theory for University Industrial Link (UIL)

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    The case was conducted to describe the application of decision theory in determining the best option in selecting source of research grant.The case started with the overview of University Industrial link (UIL) scenario and then looked into the strategic aspect of the collaborations that enable the school to make decision au fait with the needs of the university and social systems

    Establishing a strategic framework of green procurement for the malaysian construction industry / Mohd Sallehuddin Mat Noor and Fadzil Hassan

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    Resource depletion has become the main issues in the last decades. The fact that world population increased into 7 billion in the year 2013, natural resources has become a crucial element in creating better quality of life through physical infrastructure development. In order to decrease the emission of carbon up to 20 percent in the year 2020, green procurement is believed to be one of the solution minimize the environmental impact through its nature of procuring service or product which can be controlled from the initiation steps until its demolition. The current problem in Malaysian construction industry is that it is at the junction in determining the growth of this sector. Megatrend in the global scale had influenced it through risk management, sustaining profitability, sustaining corporate social responsibility and growing bureaucracy, green procurement is believed to be the solution to the construction industry to grow steadily thus contributes to the nation’s economic and social growth. Most of the data that will be obtained are primary data, using document analysis, questionnaire and focus group that will be conducted to the respective bodies in construction industries. This research will be detailed up on its elements and the sub elements of the strategic framework within each element. It also will be tested in the real construction industry. Finally, this strategic framework will be validated to be used in the current industry. The anticipated finding is that to fill the knowledge gap by introducing a green procurement strategic framework for the industry restructuring a new type of procurement method

    The Reviews on Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRIs) Practices According to Maqasid Shariah and Maslahah Perspectives

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    The present study aims to explore SRIs practices based on Maqasid Shariah and Maslahah's points of view. A qualitative method via content analysis document was advocated to address the link between all concepts. The analysis revealed that SRIs, Maqasid Shariah and Maslahah share similar aims and goals to promote better environmental practices and social and governance issues. Thus, the paper concludes that the concept of SRIs does not contradict Maqasid Shariah and Maslahah in Islamic perspectives. However, a few criteria in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) concept that govern the SRIs practices like promoting human rights, freedom of expression, and censorship need further clarification to align with Shariah principles. The paper can enlighten the reader, especially in terms of the capabilities of SRIs practices (which is from West philosophy) to suit Maqasid Shariah and Maslahah in Islamic perspectives.JEL Classification: G2, G4, I13, N2How to Cite:Wahab, M. Z. H., & Naim, A. M. (2021). The Reviews on Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRIs) Practices According to Maqasid Shariah and Maslahah Perspectives. Etikonomi, 20(2), xx – xx. https://doi.org/10.15408/etk.v20i2.18053

    Regional integration in East Asia :challenges and opportunities - Part II : Trade, finance and integration

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    The authors analyze the patterns of East Asia's trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) from a global and intraregional perspective, taking into account the importance of trade and FDI interlinkages. They propose two regionally-focused approaches to promoting trade and FDI in East Asia-regional agreements and regional production networks. The East Asia crisis strengthened appeals for regional cooperation in the financial area. As a result, a number of financial arrangements and initiatives have emerged since the crisis, the most prominent of these, the Chiang Mai Initiative. (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus China, the Republic of Korea, and Japan decided at their meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in May 2000, to establish a regional network of swap arrangements.) While opening of the capital account is considered desirable in the long run, it is associated with considerable risk, particularly if macroeconomic policies are not sound and financial supervision and regulation is weak. Because of the potential volatility associated with floating regimes and the desire to avoid another crisis in the region, the authors discuss a number of options.Payment Systems&Infrastructure,Environmental Economics&Policies,Common Carriers Industry,Economic Theory&Research,Trade Policy,Economic Theory&Research,TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT,Environmental Economics&Policies,Trade Policy,Trade and Services
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