Role of corporate branding, customer involvement and customer relationship proneness in luxury fashion branding

The main purpose of the current research is to develop and test a theoretical framework that captures the role of corporate branding (corporate association, symbolic benefits, and functional benefits), customer involvement and customer relationship proneness on customers emotional attachment and brand loyalty in the luxury fashion industry. The nature of this study is quantitative, cross-sectional and non-contrived. This study used a convenient sampling technique for the collection of data. Data were gathered from 315 customers who used to buy luxury fashion brands. This study has adopted a causal analytical approach by which hypotheses were developed and tested. For data analysis, correlation, regression, and descriptive statistics tests were carried out with the help of SPSS and mediation analysis was carried through AMOS. Findings approved that corporate association; symbolic benefits have limited impact on brand loyalty while functional benefits customer involvement and customer relationship proneness have a significant impact on brand loyalty. Findings suggest that emotional attachment fully mediates the relationship of corporate association, symbolic benefits, customer involvement, and brand loyalty, while emotional attachment partially mediates the relationship of functional benefits, customer relationship proneness, and brand loyalty

Growth Linkage between Oil and Gas and Construction Industry of Malaysia (1991-2010)

Oil and gas sector has become very important and fundamental sector of any economy.  Oil and gas are essential and, high-value commodities for both developed and developing countries. These two products are indispensable for industry, industrial process, and industrial output. The demand for these commodities are continues to grow because of their various use and direct link to the industry and social well-being of the society.  The two characteristics high consumption and high value increases the hopes and expectations of governments, citizens, local communities, and the oil and gas companies that provide the essential services of exploration, extraction, and distribution. The construction sector play significant role to manage these activities. The objective of this study is to describe and identify the causal link and the direction of the link between the Malaysian construction industry (MCI)  and oil and gas sector (O&G) of Malaysia over the period of 1991 to 2010. The Granger causality technique is used to determine the effect of one sector to another sector. The outcome of the study is neither O&G lead to MCI nor MCI lead to O&G. The O&G and MCI are independent and there is no causality link between them during study period 1991-2010. Keywords: Linkage, causality

The Mediating Influence of Team Alignment on the Relationship between Plant Turnaround Maintenance Planning and Plant Turnaround Maintenance Performance

In the plant turnaround, the operating assets and machinery of the organization shut down for overhauling and some capital work. This activity is very expensive and the time allocated is very low. Therefore, a good management system is required for planning all the activities of the plant turnaround maintenance. As the number of people involved in the maintenance, process is high, so teamwork is required to carry the work of plant turnaround maintenance. The alignment of team with the goals and objectives of plant turnaround maintenance has been one of the concerns for the academics and researchers. In spite of the positive impact of the team alignment on the performance of the company, only some of the organizations consider themselves having high performance due to team alignment. The previous research finding suggests that the best turnaround methodology & tools do not guarantee turnaround success as due to many reasons. So therefore, the current study attempts to use mediating approach of alignment in Plant turnaround maintenance. The survey questionnaires distributed among the technological advance and capital-intensive organisations in Malaysia covering Oil & Gas, Petrochemical Plants, Cement Plants, Palm Oils and Power Plants with a 31 companies yielding a 31% response rate. The study found that there is a positive influence for team alignment mediating the relationship between Plant Turnaround Maintenance Planning and Performance. Keywords: Plant Turnaround Maintenance; Team Alignment; Management; Planning; Performance, Mediation JEL Classifications: J52, L2

The Feasibility of Carbon Capturing, Storage and Utilization Projects in Developing Countries: A Case of Malaysia

The rapid change in climate and the high cost of controlling it are the issues caught much attention around the world especially during the last two decades. The CCSU (Carbon Capture, Storage and Utilization) is widely believed the mechanism to control both these issues to a great extent. However, the adoption, expansion, or development of CCSU isn't yet common to counter these issues. The pace of CCSU adoption and development is greatly impaired by its high cost and non-availability of funds in both developed and developing countries of the world. The scenario in developing countries is worse as these countries have no mandatory obligation for carbon emissions like developed countries. Subsequently, most of the developing countries except few are not willing to carry out CCSU operations voluntarily. This paper, therefore, sheds light on various costs associated to CCSU operations and the potential sources of financing them in developing countries especially Malaysia. The paper concludes that public awareness is fundamental in persuading governments and other entities to finance CCSU operations and ensuring the feasibility, economic viability and success of these projects. The paper recommends that governments, environmental agencies, international financial institutions, and developed countries should support CCSU projects in developing countries by providing funds and capacity building measures. The paper contributes to the limited literature and policy making of CCSU funding especially in developing countries like Malaysia where the mechanism (CCSU) is yet in embryonic stage. Keywords - CCSU, Public Awareness, Developing countries, Malaysia JEL Classifications: L13, Q3

A Step towards Sustainable Society: The Awareness of Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Climate Change and Carbon Capture in Malaysia

Public awareness is crucial to mitigate negative impacts on the environment. The aim of the study is to explore the level of public awareness in five states of Malaysia (Perak, Melaka, Johor, Pahang and Terengganu) regarding CO2 emissions, climate change and carbon capture and storage (CCS). A questionnaire floated for exploring public awareness regarding CO2 emissions, climate change and CCS. Based on the questionnaire data was collected from five states (Perak, Melaka, Johor, Pahang and Terengganu) of Malaysia. These states were chosen on the basis of high concentration of heavy industries and plants, including petrochemical, natural gas processing, electricity generating, and cement plants. The study found that the public awareness of CO2 emissions and climate change is high as compared to the level of awareness towards CCS, because some of the respondents have never/ not heard about CCS. Furthermore, the study revealed that the respondents have several misperceptions about CO2 emissions, climate change and CCS. Most of them only heard about CO2 emissions, climate change and CCS only through print, electronic and social media. This study investigated public awareness about CO2 emissions, climate change and CCS only in 5 states of Malaysia; however, in future the study could be extended and explored in all states of Malaysia. The findings offer significant implications for environmental policies and strategies in curbing the negative environmental impacts of CO2 emissions in Malaysia as a whole. Keywords: Public awareness, CO2 emission, Climate Change, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), Malaysia JEL Classifications: L13, Q3

Visual Signal Device (VSD) For Deaf Sports Athletics Malaysia

Previous study revealed that the advancement of technology has widen the potential for all individual including the disable to participate in any sport competition. Deaflympic and Malaysia Deaf Games,SOPMA respectively provide the opportunity for the deaf people to compete in sports event internationally and locally. From the literature, it is shown that deaf individuals have some visual-spatial advantages relative to hearing individuals. Hence, in this study, Visual Signal Device (VSD) being developed as a sight-based visual starting system for deaf sports athletes in track and field event. VSD system consist of a RGB LED panel, controller and the SEIKO brand electronic gun. The VSD system were explored to see its effectiveness during the sports for deaf people. The results show that, VSD successfully employed during the recent SOPMA 2018 in Perak, Malaysi

Nicotine, propylene glycol and tobacco-specific nitrosamines content in selected e-liquids in Malaysia: the case support for initiation of standards or guidelines

Introduction: Electronic Cigarette (EC) usage has been gaining acceptance in Malaysia despite its lack of analytical evidence on the chemical constituents of its liquid formulations. This study aims to evaluate the chemical concentrations of nicotine, propylene glycol (PG) and selected Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs); 4-(methylnitrosa-mino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and N’-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in e-liquids locally sourced from the Malaysian market. Methods: A total of 17 e-liquids from a variety of flavours and brands were purchased from local EC retailers in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Nicotine and PG concentrations were assessed using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) while NNK and NNN were quantified using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The concentrations of nicotine and PG (mg/mL) were described in comparison with the levels indicated on the labels when present while levels of TSNAs were descriptively explained. Results: Nicotine was detected in all e-liquid samples, despite several samples being declared as nicotine-free. The average (standard deviation) level of nicotine, PG, NNN and NNK were 3.26 (1.04) mg/mL, 484.10 (98.24) mg/mL, 0.383(0.288) μg/L and 0.086 (0.057) μg/L, respectively. Labelling discrepancies (when indicated on the label) of nicotine and PG were between the range of 27%-73% and 3%-63%, respectively. Conclusion: The concentrations of nicotine and PG in local e-liquids were varied. There were evidences of labelling discrepancy in that local e-liquids. TSNAs were detected in all samples of e-liquids. This study brought forth strong evidence on the need for the implementation of regulation on e-liquid manufacturing and sales, particularly on the accuracy of labelling and licensing to protect the public health

Visual signal device (VSD) for deaf sports athletics Malaysia

Previous study revealed that the advancement of technology has widen the potential for all individual including the disable to participate in any sport competition. Deaflympicand Malaysia Deaf Games,SOPMArespectively provide the opportunity for the deaf people to compete in sports event internationally and locally. From the literature, it is shown that deaf individuals have some visual-spatial advantages relative to hearing individuals. Hence, in this study, Visual Signal Device (VSD)beingdeveloped as a sight-based visual starting system for deaf sports athletes in track and field event. VSD system consist of a RGB LED panel, controller and the SEIKO brand electronic gun. The VSD system were exploredto see its effectiveness during the sports for deaf people. The results show that, VSD successfully employed during the recent SOPMA2018 in Perak, Malaysi

The DART Perspective on Value Co-Creation between Frontline Employees and Internal Service Providers

This article studies the DART model and its importance in developing actors value co-creation attitude and behavior within the firms’ micro-level ecosystem. Fifteen propositions are proposed based on the literature from service-dominant logic perspective. Two major contributions are made. First, the article provides the importance and need of co-creation between the actors such as frontline employees with internal service providers in firms’ micro-level ecosystem. Second, it highlights the dialogue, access, risk and transparency as important factors that can develop actors’ attitude towards engagement in co-creation which subsequently lead to actors’ actual engagement in co-creation. The article is conceptual and needs empirical validation