Corporate image of zakat institutions in Malaysia

The privatization of several zakat institutions in Malaysia has opened a new phase in zakat administration with the aim of improving institutional image, especially through the introduction and implementation of corporate values. Various activities and promotional efforts were undertaken to achieve this objective incurring significant expenditures which would be wasted if they fail to achieve the intended goals. In this light, this study was conducted to identify factors that shape and determine the image of zakat institutions among zakat contributors and noncontributors. Based on the two basic components of corporate image which consisted of emotional and functional components, four factors were proposed – reputation, corporate communication, access to service and contact personnel. A total of 225 questionnaires were administered and analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that reputation and contact personnel had a significant relationship with image. These findings have broadened understanding of the concept of image and its antecedents in the context of zakat institutions in Malaysia

The effects of employee participation in creative-relevant process and creative self-efficacy on employee creativity

Employees are the key determinants of an organization’s success because they possess the greatest source of the organization’s creativity. To produce a highly creative thinker, employee participation in the creative-relevant process is required. However, different forms of employee participation may benefit the organization differently. Mainly, researchers agreed on three forms of participation, namely full-autonomous or discretion over individual work tasks, semi-autonomous teamwork and consultative participation. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between the different forms of employee participation in creative-relevant process and employee creativity. In addition, creative self-efficacy has demonstrated a relationship with creativity among employees. Underpinned by the Social Cognitive Theory, this study further examined the effect of creative self-efficacy on employee creativity and as a moderator for the relationship between creative-relevant process and employee creativity. We employed a quantitative approach by distributing questionnaires to employees who are working in public/private service sectors in Malaysia and 250 employees had responded. The study hypotheses were tested using PLS structural equation modeling. The results of the study showed that there is (a) a significant relationship between full-autonomous and consultative participation in the creative-relevant process; (b) a nonsignificant relationship between semi-autonomous and creative-relevant process; (c) a significant relationship between creative-relevant process and employee creativity; (d) a significant relationship between creative self-efficacy and employee creativity, and (e) a nonsignificant moderated relationship of creative self-efficacy. This study adds to the body of knowledge on the importance of examining the different forms of employee participation and enforcing continuous training in creative-relevant process in order to develop employee creativity

The Mediating Role of Marketing Innovation Between Internal Social Media Utilization and Business Performance of Smes in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: The usage of social media (SM) by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) received relatively less attention and the findings in the literature are mixed in terms of the effect of SM on SME performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of SM utilization on SME business performance (SMEBP) in Saudi Arabia.   Theoretical Framework: Based on the resource-based view, this study proposed that SM internal utilization (SMIU) affects positively the SMEBP and marketing innovation (MI). MI is expected to affect the SMEBP and mediate the effect of SMIU on SME performance (profitability (PR) and business growth (BG).   Design/Methodology/Approach: The population of this study is the SMEs in Al-Riyadh city in Saudi Arabia. A simple random sampling is deployed. The data was collected using a questionnaire. A total of 451 respondents representing SMEs participated in this study.   Findings: The finding was derived using Smart PLS version 4. The findings showed that SMIU affected positively PR and BG of SME and MI. MI affected positively the PR and BG of SME and mediated partially the effect of SMIU on PR and BG of SME.   Research practical Implication:  Decision makers are advised to deploy SM more effectively and to create a rewarding culture for innovative ideas to improve performance.   Originality/Value: This study helps to enhance the understanding regarding the role of marketing innovation and social media internal usage in improving the performance of SMEs in emerging economies

Bekerja dari rumah dan prestasi adaptif: autonomi kerja dan kepimpinan rendah hati sebagai penyederhana

Pandemik Covid-19 telah membuka lanskap terhadap kelebihan bekerja dari rumah dan penyesuaian diri dalam melaksanakan tugasan. Autonomi kerja dan gaya kepimpinan juga berpotensi untuk membantu pekerja menyesuaikan diri dalam persekitaran kerja yang lebih fleksibel. Oleh itu, tujuan kajian adalah untuk mengkaji kesan bekerja dari rumah, autonomi kerja dan kepimpinan rendah hati terhadap prestasi adaptif serta kesan penyederhanaannya. Teori ketetapan diri (self-determination theory) dirujuk sebagai teori asas untuk mengenal pasti sejauh mana autonomi kerja dan kepimpinan rendah hati dapat membantu pekerja untuk lebih bermotivasi dalam melaksanakan kerja dari rumah. Data yang diperolehi daripada maklum balas 200 responden dianalisis menggunakan PLS-SEM. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bekerja dari rumah, kepimpinan rendah hati dan autonomi kerja mempunyai hubungan yang positif dan signifikan dengan prestasi adaptif. Autonomi kerja yang luas dan persepsi yang tinggi terhadap kepimpinan rendah hati secara tidak langsung menguatkan hubungan di antara bekerja dari rumah dengan prestasi adaptif. Kajian ini telah menyumbang secara teoretikal bahawa pemberian autonomi kerja yang luas dan pengaruh gaya kepimpinan rendah hati dapat menyuntik motivasi untuk meningkatkan prestasi adaptif walaupun bekerja dari rumah. Manakala secara praktikal, organisasi perlu melengkapi penyelia dengan gaya kepimpinan rendah hati dan memperluaskan autonomi kerja untuk memantapkan prestasi pekerja tidak kira di mana mereka bekerja

Muslim students’ intention to search for a life partner over the internet

This study aims to examine factors that could influence Muslim students’ intention in searching for a life partner over the internet. The Theory of Planned Behaviour is adapted as a theoretical framework and four hypotheses are proposed. Data collection was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire and analysed using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling. The result of the study provides support towards all the hypotheses. Attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and trust are found to be positively and significantly related to intention. These findings offer knowledge to the online matrimonial site operators on the important factors to be considered in attracting prospective users. In addition, the study has also empirically tested the applicability of the Theory of Planned Behaviour in the context of the internet as a medium to search for a life partner among Muslim students. The study is among a few marketing researches available in the context of online matrimonial services

The role of halal attribute as halal product positioning in determining consumer purchase intention

This conceptual paper aims to investigate halal product attributes as halal product positioning in determining consumer purchase intention. This paper will review previous literature from marketing and social science perspectives. To focus on the halal market segment, this study seeks to address the issue of positioning dimensions that are in line with shariah requirements. The elements of halal product attribute discovered in this study range from safety, purity, product ingredient, and halal logo. In the context of this study, it is predicted that consumers, Muslims, and non-Muslims will behave predictably while purchasing halal food products, as proposed by Ajzen 1991. The Theory of Planned Behaviour will be used as an underpinning theory that clarifies how individual human thoughts or perceptions are shaped or impacted by a person's desire to engage in a particular behaviour. However, this study does not provide any empirical findings which mark the limit of the research

Students’ satisfaction and intention to continue online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced teaching and learning to be conducted online. Without proper preparation, students and academicians face various challenges, which may cause stress and drop out. Thus, this study was conducted to determine factors influencing students’ satisfaction and intention to continue studying online. Three factors were hypothesized to influence satisfaction, namely the lecturer’s performance, students’ interaction, and course content. The study also examined the moderating role of internet connection on the relationship between satisfaction and continuance intention. Using purposive sampling, data were collected from undergraduate and postgraduate students. A total of 305 questionnaires were analyzed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The result of the analysis indicated that all three proposed factors are significant in influencing students’ satisfaction, and satisfaction impacts continuance intention. Internet connection on the other hand moderates the relationship between satisfaction and intention. These findings have broadened the knowledge on the factors of students’ satisfaction and continuance intention to study online during the pandemic. This study is among a limited number of studies available exploring the role of internet connection in the context of online learning. The study provides insights to academicians, higher learning institutions and policymakers on the continuance of online learning during and post-pandemic

Faktor penentu niat penggunaan e-dompet pasca pandemik COVID-19 di Malaysia : integrasi model UTAUT dan MAT

Pandemik COVID-19 secara tidak langsung telah mempercepatkan peralihan gaya hidup kepada masyarakat tanpa tunai dan penerapan transaksi pembayaran secara digital. Namun berbanding saluran pembayaran digital sedia ada, tahap penerimaan e-dompet dalam kalangan pengguna di Malaysia masih rendah. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenalpasti faktor yang mempengaruhi niat penggunaan e-dompet dalam kalangan pengguna di Malaysia pasca pandemik COVID-19. Kajian ini mengintegrasikan model Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) dan Mental Accounting Theory (MAT) dengan mengambil kira faktor tambahan persepsi faedah, persepsi keselamatan dan kepercayaan. Ia menggunakan teknik persampelan bertujuan dan mengumpulkan 303 respon melalui tinjauan soal-selidik. Berdasarkan analisis PLS-SEM, dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa persepsi faedah, persepsi keselamatan, kepercayaan dan pengaruh sosial memberi kesan positif ke atas niat penggunaan e-dompet. Manakala kesan jangkaan prestasi dan jangkaan usaha adalah tidak signifikan. Kajian ini dapat menyediakan maklumat kepada pihak industri untuk memahami tingkah laku pengguna pasca pandemik bagi membangunkan strategi perniagaan dan aplikasi pembayaran secara digital seperti menambah baik reka bentuk, kandungan, sistem dan fitur e-dompet

Measuring the Spiritual Brand Attribute of Islamic Banks

Islamic banking institutions are different from their conventional counterparts as they incorporate religious and spiritual values in their operations. Despite this significant difference, few studies have investigated this spiritual aspect especially from the perspective of the brand. The main purpose of this study is to develop a valid and reliable scale to measure the spiritual brand attribute of Islamic banks. Based on the result of the interviews and review of literature, 28 items were proposed and analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A total of 14 items remain on the final scale classified in three dimensions which are beliefs, ethics, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The new brand attribute scale is different from the existing scale as it focuses mainly on the spiritual and religious aspect incorporated into the Islamic banking brand

Pengaruh efikasi kendiri fintech terhadap niat melabur dalam unit amanah patuh syariah di Malaysia

Kajian ini menganalisis pengaruh sikap, pengaruh sosial, dan efikasi kendiri teknologi kewangan (fintech) terhadap niat meneruskan pelaburan dalam unit amanah patuh Syariah (UAPS) dalam kalangan pelabur Muslim di Malaysia. Kajian ini mengumpulkan 223 responden melalui edaran soal selidik secara dalam talian ke seluruh Malaysia. Data yang diperoleh diuji menggunakan kaedah Partial-Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). Hasil kajian menunjukkan terdapat hubungan positif yang signifikan di antara efikasi kendiri fintech (EKF) dan niat melabur dalam UAPS. Selain itu, sikap dan pengaruh sosial juga berhubungan positif terhadap niat melabur dalam UAPS. Kajian ini membawa kepada perluasan Teori Tingkah Laku Terancang dengan menggantikan peranan persepsi kawalan tingkah laku kepada EKF dalam mempengaruhi individu untuk melabur dalam UAPS. Seiring dengan arus dan perkembangan teknologi terkini, kemahiran dan EKF amat penting untuk menyokong pertumbuhan industri UAPS. Kajian ini dapat memberi input kepada penggubal dasar dan pengurus dana untuk memantapkan lagi strategi pemasaran melalui peningkatan keyakinan dan akses pelabur terhadap penggunaan teknologi digital kewangan