Information and communication technology adoption among small and medium enterprises in the northern region of Malaysia

Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) still have not fully utilized the information and communications technology (ICT) tools to their fullest potential. Hence, there is a need to determine the factors that contribute to ICT adoption among SMEs. This study was undertaken to examine the variables that contribute to the ICT adoption among the SMEs in Malaysia by examining the relationships between relative advantage, security, compatibility, complexity, cost and environmental pressure (normative, mimetic and coercive) and JCT adoption. Additionally, government support was examined as a moderator. The triangulation theory approach, which integrates technology-organization­ environment, diffusion of innovation and the institutional theory was used to explain the relationships between the variables. A total of 183 owners-managers of SMEs, representing a response rate of 47.6 percent, participated in this study. The data was collected via self­ administered questionnaires, and PLS-SEM was used to analyze them and test the hypotheses. Statistical results indicated that relative advantage and security are positively related while complexity is negatively related to ICT adoption. Conversely, compatibility, cost and environmental pressure (normative, mimetic and coercive) are not related to ICT adoption. Moreover, the moderating test result reveals that government support only moderates the relationship between security, compatibility, complexity and cost, and ICT adoption. Conversely, no empirical support is found for the moderating effect of government support on the relationship between relative advantage and environmental pressure, and ICT adoption. The major theoretical contribution of this research is that it examines environmental pressure as a multidimensional independent variable. Besides that, the study also examines the role of government support as a moderating variable. This study also provides some suggestions to SMEs, policy-makers, ICT support system developers and vendors on ways to improve existing plan and policies for encouraging ICT adoption among SMEs. Finally, recommendations for future research are discussed

Design your own gamified learning environment

The workshop on "Design your own gamified learning environment" is an introductory workshop to expose participants about gamification approaches that enable teaching and learning process more interactive and engaging particularly in higher education. It will also cover theoretical and application of gamification. This workshop will be conducted in the form of lecture on the concept of gamification and hands-on for the web-2.0 gamification application

KAHOOT: Electrify your class with a game-based classroom response system

Kahoot is a real time and fun way of game-based learning through quizzes, discussions and surveys by using any devices with a web browser. This pedagogy captivates and encourages learners to continuously participate, present and share their knowledge in a very playful, fun and enjoyable way. Typically, educators have to play their own Kahoot before and after the introduction of their topic to assess learner`s level of understanding. In the meantime, educators must provide a space to learners to create their own assessments such as quizzes and discussions on specific topics. Overall, this gaming mechanic flips the classroom and provides engagement and motivation through empowerment of learners

Adoption of corporate social responsibility: empirical evidence from Malaysian SMEs

In the new global economy, corporate social responsibility has become a central issue of most of the government but a number of cases of business owners being socially irresponsible are dramatically increasing. Therefore, this study has thoroughly examined most contributing factor of corporate social responsibility adoption among SMEs. It is undeniable, that the contributions of SMEs toward the corporate social responsibility are increasing in the society along with the number of SMEs gradually increase in the market and play a significant role in the corporate social responsibility to improve the economic and social development of the nation. The purpose of this research is to examine further in-depth the relevant factors that influence the managers of SMEs in the adoption of corporate social responsibility practices. Quantitative data were collected using the self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to a sample of 384 respondents. In this study, Pearson Correlation Analysis and Multiple Linear Regressions were used to test the importance of all of the four independent variables which are profit maximization, philanthropy responsibility, external pressure, and moral responsibility. The results indicated that all of the tested motivational factors that influence adoption of corporate social responsibility have significant association with corporate social responsibility of SMEs. Therefore, it can be concluded that the result may provide some insight to business leaders with more practical perspectives about motivational factors of corporate social responsibility in Malaysia

Entrepreneurial Orientation Among Malaysian Indian Ethnic Entrepreneurs: Some Preliminary Findings

Entrepreneurial orientation of ethnic minority small businesses has prompted thus study to explore entrepreneurial orientation (EO) of Malaysian Indian ethnic entrepreneurs. This paper, reveals an overview of profile of Malaysian Indian ethnic entrepreneurs’ and the level of entrepreneurial orientation. The paper reports and analyses the findings of 201 questionnaires which were collected from selected areas in Malaysia such as Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Penang and Kedah. The paper illustrates an overview entrepreneurial profile among Malaysian Indian ethnic entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the result also shows that the is no gender difference in term of entrepreneurial orientation level among Malaysian Indian ethnic entrepreneurs. Discussion and implication of this study introduced in the last section on this paper

Attitude towards recycling among business undergraduate students in Malaysia

Pro-environmental concern is vital to each nation for continuous survival of future generations. Universities in Malaysia should inculcate pro-environmental behaviour among students since they are the future managers who will design and lead Malaysian organizations with better green strategies which will benefit both the organizations and the country.Objective of this study is probe the recycling behaviour among business undergraduate students in Malaysia. About 370 undergraduate business students from Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) participated in the study.The result indicates that the attitude of undergraduate business students on recycling is positive and able to influence their intention to perform recycling activities in their respective university campus. Intent to recycle depends on the sufficient knowledge and information they have whether it is been translated to their mind or behavioural belief

Revisiting influence of marketing effectiveness and environmental awareness on buying behaviour of green product: a SEM approach

Environmental sustainability become a prominent and unending issue in the third world economic countries such as Malaysia. Although, “green” and “go green” concepts were emphasized by academicians and practitioners to explain the need to save the earth but environmental consciousness is remain at beginning stage. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine green buying behaviour among undergraduate students using environmental awareness or concern and marketing effectiveness as independent variables and intention as a mediator. Total 375 usable questionnaires were used for the purpose of analysis. Our findings support the influence of environmental awareness and marketing effectiveness on the intention and influence of intention on buying behaviour. Similarly, environmental awareness and marketing effectiveness mediated by intention on buying behaviour. The results of this study can be used by public and marketers to encourage pro-environmental behaviours. The recommendation, limitation and conclusion are then discussed at the end of the pape

Relationship between PLKN programme and entrepreneurial personality among youths in Malaysia

The main objective of this study is to examine the influence of the National Service Training Programme modules of physical training, nation building, character building and community service on entrepreneurial personality of the trainees. The study was conducted on a sample size of 345 students of Universiti Utara Malaysia who had undergone these four important modules of the National Service Training Programme.The findings revealed that there is a positive relationship between modules of the National Service Training Program and entrepreneurial personality among youths. This relationship can be attributed to increasing demands from youths to seek for quality education from educational institutions that could equip them with the entrepreneurial competencies in preparing them for future careers. Moreover, the National Service Training Program is an ideal platform considered for introducing and inculcating the entrepreneurial culture among youths while they are undergoing national service. Hence, this paper posits that it is important for the government to provide entrepreneurial friendly environment in their bid to encourage and foster the entrepreneurial culture amongst the youths in Malaysia

Small manufacturing firms sustainable green practices: Operationalization of sustainable value framework

Traditionally, companies and the environment have continuously become two conflicting aspects, where business becomes an environmental risks, and environmental concern become threats to business expansion. However, in recent years, this conflict has progressively been side-lined with the development and implementation of sustainable green practices. The aim of this study is to identify what steps small manufacturing firms can take to successfully implement sustainable green practices into their operations. In order to achieve this, the study proposes the Sustainable Value Framework which is a generic framework through which firms are able to convert their sustainable undertakings into sustainable value. The data of this study was gathered from semi-structured interviews with five small manufacturing firm’s owners/managers. The findings shows that small manufacturing firms are challenged to strike a balance between the components of the SVF and status quo concerning firm’s current sustainable green practices. The findings also reveal that creating long term sustainable value from the implementation of sustainable green practices challenges small manufacturing firms to successfully operationalize considerations relative to each of the four quadrants of the Sustainable Value Framework. The imperial findings and practical implications offer an indicator encouraging other manufacturing firms to hop on the Go-green bandwagon, particularly those without any green practice in place

Does Service Marketing Enhance Supplier and Customer Contact in the Gig Economy Era? Case Analysis from Malaysian SMEs` Women Entrepreneurs

This research explores the effectiveness of service marketing strategies among Malay women entrepreneurs and how this service marketing strategy affects business performance. The study employs a qualitative method by interviewing a women entrepreneur and their strategies to compete in the market. However, with the right strategy, it is also a time full of opportunities for entrepreneurs. Descriptive statistics and interviews were used to analyse the data. The finding of this research revealed the significant role of information and communication technology (ICT) and social media in their service marketing effectiveness. Online business and social media have brought a significant improvement in the net income of these entrepreneurs, some by manifold. Therefore, women entrepreneurs must adapt to the use of ICT and social media in order to improve the sustainability of their businesses, as well as to attract the younger generation