THE IMPACT OF THE SILENT ENEMY (COVID-19 PANDEMIC) ON THE MARKETING EFFORTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES IN MALAYSIA

The impact of a dangerous pandemic to human life is not a new chapter in human history. However, the silent enemy (Covid-19) pandemic crept from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, at an exponential rate that it shifted the rhythm of the world. The crisis that started in China has become a global crisis that crippled many nations in terms of health and economy. From the events that have happened and still happening, we can notice that humans were not prepared for the onslaught of this killer pandemic. The businesses and industries in Malaysia were also not spared by this killer pandemic. One of the hard-hit industries, due to this pandemic is the automotive industry in Malaysia. Therefore, this research aims to discover how Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the marketing efforts undertaken by the automotive industry in Malaysia. Consequently, to achieve the objective of this research, the survey technique is used to develop a detailed profile, which is gathered from 337 out of 450 formal standardized questionnaires sent online to marketers at twelve automotive companies in Malaysia. This research applied the quantitative methods to yield empirical results and validations that answer the research question. The literature examined the areas of the marketing concept, context and strategies to fill the gap and to determine the significant relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic and the marketing efforts undertaken by the marketers of the automotive industry. The analysis shows that Covid-19 pandemic has a significant relationship and correlated negatively to marketing efforts. The hypothesis proved that Covid-19 pandemic has a significant relationship with marketing efforts. Thus, this study could also help all other businesses and industries in Malaysia stay vigilant and overwhelm the assault of this silent enemy. By making a shift to its marketing concept, context and strategies, the automotive industry could regain its momentum from the onslaught of the silent enemy (Covid-19) pandemic.  Article visualizations

AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL ON THE DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURS’ PERFORMANCE DURING THE OMICRON VARIANT WAVE (SARS-CoV-2: B.1.1.529)

This study empirically scrutinises the relationship between social capital and entrepreneurial performance during the Omicron variant (SARs-CoV-2: B.1.1.529) spread in Malaysia. This study focused on spousal social support, social network, social media usage, and the digital entrepreneurs' performance. This research applied quantitative methods to yield empirical results and substantiations to answer the research questions. Data was collected using a questionnaire through Google Docs. A total of 313 digital entrepreneurs operating their ventures in West Malaysia contributed the data for this study which led to the discoveries, reasonings, and final judgments. The results attained in this study reveal statistically significant relationships among spousal social support, social network, and social media usage with the digital entrepreneurs' performance during the onslaught of the silent enemy (Omicron variant), which is spreading at an alarming rate. Additionally, this study's breakthrough will undeniably give the digital entrepreneurs assurance to form a formidable relationship with their spouses, create and increase the social networks between all stakeholders of the business, and use social media extensively to gain resources and customers during the Omicron shockwave. Moreover, by improving the relationship with their spouse, optimising the social network, and augmenting social media usage, the digital entrepreneurs can heighten their business performance and endure the challenges that they are subjected to during the assault of the Omicron wave in Malaysia.JEL: L10; J10  Article visualizations

A CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPACT OF EMPLOYEE TRAINING PROGRAMS ON JOB PERFORMANCE AND JOB SATISFACTION IN THE TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES IN MALAYSIA

Presently, many companies are confronted with tribulations while operating in a tempestuous business atmosphere; this is combined with the global pandemic, which is Covid-19, that has deteriorated the potency of the businesses. The telecommunication companies in Malaysia were also affected during these conditions. Therefore, a vital stratagem for the telecommunication firms to attain competitive advantage is through training programs conducted for all its employees throughout the various sections in the organization in order to beat this present obstacle. The objective of this research is to uncover if training influences job performance and job satisfaction which are two critical factors that guarantee the survival and growth of the telecommunication firms. Therefore, to realize the aim of this study, the survey technique is applied to cultivate a detailed profile which will be distributed to employees of three leading telecommunication cooperates in Malaysia. This study will use quantitative methods to generate empirical results and substantiations that responded to the research questions. The literature section scrutinized the areas of training, job performance, and job satisfaction to fill the gap and to determine the influence of training programs on job performance and satisfaction of employees. Therefore, the findings of this study could perhaps aid other corporations in Malaysia to instil continuous and well-planned training programs and not to take for granted the significance of training to improve job performance and satisfaction during the times of environmental turbulence. Thus, this could ensure that competitive strength is unceasingly maintained in the telecommunication firms in Malaysia.  Article visualizations

THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF RELATIONSHIP MARKETING STRATEGY BETWEEN DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGY AND CONSUMERS’ PURCHASE DECISIONS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA

The intent of this research is to scrutinise the impact of digital marketing strategies applied by marketers in the automotive industry in Malaysia in aiding consumers to make purchase decisions. In reality, marketers know that digital marketing strategies alone will not lead to consumers’ purchase decisions because not all consumers can be motivated by digitalisation. Another significant factor in influencing consumers’ purchase decisions is relationship marketing strategies. Therefore, the interceding impact of relationship marketing strategy between digital marketing strategy and consumers’ purchase decisions was analysed in this study to support the research hypothesis. A total of 605 marketers employed in the automotive industry furnished the data for this study. Moreover, in-depth literature was reviewed to expose the association between digital marketing strategies, relationship marketing strategies, and consumers’ purchase decisions. The findings of this research indicated a statistically significant relationship between digital marketing strategy and relationship marketing strategy as well as consumers’ purchase decisions. Conclusively, the hypothesis is supported by data and illustrated that relationship marketing strategy statistically mediates the relationship between digital marketing strategy and consumers’ purchase decisions in the automotive industry in Malaysia. Furthermore, this research also proves that marketers who utilise all avenues of digital marketing strategies will be able to communicate and build a robust relationship with consumers, which leads to positive consumers’ purchase decisions. In conclusion, digital marketing strategies with the interceding relationship marketing strategies can influence consumers to make a favourable purchase decision that benefits marketers, consumers, and the automotive industry in Malaysia. JEL: M10; M30; M31; L62  Article visualizations

ARE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS’ BUSINESS PERFORMANCES INFLUENCED BY FINANCIAL RESOURCES? EMPOWERING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN MALAYSIA THROUGH FINANCIAL RESOURCES POST-COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Entrepreneurship has always been women's interest, and women have risen in the business arena. On the other hand, statistic shows that Malaysian women's participation in entrepreneurship is still minute but vital to Malaysia's economic development, as indicated by previous researchers. Additionally, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has caused adverse effects on women-owned businesses in Malaysia. This research aims to offer an insight into how financial capital, the amount of capital needed, and personal savings of women entrepreneurs induces business performance among women entrepreneurs in Malaysia. This study used quantitative methods to produce empirical outcomes and substantiations to answer the research questions. A total of 312 women entrepreneurs participated in this study which facilitated the findings and conclusions. The results demonstrated that financial capital, the amount of capital needed, and personal savings were statistically significant for the women entrepreneurs post Covid-19. Additionally, the findings of this research will undoubtedly give confidence to the women entrepreneurs to come out of the Covid-19 shock and operate their business more remarkably as well as continue to progress and enhance their business performance taking into account the significance of financial resources. JEL: L20; L23 Article visualizations

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ONLINE LEARNING AND STUDENT’S PERFORMANCE IN THE RURAL AREAS IN MALAYSIA - THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PARENT’S SUPPORT

This study was undertaken during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown to scrutinise the mediating role of parental support on the relationship between online learning and student's academic performance. To realise the objectives, the researchers used the quantitative approach to explore this mediating effect. The population of this study was 7.4 million families who are living in the rural areas in Malaysia. Using the simple random sampling method, 650 parents in rural areas were chosen as the participants in this research. For data collection, closed-ended questionnaires were used by the researchers. Out of the 650 questionnaires, 437 were collected, but only 426 could be used as the respondents did not fully complete the rest. The results of this research illuminated that parent's intervention and support are statistically and significantly necessary during their children's online learning sessions to enhance their children's academic performance during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research can guide academics in public and private education sectors, parents, and the Ministry of Education to focus and upgrade the online learning and teaching methodologies rather than just depending on conventional teaching and learning methodologies. Online learning could be beneficial whenever a catastrophic incident occurs that may disrupt children's education; as such, it would be wise to encourage parents to be always ready for this new way of learning in the new milieu.  Article visualizations

THE IMPACT OF RELATIONSHIP MARKETING ON CUSTOMER LOYALTY IN THE TOUR AND TRAVEL COMPANIES IN MALAYSIA DURING COV-19 PANDEMIC: PARALLEL MEDIATION OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND RELATIONSHIP QUALITY

The aim of this research was to examine the parallel mediating effect of social media and relationship quality between relationship marketing and customer loyalty. A series of regression analysis provided the statistical result that tested the hypothesis proposed in this research. The total population of the travel and tourism firms registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture was 4746. The results of this study were obtained from data collected through 361 out of 600 self-administered questionnaires. A series of regression analysis assessed the impact of relationship marketing on customer loyalty in the tour and tourism companies in Malaysia. The results indicated that social media platforms utilised and the application of relationship quality are statistically significant and mediates the relationship between relationship marketing and customer loyalty. It can be concluded accurately from the literature and the statistical analysis conducted that there is concrete evidence that relationship marketing impacts customer loyalty. The intervening variables tested were social media use and relationship quality. The outcomes verified that social media and relationship quality are crucial factors that induces customer loyalty. Both social media and relationship quality defines how the effects between relationship marketing and customer loyalty occur. The mediating effects of social media and relationship quality between relationship marketing and customer loyalty are the actual factors that generate customer loyalty which then leads to customer retention and repeat purchase in the travel and tourism sector in Malaysia. Article visualizations

THE CONSEQUENCES OF CYBERBULLYING IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ON EMPLOYEES’ PRODUCTIVITY IN MALAYSIA: MEDIATING ROLE OF JOB STRESS AND MODERATING ROLE OF CO-WORKERS SUPPORT

The ultimate purpose of this moderated mediation study is to get an in-depth cognition of how stress as a mediator influences the relationship between cyberbullying and employees’ productivity in the manufacturing sector in Malaysia. Additionally, this research scrutinised the moderating effect of co-workers’ support in the manufacturing sector between stress and employees’ productivity. The results of this study ascertained that cyberbullying creates tremendous stress, affecting the employees’ productivity. This research confirms that when stress starts manifesting in employees, it significantly affects the relationship between cyberbullying and the productivity of employees. It was also evident that without stress as the mediating variable, the significant association between cyberbullying and the employees’ productivity would not transpire. Subsequently, the moderating factor co-workers’ support illustrated those fellow employees who render their support could significantly buffer the stress experienced at the workplace and heighten the productivity of their colleagues. Overall, this research has offered precious current knowledge on the significant impact of cyberbullying on employees’ productivity and why management and employees should curtail this heinous act. This research has also revealed the crucial roles co-workers play in shielding their fellow workers from the stress that could hamper their productivity. The manufacturing sector is the backbone of the Malaysian economy; as such, this research could significantly furnish managers with the knowledge of why improving the mutual support among co-workers is vital as it could protect them from the monstrous cyberbullying activities of cybercrooks, increase productivity and eventually create an innocuous work environment. Article visualizations

THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL MARKETING STRATEGY BETWEEN DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN THE WOMEN-OWNED ENTERPRISES IN MALAYSIA

This research scrutinizes the influence of dynamic capabilities in achieving and sustaining competitive advantage by women who own enterprises in Malaysia. The contribution of the businesswomen is highly significant to the economy of the nation. Malaysian businesswomen strive hard to stay competitive in the business environment. Therefore, they understand the significance of dynamic capabilities to attain competitive advantage. However, dynamic capabilities in solo will not lead to competitive advantage because the businesswomen operate their business in a volatile business environment. Another significant factor that impacts competitive advantage is entrepreneurial marketing strategies. Therefore, the intervening effect of entrepreneurial marketing strategy between dynamic capabilities and competitive advantage was investigated in this research. A total of 1023 businesswomen imparted their views through questionnaires in this research. Additionally, in-depth literature was presented to reveal the association between dynamic capabilities, entrepreneurial marketing strategies, and competitive advantage of the businesswomen. The findings of this research implied a statistically significant relationship between dynamic capabilities and entrepreneurial marketing strategy as well as competitive advantage. Finally, all the hypotheses formulated for this study were supported by data, which illuminated that entrepreneurial marketing strategy statistically mediates the relationship between dynamic capabilities and competitive advantage of the women-owned enterprises in Malaysia. Moreover, this study verifies that the businesswomen in Malaysia who engage in dynamic capabilities will be able to apply entrepreneurial marketing strategies in their enterprises to achieve competitive advantage, ensuring the enterprise’s survival and success in an ever-changing business environment. JEL: M10; M30; M31; L62  Article visualizations

A CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE CRITICAL FACTORS THAT INDUCE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS IN THE KLANG VALLEY, MALAYSIA

Entrepreneurship has always been men’s realm, nevertheless women’s enthusiasm in business shows some intensification in Malaysia, but their success is still trivial. This stimulates doubts about the factors that induce their success as entrepreneurs. The objective of this research is to offer an understanding into the success factors of women entrepreneurs in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Thus, this study focuses on the implication of five variables, which are financial capital, human capital, social capital, innovation and work-life balance that induces success to the women entrepreneurs. To attain the objective of this study, a survey technique is used. The primary data would provide an understanding of the factors that induces success to the women entrepreneur. This study used quantitative methods to produce empirical outcomes and validations to answer the research questions. The Resource-Based View Theory and Conflict Theory are the theoretical foundations that fill the gaps of the study. The findings of this study could perhaps be a benchmark to other women to rise against all tribulations faced in their pursuit to triumph and remain at the highest socio-economic level as well as attain a competitive edge in business.  Article visualizations