Issues of an Ageing Population: A comparative Study in Malaysia, Singapore, Maldives, and Pakistan

The world is currently experiencing a significant demographic shift characterised by a rapidly increasing ageing population. This phenomenon is primarily a result of improved healthcare and reduced birth rates, leading to an unprecedented rise in the proportion of older individuals in society. The rapid growth in the ageing population is expected to increase twofold by 2050, reaching as high as 1.5 billion, up sixteen percent from the 2019, population. There are many challenges and issues arising for all countries with an ageing population due to the change in this demographic scenario. As many countries are involved in these issues, they are still waiting to face the challenges in the upcoming years. Thus, this study aims to acknowledge the issues of an ageing population in selected countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, and Maldives. This study employs primary and secondary research methodologies. Using a questionnaire and telephone or mobile device interviews, a primary study of retired or near-retired senior adults is conducted. The results highlight the gaps between developing and developed countries regarding ageing population issues overall and aim to review the shortcomings of policies, challenges, issues, and others in the retirement of the ageing population. Embracing these challenges with foresight and compassion will be essential for shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for societies with increasingly diverse age demographics. Policymakers and stakeholders must collaborate to implement effective strategies that not only mitigate challenges but also seek improvement to encourage the people and the government to take actions and strategies in the future

Investigating the Determinants of Islamic Mobile FinTech Service Acceptance: A Modified UTAUT2 Approach

Financial technology (FinTech) is leading a worldwide revolution to increase financial access. Bangladesh’s financial sector is entering a new era of innovation due to the country’s rapid embrace of financial technology. Mobile FinTech service (MFS) providers achieve unattainable economic peaks every year. The growth of conventional banks’ MFS is significant. However, Islamic banks have a good market share but cannot attract more customers to use the Islamic MFS. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing Islamic bank customers to accept the Islamic MFS. This study utilized a modified UTAUT2 model. Data were collected from 310 Islamic bank customers by using online Google Forms. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data by SMART PLS 3.2.9. The results revealed that social influence, facilitating conditions, price, and perceived credibility have a significant positive effect on Islamic MFS acceptance. However, performance expectancy and effort expectancy showed no impact on Islamic MFS acceptance. This research framework is helpful for academicians and researchers to investigate FinTech acceptance in developing countries. Moreover, the study results are beneficial for MFS providers and FinTech firms

International medical Tourists’ expectations and behavioral intention towards health resorts in Malaysia

Medical tourism, a thriving industry encompassing both healthcare and tourism sectors, has experienced exponential growth over the past decades. The intensifying competition within the global market necessitates a closer examination of the pivotal role played by the perceptions of medical tourists in their decision-making process regarding health destination visits. Thus, this study aims to explore the interplay between international medical tourists' perceptions of health resort attractions and their expectations, while also investigating the mediating effect (expectations) of these perceptions on their behavioral intentions to seek medical and healthcare treatments in a Malaysian health resort. Drawing on the Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this research employed a quantitative research method, surveying 386 international medical tourists. The distribution of the survey questionnaire utilized the online internet email method. The study employed the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method to examine the hypothesized relationships. The results conclusively support the positive influence of health resort attractions on international medical tourists' expectations and behavioral intentions. Consequently, this study provides valuable implications for the future growth and development of the health resort and medical tourism industry in Malaysia

Embracing Digital Transformation in Financial Services: From Past to Future

Financial services are significantly impacted by digital transformation, which has been believed as one of the primary trends reshaping society and industry. A comprehensive understanding of digital transformation from an academic and management perspective is required, and it is crucial to close the knowledge gap using bibliometric and qualitative research techniques. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to identify the extensive research themes in digital transformation in financial services from 2000 to 2021, their significance and interdependencies, to determine which trending topics seem to be the most influential, to trace the evolution of digital transformation in the financial service, and to address new and under-researched field of research that is intriguing for future research. This study used a bibliometric analysis of 288 peer-reviewed research articles published over the last 22 years in digital transformation in financial services. The data were extracted from the Scopus database and used various bibliometric analyses such as conceptual structure analysis, co-citation network analysis, social structure, and keyword analysis using R software. The findings show an overall increasing trend in journal publications, author productivity, collaborative research by institutions, and countries’ collaboration from the year 2019, as well as major insights from co-citation analysis. According to Lotka’s law, most authors (769, or 95.77%) contributed only one article. In addition, the study assesses multiple research areas, such as the effects of digital transformation in financial services, applied technology and insights, and digitalization processes, comprising the latest trending topics in this research stream that extensively cover up in financial services. One of the limitations of this study is that it used only a single database. The author recommends that the findings of this research be reinforced with more targeted and extensive qualitative literature in this field of study. This study establishes a framework for policymakers, academics, and researchers to investigate the areas where digital technologies influence financial services. This study also highlighted several cutting-edge digital technologies used for different functions of the financial services of an organization. This study illustrates the bibliometric structure of the digital transformation literature in financial services and provides insights into the literature’s growth year over year. It provides a comprehensive understanding of this evolving field, guiding future research and facilitating informed decision-making in the financial industry

Investigating the Determinants of Employee Performance for Sustainability: A Study on the Bangladesh Insurance Industry

Employee performance is the secret to success for every company. Companies want their employees to understand the company’s vision and objectives and meet the individual goals set by the managers. The insurance industry in Bangladesh has stagnant growth compared to other industries. Moreover, insurance companies are lagging in managing human resources, especially permanent employees. Sustainable employee performance will help companies to achieve sustainable growth. This study aimed to identify the influencing factors that impact sustainable employee performance of insurance industry employees in Bangladesh. The study utilized the social exchange theory as the underpinning theory. The study modified the social exchange theory and proposed a research framework with five indicator variables: compensation, job satisfaction, work environment, leadership style, and motivation. The survey included 200 insurance company employees from various departments and companies. The collected data were analyzed using the partial least square–structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM) method using SMART PLS 3.2.7 software. The findings revealed that all the factors significantly positively impacted sustainable employee performance. The results of the study are helpful for academicians and researchers to analyze employee performance further. In addition, the results will help insurance companies and policymakers to make appropriate decisions to ensure sustainable employee performance in the organization

Mediating role of entrepreneurial intention on the relationship between entrepreneurship education and employability: a study on university students from a developing country

AbstractThis study assesses how entrepreneurship education influences the entrepreneurial intentions and employability of students. It also investigates the mediation effect of entrepreneurial intentions on the relationship between entrepreneurial education and employability, as well as the direct effects on employability. In this research, a quantitative method was used to gather data from 397 university students through a survey questionnaire measured on a seven-point Likert scale using a convenience sampling method. We utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the data. A CMV model was used to evaluate the model’s fitness, validity, reliability and of the data, and an SEM technique was used to test the hypotheses. The study found that entrepreneurship education could boost students’ employability as well as their desire to start their own businesses. It shows how important entrepreneurship education is for learning the skills and knowledge needed to start a business. The study also suggests that having entrepreneurial intentions can enhance one’s employability. This study reveals a heightened understanding of how entrepreneurship education impacts on entrepreneurial intention and employability. These insights can guide improvements in entrepreneurship programs to align with local employment needs. Moreover, the identified mediator, entrepreneurial intentions, presents a targeted opportunity for intervention, suggesting practical ways to cultivate entrepreneurial skills and mindset, ultimately enhancing employability prospects in the region

Mediating role of entrepreneurial intention on the relationship between entrepreneurship education and employability: a study on university students from a developing country

This study assesses how entrepreneurship education influences the entrepreneurial intentions and employability of students. It also investigates the mediation effect of entrepreneurial intentions on the relationship between entrepreneurial education and employability, as well as the direct effects on employability. In this research, a quantitative method was used to gather data from 397 university students through a survey questionnaire measured on a seven-point Likert scale using a convenience sampling method. We utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the data. A CMV model was used to evaluate the model’s fitness, validity, reliability and of the data, and an SEM technique was used to test the hypotheses. The study found that entrepreneurship education could boost students’ employability as well as their desire to start their own businesses. It shows how important entrepreneurship education is for learning the skills and knowledge needed to start a business. The study also suggests that having entrepreneurial intentions can enhance one’s employability. This study reveals a heightened understanding of how entrepreneurship education impacts on entrepreneurial intention and employability. These insights can guide improvements in entrepreneurship programs to align with local employment needs. Moreover, the identified mediator, entrepreneurial intentions, presents a targeted opportunity for intervention, suggesting practical ways to cultivate entrepreneurial skills and mindset, ultimately enhancing employability prospects in the region. Unlocking the doors to career success and personal enterprise, our study delves into the transformative power of entrepreneurship education. We discovered that not only does such education enhance employability among students, but it ignites a passion for entrepreneurship itself. Picture a world where learning to start your own business not only opens doors to self-employment but also boosts your overall job prospects. Our findings shed light on the vital role entrepreneurial intentions play in this journey, offering a roadmap for educators and policymakers to refine programs that not only meet local employment needs but also foster a mindset of innovation and empowerment. Join us in envisioning a future where education becomes the key to unlocking both traditional job opportunities and the entrepreneurial spirit within us all.</p