Recycling behaviour of Malaysian urban households and upcycling prospects / Carol Boon-Chui Teo

Households remain the main generator of municipal solid waste in Malaysia. Malaysians produce an average of 30,000 tons of waste per day and only 5 per cent of it is recycled. Malaysian urbanites throw away waste more than normal. The solid waste generated continues to be a costly affair with about two-thirds of the local councils’ total collected annual assessment fees being spent to manage waste. Yet at the same time, Malaysia’s waste recycling rate is way below the average levels. Hence the perennial question remains as to why Malaysian households are not recycling or recycling enough. This study investigates recycling behavior of urban households in a green city. Methodology utilized survey questionnaire approach to 100 households to determine residents’ willingness to participate in recycling activities. Results revealed proactive and reactive behaviors indicating two distinct recycling groups. Analysis generated factors of convenience of recycling facilities and services, environmental involvement recycling benefits and habitual recycling in the two groups. Willingness to recycle differed across the two groups. Recycling benefits and convenience to recycling facilities significantly influenced the behavior of proactive group while only habitual recycling was significant for the reactive group. Findings had implications on policy making and implementation of recycling programs. Upcycling prospects highlighted proactive roles of households to convert useless wastes into quality and marketable products to benefit the environment

Measuring hedonic appeals and individual hedonic orientations in female consumption of status products

Marketers today acknowledege that the female consumer segment has emerged and is shaping the future markets. They are seeking status by way of consumption of status appealing products and seeking hedonism from consumption. This study explores female hedonic orientations in their effort of seeking status and hedonic values attached to status products. The outcome is to develop scales to measure interest to consume hedonically. The study utilizes qualitative and quantitative approach to develop the scales. Three studies were conducted. The preliminary study was to identify three status product classes (shopping, specialty and credence service) consumed by female consumers followed by focus group discussions to generate items to measure hedonism in products and individual behavior. The final study was a survey on 444 working females to test the validity of the status product hedonism scale and female hedonic orientation scale. Product hedonism generated includes imaginal-emotion for holiday vacation, voyeurism pleasures for dressing and symbolism for jewellery. Individual hedonic orientation yielded extrovert behavior, emotional attachment to product, exhibitionism, uniqueness and excitement seeking pleasures of females. The scale were subject to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to derive model fit using SEM. Findings show both scales had adequate model fit with acceptable internal consistency, construct rel iability and divergent validity. Some implications for research and marketing were explained

Exploring hedonic and status appeals of vacation among Malaysian female travelers and implication on marketing

The region-wide market trend shows the emergence of a female market for outbound travel. Personal travel forms a component of hybrid lifestyles of women today. More Malaysian women travel attributed to mindset shifts from traditional role to modem role, aided by entry of low cost carriers and online ticketing. This paper investigates hedonic and status appeals of vacation and the mediating effect of individual hedonic orientation on status consumption. The study utilized triangulation approach. Focus group discussions identified hedonistic and status appeals of female vacation consumption. Survey indicated hedonic experiences in vacation had indirect impact on status consumption through individual hedonic orientation. The hedonistic and status-seeking behavior in women's travel lifestyle has widespread marketing implications in the female travelers market

The counterfeit goods conundrum: an analysis of demand situation among Malaysian consumers / Teo Carol Boon Chui and Mohd Zahin Mohd Yusof

This paper examines the tricky and confusing problem of counterfeit goods demand. Counterfeit activities are getting more rampant, sophisticated and aggressive on a worldwide basis. Malaysia remains an ideal transit hub for counterfeit goods and regarded as lack in placing a premium on intellectual property rights. There is a need to address this conundrum of consumers who are fully aware of this illegal trade but continue to patronize. Measures undertaken by government dealt mainly with supply side of counterfeit goods but there is lack of effort on demand side control. An analysis into consumer attitude towards demand for counterfeit goods focusing on factors influencing purchase is warranted. This study utilized the integrated model of counterfeit goods purchase by Matos et al. (2007). Methodology entailed survey approach on 150 users at a locality in Kuala Lumpur. Findings showed positive and significant relationships between perceived risk, integrity and status as predictors of consumer attitude towards counterfeit goods. Findings provided implications for anti-counterfeit measures to go beyond awareness, communication and information on risks but more on emotional closeness to the consumer. Changing mindsets is necessary making clear to consumers that counterfeit purchase is stealing. Companies can be proactive by revealing the depth and breadth of counterfeiting and creating public consciousness

Determinants and influence of wives' sex role orientation in urban family purchase decision making in Malaysia

Changes in the socio-cultural environment such as emergence of women with dual careers entail that dimensions of their influence in family purchase decision making (FDM) be investigated in a specific context. Malaysian society differs from the West in terms of family composition and structure, values, norms, and behaviour, which affect the role that working and nonworking wives play in FDM. This study investigates factors that determine sex role orientation (SRO) of women and its influence on FDM. The methodology used a survey with structured questionnaires on a sample of 1252 working and non-working wives throughout Malaysia. Quota sampling was used to ensure representativeness of Malaysian household’s social diversity. Findings reveal that FDM is governed by SRO based on socioeconomic and cultural factors. Wives’ SRO influences major purchases of products and services that are bought for the family’s consumptions

Determinants and influence of wives’ sex role orientation in urban family purchase decision making in Malaysia

Changes in the socio-cultural environment such as emergence of women with dual careers entail that dimensions of their influence in family purchase decision making (FDM) be investigated in a specific context. Malaysian society differs from the West in terms of family composition and structure, values, norms, and behaviour, which affect the role that working and nonworking wives play in FDM. This study investigates factors that determine sex role orientation (SRO) of women and its influence on FDM. The methodology used a survey with structured questionnaires on a sample of 1252 working and non-working wives throughout Malaysia. Quota sampling was used to ensure representativeness of Malaysian household’s social diversity. Findings reveal that FDM is governed by SRO based on socioeconomic and cultural factors. Wives’ SRO influences major purchases of products and services that are bought for the family’s consumptions

Attaining competitive advantage through market orientation of Public Higher Education Institutions: mediating effect of quality assurance / Zarila Zahari, Rosmimah Mohd Roslin and Carol Teo Boon Chui.

The literature review thus far has indicated numerous studies have examined the relationship between market orientation (MO)and competitive advantage (CA)leading to greater organizational performance. A substantial number of studies on strategic management orientations have shown significant relationships between MO and organizational performance but direct contribution of CA is still lacking in consensus. This paper reviews the literature on the influence of market orientation (MO) towards competitive advantage and the mediating effect of quality assurance in public higher education institutions (PHEIs). The reviews specify that market orientation as the marketing strategic platform is likely to achieve superior value in gaining and sustaining competitive advantage however, within the context of PHEIs such relationships are still inconclusive. Quality assurance (QA) is postulated to have a mediating effect in the suggested framework of market orientation and competitive advantage. As QA is becoming a critical factor in the knowledge-based society, this variable needs to be explored further in the context of higher education. Thus, the aim of this paper is to accumulate existing literature in the investigation of the relationship between MO and CA as well as the effect of QA towards the performance of PHEIs based on non-financial dimensions

Making sense of fashion involvement among Malaysian Gen Y and its implications / Carol Teo Boon Chui, Nur Suhaila Nik and Nurul Fatin Azman.

In keeping pace with globalization of the fashion retail industry, fashion retailers are expanding aggressively across Asia. Malaysia is no exception with clothing market demand expected to double from USD3.6 million in 2011 to USD7 million in 2018. New foreign retail brands have mushroomed to compete alongside local brands to cater to the fashionable aspired yet unique Gen Y. This study dwells into determinants of fashion involvement of Malaysian Gen Y. They appear to have an insatiable appetite for the quick and trendy lines although less interested in logo-centric clothes and want unbranded goods, dressing for self-identity. They have blur distinctions as compared to earlier generations where dressing is seen as a way to fit in. Given their blurring fashion identity, local fashion retailers find it increasingly difficult to understand this ever-evolving customer base. Methodology involved mixed methods with storefront observations and interviews with top local fashion retailer. Using mall intercept approach, Gen Y were sampled via survey questionnaires. Findings were contrary to other studies. Fashion knowledge was the only dominant and significant factor. Local brand confidence, fashion shopping style and patronage behaviour were nonsignificant predictors. Implications on fashion retailing and theoretical implication on fashion involvement are debated

Exploring influences of consumer socialization agents on branded apparel purchase among urban Malaysian tweens

Tween consumers today interact with brands, television media and friends as their main agents of socialization. These agents have impacts on their consumption patterns. In the Malaysian market, the tween segment has emerged and also taken the retail trade by storm. Tweens are now able to influence their parents’ purchasing decisions and this has changed the spending behaviour of their family. This paper seeks to examine consumer socialization sources for tweens and how these socialization agents can influence their preference for branded apparels. Data was collected using a structured survey questionnaire to elicit responses on the purchase preferences of branded apparels. The respondents comprised of 150 urban tweens between the ages of 8 to 12 years. Findings revealed that urban tweens had relatively high awareness on brand names and strong purchase preferences for branded apparels. Peer, parental and advertisement influences, combined with their obsession for television media, have significantly affected their purchase of branded apparels. Arguably, parental selective power still has some exertion on tween’s purchase decisions although the influence is declining. Parents and tweens often wear apparels of the same brands. The findings of this study have several implications for marketers, consumers, and family policy makers

Understanding Cultural Heritage Visitor Behavior: The Case of Melaka as World Heritage City

AbstractVisitors’ interests traveling to Melaka have increased recently and expected to continue. Melaka recorded one of the highest tourist arrivals ever in 2012 at 13.7 million tourists. Despite this trend, very little is known about individuals who visit cultural heritage sites. Evidence suggests many types of tourists who progress from general travelers to specialized tourists. This study investigates visitor behavior to cultural heritage sites in Melaka. Melaka as World Heritage City inscribed by UNESCO in July 2008 forms the scope and location of this study. Methodology utilized survey on 505 local and foreign tourists. The survey was aided by enumerators using Responsible Heritage Tourism Scale translated into four languages. Findings acknowledged that tourists displayed responsible tourism behavior and cultural significance towards heritage buildings and local culture. Visitors exhibited environmental concerns at the tourist surroundings. Memorable tourist and cultural heritage experiences were sought by these tourists. Heritage visitors were classified into memorable tourism experience seeker, cultural significant, responsible, willingness to pay and green tourist. Findings had practical implications for destination marketing of heritage sites