Issues and Perspectives in Business and Social Sciences

Potentialities of the environmental law and policy for e-waste recycling: a vista for sustainable development

Nur Batrisyia Nordin — 2025-08-12

E-waste production contains damaged, obsolete, non-functional, old, or expired goods, which are allocated into two sources: industrial and household production. Disposing e-waste will hurt public well-being. This study was conducted to examine the effects of environmental law and policy on the connections between environmental attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and e-waste recycling. The chosen study location was the southern region of Malaysia, and consisted of selected individual residents. The methodology used was quantitative, and this study used a questionnaire as the primary material; 258 respondents answered the survey. The data investigation method used was moderated regression analysis. This study concludes that environmental attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control positively affect e-waste recycling behavior. Interaction investigation in regression shows that environmental laws and regulations can develop the control of environmental attitudes and subjective norms on e-waste recycling behavior. In contrast, environmental laws and regulations do not moderate the correlation between perceived behavioral control and e-waste recycling. Thus, the Malaysian government requires a strong legal and institutional structure for environmental protection and self-control practices to foster sustainable development.

“Stay” or “Leave”: assessing the determinants of turnover intention of private sector employees

Akmar Hafizza Mohd Zamnuri — 2025-08-12

Employee turnover is a critical issue of great concern for organizations. The challenge is exacerbated when the human resources that leave the organization are highly knowledgeable employees with high expertise and distinctive work competencies. To understand the factors that lead to employee turnover, this study examined the determinants of private sector employee turnover intentions, including salary level, workload, job satisfaction, and management support. Data were obtained from private sector employees in Selangor, Malaysia. The results revealed that the turnover intention level was medium. Second, significant relationships were found between salary level, workload, job satisfaction, management support, and turnover intention. Third, workload is the most significant predictor of turnover intention. Thus, the organization needs to take the necessary steps to curb the outflow of valuable employees. Management can use the findings of this study to review human resource management policies related to salaries and wages, develop a work environment that prioritizes employee welfare, and strengthen the relationships between employees.

Exploring students’ perceptions of mock job interviews as career preparation: a qualitative inquiry

Jeremy Ivan Thambirajah — 2025-08-18

This study explores undergraduate students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of mock job interviews in preparing them for future careers. With the transition from academia to the professional world posing challenges, simulated interviews offer a practical strategy for bridging this gap. Conducted at a private university in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this study employed a qualitative design using semi-structured interviews and reflective responses from 17 students. Guided by social constructivism and the competence-based learning framework (CBLF), thematic revealed that mock interviews enhanced students’ confidence, communication skills, and understanding of professional expectations. Participants valued the constructive feedback they received, noting its role in fostering both personal and professional growth. However, some students expressed concerns about the lack of realism in the simulations and called for more structured support to apply these experiences to actual job interviews. The findings offer insights for educators by highlighting the importance of incorporating mock interviews into higher education curricula. Doing so can better equip students with the competencies and confidence needed for future employment. The study concludes with practical recommendations for improving the design and delivery of mock interview programs to ensure that they prepare students for real-world career challenges more effectively

Teachers’ perceptions in determining the inclusion of translanguaging pedagogy in independent Chinese schools

Xin Yi Wong — 2025-09-08

This qualitative study investigated the role of English teachers in implementing translanguaging pedagogy in independent Chinese schools in Malaysia. Based on interviews with 15 English teachers, this research examines their contributions, the influence of their participation on the inclusion of translanguaging, and their perceptions of students’ acceptance. The findings revealed that teachers are instrumental in creating and adapting teaching materials to address the diverse needs of students with varying English proficiency levels, often crafting resources from scratch when existing materials are unsuitable. Despite institutional prohibitions against translanguaging in some schools, teachers prioritized student comprehension, leveraging this pedagogy to enhance engagement, motivation, and confidence in the classroom. The study highlights the necessity of teacher autonomy in selecting pedagogical approaches tailored to students, emphasizing that prohibiting translanguaging may hinder academic growth. This calls for educational institutions to reconsider their policies and foster meaningful discussions between administrators and teachers to establish effective practices. These findings affirm the feasibility and effectiveness of translanguaging pedagogy in multilingual classrooms, demonstrating its potential for improving learning outcomes and educational experiences for both students and educators.

A preliminary investigation of personality traits and characteristics of young agropreneurs

Pei Fen Tan — 2025-09-08

Agricultural entrepreneurship (agroentrepreneurship) plays a crucial role in Malaysia's agricultural industry, with the agricultural sector being a key driver of the nation's economic development and poverty reduction. Through a literature review, this study identifies three key personality traits that may predict the success of young agroentrepreneurs: individual dynamic capabilities, entrepreneurial orientation, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. These traits are vital to agroentrepreneurs, as they need to adapt to rapid market changes, discover and seize opportunities, deal with challenges, innovate, take calculated risks, and maintain a competitive edge. Thus, this study examined agroentrepreneurs’ scores on these traits and characteristics. This study used a questionnaire to measure individual dynamic capabilities, individual entrepreneurial orientation, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Data were gathered from 54 participants during training sessions by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA). The results indicate that agroentrepreneurs scored relatively high on most of these traits and characteristics, suggesting potential success in the sector. Of all traits and characteristics, passion, perseverance, and innovativeness had the highest mean scores. The government can support the development of high-potential agroentrepreneurs by creating programs that develop entrepreneurial qualities, encouraging youth to become agroentrepreneurs, improving education and training programs, and offering financial assistance, such as grants or loans, to young agroentrepreneurs.

Developing MSMEs' competitive advantage through enterprise risk management and dynamic capabilities in Surabaya and Lampung

Matias Andika Yuwono — 2025-09-08

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia play a vital role in the economy, accounting for almost 99% of business units and contributing significantly to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment. Amidst rapid market dynamics, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, MSMEs face the challenge of managing risks and increasing dynamic capabilities to maintain competitive advantage. This study examines the effect of implementing Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) to increase the dynamic capabilities and competitive advantage of MSMEs in Surabaya and Lampung, Indonesia. The research methodology used a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews with the MSME owners. Data were analyzed using a three-level coding model to understand how ERM implementation affects MSME business strategies and decisions facing market threats and opportunities. The results of this study indicate that ERM implementation positively affects MSMEs' dynamic capabilities.

The influence of B2C e-commerce live streaming on consumers' online purchasing behavior among Malaysian and Chinese consumers

Krishna Moorthy — 2025-09-08

Nowadays, e-commerce live streaming is one of the most popular shopping methods worldwide. This study explores the relationship between five dimensions of e-commerce live streaming and consumers’ online purchasing behavior. This research analyzes e-commerce live streaming as a new shopping method and determines the relationship between the five dimensions of e-commerce live streaming with perceived value and the relationship between consumers’ online purchasing behavior and perceived value using a questionnaire. The stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model was employed to assess the influence of B2C e-commerce live streaming on consumers’ online purchasing behavior. Questionnaires were sent to 200 consumers each in China and 200 consumers in Malaysia. The results show that product diversification, promotional sales, online consumer reviews, and cross-border cooperation have significant positive impacts on the perceived value of Chinese and Malaysian consumers in B2C e-commerce live streaming. This study suggests (i) increasing and improving product diversity, (ii) improving promotional activities, (iii) encouraging online consumer reviews, and (iv) promoting cross-border cooperation. This study makes significant contributions to the SOR model.

Flexible leadership strengthens workplace spirituality relationship with adaptive performance

Veronika Agustini Srimulyani — 2025-10-21

Using private high schools and vocational schools in nine (9) municipalities in Indonesia's East Java Province as the unit of analysis, this study was designed using a positive behavioral management approach to evaluate the effect of flexible leadership on adaptive performance and the role of flexible leadership as a moderator in the relationship between workplace spirituality and adaptive performance. Using Smart PLS software as an analytical tool, this study employs the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) statistical approach. Flexible leadership considerably improves adaptive performance and modifies the association between workplace spirituality and adaptive performance according to the results of the hypothesis test. Organizations, including educational institutions, need to train leaders to develop flexible leadership skills, especially in the context of leadership that supports spiritual values because it plays an important role in improving adaptive performance. Flexible leadership is not only compatible with sustainability, but is also important for organizations that aim to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Improving adaptive performance is necessary so that private schools can provide the best educational services.

Greening the supply chain: unveiling its impact on operational performance in Malaysian SMEs

Chun Guan, Eric Chua — 2025-10-21

There is a growing focus on integrating green supply chain management (GSCM) to improve environmental impact and operational performance. This study examines the effect of the adoption of GSCM on the operational performance of SMEs in Malaysia. A survey methodology using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire was employed to collect data from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In this study, the questionnaire assessed the adoption and perceived effectiveness of GSCM, including green procurement, warehousing and green building, distribution strategies and transportation execution, and internal environmental management, as well as their influence on operational performance. Of the 170 distributed questionnaires, 127 valid responses were collected and analyzed. The research findings offer valuable insights for SMEs aiming to enhance their environmental and operational outcomes through sustainable practices. This study provides originality by focusing on the adoption and impact of GSCM practices among SMEs in Malaysia. This context has been underexplored in existing literature. While much research has concentrated on large corporations, this study uniquely examines SMEs and their operational performance in terms of GSCM adoption in an emerging country context. Thus, this study provides empirical insights into the effectiveness of specific GSCM practices, contributing valuable insights to academia and industry.

More than just a job: the motivational forces behind public sector employees’ performance

Meow Yee Foo — 2025-10-21

The public sector relies on human capital as its most valuable resource, which directly affects the performance level of a government. Hence, employee motivation is crucial to ensure the efficient use of public resources to achieve policy objectives. This study examines the factors influencing public servants' motivation and performance using Self-Determination Theory, which encompasses both intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors. Data were collected from 303 public servants and analyzed using SmartPLS software. The findings indicate that compensation, empowerment, and job satisfaction have a positive impact on motivation, whereas self-development and the work environment do not. Motivation is also linked to employee performance. These insights can help policymakers enhance motivation strategies and improve efficiency, retention, and service quality while maintaining low operating costs. This study also contributes to Self-Determination Theory by offering practical implications for researchers and practitioners seeking to understand and enhance motivation in the public sector. Strengthening these factors can improve public service outcomes and overall sector effectiveness.

Roots and retail: identity-driven consumption in Sabah, Malaysia

Davelynn Olivia David Rampas — 2025-12-12

In culturally diverse regions such as Sabah and Malaysia, local identity and pride frequently influence consumer purchasing decisions, even amidst economic uncertainties. This study investigates how region-of-origin shapes consumer behavior regarding locally produced fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), specifically rice, coffee, and chocolate. While country-of-origin often serves as a heuristic cue of quality on a global scale, exploring the impact of the region of origin within the context of everyday food and beverage consumption in regions such as Sabah provides novel insights. Utilizing data from an online survey conducted between July and August 2024, this study examined demographic variables including age, sex, geographic location, ethnicity, and educational background among 356 Sabah consumers who had previously purchased local FMCG products. The findings show that residents of the West Coast and individuals from the Kadazan/Dusun communities exhibit stronger preferences for products associated with their region. In contrast, factors such as age, sex, and education had no significant influence. The results emphasize that local identity and cultural ties drive consumer preferences for regional products, offering fresh insights from the Southeast Asian context to the existing literature. Consequently, businesses targeting this region may benefit from emphasizing region-of-origin in their marketing strategies to foster consumer loyalty. Nonetheless, this study acknowledges the limitations inherent in the self-reported data collection within Sabah. Future research should address these constraints by employing cross-cultural comparisons, broader regional analyses, and more diversified survey methodologies.

Financing green futures: renewable energy investment and economic growth in Germany

Muhammad Abdulaziz Muhammad — 2025-12-12

Global efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions have been driven by increasingly evident adverse impacts of climate change. Countries are adopting renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and bioenergy, which provide cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels. Investments in renewable energy facilitate the decarbonization of the energy sector, while simultaneously stimulating the economy through job creation, technological advancement, and innovation. This study examines the relationship between renewable energy financing and economic growth in Germany. Annual time series data from 1986 to 2022 and a Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag model were used. The research findings indicate a correlation between renewable energy financing and economic growth. The study indicates that a disturbance in combustible renewable energy and waste will, according to the long-term findings, exert a negative impact of 0.21 on economic growth. In general, financing renewable energy is believed to play a role in Germany’s economic growth. The study recommends that policymakers enhance their funding for colleges and research institutions to develop more viable ways to enhance renewable energy production and adoption.

Delivering delight: the role of logistics service quality in customer satisfaction and repurchase intention in China

Quan Kai Ang — 2025-12-12

The retail industry often provides essential products for the use and consumption of customers. However, the logistics service quality (LSQ) of the retail industry may affect customer satisfaction (CS). This study explored the relationship between logistics service quality and customer satisfaction and further investigated whether customer satisfaction impacted repurchase intention (RI). This study utilized the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) framework to build the structure of the model and categorize the variables in generating the outcomes. Data were collected through an online questionnaire survey involving 311 customers from China who used the logistics service of IKEA and a total of 305 valid responses were received. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software, and AMOS software was used to construct the empirical model of the study. This study found that perceived order accuracy, perceived order condition, perceived timeliness, and delivery cost have a positive impact on customer satisfaction, while customer satisfaction positively affects repurchase intention. This study provides insights and feasible information for the retail industry and logistics service providers in China.

Unboxing the sustainability trends of small and medium enterprises’ environment, social and governance reporting: bibliometric and visualisation insights

Lei Ping Leow — 2025-12-12

There has been heightened attention on global warming amidst expanding commercial activities at the forefront of human civilization. While small and medium enterprises (SMEs) drive economic growth in most nations, they inevitably leave a huge carbon footprint behind in the process. Nonetheless, awareness of the importance of sustainability is still slow and lacking in SMEs, partly due to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting being voluntary in most countries. This study aims to unravel the trends of sustainability and ESG surrounding SMEs via bibliometric and visualization analysis, supported by a literature review, based on a dataset extracted from the Scopus database. The findings revealed 11 diverse yet disparate network clusters with environmental management, financial sustainability, and economics as some of the trending keywords. With SMEs’ role in sustainability continuing to create headlines, it is expected that research in these areas will gain momentum in the near future. It is imperative for SMEs to be proactive in implementing and strengthening their ESG reporting capacity as a way forward because of its profound effects on SMEs’ future of SMEs in terms of long-term financial performance and enterprise resilience.