Information Management and Business Review

Understanding the Impact of Customer Perceived Value on Hotel Customers’ Satisfaction: A Systematic Literature Review

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 01:57:14 -0500

In the rapidly growing and competitive hotel industry, customer satisfaction is vital for ensuring success, and one of the key factors influencing satisfaction is perceived value. This study investigates how customer perceived value (CPV) impacts customer satisfaction within the hotel industry. Recognizing the importance of CPV in crafting memorable interactions, this study adapts the PRISMA method (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) to collect and analyze relevant articles through established online databases from 2014 to 2024. Approximately 20 qualifying studies from various academic databases were chosen, offering valuable insight into research on CPV within the hotel industry. The findings highlight the impacts of CPV, such as functional, emotional, and social, that significantly influence customer satisfaction in the hotel industry. Despite limited studies, the findings indicate that CPV can dramatically improve customer experiences and loyalty. Industry practitioners should also design value-driven strategies that enhance functional, emotional, and social value while ensuring competitive advantages. For academic researchers, it proposes further exploration into under-explored areas of CPV within hotel services. By incorporating these insights, scholars and industry professionals may improve overall customer satisfaction in the increasingly competitive hotel industry.

Satisfaction of Persons with Physical Disabilities at Family-Style Restaurants in Kuala Terengganu

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 01:59:35 -0500

For people with disabilities (PWDs) to have the best possible dining experiences in restaurants, they require specialized accessibility. Nevertheless, some restaurant owners sometimes overlook this issue when offering suitable amenities for this particular group of patrons. Therefore, this study aims to identify physical key factors influencing individuals with physical disabilities at family-style restaurants in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. The physical key variables in this study include the respective space for parking facilities, the building's design, the design of the dining area, and the family-style restaurant restroom specifications. 400 valid replies were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and the analysis's findings demonstrate the importance of each suggested variable. The data was gathered in Kuala Terengganu using an online questionnaire and some paper surveys, in compliance with the restriction on physical distances. According to this study, the design of buildings, the design of the dining area, and restroom specifications are the three independent factors that impact customer satisfaction. Future academicians and other interested parties can learn more about the topic of this study. Government agencies and food service providers will also benefit from the insights as they plan and operationalize better in the future to increase consumer satisfaction.

The Elements of Customer Relationship Management and Their Impact on Customer Satisfaction: A Study of Five-Star Hotels in Malaysia

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 02:02:29 -0500

Customer satisfaction is a crucial factor for the success of any business. One of the most significant challenges within the hospitality industry is identifying effective strategies to satisfy and retain customers. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between key elements of customer relationship management (CRM)—specifically quality of service, access to service, and service features—and their impact on customer satisfaction at five-star hotels in Malaysia. The study aimed to determine the extent to which CRM enhances overall customer satisfaction. Employing a quantitative research design, data were collected through structured questionnaires from 384 local guests who had stayed at five-star hotels in Malaysia. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between the identified CRM elements and customer satisfaction. Notably, quality of service emerged as the most influential element, followed by access to services and the availability of service features. These findings underscore the critical importance of delivering high-quality service, ensuring seamless access to amenities, and providing comprehensive service features to enhance customer satisfaction. The study highlights the importance of implementing effective CRM strategies at five-star hotels to foster customer loyalty and maintain a competitive edge in Malaysia’s dynamic hospitality sector.

Determinants of Food Selections among International Travelers Towards Malaysian Cuisine

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 02:07:28 -0500

Food plays a crucial role in the travel experience, serving as an important aspect of destination marketing to attract international travelers to Malaysia. Therefore, this study discovers the determinants of Malaysian food selections among travelers. A quantitative research approach was used in this study due to its effectiveness in data collection. A descriptive study was used to determine the motivational and psychological factors affecting the selection of Malaysian cuisine by international travelers. A non-probability, convenience sampling method was developed, consenting to the selection of any international travelers meeting the criteria. The target population for this study consisted of international travelers located in Kuala Lumpur. The selection of the population was travelers staying in Malaysia for a duration of three days to two weeks and who had tried Malaysian cuisine during their visit. Data was gathered through self-administered surveys of 398 travelers visiting Malaysia. The findings reveal a positive relationship between these motivational factors and travelers' intention to consume local food. The study suggests that experiencing local cuisine helps create positive, lasting memories, intensifying tourists' relationships with local attractions and enhancing their behavioral intentions.

Cracking the Code: A Systematic Literature Review of Factors Influencing Micro Business Technological Innovation Adoption

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 02:15:05 -0500

Microbusinesses are essential in promoting local economies by creating job opportunities, generating income, and improving community welfare. Yet, their adoption of technological innovation remains limited due to various internal and external barriers, making the research on this topic continue to expand and remain relevant. This study systematically reviews existing literature to identify the key determinants influencing technological innovation adoption in microbusinesses. The findings reveal that internal factors, such as digital literacy, education levels, psychological traits, and access to technology, play a significant role in shaping their adoption decisions. Notably, knowledge and education emerge as critical enablers, as informed microbusiness owners demonstrate a higher propensity for technological innovation adoption. External influences, including perceived usefulness and ease of use of technological innovation and social influence, further impact the adoption process. Based on these findings, targeted training programs with mentorship initiatives and policy interventions like financial incentives are recommended to facilitate this population's adoption of technological innovation. As for academics looking to review this topic systematically, future studies are suggested to incorporate a broader range of databases and must not stop replicating to continuously update the literature to include the most recent studies.

From Table to Trash: Behavioral Insights into Food Waste in Klang Valley Restaurants

Suraya Azmi, Siti Nur Aisyah Abdullah, Noorazlin Ramli, Yusnaidi — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 02:19:00 -0500

Food waste has significant environmental impacts and poses a major challenge for restaurant operations in the Klang Valley. To examine the elements of the Norm Activation Model (NAM) that influence consumer intentions to reduce food waste, a quantitative method was utilized to select 290 respondents. 290 valid responses were collected through face-to-face data distributions and an online questionnaire before being analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study examines how personal norms (PN), ascription of responsibility (AR), and awareness of consequences (AC) influence personal norms (PN) and how personal norm (PN) influences intention (INT) to reduce food waste. Findings reveal that the intention to reduce food waste (INT) is significantly influenced by personal norms (PN), with awareness of consequences (AC) and ascription of responsibility (AR) both positively influencing personal norms (PN). These interventions align with the NAM model by increasing awareness, reinforcing responsibility, and shaping personal norms that encourage sustainable dining behaviors among consumers. Thus, the findings of the study benefit all key stakeholders, including restaurants, policymakers, and consumers, by advocating effective solutions to minimize food waste in the Klang Valley’s restaurants.

Determinants of Secondary School Teachers’ Purchase Intention Towards Ready-To-Eat Products in Dungun, Terengganu, Malaysia

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 02:21:55 -0500

The increasing demand for ready-to-eat products has become a significant trend, particularly among busy professionals like secondary school teachers in Dungun, who often face time constraints due to their professional commitments. While consumer behavior and purchase intentions in Malaysia have been widely studied, limited research specifically explores secondary school teachers' purchase intentions toward ready-to-eat products. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the factors, particularly the most significant ones, that impact secondary school teachers' purchase intentions for ready-to-eat products in Dungun. The study gathered 205 respondents by distributing a printed and online survey via WhatsApp to secondary school teachers in Dungun. Then, the data was analyzed using SmartPLS 4 to determine the frequency of demographic profiles, descriptive analyses, measurements, and structural models. This study reveals that the three independent variables- convenience, price and brand are significantly influenced by purchase intention, and brand is the most significant factor. Understanding the factors that influence school teachers to purchase their RTE items is crucial, as this knowledge will enable them to design high-quality RTE products.

Assessing the Impact of Social Media Marketing Factors on Restaurant Customers’ Purchase Intentions in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 02:24:25 -0500

In recent years, digital platforms, particularly social media, have transformed how customers discover and choose dining options. These platforms significantly influence purchase decisions, marking a shift in how businesses in the food and beverage sector engage with their audiences. Hence, this study aims to assess the impact of social media marketing on the purchase intentions of restaurant customers in Negeri Sembilan. It focuses on three key factors, which are menu visuals, advertising, and electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM). A cross-sectional study has been conducted using purposive sampling, targeting customers with dining experiences at restaurants in Negeri Sembilan who are familiar with social media. A total of 342 usable responses have been collected through an online survey, ready for analysis conducted using SPSS Version 26 to provide meaningful results addressing the research questions of this study. The findings from the hypotheses show that key factors like advertising, menu visuals, and e-WOM have a significant, positive effect on customer purchase intentions. e-WOM and advertising are significant, with e-WOM being the most impactful factor. However, menu visuals have a weaker impact. Descriptively, the respondents have also ranked e-WOM and advertising as their top-priority factors towards their purchase intentions. This study advocates the significance of efficient social media strategies in boosting consumer interactions and influencing buying intentions, offering restaurateurs and marketers insightful information. Hence, expanding the research to include longitudinal studies would provide deeper insights into changing consumer behaviours over time.

Profiling the Millennial Visitors of the Smart Museum and Satisfaction of Visit: A Case Study of the Borneo Culture Museum, Sarawak Malaysia

Noralisa Ismail, Ahmad Puad Mat Som, , Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 11:37:49 -0500

The pandemic has shifted museums to a new paradigm in which technology plays an increasingly important role in museum operations. More museums are investing in technology installations to give visitors a more distinctive and meaningful experience. Concerning technology, millennials (also called Generation Y) are an important market segment for museums. The increasing number of millennials visiting museums requires the related stakeholders to understand the millennial visitors' profile to serve them better. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess the profile of Millennial visitors of the smart museum and investigate the role of technology in visitors’ satisfaction. This study employed five trained enumerators to approach the millennial visitors at the study location, the Borneo Culture Museum in Kuching, Sarawak. The descriptive analysis was used to achieve the first objective followed by the simple linear regression for the second objective. The findings include demographic background, types of visits, source of information about the museum, travel companion, motivation to visit, time spent inside the exhibition galleries and the influence of technology on visitors’ satisfaction. The findings will be helpful as an addition to the existing knowledge of the museum research and can aid the future study in extending the study related to the millennial generation and the smart museum.

Assessing Hotel Guests’ Satisfaction: The Influence of Hotel Image, Trust and Green Practices in Malaysia

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 11:41:13 -0500

This study examines the correlations between satisfaction and key factors such as brand image, trust, and green practices among hotel guests in Malaysia. As environmental awareness grows among consumers, many hotels have adopted green practices to meet the evolving expectations of environmentally conscious travelers. A survey was conducted with 386 Malaysian respondents aged 18 and above, all with prior experience visiting hotels that implemented green practices. Data was collected using convenience sampling through a structured Google Forms survey comprising three sections and a qualifying question about the respondents' experience with green hotels. The findings reveal a positive correlation between guest satisfaction and the variables of green practices, trust, and hotel image. This study underscores the importance of integrating sustainable practices into hotel operations not only to enhance brand image but also to build trust with guests, thereby fostering long-term customer satisfaction and loyalty. The results provide valuable insights for hotel managers seeking to improve service quality and establish a competitive edge in the growing green tourism market.

Examining Factors Influencing Adults' Repurchase Intentions in Green Restaurants: A Study in Klang Valley

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 11:44:11 -0500

Green restaurants are establishments that prioritize environmental sustainability by implementing practices such as reducing energy consumption, minimizing disposable product use, and curbing food waste. This study aims to investigate the factors within a modified Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework that influence repurchase intentions toward green restaurants in the Klang Valley. Specifically, it examines how sustainable attitudes, price perceptions, and subjective norms affect consumer decisions while fostering greater awareness and understanding of green dining practices to promote environmental sustainability. A quantitative approach was adopted, surveying 390 Klang Valley residents with prior experiences at green restaurants. Purposive sampling was used to select participants, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability testing, and multiple regression analysis via the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The findings revealed that all TPB variables, sustainable attitudes, price, and subjective norms, positively influence repurchase intentions, with sustainable attitude emerging as the most significant predictor. These results underscore the importance of fostering pro-environmental attitudes to drive consumer loyalty toward green restaurants. This study contributes to the limited body of research on green restaurants in Malaysia, offering practical insights for restaurant owners, policymakers, and community groups to integrate eco-friendly practices such as reducing paper waste, optimizing energy consumption, and adopting biodegradable disposables. Academically, the study serves as a foundation for future research, encouraging scholars and practitioners to further investigate the potential of green restaurants in advancing environmental sustainability.

Digital Menus and Customer Revisit Intentions: Insights from Klang Valley Restaurants Using an Extended TAM Framework

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 11:46:49 -0500

The study investigates the effect of digital menus on customers' revisit intention to restaurants within Klang Valley, employing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Although digital menus improve convenience by enabling customers to explore options and access information, challenges such as privacy concerns and usability, especially for the elderly, remain prevalent. A quantitative study online was conducted with 122 respondents who had experience using digital menus at various restaurants in Klang Valley. This study examined consumer acceptance about perceived security, usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment, and how these factors affect their tendency to return. The study demonstrates that perceived enjoyment significantly affects intentions to revisit, although security, usefulness, and ease of use do not. This indicates that customer satisfaction is primarily influenced by the enjoyment derived from the ordering experience rather than practical considerations. Future research should identify ways to improve the digital dining experience, particularly for individuals facing usability difficulties.

Utilizing Local Food Heritage as a Destination Marketing Strategy for Tourism to Promote Multiethnic Malaysia

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 11:49:50 -0500

In the past 25 years, many tourism researchers have studied how local food, tourists, and travel locations are interrelated. While many studies have examined the impact of local food and dining experiences on tourists' travel decisions and length of stay, less attention has been given to how local food heritage is strategically incorporated into tourism destination marketing. Understanding this aspect is crucial, as it highlights the distinctive appeal of a destination and its contribution to community development. This article examines how the Malaysian government incorporates local food heritage into its country’s marketing strategies. In this study, relevant archival documents, including tourism-related policies and marketing collaterals, were collected and analysed using thematic analysis. The results show that tourism and food-related policies play critical roles in the effort to strategize on ‘what and how’ to promote local food heritage as a key part of Malaysia’s unique experience. The marketing collaterals, on the other hand, act as a ‘middle person’ which informs potential tourists about the local food heritage experiences, including the food's historical background and dining places either in descriptive (textual) or image (visual through specific food photographs). Although the results reveal both the specific and interrelated functions of tourism-related policies and marketing strategies, a few archival documents were excluded due to confidentiality issues and limited access. Therefore, future research might empirically delve deeper into the various tourism stakeholders’ collaboration on the complexities of incorporating local food heritage into destination marketing strategies to provide comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge.

The Importance of Employability Skills for Hospitality Graduates toward Employment Status

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 11:51:58 -0500

Every individual strives to achieve their dream profession to lead a comfortable life. Currently, individuals are engaged in intense competition to secure employment, particularly those that offer superior perks and remuneration. In today's competitive job market, hospitality graduates need more than just technical knowledge to secure employment. The purpose of this research is to examine the elements that influence the identification of employable abilities as perceived by hospitality graduates. The research study investigates the importance of employability skills among hospitality graduates and their impact on employment status. The primary research problem addresses how soft and hard skills contribute to graduates' job market readiness. The research is quantitative, gathering data from participants through questionnaires. The total number of hospitality graduates involved in answering the questionnaire is 155 respondents. The data demonstrates that employability skills, both soft and hard, are crucial for securing job offers. Major findings indicate that graduates possessing a balanced combination of soft and hard skills have higher employment rates and better job performance. The outcome of this study is to show that employability skills, like hard and soft skills, are important for future careers after graduating from university. This study can raise awareness among current students, particularly those in the hospitality field, about the importance of enhancing their skills beyond their university education.

Exploring the Impact of Women’s Knowledge and Attitude Towards Food Waste Management Practices in Melaka Tengah, Melaka

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 11:54:38 -0500

Food waste is a significant global issue, and Malaysia is no exception. It has far-reaching negative effects, including higher food production costs, adverse impacts on human health, and environmental degradation. Therefore, this study assesses women's knowledge and attitude towards food waste management in Melaka Tengah, Melaka. An online self-administered questionnaire with a Likert scale was distributed among 384 respondents as part of the study's quantitative methods. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26 was used for data analysis. The data analysis methods included reliability, descriptive, and Pearson correlation analyses. The results indicated a positive correlation between knowledge and attitudes toward food waste management practices among women in Melaka Tengah, Melaka. Effective food waste management is essential for building sustainable systems and addressing the interconnected social, economic, and environmental challenges posed by waste.

Factors That Influence Food Waste Behavior Among Hospitalized Patients in Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 11:57:22 -0500

Food waste in hospitals is a significant issue with implications for both environmental sustainability and healthcare efficiency. This study investigates the factors of food attributes influencing food waste behaviour among hospitalized patients in Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II (HRPZ II). Specifically, it seeks to examine how food quality, food presentation and food portion affect consumer behaviour towards food waste problems among hospitalized patients. A mixed-methods approach was used, collecting data via surveys from hospitalized patients. The questionnaire, divided into six sections employed a Likert scale for nuanced responses. This descriptive, cross-sectional study utilized purposive sampling to ensure relevant perspectives, targeting 417 respondents to boost validity and reliability. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 27 was used for data analysis from the questionnaire. The data analysis methods used include reliability analysis, descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that food attribute variables—food quality, food presentation and food portion—positively influence consumer behaviour towards food waste problems among hospitalized patients, with food presentation emerging as the most significant predictor. These findings highlight the critical need to minimize the environmental impact throughout the entire food cycle, from production to the disposal of leftover waste, to reduce food waste disposal problems in hospitals. Academically, this study serves as a foundation for future research, encouraging scholars and practitioners to further investigate the long-term effects of educational initiatives and cultural factors on food waste behaviors in advancing environmental sustainability.

Factors Influencing Patients' Satisfaction with Meals Served at Hospitals in Malaysia

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 11:59:33 -0500

Hospitals play a vital role in restoring patients' health, and the quality of food served can significantly contribute to the recovery process. The food's taste, appearance, and freshness are key factors that can enhance patient satisfaction and, in turn, build trust, improving the hospital's overall performance. Given the many meals served to patients, hospital food service is a critical component of hospital management, with the potential for growth and improvement in service delivery. This research will examine the factors influencing food quality, including taste, appearance, and freshness, and explore how these elements impact patient satisfaction. The findings aim to help hospitals identify areas for improvement and enhance their food service operations.

Halal Practices vs Food Heritage: A Case Study of Keropok Lekor Operators in Terengganu, Malaysia

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 12:02:56 -0500

As global demand for halal food continues to grow, Terengganu’s food heritage must navigate the modern requirement for halal certification, especially for products, such as Keropok Lekor, which are exported beyond local markets. Hence, this study aims to examine the sustainability of halal practices in the context of food heritage, specifically focusing on Keropok Lekor operators in Terengganu, Malaysia. While existing literature has primarily addressed halal certification and supply chain management, there is limited exploration of how traditional foods like Keropok Lekor fit within the broader halal framework and cultural heritage. Therefore, a semi-structured interview was conducted with two Keropok Lekor operators in Terengganu. Hence, the interview process has been recorded, and then the recording has been transcribed using the NVIVO software. The theme has then been identified throughout the transcript. The themes used to analyze the transcript have been food heritage, halal practices, and challenges. By exploring Keropok Lekor as food heritage, investigating the halal practices among the operators, and understanding the challenges they face in maintaining these practices, the study provides insights into the intersection of cultural preservation and halal compliance. With the increasing global demand for halal-certified products, it is crucial to explore how traditional food producers navigate the delicate balance between heritage and halal standards. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge about the sustainability of halal practices in the food industry.

Perceived Value Dimensions and Guest Satisfaction: An Analysis of Functional, Social and Emotional Values in Five-Star Hotel Organizations

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 12:05:18 -0500

Customer satisfaction is one of the most essential measurements that indicates how well a company’s goods or services live up to the expectations of its clients. In the hotel industry, the level of customer satisfaction is represented by guest satisfaction. This study aims to explore factors that influence guest satisfaction in hotel organizations. Specifically, the study aims to examine the influence of perceived value dimensions, which are functional value, social value, and emotional value, on hotel guests’ satisfaction. A quantitative study approach has been adopted through online survey questionnaires involving 370 respondents who have prior experience staying in five-star hotel organizations. Data have been gathered and analyzed using a reliability test, descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression analyses with the assistance of the IBM SPSS software. The data have indicated that the perceived value dimensions have a significant effect on the hotel guests’ satisfaction. The findings have revealed that social value and emotional value positively influence the hotel guests’ satisfaction with social value being the most significant factor. These results underscore the importance of the perceived value dimensions as the measurement of the hotel guests’ satisfaction. The study contributes to the limited number of studies that focus on the trend and antecedents of customer satisfaction in the hotel industry. Besides, it also serves as a foundation, inspiring future researchers to explore more on other factors that may shape guest satisfaction and how it contributes towards customer retention in hotel organizations.

Exploring Factors Influencing Students' Satisfaction at Arked Meranti, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 12:07:51 -0500

Student satisfaction with campus food services plays a crucial role in their well-being and academic success. This study explores the key food service attributes influencing student satisfaction at Arked Meranti Cafeteria, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, focusing on students from Rahman Putra College and Tun Fatimah College. A quantitative research design was employed, with data collected from 341 students through an online survey distributed via Google Forms. The survey covered demographic details and four key food service attributes: food and beverage quality, service quality, setting quality, and price-value perception. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27. The results indicate that all variables significantly contribute to overall student satisfaction. Descriptive analysis provided insights into satisfaction levels, while multiple regression analysis determined the relative impact of each attribute. The findings reveal that setting quality (? = 0.331) has the strongest influence on satisfaction, followed by service quality (? = 0.316) and food and beverage quality (? = 0.219), whereas price and value (? = 0.005) have the least impact. These findings expand existing knowledge on student satisfaction at Arked Meranti by emphasizing the significance of key factors. Additionally, they offer recommendations for university management to improve student satisfaction.

An Overview of Financial Stress and Health Outcomes: The Moderating Role of Social Support

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 12:10:20 -0500

Investigating the population's health and well-being has been a topic of interest in recent years due to the remarkable growth. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index indicates that Malaysian health and wellbeing issues remain significant challenges. Taking into account the important aspects, a PwC Asia Pacific survey from 2023 revealed that individuals’ financial circumstances have been the primary cause of stress, which affects both their mental and physical health. This is also confirmed by the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) which reported that household members are currently experiencing financial stress with B40 income groups being particularly vulnerable to issues related to the increase in cost of living and loss of income. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to discuss the influence of financial stress on health-related outcomes and social support as the role that buffers the relationship. The role of social support, as suggested by previous research, as an element in reducing stress, may improve the emotional stability, mental and physical health of individuals. The present study offers valuable insights for employers and organizations to provide focused interventions in strengthening social support to improve employees’ health and well-being.

Inclusive Workplace: A Conceptual Study of Workers with Disabilities

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 12:14:07 -0500

This article explores the challenges and opportunities associated with creating an inclusive workplace for workers with disabilities. Besides, it examines key barriers, such as physical and technological accessibility, organizational culture, and leadership attitudes, while also identifying opportunities for positive change through inclusive practices, policies, and innovation. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the inclusion of workers with disabilities and offer actionable insights for organizations seeking to foster a more inclusive environment.

The Fantastic Four Ps of Islamic Digital Marketing in Boosting the Asnaf Economy

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 12:18:07 -0500

In Perlis, initiatives to support asnafpreneurs lead to empowering these individuals through entrepreneurship, fostering self-reliance and economic growth. Programs may include training, micro-financing, and resources to help asnafpreneurs start and sustain their businesses. On the other hand, digital marketing encompasses various online strategies to promote products or services. For asnafpreneurs in Perlis, digital marketing can be a powerful tool to reach wider audiences, build brand awareness, and drive sales. In addition, the added Islamic value in digital marketing is expected to contribute to promoting Visit Perlis 2024. Therefore, this study aims to foresee the marketing mix elements 4Ps- Product, Price, Place, and Promotion with Islamic value integration in boosting the asnafpreneurs economy. In addition, this study employed a qualitative method. The data collected was among asnafpreneurs during a business workshop organized by Majlis Agama Islam Perlis (MAIPs). Four elements of the marketing mix and the integration of Islamic values are implemented to fill out the structured interview with five asnafpreneurs. Moreover, based on the findings, this study highlights asnafpreneurs' awareness of Islamic digital marketing. The impacts of Islamic digital marketing are analyzed and discussed in the concluding section. Additionally, several limitations are acknowledged, and recommendations for future research are provided.

Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Smaller Audit Practices

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The emergence of new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), is anticipated to profoundly
impact the accounting and auditing sectors. AI is essential for automating repetitive tasks and enhancing audit
judgment. This study seeks to investigate the adoption of AI in small audit firms in Malaysia. A qualitative
research design was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with nine audit supervisors from small
audit firms in Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, and Melaka. The discussion focuses on two elements:
(1) Perceived Usefulness (PU) – emphasizing how AI enhances audit efficiency and accuracy, and (2) Perceived
Ease of Use (PEU) – highlighting the ease of adoption and integration of AI tools into existing audit workflows.
The findings reveal that AI is perceived as a valuable tool in small audit firms, improving audit quality and
workflow by significantly accelerating the audit process. However, human expertise is still required for certain
complex tasks and decision-making. Hence, it is crucial to communicate the AI’s capabilities and constraints to
prevent users from experiencing undue disappointment. The findings of this study aim to assist regulators and
standard-setters in developing guidelines, principles, and frameworks for AI adoption among audit firms in
Malaysia.

The Role of Young People and Social Media in Promoting Fascinating Sungai Petani

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 12:42:28 -0500

This article explores the ways in which young people, acting as social agents, utilise social media to promote local communities. Through the utilisation of digital platforms, these young individuals are exerting a growing impact on the economic, cultural, and social aspects of their local environments. The problem addressed is the need to understand the effectiveness of social media in reaching and engaging audiences. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of social media platforms used by young people in reaching a target audience. A quantitative method was employed to track the number of views, likes, shares, and comments of a promotional video over a specified 30-day timeframe. The major results indicate significant audience engagement, evidenced by high numbers of views, likes, shares, and comments. The results also emphasise the significant influence of social media initiatives driven by young people in improving local visibility and engagement. By improving the visibility of local communities, this strategy aims to increase the number of visitors to Sungai Petani and simultaneously enhance the socio-economic level of local people and the area. The conclusion highlights the potential of young people as influential social agents in promoting local communities through the use of social media.

Bridging Cultures: Student and Lecturer Perspectives on Visiting Academics

Nor Aishah Mohd Ali, Eka Fauzihardani, Nelvirita, Bayu Tri Cahya — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:14:07 -0500

This study elicits the perspectives of university students and lecturers at the School of Accounting, Faculty of Economic and Business, Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP), regarding a visiting lecturer from the Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. This is achieved by exploring their views on integrating international academic practices, their impact on student engagement, and potential collaborative opportunities in research and consultation. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining focus groups and surveys to capture the experiences and perceptions of students and lecturers regarding the visiting academics during their two-week visit—the research sample comprised university students and lecturers who interacted with the visiting lecturer during this period. The findings indicate that students displayed increased enthusiasm and participation in classes conducted by the visiting lecturer. Both students and lecturers appreciated the cultural exchange, acknowledging its role in enriching the learning environment with diverse perspectives. However, challenges such as language barriers and cultural adaptation were observed, though these were mitigated through support and effective communication. The study stresses the need for structured support systems and improved integration approaches to enhance the effectiveness of visiting lecturer programs. Limitations include the short duration of the visit and the sample size, which may affect the generalizability of findings. This research contributes to the discourse on international academic collaboration by providing insights into improving visiting lecturer programs. It highlights the importance of fostering international academic partnerships to improve educational quality and cross-cultural engagement.

Are Indian Muslim or Mamak Restaurants Stealing the Spotlight from Malay Restaurants in Malaysia's Urban Areas?

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:16:54 -0500

The primary objective of a restaurant operation is to attain profitability by cultivating customer loyalty through outstanding service, unforgettable dining experiences, and strong connections that encourage repeat visits. This study investigates whether Indian Muslim or Mamak restaurants are outshining Malay restaurants in urban areas. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 120 customers at selected popular Mamak restaurants in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. These interviews aimed to understand customers' viewpoints and dining experiences. The findings reveal that Mamak restaurants have successfully adapted to shifting consumer preferences, establishing themselves as a resilient and favored dining option, particularly in urban settings. Their continuous innovation, technology integration, and extended operating hours have reinforced their appeal, slightly overshadowing Malay restaurants in these areas. The study highlights the importance of restaurant operators adopting proactive strategies that align with changing consumer demands and market dynamics to remain competitive and sustainable.

A Constructive Content-Based Filtering Recommendation Application: Optimizing Coffee Selection Based on User Preferences

Nur Asyira Naziron , Norzatul Bazamah Azman Shah, Muhammad Haziq Raji — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:18:43 -0500

Coffee, a typical beverage consumed worldwide, offers various options, from bean origin to brewing methods. However, this abundance of choice often leads consumers to experience decision-making challenges, a phenomenon known as choice overload. Therefore, this study focuses on developing and implementing a recommendation application to help users make informed coffee choices based on their preferences. The study employs a system development life cycle (SDLC) approach and utilizes content-based filtering techniques to achieve the purpose. Data for this study was gathered from three prominent coffee shops: Zus Coffee Shop, Richiamo Coffee Shop and Gigi Coffee Shop, providing a diverse dataset for analysis. The study employs usability testing to evaluate the usefulness, perspicuity, dependability, and attractiveness of the developed recommendation application. Through rigorous testing, we assess user acceptance and overall system performance. The results indicate a significant reduction in choice overload and an enhanced user experience, validating the competence of the recommendation application. The study implies that by using a content-based filtering recommendation system, coffee drinkers can enjoy more personalized suggestions tailored to their taste preferences, such as roast level, milk type, etc. For users who may feel overwhelmed by the variety of options at a coffee shop, this system simplifies the decision process by recommending coffee types that match their stated preferences. By exploring avenues such as collaborative filtering, sentiment analysis, and incorporating additional user feedback, we aim to further enhance the accuracy and personalization of coffee recommendations, ultimately improving the overall coffee selection experience for consumers.

Investigating the Interplay of Motivational Access, Physical Access and Digital Skills Access to ICT on Internet Usage Diversity

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The rapid advancement of information and communication technologies (ICTs) during this decade has increased its importance for individuals, businesses and societies. However, despite efforts to improve digital infrastructure, access, and ownership, the digital divide remains a persistent issue and a barrier to many sectors. Digital divide is not limited to physical access, but it comprises a wide range of factors. The study explores the demographic information and the access to ICT aspects (motivational access, physical access, operational skill access, formal skill access, informational skill access, and strategic skill access) that shape university students’ internet usage diversity. The study conducted an online survey on 351 students who were pursuing their studies in different disciplines at West Malaysian University. The role of demographic variables and ownership of 5 G-enabled devices in digital divide issues was investigated. Results showed that all demographic variables except gender have significantly impacted the dimensions of access to ICT to some extent. Furthermore, the study found that operational skills access, informational skills access, and physical access have predicted students' internet usage diversity. This implies the digital divide persists among university students in terms of operational skills, informational skills, and physical access to internet usage diversity. The findings also indicate that the digital divide persists across two levels of digital divide among university students in Malaysia. The results have strengthened the findings that the original digital divide of physical access has evolved into a divide that includes differences in skills to diversify internet usage