This article reviews the empirical literature on Islamic work ethics and spirituality concepts in the service industry. An overview of the definition, ideas, and importance of applying Islamic work ethics and spirituality concepts are first introduced. Then, the review continues with the inclusion of past literature on both concepts through several sector classifications in service industries such as education, financial, telecommunication, public, and healthcare. Furthermore, the connection between Islamic work ethics and Islamic spirituality concepts was undertaken through Tawhidic paradigm and values, along with a theory and a table of value identifications; thus responding towards the main objective of this article in discovering the linkage between these concepts. Finally, the author offers a discussion concerning the future directions that can be taken by future researchers and practitioners who hope to expand this understudied topic. Keywords: Islamic work ethics, Islamic spirituality, service industry, Tawhidic paradigm, valuesCite as: Suib, F.H. & Said, M.F. (2017). A review of Islamic work ethics and spirituality concepts in service industry. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 2(2), 282-294.

PurposeThe World Health Organization identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the ten threats to global health in 2019. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the implications and factors affecting parental decision on childhood immunisation in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reviews literature on vaccine hesitancy and evaluation of factors affecting parental decision on childhood immunisation in Malaysia.FindingsVaccine hesitancy is a growing public health concern in Malaysia with factors such as influence of Internet and social media, personal choice and individual right, conspiracy theory, religious reasons and alternative medicine as among the influencing dynamics. An urban, educated demography operating within a postmodern medical paradigm compounds the diminishing value of vaccines.Originality/valueThis paper provides a comprehensive examination of vaccine hesitancy in Malaysia. Critical appraisal on personal choice over societal responsibility within an Asian/Muslim collectivist society has not been discussed in previous studies. The acceptance of homeopathy as an Islamic medicine alternative is peculiar to multi-ethnic, multi-cultural Malaysia.

Edu-tourism and education encompass globalization involving the same history over the years. It has been identified that Malaysia has become a prominent destination among international students for affordable living cost and quality education. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of Edu-tourism sector in Malaysia and students’ perception towards the selection of a destination for education which fundamentally changes tourism dynamics and faces the challenges of redressing Edu-tourism. In this research, data were collected through survey questionnaires from a total number of 228 students which were undergraduate and postgraduate students. However, this primary study was directed to realize the factors which create an impact on students to select International Islamic University Malaysia as their foreign learning institute. Data were analyzed based on factor analysis and to test the suggested research hypotheses, structural equation modelling using AMOS was applied. It has been found that satisfaction mediates the relationship between students’ learning need and perceived value towards the selection of educational institute. Meanwhile, it ascertains guidelines for potential research on international educational tourism which will influence students’ perception towards Edu-tourism and promote a general process of combination through comprehensive learning into touristic way.

Marine based tourism has emerged as a subject of concern in the area of ocean and coastal management. Today, demand for marine tourism has increased dramatically and is highlighted as one of the new horizons and fastest-growing sectors in the world’s tourism industry. Malaysia is indeed one of the countries with the most beautiful and diversified marine life. The fundamental purpose of this study is to examine the satisfaction of tourists towards the service quality of marine tourism in Malaysia. The development of the research framework is based on the SERVQUAL model. A total of 300 responses were received from the Klang Valley area of Malaysia. For the purpose of processing and analyzing the data, Partial Least Square (PLS-SEM) method was employed. By applying a two-step approach, the study assesses the measurement model and the structural model. Findings from the survey reveal that assurance, tangibility, empathy, reliability, and responsiveness have a significant positive relationship with customer satisfaction thus these factors describe the customer satisfaction adequately. This study would enable policymakers and tourism companies to develop policies to improve customer satisfaction by increasing the quality of service.

Foreign remittances have contributed significantly to Bangladesh’s overall economic development through the years. More than half a million Bangladeshi citizens work abroad, which lessens the country’s labour market burden. As a result, Bangladesh deemed a big beneficiary of remittances, earning USD 21.8 billion in 2020. It is inseparably linked to economic matters and influenced Bangladesh’s economic strengths. However, it endured appallingly during the recent worldwide COVID-19 outbreak and has already seen remittance inflows fall. This article examines the effects of foreign remittances on the COVID-19 issue and the link between remittances and the general stability of Bangladesh’s economy. Also, suggested some possible courses of action to face these challenges in an effective way. The recommendations derived from this study findings will aid to increase the valuable remittances and overall welfare for the society.