If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/ authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -This study aims to bridge the gap in the literature on consumer behaviours such as image consciousness, materialism and consumer spending on credit card usage intentions among Malaysian college students.Design/methodology/approach -A purposive sampling design was employed using a sample of 191 business and management students at a private higher education institution in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. An anonymous survey questionnaire was administered to the students. Structural equation modeling was then used to determine the validity of the path diagram and model fit.Findings -The findings of the study revealed that materialism is a partial mediator in the relationship between image consciousness and compulsive spending. The study also found that compulsive spending is not a mediator in the relationship between materialism and credit card usage intentions. However, compulsive spending does exert a sizable influence.Research limitations/implications -Future research is required to investigate whether family background has an impact on youth abilities to be more responsible and rational when undertaking more lavish lifestyles and credit.Practical implications -The implication of this study is that there needs to be more concerted efforts made in instilling credit card awareness and financial discipline among youth to avoid them falling into the debt trap at an early age.Originality/value -This study highlighted the existence of the credit card debt problem which can inhibit Malaysia's vision to achieve a developed nation status in 2020.

Purpose -Credit card bankruptcies in Malaysia trebled from 2006 to 2007 and study loan defaults increased by 103 percent in the same period. In response to this, the paper aims to investigate the level of general financial and product awareness among young adults. The two research questions addressed are: how do demographic factors (age, gender and education level) influence the general financial awareness, and whether undertaking a business degree promotes greater financial and product awareness amongst youth today. Design/methodology/approach -A survey method was employed using a sample of 280 students at a private higher education institution in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. The study also develops valid and reliable scales for general financial awareness and financial product awareness. Hypothesis testing was conducted using multivariate analysis of covariance.Findings -The findings of the study revealed that the level of education and majors influence general and financial product awareness among youths. Also, males were found to have higher levels of financial awareness compared to females.Research limitations/implications -Future research is required to investigate whether family background has an impact on personal finance knowledge.Practical implications -By identifying the specific areas where financial product awareness may be lacking, the paper may assist educators, regulators and financial institutions to design financial planning courses in helping youths to achieve greater financial freedom and be better equipped for retirement.Originality/value -This paper also develops reliable and valid measurement scales for both general and financial product awareness which were not evident in previous studies. The paper's findings may prompt the educational institution and government authorities to be concerted in promoting financial planning awareness nationwide.

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A simulation of the third order inter-modulation distortion involving type 2fi-j2 and fr+fi-j3 was pelformed using MathCad Professional 8 for an intensity modulated semiconductor laser, employed in the optical microcellular system.

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