Keusahawanan luar bandar perlu diberi perhatian yang serius khususnya bagi melahirkan usahawan terutama dari kalangan asnaf zakat. Usahawan yang berkualiti mampu mengubah status masyarakat sekeliling ke arah ekonomi dan sosial yang lebih baik serta berdaya saing. Aktiviti keusahawanan asnaf dilihat masih gagal untuk menarik minat dari generasi muda, dan beberapa sebab telah dikenalpasti termasuk kekurangan pengetahuan tentang perniagaan, latihan dan modal permulaan. Justeru itu, objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menjelaskan keperluan usahawan zakat pedalaman dan menganalisis faktor kejayaan dan cabaran usahawan asnaf pedalaman di Pahang. Kajian ini berbentuk kualitatif dengan menggunakan metod pengumpulan data dan analisis data. Metod pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui perpustakaan. Kajian ini turut menggunakan kajian lapangan melalui metod temu bual dan metod pemerhatian. Hasil kajian mendapati terdapat keperluan kepada kerangka pembangunan usahawan asnaf sebagai satu inisiatif untuk membangunkan taraf sosio-ekonomi masyarakat di negeri Pahang, khususnya di kawasan pedalaman. Keywords: asnaf luar bandar; ekonomi; Pahang; pembangunan usahawan asnaf

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Studies on digitalization disruption and its impact on business are gaining global attention, especially among small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs). It is theoretically expected to be a business value add element in terms of capability and competitiveness in the supply chain ecosystem, which is fundamental in business success. But digitalization also has its own risks and challenges including expertise, capital, cooperation, incentives, and support from other economic units, such as other merchants and customer preferences. Failure in digitization can lead to mistrust and negative perceptions that may lead to effects the SME growth. Among the biggest digitalization challenges are for the rural micro-entrepreneurs (RME) who live in areas that lack digital support facilities and technological capabilities, such as a weak internet connection and native customer's desire to buy using online shopping platforms. This study will analyze the competitive level of RME businesses from a supply chain perspective. To analyze the impact of supply chain digitization (DSC), a mediator effect will be used. DSC will be applied in mediator effect to entrepreneurial supply chain towards the level of RME’s business competitiveness. The hypothesis of this study is DSC practice has a role on the growth of RME business competitiveness. Using the Partial Lease Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method, this study found that RMC’s efforts on business digitization do not have a significant impact on the development of business competitiveness. The hypothesis of this study was confirmed by the rate of P-value. While DSC mediator effect through variance accounted for (VAF) calculation found that there is low partial mediation (23%).  This paper proposes a further study on the elements of competitiveness and the desire for digitalization of RMC to be investigated, while the current need for a comprehensive DSC model of RMC particularly, in line with rural economic development issues in Malaysia.

Endowment (Waqf) is one of Islamic social security instrument that has proven successful in increasing the economic and social strength of the Muslim community in the early development of Islamic civilization to its peak in the Ottoman Turkish era, where it is an institution that plays a key role in community empowerment through micro endowment in various fields, such as micro endowment education, an endowment of assets, land, gardens, buildings, up to endowment of health. Contemporarily, the post-pandemic is causing the health sector to become critical where tools and other necessities are desperately needed, and some initiatives need to be taken. Among them are health endowment institutions that play a role in contributing permanent medical infrastructure and equipment. It can also ensure that the health sector receives permanent and sustainable assistance. Therefore, this study will focus on the theory and concept of the implementation of financial technology medium as a new synergy to the endowment. Highlights of micro endowment will be made through literature review and thematic analysis will be made to create a health micro endowment ecosystem framework that incorporates micro endowment units in a synergistic approach between the government, religious authorities, micro endowment asset operators, and beneficiaries. This study will also reveal the values of financial technology that are a priority for endowment makers to use as a reliable, suitable, and convenient platform.

Mentoring programs have long been a concern among academics and industry as programs for professional development and excellent personal formation. The mentor is acting as chancellor, counselor, coach to every mentee. In empowering the religious education of new brothers, mentoring programmes are essential to be implemented to enable a new student to get the advice and assistance needed. The objective of this study was to measure the effectiveness of new sibling education classes through mentor-mentee programmes implemented by new brother mentors. Next study the psychosocial function of the mentor in providing chancellory support and motivation to the mentee. The study used quantitative research design and obtained data with purposeful sampling. This method of exploring factors is made through double linear regression. The data required for this study was collected from the State Islamic Religious Council (SIRC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Surveys are conducted with questionnaires at the class session using survey design samples. The planned questionnaire was distributed throughout the target population of 244 respondents through self-management. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) through a survey instrument with a five-point Likert preferred question, with an analysis of the PLS two-step sequence. The results of the study found that teacher skills, mentor motivational approach and student satisfaction had a positive relationship and a sustainable mentoring atmosphere in the knowledge and learning of participants among the new sibling class. The study also found that the mentor’s motivational approach was a significant factor between teacher skills and student satisfaction in the classroom.