In order to meet the rising global demand for food and to ensure food security in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 2, technological advances have been introduced in the food production industry. The organic food industry has benefitted from advances in food technology and innovation. However, there remains skepticism regarding organic foods on the part of consumers, specifically on consumers’ acceptance of food innovation technologies used in the production of organic foods. This study measured factors that influence consumers’ food innovation adoption and subsequently their intention to purchase organic foods. We compared the organic foods purchase behavior of Malaysian and Hungarian consumers to examine differences between Asian and European consumers. The findings show food innovation adoption as the most crucial predictor for the intention to purchase organic foods in Hungary, while social lifestyle factor was the most influential in Malaysia. Other factors such as environmental concerns and health consciousness were also examined in relation to food innovation adoption and organic food consumerism. This paper discusses differences between European and Asian organic foods consumers and provides recommendations for stakeholders.

Gym-goers often socially compare themselves with their trainers as they strive to look as attractive as their fitness trainers. The aim of this study was to better understand this phenomenon in the fitness industry. Relying on social comparison theory and social identity theory, self-identification with a physically attractive fitness trainer was posited to have a strong mediating effect on the relationship between appearance motive, weight management motive and gym-goers’ intention to exercise. The moderation effects of gym-goers’ age and gender in the direct relationships between appearance motive, weight management motive and exercise intention were also examined. The primary outcome of this study revealed that gym-goers who were influenced by appearance and weight management motives are more likely to identify with physically attractive fitness trainers. Additionally, gender significantly moderates the relationships between appearance motive, weight management motive and exercise intention. Appearance and weight management motives are the primary factors that influence the exercise intention of female gym-goers as compared to their male counterparts. This study sheds new insights into understanding the influence of the physical attractiveness of fitness trainers and its impact on gym-goers’ exercise intentions via self and social identification process.

Women’s share in the business sector in Malaysia and Indonesia lags behind their male counterpart. However, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) could serve as a game changer to empower women startup and entrepreneurs. The acceptance and usage of Mobile ICT in business operations could empower more women-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to grow and fulfill customer needs and wants. However, there is a lack of established models to measure mobile ICT’s role in women MSMEs in these developing countries. Through the review of policy papers and relevant literatures, this study presents a framework to assess the adoption of Mobile ICT in women-led MSMEs factoring cross-border networking. Building upon Social Network Theory and Technology Acceptance Model, this study presents a framework and discusses recommendations for further action to empower women-led MSMEs in both countries by leveraging on cross-border networking capabilities between Indonesian and Malaysian women-led MSMEs. This study highlights the strength of international and cross-border networking among women startup and entrepreneurs where mentoring could happen to empower women startups and entrepreneurs.   Keywords: Mobile ICT usage, women empowerment, MSMEs development, workforce digitization, cross-border entrepreneurship, social network theory, startups.   Cite as: Tanti, D. S., Nathan, R. J., Sulistyo, P. B., Soekmawati, Hanim, F., & Sarjuni, V. (2021). Empowering cross-border women entrepreneurs via mobile ICT: Framework for Malaysian and Indonesian women-led MSMEs.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 6(2), 340-357. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol6iss2pp340-357

In line with the law of attraction, physical attractiveness has been widely used in marketing as well as advertising due to its potency in persuading consumers to take action. However, would physical attractiveness of a fitness trainer influence gym goers’ intention to exercise? This question motivated this research. Based on recent literature reviews, several research constructs were identified to form a research framework to investigate the physical attractiveness phenomena in the fitness industry. Hypothetically, the impact of the physical attractiveness of a fitness trainer on gym goers’ exercise intention is postulated to be mediated by trainer’s perceived expertise, trustworthiness, likeability and perceived health. Questionnaires were administered among gym-goers from 10 randomly selected fitness centres across three districts of Melaka State in Malaysia, and 192 final sample data were obtained. Data analysis reveals fitness trainer’s perceived expertise and likeability significantly mediates the relationship between the physical attractiveness of fitness trainers and gym goers’ exercise intention. Physical attractiveness of fitness trainers does impact the exercise intention of gym goers indirectly. Implications of the findings to theory and practice are also discussed in this paper, as well as suggestions for future studies.