Malaysia had ranked as eighth over the top 20 countries with mismanaged plastic waste. The largest source of this issue was high consumption of single-use plastic by individuals. It is believed that, residents’ social behaviour played a significant role in reducing single-use plastic, which contributed to decreased plastic pollution. Therefore, this study investigates the factors that affect residents’ single-use plastic behavioural intention in Malaysia using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). A Quantitative study using survey questionnaire was employed and the total samples were 341 residents in Batu Pahat Johor. All of the data were analysed using regression analysis through Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The results show a positive relationship between all variables except for environmental awareness and law and regulation. At the same time, the most influential factor affecting residents’ single-use plastic reducing behavioural intention was the attitude of residents against lower plastic consumption. Future studies were recommended to be conducted in urban areas which could obtain more desired outcomes. Thus, the findings from this research could provide useful and specific information for policy makers to implement effective strategies for protecting the environmental ecosystem in Malaysia. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-01275 Full Text: PDF

Technology has been recognized as one of strategic resources for sustaining competitiveness among firms regardless of their sizes. Challenges in globalizations and strategic alliances are some of the issues underpinning technology adoption among SMEs. However, existing models on technology adoption have not provided sufficient insights on factors that could influence the successful adoption of technology among SMEs in Malaysia. In particular, uniqueness of SMEs characteristics, especially in terms of pervasive influence of SMEs' owner-managers, has not been considered. Therefore, this study aims to identify significant factors that could have pervasive influence on technology adoption among SMEs in Malaysia by integrating internal and external factors together with the SME unique characteristics. A preliminary study was conducted to propose the SME technology adoption model to validate the influence of external factors, internal factors and SMEs' owner-manager characteristics. This study employed multiple case study strategy as its research design and interviews as primary data collection method. Collected data were analyzed using thematic analyses to identify recurring factors across cases. The findings showed that notwithstanding of the technologies adopted by the firms, internal factors and SME's ownermanagers characteristics have significant influence on technology adoption among SMEs.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of intellectual capital (IC) on the performance of Malaysian automotive manufacturing firms. It also examines the role of strategic thinking (ST) as a moderating variable in the relationship between IC and performance in these firms.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a quantitative approach, with an initial sample of 228 firms in Malaysia. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the study hypotheses.FindingsThe results of the PLS-SEM analysis are as follows: Human capital (HC) and relational capital (RC) have significant effect on performance, but not structural capital (SC). ST has no moderating effect on the relationship between RC or SC and performance although it does moderate the relationship between performance and HC.Research limitations/implicationsTogether with the government, CEOs hold responsibility for ensuring that organizations practice effective ST and IC. With the assistance of government, CEOs should exert every effort to be leaders in this matter. In addition, CEOs of automotive manufacturing firm should reduce their emphasis on classical ways of managing organizations processes.Practical implicationsThe findings offer guidance to automotive firms considering how to develop IC and ST to improve performance, especially in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine the moderating effect of ST on the relationship between IC and performance worldwide.

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