Green initiatives are fast becoming a catchphrase among societies and business entities as these entities strive to ensure more sustainable business operations and lifestyle. Research in green behaviors of consumers especially in Asia and Africa is only just emerging. The objective of this study, therefore, is to examine the factors that influence consumers’ green buying behavior. The conceptual framework and hypotheses development are grounded on related literature. We examined six independent variables (environmental attitude, pro-environmental behavior, values, eco-literacy, low price sensitivity and social influence) and the effects on consumer (green) buying behavior. The questionnaire was adapted from validated items from related prior works. The analysis was based on 227 valid responses from residents of a southern state in Malaysia. The findings reveal that four of the six hypotheses were supported. Managerial and research implications of the findings are discussed.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the innovative characteristics, benefits, and barriers influencing internet‐based information and communications technology (ICT) adoption among the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire‐based survey was used to collect data from 406 managers or owners of SMEs in the southern region of Malaysia.FindingsThe results suggest that internet‐based ICT adoption provides a low cost yet effective communication tool for customers. However, security continues to be a major barrier. Finding on cost as a barrier is mixed. The inferential statistics reveal that relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, observability, and security are significant factors influencing internet‐based ICT adoption.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses only on the SMEs in the southern region of Malaysia.Practical implicationsThe findings offer valuable insights to policy makers in general and to the SMEs in particular on the significance of the measured characteristics and the associated benefits and barriers of internet‐based ICT adoption.Originality/valueThe study is perhaps one of the first to comprehensively address internet‐based ICT adoption among the SMEs through the use of a wide range of variables.

Islamic banking was launched in Malaysia nearly three decades now, back in 1983. However, the market share of Islamic retail banking (IRB) still seemed to be relatively low. Therefore, the main aim of the present study is to analyze the difference in the awareness, perception, and preferences on IRB between the urban and rural banking customers of Malaysia. Hence, a comparative analysis was conducted based on 537 respondents representing both urban and rural regions of Malaysia. Results revealed that there is a significant difference in terms of awareness and on perceived complexity, uncertainty, and observablity. There also seem to be some variations for returns, loan repayment period, service charges, and overdraft facilities. Thus, the findings would be useful for the banking sector in understanding the customer perception and preferences concerning IRB, and to promote it strategically, and for the relevant authorities, in promoting specific regulations and policies that enhance the market share of IRB.

Advertising is a growing business and with advances in the Internet technology, the dynamics and landscape of the business has changed as well. Prior findings on consumers' attitude towards advertising are mixed. This paper is an attempt to examine young adults' attitude towards advertising. We conceptualized a framework to examine the influence of six independent variables namely consumer manipulation, product information, hedonic/pleasure, economic condition, social integration, and materialism on consumers' attitude towards advertising. Participants were selected from the southern region of Malaysia. The data were collected through personal administration, and had 217 valid responses. The analysis reveals that four of the six hypotheses were supported. Consumer manipulation emerged negative, which is consistent with past findings. These findings would enable practitioners to be more consumer-sensitive to ensure that the advertising campaigns are properly conceived to avoid adverse effects on a firm's performance. The findings would also benefit consumers in gaining additional understanding on the roles of social networks in persuading specific purchase. This paper also contributes contextual literature on the perspectives of consumers' in Malaysia.

The cosmetics industry in Malaysia is growing rapidly at an annual rate of 13%. This is because of the increasing number of working women, increased urbanization, and the increasing self-awareness due to education. This industry is expected to grow steadily in the future due to the great demand for premium products. The research objective of this paper is to examine the influence of brand image, product knowledge, product quality, and price promotion on consumers' purchase intention for cosmetic products. We used a survey questionnaire to collect 204 valid responses from Generation-Y female consumers in Malacca, Malaysia. Data collected were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The findings revealed that product image, product knowledge, and brand image emerged with a significant influence on intention to purchase cosmetics. However, price promotion was not significant. Finally, research and practice implications were outlined including areas for future research.