UniMAP RIS :: Browsing Theses & Dissertations by Issue Date

Publication

Kesan intervensi terapi kelompok tingkah laku kognitif terhadap estim kendiri dan lokus kawalan dalam kalangan penagih dadah

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2013)

Huzili Hussin

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji kesan intervensi terapi kelompok Tingkah Laku Kognitif Standard [CBT(S)] dengan terapi kelompok Tingkah Laku Kognitif Brief [CBT(B)] terhadap skor min estim kendiri (EK) dan lokus kawalan (LK) dalam kalangan penagih dadah. Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk kuasi ekperimen yang melibatkan dua kumpulan rawatan [CBT(S) & CBT(B)] dan satu kelompok kawalan (KW) serta empat ujian berulangan iaitu; ujian Pra, Pos 1, Pos 2 dan Pos 3. Seramai 108 penagih dadah telah dipilih dengan menggunakan kaedah persampelan bertujuan. Setiap kumpulan mengandungi 36 sampel kajian. Data dikumpul dengan menggunakan instrumen psikomatriks yang standard iaitu; Internal Control Index (Patricia Duttweiler, 1984) dan The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Analisis ANOVA dua hala ujian berulangan digunakan untuk menganalisis data. Hasil analisis menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan bagi kesan utama antara kelompok rawatan CBT(S), CBT(B) dan KW terhadap skor min estim kendiri [F(2, 20.13)= 20.09, p<.05]; kesan utama antara masa ujian terhadap skor min estim kendiri [F(2.35, 51.74)= 351.17; p<.05]; kesan interaksi antara kelompok rawatan dan masa ujian terhadap skor min estim kendiri [F(4.69,51.74) = 4.23; p<.05]. Sementara itu, dapatan kajian ini juga menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan bagi kesan utama antara kelompok rawatan CBT(S), CBT(B) dan KW terhadap skor min lokus kawalan [F(2, 13.38)= 200.4, p<.05]; kesan utama antara masa ujian terhadap skor min lokus kawalan [F(2.76, 17.22)= 322.77; p<.05]; dan kesan interaksi antara kelompok rawatan dan masa ujian terhadap skor min lokus kawalan [F(5.53, 17.22) = 60.28; p<.05]. Secara keseluruhannya, didapati intervensi kelompok rawatan CBT(S) dan CBT(B) dapat meningkatkan skor min estim kendiri dan lokus kawalan sampel kajian.

5 45

Publication

HRM practices and organizational performance in Mutah University in Jordan

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 2014)

Mohammadnoor Khaled M. Alqudah

This study was conducted to examine the effect of HRM practices towards rganizational performance in Mutah University in Jordan. A total of 350 sets of questionnaire had been distributed and 332 questionnaires could be used for coding, analyzing and hypotheses testing. Data for all the study variables were collected through self-administered survey questionnaires and analyze using SPSS version 22.0. A total of six hypotheses were formulated and the results showed that all hypotheses are supported. The results indicated that: (1) recruitment and selection is significantly (B= .114) related to organizational performance, (2) training and development is significantly (B= .235) related to organizational performance, (3) pay systems is significantly (B= .131) related to organizational performance, ( 4) manpower planning is significantly (B= .129) related to organizational performance, (5) quality circle is significantly (B= . 121) related to organizational performance, ( 6) performance appraisal is significantly (B= .232) related to organizational performance. The finding indicates that, there are positive effects of Human Resource Management practices on organizational performance.

2 9

Publication

Effect of marketing mix strategy on physician satisfaction in the Yemeni pharmaceutical industry : perceived value as a mediator

( 2014)

Mohsen Ali Ahmed Murshid

This research explores the relationship between marketing mix strategy (MMS) and the perceived value of physician satisfaction in the Yemeni pharmaceutical industry. The research framework was developed on the basis of extensive previous studies. The research model incorporated key MMS elements, such as product, price, place, and promotion, and investigated the effect of these variables on perceived value and physician satisfaction. Perceived value is considered a critical antecedent to physician satisfaction. Perceived value denotes the total measure of perceived quality and perceived sacrifice of physicians and is a critical mediating influence between MMS and physician satisfaction in the phannaceutical industry. A total of 500 questionnaires were randomly distributed to physicians. Data collection was self-administered, and a total of 170 questionnaires were returned and analyzed by using SPSS software 19. The usable response rate was 34 %. Several statistical techniques were perfonned including reliability, factor analysis, Pearson's correlation, multiple regression analyses, and hierarchical regressions to examine the mediation effect of the perceived value. Exploratory factor analysis with principal component method and reliability analysis were used to test the validity of the instrument. Correlation analysis indicated that the relationships among MMS elements, perceived value, and physician satisfaction were significant. Multiple regression analyses results showed that MMS elements, namely, product, price, place, and promotion significantly contributed to physician satisfaction. The results also indicated that MMS elements, namely, price, place, and promotion significantly contributed to perceived value, whereas product showed an insignificant contribution. Finally, the perceived value significantly contributed to physician satisfaction. Hierarchical regression results indicated that perceived value partially mediated the relationship among MMS elements, namely, price, place, promotion, and physician satisfaction. Product variable was excluded in hierarchical analyses because the variable was insignificant to perceived value as a mediator variable. Key benefits for academia, managers, and practitioners were discussed under practical and theoretical implications, and suggestions for future research were recommended.

3 13

Publication

The influence of service quality, trust and reputation on customer satisfaction: evidence from public hospitals in Jordan

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2014)

Hamza Ali Mohammad Alshatnawi

This masters’ thesis sought to assess and analyse customer satisfaction with service quality (Tangible, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance and Empathy), Trust and Reputation in the public hospitals in Jordan. Specifically, it examined the determinants of satisfaction and the effects of customer satisfaction on waiting time and medical care in Jordan’s public hospitals.The study was a cross-sectional survey that used self-administered structured questionnaire to the target population of customers of universities (Yarmouk University and Jordan University of Science and Technology, JUST) employees who they visit the two public hospitals (King Abdullah Hospital and Princess Basma Hospital) in Jordan. Out of the two hundred and forty- two questionnaire administered, 242 usable questionnaires were obtained constituting 93% for analysis. SPSS software package version 19.0 to test the descriptive analysis and reliability, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) which is Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 19.0 to test the hypothesis.The study found that a total of three main hypotheses and five sub hypotheses were formulated and the results showed that all hypotheses are supported. Moreover, Service Quality, Trust and Reputation were found to have significant and positive impact on Customer Satisfaction. The implications of the study to management and theory are discussed and recommendations for future research have been made. The limitations of the study are also noted.

4 7

Publication

Volunteering intention among Malaysian undergraduates: investigating the influence of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control and religiosity

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2015)

Abdullah AbdulElah Ali Salam

Youth represent important target of the population with great potential and a valuable resource to work as volunteers. The primary focus on describing the characteristics of youth who choose to volunteer, however, has resulted in limited understanding of the psychosocial factors impacting on youth intention to volunteer. To bridge this gap, we used an extension of a well-known theoretical framework, the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and added a new variable that is religiosity to predict youth’ intentions to volunteer for community service. The age of respondents was between 18 and 26 that currently pursuing their studies in University Malaysia Perlis. Using content and thematic analysis, data for all the study variables were collected through self-administered survey questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. A total of 500 sets of questionnaires have been distributed and 432 questionnaires were returned and used for coding, analyzing and testing the hypothesis. The findings analyses showed that attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and religiosity positively influenced volunteering intention. The results also demonstrated that the hypothesized model was fit and all hypotheses were supported. Sample from old people and other variables that related to volunteering behavior were suggested to be included in future research

1 12

Publication

Consumer perception towards corporate social responsibility on brand equity

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2015)

Karpal Singh Dara Singh

While the Malaysian government continues to encourage companies to adopt CSR practices, consumers’ preference and demands for products and services deemed ethical is expected to encourage firms to adopt the CSR agenda. Consumers are often regarded as one of the primary drivers of CSR amongst organizations, however, little is known about the impact CSR has on consumers more so in a Malaysian context. The primary purpose of this study is to examine consumers’ perception towards CSR and its effect on brand equity. This study investigates the drivers that motivate firms to adopt CSR and the effect of CSR dimensions on brand equity. The study also investigates the moderating effect of customer awareness and religiosity on the relationship between CSR and brand equity. In addition, the study also investigates the effect of brand equity (resulting from CSR practices) on consumer buying behaviour. Having reviewed scores of literatures, the study identified six drivers of CSR (intra-organizational factors, competitive dynamics, institutional investors, customers, government regulators and non-governmental organization) that were adopted as the antecedents of the study. Three CSR models were reviewed and synthesized which resulted in a proposed CSR model containing six dimensions (value creation, legal compliance, good governance, philanthropical engagements, workplace concerns and environmental integrity). These CSR dimensions were adopted as the independent variables of the study which were tested against brand equity, the dependent variable of the study. To attain the objectives, the study adopted a quantitative approach and questionnaires were developed and distributed to the chosen sample and collected back for relevant analyses and discussions. The geographical scope of the research comprised 12 states in Peninsular Malaysia targeting 120 people from each state contributing to a sample size of 1440 people, based on a quota based sampling plan in order to investigate the views of customers from the multi - racial population of Malaysia. A total of 909 usable questionnaires were used for analysis. The exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis was undertaken to test the validity and consistency of all questionnaire items. The findings revealed that all the six drivers were able to motivate organizations to adopt CSR practices. As for the effects of CSR dimensions on brand equity, the study revealed that value creation, legal compliance, philanthropical engagements, workplace concerns and environmental integrity were significant predictors of brand equity. However the study found no convincing evidence to support the effect of good governance on brand equity. Hence, 5 hypotheses relating to CSR dimensions and brand equity were accepted while 1 hypothesis was not supported. In terms of the moderating variables, the study found that customer awareness was able to moderate the relationship between philanthropical engagement and brand equity while religiosity only had a moderating effect on the relationship between legal compliance and brand equity. In addition, the study also found that brand equity (resulting from CSR practices) had an effect on consumers buying behaviour which meant that customers were willing to consider products and services from organizations that were committed to CSR.

6 14

Publication

The mediating effect of purchase intention toward the relationship of attitude, subjective norm, perceived usefulness, trust and online shopping behavior

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2015)

Lim Yi Jin

This study was conducted to examine the consumer behavior specifically online shopping behavior of university students aged between 18 and 34 that currently pursuing their studies in University Malaysia Perlis. A total of 800 sets of questionnaires have been distributed and 662 questionnaires were returned and used for coding, analysis and testing the hypothesis. Data for all the study variables were collected through self-administered survey questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 18.0 and AMOS version 16.0. Structural Equation Modeling to test the model fits and hypotheses testing. The conclusion could be depicted that attitude and trust positively influenced online purchase intention and shopping behavior while perceived usefulness influenced online purchase intention and shopping behavior in negative way. It is interesting to note that subjective norm positively influenced purchase intention but negatively influenced online shopping behavior. Results also showed that purchase intention positively influenced online shopping behavior. The mediating effect of purchase intention indicated that attitude and online shopping behavior was fully mediated, subjective norm and online shopping behavior is partially mediated, whereas perceived usefulness and trust were not mediated. The results also demonstrated that the hypothesized model was fit and nine hypotheses were supported whereas four hypotheses were rejected. Sample from working adults and other variables that related to online shopping were suggested to be included in future research.

5 23

Publication

Analects of communication on the impact of divorce on society in Arabic country causes, effects and solutions

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2015)

Faten Mohammad AlQahtani

Divorce seems to be more socially acceptable nowadays and is also the most common issue in the modern world. With the increase rate of divorce, the pace of emotional instability and crime rate is also quickening. Its effect on the family life, interference in the development of the children an crime is obvious. It is divorce that has an impact on not only their families but also their own children. And children are likely to be the most painful victims in this battle. It effects on both their feelings and minds. Some kids tend to stay away from any kind of social interaction and soon become immersed in their sadness. This makes them very fearful and worried by nature. Moreover, there are times when children feel so much anger because of divorce that they resort to committing crimes and taking drugs to overcome this anger. Hence, such children have higher chances of becoming delinquents. Many children are not able to concentrate on their studies during the time of divorce. The circumstances surrounding divorce may make it hard for the child to focus on academic goals. Children are bound to lose their self-confidence in such cases and may not want to study at all. Most people think that there is nothing positive about divorce as the negative effects are more obvious and talked about. Divorce can be a positive thing when the marriage is in high conflict and the children are exposed to be in an environment where they see a lack of respect and trust. Often when the child has been a victim of domestic violence then that child will grow up disliking societies' vices. That is surely a positive side. In conclusion, it is high time now that the society must do something to preserve the sanctity of marriage. For of the pace divorce continues to increase at such an alarming rate, and then the society itself would be adulterated. And people would lose faith in the stability of love, marriage and long lasting relationships. And life would be far more stressful than it is now.

1 17

Publication

Consumption values, perceived consumer effectiveness, eco-knowledge and green purchase behaviour of environment friendly and energy efficient electronic products market

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 2017)

Mohammad Solaiman

Over the past few decades, marketers and researchers have paid much attention to the underlying motivation for green purchase behaviour. The present study is designed to investigate the green purchase behaviour of electronic products market using the theory of consumption values. Functional value, social value, emotional value, epistemic value, conditional value, and corporate image value are tested in relation to green purchase behaviour of environment friendly and energy efficient electronic products market. In addition to that perceived consumer effectiveness is tested as the mediator between the consumption values and green purchase behaviour while eco-knowledge is tested as the moderator in the relationship between perceived consumer effectiveness and green purchase behaviour. Data are collected through a structured questionnaire survey from the six big cities of Bangladesh namely Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet and Comilla. The respondents of this study are the actual buyers of environmentfriendly and energy efficient electronic products. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling are used to analyse the collected data using Smart PLS software version 2.0M3. The analysis reveales that functional value, social value, conditional value, corporate image value and perceived consumer effectiveness are positively and significantly correlated with green purchase behaviour. Besides, a significantly positive relationship is found among functional value, social value, conditional value, corporate image value and perceived consumer effectiveness. Perceived consumer effectiveness mediates the relationship between functional value, social value, epistemic value, corporate image value and green purchase behaviour. It is also found that ecoknowledge moderates the relationship between perceived consumer effectiveness and green purchase behaviour. The research findings provide some theoretical contributions to the literature and provide insight into consumers' green purchase behaviour towards environment-friendly and energy efficient electronic products. The findings of this study also have a lot of insightful managerial implications, especially for the industry, policy makers and the government.

Publication

Corporate governance and performance of islamic and conventional banks in Jordan: a balanced scorecard approach

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 2017)

Anan Fathi Sa'ad Srouji

Global recession and failure in the banking sector pinpointed the fact of inactive ruJes and regulations of banks that should have been previously applied. Spreading out such rules, known as corporate governance elements, may have saved the world from the previous global crisis. Tlris study emerged to compare the effect of governance elements (financial reporting quality, corporate social responsibility, and intellectual capital) on bank performance for both conventional and Islamic banks in Jordan. Bank performance was divided into fmancial perspectives (profitability, employee activity, liquidity and asset quality) and non-financial perspectives (customer related, internal business, learning and innovation, and employee related), based on the balanced scorecard. As in Jordan most research exclude banks from balance scorecard studies, this research came to clarify how bank performance is affected by corporate governance. As Jordan is an Islamic country, based on additional rules derived from Shariah and religious perspectives, this research analyzed how Shariah may affect Islamic bank performance. The study was divided into two parts. The first part analyzed the financial perspectives of bank performance, using the financial annual reports to calculate performance ratios for the period 2011-2014. The population of banks comprised 21 conventional banks and 4 Islamic banks, as all banks in Jordan. Since results maybe insignificant because of uneven groups and small population, the research came to increase the number of ratios studied. Results for the first part of the study; related to the financial performance~ indicated that conventional banks were performing better than the Islamic banks, except for the latter's greater ability to cover unexpected withdrawals. Additionally, conventional banks were less risky than the Islamic banks, except for the Islamic banks' liquid ability to perform better in crisis, which supported previous findings. Results of the second part of the study was conducted through a structured questionnaire distributed to 206 bank branch managers; this survey indicated that corporate social responsibility had no influence on bank financial and non-financial perspectives. However, fmancial reporting quality and intellectual capital bad an effect on both performance perspectives, without any significant difference between the two types of banks except for employee-related perspectives, where conventional banks seemed to reaJize the importance of employees more than the competing Islamic banks. After factoring the moderating effect of Shariah and religious perspectives, results indicated the importance of corporate social responsibility. But interestingly, the Shariah Advisory Council had no effect on the variables. Since the balanced scorecard is based on the Stakeholders' Theory, which is practically difficult to imply to all parties, this constituted the main limitation of the study. Further study is recommended to investigate other corporate governance and performance perspectives, to examine more closely the results and relationships, or to investigate the same perspectives in greater depth.

17 2

Publication

Investigation of factors influencing customer loyalty in Malaysia and Jordan hotel industry

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2017)

Ghaith Abdulraheem Ali Alsheikh

The ever increasing establishment of various star hotels in Malaysia and Jordan has leverage the choice options of guests and tourist in these countries. While the guests were been offered multiple choices, the management of hotels are staggering to keep their existing guests and attract new ones through service provision to mitigate effects of competition. This study aims to proffer solutions to customer loyalty challenges at these destinations by proposing and validating customer loyalty model using relationship marketing and social exchange theory. Based on the underpinning theories, this study analyzed the direct and indirect influence of brand image, trust, convenience and emotion on customer loyalty of five star hotels in Malaysia and Jordan. Further, the mediating effect of customer satisfaction on the relationship between exogenous latent variables and endogenous latent variable was investigated. A total of 384 and 371customers respectively of three famous hotels under the management of Starwood were sampled using convenience sampling method for data analysis from Malaysia and Jordan. SPSS version 21.0 software was used for the analysis. The results of empirical analysis supported all the hypothesized relationships. In Malaysia, customers considered brand image and convenience as the most significant influencer of customer loyalty. While Jordanian 5 star hotels customers considered emotion, brand image and convenience as the most significant factors of customer loyalty. However, the empirical results showed partial mediation effects on the relationship between brand image, trust, convenience, emotion and customer loyalty in respect of Malaysian hotel customers. In Jordan hotels, satisfaction does not mediate the relationship between trust and customer loyalty but partially mediate between emotion, brand image, convenience and customer loyalty. In summary, the findings of this study will narrow the perception of the top echelon of these hotels on the actual factors to focus in order to earn loyalty of their valued customers. This study also contributed to frontier of knowledge by integrating the variables of relationship marketing from the perspectives of two developing countries. The study made useful recommendations that will benefit hotel industry generally and suggest direction for further research.

1 6

Publication

The effects of oil price on the price of selected intermediate food products in Malaysia

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2017)

Tan Lee Pei

A fluctuation in the oil price has been addressed by numerous previous studies as it can have great impacts on economies. An increase in oil price can result in a higher price of other goods. Sugar, egg and coconut milk are the intermediate food products that can be inevitably affected due to a higher oil price. Therefore, this present study aims to investigate the effects of oil price on the price of selected intermediate food products in Malaysia. This research narrows the focus of the investigation, to concentrate on the three types of oil price: RON95, RON97 and diesel. These oil price can major contribute to the price of selected intermediate food products (sugar, egg and coconut milk) in Malaysia. The sample period covers 84 months from 2008 to 2015. The relationship between oil price and the price of selected intermediate food products is examined by using the linear autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound test. The bound test was conducted and the results show that all the variables in functional form framework are bound together in the long-run. It was also ascertained that in the long-run, the price of RON97 influences the prices of selected intermediate food products (sugar, egg and coconut milk) in Malaysia. Nevertheless, the price of diesel affects only the price of sugar, whereas RON95 is negatively and significantly associated with the price of sugar alone. The error-correction terms test results reveal that the price of diesel is positively correlated with the price of sugar respectively in the short-run. On the other hand, the findings found that the prices of RON97 significantly influenced the prices of egg and coconut milk in Malaysia. However, the prices of sugar and coconut milk had adjusted at a higher speed compared with the price of egg which had adjusted at a lower speed. Therefore, these findings are important for the government to control the price of oil in order to achieve the stability of the price of selected intermediate food products in Malaysia such as sugar, egg and coconut milk.

1 9

Publication

Drivers of supply chain performance of retail chain stores: moderating effect of strategies

(UNiversiti Malaysia Perlis, 2017)

S M Sohel Rana

Retail supply chain management has gained much importance as there is paucity of empirical findings related to the predictors of supply chain performance of retail chain stores. The objective of this study is to explore important drivers of supply chain performance of retail chain stores in Bangladesh. The study uses responsiveness and efficiency of retail supply chain as the performance measures. Five supply chain drivers namely suppliers’ role, use of IT, inventory management, transportation management and finally coordination have been explored as the determinants of retail supply chain performance. On the other hand two types of supply chain strategies have been tested as the moderators in this study. Agile supply chain strategy is tested as a moderator in the relationship between supply chain drivers and retail supply chain responsiveness while lean supply chain strategy is tested as a moderator in the relationship between supply chain drivers and retail supply chain efficiency. Data for the study have been collected through a structured questionnaire survey using cluster sampling method of probability sampling. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS SEM) technique with smart PLS 2.0M3 software has been used for data analysis. The study reveals that suppliers’ role, use of IT, inventory management and coordination among other departments are the significant contributors of retail supply chain responsiveness. On the other hand retail supply chain efficiency is found to be significantly and positively influenced by coordination, inventory management, transportation management and use of IT. The findings also show that agile supply chain strategy moderates the relationship between suppliers’ role and use of IT with retail supply chain responsiveness. The results of moderating effect test again show that lean supply chain strategy moderates the relationship between coordination and transportation management with retail supply chain efficiency. This research has implications both for business organizations and theoretical aspects with an interest in examining the determinants of retail supply chain performance. A framework has been developed incorporating the findings of this study to complement the theoretical gap of retail supply chain management. The framework is named as SIITCOS, which stands for suppliers, inventory management, information technology, transportation management, coordination and strategies. The five supply chain drivers have been proposed here as the building block of supply chain performance of retail chain stores and strategies are here to increase performance. Therefore, the outcome of this study enriches the retail supply chain management literatures by proposing a new framework which can be helpful for the retailers to manage their supply chain.

1 6

Publication

The moderating effect of the internal ownership on the relationship between the effectiveness of Board of Directors and Executive Compensation with earnings management in the Amman Stock Exchange

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2017)

Anas Najeed Mosa Ghazalat

The primary goal of this study is to determine the level of earnings management (EM) practices in Jordanian capital market and the effectiveness role of the corporate governance in mitigating these practices especially after adopting the Jordanian corporate code in 2009. Therefore, this study revisits the literature on the relationship between the factors of the effectiveness of the board of directors at the individual level and as a bundle through creating a score of effectiveness for nine board of directors factors. This study also investigates how the effectiveness of board of directors and the executive compensations are moderated by internal ownership “managerial and family ownership” to mitigate EM. In this term, four theories formed the theoretical foundation of this study. The agency theory, the resource dependence theory and the positive accounting theory predict that corporate governance practices would play an important role in improving the financial reporting through the monitoring role, resource dependence role and ability to combining the interest of the contractual parties. However, the institutional theory refers to the possibility that these practices can be as an imitation for the market “isomorphism” and social pressure then achieve the desired regulation. Most of the prior studies focused on the traditional interaction among corporate governance mechanisms and EM, thus, neglected the variance of these practices that can be attributed to the business environment and the nature of ownership structure. Consequently, this study sheds light on whether the central or traditional agency problem existed. Moreover, to achieve the objectives of this research Kothari et al. 2005 model is used as a proxy of EM. Three models were developed and tested to answer the research questions. These models were tested using the panel data analysis methods over a sample of 798 firm-observation collected from the Jordanian nonfinancial firms listed in the ASE during the period of 2009-2015. The findings of the first model (Random-effect) provides each of the board independence, meeting frequency, CEO duality, audit committee, directors tenures and the executive compensations significantly affect the EM practices.

1 30

Publication

Determinants of e-recruitment adoption in Nigerian civil service: attitude as a moderator

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2017)

Ibrahim Aminu Tangaza

Recruitment is one of the important aspects of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices. It is the process of obtaining or acquiring suitable candidates for an organisation.The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating role of user attitude (UAT) on the relationship between perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), facilitating condition (FC), and e-recruitment adoption (ERA) in Nigerian civil service. Even though the relationships have generated significant scholarly interest, few studies have been conducted on e-recruitment adoption among the Nigerian civil service. Using a cross sectional survey design, 216 questionnaires were distributed to 112 ministries and local government in North Western Nigeria. The study adopted a proportionate stratified random sampling; data were selected from different strata. A total of 185 questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 85.6 percent. SmartPLS 2.0 was employed to analyse the data. The findings revealed that PEOU, PU, and FC had a direct significant relationship with the adoption of e-recruitment in Nigeria civil services. Of the moderating relationships, UAT was found to moderate those between PU, FC, and ERA but exerted no moderating effect on the relationship between PEOU and ERA. The study provides important insight to HRM practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to further understand the importance of PEOU, PU, and FC in the adoption of e-recruitment system. The study increases the existing literature by integrating some external constructs in Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Finally, the limitations, conclusions as well as the direction for future research are provided and discussed.

4 23

Publication

Factors affecting the Intention to fully adopt the Computer Assisted Audit Tools and Techniques (CAATTs) among external auditors in Jordan

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2017)

Ayman Mohammad Said Khasawneh

Computer-Assisted Audit Tools and Techniques (CAATTs) are the tools and techniques that enable auditors to automate tasks including client risk assessment, analysis of data, and detection of fraud in order to increase audit quality. Nevertheless, it has been evident that Jordanian companies are still involved in frauds such as tax evasion, fraud and manipulation of financial statements especially in obtaining financing from banks. Despite the advantages of adopting CAATTs in auditing practices, there is little evidence about their adoption among external auditors in the Jordanian context. Hence, this study aimed to fill this gap. The primary aims of this study were to explore the current usage of CAATTs and further examine factors affecting the intention to fully adopt CAATTs among Jordanian external auditors working in various national, international, and the world’s Big 4 audit firms. The present study employed the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to identify factors affecting the intention to fully adopt CAATTs. These factors included performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and trust as an external factor. Online survey was conducted in which a questionnaire was sent to 181 Jordanian external auditors that yielded 54.14% response rate. Results have shown that performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence were all positively related to the intention to fully adopt CAATTs. Moreover, trust was positively related to performance expectancy and effort expectancy. However, facilitating conditions and trust were not positively related to the intention to fully adopt CAATTs. The findings have also indicated that a limited number of only 8 respondents among the Jordanian external auditors surveyed had fully adopted CAATTs. In this regard, most of the Jordanian audit firms were facing many obstacles such as the lack of knowledge and training related to the usage of CAATTs. Thus, it is recommended that the Jordanian professional accounting body should help the auditors in Jordan to adopt CAATTs by developing training programs and organising conferences to disseminate knowledge among all auditors about importance of adopting CAATTs. Nonetheless, it should be noted that the survey was conducted between December and January which may have not been an appropriate time to collect data from the auditors because they would be busy preparing audit reports during this period. For future research, it is suggested that the use of Generalized Audit Software (GAS) among internal auditors or information technology auditors is examined by using the Technology Organization-Environment (TOE) framework.

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Publication

Determinants of employee engagement among assistant registrars of public universities in Malaysia and moderating effect of age, gender and length service

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2017)

Ruswahida Ibnu Ruslan

Employee engagement has received a great deal of attention in the last decade from popular business press, including consulting firms and practitioner community. They claim that employee engagement is a new human resource practice that can be used by business organisations in order to cope with the uncertainty of competitive industrial conditions. However, in the academic community, the concept is still new. Therefore, the concept requires rigorous seminal studies for it to be validated. Given that practical interest in employee engagement which has outstripped the currently available research evidence, fundamental questions as which variables contribute the most to employee engagement and how and why they benefit individuals and organisations, still remain unanswered. To examine this issue, grounded by Kahn’s psychological conditions theory, job resources theory, employee commitment theory, leadership styles theory and employee trust theory, this study proposes a new framework by decomposing employee engagement. A total of 400 assistant registrars from twenty public universities in Malaysia participated in this study. Data were collected through questionnaires (survey monkey hyperlink). The Partial Least Squares approach to Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was the main statistical technique employed in this study. The findings of the study revealed that psychological safety, rewards and recognition, employee development, affective commitment, employee trust, normative commitment and leadership styles were found to have a significant relationship with employee engagement. The psychological meaningfulness, psychological availability, employee communication and continuance commitment were not found to have any significant effect on employee engagement. The moderating variables (age, and length of service) were found to have partially significant relationship with employee engagement. This study has successfully developed a framework, PREALEN, which can be used by future researchers and practitioners to measure employee engagement.

5 11

Publication

Counterproductive work behavior among the public service sector employees in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2017)

Laith Mohammad Saeed Weld Ali

Counterproductive work behavior is a major problem for organizations all over the world. It leads to negative outcomes and costs a lot for the companies. Despite the ubiquity of this issue, research works on the antecedents of counterproductive work behavior are very few. So the present research aims at exploring the factors leading to counterproductive work behavior. From the existing literature review, organizational justice and personality traits have been chosen to examine as the potential antecedents of counterproductive work behavior. While power distance was used as the moderator in the relationship between organizational justices and counterproductive work behavior and perceived organizational support as the moderator in the relationship between personality traits and counterproductive work behavior. For the purpose of the study, data were collected from the public civil servants of department of economic development in Dubai, UAE using the proportionate stratified random sampling. The collected data were analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling technique with the help of smart PLS software.The statistical findings showed that procedural, distributive and interactional justices are significant factors that might hinder counterproductive work behavior; while emotional stability, a personality trait was also found to be significantly and negatively correlated with counterproductive work behavior. Findings revealed that power distance had moderating effects in the relationship between organizational justices and counterproductive work behavior; and perceived organizational support had moderating effects in reducing organizational deviant behaviors in conjunction with agreeableness and consciousness. The output of this study will provide significant insights regarding the causes of CWBs in organizations. If organizations understand the reasons of CWBs, they can work proactively to avoid such types of occurrences; ensure various steps to improvethe relationships with the employees so that the employees feel more supported and valued by them and ultimately deviance behavior will be reduced. The findings of this study will also help employers to implement recognition programs to help show employees that they are valued by the organization.

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Publication

Effects of student's satisfaction and co-creation on the relationship between attitudinal factors and destination loyalty: evidence from international students in Malaysian public universities

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2017)

Mohammed Manzuma-Ada'aba Ndanusa

In view of the ever increasing attrition rate of international students at study destinations occasioned by increased education marketization, reduced public budgetary allocation, globalization, internationalization and stiff competition, this study aimed to fill research vacuum by proposing and validating destination loyalty model using new paradigm of relationship marketing in higher education sector. Drawing from a new marketing innovation concept of service dominant (SD) logic and social exchange theory, this study examines the effects of students’ satisfaction and Co-Creation on the relationship between attitudinal factors and destination loyalty. A total of 498 undergraduate and post graduate international students from Malaysian public universities participated in the survey. The result of partial least square (PLS) path analysis supported all but two variables in the hypothesized direct relationship to students’ satisfaction and destination loyalty. Specifically, attitudinal factors of service quality, perceived value and personal reasons were found to have significant relationship with destination loyalty. Similarly, service quality, perceived image and perceived value significantly influenced students’ satisfaction. The intervening variables of students’ satisfaction and Co-creation also show significant relationship with destination loyalty.However, perceived image was not significant to destination loyalty. Personal reason was also not significant with students’ satisfaction. The bootstrapping result of students’ satisfaction as mediator was significant except with personal reasons. The results of the analysis also suggest that Co-Creation moderates the relationship between students’ satisfaction and destination loyalty. Taken together, the findings of this study lend empirical support to the view that joint creation of value between consumers and service providers will confer competitive advantage in service relationship. Hence, knowledge of FP-4 in SD logic will assist universities management to grow their student’s profile for sustainable competitive advantage. It is recommended that emerging destinations should concerntrate on retention through unique service provision. Malaysian public universities particularly should focus on the implementation of students’ satisfaction and Co-Creation to earn students’ loyalty and increase inbound international students for sustainable internationalization benefits.

2 18

Publication

The effects of Islamic microfinance on borrowers household income and wellbeing in Bangladesh: religiosity as moderator

(Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2017)

Shamsuddin Ahamad

Microfinance programs have been designed for the poor people to access the formal financial system easily without any collateral. From the beginning, microfinance programs have been trying to reach the poor people to improve their living standard through income generating activities. Following this objective, the Rural Development Scheme (RDS) and Muslim Aid Bangladesh (MAB) are working with the poor vulnerable people to improve their socioeconomic status through delivering interest-free microfinance in Bangladesh. This study is therefore, aims to examine the effects of Islamic microfinance on borrowers’ household welfare. Towards the achievement of its objectives, this study used descriptive and statistical techniques. To assess the effects, qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 192 borrowers from Chittagong district of Bangladesh. Quota sampling method was used to select the borrowers’. Quantitative techniques were used to analyze the data. The descriptive results revealed that the RDS and MAB have been trying to provide the handsome amount of loan and training to the clients to run their businesses though the amount of loan and training were not sufficient. Determinants, time duration with microfinance, client’s age and education level were found in the acceptable range but there are some issues that need to be considered according to the clients’ needs. The findings showed that the RDS and MAB effectively have increased the clients’ income. The RDS and MAB also helped to raise their clients’ wellbeing through improve the expenditure ability on food, clothing, child education, medical treatment, repair and maintenance. However, in terms of improving the household’s asset accumulations, the RDS and MAB still could not able to change the clients’ household assets as expected by the clients. Based on the hypotheses testing, the findings revealed that the amount of loan, tenure, education and age of borrowers had the most significant effects on income. In the case of overall wellbeing, the amount of loan, tenure and borrowers income shown the significant effects. This study also predicted that religiosity can act as a moderator in order to enhance the effect of microfinance success factors on income and wellbeing. The results of the study indicated that the role of religiosity as a moderator was evidenced on the relationship between three influencing factors (amount of loan, tenure, and education level) and income. On the other hand, the result was evidenced on the relationship between two influencing factors (amount of loan and income) and wellbeing. Therefore, these findings indicated that the overall welfare of the Islamic microfinance borrowers has increased after receiving and using the microfinance loan.

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