Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (JOSTIP) Journal of STI Policy (JoSTIP) serves as a platform for academics and practitioners to publish their latest work, including research outcomes, reports, reviews, implementation studies, consultations, and more, focusing on science, technology, and innovation policy. Indexed by: MyJurnal
Evaluating the Impact of Regulatory Frameworks on Franchise Industry Sustainability: Empirical Evidence from Malaysia with International Benchmarking.
The objective of this study is to examine the degree to which Malaysia's franchise regulation impacts the sustainability of its franchise industry. As franchise networks increasingly demand regulatory clarity, legal predictability, and digital connectivity on a global scale, the Malaysian context offers a critical example of how policy levers in emerging economies can be calibrated with sustainable business models. Employing a mixed-method approach, the research integrates qualitative results of semi-structured interviews with franchisors, regulators, and policymakers as major stakeholders under qualitative findings, and quantitative results of a national survey of franchisees under quantitative findings. Thematic analysis was employed in the qualitative stage to condense regulatory perceptions and enforcement challenges, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed in the quantitative stage to examine relationships between regulatory quality, enforcement, e-compliance, and franchisee trust. The findings of the study show that legal certainty, regulatory enforcement, and electronic compliance procedures significantly influence franchisee confidence and industry resilience. Weaknesses in administrative enforcement and delayed policy responses were found to undermine stakeholder confidence and business continuity. Conversely, conformity with international best practice such as in the United States and Australia can reinforce investor perception and facilitate sustainable franchise growth in Malaysia. This study contributes to franchise regulation, institutional governance, and sustainability in emerging markets literature using a new empirical approach combining stakeholder feedback and cross-national benchmarking. The findings resonate with Malaysian regulators who are interested in modernizing legal instruments, enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement, and creating a more sustainable and future-oriented franchise environment.
The Moderating Role of Regulatory Frameworks in Shaping Franchise Brand Equity: A Conceptual Exploration
Franchise brand equity is a critical driver of customer loyalty, franchisee satisfaction, and overall competitiveness in the franchise market. This paper explores the influence of regulatory frameworks on the development of franchise brand equity, an area that remains underexplored in current literature. While much research focuses on internal drivers of brand value, less attention has been given to how external institutional factors, such as laws and regulations, moderate these internal dynamics. To address this gap, a conceptual model is proposed, examining the interrelationships between leadership engagement, franchisee engagement, and franchise brand equity, grounded in Agency Theory, Social Exchange Theory, and Engagement Theory. This model positions regulatory mechanisms as either enablers of trust and stability or constraints when overly rigid. The study offers practical strategies for franchisors, including compliance-oriented leadership, transparent governance, and digital regulatory alignment. It underscores the importance of balanced, innovative-friendly regulatory environments. Future research is encouraged to empirically test the model, explore cross-cultural comparisons, and consider other influencing factors such as technological change, cultural contexts, and market dynamics. These directions can offer actionable insights for academics, policymakers, and practitioners in designing regulatory frameworks that support rather than hinder brand growth.
Franchise Brand Perception in Malaysia: An Empirical Analysis of Leadership Engagement and Regulatory Frameworks
This study empirically investigates the impact of leadership engagement and regulatory frameworks on brand perception within Malaysian franchise operations. A quantitative research design was employed, collecting data from 382 franchisees through structured questionnaires utilizing validated Likert scales. The study used correlation, regression, mediation, as well as moderation analyses to test the hypotheses of the study. The findings of the study show that leadership engagement mediates the relationship between support services and franchisee satisfaction. The findings also show that regulators moderate the relationship. Furthermore, the findings show that the direct effect of regulatory compliance on the brand perception of the franchise is insignificant. These insights have practical implications for franchise managers and policymakers, advocating for the development of leadership training programs, regulatory flexibility, and enhanced consumer- driven branding strategies. The study recommends refining franchise governance models to balance control mechanisms with franchisee autonomy, ensuring sustainable brand perception and operational success. To further understand the impact of franchisor leadership on the brand perception of customers, future research should include cross-cultural comparisons, longitudinal analysis, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM).
Can Emotional Intelligence Mediate the Relationship Between Conflict and Conflict Management Style Among Students?
Emotional intelligence (EI) acts as a mediator between conflict and conflict management by influencing how individuals perceive, process, and respond to emotions in conflict situations. The aim of this study was to examine the role of EI in managing the relationship between Conflict and Conflict Management Style (CMS) among postgraduate students of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Data was gathered from 80 respondents, but only 42 of them responded to the questionnaire. Standardized scales were used to measure key concepts, and the data was analyzed using descriptive analyses, correlation coefficients, and mean ranking to test the data-model fit. The findings indicate that there may not be a statistically significant relationship between Conflict and CMS (Conflict Management Styles) at the conventional significance level of 0.05. However, the relationship between conflict, emotional intelligence (EI), and conflict management style (CMS) while conflict and emotional intelligence together have a significant impact on CMS, the direct effect of conflict on CMS is not statistically significant when accounting for the influence of emotional intelligence. Thus, this research concludes the importance of emotional intelligence in conflict resolution and suggests that developing emotional intelligence skills may be valuable for improving conflict management strategies for students.
Copyright (c) 2024 Mohd Azreey Shah Abd Aziz , Muhammad Yusof Derasol , Rafidah Hasbullah, Shadiya Mohamed Saleh Baqutayan
Alternative Feeds for Sustainable Aquaculture: A Comprehensive Structured Review
The rising demand for sustainable aquaculture has prompted extensive research into alternative feed ingredients to replace traditional Fish Meal (FM) and Fish Oil (FO), which are linked to environmental and economic challenges. This comprehensive, structured review synthesizes recent advancements in plant and algae-based feeds, probiotics, insect meals, and other novel protein sources for aquaculture. The primary problem addressed is the need for sustainable, cost-effective, and nutritionally adequate alternatives to FM and FO to support the growing aquaculture industry while mitigating ecological impacts. Methodologically, the review encompasses a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed studies published between 2023 and 2024, evaluating the efficacy of various alternative feeds across different fish species. The flow of the study is based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. Analyzing a comprehensive selection using advanced searching approaches on Scopus and Web of Science discovered (n = 34) final primary data, which were then examined. The findings were divided into three themes: 1) insect-based feeds, 2) plant and algae-based feeds, and 3) alternative protein sources. Key findings reveal that many alternative feeds, including fermented plant meals, microalgae, and insect-based ingredients, promise to maintain or enhance growth performance, improve fish health, and ensure high nutritional quality. Spirulina platensis and Schizochytrium sp. inclusion in aquafeed has been illustrated to be able to enhance growth and antioxidant capacity effectively. At the same time, Black Soldier Fly Meal (BSFM) effectively supports gut health and immune response. The review concludes that while alternative feeds offer substantial benefits, species-specific responses necessitate tailored formulations. Future research should optimize these alternative ingredients, assess long-term effects, and evaluate economic feasibility to fully integrate them into sustainable aquaculture practices. This review highlights the potential of alternative feeds to transform aquaculture into a more sustainable industry, contributing to global food security and environmental conservation.
Copyright (c) 2024 Suharmili Rosle, Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, Agustono Agustono, Nor Hizami Hassin
Do Incentives Mediate the Willingness of Civil Defence Force Volunteer Members to Respond in Pandemic and Stay as Volunteers?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysia opened over thirty Low-Risk COVID-19 Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC). These PKRCs needed many volunteers to help first responders with non-medical services and patient management. Luckily many new volunteers signed up for this risky work. These volunteer hours were paid. How willing are they to volunteer? Will they stay? Did the incentive mediate volunteering and staying? To illuminate, this research was done. 391 respondents involved. They were the volunteers registered with the Civil Defence Force (the Force). They were chosen by voluntary sampling technique. An online survey was used for data collection. The survey instrument contains two main variables: willingness to respond and intention to stay, and a mediator: incentives. The instrument adapted the Expectancy Theory of Motivation and the Extended Parallel Process Model. The study found that their willingness to respond during pandemics was at a moderate level. Their intention to stay, however, is low. The availability of incentives has been identified as a significant mediator in influencing volunteers' willingness to respond during pandemics and retain them as Civil Defence Force volunteer members. This was significant because many people lost their jobs when the pandemic occurred. Their job alternative at that time was paid volunteering. Thus, it is relevant for the government to offer incentives if a huge number of volunteers is required during a long-term disaster.
Copyright (c) 2024 Siti Hasliah Salleh, Nor Ashikin Mohamed Yusof, Shadiya Mohamed Saleh Ba Qutayan, Intan Sazrina Saimy
Transforming Governance: A Systematic Review of AI Applications in Policymaking
This systematic literature review examines the transformative applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in policymaking, exploring its potential to enhance decision-making, public engagement, and governance effectiveness. Employing a rigorous research methodology, this review analyzed scholarly articles from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, ensuring methodological transparency and reproducibility. The final dataset of 22 articles was synthesized into four key themes: (i) AI in policy development and implementation, which focuses on data-driven decision support in policy formulation; (ii) AI in public administration and governance, highlighting AI’s role in improving public sector efficiency and resilience; (iii) ethical and regulatory aspects of AI in policymaking, which addresses critical issues like transparency, privacy, and bias; and (iv) applications of AI in specific policy domains, encompassing areas such as public health, environmental sustainability, and education. Findings indicate that AI can support evidence-based policymaking by facilitating real-time data analysis, scenario modeling, and enhanced public participation. However, challenges persist, particularly concerning ethical considerations, algorithmic accountability, and regulatory frameworks that ensure AI is implemented responsibly and equitably. This review underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical standards, and robust governance frameworks to address these challenges and maximize AI’s benefits in policy development and implementation. The synthesis of insights from diverse policy contexts provides a foundation for future research, encouraging exploration of responsible AI integration in policymaking to advance public trust, accountability, and policy effectiveness).
Copyright (c) 2024 Amirah ‘Aisha Badrul Hisham, Nor Ashikin Mohamed Yusof, Siti Hasliah Salleh , Hafiza Abas
Exploring the Influence of Parental Personality Types on Children’s Academic Choices
The academic decisions that children make are frequently influenced by several different circumstances. One of the most important yet understudied aspects of this is the influence of the personality types of their parents. The objective of this report is to understand how parental personalities may impact a child's inclination towards science or art subjects. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Test was used for parents to indicate the relationship between parental personality type and the academic choices made by their children, particularly in the field of science and art. The results indicated that children from the INTJ, INFJ, and ENFJ parents’ personality types, are likely to choose science subjects, while children from ENTJ parents’ personality types choose art subjects. This sheds light on the association between parental personality types and children's academic choices; aiding educators and policymakers better tailor educational approaches to accommodate diverse student needs and aspirations.
Copyright (c) 2024 Faznil Yanti Mohamed Aki , Shadiya Mohamed Baqutayan
Exploring the Cooperation between Management and School Teachers in the Implementation of Technical and Vocational Education Policy in Nigeria
This research explores the cooperation between management and schoolteachers in the implementation of technical and vocational education and training policy in Nigeria. Schoolteacher’s role in implementing the Technical and Vocational Education and Training program in Nigeria and the cooperation they receive from the top management in TVET institution has received little attention and is largely overlooked. There are excellent and well-formulated policies but ineffectively implemented. As a result, it leads to a broader gap between policy intent and its implementation. TVET was established to nurture and produce job-ready graduates for industries. The study employs a qualitative method in which evidence is sought from schoolteachers’ interviews. A purposive sampling technique is used to select participants, The number of participants is based on the data saturation point. The interview is audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. NVIVO 12 qualitative analysis software is used to organize the data. The paper and pencil coding method are used for the analysis. The study finds out that there is cooperation between TVET top management and international research cooperation. The cooperation identified in the study is availability of funding to buy equipment and consumables, cooperation between TVET institution and other stakeholders and international research cooperation which will lead to implementation of technical and vocational education and training that will nurture job-ready graduates. TVET policy and research collaboration are ineffective if the partnership between management and "TVET Teachers” is ineffective. As the TVET policy’s implementation had not been successful in Nigeria, this study will provide evidence for the need for future schoolteachers’ cooperation in implementing the TVET policy to prevent TVET graduates’ unemployment in Nigeria.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Abdullahi, Mustapha Abubakar
“Director General Review” as a Viable Mechanism to Safeguard Malaysia’s Revenue Through Tax Justice
The Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) serves as a guide for Customs procedures in the modern era, and Malaysia has signed on as a participating country. One crucial element of the RKC, outlined in Chapter 10 of the text of the convention, is the requirement for national legislation to include a right of appeal in Customs matters. Subsection 143(1) of the Customs Act 1967 empowers the Director General (DG) of Customs to review his own previous decisions, and the Royal Customs Malaysian Department (RMCD) has devised a systematic process referred to in this research as the "DG review." This provision was enacted to comply with the RKC's standards. Subsection 143(1) was amended in 2020 to allow aggrieved parties to submit their applications for “DG review” within 30 days from any DG decisions in the indirect taxes. Despite the amendment, no prior research has been conducted on its effectiveness. This study aims to evaluate the viability of the DG review mechanism in promoting fair and efficient tax implementation. The research employs both doctrinal legal analysis and qualitative methods to scrutinize the laws and regulations governing the right of appeal for indirect tax in Malaysia, as well as the fairness of the DG review process for taxpayers. The outcome of this study is pivotal in proposing legal solutions and validating the amended mechanism outlined in subsection 143(1) of the Customs Act 1967.
Copyright (c) 2024 Rizal Ahmad Kamal, Muhammad Fathi Yusof
Disaster Resilience Plan Towards Flexible Regional Logistic Management
COVID-19, which emerged in 2019, was the most recent pandemic, significantly affecting populations worldwide. It led to a global catastrophe, in the aspects of politics, environment, social life, health, and economy. Since therapeutic care had not been able to mitigate the spread of the virus, prevention tactics were adopted, which include movement control orders, lockdown, mandatory distancing, and mask wear. Some of these inevitable severe containment measures have been found to disrupt the global supply chain where the consumer manufacturing sector was affected the most. With the certainty that future disasters will happen in one form or another, and to avoid future disruption, the supply chain management of an organization should be prepared with a resilience plan to be more flexible, dynamic, and agile in ensuring supply chain continuity. One way to achieve this is through management of the logistics in the supply chain. This paper aims to present alternative guidelines and strategies in the form of a contingency plan for disaster resilience and flexible logistics management. A qualitative study was conducted on a consumer electronic goods company located in Malaysia, with a factory in Thailand and retailer distribution centres in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. A thematic analysis of the semi-structured interview results identified seven key impacts of COVID-19 on logistics management. The most critical impacts found are ‘shortage of storage capacity’ and ‘lack of containers’. Meanwhile, necessary qualities required in withstanding disasters were revealed, including ‘the ability to be flexible’, ‘adaptability to new things’, and ‘finding alternative solutions’. Finally, this paper concludes with a proposal of guidelines and strategies for resilience and contingency plan implementation.
Copyright (c) 2024 Raja Marzyani Raja Mazlan, Nurul-Ain Idrus
Unravelling International Students' Preferences in Embracing Malaysian Cuisine: A Pilot Study
This pilot study aims to investigate the preferences of international students in embracing Malaysian cuisine during their tenure at local university. Students frequently experience difficulties in their social and academic environments. No study has been explored on the relationship between students’ views and perceptions of Malaysian food. The objective of this study is to precede further studies on key factors that influence international students' preferences for Malaysian cuisine that may perhaps provide insights for universities and local food establishments to promote more of Malaysian cuisine internationally. The pilot study was conducted at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur branch, which consist of a significant number of undergraduate and postgraduate international students. Kuala Lumpur has many options for type of restaurants and varieties of local cuisine. The research instrument used in this study is a self-administered questionnaire, that was validated and distributed to only international students. The study employed a quantitative method approach to understand the factors influencing the food choices of international students, towards Malaysian cuisine. The questionnaire developed includes demographic information, followed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) sections, (i) attitude, (ii) subjective norms and (iii) perceived behavioural control. The findings of this pilot do prove that attitudes, social norm and perceived behavioural control had a significant positive effect on intention to consume Malaysian food with attitudes playing the main factor. The quality, taste and cultural background of the food product are the drivers that led them to consume local cuisine. This study has provided valuable insights for further research and the development of strategies to cater to the culinary preferences of international students in UTM Kuala Lumpur especially. The findings thus far could provide insights for local food establishments to enhance the promotion of Malaysian cuisine to international students, to potentially increase the demand for local foods and boost the industry's revenue.
Copyright (c) 2024 Suahir Ahmed Elyas Hussein, Zhang Xiaoyu, Wang Junren, Dadin Mahmudin, Intan Sazrina Saimy
Comparative Study of Malaysian Affordable Housing Policy Initiatives
The Malaysian government has implemented and coordinated affordable housing development initiatives to many targeted groups with the aim to spearhead liveable affordable housing and establish an effective regulatory on affordable housing. In order to focus on the direction as well as formulating guidelines for the development of affordable houses, the National Affordable Housing Policy (NAHP) had taken into account the problems and issues faced by the public especially on the inability to own a house at the market rates. Through this policy, several government initiatives were implemented, including Perumahan Penjawat Awam Malaysia (PPAM), Rumah Wilayah Persekutuan (RUMAWIP) and Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR). This study was to identify which initiative among those three that offers the best housing needs alongside its goal of implementation, adequate and good quality of home with conducive amenities and environment, affordability and sustainability. The survey questionnaire that was developed was validated and provided to the general public to gain insight and feedback on the effectiveness of the PPAM, RUMAWIP and PPR initiatives. Therefore, the results were summarized according to the public's satisfaction that may be useful in the housing industry and the government for continuous and improvements to ensure continuity in future studies. Results showed that the favourite housing initiative is PPR however many improvements still need to be improved such as pricing, size, facilities and maintenance. Overall, this study is in line with the targeted Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 3 of Good Health and Wellbeing as well as Goal 11 of Sustainable Cities and Communities and others which will benefit all.
Copyright (c) 2024 Jennifer Francis, Reanee Lee, Intan Sazrina Saimy, Nor Ashikin Mohamed Yusof, Fadillah Ismail, Abdul Muhaimin Zamri
An Overview of Procurement Practice in the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Malaysia
This paper aims to describe the general overview of procurement practices at the Ministry of Defence, Malaysia. Although the Ministry’s procurement practices must align with the general public procurement guidelines, rules and regulations set up by the Ministry of Finance, defence procurement deals with highly diversified asset acquisitions which can be extremely complex and sensitive in nature, process, and regulations. As such, it is crucial to examine the current defence procurement practices in Malaysia from the perspective of two policy documents namely the National Defence Policy and the Defence White Paper. Brief discussions on the types of procurement and agencies involved in the procurement process are also presented. Previous studies related to defence procurement both from Western literature and local studies are also offered along with a brief view on the notion of value for money.
Copyright (c) 2023 Mohd Rafizu Muda, Norizan Sulong, Aini Suzana Ariffin, Aref Charehzehi
Women Development Related Policies in Pakistan: A Preliminary Gap Analysis
Women living in third-world countries, such as Pakistan, often face the perception of being less competent and less significant participants in national development. In the Pakistani context, this situation can be attributed, among other factors, to the lack of tangible policies ensuring women's access to key decision-making positions and opportunities for career development. This paper aims to examine the major policies concerning women that have been formulated over the years in the form of acts and laws. Additionally, the study highlights the inadequate attention given by Pakistani policymakers to acts or bills that would facilitate women's career development. The research reveals that the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCWS) in 2012 and subsequent initiatives in 2014, 2016, and 2018 do not fully address the issues related to women's career development. Furthermore, the study uncovers a gap between the policy measures outlined in the first national-level policy for women in 2002, which encompass social, economic, and political dimensions, and their implementation in assisting Pakistani women in their career development. Therefore, this study makes a significant contribution by promoting research on women's status, not only by reporting factors of gender discrimination and cultural restraints but also by analyzing the historical development of official policies and the implementation gap concerning women's career development in Pakistan.
Copyright (c) 2023 Javaria Khalid, Nooraini Othman , Wan Normeza Wan Zakaria
Ethical Issues of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Healthcare
The idea of integrating ethics into artificial intelligence (AI) increased globally, and it became an important policy objective in many countries. The ethics of AI has seen significant press coverage in recent years, which supports related research, but also may end up undermining it. The issues under discussion were just predictions of what future technology will bring, and we already know what would be most ethical and how to achieve that. This paper is a literature review in nature; it analyzes previous studies related to implementation of ethics in AI. The literature results indicate that between 2010 and 2021, there were 150 AI ethical incidents; including data privacy and security risks, safety concerns, bias diagnosis, the possibility of hostile entities taking control of AI, a lack of interpersonal communication or a humanistic perspective, wealth concentration around an AI business and job losses. The findings obtained from this literature review can help to propose method for AI; it's, indeed, an avenue for researchers to understand ethics needed in AI. Thus, this is crucial to provide suitable suggestions on planning the next course of action on how to integrate ethics in AI in the future.
Copyright (c) 2023 Mohd Azri Baihakki, Shadiya Mohamed Saleh Ba Qutayan
Overcoming Data Fabrication in Scientific Research
The goal of this study is to identify the factors that contribute to the occurrence of data fabrication in scientific research and to propose prevention methods that can be implemented by research agencies or research institutions. The study is a full literature review; it analyzes previous studies related to the contributing factors of researchers fabricating data and its effects such as the impact on the world of scientific research in addition to damaging the researcher's credibility and causing a loss of public trust in the findings of scientific research. Furthermore, another effect of data fabrication is the retraction of the publication, which will result in the researchers' lifetime ban from conducting scientific research. It is proven that data fabrication is a significant contributor to the retraction of papers, with a percentage of 49.4%. The finding of this study is to come out with several suggestions for prevention strategies for data fabrication, such as empowering training in research integrity and enforcement of academic research policy. It also concludes with recommendations for improving research ethics with a well-designed plan for fostering research integrity in various platforms for a better future.
Copyright (c) 2023 Razis Osman, Shadiya Mohamed Saleh Ba Qutayan
Self-perception and Gender Change in Pakistan. Who Else?
The constitution of Pakistan, an Islamic democracy, upholds the legal rights of its citizens. However, globalization and liberalization have led the nation to recognize the presence of the third gender, also known as transgender. According to the Transgender (Protection of Rights) Act 2018, Pakistani people are permitted to change their gender from male to female, female to male, or male/female to transgender. The person's perspective of themselves may play a role in the choice to change gender. By all rights, Pakistan is not the first country to use self-perception as a method for decision-making in order to effect gender change. Therefore, this study is conducted to investigate which other nations are using self-perception as a method for gender change. The study is conducted using quantitative content analysis. The contents of transgender-related acts enacted by numerous nations, including Pakistan will be analyzed using manifest analysis. It is anticipated that the study will provide some insight into how self-perception for gender change is being implemented in Pakistan. Recommendations for future studies are also suggested.
Copyright (c) 2023 Hamza Iftikhar, Siti Hasliah Salleh
The Need to Study Political Psychology in Malaysia
This paper aims to describe political psychology and its significance in the context of Malaysian politics. Political studies in Malaysia primarily rely on political science, political sociology, and socio-political analysis. However, it is crucial to examine the political environment and issues in Malaysia from a psychological perspective. Political psychology provides insights into the thinking and behaviour of political leaders and enables an understanding of voters' behaviour. This interdisciplinary approach enriches our comprehension of politics from diverse angles. In the Malaysian context, studying political psychology will enhance our understanding of numerous variables related to political practices. The interaction between politics and psychology, particularly the impact of psychology on politics, is an intriguing subject to explore. A deeper comprehension of political psychology in Malaysia will enable leaders to better appreciate the aspirations of the people and work towards fulfilling their needs. The study of political psychology should aim to uncover the thought processes of political actors and voters alike.
Copyright (c) 2023 Khairul ‘Azmi Mohamad, Nooraini Othman
Essentiality of Capacity Building in the Cottage Industry of Pakistan: A Synopsis of Challenges and Solutions
Capacity building is critical to the success and sustainability of cottage industries. It helps to improve the skills and knowledge of workers, increase productivity and efficiency, strengthens business practices, develop an entrepreneurial mind-set, and create a supportive business environment. Therefore, the aim of current study is to explore the relationship between capital access and cottage industry growth, to analyse the relation and importance of education and awareness with cottage industry growth and to explore the relation between technology and growth of cottage industry in Pakistan. The sample size of this quantitative study is 280 including Pakistani small entrepreneurs in Punjab. This study applied Anova test for data analysis by using SPSS. The framework shows that three factor can improve or reduce the growth of cottage industry such as education, technology, and capital access. The results of this study are in accordance with other similar studies which show that the model is feasible and the relationship exists positively and strongly between the variables selected. The government must also focus on opening more educational and training institution to improve the skills of people regarding opening cottage industries. This way, the small businesses industry will be able to absorb the problems and the lack of capital shocks. Cottage industry entrepreneurs should be given access to international markets and provisions should be made to link them with distributers and sellers.
Copyright (c) 2023 Rana Sakandar Hayat, Ummul Meena
Evaluation for Promotion System in Government Sector
One of the most important activities in Human Resource Management is the Promotion System (PS) (HRM). This study aims to identify government promotion in the government sector with an emphasis on ethics and cultural perspectives, as well as a key indicator in understanding issues and challenges in Malaysia's public sector promotion system and ways to improve the system, which are organisational culture, ethics, and bureaucracy. Organizational culture is defined as a shared perception shared by organisational members. There are differences in the rules and policies governing tenure and seniority in Malaysia's public service. In government and agencies, a civil servant is designated before the promotion board considers the grant of promotion. This implementation is good among Malaysian civil servants and should be maintained as a criterion for promotion in the Malaysian public service. As a result, monitoring and evaluation can be carried out, typically at the end of each year, using the KPI monitoring system. The grades are being used to determine whether the individuals should be promoted or face disciplinary action. Most disciplinary actions will be warnings or notices before more serious actions such as termination are taken. The current system of civil service is insufficient and can be improved with the suggestions in this paper. A thorough examination is required to comprehend the breadth of issues that have arisen in recent years.
Cultural and Religious Perspectives on Education of Saudi Arabia
In this composition, the intricacies of the relationship between culture and education in Saudi Arabia are analyzed and its implications for students from early education to higher learning are evaluated. The examination delves into the manner in which Islam and the country's customary gender roles shape the syllabus and educational customs. The inculcation of Qur'anic teachings and Hadith, as well as the propagation of Wahhabi principles, are integral facets of religion's influence on the nation's educational structure. The segregation of academic institutions by gender, stringent dress codes, and strict observance of behavioral codes are exemplars of the impact of religion on education. Additionally, the cultural and religious emphasis on gender roles is pronounced through the stringent separation of schools and the reinforcement of cultural and religious norms in society. The religious curriculum and instructional materials are rigorously scrutinized to guarantee their conformity to the government's interpretation of Islam. The report accentuates both the difficulties and prospects that the cultural and educational landscape presents for students, educators, and education professionals in Saudi Arabia.
Integrity for the Enforcement in Forestry Perspective
The Forestry Department is one of the organizations that preserve national treasure assets consistently. As civil servants and staff of the Forestry Department organization, they must uphold the nature of trust, transparency, and responsibility and serve the public interest, which is the essence of the terms integrity and ethics. In other words, integrity and ethics in work and organization is not just an individual's self-involvement to provide for his own needs but rather involves good actions done at work and all of this is closely related to religious teachings and responsibility as a human being. The erosion of the value of integrity among civil servants in the Forestry Department will result in administrative errors and misconduct in the organization. Therefore, the practice and understanding of integrity and ethics must be implemented. The government has already paid serious attention to the problem of integrity and ethics among civil servants by launching Corruption Risk Management to develop the country in a balanced way. Realizing the importance of integrity as the core of quality staff development, this study discusses integrity in law enforcement from the perspective of the Forestry Department. In addition, this article describes the issues and challenges faced by the Forestry Department related to the lack of research on the implications of forestry law enforcement, especially shared values, makes it difficult for policy makers to determine conservation goals, methods and standards that are suitable for local acceptance. There is also a proposal to improvise on the integrity of the Forestry department by identifying the policy and revising the working procedures of area applications and creating an open tender system so that the selection of loggers is more transparent. Ultimately, it can improve the integrity of law enforcement from the perspective of the Forestry Department so that all employees and civil servants in an organization can practice it in order to improve the quality of superior and effective services.
Policies Implementation to Address Harassment in Workplace
Workplace harassment exists throughout all types of workplaces. This is also experienced in developed countries, developing countries and undeveloped countries all over the world. Harassment is a type of bullying and discrimination and considered as a social problem. It is important for all workers to understand workplace harassment so you can avoid a hostile work environment. A good workplace harassment policy must be implemented and regulated so that the necessary steps can be taken so ensure a safe working environment for all employees. Most basic types of harassment are verbal and psychological; there are also more serious forms, such as abuse, physical and sexual. All types of workplace harassment are considered illegal. They will not only affect an employee’s productivity, comfort and safety at work, but they can also expose an organization to legal liability if it does not handle the harassment properly. Sexual harassment is a widespread and global problem that affects both women and men. Women and girls however, more commonly experience it, across all levels of society around the world. The global movement that went viral in October 2017 started out as a social media hash tag, the movement has since massively grown, encouraging millions of women across the world to speak out about sexual harassment. The Malaysian pledge to uphold the success of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on Gender Equality and Health and Well Being is also interconnected with the topic above, so implementing related laws/policies on work place and sexual Harassment with intervention from the Government is crucial to reduce and mitigate the social problem. This assignment will focus on government intervention to address such problems by implementing / establishing laws, policies, code of conduct practices and guidelines to protect women in the workplace. I will use case studies from South Korea, Malaysia and Cambodia to try to find similar programs that have been implemented to protect the rights of women in the workforce as equal humans. By then, researcher will be able to prove that through workplace harassment law/policies will make it way to reduce the harassment problem.
Digital Economy in Indonesia: Trends and Future Research
Digital economy serves as one of the agenda of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in undertaking the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Additionally, the Indonesian government is committed to conducting research and innovation related to digital economy. Therefore, this study aims to reveal trends and future research under the topic of digital economy in Indonesia. This study utilizes big data methods, conducted through Scopus database, while the analysis is conducted through bibliometrics and visualization VOSViewer. The results of this study indicate that financial technology becomes the most published topic by authors with affiliation from Indonesia, although the topic has been widely discussed in international journals. Meanwhile, future research topics include research on digital payments, technology acceptance for the Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), digital transformation for e-learning, and e-government.
Copyright (c) 2022 Prakoso Bhairawa Putera, Sinta Ningrum, Suryanto Suryato, Ida Widianingsih, Yan Rianto
Sudan's Government Interventions: A Review Article On How To Overcome The Gap Between Wheat Production And Consumption
Agriculture is considered the mainstay of Sudan's economy and the livelihood of the majority of the population. It has contributed an annual average of 32 % of GDP for the last 10 years. Wheat is a strategic and political crop in Sudan and has played a central role in the country’s economy during successive regimes. This review paper aims to highlight the status of wheat production and consumption in Sudan in line with government interventions in the local and imported wheat sectors over the past few decades to ensure adequate grain supplies for domestic consumption. The Sudan government's official national-level statistics data and the government policy documents related to wheat production and consumption are used to conduct this paper. Despite the agricultural potential and ingredients available in Sudan, as well as government interventions via policies and plans oriented towards achieving wheat self-sufficiency, domestic production does not meet the population's needs and only covers an average of domestic consumption, which does not exceed 24%. Therefore, the Sudanese government has been importing wheat to bridge this gap, which was a great burden on its budget previously, and from this year (2022), this will be a great burden on the Sudanese citizens as the government completely lifted subsidies for wheat imports. This situation, in line with the world prices of wheat, which have surged since February 2022 and reached an all-time high level not seen since 2008 as the Russian invasion of Ukraine triggered supply disruption from two of the world's largest wheat producers, requires evaluation of previous government interventions to determine what the real problem is, with a focus in the background of the commitments of the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to enhance the policies on "No Poverty," "Zero Hunger," and "Good Health and Well-being."
Public Servants’ Perception Towards Publishing Quality and Impactful Open Data to Support Open Science Initiatives in Malaysia
Open Data Portal is the key intervention of e-Government initiative for information management. The Government of Malaysia has introduced the initiatives since 2015 to facilitate open data portal and strengthen transparency governance. This Open Data is crucial because it provides significant benefits to government in term of political, social, economic, operational, and technical. However, World Bank’s Open Data Readiness Assessment (ODRA) for Malaysia stated that despite the clear evidence of readiness and the country’s data-rich environment, it was significantly difficult to access high- quality data from Malaysia. As a result, lower scores on impact criterion in three consecutive years has landed Malaysia on 53rd of the ranking of the Global Open Data Barometer. Therefore, the objectives of this research re to determine the general perception of public servants toward open data initiatives and to identify determinants that impede the publication of open government data by the existing government entity. This research adopted qualitative method through semi-structured interview. There are six common themes of perception identified and ten common themes emerged as determinants. The result indicated that that Malaysian public servant demonstrates highly positive perception toward the initiative. It is very useful in enhancing public policy towards effective data publishing and sharing management. Subsequently may serve as input to to devise strategies to improve perceptions by addressing the perceptual biases or translating it into actionable policy to promote the success factors onto the non-providing agencies which would escalate the number of providing agencies, and consequently boost the number of data set, and eventually enhance the availability of impactful dataset to support Malaysia Government Data Sharing and Open Science initiatives.
The policy dynamics of Indonesia's science, technology, and innovation system (STI system): Current state of research and literature construction
Policy dynamics is not merely a discussion encapsulating the policy cycle. Further, policy dynamics is widely applied to examine the evolution of policy, political dynamics, policy change, and policy development. In addition, policy dynamics have been implemented in a number of different topics and research areas. Discourses include changes in science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies in Indonesia in the last three years, gaining insight to be studied under policy dynamics. However an initial study with a bibliometric approach is required prior to conducting a review. This initial study aims to determine the current state of research and literature construction. This study employs bibliometric analysis by using VOSViewer. The results of this study include the mapping for several research on science, technology and innovation systems in Indonesia, in which the topics have been dominated by triple helix during 2010-2020, particularly in science Techno Park and innovation. In addition, approximately 55.7% of STI System in Indonesia topics are widely published in national publications such as national journals, and 44.3% are published internationally.
Internationalisation of Higher Education Policy: Implications on international student withdrawals from Malaysia
This paper aims to present and briefly discuss policy documents focusing on the internationalisation of higher education in Malaysia and their implication on international student withdrawals. Numerous policies and guidelines have been developed by the Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia to propel Malaysia as education hub in this region. However, the current statistic does not seem to support national goal to increase international student enrolment to 200,000 by 2020 or be an education hub of excellence. Existing literature indicates that there has never been any research that studies in detail on the issue of international student withdrawals from pursuing higher education in Malaysian education institutions. Therefore, an in-depth study is needed to investigate the current policy development process and their implication on the phenomenon of international student withdrawals from Malaysian higher institutions.
Human Resource Management Practices: Compare the Perceptions of Faculty Members in Punjab and Federal Universities
Effective Human Resource Management Practices (HRMP) paves the path for any institution to achieve their competitive advantages, institutional goals and ultimately the success of an institution. Without effective execution of HRM practices, an institution not only wastes its time but also a lot of money and other resources. The present research was designed to compare the perception faculty members of Islamabad Capital Territory and Punjab Province Universities about HRM practices in Universities of Federal and Punjab. The tool of research was developed after review of related literature and validated in accordance with the concerned experts’ opinion based on 6 subscales, consisted of 34 items; indicated Cronbach Alpha 0.82 was used. Quantitative data were analyzed on Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. The analysed data explore that there is no difference of HRM practices at Federal and Punjab level Universities. HRM Practices are needed to be identified to know about the weaknesses, which exist in the present system and search out the loopholes that create hindrances in effective human resource management practices.