Vol 23, 2019


Regular Articles

Modelling the Effects of Statistical Process Control Implementation on Halal Cosmetics Products
Rosita Husain, Universiti Selangor
S.Sarifah Radiah Shariff, Malaysia Institute of Transport
Siti Meriam Zahari, Universiti Teknologi MARA

Page 1-22   |      Download PDF   |   ABSTRACT PREVIEW

Abstract

The demand for Halal cosmetics has witnessed a recent upsurge as Muslims around the world become more aware that a majority of products available in the market are non-permissible or haram. The trend is more pronounced in Asia Pacific, which is the home to nearly 60% of the world’s Muslim population. This phenomenon makes the global cosmetic industry becoming more cautious about the quality and halal status of their products as this will influence the revenue of the company in a greater scale. Statistical Process Control (SPC) is a method of quality control to monitor the production process using statistical measures. Its practice in halal cosmetics production process is intended to provide the assurance that the overall production process adheres to the shariah law. Accordingly, this study identifies the factors affecting SPC implementation in halal cosmetics companies. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) is used to model the effect of SPC implementation in selected halal cosmetics companies based on the identified factors. The results show that Management Commitment posed a significant effect on SPC implementation, along with other factors. 

Keywords:
Halal cosmetics, Management commitment, Partial least square structural equation modelling, Statistical process control

Modelling of Civil Servants’ Environment Conservation Behaviour using Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Factors
Cheam Chai Li, Azyanee Luqman, Muhammad Faishal bin Ishak, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Page 23-46   |      Download PDF   |   ABSTRACT PREVIEW

Abstract

Conserving the environment among individuals is an important behaviour to save the world from human lifestyles and activities that harm the nature. Some of these problems can be alleviated or slowed down if people care for the nature. In general, a government servant’s role is implementing government policies by coordinating and overseeing various economic and social services in order to achieve national growth and development. These individuals may have differences in their thinking, upbringing, background, perspective, knowledge, and daily routines. Therefore, the study aimed to determine whether civil servant’s cognitive (i.e. knowledge) and noncognitive skills (i.e. attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control) affected their behaviour in conserving the environment. Using Smart PLS analysis, the findings showed that out of the four variables studied, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control affected the population’s behaviour. This study concludes that understanding what elements affect the civil servants’ conservation behaviour is very important. It provides a good insight for the policymakers in designing strategies that are environment-friendly and enabling various development agendas to be achieved in the long-term. 

Keywords:
Civil servant, Environment conservation, Knowledge, Planned behaviour theory

The Relationship between Social Media and Customer Engagement among Social Media Users
Abdul Kadir Othman, Aiza Azmi, Nurul Hazirah Zainol, Nurul Nadhira Amalin Azhari, Siti Amirah Mohd Azman, Nur Najjah Abd Rahim, Felina Felise Fuza Hamdan, Azuati Mahmud, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Page 47-67   |      Download PDF   |   ABSTRACT PREVIEW

Abstract

Today, social media have risen and changed the way communication occurs between customers and businesses. This phenomenon triggers research efforts to study the effect of social media on customer engagement. Social media contains five factors, which are ease of use, interactivity, influence, attention, and involvement. Here, a quantitative study was conducted on social media users and resulted in a significant relationship found between social media factors and customer engagement. This outcome provides the academics and practitioners relevant insights into the role of social media in influencing customer engagement and paves the way for future research in the area of customer engagement. 

Keywords:
Communication, Customer engagement, Social media

Consumer Satisfaction of Alipay as the Market Leader of Mobile Payment in China
Bernard Lim Jit Heng, Inti International College Subang
Phuah Kit Teng, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College
Siti Intan Nurdiana Wong Abdullah, Inti International University

Page 68-84   |      Download PDF   |   ABSTRACT PREVIEW

Abstract

Most business transactions are utilising mobile payments for the convenience of their consumers. This evolution encourages more mobile payment providers to emerge in China. As such, China’s own payment provider such as Alipay is facing stiff competition from its competitors. This prompts the question of whether its consumers are satisfied with the current services offered. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test the consumer satisfaction for Alipay in China using the revised Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A total of 552 questionnaires were collected and analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Several variables in the revised TAM such as perceived trust, perceived ease of use, and perceived service quality were used to measure consumer satisfaction for Alipay. The specified variables were found to be relevant in measuring their satisfaction for Alipay services. The findings from this research paper will help to enhance Alipay’s competitiveness by exploring further into areas of improvement and maintaining its status as the market leader. 

Keywords:
Customer satisfaction, Mobile payment, Service quality, Structural equation modelling, Technology acceptance model

The Determinants and Impact of System Usage and Satisfaction on E-learning Success and Faculty-Student Interaction in Indonesian Private Universities
Matrissya Hermita, Farida, Eko Sri Margianti, Gunadarma University
Robie Fanreza, University Muhammadiyah of Sumatera Utara

Page 85-99   |      Download PDF   |   ABSTRACT PREVIEW

Abstract

User perception is considered to be a prominent factor in evaluating Information Communication Technology (ICT) implementation in higher education. Using Structural Equation Modeling, this study aimed to examine a successful model of Blended Learning (BL) implementation. The model was constructed from six latent variables, namely: Information Quality, Internet Self-efficacy, System Usage, User Satisfaction, E-learning Success, and Faculty-Student Interaction. The respondents consisted of 185 students from two Indonesian private higher education institutions deploying BL. The measurement model showed that all variables possessed an adequate model compatibility according the following values: c2/df = 1.559; CFI = 0.954; IFI = 0.955; TLI = 0.94, and RMSEA = 0.055. Meanwhile, the structural model revealed that seven out of nine hypotheses were proven to be significant. In particular, information quality and internet self-efficacy significantly influenced system usage and user satisfaction, whereas user satisfaction was influenced by system usage. In contrast, system usage did not affect e-learning success and faculty interaction, rendering the latter elements (i.e. E-learning success and faculty interaction) to be influenced by user satisfaction. 

Keywords:
E-learning, Information system success model, Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model, Technology acceptance model

Perception of Direct-To-Consumer Pharmaceutical Drug Advertising in Nigeria
Kolade Ajilore, Omolola T. Ojo, Babcock University
Kevin Onyenankeya, University of Fort Hare
Page 100-122 |      Download PDF   |   ABSTRACT PREVIEW

Abstract

The utilisation of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical drug advertising (DCPDA) continues to elicit divergent views within the healthcare community. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between DCPDA and certain indicators of public perception such as awareness, knowledge, attitude, and behaviour concerning advertised pharmaceutical substance. The findings revealed that exposure to pharmaceutical drug advertising increased respondent awareness, knowledge, attitude, and behaviour towards issues of their healthcare. They suggested that pharmaceutical companies with huge financial resources could engender a high purchase behaviour by maintaining high media visibility. This could translate into a high level of brand awareness, high perceived knowledge, and positive attitude, thereby reflecting in favourable purchase behaviour. 

Keywords:
Consumer perception, Drug advertising, Pharmaceutical companies, Purchasing behavior

Social Media Addiction: Role of Web and Digital Experience on Buying Decision Intention and the Moderating Effect of Consumer Review
Nina Farisha Isa, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Noor Akma Mohd Salleh, Azmin Azliza Aziz, Universiti Malaya

Page 123-148   |      Download PDF   |   ABSTRACT PREVIEW

Abstract

The advancement of internet, social media, and digital technologies has profoundly transformed the traditional offline businesses to online businesses. The transformation of these technologies has altered the consumer experience and decision when buying from an e-commerce website. Thus, the purpose of this study was to critically discuss and examine the consumer experience factors that impact consumer buying decision intention, as well as the manner in which consumer review influenced the relationship between consumer experience and buying decision intention. Based on the flow theory, this study focused on the role of web and digital experiences on consumer’s buying decision intention from e-commerce website via the contexts of social media and mobile application. Therefore, it was found that web experience (i.e. usability, interactivity, and aesthetic) and digital experience were critical factors for online buying decision intention. Data collected from 973 respondents suggested that web and digital experiences posed a positive effect on the consumer buying decision intention. Accordingly, the research model was developed to illustrate the comprehensive and respective relationship of web and digital experiences of buying intention. The moderating effect of consumer review also showed significantly positive outcome between digital experience and buying decision intention. Hence, this study is significant in such a way that it extends the flow theory by exploring the role and outcomes of the consumers’ experience towards buying decision intention. Moreover, it provides insightful guidelines for marketers with several practical implications in approaching the emerging markets via consumer experience initiatives. 

Keywords:
Buying decision intention, Consumer review, Digital experience, Social media, Web experience

Green Purchase Behavior: A Study on Malaysian and Chinese Millennials
Soo-Cheng Chuah, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Jiang Lu, Beijing Institute of Technology Zuhai

Page 149- 172   |      Download PDF   |   ABSTRACT PREVIEW

Abstract

The negative impact on the environment can be reduced by consumers opting for green consumption. Therefore, this study examined the effect of cognitive factors toward green purchase intention through the mediating role of green purchase attitude, as well as toward green purchase behavior among millennials in Malaysia and China. An extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model was applied by considering the cognitive factors of environmental concern, perceived consumer effectiveness, and perceived environmental knowledge accordingly. The model was analyzed via PLSSEM by using the data collected from 183 and 134 Malaysian and Chinese millennials, respectively. The findings revealed that the green purchase intention was positive and significantly driven directly by green purchase attitude for both countries. All three cognitive factors were found to, directly and indirectly, drive the mediating role of green purchase attitudes in the context of Malaysia. In contrast, environmental concern was the only cognitive factor that was directly and significantly related to green purchase attitude. Hence, green purchase intention was a significant factor and measure in predicting green purchase behavior in the model. 

Keywords:
Environmental concern, Green purchase behavior, Millennials, Perceived consumer effectiveness, Perceived environmental knowledge