Vol 18, 2015
Regular Articles
Determinants Of Consumer Safety Practices In The Motor Vehicle Repair And Service Industries Ecological Conscious Behaviour In Malaysia: The Case Of Environmental Friendly Products Effect Of Consumers’ Characteristics On Attitude Towards Online Shopping An Exploratory Study Of Visual Aids Using Life-Sized Photographs Of Serve/ Portion Sizes Of Foods And Their Effectiveness In Recording Dietary Intakes Management Of Public Inquiry For Disasters In Malaysia A Case Study Of Consumers’ Preferences On Green Home Attributes For Sustainable Lifestyle Food Choice Factors Affecting Green Food Attitude In Klang Valley Not A Black And European-Americans Question: How Are Investor Behavior And Perceptions Related To Race And Ethnicity? Do Flexible Working Arrangements Impact Women’s Participation In The Labour Market? A Multiple Regression Analysis
Nurul Syamimi Isa, Elistina Abu Bakar, Syuhaily Osman, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Page 1-16 | 
Download PDF | ABSTRACT PREVIEWAbstract
The increase in the number of registered vehicles and the number of licensed drivers over the years has resulted in high demand for the motor vehicle repair and service industry in Malaysia. The objective of this study is to examine the determinant factors of consumers’ safety practices in this industry. A total of five hundred respondents in the Klang Valley were chosen through multistage random sampling. Multiple regressions analysis is used to identify the factors that contributed to the consumer safety practices. The factors include demographic background of gender and education level, worry about accident risk and safety priority. The results show that safety priority is the strongest predictive factor in safety practices. Thus, this study suggests that for policy implication where the respective bodies should inculcate safety practices to all consumers irrespective of their gender and education through the formal or informal community programme. These findings will support the suggestion to consumer movements and the government in order to educate consumers to be responsible for putting safety as a priority in choosing the better workshop for repair and services their motor vehicle in the future.
Keywords: Worry, Safety priority, Motor vehicle repair, Safety practices
Nor Asiah Omar, Lokhman Hakim Osman, Syed Shah Alam, Abdullah Sanusi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Page 17-34 | Download PDF | ABSTRACT PREVIEWAbstract
As more people become aware of the destruction of natural resources, more are willing to purchase green products that are not harmful to the environment. This study aims to develop and test a model investigating how environmental concern, perceived consumer effectiveness and religiosity enhance ecological conscious behaviour (ECCB). Furthermore, this study will also examine the relationship between ecological conscious behaviour and purchase intention towards environmentally friendly products. A total of 211 questionnaires were collected from consumers of environmentally friendly products in Malaysia. The structural equation model that assessed the relationship between the proposed variables was tested using AMOS. This study found that religiosity, environmental concern and perceived consumer effectiveness has a significant positive influence on ecological conscious behaviour. In addition, the positive relationship between ecological conscious behaviour and purchasing intention towards environmentally friendly product were also significant. The results highlight the crucial role of ecological conscious behaviour in influencing purchase intention among consumers of environmentally friendly products.
Keywords: Perceived consumer effectiveness, Ecological conscious behaviour, Environmental friendly products, Religiosity, Intention.
Marzieh Zendehdel, Laily Hj Paim, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Page 35-49 | Download PDF | ABSTRACT PREVIEWAbstract
Thanks to the internet, the way of business operations and the way of interaction between producers and consumers have been significantly changed. As a business medium, the Internet enables firms to create environments with online interactions allowing consumers to obtain and assess information, evaluate purchase intention and directly do their purchases in a very convenient way. Moreover, replacing the traditional way of shopping behavior and habit of numerous consumers, online shopping is growing at a rapid rate in Malaysia. This study intends to examine the factors affecting consumers’ online shopping attitude in the country. The research suggests a framework for online shopping while taking into account different critical factors, known as the antecedents for online shopping in this country. Also, paying attention to the determinants of the attitude toward online shopping intention is essential for marketers to develop their marketing strategies to increase sales. This study examines the factors predicting students’ online shopping attitude at universities in the area of the Klang Valley in West Malaysia. In this research, the cluster sampling method was employed. The study showed that there is a significant and positive correlation between the subjective norm and integrity and ability and the attitude of online shoppers. However, there is no significant relationship with regard to benevolence.
Keywords: Consumer behavior, Online shopping, Trust, Subjective norm, Attitude.
Shamsul Azahari Zainal Badari, Norhasmah Sulaiman, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Jayashree Arcot, University of New South Wales
Page 50-71 | Download PDF | ABSTRACT PREVIEWAbstract
The aim of the present study was to develop life-sized food photographs as a tool for dietary intake assessment. This was an experimental study and used weighed record method to measure the dietary intake of subjects and a one-day 24-hour recall method was used to compare with the weighed record method. A total of fifteen subjects of Universiti Putra Malaysia staff with monthly household income below than MYR2300 (low income) were selected. From a hundred and sixteen food items were photographed, eleven of them were chosen for validation. A paired samples t-test showed that the percent weight differences between weighed record and 24-hour recall methods was between -10.7 to 5.3%, and foods that had definitive shape and form couldn’t be estimated by the subjects. A correlation analyses between the two methods shows that there was a significant correlation (p≤0.01) between these two methods. Nutrient intake analyses show that macronutrient intakes differed between 8.1 to 11%, while for other nutrients the differences were between -2.0 to 3.1%. Findings showed that there was no significant difference between both methods for nutrients (p≥0.05), while vitamin A and C (p≤<0.01) and iron (p≤0.05) had positive correlation. An accurate estimation of micronutrient intakes for 24-hour recall method shows that these photographs can be used in dietary intake assessment to reduce the error and increase the accuracy in food and nutrient intakes estimation.
Keywords: Food photographs, Weighed record, 24-hour recall, Dietary assessment, Exploratory
Aini, M.S., Fakhru’l-Razi, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Page 72-84 | Download PDF | ABSTRACT PREVIEWAbstract
In most democratic countries, including Malaysia, inquiries are conducted into major disasters in order to investigate their underlying causes and make recommendations to avoid a recurrence. A case study was conducted on six disasters that had led to either a Public or Royal Inquiry in order to investigate the procedures and management of public inquiries in the country. A grounded theory approach utilizing a constant comparative method was used to analyze the content of the reports. The findings showed that there is no standard criteria and procedure in determining the type of inquiry, composition of inquiry tribunals and report writing. Legal status of the inquiry is unclear as it seems to have no power to require organizations or individuals to implement the recommendations made by the tribunal. Comparison with disaster inquiries from other nations was made and suggestions for improvement are discussed.
Keywords: Disaster, Royal inquiry, Public inquiry, Tribunal
Zuroni Md. Jusoh, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Page 85-102 | Download PDF | ABSTRACT PREVIEWAbstract
Green home concept is an effort to minimize the negative impact generated by conventional homes which refers to the reduction in energy use, water resources and natural resources, while providing good air quality and comfort, and produce very little residual waste. This concept is consistent with the increasing awareness in Malaysian society towards the importance of sustainable lifestyle. The aim of this study is to examine consumers’ preference on green home attributes in Peninsular Malaysia. Self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain necessary data from 600 selected households through stratified random sampling in Kajang and Bandar Baru Bangi, interviewed using two sets of questionnaires that were developed via Focus Group Discussion and Pretest sessions. The results show that the estimated implicit values for green home attributes based on Multinomial Logit regression shows that natural indoor air ventilation is the most important attribute. This is followed by green area, carbon dioxide (CO2) emission and rainwater harvesting system. The findings also reveal that Malaysian society preferred green home as compared to conventional housing based on the attributes. Finally, the study highlighted several recommendations for consumers, developers and government to stimulate the green home development in Malaysia.
Keywords: Green home, Choice model, Sustainable lifestyle
Lidiana Lidew, Zuroni Md. Jusoh, Norhasmah Sulaiman, Husniyah Abd. Rahim, Elistina Abu Bakar, Askiah Jamaluddin, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Page 103-113 | Download PDF | ABSTRACT PREVIEWAbstract
The purpose of this study is to determine food choice factors that influence consumers’ attitude towards green food based on the Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) developed by Steptoe, Pollard & Wardle (1995). Data were collected by interviewing a total number of 400 respondents chosen by using simple random sampling method from four areas in Klang Valley. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze the information of a factor that affect consumers’ attitude. FCQ is used in this study to determine the food choice factors that influence consumer’s attitude. The results indicated that most of the factors in FCQ: sensory appeal (r=0.115 p<0.022), natural content (r=0.202, p<0.000), health (r=0.257, p<0.000), ethical concern (r=0.169, p<0.001), body weight control (r=0.167, p<0.001) convenience (r=0.185, p<0.000), mood (r=0.186, p<0.000), and price (r=0.168, p<0.001) have a significant positive relationship with green food attitude except familiarity. Multiple linear regression analysis found that health is the most significant factors more likely to affect consumers’ attitude towards green food with the value of 0.009. It can be concluded that health contributes in encouraging consumers to consume green food; and by referring to this relationship, it can also be presumed that green food consumption might improve consumer health well-being, including a positive change in their consumption. Future research should focus on a similar study with an extended scope to all states in Malaysia. Appropriate effective strategies on implementing health promotion must be done as well as in promoting green food.
Keywords: Food Choice Questionnaires (FCQ), Green Food, Attitude
Tahira K. Hira, College of Human Sciences
Mohamad Fazli Sabri, Universiti Putra Malaysia
CäziliaLoibl, The Ohio State University
Page 114- 129 | Download PDF | ABSTRACT PREVIEWAbstract
This paper explores racial/ethnical differences among investors’ risk tolerance, confidence, and asset ownership. The data for this study is derived from a national telephone survey conducted at a regional Midwest university. The data collection began by purchasing 7,500 phone numbers from Survey Sampling International. Potential households were selected by targeting phone numbers from the sample in geographical areas with average household incomes of $100,000 per year or higher. Results show that among higher income investors, African-Americans were less likely to invest in corporate stocks and bonds; Asian-Americans expressed particularly high investor confidence and had a preference for purchasing Certificates of Deposit (CDs); Hispanic-Americans expressed significantly lower risk tolerance and lower holdings of corporate stocks. These findings indicate that community-based financial education should be aware of these racial/ethnic characteristics and aim to tailor educational interventions to it, where possible. These findings offer valuable insights to educators, financial planners and financial institutions offering these products.
Keywords: Investment behavior, Racial/ethnic differences, Risk tolerance, Investor confidence, and Financial assets
Geetha Subramaniam, Peck-Leong Tan, Ruzita Baah, Nurul Ainun Ahmad Atory, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Page 130-140 | Download PDF | ABSTRACT PREVIEWAbstract
In today’s dynamic work environment, women employees face a great challenge in balancing work and home which has a significant economic effect on the labour market. Flexible working arrangements have been commonly cited as a good solution which provides work-life balance and a possible tool to encourage greater female labour force participation. Using multiple regression analysis, this exploratory study tries to examine whether there is a link between flexible working arrangements and work-life balance. Work-life balance in this study was measured using time spent for work and life and work and family responsibilities. Using a sample of 397 working women in Malaysia, the results reveal that flexible working arrangements have a significant impact on work-life balance and hence women’s decision to continue working in the labour market. This study also shows that married women with higher education and higher income face a bigger challenge in balancing work and family. These results have a far reaching implication on talent loss and the Malaysian labour market and calls for workplace strategies that are more family friendly to be implemented immediately.
Keywords: Flexible working arrangements, Work life balance, Women, Labour market
