The general process of learning in educational institutions around the globe has changed since the advent of the COVID-19 virus. Educational sectors in all nations are forced to adapt and rearrange their compositions and systems as the virus spreads. The current study considers the characteristics and issues related to universities moving towards online and blended learning during this period of universal isolation. Through focus group interviews conducted in South Korea and Malaysia, the study provides recommendation for the improvement of online classes and blended learning. The use of student focus groups gives the research an alternative perspective with which to assess the satisfaction level, success, and quality of online learning programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from the focus groups show that for the success of online learning to become a reality, blended education should be considered to bolster learning. Further, results show that communication between lecturers and students remains a fundamental factor for success, regardless of the class category incorporated. Consequently, the results of the study provide further insight into matters experienced by students during the pandemic, and how educators may heed the opinions of students when improving future related blended learning programs.

This paper presents the empirical results of a recently concluded research study about managing menu innovation in a consumer market that has reached to its saturation level. Such market condition resulting in increased competition and, therefore, a need for increased innovation is essential. In this study, an investigation was carried in substantiating the effect of market saturation toward the relationship between innovation orientations and new menu innovation process. The region of Klang Valley was chosen as the study setting for its dynamic and matured consumer foodservice market. In this investigation, the theoretical conceptualization and the empirical validation of the proposed menu innovation process as a second-order hierarchical model along with the moderating variable of market saturation as first-order constructs were first advanced using both Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 19) and partial least squares. Empirically, the measurement and structural models of this study confirmed adequate estimations based on partial least squares path modeling parameters. In line with the strength of partial least squares to explain complex relationships, the use of path modeling has made it possible to advance the theoretical contribution to this study. The results show that the moderating effect of market saturation on the link between the exogenous and endogenous variables found to have a medium effect size (f 2 ¼ 0.289) and significant at < 0.05). The findings point to managerial challenges in shaping competition as evidence of radical innovations is still being pursued, although slightly weaken. This study, apart from its contribution to the model development of menu innovation process, has meaningful implications for restaurateurs to stay afloat in such a market condition.

Decision-making process about financial investment is complicated. Relying on modern financial theory to explain behaviours of individual investors is inadequate because it focuses on the objective risk as the determinant for making investment decisions under the assumption that individuals are rational. The current study, which was built from the financial, sociological and psychological perspectives, investigated the predictors of risk perception and determined the association of risk perception and attitude toward financial investment intention. This study served the purpose of unravelling the complexity of the financial investment decision-making process among individuals. Design/methodology/approach: The research framework was based on Perception Formation Model (PFM) with further support from the Theory of Planned Behaviour, decision making models under risk, and knowledge-attitudebehaviour model. Purposive-sampling method was adopted. The dataset, which consisted a total of 492 responses from income earners below the age of prime savings years were entered for analysis. Twelve hypotheses were tested using the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) statistical software. Findings: Measurement-model assessment revealed the data fitted well to the research model Results from the structural-model assessment revealed subjective knowledge, peer influence, internet influence, and risk propensity had a significant relationship with favourable risk perception. Consistent with the PFM proposition, it was found favourable risk perception significantly related to higher intention toward financial investment. Research limitations/implications: The resultant outcomes strengthen the understanding of how financial investment decision is performed by individuals, which is crucial in the personal-finance industry, especially in promoting a long-term and meaningful client-advisor relationship. Interestingly, objective knowledge, which measured the actual level of financial knowledge was found to be insignificantly associated with risk perception and intention toward financial investment. As a sizeable financial literature posited financial knowledge has impact on decision-making process, future study could perhaps examine whether objective knowledge could contextually alter the relationship between predictors and the endogenous variable. Originality/value: The study has successfully identified several predictors for risk perception about financial investment and provided an empirical link for knowledge-perception-attitude-intention, thus, enriching the behavioural finance literature. The research model was robust as it was formulated based on the three major pillars of behavioral finance, namely: financial, sociological, and psychological perspectives.

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This paper presents a recently concluded research study on new product innovation process (PIP) of chain restaurants in Malaysia. The aim of this study was two-folded: First, this study advanced both the theoretical conceptualization and the empirical validation of PIP model that have never been attempted before in hospitality management research. Second, this study then examined the reflective path coefficients of the structural model along with its predictive accuracy (R square) and predictive relevance (Q square). Partial Least Square (PLS) path modeling, using SmartPLS latest version 3.1.8, was used to estimate the higher-order construct (HOC) of PIP by adopting repeated use of manifest variables. Empirically, the result confirms both the second-order constructs of concept development and implementation path coefficients are found significant at ? < 0.01. Nonetheless, in this study, one of the stages of PIP (first-order latent variables) called pre-marketing found not significant, suggesting minimal emphasize on pre-marketing activities. The implication of these findings is then discussed along with its contribution to knowledge for academia and practitioners in a field alike, and limitations and future recommendation.