Studies on digitalization disruption and its impact on business are gaining global attention, especially among small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs). It is theoretically expected to be a business value add element in terms of capability and competitiveness in the supply chain ecosystem, which is fundamental in business success. But digitalization also has its own risks and challenges including expertise, capital, cooperation, incentives, and support from other economic units, such as other merchants and customer preferences. Failure in digitization can lead to mistrust and negative perceptions that may lead to effects the SME growth. Among the biggest digitalization challenges are for the rural micro-entrepreneurs (RME) who live in areas that lack digital support facilities and technological capabilities, such as a weak internet connection and native customer's desire to buy using online shopping platforms. This study will analyze the competitive level of RME businesses from a supply chain perspective. To analyze the impact of supply chain digitization (DSC), a mediator effect will be used. DSC will be applied in mediator effect to entrepreneurial supply chain towards the level of RME’s business competitiveness. The hypothesis of this study is DSC practice has a role on the growth of RME business competitiveness. Using the Partial Lease Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method, this study found that RMC’s efforts on business digitization do not have a significant impact on the development of business competitiveness. The hypothesis of this study was confirmed by the rate of P-value. While DSC mediator effect through variance accounted for (VAF) calculation found that there is low partial mediation (23%). This paper proposes a further study on the elements of competitiveness and the desire for digitalization of RMC to be investigated, while the current need for a comprehensive DSC model of RMC particularly, in line with rural economic development issues in Malaysia.
Keusahawanan luar bandar perlu diberi perhatian yang serius khususnya bagi melahirkan usahawan terutama dari kalangan asnaf zakat. Usahawan yang berkualiti mampu mengubah status masyarakat sekeliling ke arah ekonomi dan sosial yang lebih baik serta berdaya saing. Aktiviti keusahawanan asnaf dilihat masih gagal untuk menarik minat dari generasi muda, dan beberapa sebab telah dikenalpasti termasuk kekurangan pengetahuan tentang perniagaan, latihan dan modal permulaan. Justeru itu, objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menjelaskan keperluan usahawan zakat pedalaman dan menganalisis faktor kejayaan dan cabaran usahawan asnaf pedalaman di Pahang. Kajian ini berbentuk kualitatif dengan menggunakan metod pengumpulan data dan analisis data. Metod pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui perpustakaan. Kajian ini turut menggunakan kajian lapangan melalui metod temu bual dan metod pemerhatian. Hasil kajian mendapati terdapat keperluan kepada kerangka pembangunan usahawan asnaf sebagai satu inisiatif untuk membangunkan taraf sosio-ekonomi masyarakat di negeri Pahang, khususnya di kawasan pedalaman. Keywords: asnaf luar bandar; ekonomi; Pahang; pembangunan usahawan asnaf
In both the domestic and global markets, the rapid development of the digital economy has become a major distraction. As well as middle economic units that bear business risks, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are also affected. Nonetheless, SMEs can take advantage of the disruption in order to compete with large, industrial businesses rather than invest overseas. Amidst a very gloomy economic climate, digitalization is considered one of the best alternatives and suggestions to ensure that businesses can survive. Agricultural and livestock sectors, especially micro-farmers in suburban and rural areas, have been hardest hit. As well as the challenges they have long faced with digitalization, the number of products they require has decreased drastically as well. From this point of departure, this study is conducted to assess the readiness of micro-farm entrepreneurs (MLEs) towards digitalization embrace digitalization and examine the impact of digital adoption on their business operations. A random sampling method was employed on the MLE in various sub-towns in Selangor, namely Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam and Hulu Selangor, from 2020 to 2021. Using the method of analysis, instruments are verified and coefficients tested. The results showed that MLEs are using digital platforms to promote their products and connect with their business ecosystem. In spite of this, they face the challenge of ensuring further improvements to their infrastructure and the capabilities of digitalization in contributing to value without posing high risks or costs. This study suggests that further studies have to look at and evaluated rural entrepreneurs using a triangulation approach of data and broader subjects.
Mentoring programs have long been a concern among academics and industry as programs for professional development and excellent personal formation. The mentor is acting as chancellor, counselor, coach to every mentee. In empowering the religious education of new brothers, mentoring programmes are essential to be implemented to enable a new student to get the advice and assistance needed. The objective of this study was to measure the effectiveness of new sibling education classes through mentor-mentee programmes implemented by new brother mentors. Next study the psychosocial function of the mentor in providing chancellory support and motivation to the mentee. The study used quantitative research design and obtained data with purposeful sampling. This method of exploring factors is made through double linear regression. The data required for this study was collected from the State Islamic Religious Council (SIRC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Surveys are conducted with questionnaires at the class session using survey design samples. The planned questionnaire was distributed throughout the target population of 244 respondents through self-management. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) through a survey instrument with a five-point Likert preferred question, with an analysis of the PLS two-step sequence. The results of the study found that teacher skills, mentor motivational approach and student satisfaction had a positive relationship and a sustainable mentoring atmosphere in the knowledge and learning of participants among the new sibling class. The study also found that the mentor’s motivational approach was a significant factor between teacher skills and student satisfaction in the classroom.
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