This study aims to determine the relationship between working arrangements and quality of work life (QWL) among academicians in a selected public institution of higher learning in Kuching, Sarawak. A survey methodology was used in this study. This research involves the utilization of questionnaire which was administered among one-hundred and fifty (151) academicians currently working in a selected public institution in Kuching, Sarawak. The relationship between flexible working arrangements and quality of work life was analyzed using the Pearson’s Correlation analysis test. The results of this study revealed that there is a significant relationship between long working arrangement and flexible working arrangements with QWL. Hence, if organizations are concerned about developing their human resources and gaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace, it is necessary that they attend to one of their most precious assets, namely, their human resources by practicing flexible working arrangements.Keywords: working arrangements; quality of work life (QWL); flexible working arrangement (FWA)

Purpose The study aims to analyze the role of coronavirus testing capacity to possibly reduce the case fatality ratio (CFR) in a large cross-section of countries. The study controlled health-care expenditures, logistics performance index (LPI), carbon damages, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to understand the nature of causation between the CFR and stated factors. Design/methodology/approach The study used a cross-sectional regression apparatus for coefficient estimates and variance decomposition analysis (VDA) for forecasting relationships between the variables over time. Findings The results confirmed the W-shaped relationship between CFR and case-to-test ratio (CTR) in the presence of a LPI that exacerbates the CFR cases across countries. The VDA estimates suggest that carbon damages, logistics activities, and CSR are likely to influence CFR over time. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study is believed to be the first study that assesses the W-shaped relationship between the CFR and CTR in the presence of dynamic variables, which helps to formulate long-term sustainable health-care policies worldwide.

No abstract

Innovations are crucial factors in enabling organisations to effectively adapt to rapid changes in the working environment and to gain a competitive advantage. Employee’s career success increases when they are applying innovative work behaviors. This study attempts to examine the relationship between innovative work behaviors (opportunity exploration, idea generation, idea promotion, idea realisation & reflection) and subjective career success among employees in selected private organisations at Kuching, Sarawak. A quantitative research design was utilized for this study. Data were collected by simple random sampling with 123 completed questionnaire were successively collected. The findings of this study were analysed using Pearson Correlation Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression (Stepwise). Results revealed that there are statistically significant relationship between(opportunity exploration, idea generation, idea promotion, idea realisation & reflection) and subjective career success. Furthermore, result show that idea realization is the highest significant predictor towards subjective career success. The findings of this study provide significant information for HRD practitioners emphasise to establish an environment that support innovation in order to make the greater experience of subjective career success.

The objective of this study is to identify the perceptions of Generation Y employees regarding work-life balance practices. As increasing numbers of Generation Y enter the workforce, questions regarding how they perceive work, family and self-related issues, challenges and coping strategies in balancing personal and professional commitments became issues of interests for employers. This study uses interviews to collect data from six informants in Generation Y and the data were analyzed through content analysis. The results indicate that Generation Y employees do indeed have issues and challenges with balancing work and family. However, unlike the older generation of employees, Generation Y employees perceive managing work-life balance only through segmentation or separation strategies. This particular finding indicates that if organizations want to attract and retain these employees they should adapt a strategy specifically designed to target this employee group.  Keywords: Gen Y; work-life balance; issues and challenges; coping strategies; segmentation

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has transformed conventional buying to online shopping habits. Despite the importance of customers’ future behaviour, insufficient studies have highlighted the role of online shopping habits on the intention to recommend. The study investigated how the Big Five Personality Traits (BFPT) influence online shopping habits, the relationship between habit and intention to recommend, and the habit as a mediator by applying the convenience sampling method. A total of 347 usable data were collected online and analysed using structural equation modelling with the Smart Partial Least Squares (Smart PLS) software. The study found that agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism positively affect online shopping habits, but not openness. Furthermore, online shopping habits positively impact the intention to recommend and mediate the relationship between the BFPT and the intention to recommend. The study also provides valuable information for conventional stores and online platform managers to develop marketing strategies to retain and attract new customers. Moreover, the study discussed the limitations and future research recommendations.

Despite the concerns about professionalism among youth work practitioners in Malaysia, valid and reliable instruments to measure the construct are lacking. This article reviews the psychometric development and initial exploration of a professionalism measure applicable for use with direct-service youth work practitioners. Results were based on a sampling of 813 government and non-government youth work practitioners throughout Malaysia. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 6-factor solution that was used as the basis for the subscales of the instrument. Comparison of means tests indicated higher mean scores according to academic qualification, age, income, gender, marital status and certification and years of involvement in youth work. Limitations and recommendations for further development of the professionalism scale are discussed.

This study aims to identify the use of external support systems by counsellors located at the Council within the Islamic Religious Department in Malaysia. Data for this research was collected using a case study. The case study included an interview of five (5) registered counsellors in Islamic Organization in Malaysia. This study was based on a qualitative approach and data were analyzed using N’Vivo 7.0. The data were developed into appropriate themes and sub-themes. The study revealed that the external support system (community support, peer counsellor, Islamic law and Islamic organization) should be applied to Muslim counsellors and Muslim converts. This research could be used as a guide for a counsellor to be more robust in providing guidance and counselling services to specific clients, such as, new Muslim converts.Keywords: system support; convert clients