Purpose Although corporate social responsibility–corporate financial performance (CSR-CFP) research topics have been widely investigated, previous research has yet to examine the relationship between the specific dimension of CSR and CFP among Malaysian public-listed companies. Through literature review, it has been found that the CSR-CFP studies conducted in Malaysia have omitted the role of workplace diversity dimension in contribution to CFP. Failure to consider this variable may risk misrepresenting the relationship between CSR and CFP, thereby preclude consensus on the direction of the relationship between the variables. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between individual CSR dimensions and CFP. Design Methodology Approach By using the CSR dimension disclosure-scoring method and cross-sectional data analysis, this research has conducted a content analysis on annual reports of the sample companies to evaluate the influence of CSR practices on companies’ profitability during 2015. Findings The results show that companies displaying CSR behavior are associated with higher CFP. That is to say, there is a positive relationship between CSR and CFP. However, the result has further revealed that the five CSR dimensions in isolation would differently associate with the two proxies of CFP. Originality Value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in Malaysia that considers workplace diversity issues as one of the dimensions of CSR. The findings will thus bring new insights into CSR application in Malaysia and its association with the CFP.

No abstract

This paper uses firm-level data of small and medium manufacturing firm in Indonesia, Philippine and Vietnam and studies the relationship between capacity utilisation and foreign market competition for the possibility of efficient firms self-selecting themselves instead of learning-by-exporting to enter the foreign markets. Estimating both linear and quadratic model on an unbalanced variance of exporting and non-exporting firms shows that the impact of foreign market competition on capacity utilisation is following a curvilinear relationship with a diminishing marginal point of as a constraint for further expansion. Capacity utilisation rate higher in non-exporting group is not only emphasizing a strong domestic market orientation of firms at large but also indicating the selection of learning-by-exporting entry mode by exporter SMEs in these countries. The paper further explores the impact of firm and industry physiognomies on a firm’s capacity utilisation and finds that the effects of wage productivity, competition, firm size, and legal structure are linearly positive and capacity dependent. The results throughout maintain the importance of capacities, competitiveness, and institutional performance as priorities to promote SMEs growth.

No abstract

In Bugis-Makassar families with a patriarchal cultural system, men are the backbone of the family and women only work in the domestic realm. The main problem faced by widows and divorcees of coastal fishers is the dual role that requires them to take care of the household and children as well as earn a living for the needs of the family. This dual function requires a widow to have a strategy and carry out these two roles simultaneously. This study aims to find out how the strategies for making a living for widows of coastal fishers in improving the family economy. This study uses a qualitative approach with case study method. The data collection technique uses a purposive sampling for determining the informant and conducting in-depth interview technique with eight widows consisting of four widows and four divorcees. We also observed the daily activities of the informants. Meanwhile, the interview process was carried out using semi-structured interviews about how the strategy for earning a living was carried out so that it could support the family economy. The study found social capital-based livelihood strategies for poor fishers. They often interpret the strategy as a way or an alternative to a situation. In this case, the widow or divorcee of a coastal fisher is part of the community. Widows and divorcees who work in more than one type of work make their association with others as a form of social capital. Thus, they can provide support to each other as aform of social security and  social capital to support the family.