Purpose The purpose of this study is to describe cosmetics purchase behavior of young, educated Muslim females in Malaysia and to explore its relationship with certain potential antecedents. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a survey on a sample of female consumers from four higher education institutions in the urban area of Bangi Selangor, Malaysia. From their respective institutions, 150 respondents were selected through the purposive sampling method. Self-administered questionnaire has been used to gather information from the respondents. The survey data were analyzed using descriptive, t-test and correlation analyses to accomplish the study objectives. Findings The study indicates that millennial Muslim cosmetic purchase behavior falls under the “Limited Decision Making” classification. The classification is due to the pattern of pro-active behaviors exhibit through the information search for details about ingredients, halal clue, countries of origin, health safety guarantee and the benefits of the cosmetic products. Young, educated female consumers adore branded cosmetic items and show willingness to accept higher prices for the branded items. Despite brand consciousness, they demonstrate a relatively high concern on the halalness of the product. Based on the correlation analysis, all variables were found to be significant and the most significant of them was brand. Research limitations/implications Millennial consumers are information technology savvy and have access to vast information about products. As a result, the findings reiterate that millennial consumers demonstrate different purchase behavior, which is worth exploring by future researchers. In addition, other latent antecedents such as religiosity and world view are worth including in future studies. Practical implications Cosmetic manufacturers and marketers must ensure that their products signal positive images to fit the expectations of young and educated Muslim consumers. Although brand conscious, such consumers demonstrate prudent behavior in terms of searching for halalan and toyyiban products. Originality/value This study adds value in the area of halal product marketing because of two unique focuses. First, it examines the purchase of cosmetic products, which are relatively understudied compared to halal food. Second, it considers the perspectives of educated Muslim millennials, who are expected to demonstrate more specific purchase behaviors than a generalized millennial group. Therefore, the originality of this study revolves around the consideration of these two aspects, which are relevant to contemporary business marketing discussions.

This article examines the relationship between consumers' awareness and knowledge to effective consumers' behaviors. This study employs survey technique to measure three variables comprises of consumer awareness, knowledge and behaviors. Measurement instruments have been developed in light of Malaysian context and all items attempt to capture basic requirement for food services and/or products in conjunction with Malaysian consumers' rights. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the proposed relationships, while differences across gender, location and education level had been examined through t-test independent group analysis. The analysis indicates significant relationship between awareness and effective consumer behavior. The result demonstrates that awareness is prior to effective consumers' behaviors; while unawareness leads to ignorant and reduction of individual capacity in protecting and upholding their rights against sellers' expropriations. Nevertheless, consumers' awareness differs significantly between locations in which the urban dwellers showed lesser awareness compared to the less-urban areas.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine potential determinants of halal perception and to validate the mediating model of halal perception on purchasing decision of Malaysian consumers. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a survey to obtain the relevant data. The survey involved self-administration of questionnaires to 420 consumers and 96 per cent responded. The questionnaire consists of four sections designed to obtain information on demography, halal perception, determinants of halal perception and purchase decision. Findings The main finding reiterates the role of credible signals in credence items purchased as suggested by the signaling theory. Halal perception has association with respondents’ purchase decision. Thus, it highlights that halal perception is the mediating variable that intervenes in the relationship of a few independent variables and the purchase decision trends. The independent variables such as manufacturer identity, product label, physical product and packaging as well country of origin are considered to be important extrinsic cues that deliver messages regarding the halal of certain food products. The association of the four variables with halal perception is also found to be significant. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in its attempt to explore the role of halal perception in the marketing of food products especially within the scope of a Muslim’s market. Besides, this study attempts to investigate the halal issue based on a specific model that includes potential variables and the intervening role of halal perception.

Coronavirus outbreak is the latest world tragedy that have affected all sectors in economy. The lockdown, confinement, limited movement order and social distancing are amongst the preemptive governments' effort to safeguard the public health. While recognizing the importance of the national order in preventing the immense spread of the virus, the authors contend that there are certain undiscovered impacts of the control order policy on SMEs in Malaysia. The objectives of this article are to scrutinize the implications of the Covid-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) on SMEs businesses and to identify survival strategies based on the owners' perspectives. The study applies qualitative approach conducted through phone-based interviews with six selected SMEs' owners during the first phase of control order from March 18, 2020 to March 31, 2020. In summary, the impacts of MCO on SMEs are classified into the operational problems (i.e. operation distruption; supply chain distruption; foresighting the future business direction) and the financial problems (i.e. cash flow imbalance; access to stimulus packages; risk of bankcruptcy). Meanwhile, the major themes of current survival strategies fall under the financial and marketing strategies. The paper recommends few suggestions for future research work, business development agencies and entrepreneurs.

The present study examines the effects of organisational learning and work environment on the formation of employees' innovative work behaviour. A stratified sampling technique was used for the sample of employees at micro and small-scale manufacturing enterprises located in selected cities of the East Coast Economic Region, Peninsular Malaysia. The authors' analysis revealed innovative work behaviour of micro and small manufacturing enterprises at a moderate level. Moreover, the innovative work behaviour at micro-enterprises is significantly lower than small enterprises. The innovation outputs are made up of employees with high innovative work behaviour. Overall, statistical evidence indicated that organisational learning and work environment have a significant influence on the formation of innovative work behaviour. Thus, the micro-small-sized enterprises should raise their employees' innovative work behaviour in order to improve the performance of organisational innovation and competitiveness. Empirical evidence has shown that employees' engagement in innovation is an effective resource for micro-small-sized enterprises to be more innovative.

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