Purpose: In spite of the increasing organic and interactive marketing activities over social media, a general understanding of the source credibility of voluntary user-generated content (UGC) is still limited. In line with the social identity theory, this paper examines the effects of consumers' perceived source credibility of UGC in YouTube videos on their attitudes and behavioral intentions. Additionally, source homophily theory is included to predict the antecedent of source credibility.Design/methodology/approach: Three hundred and seventy two Generation Y respondents were interviewed using snowball sampling. Data were analyzed with component-based structural equation modeling technique of partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).Findings: Findings confirmed that perceived source credibility indirectly affects purchase intention (PI) and electronic word-of-mouth via attitude toward UGC. Besides, perceived source credibility mediates the effect of perceived source homophily on attitude toward UGC.Practical implications: Since today's consumers have begun to trust and rely more on UGC than company-generated content on social media when making purchase decisions, companies may reconsider democratizing certain aspects of their branding strategies. Firms may fine-tune their marketing communication budgets – not only just by sponsoring public figures and celebrities but also by nurturing coproductive engagements with independent content creators who are ordinary consumers. Endowed with their imposing credibility, these micro-influencers and prosumers have high potentials to be uplifted to brand ambassadors.Originality/value: While consumers' purchase outcome can be measured easily using metrics and analytics, the roles of source homophily in stages leading up to the purchase is still elusive. Drawing on the rich theoretical basis of source homophily may help researchers to understand not only how credibility and attitude are related to PI but also how this nexus generates positive word of mouth among UGC followers within the social media circles.

Dependence on energy-intense transportation systems could escalate the chances of environmental degradation. A shift of transportation modes from conventional vehicles to energy-efficient vehicles is a viable method of mitigating the rate of carbon emissions; however, the adoption rate of environment-friendly vehicles is still low globally and vital to explore. This study aims to investigate the determinants that influence individuals’ intention to purchase hybrid vehicles, through the development of a research model based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, integrated with environmental knowledge as an additional variable. Data were collected from 256 car users across Malaysia’s metropolitan city. The findings augment the rich theoretical basis of the Theory of Planned Behavior by incorporating environmental knowledge as a supplementary variable in assessing individuals’ behaviour in the sustainable transportation domain, which constitutes the novelty value of this study. The outcomes imply the need for governments and practitioners to execute appropriate approaches in nurturing public’s motivation in adopting energy-efficient cars, so that the adoption rate of pro-environmental vehicles can be increased. Overall, this study infers that the adoption of hybrid vehicles is viable if individuals are properly provided with sufficient awareness and education, which subsequently builds trust, empowerment, and confidence in owning these vehicles.

This research aims to assess the influence of locus of control on the expression of entrepreneurial competency in a small business setting. Specifically, it predicts how this can generate positive outcomes in terms of business growth, quality of life, and sustainable entrepreneurial intention. Survey responses were collected from 102 small-sized firms in Malaysia. Structural equation modeling was performed to validate a mediation model and test nine research hypotheses. The results suggested that internal locus of control indirectly affects the venturing outcomes via entrepreneurial competency, whereas external locus of control has no such consequences. Thus, it can be deduced that beliefs based on internal attributions—rather than external forces, define entrepreneurs’ destiny, and their competencies serve a perpetual role in linking these beliefs to positive business performance, life satisfaction, and sustainable entrepreneurial behavior. In practical terms, policymakers may gradually shift their focus from supplying direct financial relief assistance to the owner-managers to empowering them with core competencies building programs, especially during disasters and recessions. This study unravels the complexities of the entrepreneurial psychology-competency interface and fills a gap in the literature by providing compelling evidence of the adverse consequences of relying too heavily on fate or external assistance.

Islam viewed commerce as a vital factor in human life as long as the process is parallel with Islamic teachings pertaining to business conduct. Particularly, Allah SWT destined Prophet Muhammad SAW to be a successful businessman before his prophetic life. Since Islam is a way of life, the code of conduct of marketing should be guided by Quran and Hadith, the two main references that Muslims adhere to in order to be successful in life and the hereafter. To date, the term Islamic marketing and its existence and acceptance remains an issue that are widely debated amongst academics, students, practitioners and consumers especially in the non-Islamic countries. Since there are arguments from scholars that Islamic marketing is significant in contemporary commercial activities, the concept of 7P's in marketing should be incorporated with Islamic principles. The concept of 7P's are selected due to its’ wide acceptance as the core pillars of marketing. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop the understanding of 7P's based on both Islamic and contemporary perspectives of marketing. Thorough discussion pertaining to the mentioned issues will provide an in-depth understanding on each elements of the 7Ps. Furthermore, the integration of Islamic marketing and contemporary marketing can be seen as a new perspective to address the upsurge of interest towards Islamic marketing