The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of risk tolerance, financial well-being, financial literacy, overconfidence bias, herding behavior, and social interaction on stock market investment intention and stock market participation among working adults in Malaysia. Adopting the cross-sectional design, this study collected quantitative data from a total of 349 respondents in an online survey via Google form link across various social media platforms. This study used the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach to test the hypotheses. This study revealed the significant positive effects of risk tolerance, herding behavior, and social interaction on stock market investment intention. Stock market investment intention also had a significant effect on stock market participation. Stock market investment intention was also found to successfully mediate the relationships of risk tolerance and overconfidence bias with stock market participation. When it comes to stock market investment, the government and related authorities should focus on developing programs and policies that provide a financial safety net for investors and promote investment-related social platforms. This study linked risk tolerance, financial well-being, financial literacy, overconfidence bias, herding behavior, social interaction, stock market investment intention, and stock market participation. This is one of the few early attempts to address issues in light of the stock market investment participation among the working adults in a developing country.

Microcredit financing is extensively considered as an effective development method for poverty mitigation and women empowerment. Nevertheless, relevant studies reflected opposing outcomes on microfinance effects consisting of positive, zero, and negative impacts. Thus, this research investigated Al-Amal Bank’s microcredit impacts on women empowerment in Yemen, one of the poorest Middle Eastern nations. A panel dataset and primary and secondary data were gathered through household surveys and propensity score matching to restrict intangible variables’ possible effects. The empirical results revealed that microcredit had a significant positive effect on monthly household incomes and accumulated asset values. Although microcredit facilitated female entrepreneurship and income generation for improved household incomes and expenditure, no influence was found on female household decisions and mobility following the patriarchal system practised in many Arabian nations, including Yemen. Hence, the study finding has theoretically and practically contributed to the body of knowledge in three ways. First, a novel proof of how microcredit interactions affected several Yemeni women empowerment elements was identified. This study also provides new insight into the empowerment theory by explaining how access to microcredit influences numerous features of women’s economic and social empowerment. Lastly, social and family traditions significantly influenced female attributes and lifestyles by reflecting how communal and family rituals affected microcredit impacts on women empowerment and vice versa. Conversely, this study guides Yemeni policymakers and those from other nations on extending financial services for self-development to reduce poverty and drive women empowerment rather than relying on government and international agencies.

Small to medium-sized enterprises suffer from loss of competitive advantage, low productivity, and poor performance because of inadequate competencies. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to examine the effect of selected motivational dimensions (i.e., self-improvement, self-confidence, openness to change, pull factors, and the need for achievement) on entrepreneurial competency among micro-entrepreneurs. We used a cross-sectional design and collected quantitative data from 403 micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia using random sampling. SEM-PLS was used for data analysis. The findings revealed that self-confidence, openness to change, and pull factors positively influenced entrepreneurial competencies. Moreover, there was a positive effect of self-confidence, pull factors, need for achievement, and entrepreneurial competency on enterprise sustainability performance. Furthermore, entrepreneurial competencies significantly mediated the effect of self-confidence, openness to change, and pull factors on enterprise sustainability performance. Apart from extending the lens of a resource-based view, this study enriches enterprise sustainability literature from emerging nations’ perspective. Policymakers can strengthen their programs and policies to improve the entrepreneurial competencies of micro-entrepreneurs and their business sustainability.

Rapid economic developments have led to the excessive consumption of environmental resources. Consumption patterns play a crucial role in deteriorating environmental conditions and influencing consumers to seek sustainability features while purchasing different products. The purpose of this paper was to analyze the sustainability factors that have prompted consumers in Malaysia to buy green products. The primary elements of this research focused on environmental concern, green product awareness, government support, perceived ecological value, community green practice, purchase intention, and green product purchase behavior. Additionally, to explain the relationship between the independent and dependent variables, this research employed the theory of planned behavior as a theoretical framework. A total of 300 questionnaires were collected and examined using smart PLS-SEM. The findings of the research suggest that all factors, including environmental concern, green product awareness, government support, perceived ecological value, community green practice, and purchase intention, influence consumers in Malaysia to purchase green products. Finally, this research discusses the contribution, limitations, and suggestions for future studies related to purchasing behavior towards green products.

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is driving a technological revolution, significantly impacting education, with universities as primary beneficiaries. This study explores the varied use of GenAI among university users in Malaysia, examining its challenges and effects across different demographic groups. A mixed-methods approach, including literature review content analysis, and a survey of 290 respondents, was used, analyzed with tools such as SPSS 27, and NVivo. The findings show widespread GenAI use, particularly among younger users (under 25), as revealed by one-way ANOVA testing, which rejected the null hypothesis that age does not affect engagement. No significant gender differences were found, though users with a bachelor’s degree were more engaged than those with higher degrees. The study also found no strong link between the duration of AI experience or weekly usage hours and engagement, although a trend suggests increased usage leads to higher engagement. The study highlights six negative impacts of excessive GenAI use, including weakened interpersonal communication skills, potential declines in academic performance, increased stress from dependency on technology, the undermining of traditional educational methods, encouragement of academic dishonesty, and loss of learning motivation and engagement. To address these issues, the research introduces practical guidelines and recommendations including promoting self-regulation, establishing GenAI policy frameworks, and enhancing AI literacy and community engagement.