Malaysia is a developing economy which is one of the corporate leaders in South East Asian countries. Practicing audit committee is mandatory for public listed firms in Malaysia according to Bursa Malaysia Listing Requirements as well Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between audit committee characteristics and firm performance among public listed firms in Malaysia. This study employed EVA as performance measurement tool. The sample is 75 firm year observations and covers fiscal years 2008-2010. The study found that audit committee independence is positively associated with firm performance while audit quality is negatively associated in Malaysia. Overall, audit committee characteristics have a positive effect on firm performance. This study contributes to the literature as well as in empirical evidence on audit committee characteristics and firm audit quality. The results suggest that Big 4 firms have a negative impact on value based measure in Malaysia.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel and is getting substantial attention globally due to its environmental benefits. Biodiesel is one of Malaysia’s downstream movements of the palm oil industry. This industry is well known for its economic contribution to Malaysia’s income growth. This study determines the effect of biodiesel price and the Covid-19 pandemic on Malaysia’s local palm oil price using the monthly data which covered the period of January 2013 to June 2022. ARDL bound testing was adopted to test for cointegration. The dummy variable represents the lockdown period incorporated in the model. The findings indicate the existence of cointegration among variables. The real exchange rate and industrialization have a negative and significant impact on local palm oil prices, and crude oil and biodiesel prices positively affect Malaysia’s local palm oil prices. Interestingly, the impact of biodiesel price on the local palm oil price is higher than the crude oil price. The dummy variable, which represents the Covid-19 pandemic effect, shows a significant positive effect on the local palm oil price in the short and long run. Policies promoting the sustainable development of the palm oil and biodiesel industry will contribute to Malaysia through increased output, employment, and GDP.

All of the articles in this proceedings volume have been presented at the 13th International Conference on Business, Accountancy, Finance and Economics on 22 October 2025 through Physical/virtual platform-Zoom. These articles have been peer reviewed by the members of the Scientific Committee and approved by the Editor-in-Chief, who affirms that this document is a truthful description of the conference’s review process.

This study aims to explore adaptive farming methods that have been planned or implemented by farmers and parties involved in the vertical agriculture process, focusing specifically on Bentong ginger cultivation. A semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected stakeholders, 04 focus group discussions and participant observations were undertaken to investigate their experiences, challenges, and perceptions regarding the implementation of climate-smart farming practices. This multi-method approach ensures a robust examination of the factors enabling or hindering the transition to vertical farming. Findings suggest that while stakeholders recognize the potential of vertical farming to improve productivity and environmental sustainability, significant barriers remain. Farmers express concerns over the high capital costs and the technical knowledge required to manage vertical farming systems effectively. However, many stakeholders see long-term economic gains and reduced environmental impact as compelling reasons to adopt this technology. The study also reveals positive perceptions of vertical farming’s potential to enhance food security and reduce logistical costs, particularly in urban areas. Policy-level stakeholders emphasize the need for increased financial incentives, training programs, and technical assistance to support farmers in this transition. Additionally, collaboration between government bodies, investors, and farmers is highlighted as crucial for overcoming the financial and technical barriers to widespread adoption. By capturing the adaptive methods and collaborative efforts currently being explored by stakeholders, this study provides critical insights into the strategies needed to integrate vertical farming into the ginger farming industry. The findings aim to inform policymakers and agricultural organizations on how to support climate-smart agriculture and ensure the successful implementation of vertical farming in Malaysia.

The Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) continues to struggle with the economic growth paradox of expanding while experiencing ineffective job creation, particularly among the youth and women. This paper examines the employment structure factors beyond oil reliance and the moderating effect of institutions and demographic transition on 14 MENA countries between 2000 and 2023. Based on Structural Change Theory, Institutional Theory, and Demographic Transition Theory, the analysis employs panel data regression to examine the impact of human capital, financial depth, digital modernization, structural transformation, and resource dependence on labour absorption. The results demonstrate that human capital growth, financialization, digitalization, and institutionalization bring about a profound impact on employment. In contrast, resource dependence and high fertility rates have the opposite effect, absorbing labour markets. Surprisingly, urbanization has no significant impact, suggesting that the region has negligible industry diversification. In addition, the implications of financial and digital modernization for employment are positively moderated by institutional quality, underscoring governance as a significant facilitator of inclusive employment. On the other hand, demographic transition moderates the effects of education and structural change negatively, meaning that high fertility rates dilute the benefits of human capital and employment changes. These findings indicate that there is no single driver that can address the employment challenge; instead, sustainable labour market outcomes will be achieved through the interaction of structural forces, institutional capacity, and demographic dynamics. This paper offers policy implications for reducing jobless development, fostering differentiation, and creating comprehensive, sustainable jobs in the MENA region.