The rapid technological development and revolution have transformed the education field, promoting the betterment of learning and teaching quality. Augmented Reality (AR) is becoming increasingly popular for its ability to help educators to create an engaging and creative method of teaching. The increasing use of technology has piqued researchers’ interests in studying its efficiency. Following this observation, this study aims to explore educators’ readiness in embracing AR as an enhancement teaching tool in the future. This study employed a quantitative methodology and collected 223 respondents’ data from five private universities in Malaysia. The data was analysed using the Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) software. The results demonstrated that there were significant relationships between educators’ innovation towards the intention to adopt AR moderated by perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU). This study provides some insightful AR applications in the education industry, which is in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 theme. It successfully identifies the importance of motivating educators and students in embracing AR as an enhancement learning tool, providing a valuable discussion for the government, learning institutions, and educators on the implementation of AR in Malaysia.

Despite various initiatives from the government, merely two per cent of Malaysia’s electricity is produced by renewable energy sources including solar panels. Currently, little is known about the predictors for households’ behavioral intention of utilizing solar photovoltaic systems in Malaysia. Thus, this study aims to investigate the role of knowledge and price value in affecting the adoption of solar system among Malaysian households, based on the Unified theory of acceptance and the use of technology. Results based on a quantitative survey indicated that knowledge affects effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions positively. Meanwhile, the price value had a direct effect on performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions. Additionally, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions were all positively related to behavioral intention. This study provides valuable references for Malaysian government to promote the use of solar energy.

Purpose: As the world is embarking on Industry Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0), employers demand more learning and soft skills from graduates to adapt to agile and disruptive work environments. Hence, 21st century learning skills are vital for sustainable career advancement in the current job paradigm shift initiated by IR 4.0-driven technologies. This research examines inter-relationships among 21st century skills and their effects on tertiary learners’ readiness for future employment in IR 4.0 era.Design/methodology/approach: The quantitative research methodology with a questionnaire survey is used. Question items in the questionnaire were adapted from past studies. A sample of tertiary learners who are currently pursuing their final year degree programs in a comprehensive university are recruited using a multi-staged cluster sampling technique. Partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is applied to analyze data collected from 174 respondents.Findings: The research findings reveal that tertiary learners’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills significantly influence their perceived readiness to face future employment in IR 4.0 era. Tertiary learners’ communication skills facilitate better collaboration skills that directly influence their problem-solving skills. Their critical thinking skills partially mediate the effect of tertiary learners’ creativity skills on their problem-solving skills.Originality/value: These research findings provide insights into the inter-relationships among 21st century learning skills that significantly influence tertiary learners’ readiness for their future careers so that stakeholders, including tertiary learners, lecturers and higher education policymakers, can work hand-in-hand toward enhancing employability among fresh graduates in IR 4.0 era.

The demand on global halal cosmetics market is anticipated to reach USD 53 billion by the end of 2023. In fact, the rising awareness about percutaneous essence of conventional cosmetic products has made consumers shift to “halal” cosmetics. Malaysia is one of the country in providing full support to promote “halal” certification process on halal cosmetic products. Products certified “halal” by JAKIM are Halal products as it is safe to consume, nutritious and also the products are quality controlled. In accordance to it, the purpose of this research conducted is to identify the intention in consuming halal cosmetic products among Muslim females in West Malaysia. As aforementioned, this study has identified five factors that influence consumers’ intention in consuming halal cosmetic products. These factors served as independent variables namely functional value, conditional value, social value, epistemic value and emotional value which is extracted from the Theory of Consumption Value (TCV). This research employed a structured online survey targeting approximately 400 Muslim females from the age 16 to 60 years old in West Malaysia. Data obtained was analysed using Partial Least Square- Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that conditional value, emotional value and epistemic value has positively contributed significantly on the intention in purchasing halal cosmetic products. On the other hand, functional value and social value has revealed being insignificant on intention to purchase halal cosmetic products. This study further contributed by providing a comprehensive theoretical framework on the intention to purchase halal cosmetic products.

This study aims to enhance primary school learners on the financial literacy through game-based learning and assess their efficacy of saving and spending in daily life. The participants were 77 learners from two selected primary schools in Perak, 42 from school A and 35 from school B, respectively. This study employed game-based learning integration through exploring Malaysian Ringgit notes, categorizing the needs and wants items, exploring various shopping catalogues, playing modified version of cash flow game, comparing the price between three stores, and carrying out quizzes related to payment cards, saving and spending. Data was gathered through assessments at each game station, question and answer sessions, observations, and interviews with the learners before and after the games. Upon four workshops with game-based learning integration conducted within ten months, the findings revealed that learners can differentiate between the needs and wants items. In addition, more than 95 percent of them know that each item has its own value and unable to be exchanged easily using other items, as well as able to compare the quantity with the item’s value to ensure the items is value for money. In conclusion, feedback from the school was positive implying that game-based learning intervention is able to enhance learners with knowledge on financial literacy.

Malaysia has been enjoying fixed retail prices for research octane number (RON) 95 petrol and diesel as a form of subsidy from the government since 1983. As of December 2014, the pricing of RON95 and diesel officially went on a managed float mechanism. Therefore, this study examines how information on oil shocks is transmitted to FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (FBM KLCI) upon the announcement of subsidy cut for RON95 fuel price on 2 October 2014. The sample period of September 2013–December 2014 is separated into the pre-announcement (3 September 2013–1 October 2014) and post-announcement (2 October 2014–28 November 2014) periods. Using the forecast error variance decomposition, the results indicate that Brent crude oil prices dominate information spillover during the post-announcement period. From the perspective of investors’ behaviour, this study suggests that investors’ sensitivity towards information on oil price is elevated by the announcement of subsidy cut and steers their consciousness towards information on oil prices in making decisions.