Shafie Mohamed Zabri

Corporate governance practices and firm performance: evidence from top 100 public listed companies in Malaysia

Abstract Corporate governance practices have been a concerned issue by many Asian countries after the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997 including Malaysia. Due to the crisis, Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance (MCCG) has been introduced as part of the Bursa Malaysia (BMB) listing rules. This study hence focuses on corporate governance practices among Top 100 public listed companies in Bursa Malaysia and the relationship between corporate governance practices with firm performance. Two corporate governances indicators (Board size and Board Independence) were chosen in testing the hypothesized relationship between corporate governance practices with firm performance, which was measured by return on asset (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). Descriptive and correlation analysis were used to examine the hypotheses in this study. The result showed that board size has significantly weak negative relationship with ROA but it was found to be insignificant to ROE. The other finding indicated that there was no relationship between board independence and firm performance. This study provide useful information for policy makers or regulators in improving the corporate governance policies in the future and also helps in increasing understanding on the relationship between corporate governance practices and firms performance.

The Application of Non-Financial Performance Measurement in Malaysian Manufacturing Firms☆

Non-financial performance measures in recent years have been receiving growing attention among modern’s organizations to provide additional information for managers. The use of non-financial performance measures in the manufacturing environment is even crucial where its normal operation is more complex than any other type of organizations. The purposes of this research are to examine the application of non-financial performance measurement system among manufacturing companies and to explore the association between size of the firm, business environment, owners/manager involvement and modern manufacturing technology and the use of non-financial performance measures. A questionnaire was sent to a random sample 500 Malaysian manufacturing firms which resulted in 102 useable returned questionnaires. The results show that nonfinancial performance measures related to internal processes and customers have the highest extent of use. In contrast, techniques related to quality control have a relatively low level of use. The results also reveal that there are significant relationships between size of the firm, involvement of owner/manager, and modern technology and the use of non-financial performance measures. This research provides new empirical evidences on the use of non-financial performance measures and contributes a better understanding of the contingency approach in the context of performance measurement system within a manufacturing environment.

Factors explaining the use of management accounting practices in Malaysian medium-sized firms

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that affect the use of management accounting practices (MAPs) in Malaysian medium-sized firms in manufacturing sector. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative research design involving the use of postal questionnaire was carried out to investigate the influences of key contingent factors on MAPs. The survey was conducted to 500 Malaysian medium-sized firms in manufacturing sector which elicited 110 useable responses. Findings – The results indicates that size of the firm, intensity of market competition, commitment of owner/manager of firm and advanced manufacturing technology have significant influences on the use of certain MAPs. Thus the research provides support for a contingency-based explanation for the use of MAPs and identifies new variable such as commitment of owner/manager as one of a key factor that affect the extent of use of MAPs in smaller firms. Research limitations/implications – The research focused on medium-sized firms ...

Determinants of personal factors in influencing the buying behavior of consumers in sales promotion: a case of fashion industry

Purpose This study aims to investigate the influence of personal factors on the buying behavior of consumers with the intentions of sales promotion in the fashion industry. Precisely, it focuses on the marketing techniques and practices in sales promotion activities to influence the buying intentions of consumers in personal ways. Design/methodology/approach Based on a comprehensive literature review of personal factors, sales promotion and buying behavior, this study has applied a positivist approach to collect data in quantitative way through questionnaires-based survey. The study has analyzed the collected data using structural equation modeling through smart partial least square. Findings Personal factors and its sub-dimensions such as market maven, stability and open minded have demonstrated a positive relationship in the conceptual construct. In the same manner, sales promotion and its sub-dimensions like social factors and physical layout have also positive effects. Research limitations/implications This study is only limited to the fashion industry of Pakistan and future research may be conducted in other services and manufacturing industries. Future research may assess the role of moderating variables like gender. Practical implications This study clarifies the influence of personal characteristics on consumers buying behavior in sales promotion activities in the fashion industry to achieve business objectives. Originality/value By integrating personal factors and sales promotion literature, the main contribution of this paper is the analysis of personal characteristics and promotional practices in the fashion industry of Pakistan, during Eid-ul-Fitter holidays to enhance the consumers buying behavior. Precisely, this study has assessed the effect some unique characteristics of consumers like market maven, stable, open minded and agreeable on their buying behavior in sales promotion activities. This study has apprised marketing professionals to apply the conception of personal characteristics in sales promotion activities to boost up the buying behavior of consumers in enthusiastic way.