THE ROLE OF MOBILE APPLICATIONS IN ENHANCING HOMESTAY PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA

Authors

  • NURUL LIYANA RAMLAN Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • KHAIRUL NAZLIN KAMARUZAMAN Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • MOHAMED SALADIN ABDUL RASOOL Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • ZAHARAH ISAHAK Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni Dan Budaya (MOTAC), Selangor, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v7si4.1545

Keywords:

mobile applications, homestay performance, TOE framework, Malaysia

Abstract

The Malaysian homestay industry faces challenges in sustaining performance and competitiveness due to the limited adoption of digital technologies, particularly among rural operators. This pilot study examines the role of mobile applications in enhancing homestay performance in Malaysia using the Technological, Organizational, and Environmental (TOE) framework. A quantitative approach was employed using structured questionnaires distributed to registered homestay coordinators, with 30 completed responses analyzed using SPSS. The findings demonstrate good instrument reliability, with an overall Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.872, while the KMO value of 0.742 and significant Bartlett’s Test confirm sampling adequacy and validity. The study highlights that mobile application adoption is influenced by technological utility, organizational readiness, digital literacy, management support, customer demand, and government initiatives. Mobile applications provide opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, market visibility, customer engagement, and competitiveness. The study recommends digital training, affordable mobile solutions, and stronger stakeholder collaboration to facilitate wider adoption among Malaysian homestay operators.

References

[1] Amini, M., Jahanbakhsh Javid, N. (2023): A multi-perspective framework established on diffusion of innovation theory and technology, organization and environment framework toward supply chain management system based on cloud computing technology for small and medium enterprises. – International Journal of Information Technology and Innovation Adoption 11(8): 1217-1234.

[2] Azman, A. (2020): Development of Muslim-friendly audit checklist for agro-based homestay spatial organization. – Master’s thesis, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 250p.

[3] Bhuiyan, M.A.H., Siwar, C., Ismail, S.M., Islam, R. (2011): The role of home stay for ecotourism development in East Coast Economic Region. – American Journal of Applied Sciences 8(6): 540-546.

[4] Chatterjee, S., Kar, A.K. (2020): Why do small and medium enterprises use social media marketing and what is the impact: Empirical insights from India. – International Journal of Information Management 53: 13p.

[5] Davis, F.D. (1989): Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. – MIS Quarterly 13(3): 319-340.

[6] Devadas, U.M., Jayasooriya, S.S.W. (2021): Entrepreneurs’ success in the small and medium-scale homestay tourism business in Sri Lanka. – International Journal of Entrepreneurship 25(6): 1-17.

[7] Effendi, M.I., Sugandini, D., Istanto, Y. (2020): Social media adoption in SMEs impacted by COVID-19: The TOE model. – Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business 7(11): 915-925.

[8] Gretzel, U., Sigala, M., Xiang, Z., Koo, C. (2015): Smart tourism: Foundations and developments. – Electronic Markets 25(3): 179-188.

[9] Islam, M.T. (2021): Applications of social media in the tourism industry: A review. – SEISENSE Journal of Management 4(1): 59-68.

[10] Kanel, C.N., Bhattarai, P.C., Gnawali, L. (2024): Homestay operators’ experiences in initiating and developing homestay enterprises. – Journal of Tourism and Himalayan Adventures 6(1): 72-86.

[11] Lin, C.C. (2021): Investigating complimentary e-marketing strategy for small- and medium-sized enterprises at the growth stage in Taiwan. – Information 12(9): 12p.

[12] Mohamad, N. (2022): Social media and small and medium enterprises in the Malaysian tourism industry. – In: Hassan, A. (ed.) Handbook of Technology Application in Tourism in Asia, Springer, Singapore: 1041-1064.

[13] Mohd Nor, R. (2024): Sustainability of community-based tourism through the lens of homestay operators in rural areas of Penang, Malaysia. – Geografia-Malaysian Journal of Society and Space 20(1): 121-139.

[14] Murniati, D.E., Abdul Razzaq, A.R., Ismail, A., Mota, L. (2023): Training urgency to bridge the digital divide for social media marketing awareness and adoption: The case of CBT rural homestay operators in Malaysia. – Journal of Technical Education and Training 15(1): 142-157.

[15] Osman, Z., Zakaria, Z. (2020): Factors influencing intention to adopt Internet technology among rural homestay operators in Malaysia. – Journal of Technology Management and Business 7(1): 25-35.

[16] Ramlan, N.L., Asrul, S.A., Abdul Rasool, M.S., Abu Karim, R. (2023): The relationships between social media adoption and homestay performance in Malaysia. – Information Management and Business Review 15(4(SI)I): 603-609.

[17] Ramlan, N.L., Kamaruzaman, K.N., Abdul Rasool, M.S., Abu Karim, R., Isahak, Z. (2024): The impact of technological-organizational-environmental factors on homestay performance. – Information Management and Business Review 16(3S(I)a): 299-307.

[18] Wang, Y.S., Li, H.T., Li, C.R., Zhang, D.Z. (2016): Factors affecting hotels’ adoption of mobile reservation systems: A technology-organization-environment framework. – Tourism Management 53: 163-172.

Downloads

Published

2026-07-30

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

THE ROLE OF MOBILE APPLICATIONS IN ENHANCING HOMESTAY PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA. (2026). Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(SI4), 77-84. https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v7si4.1545