Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities
Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (QJSSH) is an open-access, online electronic publication, and peer-reviewed journal. QJSSH journal addressing the current issues in the study area of social sciences and humanities. The journal publishes research articles, review articles, short communications, case studies and reports in anthropology and sociology, archeology, area studies, business and administration, cultural and ethnic studies, economic and finance, education and educational research, gender studies, geography, law, library and information science, media and communication, political science and governance, psychology and human development, rural and urban development, social and community work, social and economiv development, social enterpreneurship, sociolinguistics, volunteerism, youth development, and multidisciplinary research of international interest. QJSSH journal provide immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. Abstract and Indexing Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (QJSSH) are abstracted and indexing in Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE); COnnecting REpositories (CORE); Dimensions; Directory of Research Journal Indexing (DRJI); EuroPub; Google Scholar; Malaysian Journal (MyJurnal); Malaysian Citation Index (MyCite); Neliti; Open Ukrainian Citation Index (OUCI); Scilit; Semantic Scholar; UDLedge; and many more.
MEMBONGKAR KOMPLEKSITI MELALUI BAHASA: SATU KAJIAN STILISTIK CERPEN ERNEST HEMINGWAY ‘HILLS LIKE WHITE ELEPHANTS’
Kertas kerja ini menjalankan satu penyiasatan stilistik terhadap salah satu cerpen Hemingway, iaitu ‘Hills like White Elephants’. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk membuktikan bahawa aplikasi alat linguistik sebagai kaedah analisis dapat membantu memahami teks sastera dengan lebih baik serta berfungsi sebagai petunjuk untuk membongkar mesej-mesej tersirat yang pelbagai lapis di sebalik kesederhanaan bahasa yang digunakan oleh penulis. Kaedah analisis Leech dan Short diadaptasi sebagai kerangka teori untuk menganalisis cerpen yang dipilih. Ciri-ciri linguistik yang dikaji diletakkan di bawah empat rubrik, iaitu kategori leksikal, ciri tatabahasa, gaya Bahasa serta kohesi dan konteks. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa kompleksiti wujud di bawah lapisan bahasa yang ringkas digunakan oleh Hemingway dalam penulisan cerpen ini. Perjuangan emosi yang hebat didapati mendominasi dua watak protagonis. Pembahagian kuasa yang tidak selaras antara kedua-dua watak turut ketara, dengan watak lelaki digambarkan sebagai dominan manakala watak perempuan kelihatan rlemas dan mudah terjejas dari segi emosi. Kesimpulannya, penggunaan instrumen linguistik untuk mengkaji teks sastera terbukti berkesan kerana pelbagai idea dan pemikiran yang kelihatan tidak ketara pada bacaan biasa dapat dicungkil. Kajian masa depan yang meneliti analisis prosa sastera boleh mengintegrasikan kaedah stilistik bagi mencapai pemahaman yang lebih menyeluruh terhadap teks.
Copyright (c) 2025 MARLINA JAMAL https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PENDIDIKAN ERA REVOLUSI INDUSTRI 4.0: CABARAN FALSAFAH PENGAJIAN TINGGI NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Revolusi Industri 4.0 membawa kemajuan teknologi yang pesat, terutama dalam bidang pendidikan, dengan penggunaan peranti digital yang merombak hampir setiap aspek kehidupan manusia. Teknologi ini menggabungkan Internet of Things, Big Data, media sosial, Cloud Computing, dan sensor, dengan tumpuan pada kecerdasan buatan, robotik, dron, percetakan 3D, bioteknologi, dan pengkomputeran kuantum. Ini mempengaruhi sistem pendidikan secara global dan mencipta perubahan yang tidak dapat dielakkan. Namun, Revolusi Industri 4.0 juga menghadirkan cabaran terhadap Falsafah Pengajian Tinggi Negara Brunei Darussalam, terutama dalam aspek jasmani, emosi, rohani, intelek, dan sosial, kerana teknologi berkembang dengan cepat dan tidak dapat dikawal sepenuhnya. Oleh itu, pendekatan mujahadah an-Nafs, yang diterangkan oleh Imam al-Ghazali, perlu diterapkan untuk melawan pengaruh negatif teknologi dan mempertahankan jiwa generasi masa depan. Mujahadah al-Nafs adalah usaha yang teratur untuk melawan hawa nafsu dan menghapuskan sifat-sifat mazmumah agar hati dilimpahi dengan cahaya ilmu. Peranan institusi keluarga sangat penting dalam memberikan bimbingan agama kepada anak-anak untuk mengukuhkan jiwa mereka. Pendidikan awal di rumah oleh ibu bapa dan pendidikan formal di sekolah oleh guru-guru adalah gabungan yang efektif untuk membentuk generasi Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) yang taat kepada Agama, Raja, dan Negara Brunei Darussalam. Dengan pengukuhan ilmu kerohanian, pelajar dapat memperkukuh jati diri dan mengelakkan diri daripada dipengaruhi oleh kemajuan teknologi.
Copyright (c) 2025 ISMAIL ABAS https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ACADEMIC ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PLANNING
This study explores how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) contribute to societal progress by enhancing research and innovation through the integration of social innovation. It emphasizes the need for holistic collaboration between HEIs, government agencies, NGOs, and communities. Central to this study are the concepts of social innovation and absorptive capacity, which together influence the ability of academics to plan and implement impactful research. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected via surveys and analyzed using SPSS 25 and PLS-SEM 3.0. The findings reveal that potential absorptive capacity is significantly related to realized absorptive capacity, and both are positively associated with innovation achievement. These results underscore the significance of academic absorptive capacity in driving innovative research that addresses societal challenges. The study offers valuable insights for research and innovation planning in HEIs, supporting efforts to align academic output with inclusive and sustainable national development goals under the Malaysia MADANI framework.
Copyright (c) 2025 NURHAZLIYANA HANAFI, MOHAMAD PIRDAUS YUSOH, JALALUDDIN ABDUL MALEK, MUHAMMAD FUAD ABDULLAH https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MODEL JAGAAN HOSPIS PESAKIT ANGIN AHMAR: SATU ANALISIS
Penghidupan pesakit strok seringkali diwarnai oleh perubahan fungsi dan kognitif yang mengubah kehidupan serta gejala yang memberatkan. Penjagaan hospis menekankan penjagaan berkualiti yang memberi tumpuan kepada meningkatkan keselesaan pesakit, mengurangkan kesakitan, dan memberikan sokongan emosi kepada pesakit dan keluarga mereka. Kajian ini bertujuan membincangkan model penjagaan hospis untuk pesakit angin ahmar kronik. Metodologi kajian ini dijalankan secara kualitatif melalui kaedah kepustakaan dengan merujuk kepada bahan cetak seperti jurnal, surat khabar, majalah, dan buku yang berkaitan untuk menerangkan model penjagaan hospis dan elemen yang berkaitan dengan penjagaan pesakit angin ahmar. Artikel ini menganalisis data ke atas dokumen dan teks terpilih. Seterusnya proses pengekodan secara tematik. Kajian ini mendapati model penjagaan hospis telah menjadi alternatif yang semakin popular dalam menyediakan penjagaan menyeluruh dan holistik kepada pesakit angin ahmar kronik. Walau bagaimanapun, model jagaan hospis yang dijalankan mempunyai kekangan dan cabaran masing-masing. Kepentingan kajian ini terletak dalam memperoleh kefahaman yang lebih mendalam mengenai keberkesanan model penjagaan hospis untuk pesakit angin ahmar dan meningkatkan penyediaan penjagaan berkualiti untuk mereka. Dengan memahami model-model sedia ada dan menilai kekuatan dan kelemahan, kita dapat mengenal pasti aspek yang perlu diperbaiki dalam penyediaan penjagaan yang lebih baik dan tepat. Keseluruhannya, artikel ini akan memberikan pemahaman yang lebih mendalam mengenai model penjagaan hospis untuk pesakit angin ahmar kronik. Pemahaman yang jitu terhadap penyediaan model ini akan meningkatkan kualiti penyediaan penjagaan hospis ke atas pesakit angin ahmar kronik dan meningkatkan kesejahteraan hidup bersama.
Copyright (c) 2025 FAISAL HUSEIN ISMAIL, MUHAMMAD MASRURI, ANDRI NIRWANA, HALIMI MOHD KHALID, MUHAMMAD AMIR WAN HARUN, SHAKILA AHMAD https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ENHANCING TEACHER PERSONALITY COMPETENCY THROUGH RELIGIOUS HABITUATION AT SMK ISLAM DATUK SINGARAJA JEPARA, INDONESIA
This study aims to describe the improvement of teachers' personality competencies towards superior human resources through religious habituation at SMK Islam Datuk Singaraja Jepara. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method, including field research. The main sources of data are descriptions and observations, as well as additional sources in the form of documents. Data collection through observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis techniques through interactive analysis consisting of 3 flows, such as data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawn. The results of the study are: (1) Teacher human resources have aqidah and spiritual strength through religious habits, such as: praying, spreading greetings/shaking hands, reading the Qur'an, praying dhuha, and praying in congregation, (2) Teacher human resources have moral superiority through several religious habits, such as: shaking hands, reading the Qur'an, reading Asmaul Husna, praying dhuha, and praying in congregation. Those habituations can improve teacher’s personality competency become a superior human resources.
Copyright (c) 2025 SABAIDI, SITI MARPUAH, AHMAD TANTOWI, JUNAIDI ARSYAD https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTRUCTIVISTIC LEARNING MODEL IN THE FORMATION OF STUDENTS’ MORAL VALUES
This research aims to develop a Constructivist Learning Model in the formation of students' moral values at the Darul Argam Gombara Islamic Boarding School, Makassar. The research was carried out in stages: (1) analyzing the level of students' needs for the constructivist learning model in forming students' moral values (case analysis), (2) designing the development of the constructivist learning model, (3) producing a product of the constructivist learning model (reviewed in terms of validity, practicality, effectiveness). The purpose of writing this article is to look at "Analysis of the Level of Students' Needs for the Constructivist Learning Model in the Formation of Moral Values". The research method uses research and development (R&D). Research results indicating (1) the level of students' needs for constructivist learning models is very much needed in forming moral values, (2) the learning model development design consists of: syntax=3.52 (very valid), supporting theory=3.52 (very valid), Social System=3.57 (very valid), Reaction System (teacher behavior)=3.58 (very valid), Support System=3.35 (very valid), Learning Implementation=3.5 (very valid), Learning Environment and Management Tasks=3.59 (very valid), Evaluation=3.57 (very valid), (3) constructivist learning model book. Research concludes that students really need a learning model that can form moral values. The novelty is a book product with a constructivist learning model that can be used as a reference in forming students' moral values.
Copyright (c) 2025 SUBAEDAH, ANDI BUNYAMIN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE INFLUENCE OF THE BLENDED LEARNING MODEL ON STUDENT INTERESTS FACULTY OF ISLAMIC RELIGION
The study aims to determine whether interest in blended learning can increase students' interest in learning at the Faculty of Islamic Religion, Muslim University of Indonesia. The main problem in this study is the influence of the blended learning model on student interest at the Faculty of Islamic Religion, Indonesian Muslim University. The purpose of the research is motivated by problems in lecture activities because lectures will be held online in 2019-2021, and in 2022, lectures are recommended using Blended Learning. This research is a quantitative study using the One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The data was collected using observation, initial interviews, questionnaires, and documentation, while data analysis techniques used the Normality Test and Homogeneity test. The results of the study show that using the blended learning model has been proven to increase the interest in learning for students of the Faculty of Islamic Religion at the Indonesian Muslim University. This can be seen from the difference in the presentation of the value of the student interest in learning instruments before implementation. There is an average value of 63.27%, increasing to 81.30%, for the presentation of each indicator, which consists of four indicators. Indicators of feeling happy were 82.03%, attention indicators were 79.5%, interest indicators were 82.7%, and involvement was 79.4%. Student interest in learning has increased from several indicators, especially in the indicator of student interest, reaching 82.7% after applying blended learning. Thus, it can be concluded that applying the blended learning learning model has an effect on student learning interest in lectures.
Copyright (c) 2025 ROSMIATI, AKHMAD SYAHID, ANDI BUNYAMIN, SUBAEDAH https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PERKAITAN ANTARA MOTIVASI DAN PENCAPAIAN BAHASA JEPUN DALAM KALANGAN PELAJAR SAINS KEJURUTERAAN
Laporan akademik menunjukkan bahawa wujudnya ketidakseimbangan dan jurang skor yang tinggi terhadap pencapaian bahasa Jepun dalam kalangan pelajar kejuruteraan di Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). Masalah ini disebabkan oleh kurangnya perhatian terhadap faktor psikologi, tujuan, latarbelakang dan keperluan mempelajari bahasa Jepun dalam kalangan pelajar sains kejuruteraan dan teknikal di MTUN. Justeru, kajian ini bertujuan mengenalpasti hubungan motivasi dengan pencapaian pelajar berdasarkan pendekatan The L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS). Kajian kuantitatif dengan kaedah tinjauan ini melibatkan 392 responden pelajar bahasa Jepun daripada empat buah universiti iaitu Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) dan Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP). Hasil tinjauan mendapati bahawa pelajar dipengaruhi oleh faktor guru, rakan sebaya, kuliah dan bahan pengajaran. Malah pelajar mempunyai imaginasi tinggi terhadap penutur asli. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa L2 Learning Experience (LLE) merupakan dimensi paling popular dalam kalangan pelajar bumiputera, manakala pelajar bukan bumiputera lebih tertumpu kepada dimensi The Ideal L2 Self (ILS). Hasil kajian juga mendapati bahawa terdapat korelasi signifikan rendah antara elemen motivasi (L2MSS) dengan pencapaian bahasa Jepun di MTUN.
Copyright (c) 2025 ROSMAHALIL AZROL ABDULLAH, ZULIDA ABDUL KADIR, NURUL 'AIN OTHMAN, MOHD NIZAM YUSOF, ZALEHA MAT AMAN, SYAHRINA AHMAD https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
HIV/AIDS STIGMA AMONG ASIAN MEN: DYNAMICS, CONSEQUENCES AND INTERVENTION
HIV/AIDS remains a persistent public health challenge across Asia, with men who have sex with men (MSM) bearing a disproportionate burden of new infections. Despite biomedical advances in prevention and treatment, the epidemic continues to be sustained by deeply entrenched stigma that operates across cultural, social, institutional, and legal domains. This article critically examines HIV/AIDS-related stigma among Asian MSM, conceptualising stigma not merely as individual prejudice but as a structural and relational process embedded within broader systems of inequality. Drawing on existing epidemiological evidence and stigma theory, the paper analyses how intersecting forms of stigma, linked to HIV status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and gender norms, systematically undermine prevention efforts, delay HIV testing, disrupt linkage to care, and weaken long-term treatment adherence. The analysis highlights four interrelated dimensions of stigma: perceived public stigma, internalised stigma, disclosure stigma, and fear of contagion. These dimensions interact across the HIV care continuum, shaping health-seeking behaviour and reinforcing avoidance of essential services such as testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and antiretroviral therapy. Importantly, the paper argues that stigma is reproduced not only within communities but also through healthcare systems, policy frameworks, and restrictive legal environments that criminalise same-sex behaviour or fail to protect confidentiality and non-discrimination. Such structural barriers intensify vulnerability among Asian MSM, including migrants and international students, who already face social marginalisation. By synthesising evidence across sociocultural, healthcare, and policy contexts, this article underscores the need for multi-level, rights-based interventions that integrate community engagement, culturally responsive healthcare practices, stigma-sensitive policies, and responsible media representation. Addressing HIV/AIDS stigma among Asian MSM is therefore not only a matter of individual behaviour change but a critical prerequisite for achieving equitable access to care and sustainable HIV prevention outcomes in the region.
Copyright (c) 2025 ANURATHA RAJASEGARAM, ZULAYTI ZAKARIA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CONTRIBUTION OF TAMIL THOUGHTS AND IDEOLOGY TO AGRICULTURE IN SOUTH EAST ASIA: A REVIEW
This study critically examines the contribution of Tamil thought and ideology to the development, sustainability, and transformation of agricultural systems in Southeast Asia. Moving beyond technocratic interpretations of agriculture, the paper situates Tamil agrarian influence within a broader ideological framework encompassing land stewardship, ethical labour relations, communal responsibility, environmental ethics, and knowledge transmission across generations. Through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates historical analysis, ideological interpretation, and regional case studies, the study demonstrates how Tamil migration and diasporic networks functioned as conduits for agricultural knowledge exchange across maritime Southeast Asia. Tamil philosophies related to land custodianship, tenant rights, collective labour, and ecological harmony shaped not only farming techniques, such as irrigation management, crop diversification, and seasonal calendars; but also social institutions governing agricultural practice. The findings reveal that Tamil agricultural influence was neither uniform nor hegemonic; rather, it was adaptive, relational, and mediated by local political economies, colonial governance structures, caste and kinship systems, and market transformations. Importantly, the study challenges dominant narratives that reduce agricultural diffusion to material technologies alone, arguing instead that ideological worldviews play a decisive role in shaping sustainable rural development. By foregrounding Tamil thought as a living system of agrarian ethics rather than a static historical artifact, the paper underscores its contemporary relevance to debates on food security, agroecology, climate resilience, and inclusive rural policy. Ultimately, the research positions Tamil agricultural ideology as a valuable intellectual and cultural resource for rethinking sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia, particularly in contexts marked by environmental stress, social inequality, and the marginalisation of smallholder farming communities.
Copyright (c) 2025 ZULAYTI ZAKARIA, ANURATHA RAJASEGARAM, PARAN GANI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN INDIAN SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY
This paper critically analyses the role of social media in Indian society, arguing that digital platforms function not merely as tools of communication but as powerful socio-technical infrastructures that reshape inequality, public discourse, culture, and governance. While the rapid expansion of affordable mobile internet and smartphones has enabled unprecedented connectivity, positioning India as one of the world’s largest social media ecosystems; this growth has been deeply uneven and socially stratified. Drawing on the document’s synthesis of empirical studies and policy debates, the analysis highlights a central contradiction: social media simultaneously democratizes access to information and reproduces existing hierarchies of class, gender, language, caste, and geography. The dominance of platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube has facilitated political mobilization, micro-entrepreneurship, health communication, and cultural expression, particularly through vernacular and localized digital publics. Yet these same platforms intensify misinformation, polarisation, algorithmic opacity, and surveillance, undermining deliberative democratic norms and disproportionately harming marginalized groups. Low levels of digital and media literacy, combined with multilingual complexity and weak platform accountability, further exacerbate the spread of disinformation and the fragmentation of social consciousness. Critically, the paper contends that regulatory responses in India remain reactive and fragmented, oscillating between state control and platform self-regulation without adequately safeguarding digital rights, privacy, or algorithmic transparency. From a sociological perspective, social media in India must therefore be understood as a contested arena where empowerment and exclusion coexist. Addressing this tension requires moving beyond techno-optimism toward an equity-oriented framework that integrates digital inclusion, robust media literacy, community-based knowledge production, and accountable governance. Without such structural interventions, social media risks deepening social divides even as it promises connectivity and participation.
Copyright (c) 2025 ZULAYTI ZAKARIA, ANURATHA RAJASEGARAM https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN OBTAINING INFORMED CONSENT FOR RESEARCH PARTICIPATION: A REVIEW
Informed consent is widely regarded as a foundational ethical requirement in research involving human participants; however, contemporary research practices increasingly expose the limitations of viewing consent as a static, procedural obligation. This paper critically examines informed consent as a dynamic, relational, and context-dependent ethical process shaped by power relations, institutional governance, and participant vulnerability. Drawing on international ethical frameworks and regulatory standards, the analysis demonstrates that meaningful consent extends beyond disclosure and documentation to encompass comprehension, voluntariness, and sustained participant engagement across all research phases. Particular attention is given to systemic challenges, including excessively complex consent materials, unequal researcher–participant relationships, culturally and linguistically mediated misunderstandings, and the ethical tensions surrounding incentives and compensation. The paper further interrogates consent practices involving vulnerable populations, such as children, individuals with diminished capacity, pregnant persons, prisoners, and marginalized communities, arguing that heightened protections must not devolve into paternalistic exclusion from research participation. Emerging issues surrounding broad consent, secondary data use, biobanking, and digital data infrastructures reveal how traditional consent models struggle to accommodate evolving research ecosystems. This analysis advances the argument that ethical informed consent requires a shift from compliance-driven formalism toward reflexive, participant-centred ethical practice. By reconceptualising consent as an ongoing moral negotiation rather than a one-time legal safeguard, the paper underscores the necessity of integrating ethical reflexivity, cultural sensitivity, and accountability into research design and governance. Ultimately, strengthening informed consent practices is essential not only for protecting participant autonomy and dignity, but also for sustaining public trust and the epistemic legitimacy of human subjects research.
Copyright (c) 2025 ANURATHA RAJASEGARAM, PARAN GANI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
HIV/AIDS IN MALAYSIA: A REVIEW OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, POLICY AND PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE
This paper critically examines the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Malaysia by integrating epidemiological evidence with an analysis of policy frameworks, health system responses, and the social determinants shaping vulnerability and access to care. While Malaysia has achieved measurable progress in stabilising new HIV infections since the mid-1990s, this apparent success masks persistent structural weaknesses that threaten the sustainability and equity of the national response. The epidemic remains disproportionately concentrated among key populations, particularly men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and increasingly women; highlighting a shift from a primarily drug-driven epidemic to one shaped by sexual transmission, stigma, and legal exclusion. Despite the existence of a comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan and a commitment to global targets such as 90-90-90 and 95-95-95, gaps in surveillance data, uneven ART coverage, and poor long-term retention undermine policy effectiveness. Crucially, this analysis argues that biomedical interventions alone are insufficient when deployed within a legal and social environment that criminalises behaviours associated with HIV risk and perpetuates discrimination. Laws governing drug use, sex work, and sexual minorities continue to deter testing, delay treatment initiation, and weaken community trust in health institutions. The Malaysian experience demonstrates a central paradox: strong political commitment and technical capacity coexist with socio-legal barriers that reproduce inequality in health outcomes. This paper contends that a rights-based, equity-oriented approach, grounded in community participation, legal reform, and improved data transparency, is essential to move beyond containment toward genuinely ending AIDS in Malaysia. Without addressing stigma, structural violence, and policy fragmentation, current gains risk stagnation or reversal, particularly among marginalised and hard-to-reach populations.
FACTORS INFLUENCING COMPANIES’ COMPENSATION STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES: A REVIEW
Compensation strategies have become a central mechanism through which organizations compete for talent, signal organizational values, and align employee behaviour with strategic objectives. This paper critically examines the multifaceted factors shaping companies’ compensation strategies and practices, moving beyond narrow market-driven explanations to highlight the interaction between economic, organizational, and institutional forces. Drawing on key theoretical perspectives, including equity theory, human capital theory, market competitiveness, and strategic alignment; the analysis demonstrates that compensation is not merely a technical pay-setting exercise but a socially embedded and strategically consequential process. The paper argues that employee perceptions of fairness, transparency, and equity play a decisive role in shaping motivation, engagement, and retention, often mediating the effectiveness of compensation systems regardless of absolute pay levels. While external labour market pressures and benchmarking practices strongly influence pay structures, overreliance on market comparisons risks undermining internal equity and organizational cohesion. At the same time, strategic alignment between compensation and business objectives remains uneven, particularly in organizations facing rapid growth, globalization, or technological disruption. Incentive-based pay, though widely adopted, introduces significant risk considerations that may distort decision-making and weaken long-term organizational performance if poorly governed. Organizational culture, governance structures, communication practices, and regulatory environments further shape compensation outcomes, particularly in relation to pay transparency, ethical accountability, and inclusion. The paper highlights emerging challenges such as budget constraints, pay analytics, multinational complexity, and rising societal scrutiny over pay inequality. Overall, the study contends that sustainable compensation strategies require an integrated, evidence-informed approach that balances competitiveness with fairness, flexibility with governance, and performance incentives with employee well-being. Without such integration, compensation systems risk reinforcing inequality, eroding trust, and weakening organizational resilience in an increasingly volatile labour market.
Copyright (c) 2025 MOHAMAD AFIQ DANIAL MARLIZAN @ MUSTAFA, ANURATHA RAJASEGARAM https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A STUDY ON MIGRATION, DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION AND DEVELOPMENTAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN SRI LANKA’S MOBILITY LANDSCAPE
This study critically examines the evolving migration patterns and associated demographic changes in Sri Lanka from the mid-1970s to the present, situating migration within broader political, economic, and social transformations. Drawing on census data, labour force surveys, remittance matrices, and district-level case studies, the analysis highlights how internal and international migration interact to reshape population structures, labour markets, and household dynamics. While existing scholarship has predominantly focused on labour migration and remittance flows, this study advances a more integrated perspective by examining education-related mobility, entrepreneurship, return migration, and their cumulative demographic impacts. Findings reveal that internal rural-urban migration often precedes international migration, creating layered mobility trajectories that challenge conventional analytical distinctions. Migration has contributed simultaneously to economic resilience, through remittances, skills acquisition, and transnational networks, and to structural vulnerabilities, including population ageing, labour shortages, altered gender roles, and caregiving deficits in origin communities. The demographic transition underway in Sri Lanka, marked by declining fertility and rising dependency ratios, is further intensified by the selective out-migration of working-age adults. Urbanisation pressures, housing shortages, and regional imbalances underscore the uneven spatial consequences of migration. The study argues that migration should be understood not merely as an economic coping strategy but as a structural force shaping long-term demographic resilience and social reproduction. A policy-relevant contribution of this research lies in its call for integrated migration governance that aligns labour markets, social protection, urban planning, and human-capital development to mitigate demographic risks while harnessing the developmental potential of mobility.
Copyright (c) 2025 ANURATHA RAJASEGARAM, CHONG LAN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC STRATIFICATION AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT: STRUCTURAL INEQUALITIES, MECHANISM AND POLICY IMPLICATION ACROSS CONTEXTS
Educational attainment remains one of the most powerful mechanisms through which social stratification is reproduced or challenged across societies. This study critically examines how socio-demographic profiles: comprising age, sex, household structure, ethnicity, migration background, socioeconomic status, and occupation; systematically shape educational trajectories and outcomes across diverse contexts. Drawing on comparative sociological literature and longitudinal evidence, the analysis moves beyond individualistic explanations of educational success to foreground the structural, cultural, and institutional mechanisms that condition access to learning opportunities. The findings demonstrate that disparities in educational attainment persist not merely between individuals, but across clearly patterned socio-demographic groups, with cumulative advantage operating across generations through family resources, cultural capital, institutional knowledge, and policy environments. Migration background, parental education, and socioeconomic positioning emerge as particularly salient determinants, influencing not only graduation rates but also field of study selection, credential accumulation, and long-term occupational mobility. Importantly, the study highlights substantial within-country heterogeneity, revealing that regional, cohort-based, and institutional variations often rival or exceed cross-national differences. While educational expansion has increased overall participation, it has not eradicated inequality; instead, it has reshaped stratification by redistributing advantage within increasingly differentiated systems. The analysis underscores critical gaps in current research, particularly the limited integration of cultural, institutional, and policy mechanisms within unified analytical frameworks and the scarcity of comparative data beyond high-income contexts. By synthesizing evidence across demographic, structural, and policy dimensions, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of educational inequality and emphasizes the necessity of equity-oriented, system-level interventions. Ultimately, the findings reaffirm that educational attainment is not simply an outcome of merit or effort, but a socially structured process deeply embedded in broader patterns of inequality.
CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND SOSIAL RESILIENCE: CAPACITIES, INEQUALITIES, GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES AND TRANSFORMATIVE PATHWAYS
Climate change represents a multidimensional challenge that extends beyond environmental disruption to profoundly reshape social systems, economic structures, and governance arrangements. This study critically synthesises interdisciplinary literature to examine how climate impacts interact with societal vulnerabilities, adaptive capacities, and institutional frameworks to shape resilience outcomes across regions and sectors. Moving beyond technocratic and sector-specific approaches, the analysis emphasises that vulnerability is socially produced through unequal exposure, sensitivity, and most critically, adaptive capacity. Marginalised populations, including low-income households, women, Indigenous communities, smallholder farmers, older adults, and informal urban residents, experience disproportionate climate risks due to limited access to resources, political representation, and decision-making power. The study highlights how adaptation is inherently social, embedded within cultural norms, governance structures, and development trajectories rather than confined to discrete environmental interventions. While resilience-building strategies can reduce short-term risks, the findings demonstrate that incremental adaptation alone is insufficient under escalating climate pressures. Instead, transformative pathways, encompassing institutional reform, inclusive governance, integration of local and Indigenous knowledge, climate-smart infrastructure, and equitable finance mechanisms, are required to address structural drivers of vulnerability. Cross-sectoral impacts on ecosystems, health, infrastructure, and livelihoods reveal strong interdependencies that demand coordinated and justice-oriented responses. The study further identifies persistent barriers to effective adaptation, including governance fragmentation, knowledge gaps, financial constraints, and exclusionary planning processes. By situating climate adaptation within broader questions of equity, social capital, and political economy, this analysis underscores that resilience is not merely a technical outcome but a contested social process. Effective climate action therefore requires transformative, participatory, and inclusive strategies that align adaptation with sustainable development and social justice goals.
Copyright (c) 2025 PARAN GANI, ZULAYTI ZAKARIA, ANURATHA RAJASEGARAM https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: POLLUTION, POWER, INEQUALITY, GOVERNANCE FAILURES AND COMMUNITY RESISTANCE PATHWAYS
Environmental injustice has emerged as a defining yet under-examined dimension of rapid development in Southeast Asia. This study critically analyses how pollution burdens are unevenly distributed across socio-economic groups, with low-income and marginalised communities experiencing disproportionate exposure to hazardous air, water, and land contamination. Drawing on regional evidence and country-level case studies, the analysis situates environmental harm within historical legacies of colonial urban planning, post-colonial industrialisation, and contemporary governance failures. Pollution exposure is shown to be shaped not merely by proximity to industrial or infrastructural sources, but by entrenched inequalities in land tenure, political representation, regulatory enforcement, and access to public services. Low-income communities are systematically positioned within high-risk environments through informal settlement patterns, weak zoning regulations, and uneven state investment, while simultaneously lacking institutional capacity to contest these arrangements. The findings highlight how environmental injustice in Southeast Asia operates through a multi-vector pollution framework in which air, water, and land contamination intersect with labour precarity, inadequate sanitation, and transboundary environmental flows. Health impacts, including respiratory illness, waterborne disease, and toxic exposure, are concentrated among populations already burdened by poverty, social exclusion, and limited healthcare access. The study further demonstrates that existing policy responses often prioritise technological fixes and economic growth over distributive equity, failing to address cumulative exposure and structural vulnerability. By integrating environmental justice theory with regional political-economic analysis, this study argues that addressing pollution in Southeast Asia requires not only environmental regulation but transformative governance reforms, participatory planning, and rights-based approaches that centre affected communities as key agents of change rather than passive victims of development.
Copyright (c) 2025 ANURATHA RAJASEGARAM, SAKTHI KUMARAN, PARAN GANI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
COMMUNICATION PATTERNS IN FOREST PROTECTION IN TESSO NILO NATIONAL PARK, INDONESIA
Tesso Nilo National Park (TNNP) is a state-protected tropical rainforest national park. This study aims to determine the communication patterns used by national park managers with the community regarding forest protection in the Tesso Nilo National Park area. The method used in this study was a qualitative case study approach. Primary data collection was through in-depth interviews with national park officials and the community. The results showed that the TNNP Office implemented linear and circular communication patterns to communicate with the surrounding forest area community. The two-way circular communication was more effective because it created a feedback process between the TNNP Office and the community. In practice, primary channels were used through outreach activities and dialogue with the community. A more inclusive and dialogical communication approach can increase community participation in forest protection. Regarding media, secondary channels considered adequate were social media, especially Instagram, compared to conventional media such as print and electronic media.
Copyright (c) 2025 RIFDO SAPUTRA, MUHAMMAD BADRI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
IBN KHALDUN’S ON WELL-BEING SOCIETY: EARLY EXPLORATION ON FRAMEWORK OF IDEAS IN MUQADDIMAH
Social well-being carries a dynamic and evolving definition, shaped by diverse social realities. Establishing a clear concept and framework requires careful consideration of factors such as situational context, geographical setting, cultural norms, and lived experiences, all of which influence how well-being is understood and assessed. In response to this complexity, the present study focuses on an early exploration of social well-being from the classical perspective of Ibn Khaldun. Drawing primarily from his foundational text, Muqaddimah, this study examines the preliminary ideas and underlying principles that may constitute Ibn Khaldun’s conceptualisation of a well-being society. To address the research objectives, a historical descriptive method is employed, supported by document analysis and thematic analysis techniques. The study is expected to outline a preliminary framework of Ibn Khaldun’s ideas on well-being. Ultimately, these findings aim to enrich contemporary definitions and conceptual discussions on social well-being, particularly within the field of multi-ethnic nation studies.
Copyright (c) 2025 HARLIANA HALIM, SYAMIMI WAZNAH HAMDON, RIKI RAHMAN, MOHD KASTURI NOR ABD AZIZ, MUHAMAD FAISAL AHMAD https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
KETAHANAN MANGSA BENCANA DALAM MENGHADAPI BANJIR DI KAMPUNG AIR PUTIH, TERENGGANU
Banjir merupakan suatu bencana alam yang memberi impak negatif kepada mangsa bencana sama ada aspek fisikal mahupun mental. Peristiwa banjir 2022 yang berlaku di Kampung Air Putih, Kemaman, Terengganu tercatat sebagai bencana yang paling dahsyat selepas kejadian tahun 2013 di kawasan tersebut. Namun begitu tidak semua mangsa bencana memiliki daya tahan (resilience) semasa menghadapi bencana mahupun selepasnya. Oleh itu, kajian ini mencuba meneroka kedaya tahanan (resilience) mangsa pasca bencana banjir di Kampung Air Putih Kemaman, Terengganu. Kajian ini telah dijalankan pada September 2023. Kajian ini dilakukan menggunakan reka bentuk kualitatif iaitu pengumpulan data melalui kaedah temubual. Sejumlah 20 orang informan telah ditemubual menggunakan protokol temubual yang dibentuk berdasarkan teori dan kajian lepas. Data dianalisis menggunakan analisis tematik. Hasil kajian mendapati elemen resilience yang dimiliki oleh mangsa bencana pada tahap yang cukup tinggi kerana telah terbiasa dengan keadaan banjir sehingga mereka telah kalis dengan peristiwa berlaku. Namun terdapat juga segelintir yang rendah memandangkan keadaan tersebut sentiasa berulang dan terlalu penat dengan keadaan. Kajian ini boleh dijadikan panduan bagi kerajaan tempatan dalam mengukuhkan polisi berkaitan dengan kepentingan daya tahan (resilience) bagi menghadapi banjir besar di masa hadapan.
Copyright (c) 2025 ARWANSYAH KIRIN, FAUZIAH ANI, FAISAL HUSEIN ISMAIL, HISAM AHYANI, RAMDAN BABA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EXPLORING PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICES OF READING COMPREHENSION STRATEGIES AMONG ENGINEERING STUDENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Comprehension is important for academic achievement especially in reading tests where complex texts are common. Recognizing the importance of this skill, this paper offers an overview of existing literature that delves into how engineering students perceive and practice reading comprehension strategies. Specifically, this review brings together research on the cognitive and metacognitive approaches used by students in making sure they understand the challenging texts and excel in their reading tests and reading-related tasks. This paper also explores theories, frameworks, and key findings related to comprehension while addressing the specific challenges encountered by engineering students. It also evaluates the effectiveness of strategies such as summarization, visualization, questioning, and predicting. Furthermore, it points out gaps in the current literature and proposes avenues for research to deepen the understanding and teaching of comprehension strategies for engineering students. The insights gained from this review aim to assist educators and curriculum developers ultimately leading to better academic outcomes for engineering students.
Copyright (c) 2025 ASLIATY ATIM, ISMAIL SHEIKH AHMAD https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION: DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Communication apprehension (CA) is a widely discussed issue in the fields of language and communication and can emerge at various stages of an individual’s life, from early childhood to university studies and professional environments. It is often described as the anxiety or fear experienced during public speaking or when using language across different communicative activities. This paper aims to highlight key studies related to CA, with a specific focus on research situated within language-learning contexts. In addition, two constructs closely associated with CA willingness to communicate (WTC) and communication competence are reviewed to illustrate how these factors interact and influence communication behaviour. A concise overview of CA and its related issues is provided, leading to the development of a conceptual framework that integrates these variables. Relevant theories underpinning the topic are discussed, and the instruments commonly used to measure CA, WTC, and communication competence are outlined to support future research in this area.
Copyright (c) 2025 NURUL 'AIN OTHMAN, ZULIDA ABDUL KADIR, ROSMAHALIL AZROL ABDULLAH https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERACTIVE ISLAMIC VALUES IN THE ERA OF ALGORITHMS TOWARDS INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
This study aims to measure the level of preparedness of Indonesia's young Muslim generation in facing the algorithmic era by strengthening inclusive attitudes in the process of socializing educational values. In the context of the increasingly rapid development of digital technology, the ability to be inclusive and tolerant of differences has become a crucial competency for society, especially the young Muslim generation who are the main actors in facing algorithm-based social change. This study used a field research method with a quantitative approach. Data were collected by distributing questionnaires to 88 Muslim students randomly selected from various universities in East Java, Indonesia. The research instrument was developed based on Michele Borba inclusive character theory, which emphasizes aspects of empathy, respect, and acceptance of diversity. Data were analyzed using a Likert scale and descriptive tests using SPSS software to obtain an overview of the respondents' level of inclusivity. The results show that Muslim students tend to have very inclusive attitudes and are quite tolerant of differences, both in the context of current life and in future projections, which are marked by the increasing role of algorithms in social life. This level of inclusive attitude is indicated by an average score of 89%, indicating the readiness of the young Muslim generation to adapt to the dynamics of the digital era while maintaining educational values that align with the principles of diversity. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening the value of inclusivity in education so that the younger generation can play an active and constructive role amidst the complexities of the algorithmic era.
Copyright (c) 2025 JAUHAN BUDIWAN, MEIDAWATI SUSWANDARI, WIWIN RIF'ATUL FAUZIYATI, SITI MARPUAH, HALIMI MOHD KHALID https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTING STYLES AND DEPRESSION AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Parents play a crucial role in their children's lives, particularly in fostering mental health through effective parenting styles. Previous research has demonstrated a significant connection between parenting approaches and depression in children, primarily focusing on adolescents. This study aims to extend this investigation to young adults, examining the influence of parenting styles on depression among this age group. Utilizing a quantitative research method, the study employed the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales 21 (DASS-21) to assess parenting styles and levels of depression, respectively. Data was gathered from 209 students at a university in the Southern Region of Johor, and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results revealed a significant inverse relationship between authoritative parenting and depression, suggesting that this style of parenting decreases the likelihood of depression in children. Conversely, a significant direct relationship was found between authoritarian parenting and increased levels of depression. These findings highlight the protective effect of authoritative parenting and the risks associated with authoritarian styles. The study underscores the importance of adopting effective parenting practices to enhance the mental health outcomes of young adults.
Copyright (c) 2025 FADILLAH ISMAIL, CHAN SHIAU WEI, NUR AMALINA MOHD ROSLI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
SEAMLESS CONSUMER EXPERIENCE AS MEDIATOR EFFECTION VENDING MACHINE BUYING BEHAVIOR
This study explores the influence of seamless customer experience attributes on vending machine buying behaviour. As digital purchases and cashless transactions become increasingly popular in Malaysia, understanding the factors that drive consumer behavior towards vending machines is essential. The research delves into how seamless consumer experience effect as mediation on vending machine buying behavior. By applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Flow Theory, this study aims to elucidate the relationship between digital facilitation and seamless consumer experience attributes on vending machine buying behavior. The present study adopted the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Seamless Experience (SE) model and SSTQUAL model as the study framework. This study adopted a quantitative research methodology using a survey questionnaire as the primary data collection method with a cross-sectional time horizon. Data were gathered through a self-administered online survey targeting adults aged 18 to 45 in Klang Valley, Malaysia, who frequently use vending machines. One hundred and forty data was analysed to test the hypotheses and evaluate the model. This study provides valuable insights for vending machine operators, manufacturers, and stakeholders to optimize their services, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive profitability. Additionally, the findings contribute to the academic understanding of technology acceptance and online consumer buying behaviour.
Copyright (c) 2025 N RAJALAH, NINA FARISHA ISA, WOO PAK YUAN, AHMAD ESA ABDUL RAHMAN, ANDERSON NGELAMBONG, SURIATI OSMAN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PRESERVING TRADITION THROUGH YOUTH: THE SUSTAINABILITY OF LAKSA JOHOR AS MALAY CULINARY HERITAGE
This study explores the sustainability of Laksa Johor, a signature Malay heritage dish by examining how Johorean youth engage with its consumption, preparation, and knowledge transmission. Although Laksa Johor holds deep cultural significance, findings reveal that it is selectively consumed during festive or familial gatherings, and rarely part of daily meals. This reflects its symbolic role in reinforcing cultural identity rather than serving as a staple food. The study employed semi-structured interviews with five youths in Johor and used thematic analysis via NVivo. Key themes include frequency and context of consumption, meal setting, availability, intergenerational knowledge transfer, digital learning tools, and cultural identity. While traditional culinary knowledge is mainly passed down through mothers and grandmothers, digital platforms such as YouTube and TikTok have emerged as supplementary sources of learning. Despite declining everyday presence, Laksa Johor retains emotional and cultural resonance among youth. The study underscores the importance of integrative strategies combining family-based education, youth-centered heritage initiatives, and culinary tourism to ensure the continuity and relevance of Malay food heritage.
Copyright (c) 2025 N H ABDUL HAMID, AHMAD ESA ABDUL RAHMAN, ISMAYAZA NOH, CECEP UCU RAKHMAN https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A BIBLIOMETRIC REVIEW OF STATISTICAL MODELING TECHNIQUES IN HOSPITALITY RESEARCH: MALAYSIAN AUTHOR’S PERSPECTIVE (2005-2025)
The applications of statistical modelling techniques as methodological approach to address complex research questions in hospitality research shows a significant evolvement. However, there remains limited systematic evidence on the types of techniques employed and their evolution of time. This study aims to provide a bibliometric review of statistical modelling techniques applied in Malaysian hospitality research, with a focus on identifying most frequently used methods, examining their developments across time. Using Scopus database, bibliometric data were retrieved on 15th August 2025, cleaned and analysed with VOS viewer to visualize keywords co-occurrence and Microsoft Excel to visualize the yearly trends. The results indicate that structural equation modelling (particularly PLS-SEM) dominate the applications, supporting by factor analysis (EFA and CFA), followed by regression analysis. Findings also reveals that the methodological shift from traditional regression approaches to more complex SEM applications in recent years. Furthermore, the findings also reveals the machine learning techniques starts to gain interest among Malaysia authors. This study offers important and valuable insights into the methodological contributions in hospitality research for both academic and industry stakeholders.
Copyright (c) 2025 NOR ADILA KEDIN, MOHD FAEEZ SAIFUL BAKHTIAR, ADI HAKIM TALIB https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PERCEIVED SECURITY RISK AND E-PAYMENT ADOPTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION: EVIDENCE FROM UITM STUDENTS
The RHB MySiswa Debit i-Card was introduced to encourage cashless transactions among Malaysian public university students. Despite its benefits, security concerns such as fraud, privacy breaches, and data protection continue to limit its adoption. This study investigates how perceived security risk influences intention to use and actual usage of the card among Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Puncak Alam students. A quantitative cross-sectional survey from 162 respondents was conducted, with data analyzed via correlation, multiple regression, and Sobel mediation testing. Results reveal significant positive relationships between perceived security risks, intention to use and actual usage; with intention to use fully mediating the relationship between perceived security risks and actual usage behavior. These findings underscore the importance of building user trust through clear communication of security features and targeted awareness campaigns. The study extends adoption theory by integrating perceived security risk and provides actionable insights for enhancing e-payment uptake in higher education settings.
Copyright (c) 2025 S N SHAIFUL BAHARIN, S H MASRUDI, ZULHAN OTHMAN, N A KEDIN, MOHD FAEEZ SAIFUL BAKHTIAR https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EXPLORING DECLINE IN CULINARY STUDENT’S INTEREST IN ENTERING THE CULINARY INDUSTRY
The purpose of this study is to investigate the reasons behind the decline in culinary students' interest in the field. Compensation, work-life balance, and professional growth prospects are the three primary criteria that this study identifies as influencing students' aspirations to pursue a career in this sector. The research methodology involves a quantitative approach through the supervision of culinary students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Puncak Alam. Data analysis using Pearson's correlation test and multiple regressions to measure the relationship between the variables studied. The research results show that work-life balance has the most significant influence on students' intentions to pursue a career in the culinary industry, followed by compensation. Meanwhile, career development opportunities have a weaker relationship with those intentions. This research demonstrates that culinary students have a greater impact on financial remuneration and well-being than they do on the long-term prospects for professional advancement. Therefore, to draw and keep new employees, the culinary business promotes better work-life balance and a more attractive benefits package. To make the culinary sector more appealing to recent graduates, educational institutions should also improve their course of study and training programs to provide students a more realistic view of the field.
Copyright (c) 2025 M N N NORMAN NAIM, M D M A DZILLALUDDIN, AMAL SYAFIQAH CHE MOHD RUZIMA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0