Unravelling the encumbrances in the low-cost housing computerised open registration system in Malaysia's major cities

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Ebekozien ◽  
Abdul-Rashid Abdul-Aziz ◽  
Mastura Jaafar
Keyword(s):  
State Government ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Registration System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Allocation Process ◽  
Low Cost Housing

PurposeMalaysia's open registration system (ORS) scheme, which began in 1997, was established as part of prevention mechanism by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to plug the leakage in the low-cost housing (LCH) allocation process. After two decades, ineligible persons still secure LCH to the detriment of the Malaysian low-income earners (LIEs) house-buyers/rentals. This paper explored the LCH computerised ORS for LIEs and proffered policy solutions to improve the scheme.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected via unexplored exploratory sequential mixed methods approach that engaged 25 well-informed participants and the ‘quantilised findings’, validated by the Malaysian LCH policymakers.FindingsThis paper found that there is weak compliance to computerised ORS, which is pronounced in states with relaxed eligibility clearance. Also, it was found that under-declaration of income evident in states where there is relaxed verification and lack of data sharing between states and with federal governments, among others, are the root cause of weak compliance to computerised ORS.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is limited to unravelling the encumbrances in the low-cost housing computerised open registration system in Malaysia's major cities. Future research is needed to use relevant information to access the level of enforcement of the computerised open registration system across the states of Malaysia.Practical implicationsThis paper recommended that LCH computerised ORS should be devoid of party favouritism, state government should establish functional LCH computerised ORS, and the state and federal governments, should embrace cooperative federalism. Also, applicants should be subjected to the Central Credit Reference Information System check, and culprits should be referred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. This paper provides salutary lessons on how to improve the scheme with a view to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals regarding housing in 2030.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates that the low-cost housing computerised open registration system in Malaysia is yet to be implemented across the states.

An appraisal of home ownership for senior citizens in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Ebekozien
Keyword(s):  
State Government ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Senior Citizens ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pension Scheme ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe Nigerian Government has been left behind in the planning of homes for the senior citizens as they are aged and retire from service. The possible outcome is untimely death of many because of contagious illness associated with the dilapidated environment in their abode. Hence, this paper attempts to investigate the hindrances of home ownership faced by senior citizens and proffers possible policy solutions.Design/methodology/approachA phenomenology type of qualitative research was adopted and 30 participants were interviewed. That is, ten from four different state government agencies and 20 senior citizens using purposive and snowball sampling techniques and data saturation was also achieved. The data derived were analysed using MAXQDA 2018 and through a thematic analysis.FindingsThis paper found that Nigerian low-income senior citizens (LISCs) who owned houses lived more stable well-being. Whilst the level of home ownership was completely dissatisfying as failed mortgage finance, corruption in the pension scheme, relaxed National Housing Policy implementation and inadequate senior citizens’ home ownership policy were identified as the encumbrances.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is limited to exploring the root cause of LISCs’ inability to gain home ownership and proffering possible solutions. Future research is needed to use relevant information in advancing home ownership policy for the low-income groups across the states in Nigeria and other developing countries.Practical implicationsThis paper recommended that government should impose housing construction on three acres and above, mitigate corruption, establish special housing loan scheme for senior citizens, sustain rent-to-own policy and land subsidy in cities to enhance senior citizens’ home ownership. These recommendations form part of the paper's practical implications.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates that existing housing policies are yet to consider the senior citizens regarding enhancing their home ownership status.

Critical failure factors of public-private partnership low-cost housing program in Thailand

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surangkana Trangkanont ◽  
Chotchai Charoenngam
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Public Private Partnership ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Private Partnership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conceptual Clarity ◽  
Low Cost Housing ◽  
Program Failure ◽  
Failure Factors

Purpose – Numerous studies to date have demonstrated the public-private partnership (PPP) project procurement method's failure to deliver low-cost housing (LCH) to low-income groups (LIGs) in developing countries. The purpose of this paper is to investigate critical failure factors (CFFs), and how they cause the failure of PPP-LCH program. Design/methodology/approach – Grounded Theory methodology was used to gather and analyze the data in order to identify, categorize, and develop the logically causal relationships among CFFs that cause PPP-LCH program failure. Findings – Ten CFFs in various phases of PPP-LCH project life cycle caused PPP-LCH program failure. Some CFFs resulted from ineffective PPP policy and strategy, while some were beyond the control of the project/program management team. These CFFs were inter-/intra-related to one another in a particular way. Originality/value – Despite the increase in PPP-LCH projects/programs for LIGs in practice and the prevalence of failure, the studies of PPP-LCH project/program failure still suffer from insufficient conceptual clarity about the causes of these failures. The lessons learned, to some extent, help decision makers in both public and private sectors to reduce the probability of the PPP-LCH project/program failure by clearly explaining the nature of each CFF.

Cryptocurrency bubble risk and the FOMC announcements during COVID-19 black swan event

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anis Jarboui ◽  
Emna Mnif
Keyword(s):  
Federal Reserve ◽  
Abnormal Returns ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Open Market ◽  
Predictive Capacity ◽  
Federal Open Market Committee ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cumulative Abnormal Returns ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose After the COVID-19 outbreak, the Federal Reserve has undertaken several monetary policies to alleviate the pandemic consequences on the markets. This paper aims to evaluate the effects of the Federal Reserve monetary policy on the cryptocurrency dynamics during the COVID19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach We examine the response and feedback effects via an event study methodology. For this purpose, abnormal returns (AR) and cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) around the first FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) announcement related to the COVID-19 pandemic for the top five cryptocurrencies are explored. We, further investigate the effect of the eight FOMC statement announcements during the COVID19 pandemic on these cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Litecoin, and Ripple). In the above-mentioned crypto-currency markets, we investigate the presence of bubbles by using the PSY test. We then examine the concordance of the dates of these bubbles with the dates of the FOMC announcements. Findings The empirical results show that the first FOMC event has a negative significant effect after 4 days of the announcement date for all studied cryptocurrencies except Tether. The results also indicate that cumulative abnormal returns are significant during the event windows of (−3,8), (−3,9), and (−3,10). Besides, we find that Bitcoin, Ethereum and, Litecoin lived short bubbles lasting for a few days. However, Ripple and Tether markets present no bubbles and no explosive periods. Research limitations/implications This paper presents trained proof that FOMC announcements have a positive effect on volatility's predictive capacity. This work therefore promotes the study of the data quality of volatility in future research as well. Practical implications The justified effect of the FOMC announcements on cryptocurrency as a speculative asset has practical implications for investors in building their trading strategies in anticipation of the next FOMC announcement. Therefore, this study implies that the FOMC announcements contain very relevant information for investors in the cryptocurrency market. This research may not only encourage a better understanding of the evolution of the expectations of policymakers, but also facilitate a better understanding of how these expectations are developed. Originality/value The COVID-19 pandemic has disturbed the stability of financial markets, inciting the Fed to take some monetary regulations. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first one that analyses the response of five major cryptocurrencies to FOMC announcements during COVID 19 pandemic and associates these dates with bubble occurrences.

Using structural equation modelling to assess the sustainable competitive advantages provided by the low-cost carrier model

2018 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vedant Singh ◽  
S. Vaibhav ◽  
Somesh Kr. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modelling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Five Factors ◽  
Sustainable Competitive Advantages

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between the dimensions of sustainable competitive advantages in the Indian low cost airlines.Design/methodology/approachThis study used structural equation modelling methods to identify the factors that significantly affect the sustainable competitive advantages enjoyed by Indian low-cost carriers (LCCs). Specifically, this study is based on the data from 208 airline experts that populate multiple structural equation models.FindingsResults indicate that indigenous efficiency, the LCCs perceptions of threat, dexterity, strategic persuasion and the LCC adopting an enabling role positively affect LCCs’ competitive advantages. These five factors were all correlated with each other. The results also show that relative to an LCC’s dexterity, indigenous efficiency is a stronger predictor of an LCC’s competitive advantages.Originality/valueThis study provides low-cost airlines with valuable information for designing effective strategies for obtaining competitive advantages in the LCC sector. To conclude the paper, the authors offer practical recommendations for managers and suggest some avenues for future research in this area.

Assessing Low-Cost Housing Demand in Melaka: PLS-SEM Approach

2013 ◽  
Vol 838-841 ◽  
pp. 3156-3162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Yasmin Zainun ◽  
Nadzirah Roslan ◽  
Aftab Hameed Memon
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Economic Factor ◽  
Housing Demand ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Low Cost Housing ◽  
The Government

Housing is one of the basic needs of human. Population in Malaysia is increasing and expected to reach up to 35 million in year 2020. This phenomenon creates high demand for housing. To tackle the squatter problems, the government introduces low-cost housing. Low cost house is known as the government house, where the price is cheaper but still comfortable. Although there are many of low-cost housing projects have been completed to cope with the need of the citizen especially for low-income group. However, census report reveled that these is huge demand of low-cost housing. This demand might be because of various factors which are very essential to identify in order to meet the required demand of low cost houses. Hence, this study is carried out to assesse the demand of low cost housing in Melaka, determine the significant factors affecting demand of low-cost housing, and establish PLS-SEM model for assessing factors affecting low-cost housing demand. In this study, data are collected by distributing questionnaire in Melaka state. The collected data from survey was analyzed using statistical software SPSS and presented in graphs and chart. Further, factors affecting low cost housing demand in Melaka were modeled with the SmartPLS v2.0. The model shows the relationship between low cost housing demand and its indicators. The finding of the study showed that most significant indicators affecting the demand of low-cost housing in Melaka are the economic factors which include housing stock, inflation rate and Gross Domestic Products (GDP). The Goodness of Fit showed that the model has substantial explaining power for the assessing factors affecting low cost housing demand in Melaka which the values is 0.481. This means that the economic factor has a great influence on the low-cost housing demand in Melaka.

Sustainable housing financing model to reduce South Africa housing deficit

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bashir Olanrewaju Ganiyu ◽  
Julius Ayodeji Fapohunda ◽  
Rainer Haldenwang
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
South African Government ◽  
The South ◽  
African Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mortgage Payment

Purpose This study aims to identify and establish effective housing financing concepts to be adopted by government in achieving its mandate of providing sustainable affordable housing for the poor to decrease the building of shacks, as well as proposing solutions to the housing deficit in South Africa. A rise in demand and shortage in supply of housing calls for the need to address issues of affordable housing in South Africa, and developing countries in general, to ensure a stable and promising future for poor families. Design/methodology/approach Literature has revealed that the South African government, at all levels, accorded high priority to the provision of low-cost housing. Thus, government has adopted subsidy payment as a method of financing affordable housing to ensure that houses are allocated free to the beneficiaries. This also addresses the historically race-based inequalities of the past, but unfortunately, this has not been fully realised. This study uses a sequential mixed method approach, where private housing developers and general building contractors were the research participants. The qualitative data were analysed using a case-by-case analysis, and quantitative data were analysed using a descriptive statistical technique on SPSS. Findings The results of the qualitative analysis reveal a gross abuse of the housing subsidies system by the beneficiaries of government-funded housing in South Africa. This is evident from illegal sale of the houses below market value. This has led to a continual building of shacks and an increased number of people on the housing waiting list instead of a decrease in the housing deficit. The results from quantitative analysis affirm the use of “Mortgage Payment Subsidies, Mortgage Payment Deductions, Down-Payment Grant and Mortgage Interest Deductions” as viable alternatives to subsidy payment currently in use to finance affordable housing projects by the South African Government. Practical implications At the moment, the focus of the South African National Government is continual provision of free housing to the historically disadvantage citizens, but the housing financing method being used encourages unapproved transfer of ownership in the affordable housing sector. This study thus recommends the use of an all-inclusive housing financing method that requires a monetary contribution from the beneficiaries to enable them take control of the process. Originality/value The relational interface model proposed in this study will reduce pressure on government budgetary provision for housing and guarantee quick return of private developers’ investment in housing. Government must, as a matter of urgency, launch a continuous awareness programme to educate the low-income population on the value and the long-term benefits of the housing.

The causes, impact and prevention of employee fraud

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1012-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mastura Omar ◽  
Anuar Nawawi ◽  
Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh Salin
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Pressure ◽  
The Future ◽  
Employee Fraud

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causes and impact of employee fraud, focusing on one particular industry, namely, the automotive industry. Design/methodology/approach One company was selected as a case for the study. Qualitative data analysis was used for the study, with two techniques for data collection. First was the content or document analysis on various reports, such as employee fraud reports and records of disciplinary action, and second was a series of interviews with employees from different levels and various departments of the company. Findings This study found that the most popular type of fraud is misappropriation of assets, including theft of cash and inventories. No significant differences were seen in terms of fraudster position, as they can come from both the lower and the executive level. However, majority of the fraudsters come from the operational and sales department. This study also found that majority of the fraudsters in the case study were male, new employees and young adults. Their motivations to commit fraud include lack of understanding about fraud behavior, opportunity to commit fraud and lifestyle and financial pressure. Research limitations/implications The results provide further confirmation of the Fraud Triangle Theory and Fraud Diamond Theory on the causes of the fraud. They are also consistent with much prior research and surveys conducted by global professional firms on fraud and its related causes and implications. This study, however, was conducted on only one company with several series of interviews and three years of document analysis. Future research should collect and analyze data from a higher number of companies with more respondents for interviews and longer period for document analysis to get more accurate results. Practical implications This study provides some recommendations for fraud prevention in the future based on real fraud cases and those that involved managing cases up to and including disciplinary decision. These include closed supervision, fraud awareness training, clearer job descriptions, cultivation of a pleasant working environment and improved security control. Social implications This study found that some of the causes of fraud include social factors like lifestyle and financial pressure due to low income. Policy adjustments, such as an effort to push people beyond the poverty line with higher minimum wages, need to be made to prevent low-income workers from seeing their company as another source of illegal income. Originality/value This study is original, as it focuses on a company that operates in the automotive industry, which is rare in fraud literature, particularly in developing markets. In addition, the company is new, so analysis can be conducted on how the company evolved and learned from the fraud analysis for prevention in the future. Furthermore, this study used two techniques of data collection, so that verification of the findings may be made for better reliability.

Collective action components of low-cost housing: an empirical analysis using Ostrom's SES framework

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Kok Wang ◽  
Gabriel Hoh Teck Ling ◽  
Xuerui Shi
Keyword(s):  
Collective Action ◽  
Common Property ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cronbach’S Alpha ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Housing Management ◽  
Cronbach's Alpha ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Low Cost Housing ◽  
Iad Framework

PurposeTo date, low-cost housing held under the common-property regime is faced with various collective action or management issues in relation to common facilities. Understanding and unpacking key collective action components in a multi-dimensional and systematic fashion that help explain the status quo of the complex low-cost housing management is crucial, particularly in identifying potential factors contributing to the suboptimal self-governing outcome. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the collective action of low-cost housing in Malaysia using Ostrom's institutional analysis development and social-ecological system framework (IAD-SES framework) as a theoretical framework.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a mixed-method research design was adopted where issues relating to the management of common properties of low-cost housing were identified in the Malaysian context. Second, the components of Ostrom's IAD framework relevant to collective action were identified. Third, after interviewing six experts in the housing industry via semi-structured interviews, two more components (historical development/adaptability to new environment and ethnicity) were added to the questionnaire survey. From here, 633 respondents who lived in four low-cost housings in Kuala Lumpur from 1,598 households were surveyed in 2012. We then merged the IAD framework with the SES framework. Factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha analysis were conducted to uncover the underlying variables and the social ecological clusters that they belonged.FindingsWith average Cronbach's alpha of 0.83, the seven key SES components identified are able to cumulatively explain 71% variance of local collective action components. Based on the cumulative percentage explained, the top five key SES components are as follows: context (social, economic and political settings); ethnicity; outcome; resource system; and users characteristics.Originality/valueThis study identifies key components related to the collective action issues of low-cost housing management, where two additional components were also suggested to be added to the SES framework. Apart from the theoretical contribution, the study, serving as insights and potential solutions, is also of practical significance to the existing management practices of low-cost housing in Malaysia where policymakers and management corporations may prioritize primary SES components, helping them govern common properties more efficiently.

Prepaid debit cards and banking intention

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophia T. Anong ◽  
Aditi Routh
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Transtheoretical Model ◽  
Customer Segmentation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bank Account ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Debit Card ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Debit Cards

PurposeThis study examines the relationship between prepaid debit card use and the intention to open a bank account within twelve months. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of Behavior Change helped to conceptualize one's stage in the process of changing from unbanked status if desired. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) provided a framework to examine factors that influence banking intention. Prepaid debit card use is considered a social norm as it is a popular alternative to banking, and these accounts have increasingly mimicked bank account features in recent years.Design/methodology/approachThree in-depth focus group interviews with low-income respondents were first conducted in 2012, which revealed a prolific use of prepaid debit cards. Most participants had previous banking history, and despite negative experiences, some requested information about banking terms and “free” banking. These themes and previous studies informed a TPB-based biprobit model, which was estimated using data of an unbanked sample from 2013, 2015 and 2017 waves of the US Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households.FindingsThough there was banking interest in the focus groups, no significant empirical association was found between recent prepaid debit card use and banking intention. Going deeper with another sample, we found that current cardholders were equally likely to have become recently banked or to be long-term unbanked but less likely to be long-term banked. Also, factors such as a more recent relationship with banks, use of other alternative financial services for transactions and credit, smartphone ownership, and trust increase banking intention.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of the study is the cross-section quantitative data. Future research may track banking status over time, particularly as financial technology (fintech) evolves with alternatives that may influence banks and customers to adapt.Practical implicationsTo compete with “leapfrog” fintech banking alternatives, bank managers should consider utilizing customer segmentation to target “at-risk” customers and former customers with products and terms tailored to meet their banking needs. Banks can also tailor digital products to capture markets in banking desserts through mobile phones.Originality/valueThis mixed-methods study is unique in that it builds on insights from earlier in-depth interviews with real unbanked groups to examine a trend in prepaid debit card use and the impact on banking interest.

scholarly journals Fe0/H2O Filtration Systems for Decentralized Safe Drinking Water: Where to from Here?

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Nanseu-Njiki ◽  
Willis Gwenzi ◽  
Martin Pengou ◽  
Mohammad Rahman ◽  
Chicgoua Noubactep
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Iron Corrosion ◽  
Small Communities

Inadequate access to safe drinking water is one of the most pervasive problems currently afflicting the developing world. Scientists and engineers are called to present affordable but efficient solutions, particularly applicable to small communities. Filtration systems based on metallic iron (Fe0) are discussed in the literature as one such viable solution, whether as a stand-alone system or as a complement to slow sand filters (SSFs). Fe0 filters can also be improved by incorporating biochar to form Fe0-biochar filtration systems with potentially higher contaminant removal efficiencies than those based on Fe0 or biochar alone. These three low-cost and chemical-free systems (Fe0, biochar, SSFs) have the potential to provide universal access to safe drinking water. However, a well-structured systematic research is needed to design robust and efficient water treatment systems based on these affordable filter materials. This communication highlights the technology being developed to use Fe0-based systems for decentralized safe drinking water provision. Future research directions for the design of the next generation Fe0-based systems are highlighted. It is shown that Fe0 enhances the efficiency of SSFs, while biochar has the potential to alleviate the loss of porosity and uncertainties arising from the non-linear kinetics of iron corrosion. Fe0-based systems are an affordable and applicable technology for small communities in low-income countries, which could contribute to attaining self-reliance in clean water supply and universal public health.

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