IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON MALAYSIAN E-COMMERCE

COVID-19 pandemic has made a tremendous impact all across the globe. It is clearly reflected in the ongoing lockdowns, closing down of almost all shops, restaurants and public transportations, surge of unemployment etc. all culminating into severe economic depression. Malaysia, also, has faced this hit of recession, depreciation, and unemployment to a great extent with the current pandemic situation. However, when everything seems to be crumbling, e-commerce appears to have found its golden break in raising its profit and contributing to the overall GDP growth of Malaysia. There are various factors that played into the booming of e-commerce owing to the current pandemic situation. Needless to say, the value of e-commerce in helping the depleting economy and just plain convenience for people to purchase essential commodities during lockdown cannot be denied. Even the government of Malaysia has been showing support by encouraging local Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). E-commerce has the potential to become a major source of contribution to the country’s economy. However, it needs to ramp up their infrastructure regarding security, delivery, and customer services. Additionally, importance should be given to local businesses in order to empower the local e-commerce sector. This article aims to give an overview of the trend in the growth of e-commerce during the COVID era and its potential growth in the next four years based on Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) and Statista Digital Market Outlook and the factors that have led to the boom in e-commerce in Malaysia.

FUTURE TRENDS IN EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENT IN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT SECTOR IN SRI LANKA

This paper aims to forecast future employee requirements in the hotel and restaurant sector in Sri Lanka and identify the correlation between different labour categories with tourist arrivals. The literature illustrates the fact that there is a significant shortage of forecasted data on labour in the hotel and restaurant sector, particularly in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this research fulfilled the empirical gap forecasting the future employee requirements in the hotel and restaurant sector in Sri Lanka. Secondary data were used and analyzed using quantitative techniques. Annual data were obtained from annual statistical reports from 2000 to 2018 published by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority in Sri Lanka. The linear regression model was used to forecast different employee categories in the hotel and restaurant sector and Karl Pearson’s correlation was used to test the correlation between labour categories (independent variables) and tourist arrivals (dependent variable). Findings indicate that there is a positive and very strong relationship between tourist arrivals and different labour categories since the coefficient of correlation is more than 0.8 in all relationships. The study forecasts that 2.4. million foreign tourists will arrive in Sri Lanka in 2024 and 146105 employees in different categories in the hotel and restaurant sector in Sri Lanka is required. As compared to the required labour force with the existing employees, hotel and restaurant sector in Sri Lanka is required 24898 employees in 2024. Thus, the study provides better insight into future trends of employability requirements of the hotel and restaurant sector which leads to preventing the risk and uncertainties in future manpower planning in the industry.

THE EFFECT OF USERS’ EFFORT EXPECTANCY ON USERS’ BEHAVIORAL INTENTION TO USE M-COMMERCE APPLICATIONS: CASE STUDY IN LIBYA

The object of this study is to examine the relationship between effort expectancy and behavioral intention to use m-commerce in the Libyan context. It also aimed to determine the effect of effort expectancy on users’ behavioral intention. Using data from 310 respondents, the model of this study is supported by Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). The findings of the study suggested that there is a positive relationship between users’ effort expectancy and users’ behavioral intention. The findings also proposed that effort expectancy has a positive influence on user's behavioral intention to use m-commerce in the Libyan context. This study contributes to the body knowledge on m-commerce usage while also providing practical guidance for the Libyan government on how to improve user usage of m-commerce systems. Particularly, it confirms that the user's effort expectancy increases the user's behavioral intention in the Libyan context.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY SECTOR IN SAUDI ARABIA

Women empowerment is an objective of Saudi Arabia’s vision 2030, especially in the tourism and hospitality sector. However, little information about women empowerment in the sector is known. To fulfil the gap, this study examined the impact of perception of socioeconomic, perception of gender equality and perception of sociocultural on women empowerment in the tourism and hospitality sector. To check the aim and validity of the study, data were collected from 306 Saudi women employed in the Saudi tourism and hospitality sector through an online survey. The data were analysed applying factor analyses, Cronbach's alpha, comparative means, standard deviation, Mann-Whitney Test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Women believe that there are some jobs that are more appropriate for women than men. Women will not be given equal employment opportunities and privileges men receive as well as they have a moderate belief that they are given their right to supervisory and administrative positions as men are given. The respondents think that undesirable attitudes regarding Saudi women's empowerment in the tourism and hospitality sector will be changed and undermine soon. Also, they think that working in the sector has a moderate negative impact on women's health and family obligations, such as taking care of their children. Finally, respondents revealed that women are not given the same respect men receive and the salary paid to women is unfair compared to men. In addition, women are not given the right to make decisions as men are given.

TOURIST PERCEPTIONS ON STAYING DECISION IN NATURE-THEMED OR OPEN ACCOMMODATIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ERA IN INDONESIA

Aims: The purpose of the study was to determine consumer perceptions regarding the decision to stay in nature-themed or open-air accommodation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Study Design: This research in the study was descriptive using a quantitative method. Place and Duration of Study: Jakarta, February-April 2021. Methodology: The study population was consumers or tourists who have stayed in nature-themed or open-air accommodations. The researchers determined a sample size of 100 respondents. Data collection was performed using a questionnaire consist of statements answered by selecting a Likert scale. The univariate test utilized mean and standard deviation, which were then categorized. Results: The profile of 100 respondents who have stayed in nature-themed or open-air accommodation during the Covid-19 pandemic most were females, by 56%. Dominant respondent age, including young people with jobs as new employees. This indicates that with a monthly expenditure budget that can belong to the lower middle class, this group has a good interest in staying in open accommodation during the pandemic. Based on these results, 74% of respondents answered questionnaires with high category results, so consumer perceptions were positive or good regarding decisions to stay in nature-themed or open-air accommodation during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study also indicated that the information obtained by respondents regarding nature-themed or open accommodation is excellent to be an option during the current pandemic, and hence, the respondent's perception was positive or good. Information related to nature-themed or open-air accommodation is believed to meet the physical and psychological needs of the damaging problems caused by restricting human movement. Conclusion: The conclusion of this study includes the characteristics of consumers selecting open concept accommodation, where both males and females have the same interest in staying in open or natural accommodation duri

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION TO IMPROVE TOURISM DESTINATION BASED ON LOCAL WISDOM IN GUNUNGKIDUL DISTRICT

Local government in Indonesia adapted to the development legislation of an ideal tourist destination; ethically and aesthetically the local area is known as value-local culture. Gunungkidul Regency is an area that has tourism potential with the number of tourists increasing every year; this can indicate that these tourism objects are well managed. However, Gunungkidul Regency is still one of the areas with underdevelopment, the highest poverty rate indicator in DIY. Community groups have not been thoroughly involved as well as several other tourist objects that have not been managed as tourist destinations. Tourism activities need to be supported by policies that regulate tourism actors in carrying out their activities. This research method is a qualitative method with a literature study model that aims to describe the implementation of policies to increase tourist destinations based on local wisdom which comes from various other types of reading, such as previous research, news articles, and others. Target indicator sets more towards material things. The current policy for increasing tourist destinations in Gunungkidul Regency has not prioritized the value base of local wisdom. Furthermore, it discusses the implementation and obstacles faced in relation to the policies to increase tourist destinations based on local wisdom. The implementation of policies in terms of resources leads to the value of local wisdom in developing human resources which ultimately leads to material benefits. There has been no implementation that leads to local wisdom values of natural resource conservation, social, ethical, and moral meanings. The implementation of policies in terms of communication between the public and the government is good enough, however, among tourism business actors is not optimal.

A STUDY ON PROPENSITY TOWARDS VARIOUS INVESTMENTS OPTIONS

Investment planning for a person who aspires safe and steady return is simple, but the thought process, in general, makes it difficult and less effective. In general, it seems that people have a perception that only a fixed deposit can give a fixed and constant return, but that is just a myth, because if we put the money into different buckets like FD, mutual funds, and stocks, then also we can get safe and steady returns.

A COMPARATIVE EXAMINATION OF NON-PERFORMING ASSET MANAGEMENT OF BANKS IN INDIA

The Indian economy is facing a financial crunch due to a surge in the number of credit defaulters. The debt crisis has been observed throughout the world. NPAs are found to be at the center of the economic problem of the banks. The drive of this learning is to explore the influence of non-performing assets (NPA) on the financial performance of the banks and to analyze gross and net non-performing assets in public, private and foreign banks and assess the soundness, assets quality, stability, and competence of banks. It was found that there is positive relation in all over banking industry between Total income and Gross Non-Performing Asset whereas negative relation in case of total profit and gross NPA. This means that with an increase in total income there is an increase in Non-Performing Asset on the contrary there will be a decrease in profit with an increase of Non-Performing Assets. But if we categorized them into private, public, and foreign they all have different natures.

WORM'S-EYE VIEW ON ‘AGRICLINICS AND AGRIBUSINESS CENTRES SCHEME’ (ACABC) OVER A DECADE IN CONTEXT TO MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA

Six decades ago, Mahatma Gandhi observed, "Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy." The scenario is still the same now, with agriculture, which is the mainstay of the communities, supporting practically the whole economy. It accounts for around 52 per cent of the Indian population's employment and generates 16 per cent of the country's overall GDP. The rapid growth of agriculture is necessary not just for self-sufficiency but also to earn crucial foreign exchange. Despite the fact that millions of farmers are marginal and small, Indian farmers are unrivalled in terms of production and productivity. They are just as quick to accept improved agricultural technologies as farmers in rich countries. It is believed that by providing timely and enough inputs such as fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides, as well as making reasonable agricultural loans and crop insurance available, Indian farmers will secure the nation's food and nutritional security. As a result, on April 9, 2002, the ‘Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres' plan was created to increase technology transfer and extension services, as well as provide self-employment opportunities to technically skilled people. Herein after, we imagined the state of Madhya Pradesh from a worm's-eye perspective, which is a view of a scheme from below, as if the observer were a worm; it can be used to make an object appear big, strong, and mighty while the viewer feels childish or helpless. So, we here go through the actual facts by covering about the scheme, NTIs, trained candidates &venture established.

FINDING OUT THE FACTORS INFLUENCING BEHAVIOR OF CUSTOMERS FOR ESSENTIAL ITEMS IN THIS PARTIAL LOCKDOWN SITUATION

This present scenario of partial lockdown is quite different from the nationwide lockdown. Presently people basically have access to almost everything but they have to follow some rules and regulations as imposed by the Government of West Bengal. As a result, the behavior of customers will also be different from the past scenario, thus to find out this difference author had carried out this research to find out factors that influence the behavior of customers. For achieving this objective to make it more specific and to fill a gap, the author had used essential products. Data were collected by using the convenience sampling technique and before collecting data a pilot study was conducted to check the reliability of the data collection instrument. Data was collected from 225 respondents from Khardah, West Bengal, India. For finding out the factors, Exploratory Factor Analysis was used and 4 major factors had been identified and based on these factors, recommendations had been made which have practical implications.