Ida Lopez, Nurul Shahnaz Mahdzan and Mahfuzur Rahman
Using the integrated behavioural model (IBM) as a theoretical framework, this study aims to identify the determinants of saving behaviour among Malaysia's income-earning…
Abstract
Purpose
Using the integrated behavioural model (IBM) as a theoretical framework, this study aims to identify the determinants of saving behaviour among Malaysia's income-earning Generation Y (Gen Y) born in the years 1980–1995.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted using a questionnaire survey targeting Gen Y respondents 500 sets of responses were obtained via convenience sampling method.
Findings
Analysis conducted using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) revealed that there were positive relationships among instrumental attitude, injunctive norm, perceived control, self-efficacy and intention to save. Secondly, intention to save, financial literacy and time preference were found to positively influence saving behaviour.
Practical implications
Policymakers may find this study useful as the results reveal saving behaviour determinants of Gen Ys in Malaysia, and policies could then be formulated to improve Gen Y's saving behaviour.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by applying the IBM to a study on saving behaviour.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-05-2023-0340
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Ida Lopez, Nurul Shahnaz Mahdzan and Mahfuzur Rahman
Using the integrated behavioural model as a theoretical framework, this study aims to identify salient beliefs underlying intention to save regularly among Gen Ys in Malaysia.
Abstract
Purpose
Using the integrated behavioural model as a theoretical framework, this study aims to identify salient beliefs underlying intention to save regularly among Gen Ys in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 participants who were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods.
Findings
While Gen Ys are not pushed by others to save, they find that older people (parents, parents-in-law, colleagues and relatives) influence them to save. The main facilitator of regular saving behaviour is low financial commitments. Expenses, particularly unexpected expenses, was found to be the main factor impeding the performance of regular saving. Overall, the participants feel that, irrespective of what happens in the future, they want to continue saving regularly. Lastly, self-efficacy might be present for some participants, but not self-control. Some end up withdrawing their savings for spending, emergency, and travel, thus ending up almost depleting their savings.
Research limitations/implications
Of this study’s 13 interviewees, only one has not managed to save any money. Such an imbalanced sample composition was not deliberate. It appears those who have not saved money were reluctant to be interviewed, as this topic might be uncomfortable for them. This could have led to only those who save being eager to be interviewed.
Practical implications
Policy makers should find this study useful, as the behaviour of Gen Ys in Malaysia is different from the overall perception of Malaysians’ financial behaviours. Gen Ys have positive attitudes towards saving money, although they do not seem to practice long-term saving. Policymakers could identify, with banks and the Employee Provident Fund, ways to encourage Gen Ys to think long term. Government could play its part by creating and increasing awareness amongst Gen Ys on the long-term consequences of inadequate savings.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by identifying the salient beliefs underlying regular saving behaviour through the conduct of elicitation interviews. It is an empirically grounded study enhancing the understanding of intention to perform regular saving among Gen Ys in an emerging market.
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Yu Tong, Xianyun Liu, Wenqi Yang, Ningxiang Qin and Xi Peng
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia in the world, affecting children, women and the elderly, while also being a common comorbidity in several medical…
Abstract
Purpose
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia in the world, affecting children, women and the elderly, while also being a common comorbidity in several medical conditions. Several studies have suggested a possible association between IDA and neurological dysfunction. Epilepsy, one of the common neurological disorders, has an unknown association with IDA. This pa per aims to investigate whether there is a causal relationship between IDA and epilepsy using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper obtained summary data on IDA and epilepsy from the FinnGen consortium. Genetic variants significantly associated with IDA were used as instrumental variables (IVs). Epilepsy, focal epilepsy and generalized epilepsy were the outcomes. This paper used inverse variance weighted (IVW) as the primary estimate, and other MR methods were used as supplementary measures. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy.
Findings
IVW estimates genetically predicted a causal relationship between IDA and the risk of epilepsy [odds ratio (OR), 1.15; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.05–1.26; p = 0.002] and focal epilepsy (OR, 1.978, 95% CI, 1.58–2.48, p ≤ 0.0001), while no significant causal relationship was found with generalized epilepsy (OR, 1.1, 95% CI, 0.94–1.3, p = 0.24). There was no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity in the sensitivity analysis.
Originality/value
This two-sample MR study found that IDA has a negative effect on the development of epilepsy. Clinical control of IDA may be helpful in the prevention of epilepsy. There is a need for further studies to explain the underlying mechanisms of this association.
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It is widely accepted that good health and education are important components of human capability. Although China has made encouraging progress in education and health causes, the…
Abstract
Purpose
It is widely accepted that good health and education are important components of human capability. Although China has made encouraging progress in education and health causes, the role of poor health as an intervening factor in education has not been fully recognized. Iron deficiency is the major micronutrient deficiency encountered by children and adolescents. Many medical and social studies have found a negative correlation between iron deficiency and children physical growth and cognitive development. However, few of the existing literatures work to the conclusion of a causal relationship considering the endogenity problem in the estimation of a human capital model. The purpose of this paper is to study the iron status of elementary school children living in the poor countryside of western China and its educational consequence with the application of instrumental variable (IV) estimation.
Design/methodology/approach
An analytical framework of academic achievement production is adopted in the paper to empirically identify the relationship between iron deficiency and academic achievement to estimate the impact.
Findings
Using a sample of 45,549 school children from Gansu, the paper finds that around 86 per cent of the sample children are iron deficient and 40 per cent of the sample children are suffering from iron deficiency anaemia. The use of IV is innovative in identifying the endogenous health variable, namely iron deficiency.
Originality/value
This paper enriches existing studies on children health and education. IV estimation indicates that iron deficiency has a significant adverse impact on school children academic achievement. The paper suggests health intervention, such as iron intake fortification, as a possible measure for education cause.
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Loay Ibrahim, Sabika Allehdan, Abeer Alassaf and Reema Tayyem
The purpose of this review was to highlight the association between ID and obesity in toddlers and preschool children.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this review was to highlight the association between ID and obesity in toddlers and preschool children.
Design/methodology/approach
This review aimed to review and evaluate literature of the published research discussing the relationship between ID and overweight and obesity in children under the age of 5 years. Conflicting results of iron status in overweight and obese children under the age of 5 years had been found. However, most articles concluded that ID is associated significantly with overweight and obesity in children because of the systemic inflammatory reaction which is considered the major cause of ID; hepcidin with its resultant effect in decreasing duodenal absorption of iron; in addition to other causes including dietary and genetic factors.
Findings
Conflicting results of iron status in overweight and obese children under the age of 5 years had been found, but most articles concluded that ID is associated significantly with overweight and obesity in children, with systemic inflammatory reaction being the major cause through hepcidin with its resultant effect in decreased duodenal absorption of iron, in addition to other causes including dietary and genetic factors.
Originality/value
Many nutrients have been associated with weight gain and ID development. Unbalanced diet either in excess or shortage may affect weight status and serum iron profile. Future research is needed to study more in depth the association between ID and obesity in toddlers and preschool children and to further explore the various factors involved in pathogenesis of ID.
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José Aguado-Romero, Antonio M. López-Hernández and Simón Vera-Ríos
In Spain contract auditing has been applied since 1988 to determine the final cost of defense procurement contracts. In this respect, the Spanish Department of Defense takes the…
Abstract
In Spain contract auditing has been applied since 1988 to determine the final cost of defense procurement contracts. In this respect, the Spanish Department of Defense takes the US methodology as a reference model, and therefore it may be useful to study the degree of convergence between the two models. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the degree to which the US contract auditing model for the procurement of defense materiel has influenced the system applied in Spain. Accordingly, the comparative method is used to highlight the main features of the contract auditing models used by the Spanish and the US Departments of Defense. The results obtained show that the methodology used by Spain is not an original approach, but that there is only a low degree of convergence with the US model.
Waqas Khan, Qasim Ali Nisar, Nadia Nasir, Sobia Nasir and Yousaf Siddiqui
This study aims to examine the key entrepreneurial roles (financial literacy, risk tolerance and competency) in the financial performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the key entrepreneurial roles (financial literacy, risk tolerance and competency) in the financial performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan and the mediating effects of locus of control and spiritual and emotional quotients.
Design/methodology/approach
The study data was collected from 541 SMEs in Pakistan (the target population) through a survey and analysed with partial least squares structural equation modelling.
Findings
The findings revealed that the key entrepreneurial characteristics were positively related to locus of control and spiritual quotient and elevated the financial performance in entrepreneurship. It was also reported that locus of control and spiritual quotient mediated between key entrepreneurial characteristics and financial performance. In this regard, emotional quotient strengthened the existing relationships between key characteristics, locus of control and spiritual quotient.
Practical implications
This study highlighted sustainable implications for SMEs to develop an effective mechanism and improve financial performance through guidelines that emphasized entrepreneurial characteristics and behaviours towards positive entrepreneurial ventures. This study also enabled policymakers to design policies that catalysed SME performance in Pakistan.
Originality/value
This study contributed a novel concept of key entrepreneurial characteristics by introducing a characteristics tool kit. Consequently, information on a unique framework (by integrating entrepreneurial characteristics and financial performance) and literature on spiritual quotient and locus of control in entrepreneurship were enriched. Contributions to the regulatory focus theory and four-phase Rubicon model in the study context were also made.
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Tomas A. Lopez‐Pumarejo and Myles Bassell
This paper explores the reasons for the increase in “outdoor advertising” (OA) expenditures worldwide and the impact of billboards on our cities. Since 2006, a portable device…
Abstract
This paper explores the reasons for the increase in “outdoor advertising” (OA) expenditures worldwide and the impact of billboards on our cities. Since 2006, a portable device that measures billboard exposure became widely available, thus setting up a rating system like that of other forms of media. Additionally, high‐resolution digital printing and state‐of‐the‐art electronic display units enabled a resurgence in the popularity of billboards. Corinthian‐pillared buildings, gothic archways, monuments, and colossal skyscrapers once defined the architectural landscape of our cities. Today outdoor advertising overpowers those landmark giants in the cities in which we live and work, as advertisers find it progressively more difficult to reach people through other media. Gargantuan billboards and other manifestations of this industry make this metamorphosis possible in urban and rural areas, from Harlem to Hong Kong.
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The intent of this chapter is to discuss women managers as change agents in higher education. It focuses women’s increased access to senior academic management positions in…
Abstract
Purpose
The intent of this chapter is to discuss women managers as change agents in higher education. It focuses women’s increased access to senior academic management positions in Swedish higher education and investigates to what extent this increase is accompanied by changes to a masculine management norm.
Methodology/approach
The chapter draws on a study that involved qualitative interviews with 22 women in senior management positions in 10 Swedish higher education institutions.
Findings
The analysis highlights how women managers become agents of change by challenging a masculine management norm in a work setting where men have dominated management positions. The women challenged the masculine management norm by their mere presence as women but also by adopting a different management style. It also illustrates the multiple aspects of women’s potential to take on the role as change agent.
Social implications
The results could benefit the development of gender equality strategies and the making of structural changes in organizations dominated by a masculine managerial norm.
Originality/value of the chapter
The study is based on unique empirical material. The interviewees are women pioneers in the Swedish Higher Education Sector, contributing to the demographic feminization of senior academic management positions and the organizational restructuring.