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With the advancements in communications technology brought about by the advent of the Internet and World Wide Web, attention has been drawn to Open and Distance Learning (ODL) as a mode for teaching and learning. In Malaysia, the establishment of ODL universities such as Open University Malaysia (OUM) has expanded the role of ICT in learning and knowledge generation. By leveraging on Internet technology, ODL universities are able to transmit education across the country and even globally. ODL sets about making quality e-learning and e-content more accessible to both facilitators and learners. Utilising this method, new opportunities are continuously created to make higher education more accessible to those who seek to improve and upgrade themselves. This paper examines OUM's practice of using the innovative technology of online learning and teaching to make higher education easily accessible to those that seek it. With greater advancements in technology, the future of higher education may lie more with ODL than with traditional face-to-face learning.

This study aims to explain the privacy paradox, wherein individuals, despite privacy concerns, are willing to share personal information while using AI chatbots. Departing from previous research that primarily viewed AI chatbots from a non-anthropomorphic approach, this paper contends that AI chatbots are taking on an emotional component for humans. This study thus explores this topic by considering both rational and non-rational perspectives, thereby providing a more comprehensive understanding of user behavior in digital environments.

Employing a questionnaire survey (N = 480), this research focuses on young users who regularly engage with AI chatbots. Drawing upon the parasocial interaction theory and privacy calculus theory, the study elucidates the mechanisms governing users’ willingness to disclose information.

Findings show that cognitive, emotional and behavioral dimensions all positively influence perceived benefits of using ChatGPT, which in turn enhances privacy disclosure. While cognitive, emotional and behavioral dimensions negatively impact perceived risks, only the emotional and behavioral dimensions significantly affect perceived risk, which in turn negatively influences privacy disclosure. Notably, the cognitive dimension’s lack of significant mediating effect suggests that users’ awareness of privacy risks does not deter disclosure. Instead, emotional factors drive privacy decisions, with users more likely to disclose personal information based on positive experiences and engagement with ChatGPT. This confirms the existence of the privacy paradox.

This study acknowledges several limitations. While the sample was adequately stratified, the focus was primarily on young users in China. Future research should explore broader demographic groups, including elderly users, to understand how different age groups engage with AI chatbots. Additionally, although the study was conducted within the Chinese context, the findings have broader applicability, highlighting the potential for cross-cultural comparisons. Differences in user attitudes toward AI chatbots may arise due to cultural variations, with East Asian cultures typically exhibiting a more positive attitude toward social AI systems compared to Western cultures. This cultural distinction—rooted in Eastern philosophies such as animism in Shintoism and Buddhism—suggests that East Asians are more likely to anthropomorphize technology, unlike their Western counterparts (Yam et al., 2023; Folk et al., 2023).

The findings of this study offer valuable insights for developers, policymakers and educators navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of intelligent technologies. First, regarding technology design, the study suggests that AI chatbot developers should not focus solely on functional aspects but also consider emotional and social dimensions in user interactions. By enhancing emotional connection and ensuring transparent privacy communication, developers can significantly improve user experiences (Meng and Dai, 2021). Second, there is a pressing need for comprehensive user education programs. As users tend to prioritize perceived benefits over risks, it is essential to raise awareness about privacy risks while also emphasizing the positive outcomes of responsible information sharing. This can help foster a more informed and balanced approach to user engagement (Vimalkumar et al., 2021). Third, cultural and ethical considerations must be incorporated into AI chatbot design. In collectivist societies like China, users may prioritize emotional satisfaction and societal harmony over privacy concerns (Trepte, 2017; Johnston, 2009). Developers and policymakers should account for these cultural factors when designing AI systems. Furthermore, AI systems should communicate privacy policies clearly to users, addressing potential vulnerabilities and ensuring that users are aware of the extent to which their data may be exposed (Wu et al., 2024). Lastly, as AI chatbots become deeply integrated into daily life, there is a growing need for societal discussions on privacy norms and trust in AI systems. This research prompts a reflection on the evolving relationship between technology and personal privacy, especially in societies where trust is shaped by cultural and emotional factors. Developing frameworks to ensure responsible AI practices while fostering user trust is crucial for the long-term societal integration of AI technologies (Nah et al., 2023).

The study’s findings not only draw deeper theoretical insights into the role of emotions in generative artificial intelligence (gAI) chatbot engagement, enriching the emotional research orientation and framework concerning chatbots, but they also contribute to the literature on human–computer interaction and technology acceptance within the framework of the privacy calculus theory, providing practical insights for developers, policymakers and educators navigating the evolving landscape of intelligent technologies.

This paper examines the impact of corporate governance attributes and ownership structure patterns on corporate performance of Malaysian listed companies following the revised code on corporate governance in 2007. To provide an insightful assessment on the revised code's implications on firm performance, data before (2006) and after (2009) the revised code in 2007 were analyzed.

The study involves analyses of 170 observations in a two-year period, 2006 and 2009. The sample of the study was selected on the basis of a stratified random sampling procedure to allow a representative sample of the various sectors listed on Bursa Malaysia. Based on data extracted from the annual reports of 2006 and 2009, corporate performance was captured using accounting performance indicators (return on assets and return on equity). In addition to descriptive analyses, multiple regression analysis was used to assess the influence of the governance and ownership structure attributes on firm performance.

The findings revealed a decreasing trend of the financial performance of the sample companies over the two-year period which this study attributes to the recent global financial meltdown. In terms of corporate governance compliance, the results showed that there were cases of non-compliance of the basic requirements of the corporate governance code in Malaysia even after the revised code in 2007. In addition, the multiple regression results showed that only board meetings had significant negative association with firm performance following the revised code. None of the other variables had significant impact on firm performance before and after the revised code. Firm size and leverage, as control variables, however, showed significant association with firm performance.

Given the lack of non-compliance by some of the sample companies in Malaysia to some basic requirements such as the required percentage of independent directors on corporate boards and the insignificance of governance attributes in enhancing performance, this study suggests that the revised code needs reinforcement, at best, or even an overhaul change to suit more to the Malaysian business environment.

In distinction from most prior studies, this study provides ex-ante and ex-post examination of the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance, following changes in the regulatory environment. Such analysis is expected to have some practical implications in indicating whether recent regulatory changes are practiced in the corporate environment. This study draws evidence from Malaysia in adding to our understanding on whether changes in regulatory frameworks enhance firm performance.

This paper aims to explore the pathways of carbon transfer in 200 US corporations along with the motivations that drive such transfers. The particular focus is on each firm’s embeddedness in the global value chain (GVC) and the influence of environmental law, operational costs and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The insights gleaned bridge a gap in the literature surrounding GVCs and corporate carbon transfer.

The methodology comprised a two-step research approach. First, the authors used a two-sided fixed regression to analyse the relationship between each firm’s embeddedness in the GVC and its carbon transfers. The sample consisted of 217 US firms. Next, the authors examined the influence of environmental law, operational costs and CSR on carbon transfers using a quantitative comparison analysis. These results were interpreted through the theoretical frameworks of the GVC and legitimacy theory.

The empirical results indicate positive relationships between carbon transfers and GVC embeddedness in terms of both a firm’s position and its degree. From the quantitative comparison, the authors find that the pressure of environmental law and operational costs motivate these transfers through the value chain. Furthermore, CSR does not help to mitigate transfers.

The findings offer insights for policymakers, industry and academia to understand that, with globalised production and greater value creation, transferring carbon to different parts of the GVC – largely to developing countries – will only become more common. The underdeveloped nature of environmental technology in these countries means that global emissions will likely rise instead of fall, further exacerbating global warming. Transferring carbon is not conducive to a sustainable global economy. Hence, firms should be closely regulated and given economic incentives to reduce emissions, not simply shunt them off to the developing world.

Carbon transfer is a major obstacle to effectively reducing carbon emissions. The responsibilities of carbon transfer via GVCs are difficult to define despite firms being a major consideration in such transfers. Understanding how and why corporations engage in carbon transfers can facilitate global cooperation among communities. This knowledge could pave the way to establishing a global carbon transfer monitoring network aimed at preventing corporate carbon transfer and, instead, encouraging emissions reduction.

This study extends the literature by investigating carbon transfers and the GVC at the firm level. The authors used two-step research approach including panel data and quantitative comparison analysis to address this important question. The authors are the primary study to explore the motivation and pathways by which firms transfer carbon through the GVC.

With global attention on the increasing disruptions in primary maritime chokepoints, such as the Suez Canal Blockage incident that happened in March 2021, it has come to our realization that disruptions in maritime chokepoints may be detrimental to all maritime stakeholders. This research project aims to study and verify the factors of disruptions and their implications on maritime chokepoints from the industrial players’ perspective. Information contained in this report should interest maritime professionals from fleet ownership and management, and commercial freight owners of the tramp and liner shipping.

This research project uses questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews to collect primary data targeted at professionals and industrial players from the maritime industry. Qualitative and quantitative assessments are applied in data analysis. Secondary information via credible industry and news reports, research papers and other related literature and materials are gathered to support and add on to the analysis in the discussion section.

Our literature review has categorized maritime chokepoint disruptions into (1) chokepoint risk, (2) maritime security and (3) ship loss risk. The information and data from primary research not only complemented our research and affirmed that chokepoint risk as the primary concern for our interviewed maritime professionals, but at the same time covered the research gap for the lack of information in those new emerging chokepoint disruption factors, for example increased vessel size, cyber-security and the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings from the primary and secondary research reflected the implications of chokepoint disruptions as economic losses from operations and market loss. Although primary research reflected slight effectiveness in combating emergencies faced by maritime chokepoint disruptions through proactive strategies, they still serve the merit in raising awareness for the maritime industry. Nevertheless, the findings highlighted the importance of having reactive strategies to engage in volatility faced during such disruptive events.

This empirical research study provides fresh insights into the new emerging factors of maritime chokepoint disruptions and their implications via the perspective from the industrial players in the maritime industry.

Software developers extensively use stack overflow (SO) for knowledge sharing on software development. Thus, software engineering researchers have started mining the structured/unstructured data present in certain software repositories including the Q&A software developer community SO, with the aim to improve software development. The purpose of this paper is show that how academics/practitioners can get benefit from the valuable user-generated content shared on various online social networks, specifically from Q&A community SO for software development.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted and 166 research papers on SO were categorized about software development from the inception of SO till June 2016.

Most of the studies revolve around a limited number of software development tasks; approximately 70 percent of the papers used millions of posts data, applied basic machine learning methods, and conducted investigations semi-automatically and quantitative studies. Thus, future research should focus on the overcoming existing identified challenges and gaps.

The work on SO is classified into two main categories; “SO design and usage” and “SO content applications.” These categories not only give insights to Q&A forum providers about the shortcomings in design and usage of such forums but also provide ways to overcome them in future. It also enables software developers to exploit such forums for the identified under-utilized tasks of software development.

The study is the first of its kind to explore the work on SO about software development and makes an original contribution by presenting a comprehensive review, design/usage shortcomings of Q&A sites, and future research challenges.

The purpose of this study is to understand the nature of children’s consumer competence and the role that parents play in its development.

A total of 15 parent/children dyads provided a novel and participatory approach. Children were accompanied to their local supermarket to conduct a grocery shop for their families and asked to explain the reasons for each consumption choice. Parents were interviewed separately to discuss their role in the development of their children’s consumer competence. Both sets of responses were analysed thematically to identify commonalities.

The research identified four themes comprising children’s consumer competence: decision-making; advertising, brands and promotion; financial awareness and shopping knowledge. The themes are the result of an intentional process of parental socialization that enable children to move from simple to complex and contingent shopping scripts as an essential stage in the development of their consumer competence.

Although the study comprised a mixed sample of participants, its small size prevents extrapolation of the results to inform wider conclusions. It should also be noted that the influence of social desirability bias needs to be acknowledged.

Results show that children are highly aware of the competing demands of individual and family needs and able to make the consumption decisions necessary to meet them. These decisions are underpinned by parental values and attitudes that are explicit in the socialization of their children’s consumption. The authors define children’s consumption competence as the ability to make informed, independent, contingent, complex and values-based consumption decisions.

People often look to the opinions and actions of others to guide their food choices, especially when they are uncertain or unfamiliar with a particular food. This influence can be positive or negative depending on the context and can have an impact on food consumption and health outcomes.

The paper analysed data from 500 young adult consumers in China and employed a multi-study design to examine various aspects of social proof and herd behaviour in food choices. Experiment 1 examined the influence of testimonials from an influential person on buying decisions and eating behaviour. Experiment 2 explored whether herd behaviour drives food options. Experiment 3 assessed the influence of social proof on food choices. Chi-square tests of independence were conducted to examine the relationship between social proof and food choice, as well as herd behaviour and food decision-making. Several logit regression analyses were performed to identify the factors that drive consumers' susceptibility to social proof and herding.

The results indicated that the source of feedback, whether from an influential person or a family member, did not have a statistically significant effect on the likelihood of following the food guide recommendations. The preference for a healthier food option was stronger than following the herd. In contrast, social proof in the form of reviews and ratings influenced participants' choices. The paper highlights the usefulness for stakeholders and policymakers seeking to promote healthier eating habits.

The originality lies in its comprehensive approach, combining multiple experiments and analytical methods.

This study aimed to quantify and map academic literature of ESG from a bibliometric perspective and to provide a comprehensive review of the recent literature published in the high-rated journal articles.

The study analyzed 867 and 388 documents from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) data respectively using bibliometric analysis. Biblioshiny and VOSviewer software was used for performance analysis and science mapping respectively. Further, manual content analysis of the 190 research articles published in the last five years was conducted.

The results demonstrate that ESG is an emerging domain in the field of sustainable finance as the number of publications and total citations are showing an upward trend. The top two journals in terms of productivity are the Journal of Sustainable Finance and Investment and Business Strategy and the Environment. The highest number of publications are from the United States and George Serafeim is the most influential author in the ESG domain. Further, the result of cluster analysis of bibliographic coupling reveals four intellectual themes, (1) ESG investing; (2) ESG disclosures and Integrated Reporting; (3) ESG performance and firm value and (4) Corporate Governance and ESG performance. The content analysis of the 190 high-quality journal articles presents the current 11 areas of research in ESG. The impact of ESG on firm value and ESG investment are the prominent themes, and the effect of ESG on the cost of capital and ESG audit and assurance are the emerging themes in this domain.

The keyword search is solely focusing on the theme of the study. Further, other keywords such as Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate sustainability taken along with ESG may provide distinct results.

The study advances the understanding of the ESG domain by developing new possibilities to discover key research areas.

The present work provides a comprehensive and detailed bibliometric and content analysis of ESG literature. This study delineates the thorough literature review of journal articles published in the recent five years in high-rated journals.

The study investigates the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and dividend policy in the context of Indian firms, as well as how regulatory interventions in the form of mandated CSR can moderate this relationship.

A sample of the largest 500 companies listed on the National Stock Exchange from 2008 to 2019 is used in the study. The authors employ the system generalized method of moments since this estimation technique yields accurate and consistent findings in a dynamic panel data setting.

The authors find that CSR is positively associated with dividend payments. Increased incomes and lower financial constraints are the likely factors causing this relationship. Additional analysis suggests that the positive relationship is stronger for mature firms and for firms with higher information asymmetry. Financial reporting quality works in tandem with CSR to boost dividends. Regulatory interventions in the form of mandated CSR weaken the relationship. Finally, the speed of adjustment of dividends is relatively faster for socially responsible firms.

The positive association between CSR and dividends suggests that the interest of shareholders and other non-financial stakeholders can be reconciled. Additionally, businesses should attempt to strategically implement their CSR plans in accordance with the requirements of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 to avoid any unfavourable moderating effects of the legislation. The results also show that CSR disclosures complement rather than serve as a substitute for financial disclosures.

The study is the first to evaluate the relationship between CSR and dividends in the context of India, which is a pioneer in passing legislation that mandates CSR for firms surpassing a threshold. The authors also identify financial constraints as a channel through which CSR affects dividends.