Conference Presentations by Bibianah Thomas
As businesses transcend to digital-based technology, the ways businesses operate need to be at pa... more As businesses transcend to digital-based technology, the ways businesses operate need to be at par. Specifically, a drastic shift from traditional approach into the full utilization of e-commerce is a must. Nevertheless, for rural entrepreneurs, the transformation faces greater challenges, compared to urban entrepreneurs. Most of the previous studies investigated the facilitators or enablers of e-commerce adoption. However, from the perspectives of entrepreneurial motives still remain understudied. Thus, this study aimed to explore the motivation of entrepreneurship and how it affects the perceptions and facilitators of e-commerce utilization among rural entrepreneurs. Therefore, effective strategies can be taken to encourage more rural entrepreneurs in maximizing digital tools in running their business. An interpretive and qualitative approach is being employed as the methodological basis of this study, through face to face semi-structured interview with the rural entrepreneurs as the primary participants, to gain an in-depth understanding of the information. Data obtained will be analyzed through thematic analysis. This study is expected to make a theoretical contribution by providing insights on e-commerce adoption from the perspectives of entrepreneurial motives among entrepreneurs in the rural areas.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Papers by Bibianah Thomas
The economic paradigm is currently shifting from traditional approaches to a digital-based econom... more The economic paradigm is currently shifting from traditional approaches to a digital-based economy. This transformation required all businesses to fully utilize e-commerce platforms as part of their business operation. However, in contrast with urban entrepreneurs, rural entrepreneurs face greater challenges to embrace the transition. Hence, this study aimed to explore the facilitators of e-commerce adoption among rural entrepreneurs in Sabah. This study adopted the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as the underpinning theory to conceptualize the facilitators of adoption. Qualitative face-to-face semi-structured interviews with the rural entrepreneurs were conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon. The data were then analyzed using thematic analysis. The result of this study suggested that the rural entrepreneurs were facilitated by observational learning in addition to all UTAUT dimensions. The outcome of this study is hoped to provide beneficial inputs to the relevant stakeholders to encourage more participation among rural entrepreneurs in adopting e-commerce platforms.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Industry Revolution 4.0 has changed the way business operates and demanded the business transform... more Industry Revolution 4.0 has changed the way business operates and demanded the business transform its operation from traditional into the digital market. The intense to encourage this shift is increasing when it comes to rural economy where geographical distance becomes one of the major barriers that have been eliminated. This transformation is crucial so that rural entrepreneurs can grow their business and attract their potential business stakeholders to reach them locally and globally. However, regardless of the importance of digital economy transitions, rural businesses still face huge challenges that inhibit them to adopt the information and communications technology successfully. Realizing the importance of e-commerce adoption in this era, this study aims to review and critically analyzed the information and communications technology adoption literature specifically in rural areas to provide a generic overview on the current situations of information and communications technology adoption among businesses in rural areas. Finally, fruitful potential researches have been suggested to deepen our understanding and knowledge pertaining to this issue in the future.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Journal of International Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship, 2019
Business corporations need to realize that in order to achieve their primary objective, they need... more Business corporations need to realize that in order to achieve their primary objective, they need to consider their responsibility towards society and environment. However, there are still a lot of unethical businesses that ignore their stakeholder’s interest. Therefore, business need to aware that their involvement of CSR practices in certain extent does affect the consumer buying behavior. This paper examines the relationship between CSR practices and consumer buying behavior. Quantitative approach was employed and 241questionnaires were collected and valid to be used. It was found that positive relationship existed between all the CSR practices (economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic) and the consumer buying behavior. However, based on the students in Selangor perspective, the main element of CSR practices that influence the consumer buying behavior is economic. Therefore, business corporations need to strive to maximize their shareholder’s wealth as the consumers expect the...
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
The Covid-19 outbreak has significantly halted a variety of activities, including educational one... more The Covid-19 outbreak has significantly halted a variety of activities, including educational ones, across the world. This has resulted in a massive crisis reaction relocation of institutions with online learning acting as the educational platform. The introduction of online learning has resulted in certain drawbacks for educators and students. The quality of online learning is dependent on the amount of digital availability and efficacy. However, some students are still affected by inaccessibility and a lack of digital technology in their communities. In this study, we used an online survey of 270 students to explore students' perceptions and preferences for online learning in three public higher education institutions in Sabah. We also looked at the students' preferences for various components of online classrooms, which would be beneficial in developing an effective online learning environment. The results indicated that most of the respondents (77%) get their internet from mobile data packs. Additionally, the majority of the respondents preferred social media for class updates during online learning. We also found that the students preferred assessments such as assignments, quizzes, and tests at the end of every class which are necessary to achieve effective online learning. Therefore, the findings will assist academics in identifying strengths and places for development, as well as encouraging the faculty to think carefully about how to reorganise course learning objectives and teaching approaches to engage students and improve the learning process.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Service quality is a crucial element in ensuring the competitiveness of many types of institution... more Service quality is a crucial element in ensuring the competitiveness of many types of institutions. Having good service quality enhances the reputation of an organization and thus becomes their added competitive advantage. In higher education institutions, service quality is important in ensuring students, as the primary stakeholders, have a good learning experience. This subsequently influences student satisfaction levels. The primary objective of this paper is to analyze the correlation between five elements in SERVQUAL dimensions (tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy) and students' satisfaction. Questionnaires were distributed among students attending various faculties at UiTM Sabah using the convenience sampling technique. In total, 250 questionnaires were collected for analysis. Overall, the results show that the students are satisfied with the service quality at UiTM Sabah. Specifically, all five SERVQUAL dimensions correlated with student satisfaction. The reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy dimensions demonstrated a strong correlation with student satisfaction. Meanwhile, tangibility had a moderate correlation with student satisfaction. This study aims to contribute knowledge to the service quality field, especially in higher education institutions. In the final section of this study, it is proposed that future research investigate different perspectives of service quality.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Uploads
Conference Presentations by Bibianah Thomas
Papers by Bibianah Thomas