Search

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between budgeting skills and financial goals and the level of awareness of investment scams among university students. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was administered to university students in Malaysia. A total of 211 responses were received. The data was analysed using partial least square method based on structural equation modelling technique by using SmartPLS-3.0 and SPSS-20 statistical software. Findings Findings indicated that having adequate budgeting skills can significantly affect awareness of investment scam among students. This implies that early financial management education among students should focus on instilling disciplined budgeting habit to prevent them from becoming victims of investment scams. Nevertheless, when examining financial goals among the respondents, the study found that having a clear financial goal does not significantly contribute to their awareness in identifying investment scams. As such, students need to be properly guided in setting their financial objectives such as avoiding unrealistic goals to lead a luxurious lifestyle using “fast and easy” money. Social implications This study recommends that higher education institutions need to work together with relevant regulators and law enforcers in providing necessary financial literacy education as part of the investment scam prevention measures. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature gap on the need to focus on financial literacy in creating awareness towards investment scams among university students.

Research Aims: This study examined the influence of intellectual capital (IC) elements, namely human, structural and relational capital, on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. In addition, it examined the effects of IC elements on performance from the perspective of lifecycle stages. Methodology: This study employed a survey method using questionnaires. A total of 1000 questionnaires were mailed to chief executive officers (CEOs) and managers of SMEs in various industries, such as the professional, food and beverage (FB rather, it must be contextualised by its lifecycle. Managerial Implications in the South East Asian Context: The findings from this study may help managers of SMEs in South East Asia to identify the appropriate IC elements by stages. This study suggests that SMEs that mobilise structural and relational capital must begin from birth and continue during the growth stage until the maturity of the business, while human capital is argued to be emphasised during the growth stage. Research Limitation and Implications : This study suffers from a lack of generalisability due to a small sample size in relation to a large population of SMEs. The data were also gathered at a single timepoint, where the answers provided were based on the assessment of current employees, internal structures, external relationships and performance. The adoption of a cross-sectional design meant that the study could not capture the changes that occurred related to IC elements and firm performance.

Cooperative learning is a method proven to increase motivation and participation of students throughout their study. Games and puzzles are some form of cooperative learning activity that can help to increase the intrinsic motivation of students. In this paper, teaching and learning tool consists of jigsaw puzzle and cross word puzzles are implemented in Semiconductor Devices course. These puzzles are developed based on the lecture materials and students are obligatory to solve the puzzles. To understand the impact of this activities, a survey was created and circulated among the students. The final examination results show that the inclusion of jigsaw puzzle and cross word puzzle contribute to 4% students obtain grade A+. No student fails in this subject upon the implementation of these games. 92% of student agree that crossword puzzle was fun activity, the questions are appropriate and think that extra credit should be associated with the activity. 90% of student agree that doing jigsaw puzzle was entertaining, think that the words can be put meaningfully in Jigsaw puzzle and enjoy classmate collaboration and revising the semiconductor concept while unravelling Jigsaw puzzle. Statistical analysis conducted shows a positive significance between crossword and jigsaw puzzle with efficiency.

This paper examines the ranking of contributing factors of failure in the examination result of non-accounting students in completing an Introduction to Accounting course. A questionnaire survey was conducted to a total of 142 non-accounting students who took Introduction to Accounting course for a semester. The results reveal that the major contributing factors of failure are this subject being a non preferred course, non availability of lecturers after class hours, ambiguous questions in the final exam and accommodation problems. In addition, by using chi-square analysis, the result also shows that proportion of male students who passed is significantly different to the proportion of female students who passed the exam. The result also shows that there is a significant relationship between prior knowledge in accounting and performance in Introduction to Accounting course. This study is unique as it considers the students performance in a subject that is not the main discipline of the students (i.e., accounting course for non-accounting students).