The use of wallets is increasing rapidly, especially during the covid-19 pandemic due to movement control orders. E-wallets is a favourable choice of e-money transfer among younger and tech-savvy people and those who are at an advanced level in their lives influenced by the internet. Current research trends on e-wallet adoption emphasized on the customer side but dearth of academic work on merchant’s perspective. From literature, there is no thorough framework for e-wallet adoption. It is also worthy to highlight that the adoption rate amongst small merchants especially among Muslims is still low compared to numbers of established small business. The factors that influence the use of e-wallets among merchant users may differ from customer users due to the different purposes of using e-wallets. Furthermore, there is another religious factor, which is related to Islamic principles that are exclusively for Muslims where this might influence Muslim’s decision in adopting e-wallet. Thus, it is essential to address this issue since small-sized Muslim merchants representing the majority businesses in Malaysia. Their adoption of e-wallets will contribute to the world aim in achieving a cashless society. This study proposes a conceptual framework grounded from Technology Acceptance Model with extensions of other variables such as trust, technology efficacy, government support, and structural assurance as to explore the factors that influence merchants e-wallet adoption. This paper has made an initial effort to propose a comprehensive theoretical framework as a basis for a future research agenda. This also calls for empirical testing on the suggested variables in the context of small-sized Muslim merchants.

Although the majority of Malaysian are Muslims, data shows that the takaful penetration rate was much lower than the conventional insurance. Motor takaful as an important segment in the general insurance sector which was offered as an alternative to conventional is supposedly becoming the preferred choice for Muslim. For that, this study aims to look at the factors that influenced the intention to participate in motor takaful among public services employees. Applying the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), this study analysed respondents’ intention to participate in motor takaful. The variables used are based on TRA that are risk awareness, attitude and subjective norms. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) was carried out to analyse the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable. The results showed that subjective norm does not significantly affect the dependent variable. Risk awareness and attitude significantly influence the intention to participate in motor takaful. This study provides a better understanding of the factors influencing the intention of vehicle users in choosing takaful. This study is important as one of the small contributions, especially to takaful operators in empowering takaful industry, specifically, and for Islamic financial system, generally, in Malaysia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study are to determine factors influencing the small-sized Muslim merchants in Malaysia to adopt e-wallet and to validate their relationship. Design/methodology/approach: A set of questionnaires was distributed to the 380 small-sized Muslim merchants in two traditional market in Kelantan and Terengganu, Malaysia. This study employed a descriptives statistics for preliminary analysis using SPSS. Findings: The results reveal that all independent variables such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use trust, technology self-efficacy, government support and structural assurance are significantly positively correlated to e-wallet adoption. Research limitations/implications: This study focused on two states only, therefore the findings from this study limits its generalizability. Future research may empirically test these antecedents to other regions in Malaysia and other Muslim countries. Practical implications: This study provides valuable insight for the e-wallet providers and government as well in leveraging their strategies to increase e-wallet adoptions among smallsizes Muslim merchants and accelerating the national aspiration towards a cashless society. Originality/value: The study is the first study that comprehensively identified determinant for e-wallet adoption from merchant context that integrating both technological and religious contexts. The study confirms that the variables identified from previous researchers on customer’s perspective of e-wallet adoption also applicable for merchant’s context. Notably, structural assurance emerges as a new variable influencing e-wallet adoption among Muslim merchants.

The evolution of the Internet has shifted from centralised to decentralised systems, particularly after the financial crisis in 2008. The Internet disrupts traditional financial systems and the consequent shift towards Blockchain Technology (BCT) for more transparent and accountable business practices. It outlines BCT’s origins and transformative potential in various domains. Thus, this study aims to investigate challenges in BCT adoption in various domains. This study adopted a bibliometric analysis based on the data obtained from the Scopus database. Based on the keywords used, which are related to BCT adoption in the article title, the study obtains 229 documents for further analysis. Various tools have been employed, such as Microsoft Excel to conduct the frequency analysis and VOSviewer for data visualisation analysis. This study reports the results using standard bibliometric indicators such as publication year, document type, source type, source title, languages, subject area, keywords analysis, geographical distribution, authorship, active institutions, and citation analysis. The analysis reveals that studies on BCT integration with the Internet of Things (IoT) suggest the highest cites followed by BCT adoption challenges. Since 2021, there has been a rapid accumulation of citations, highlighting the ongoing relevance and interest in BCT across diverse fields. Indonesia leads in academic contributions to BCT, while the United States excels in citation impact. Notably, China, Australia, Jordan, and Malaysia are interested in adopting BCT in Asia. In Europe, the United Kingdom stands out alongside Romania and Belgium for their commitment to the study as well. Prominent authors and keywords highlight BCT’s integration with IoT and supply chain. Findings underscore global academic engagement with BCT challenges and applications, offering a foundation for future research on practical hurdles, regulations, and technological intersections. Blockchain is just one of many IR4.0 technologies that will enhance governance when coupled with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Analytics. Future research should focus deeper on practical challenges, regulations, and intersections of BCT with other technologies, building upon the findings of this analysis.

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights on talent retention practices in global business services in Malaysia. Despite of the advantages gained in terms of world-class infrastructure, tax incentives and competitive ICT prices, global business services (GBS) is still struggling with talent problems. Drawing on institutional logics’ perspective, the author seeks to uncover the institutional reasons for observed talent retention practices in GBS to overcome talent problems. This study uses qualitative methodology with interpretive case study design (Ryan et al., 2002). Specifically, this study is based on two (2) GBS organizations operated in Malaysia. Data collections include interviews and focus groups. Findings suggest that the main challenge of GBS is retaining local talent. Findings illustrate how talent retention practices in the cases are influenced by Malaysian institutional orders. The cases responded differently towards particular influential institutional orders, hence indicate unalike results. This paper furthers the theoretical understanding on how local institutional orders constrain global business practices (Robertson, 1995). The paper focuses on the need for GBS to respond strategically to local institutional orders, thus gain legitimacy (Scott, 1991). It is found that the idiosyncrasy of Malaysian institutional orders, for example religion and community logics, should be recognized and understood by GBS players. By recognizing and understanding them, GBS could retain local talent and instill their global corporate logic.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate discrepancies in e-payment collection processes related to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and explore the feasibility of using Blockchain Technology and Smart Contracts (BCT-SCs) to enhance SLA monitoring and penalty enforcement on e-payment collection at the Malaysian Government Agency. Design/Methodology/Approach: An in-depth qualitative case study approach will be employed, utilizing the Technological-Organizational-Environmental (TOE) framework to guide the investigation. Findings: Recent data from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) indicates a significant increase in e-payment transactions, reflecting a growing reliance on digital financial services among Malaysian consumers. However, discrepancies in SLA adherence, as highlighted by the Auditor General of Malaysia in 2022, pose challenges to the efficiency and effectiveness of epayment systems. The study identifies the potential of BCT-SCs to improve SLA management, offering features such as decentralization, immutability, and real-time processing to enhance speed, security, and transparency. Research Limitations/Implications: The study is limited by its focus on a single case study at the Malaysian Government Agency. Generalizing findings to other contexts may require caution. Practical Implications: This research offers valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and industry stakeholders, providing guidance for the adoption of BCT-SCs to optimize epayment collection processes. By addressing SLA management gaps and promoting accountability, the study aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the e-payment ecosystem. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the existing literature by examining the application of BCT-SCs in enhancing SLA monitoring and penalty enforcement in e-payment collection processes. The research provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities associated with SLA management in the context of digital financial services, offering practical solutions to improve accountability and optimize e-payment systems.