The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic is a human tragedy affecting tons of people around the world. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the following Movement Control Order (MCO), is driving the community to embrace a new norm and to speedily adapt to new ways of lifestyles. Therefore, economist predict the stagnation of economic activities momentum started from March 2020 onwards without a specific ending date (Segel & Gerstel 2020). The outbreak imposed negative impacts on global economy, industries and also business community. Small and medium enterprises (SME's) are among the hardest hit following the application of the new norm, the Covid-19 and the MCO, back to March 2020. Based on the recently study, the COVID-19 pandemic and the movement control order (MCO) that imposed by the government due to this pandemic also had given negative impact towards the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) (Raflis, Suraiya & Abdullah, 2020). Therefore, the study mainly highlights on the factors that would accelerate the performance of SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic, hence would help SME to survive.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to enhance the current understanding and bridge the gaps in the existing literature by examining the factors that could remedy the impact of the rising cost-of-living issue that widely affected people in Malaysia recently. Design/methodology/approach: Using the Islamic Marketing mix model consisting of Islamic Product, Islamic Promotion, Islamic Price, Islamic Place (distribution), and Islamic People in Malaysia, the analysis is based on data obtained from a survey conducted across Malaysia involving 304 valid respondents of Malaysian citizens aged between 19 and above. The objectives of the study were to stabilize the impact of the rising cost of living. Findings: The Structural Equation Models (SEM) statistical results reveal that four components research hypothesis, namely product, price, promotion, and people have a significant impact on remedying the rising cost of living. Research limitations/implications: The research was made based on cross-sectional data in Malaysia; thus, a generalization of results for application in other countries may be limited. Practical implications: The findings of this study are significantly important to provide input for the authorities in enhancing relevant policies to improve the well-being of the people in Malaysia. Originality/value:The framework of this study was originally developed and tested during the health and economic crisis hits Malaysia.

The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic is a human tragedy affecting tons of people around the world. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the following Movement Control Order (MCO), is driving the community to embrace a new norm and to speedily adapt to new ways of lifestyles. The outbreak imposed negative impacts on global economy, industries as well as business community. Small and medium enterprises (SME's) are among the hardest hit following the application of the new norm, the Covid-19 and the MCO, back to March 2020. Therefore, the study mainly highlights on the factors that would accelerate and thrive the performance of SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic, hence would help SME to survive. The study was conducted by collecting data through survey and utilizing quantitative method.

The banking and financial services industry is extremely competitive, and customers may simply discard any inferior products that are less attractive to them. To protect and enhance the reputations of those institutions that associate their name with it, the product offered must be sound in all respects. In addition, new generations of well-informed customers are demanding distinct and sophisticated products. In view of the facts, in order to ensure a continued presence in the market, banks and financial institutions should focus their resources and talents on serving the customer. Product development is therefore an integral part of the quest to serve the client, thus requiring a further study of consumer behavior (Gainor, 2000). By doing this, it will inform the financial institutions about customers’ satisfaction and their expectations to new products developed. With respect to this argument, the study utilizes a framework that comprises six constructs underpinned by the Technology Acceptance Model, dedicated to analyzing the customer’s attitudes towards the current Islamic financial product development of the SME bank in Malaysia. The quantitative results of the study revealed that six factors Knowledge, Awareness, Perceived ease of Use, Service Quality, Utilities, and Acceptance are significant to impact the Consumer’s Attitude.

Rising cost of living is happening not only in Malaysia but also occurs globally. The amount of money needed by households is insufficient to cover basic expenses like housing and food. Higher-income earners suffer from the shortage of their wealth due to higher living costs, let alone the family below poverty. The objective of the study was to examine factors that contribute to the mismatch between salary increments and the rising cost of living. This study used cross-sectional research in analyzing the data. To find the result of the research question, a survey has been carried out using a Likert scale questionnaire. Descriptive, ANOVA, and multiple regression data analysis were performed utilizing SPSS. The finding reveals that the Inflation rate, Housing Prices, and Income significantly contribute to the mismatch between salary increments and the rising cost of living. It is therefore recommended that future studies should explore the solutions according to these findings.

Purpose: This study analyzed the influence social influencers marketing’ attributes (perceived information quality, trustworthiness, source attractiveness, entertainment value) toward young adults’ purchase intention in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: A convenience sampling and quantitative approach is employed, in which SPSS software is applied to 250 sample of respondents who completed an online survey via Google Forms. Before the actual distribution, a pilot study on 38 participants was also conducted to prevent any issues during main data collection. Findings: The findings demonstrated that source attractiveness shows very significant influences on young adults’ purchase intention. Not only that, other independent variables (entertainment value, perceived information quality, trustworthiness) had also significantly influenced purchase intentions among young adults. Research limitations/implications: Since this was a quantitative study, the researcher recommends integrating a qualitative study for future research to help marketers better understand the consumer behaviours of young adult. Further limitations are also highlighted. Practical implications: This research might enable marketers gain insight into the efficient use of social influencers especially to their source attractiveness as most influence attributes on purchase intention. Originality/value: This study might contribute towards one's business construct to apply a successful promotional approach using social influencer marketing’ attributes while comprehending consumer behaviors trends.

Premium laptop brands are increasingly loved by consumers, and despite the high prices, they are still willingness to pay. This study aims to determine the driving factors of consumer brand love and willingness to pay for premium laptop products. Psychological factors such as social status, Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), and Hedonism are driving factors. The survey technique was used to collect data on the answers of premium laptop consumer respondents using purposive sampling of 633 buyers of premium laptop products. Data analysis of data processing and presentation using Structural Equation Modeling using SmartPLS 4.0 software. The results showed that social status and Hedonism are driving factors for brand love and willingness to pay for premium laptop products. Next, FOMO feelings also cause hedonism, but cannot make customers willingness to pay (WTP). The role of brand love and hedonism can mediate social status and FOMO on willingness to pay.

With the current situation that is plaguing the world currently, the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has an enormous impact on Malaysia and the rest of the world. This has indirectly led to the global economic recession. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) thinks that the economic situation this time will be like the fiscal crisis that occurred in 2007 to 2008. Not only the economy, but also individuals are also affected by this pandemic situation. In this regard, many people affected by losing their job, salary cuts and many other unprecedented events. This problem create a direct impact to the rising cost of living which requires an effective solution. The paper discussess this issue and the way forward to help people overcome this difficulties. Keywords: Islamic marketing, Cost of living, Covid-19 pandemic.