Advanced Industrial and Business Management

Investigating the Impact of Human Resource Management Practices on Turnover Intentions

H. M. Mahfuzur Rahman — 2026-01-03

This research investigated the impact of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices on turnover intentions among ICT employees in Malaysia. With the rapid growth of the ICT sector driven by government initiatives such as the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), MSC2, and the Digital Economy Blueprint, the demand for skilled labor increased significantly. However, high turnover rates in this sector undermined organizational stability and productivity. The study examined key HRM practices including recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation, performance appraisal, and work-life balance and their influence on turnover intentions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among ICT employees in Malaysia, and the data were analyzed to identify the relationships between HRM practices and turnover intentions. The findings showed that transparent recruitment processes, continuous training opportunities, competitive compensation packages, fair performance appraisals, and work-life balance initiatives significantly reduced turnover intentions. Employees who perceived their HRM practices as fair and supportive were more likely to remain with their organizations. The study highlighted the importance of HRM in fostering employee satisfaction, commitment, and retention, thereby contributing to a competitive workforce in the ICT sector. This research provided valuable insights for organizations in Malaysia’s ICT sector to develop HRM strategies that enhance employee retention and organizational performance. The findings also informed policymakers about the need for supportive HRM frameworks to sustain the growth of the knowledge-based economy.

Bridging Traditional Chinese Medicine and Modern Biotechnology: Strategic Perspective for Global Market Expansion

Li Shuqi — 2026-01-03

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was transformed into a standardised medical system facilitated by continuous development across global healthcare practices as well as ongoing advancements in modern biotechnology. Modern biotechnological methodologies, including genomics, proteomics, and metabonomics, afforded significant possibilities for enhancing the accuracy and efficacy of TCM. This research accordingly explored the interplay between modern biotechnology and the advancement of TCM across global markets. The integration of the resource-based view (RBV) framework together with TCM theory provided a strong foundation for this study. The qualitative case illustrations encompassed Tasly Pharmaceutical Group, Yiling Pharmaceutical, Hutchmed, and Shanghai Pharmaceuticals, which facilitated an understanding of how the benefits of TCM were magnified through biotechnological innovation. The findings underscored that a comprehensive understanding of traditional Chinese medicinal elements, alongside specialised knowledge, consistent research, and developmental initiatives, collectively manifested strategic resources that enhanced the potential for integrating TCM in a global context. To leverage the benefits of TCM through modern technologies, several recommendations were provided, such as collaborative leadership between global biotechnology and TCM institutions, as well as quality control and standardisation of evidence-based formulations that complied with modern medical standards. The outcomes supported the conclusion that the global market expansion of TCM required a synergistic approach involving robust regulatory frameworks, standardisation, scientific validation through modern technology, and the effective translation of cultural elements.

Business Development Initiatives: Exploring the Relationship between Human Capital, Financial Resources, and Technological Capabilities on SME Performance Saudi Arabia

Mohammad Abdulghaffar Osman — 2026-01-03

This research assessed the effects of human capital development, financial resource acquisition, and technological capability development on the performance of SMEs in the Saudi Arabian manufacturing sector. In particular, the study examined how these factors affected SME success in terms of human capital development, financial resources, technological innovation, operational efficiency, innovation, and overall competitiveness. For the quantitative analysis, 222 SME owners and managers were surveyed in Saudi Arabia’s primary industrial areas. The study revealed that human capital development positively and significantly influenced SME performance, and that employee training and skill enhancement were strongly correlated with business growth. However, the acquisition of financial resources and the development of technological capabilities, while important, did not show a direct statistically significant effect on SME performance in this study. The findings also highlighted the need to integrate human capital with technological and financial resources to maximize returns on such investments. It is therefore recommended that policymakers emphasize human capital development in SMEs such as vocational training and skills enhancement, and that SME owners adopt a balanced approach to financial resources, technology, and human capital. This research enhanced understanding of the key drivers of SME performance in Saudi Arabia and provided practical insights for policymakers and stakeholders in business and academia aimed at strengthening the sustainability and global competitiveness of SMEs under the Saudi Vision 2030 economic framework.

Building a Sustainable and Human-Centered Future: Industry 5.0 in Malaysia

H. M. Mahfuzur Rahman — 2026-01-03

Industry 5.0 prioritized the balance between technology and the social and environmental aspects of industry, as well as the ethical and socially responsible application of advanced technologies. While Industry 4.0 focused exclusively on optimizing industry through technological efficiency, Industry 5.0 promoted the importance of human–machine collaboration within socio-technical systems. Engaging with recent publications, the research evaluated the extent of the digital economy, sustainability, and inclusive stakeholder frameworks in Malaysia, as well as existing implementation gaps. The study revealed that, despite the availability of numerous technologies such as building information modeling, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, digital twins, and advanced traceability systems, their adoption remained unstable, technology-centered, and largely confined to dominant large organizations. Environmental degradation within the palm oil sector, the absence of substantial and comprehensive sustainability tools, skills gaps, and limited financial accessibility for small and medium enterprises and smallholders continued to hinder an inclusive transition to Industry 5.0. This study advocated an inclusive socio-technical framework for Industry 5.0 in Malaysia to semi-automate human work through the system design of a circular economy, resilient climate systems, and low-carbon risk mitigation, while prioritizing governance mechanisms for overlooked stakeholder groups. The study proposed innovative financing mechanisms, digital and sustainability co-initiatives, and the rapid adoption of collaborative governance frameworks as primary policy approaches. The dissertation aimed to contribute to emerging Industry 5.0 discourse in developing economies by emphasizing the importance of balancing technological advancement, social justice, and environmental stewardship. It also encouraged further research at the firm, supply chain, and community levels to operationalize Industry 5.0 more effectively.

The Impact of Digital Transformation and Blockchain Adoption on Supply Chain Transparency in Pharmaceutical Firms: Evidence from Emerging Chinese Markets

Li Shuqi — 2026-01-03

This paper explored how digital transformation and the use of blockchain technology influenced supply chain transparency in pharmaceutical companies operating in emerging Chinese markets. The study incorporated the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which facilitated the identification of key aspects such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, and behavioral intention, along with the mediating variable of self-efficacy. Based on these elements, a conceptual framework was developed, which further aided understanding of the hypothesised relationships examined in the study. Accordingly, a quantitative research design was implemented using a primary data collection method. In the Shanghai pharmaceutical industry, data were collected from a sample of 400 managerial employees. The outcomes of technology integration and transparency were quantitatively examined in relation to one another. The results indicated that blockchain technology and digital transformation enhanced supply chain performance through improved traceability, trust, and efficiency. The study shed further light on the main obstacles to implementation and provided insights for policymakers and industry leaders on improving transparency through advanced digital technologies in China’s expanding pharmaceutical market. The findings confirmed that respondents perceived the synergistic effects of digital transformation and blockchain implementation as having the greatest potential to improve supply chain transparency. Blockchain technology enabled real-time, secure, and distributed immutable ledgers that supported product tracking, counterfeiting prevention, verification of authenticity, and enhanced transparency.

A Literature Review on Organisational Belonginess, Work Self-Efficacy, and Work Tenacity: Predictors of Affective Well-Being Among Educators in Higher Education

Zhao XuKun — 2026-01-03

In the context of the growing and complex education landscape, teaching was increasingly seen and understood as one of the most challenging and stressful professions. This made the well-being of educators within the higher education sector a major concern, as they were affected by a range of issues, including increased workload, role conflicts, and the emotional strain of their teaching responsibilities. It was important to understand the relationship between organisational belongingness, work self-efficacy, work tenacity, and the negative emotional well-being of educators in order to foster a more positive teaching and learning environment within the higher education sector. The research was therefore driven by the social identity theory and examined the interaction of the variables “work self-efficacy,” “work tenacity,” “organisational belongingness,” “motivation,” and “workload intensity.” The study used a sequential explanatory design, whereby the qualitative sample consisted of six administrative staff members and the quantitative sample included 400 educator participants from higher education institutions within Beijing and across China. The quantitative data were processed using SmartPLS, while the qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis after the participants’ responses were transcribed verbatim. Based on the results from structural equation modeling, all the variables were supported, and the model predicted that the emotional well-being and motivation of educators could be enhanced through increased belief in their abilities and determination to complete assigned tasks within a stipulated timeframe. Elder support, institutional support, and community commitment were found not to fully ascertain community well-being, as revealed in the thematic analysis. The findings highlighted that support and communication within institutional systems, professional opportunities, and the equitable participation of faculty members at various levels of the educational community in decision-making increased the emotional stability, motivation, and job satisfaction of educational community members.

The Moderating Role of Values-Based and Agile Leadership in the Relationship Between Educator Psychological Traits and Affective Well-Being: A Thematic Literature Review

Zhao XuKun — 2026-01-03

This paper discussed the moderating role of values-based and agile leadership in the relationship between the psychological characteristics and affective well-being of educators. It employed a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative analysis and qualitative insights. The study emphasized the importance of resilience, adaptability, and ethical leadership in enhancing educators’ well-being and fostering supportive and adaptive teaching environments. The paper employed a mixed-method design, integrating 384 valid survey responses from teachers with qualitative data obtained from 10 administrators. The quantitative data were analysed using SmartPLS software, where Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was performed to examine the statistical relationships among the variables. The findings highlighted that resilience, adaptability, future expectations, and self-efficacy significantly influenced affective well-being. The results further established that values-based leadership and agile leadership were also integral in ensuring educators’ overall well-being. For the qualitative analysis, insights obtained from semi-structured interviews were transcribed verbatim to identify significant codes, which facilitated the thematic analysis. Six major themes were developed, emphasizing the role of leadership in fostering psychological safety, trust, empowerment, and emotional resilience. The qualitative findings complemented the quantitative results and supported the understanding that agile leadership and values-based practices substantially enhanced educators’ emotional well-being. Furthermore, recommendations, including the implementation of work–life balance policies and adherence to leadership models, were also proposed.