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Wawasan Open University Library undertook a survey study, based on the Wilson’s revised model of information behaviour (1999), to profile information-seeking behaviour of their distance students in using library resources in their research and learning activities. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Using random sampling method, samples were selected to ensure proper representation of the population across four schools of studies and five regional centres. A total of 550 questionnaires were sent to undergraduate and postgraduate students, and 435 completed questionnaires were returned with a success response rate of 79 per cent.

Findings indicated significant differences between undergraduate and postgraduate students in using the university’s MyDigital Library and physical library for their information needs. Findings also indicated significant difference between first-year and post-first-year students in using internet search engines as part of their information-seeking process.

Students improving on their information-seeking behaviour in the learning and research work paved way for them to better experience university vivacity and not isolate themselves from distance learning.

This paper acknowledges the importance of promoting good information-seeking behaviour among distance learners in the scholarship of learning and research work. The paper also amplifies the important role library plays in minimizing students’ sense of isolation in university learning experience.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between total quality management (TQM), market orientation and service quality in the Malaysian service industry.

Data from 150 service firms were collected. Structural equation modeling was employed in this study to examine the associations between TQM, market orientation and service quality.

This study provides empirical evidence and confirms findings obtained from previous studies that TQM has a positive and significant relationship with both market orientation and service quality. Moreover, it was discovered that market orientation is also significantly related to service quality.

This research study implies that if firms are not able to comprehend the importance of TQM dimensions, by which the different dimensions of it can influence a firm's performance, they may not succeed in harvesting the full value of market orientation and service quality. Meanwhile, the findings may guide the service practitioners to understand the importance of TQM in their managerial actions in enhancing market orientation and service quality, which serves as a sound foundation for building a distinguished point of differentiation in their services.

Past researchers have not looked into the tri‐dimensional relationship between TQM, market orientation and service quality and hence research is to be called for in this area. The paper provides practitioners with useful guidelines on the appropriate TQM practices to be implemented so that market orientation and the quality of service can be enhanced, creating superior value to the customers in a unique way, which subsequently improves a firm's competitiveness.

Emerging competitive dynamics demand small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to continuously comprehend and respond to changing market conditions by implementing effective soft total quality management (STQM) practices. Firstly, the study intends to identify the key STQM practices perceived to foster knowledge sharing (KS). Secondly, this study aims to investigate the impact of market turbulence (MT) on the interaction between STQM practices and KS among SMEs.

A total of 215 valid samples were analysed. Incorporating a two-hidden-layer deep artificial neural network (ANN) into SEM approaches allows for more in-depth testing and high prediction power. This study employs a two-stage PLS-SEM-ANN predictive-analytical technique to provide a more comprehensive analysis and significant statistical contribution.

The PLS-SEM-ANN analysis reveals that STQM practices including employee involvement (EI), employee training (ET), top management commitment (TMC) and employee teamwork (EM) are critical to boosting KS. MT, interestingly, moderates the relationship between EM and KS while negatively moderating the relationship between TMC and KS.

The study contributes to the knowledge-based view theory by demonstrating the importance of integrating STQM and KS among SMEs to thrive in today's dynamic market environment.

While mobile TV (m-TV) is beneficial and is currently an emerging area within mobile commerce, the adoption rate is at the infancy stage. The purpose of this paper is therefore to adapt the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) model to explore on the factors in predicting users’ behavioral intention (BI) of m-TV.

Partial least square structural equation modeling approach was employed using 193 respondents to test the findings.

The findings revealed that effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), facilitating conditions (FC), hedonic motivation (HM) and habit (HT) have significant effects on BI. In addition, gender was found to have moderating effect between FC and BI.

Findings from this study provide valuable insights and contribute to the marketing strategy for mobile marketers, wireless communications vendors and application developers in the m-TV industry.

Since the emergence of m-TV is regarded as a new concept, what factors that may motivate users to watch TV using m-devices remains unexplored and therefore is currently a neglected research area. This paper provides clues and valuable insights for mobile marketers, wireless communications vendors and application developers in the m-TV industry.

In the vibrant world of social commerce (SC), where information flows freely, interactions thrive and online purchases abound, there is an escalating challenge. Users are uninstalling and disengaging due to approach and avoidance stimuli, a trend mirroring the approach-avoidance motivation model (AAMM). Our study, anchored in AAMM and the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model, aims to dive into the complex dynamics of these factors that shape users' SC continuance intentions.

Our findings, drawn from 472 SC users in Malaysia, paint an intriguing research framework via PLS-SEM analysis by testing the proposed hypotheses. A purposive sampling technique was utilized, deliberately selecting respondents based on specific criteria. Subsequently, data were gathered through the distribution of face-to-face questionnaires at selected shopping malls, facilitating a focused and comprehensive exploration of consumer perspectives.

The empirical results demonstrate the following: (1) Users' determination to stay engaged on SC platforms hinges on approach factors, like emotional support, surveillance gratification and multisensory gratification. (2) Simultaneously, avoidance factors such as technostress and perceived deception exert their negative influence. (3) Flow experience, rooted in flow theory, emerges as the underlying mechanism connecting these duality stimuli, influencing the continuance intention.

In a departure from conventional research, our study pioneers a comprehensive approach and boldly confronts the research gap by introducing a rich tapestry of antecedents, embracing both the appeal of approach factors and the deterrence of avoidance ones, using the AAMM that sheds light on how individuals navigate between embracing opportunities and avoiding pitfalls based on perceived gains and losses. This holistic approach enables us to redefine our understanding of digital engagement dynamics, offering a captivating journey into the realm of user experience and intention that transcends the ordinary.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that influence users’ behavioral intention (BI) to adopt mobile social networking sites (mSNS) in facilitating formal/informal learning. Specifically, the study also investigates the association of mobility, reachability and convenience with performance expectancy (PE) and effort expectancy (EE).

Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was applied to test on 266 valid responses.

The findings indicated that learning compatibility (LC), PE, EE and copyright clearance (CC) has a significant effect on BI. The results also revealed that EE is influenced by mobility, reachability and convenience. PE however was found to be influenced by convenience.

The results of this study provides valuable insights and references for practitioners and mobile network providers in developing mSNS in facilitating learning.

While mSNS have the potential to become a new research area with numerous benefits for the learning community, there is little research on the adoption factors on mSNS in facilitating learning. This study therefore attempts to close the research gap by contributing to the mobile literatures.

To show and analyse the concept, practice, problems and prospects of father leadership in Singapore. The study also proposes such practices in Asian countries.

The focus group participants, were mostly of experienced corporate and business leaders, and did not represent a cross‐section of the population; they were made of business people because of the peculiarities of Singapore's history and economy.

The Singapore Government leads the way and father leadership is widely practiced. An analysis is also made of the management approach, problems and prospects of father leadership as practised in Singapore with its practices proposed in other Asian countries.

Limitations include time and costs constraints; otherwise more focus group sessions can be held and the focus group participants, mostly of experienced corporate and business leaders, did not represent a cross‐section of the population; they were made of business people because of the peculiarities of Singapore's history and economy. It is argued that a synonymous match exists between the national culture and business culture in Singapore; hence the selection of the business people in the focus group. That synonymous match is primarily because of the country's small size and lack of natural resources, and because since its birth as a modern nation, Singapore is dependent on human capital and relies strongly on its economy for its survival and growth.

The study provides useful lessons for businesses and political analysts outside Singapore to better understand the Government's paternalistic instincts in ensuring the long‐term sustainability of Singapore's economy and her citizenry.

The article provides a continuing perspective on governance and management in Singapore. It also extends existing studies into Confucianistic societies/ societies that are perceived by the outside world as being autocratic.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of social commerce (s-commerce) cues (i.e. trust, compatibility, reliability and responsiveness) on repurchase intention in apparel s-commerce along with the mediating effect of customer engagement and the moderating effect of s-commerce navigation.

Using the purposive sampling technique, face-to-face survey was administered to Gen-Y social media users in Malaysia. Subsequently, 384 respondents were sampled. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used to perform the analyses.

S-commerce cues have a positive effect on customer engagement, which in turn leads to repurchase intention of apparel among Gen-Y. Particularly, customer engagement also mediates the relationship between s-commerce cues and repurchase intention. S-commerce navigation is found to moderate the effect of engagement on repurchase intention.

The findings are derived from the perception of Gen-Y in Malaysia and do not represent the entire population. Future research could investigate the same phenomena across generations and consider heterogeneity issues to provide more insights.

Apparel s-commerce retailers are suggested to engage with customers more in the e-retail environment to build a lasting relationship. Contextual factors such as ease of navigation should be observed to enhance the desired response of diverse customers today.

This study adds to the growing body of knowledge on relationship marketing by assessing the impact of customer engagement and navigation on the relationships between s-commerce cues and repurchase intention in the contemporary setting.

By integrating the Uses and Gratifications Theory and Flow Theory, this research seeks to untwine the veiled effects of interactive commerce enhancements (ICEs), specifically haptic imagery and social presence, in promoting user immersion and sustaining social commerce (SC) users' usage intention, considering the moderating role of autotelic personality.

The research utilized purposive sampling of Malaysian SC app users with recent transactions. A dual-source data collection approach, encompassing offline and online channels, was employed to ensure a broad and diverse respondent pool. Partial least squares–structural equation modeling was chosen for its adeptness in analyzing complex relationships in predictive studies.

The findings revealed the significant positive effects of haptic imagery and social presence on user immersion and continuance intention within SC apps. Social presence and immersion were found to mediate the proposed paths. Additionally, autotelic personality traits were identified as moderators, influencing the strength of these relationships.

This research makes a unique contribution by addressing critical gaps in SC environments, extending the concept of ICEs, understanding the impacts of underlying mediators and pioneering the examination of autotelic personality traits' moderating effects. It introduces a fresh perspective on how individual differences impact user engagement. This groundbreaking study benefits social media and interactive marketing literature by comprehensively understanding how ICEs elevate SC, fostering innovation and heightened engagement.