Organizations are gradually focusing on creating a healthy workplace for their employees and becoming more people-centric. This occurs because a healthy workforce increases the work performance of the organisation and the personal development of its employees. This study aims to investigate the HR functions that impact employee motivation in the Malaysian banking sector. The three HR functions that were selected were training and development, rewards and recognition, and career management. The study utilised a cross-sectional design, and the research instruments were adapted from a number of past studies. A total of 350 respondents from the Malaysian banking industry were recruited. Using SPSS Version 26.0, the research hypotheses were examined. The results show that rewards and recognition are not significant predictors of employee motivation in the Malaysian banking industry; however, training and development and career management are significant predictors of employee motivation. These results will help the human resources department develop and improve its HR operations.

This study aims to empirically analyze the impact of budget allocation by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) on national research competitiveness, thereby reassessing the value of investing in research infrastructure within a knowledge-based society. In the 21st century, research and development (R&D) have emerged as a pivotal element of national competitiveness, underlining the increasing importance of investments aimed at constructing and enhancing research infrastructure. However, empirical studies examining the causal relationship between research infrastructure investment and national research competitiveness are still notably scarce. Accordingly, this research endeavors to systematically delineate the effect of research infrastructure investment, with a focus on KISTI’s budget allocation, on enhancing national R&D outcomes. To achieve this, the structural relationship between KISTI’s budget, national R&D budget, and various academic and industrial performance indicators was analyzed using multiple regression and simple regression analysis. In particular, by demonstrating the mechanism through which the budget management of research support organizations like KISTI contributes to strengthening national research competitiveness, this study aims to shed new light on the strategic value of research infrastructure investment in a knowledge-based society. Furthermore, these findings are expected to provide valuable evidence for the formulation of national R&D policies in Korea and the strategic planning of budget operations for research support organizations. Through strategic investment of limited budgets, this could enhance the efficiency of national R&D investments and contribute to strengthening the capacity for scientific and technological innovation required in a knowledge-based society.

Entrepreneurship education plays a crucial role in improving college students' entrepreneurial skills. With the significant momentum gained by digital entrepreneurship, there is an urgent need for digital transformation in entrepreneurship education. However, entrepreneurship education digital transformation (EEDT) is developing in a rapid but fragmented manner, which requires more systematic guidance. This study aims to assess the current research themes and formulate a framework for entrepreneurship education digital transformation. The research employs a systematic literature review and a theory triangulation method. According to the review’s outcome, which focused on 56 articles published between 2018 and 2023, the researcher constructed a conceptual framework for entrepreneurship education digital transformation. To test the construct validity of the framework, the researcher modified it twice through theory triangulation, following the guidelines of the entrepreneurship education ecosystem theory and the education digital transformation framework. This study offers recommendations for research and practice in digital transformation of entrepreneurship education, encompassing a holistic strategy, new educational approaches, novel curriculum designs, and the enhancement of digital literacy among entrepreneurship teachers.

The extent to which businesses incorporate Naga worship into their strategies and operations and its effect on their success remains ignored. This study employed a multidisciplinary approach to examine the diverse practices of Naga worship in business contexts across different regions. This study utilized a mixed-methods research design to provide insights into the strategic integration of Naga worship into business practices and its impact on business performance. It employed a questionnaire to gather insights from respondents about their demographic data, awareness of Naga worship, its integration into business practices, consumer perceptions and behaviors, and overall business performance. Follow-up, in-depth interviews were developed to probe deeper into respondents’ experiences, motivations, and perceptions regarding the integration of Naga worship into their business practices. Most respondents agreed to integrate Naga worship into their company practices or marketing plans by using Naga symbols in branding, doing rituals for success, providing Naga-themed products and services, and scheduling activities on auspicious Naga-related dates. Respondents perceived companies that venerate Naga as culturally genuine and focused on the community. Worshipping the Naga deity improved the brand’s and corporation’s image and reputation. People patronized these enterprises by buying products and services associated with Naga culture. A substantial portion of respondents believe that worshiping Naga enhances commercial prosperity. Yet, a few participants from different regions mentioned difficulties regarding the integration of Naga religious customs.

The consumption of dietary supplements among the elderly is on the rise. Despite the potential benefits, a comprehensive understanding of the decision-making processes leading to the consumption is lacking. This study explores the conditions influencing the decision-making and behavioral patterns of older adults related to dietary supplement consumption. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 elderly participants from a seniors’ club in Bangkok, Thailand, who had consistently consumed dietary supplements for at least one year. The behavior was classified into five primary categories: enduring use of identical dietary supplements, insufficient regard for health compatibility, replacing medications with supplements, not verifying before consumption, and opting for supplements over medical treatments. These patterns are aligned with the core constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control). Many individuals perceive supplements as pivotal health investments, while others view them as a direct route to robust health. Trusted advice from friends and television significantly influence their choices, with a prevailing sentiment that dietary supplements are generally safe. The high price tag on supplements is often associated with superior quality. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of dietary supplement consumption decisions among the Thai elderly, suggesting the need for interventions to promote safer and more informed choices.

High-quality development in China requires higher vocational education, scientific and technological innovation, and sustainable economic development. The spatial distribution patterns of these factors show higher levels in the east and coastal areas compared to the west and inland regions, emphasizing the need for coupling coordination with the social economy. This study examines the impact of sustainable economic development on the coupling coordination degree using the spatial Durbin model. The results show a positive promotion and spillover effect, with regional variations. The main factors affecting the difference in coupling coordination are the amount of technology market contracts, fiscal expenditure on science and technology, patent application authorizations, tertiary industry output value, and the number of R&D institutions. According to the grey prediction model, the coupling coordination degree is expected to increase from 2022 to 2025, but achieving primary coordination may still be challenging in some areas. Therefore, strategies that utilize regional characteristics for coordinated development should be developed to improve the level of coupling coordination and create a mutually beneficial environment.