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Purpose: The process of identifying and defining effective delivery mechanisms is a critical issue in the management of microcredit programs to meet the firm's objectives and the customers' needs. The purpose of this paper is to look at the relative importance of delivery mechanism in microcredit programs. In addition, this paper analyses the relationship between delivery mechanism and business performance among micro enterprises involved in microcredit programs. Methodology: The primary data of the study were obtained from 756 micro entrepreneurs under two major microcredit programs (AIM and TEKUN). Descriptive and t-test analysis were used to explain the findings of the study. Findings: Analysis of the study shows that cooperation from staff, the duration and method of loan repayment and monitoring of loan capital are important mechanism in the management of microcredit programs. T-test analysis revealed a significant difference in delivery mechanism between the two microcredit programs involved. Empirical findings show that the performance of micro enterprises under the AIM microcredit program is better than that of micro enterprises under the TEKUN microcredit program. Practical Implications: The performance of a microcredit program depends largely on their resource management. This involves operational efficiency, credit products offered, and customer support services. These three elements are critical factors in determining the effectiveness of the delivery mechanism in a microcredit program. Originality/value:The efficiency of delivery mechanisms through strategic resource management not only can enhance the competitive advantage of the AIM microcredit program but also affect the performance of the micro enterprises involved. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-01281 Full Text: PDF

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the microcredit program and the influencing factors relating to entrepreneurial capital and human capital in the performance of women-owned micro-enterprises. Primary data were derived from a sample of 380 female entrepreneurs under the AIM microcredit program, with regard to six hypotheses. A proportionate stratified sampling method was used for data collection. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data. The findings reveal that the microcredit program is significantly related to the performance of women-owned micro-enterprises. Entrepreneurial factors have significant positive relationships with the performance of women-owned micro-enterprises. However, factors relating to religious values and human capital had no significant relationship with performance. The sample of this study was limited to one out of several microcredit programs in Malaysia, namely AIM. This study only considered some internal factors such as entrepreneurial values, management practices, religious values, and business experience and training. Future studies could consider other microcredit programs offered by commercial banks and other microcredit institutions in Malaysia, in order to unveil better prediction for the dissimilarity in SME performance. In addition, future studies could incorporate data from all states in Malaysia to provide richer interpretation and generalization of the findings. From a policy perspective, this study recognizes a need to improve the delivery mechanism in the microcredit program in terms of credit products, operational efficiency, and social development programs, to empower women in their entrepreneurial activities. Future research should consider other factors such as social capital, economic factors, government support, and family involvement.

The dynamic characteristics of social media provide a vast space for society to obtain useful information including political information. This advancement of information dissemination must be benefited by every layer of society including the youth to increase their participation in issues regarding national politics. This research explores the significant factors affecting political information-seeking behavior among youths in Malaysia. The approach of this research is the survey through a questionnaire. Using multi-stage sampling, 381 respondents from selected public universities in Malaysia were identified as a sample. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Efficacy, knowledge, and usefulness of social media affected political information-seeking behavior. Meanwhile, Policy satisfaction and motivation do not affect political information-seeking behavior Thus, political information seeking is seen as more influential towards political behavior with the existence of political information sharing among Malaysia's youth who use social media. The overall results of the study indicate the potential of social media as the main source and medium for Malaysian youths to obtain political information.