The continuance intention to vaccinate against COVID-19: An empirical study from Malaysia.

Background: Vaccination has been one of the most effective preventive strategies to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the COVID-19 vaccines' effect wanes off after some time and given their reduced level of protection against mutation strains of the virus, the calls for boosters and second boosters signal the need for continuous vaccination for the foreseeable future. As Malaysia transitions into the endemic phase, the nation's ability to co-exist with the virus in the endemic phase will hinge on people's continuance intention to be vaccinated against the virus.

Green education divide: a comparative case study analysis of countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Background: Green education is an essential precursor to promoting long-term sustainable practices and fostering environmentally conscious behaviours, especially among the younger generations. Such education equips individuals with the knowledge, awareness, and experiences necessary for green behavioural shifts, empowering them to engage actively in sustainable practices in the long run, which is essential for ensuring environmental sustainability. However, green education practices and policies vary among the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) owing to different levels of socioeconomic development, national priorities, and capacities of each member state.

Does foreign aid affect innovation and institutional quality in middle-income countries?

In this study, we explore the dynamics between innovation, institutional quality, and foreign-aid flows in middle-income countries. Using an appropriate econometric model, we investigate the links between these variables in 79 middle-income countries (MICs) over 2005-2020. The results from our study show that foreign aid, institutional quality, and innovation have strong endogenous relationships.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its drivers: An empirical study of the vaccine hesitant group in Malaysia.

Background: Sporadic outbreaks of COVID-19 remain a threat to public healthcare, especially if vaccination levels do not improve. As Malaysia begins its transition into the endemic phase, it is essential to identify the key determinants of COVID-19 vaccination intention amongst the pockets of the population who are still hesitant. Therefore, focusing on a sample of individuals who did not register for the COVID-19 vaccination, the current study integrated two widely used frameworks in the public health domain-the health belief model (HBM) and the theory of reasoned action (TRA)-to examine the inter-relationships of the predictors of vaccination intention amongst these individuals.

Interface between energy consumption, CO emissions, economic growth, and macroeconomic openness in financial action task force countries through the lens of a causality approach.

There is strong scientific evidence to suggest that carbon dioxide (CO) emissions are one of the key drivers of global warming. Rising CO emissions across the globe have been traced back to increasing global trade and rapid industrial development powered by fossil fuels. High CO emissions have had an adverse effect on the quality of life and economic growth of communities across the globe.

Key predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Malaysia: An integrated framework.

Background: As the vaccination drive against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Malaysia progresses rapidly, the main challenge will gradually shift from procuring and distributing vaccines to ensuring the broadest possible acceptance among all population segments. Therefore, this study used the integrated framework of the health belief model (HBM) and the theory of reasoned action (TRA) to investigate the predictors of intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines in Malaysia.

Methodology: A market research company in Malaysia was engaged to collect data during June 11-20, 2021 using self-administered questionnaires via its online panel, ensuring a nationwide random sample of 804 respondents.