The livestock sector contributes substantially to global food and nutrition security, but its rapid intensification places increasing pressure on land, water, waste systems, public health, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This paper reviews the major sustainability challenges associated with livestock production and synthesises green technology and circular economy practices that can support more sustainable operations. A narrative review approach was used, supported by secondary data analysis from international datasets and reports, including OECD-FAO, Worldometer, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Ritchie and Roser. Production trends were visualised, Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated using OriginPro, and manure, biogas, andelectricity potentials were estimated from published conversion factors. The review shows that rising human population and livestock production intensify the demand for resource-efficient waste, water, and emission management, while projected manure generation offers significant potential for biogas and renewable electricity production. Waste hierarchy practices, manure valorisation, wastewater treatment, water conservation, and circular economy integration are identified as key pathways for reducing pollution and improving resource recovery. Adopting these practices is essential for balancing food security with environmental sustainability.
This paper presents a comprehensive study on survey instrument design, which includes face and content validity assessments for a newly developed instrument. A set of questionnaires was establishedas the survey instrument to gain insight into the implementation of occupational safety and health management systems (OSHMS) within 5S (sort, set in order, shine, standardize, and sustain)certified small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, aiming to promote safer and healthier workplaces. The questionnaire consists of 40 items organized into four main constructs: integration of OSHMS and 5S practice, planning and critical success factors, benefits of OSHMS towards SMEs performance, and action for improvement. The validity assessments were conducted through a review by a panel of experts from academia and industry. For face validity, each item underwent evaluation to confirm its alignment with the study's objectives and received a dichotomous rating of either ‘YES’ or ‘NO’. For content validity, a four-point rating scale was employed, rangingfrom “not relevant” to “highly relevant” to assess how well the items reflect and represent the intended aspect being measured for a specific assessment purpose.These ratings were used to calculate the extent of agreement between raters using a percentageapproach and Content Validity Index (CVI). The percentage of agreement obtained for face validity was 80%, indicating a substantial level of agreement among the expert panels, with some questions identified for revision. According to the content validity assessment, the average proportion of items judged as relevant among the six experts (S-CV1/Ave) was 0.96, meeting a satisfactory level. The validity assessments conducted have validated the items in the survey instrument,thereby indicating its readiness for distribution in a pre-test phase.
This study examines al-Ghazali’s ontological and sociological frameworks for disciplining the soul and society throughMuhasabah al-Nafs(self-accountability) and‘Amr bi al-Ma’ruf wa Nahyu ‘an al-Munkar(enjoining good and forbidding evil). Drawing from his seminal works, includingIhya’ ‘Ulum al-Din, the research explores how al-Ghazali bridges individual spiritual refinement with collective social responsibility, offering a comprehensive approach to holistic governance in both personal and social domains. The research methodology adopted by the researchers is that of qualitative in nature. It will also employ the textual analysis method to explain the position of the said author and his understanding of the concept. The finding revealsthatMuhasabahal-Nafsserves as an introspective mechanism for self regulation, emphasizing continuous self evaluation. It is not possible to realize a good human resource and an ideal social structure by abdicating the disciplinary models set by Islam. Al-Ghazali’s model posits that disciplined individuals form the foundation of a just society as internalized accountability fosters external righteousness. Besides, he has developed a six pronged method of self-discipline and accountability. The present work will focus on how toensure personality development of an individual through al-Ghazali’s ontological framework of Muhasabah al-Nafsor self introspection. Sociologically,‘Amr bi al-Ma’ruffunctions as a communal duty, ensuring moral coherence through proactive engagement, social criticism and institutional reform. Al-Ghazali balances persuasion and authority, advocating for wisdom (hikmah) and compassion in societal correction. By integrating textual analysis with sociological theory, this paper highlights the relevance of al-Ghazali’s paradigms in contemporary discussions on individual and social responsibility, social activism and holistic leadership. It argues that his dual emphasis on self purification and social reform provides a sustainable model for addressing modern social crises, from individual alienation to collective injustice. The study concludes that al-Ghazali’s synthesis of spiritual discipline and social accountability remains a vital framework for fostering virtuous individuals and harmonious societies. The outcome of the study is to provide a pragmatic roadmap for individual and social upliftment of Muslim Ummah in the light of al-Ghazali’s ontological and sociological framework.
Graduate unemployment and underemployment have intensified universities' responsibility to prepare students not only to seek jobs but also to create sustainable economic opportunities. Although much scholarship on student entrepreneurship has examined entrepreneurial intention, less attention has been given to the social and relational processes through which student-led ventures translate entrepreneurial activity into economic empowerment. This conceptual paper addresses this gap by developing a social capital-based framework for the economic empowerment of university student entrepreneurs. Using a narrative conceptual review, the paper synthesises literature on economic empowerment, student entrepreneurship, Social Capital Theory, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and university entrepreneurial support. The framework conceptualiseseconomic empowerment through income generation, financial autonomy, asset accumulation, and economic decision-making control. It proposes that structural, relational, and cognitive social capital enhance students' access to information, trust, legitimacy,shared entrepreneurial meanings, and venture resources. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy is positioned as a mediating mechanism through which social capital is converted into empowered entrepreneurial action, while university entrepreneurial support is framed as a moderating condition that strengthens the self-efficacy-empowerment relationship. The paper contributes to higher education and entrepreneurship scholarship by moving beyond intention-based explanations and offering a process-oriented model for understanding why some student entrepreneurs achieve economic empowerment. Practically, it provides universities with guidance for designing entrepreneurial programmes that intentionally build, activate, and sustain students' social capital.
Climate change has emerged as a significant driver of resource-based conflicts in many parts of Africa, particularly in regions characterized by environmental vulnerability and weak governance structures. In Northwestern Nigeria, increasing desertification, erratic rainfall patterns, declining agricultural productivity, and shrinking grazing lands have intensified competition over scarce resources, thereby contributing to rising insecurity and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALWs). This study examined the impact of climate-induced resource conflicts on arms proliferation in Northwestern Nigeria. Guided by Ecological Theory and Conflict Resolution Theory, the study adopted a qualitative research design. Data were generated through in-depthinterviews with 25 key informants drawn from security agencies, community leaders, academics, civil society actors, and other relevant stakeholders. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that climate-induced resource scarcity has intensified conflicts over land and water resources, creating conditions that encourage the acquisition and circulation of SALWs. The study further found that arms proliferation is reinforced by porous borders and cross-border trafficking networks, poverty and unemployment, political violence and elite manipulation, ethnic and religious tensions, self-defenceinitiatives, and institutional weaknesses within the security architecture. These factors interact to create a cycle in which environmental stress generates conflict, conflict increases demand for weapons, and the widespread availability of weapons further aggravates insecurity. The study concludes that addressing SALW proliferation in Northwestern Nigeria requires an integrated approach that combines strengthened border security, climate-resilient resource management, community-based conflict resolution mechanisms, socioeconomic empowerment programmes, improved governance, and enhanced regional cooperation. Such measures are essential for breaking the cycle of climate-induced violence and promoting sustainable peace and security in the region.
Although safety behaviour is vital for preventing fatalities in high-risk industries such as the electrical utility sector, the extent to which organisational factors influence these behaviours remainsunclear. This study investigates the impact of safety motivation and safety milieu on employees’ safety behaviours within Malaysia’s largest electrical utility organisation, focusing on both regulatory compliance and active participation in safety initiatives. Grounded in motivational theories, behavioural safety models, and organisational climate theory, this research explores how personal drive and safety perceptions shape workplace behaviour. A quantitative research approach was adopted, employing a structured questionnaire to assess six dimensions of safety climate: supervision, focus on safety, communication and feedback, recognition, coworker support, and training. Safety motivation, comprising both intrinsic and extrinsic aspects, and safety behaviours, including compliance and participation, were measured concurrently. Data were analysedusing IBM-SPSS-AMOS 24.0. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) procedure was conducted to validate the constructs for validity and reliabilityand Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) procedure was employed to model and estimate the interrelationship parameters among the constructs in the structural model. The study found supervision, communication, and training are significant predictors of safety motivation, leading to greater compliance and proactive engagement in safety initiatives. Co-worker support and recognition also contributed, albeit indirectly. Academically, the study extends existing safety climate literature by clarifying the mediating role of motivation in linking organisational climate to employee behaviour. Practically, the findings highlight that supervisory support, transparent communication, and continuous training are crucial strategies for fostering a positive safety climate and promoting safer workplace behaviours in Malaysia’s energy sector.
Chinese puppetry, particularly Potehi(glove puppetry), holds profound cultural significance within Southeast Asian Chinese communities, serving as a vital bridge between traditional art forms and contemporary identity amid globalisation and disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its rich heritage originating from southern Fujian province and its adaptation across dialect groups (including Hokkien, Henghua, Hainanese, and Teochew communities), scholarly research on Potehiin Malaysia remains limited and fragmented, especially when compared with the more extensive studies and collaborative conservation efforts in neighbouring Singapore, where active troupes and institutional support have sustained diverse puppet forms. Thisarticle addresses this research gap by examining Singapore as a model for preservation, drawing on a comprehensive literature review and content analysis of sources from cultural institutions (e.g., National Heritage Board, Roots Singapore) to highlight the historical evolution, active troupes (e.g., Sin Hoe Ping, Jit Guat Sin, San Chun Long), and adaptive strategies (e.g., secular performances, workshops, modernisation of puppets for younger audiences) that counter challenges like dialect erosion and generational decline. Key findings reveal Singapore's robust civil society and institutionalefforts through documentation, restoration, outreach, and secular adaptations which have enabled these puppet traditions to persist and evolve despite an ageing population and modernisation pressures, providing a benchmark for diaspora heritage sustainability. These insights underscore the implications for Malaysia, where ethnic diversity, limited discourse, and reliance on niche groups (e.g., innovative troupes like Ombak Potehiin Penang) fragment conservation. Enhanced academic attention, policy support and cross-border collaborations could bridge this gap, fostering intergenerational transmission and ensuring Potehiand related forms remain culturally resonant in contemporary society.
mployee productivity in Nigerian public universities remains a persistent concern, particularly in administrative units that operate under resource constraints, workload pressure and variable workplace safety conditions. This study examines how workplace safety and workload influence employee productivity among bursary staff at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Guided by Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, Affective Events Theory and the Job Demands-Resources perspective, the study employed a quantitative survey design. Data were collected from 87 bursary staff using a structured questionnaire, while the sample size was determined using G*Power based on a medium effect size, 0.80 statistical power and a 0.05 significance level. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that workplace safety (β = 0.323, p < 0.001) and workload (β = 0.544, p < 0.001) significantly and positively affect employee productivity, with the model explaining 57.5% of the variance. Practically, the findings suggest that university administrators should prioritisesafe work conditions, systematic workload monitoring and employee feedback mechanisms to improve productivity. The study contributes to work environment theory by demonstrating how motivational and affective pathways jointly explain productivity in a non-Western, resource-constrained higher education context.
