Unveiling the Determinant of Humanized Business Intention Among Malaysia SMEs

Dzuljastri Abdul Razak, Suhaimi Mhd. Sarif and Abdullah Sarwar ()
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Dzuljastri Abdul Razak: International Institute for Halal Research and Training, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50728, Malaysia
Suhaimi Mhd. Sarif: Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50728, Malaysia
Abdullah Sarwar: Faculty of Management, Multimedia University, Cyberjaya 63100, Malaysia

Administrative Sciences, 2025, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: This study investigates the factors influencing the intention to humanize business practices among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Drawing upon the Theory of Planned Behavior, four key factors were examined: attitude toward humanizing business practices, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and human practice knowledge. A quantitative research approach was employed, with data collected through self-administered questionnaires distributed to 250 SME owners and managers in the Klang Valley region. The results, analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), revealed that all four factors significantly influenced the intention to humanize business practices among SMEs. Specifically, perceived behavioral control emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by attitude, human practice knowledge, and subjective norms. The findings underscore the importance of fostering positive attitudes, leveraging social influences, enhancing perceived control, and promoting knowledge of humane practices to facilitate the adoption of human-centered approaches in SME business operations. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the drivers influencing the intention to humanize business practices and provides practical insights for policymakers and SME stakeholders in promoting sustainable and ethical business practices.

Keywords: intention; humanize business practices; SMEs; Malaysia; attitude; knowledge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L M M0 M1 M10 M11 M12 M14 M15 M16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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