THP FBF academic wins first prize at 3rd IAWC 2025

It was a moment of pride when Teh Hong Piow Faculty of Business and Finance (THP FBF) academic Dr Mah Pei Yew won first prize at the 3rd International Article Writing Competition (IAWC) 2025. The prestigious competition, organised by MMU Press of Multimedia University (MMU), recognises outstanding scholarly writing and impactful research from academics across various fields. 

Dr Mah, who received a certificate and a cash prize of RM800, expressed her gratitude to UTAR for fostering a research culture that promotes innovation, critical thinking, and rigorous scholarly work. 

The research was a collaboration with Universiti Utara Malaysia academic Dr Francis Chuah Chin Wei. Dr Mah expressed her gratitude to Dr Francis Chuah for his valuable collaboration and insightful contributions throughout the research. She said, “Winning this award is truly an honour and a humbling experience. It is a recognition of our hard work, dedication, and passion for research. The guidance, facilities, and resources available have enabled us to push the boundaries of our research and contribute to addressing sustainability challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. This award motivates me to keep exploring new ideas that can benefit both the academic community and the business world.” 

The award-winning research, titled The Impact of Sustainability Orientation and Practices on Financial Performance: A Combined Sufficiency and Necessity Logic Approach, revealed that while corporate sustainability orientation and social dimension have a significant positive impact on financial performance, the environmental dimension, although not statistically significant in the regression analysis, remains essential for achieving positive outcomes. This offers a nuanced understanding of how sustainability practices influence SMEs and provides valuable guidance for business owners to re-strategize their operations for long-term growth. 

Dr Mah emphasised that sustainability is not only a moral responsibility but also a strategic advantage. She explained, “SMEs that adopt socially responsible practices and embed sustainability into their corporate orientation can enhance their competitiveness and resilience in the market. While environmental practices may not show immediate financial gains, they are crucial for ensuring long-term success and meeting global sustainability standards.” 

The research also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, showing how SMEs can contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic progress by integrating both social and environmental considerations into their strategies. 

The achievement is a testament to Dr Mah’s dedication to impactful scholarship and reflects the University’s commitment to advancing research that addresses global challenges while supporting the sustainable growth of businesses in Malaysia. 

The IAWC by MMU Press serves as an opportune platform for students and professionals worldwide to showcase their research and writing on an international stage. Selected works are published in MMU Press journals, which are indexed in Google Scholar, DOAJ, CrossRef, and EBSCOhost, significantly boosting the visibility and credibility of participants’ work. IAWC plays a vital role in promoting research excellence and encouraging impactful scholarship.