EXPLAINING SRI BEHAVIOUR OF MALAYSIAN UNIT TRUST FUND MANAGERS USING THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR

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Mohammad Talha, Abdullah Sallehhuddin ORCID logo, Shukor Bin Masoud, Al-Mansor Abu Said ORCID logo

https://doi.org/10.22495/cocv9i4art8

Abstract

This study aims to examine the impact of Theory of Planned Behavior components – attitude, subjective norms and perceived control behavior on perceived socially responsible investment (SRI) behavior among fund managers of unit trust fund companies with intention to engage in SRI as a mediating variable. This cross sectional study employs questionnaire to collect the opinion from respondents. Three hundred and twenty questionnaires have been distributed but only 84 have been returned by the fund managers, with a response rate of 26.25 per cent. A scan of such questionnaires further revealed that only 73 could be taken up for analysis. Thus, the usable rate is 22.81 percent. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) that has been used in the study has revealed that the model has a good fit for the model (above minimum requirements for goodness of fit criteria) which indicates the appropriateness of instrument and measurement. The analysis shows that subjective norms have significant and positive direct effect on perceived SRI behavior. In addition, subjective norms also have a significant and positive indirect effect on perceived SRI behavior through intention to engage in SRI. Attitude has a positive and significant direct impact on intention, while it does not have a significant direct effect on perceived SRI behavior. Besides, the study has evidenced significant direct effect of intention on perceived SRI behavior. However, the study has not found any evidence to support the association of perceived control behavior with intention and perceived SRI behavior. The major limitation of this existing study is a lower response rate; nevertheless it provides good understanding on the interaction of attitude, subjective norms, perceived control behavior, intention and behavior in the context of socially responsible investment in emerging economies like Malaysia.

Keywords: Theory of Planned Behavior, Attitude, Subjective Norms, Perceived Control Behaviour, Intention, Socially Responsible Investment

How to cite this paper: Talha, M., Abdullah Salim, A. S., Masoud, S., & Al-Mansor, A. S. (2012). Explaining SRI behaviour of Malaysian unit trust fund managers using theory of planned behavior. Corporate Ownership & Control, 9(4), 108-117. https://doi.org/10.22495/cocv9i4art8