International Review of Management and

Marketing
ISSN: 2146-4405

available at http: www.econjournals.com

International Review of Management and Marketing, 2017, 7(2), 315-325.

Factors Influencing Youth’s Leadership Participation in

Peninsular Malaysia

Derweanna Bah Simpong1*, Abdullah Al Mamun2, Mohd. Rosli Mohamad3, Norsiah Mat4, Isidore Ekpe5
1
Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia, 2Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business,
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia, 3Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia,
4
College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia, 5Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business, Universiti Malaysia
Kelantan, Malaysia. *Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
This study aimed to examine the effects of social (family, friends, mentors, teachers, community leaders), political and legal influences (public policy
and democratic ideas), and access and usage of social media on information and resources (leadership, community development, volunteerism,
professional association, and funding), and youth’s leadership participation (extra-curricular activities, community associations, social works, political
activities) under the premise of the theory of planned behavior. This study adopts the cross-sectional design and the stratified random sampling method
to collect quantitative data from 400 student leaders from selected public universities, colleges, and schools in Peninsular Malaysia. Findings of this
study reveal that social, political and legal influences, and access and usage of social media have a significant positive effect on information and
resources; and information and resources have significant positive effects on youth’s leadership participation. To promote youth leadership participation
in Malaysia, the government and development agencies should therefore focus on social and political influences, and youth’s involvement in sharing
information and resources using social media.
Keywords: Social Influence, Political and Legal Influence, Access and Usage of Social Media, Leadership
JEL Classifications: L82, D71, D72

1. INTRODUCTION The significance of youths as future leaders in the political and

social-economic development of a country is undeniable as
Participatory leadership, in the context of the present study, is they are considered the active working group in any economy
perceived as an instrument for enhancing the involvement of (Aminu, 2012). Much has been reported advocating a vibrant
youths in social activities by creating newer youth participation democracy where ethnic equality and multi-party democracy
opportunities in terms of leadership (Powers and Allaman, 2012). exist that is able to thrust youth leadership participation, which
Such leadership entails membership recruitment, teamwork, is considered better than any one-party system (UNDP, 2012).
stewardship, accountability, and balancing the needs of the leader’s In Nigeria for example, a multi-party democratic system
group. Leadership participation also involves organizing community empowered youths to actively participate in the constitutional
service, extra-curricular activities, community representation, review process in 2014 by means of sending representatives
public speaking forums, campaigns, voting, political participation, and thereby submitting a memorandum to the concerned
community projects, and thereby generating a communal committee. The Nigerian youth also formed a political platform,
identity (Burns et al., 2001; Gray et al., 2010; McFarland and called the youth inter-party forum in the same year for the
Thomas, 2006). It has long been stressed that a self-sustaining preparatory general election of 2015 in the country. Similarly,
societal development is essential to the economic and social in Bangladesh, the youths formed the National Youth Parliament
development of any developing nation. This is because when leaders as a platform for direct dialogue with their respective parliament
unite and make collective decisions, the community maintains peace members thereby ensuring their participation in leadership
and development (Gray et al., 2010; Kuponiyi, 2008). (UNDP, 2012).

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Based on the existing literature, the present study has acknowledged acquisition and delivery are only possible in networks, which
access, use of social media, social influence, and political-legal could be used by leaders to shape their opinion. In addition, the
influence as key factors affecting the acquisition of information and information flow from the consumed media has been found to have
resources resulting in leadership participation. The factors were a stronger influence on the network members in their decision-
considered not only because of their rigor in existing literature making activities (Opsahl et al., 2010; Tata and Prasad, 2008).
but also due to their inter contingency as found in the review of Furthermore, the present study also makes a remarkable theoretical
literature. Social network is required to mobilize the resources contribution towards the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in
needed for leadership. Social media, on the other hand, consists particular, and towards leadership and management theories in
of online platforms and applications that empower users to share general. It aims to extend the TPB by altering the independent
and create content and thereby participate in social networking. construct in its original model by including political-legal factors,
One of the many ways of achieving mass participation in activities aside from the social influence. It is expected that the findings of
related to leadership is by employing social media. With the this study, and the policy implications or recommendations to be
advancement in social media technologies, understanding, creating proffered, would be able to address the issues as highlighted in
awareness, perceiving, and increasing leadership participation has this study.
tremendously improved in recent times (Ahmad et al., 2012). On
the other hand, social influence refers to the phenomena where 2. LITERATURE REVIEW
specific others influence the opinions, emotions, and behavior of
an individual. Social influence takes many forms that are usually 2.1. Youth Leadership in Malaysia
reflected in socialization, conformity, peer pressure, leadership, The multi-ethnic and multi-racial cultural background of Malaysia
obedience, and persuasion. The concept of social influence is complimentary to participatory and collaborative leadership,
revolves around social ties, the influence of family and friends, as has been rightly promoted by several previous studies in the
advisors and role models, and others, who could possibly influence Malaysian context (Silong et  al., 2008; Mohamad et  al., 2009;
one’s long-term behavior, such as leadership participation (Koe Tam, 2008). However, according to the C.E.C (2009), youths
and Majid, 2014; Tata and Prasad, 2008). In terms of political-legal in Malaysia have limited access to opportunities in regards to
influence, research dictates that negative influence of the political- effective leadership participation within their communities as
legal paradigm, including inadequate political freedom, legal a result of inadequate trust between them and the government
rights, and freedom of speech, could significantly deter youths’ institutions, political parties, and lack of authorities’ intention
leadership participation in any country (Kuhn, 2012). towards capability development for youths and youth associated
entities, resulting in social vices in the country. An example
Although, it is undeniable that the significance of youth leadership of youths’ limitation in the country in regards to leadership
has inspired a good number of researchers to explore the relevant participation is also reflected in its Universities Act of 1971, a
areas, a critical review of existing related studies, however, reveals much controversial by-product of the 1969 racial riots in Malaysia
a gap in literature that the present study aspires to fulfill. Previous that banned students from supporting or joining any political party
studies (Ahmad et al., 2012) have examined youth’s development (Kuhn, 2012).
and a few others (Aminu, 2012) have researched youth’s political
involvement. However, limited studies have dwelt on social media This is perhaps why research has found that although the
and youth’s social development. Aside from Mohamad et al. (2009) participative leadership approach offers more effective governance,
and Pandian (2014), studies similar to the current one have not been participation levels of involvement of other people in community
found, indicating the need for further research penetration in the efforts is still an issue among the Malaysian youths (Mohamad
study area, as it could be that the negative use of the information et  al., 2009). According to Ahmad et  al. (2012), most youths
and resources provided by social media and other social or political in Malaysia understand the environmental issues but do not
groups could lead to a negative impact on youths’ leadership participate and practice the rights or duties towards a better
participation, and vice versa. Thus, the present study responds to the environment because they are not bothered. They also perceive
scarcity of scholarly studies examining social media, socio-political that they would not be able to make any changes to impact the
influence, and youth’s leadership participation in a single model, community as single individuals. A similar picture was uncovered
particularly in the Malaysian context by investigating the effects in a recent study (Pandian, 2014) that investigated university
of social media and socio-political influence on youth’s leadership students and their voting pattern in general elections. Employing
participation in Malaysia, thereby bridging the gap in literature. a survey of 614 local university students, the study found that a
majority of Malaysian students had never voted due to issues such
Moreover, exploring the mediating effect of information and as their background, government policies, electoral process, party
resources on the relationship between social media, social leadership, and traits of an ideal leader. Meanwhile, Sahri et al.
influence, political-legal influence, and youth’s leadership (2013) stated that community participation of university students
participation is the other novel contribution of this study towards in volunteer activities were found to be limited in Malaysia due
the body of knowledge in the field of leadership. In terms of to the lower levels of self-motivation and commitment among
literature, the inclusion of information and resources as a mediator the local youths.
is in line with the scholarly work of Baron and Kenny (1986). The
mediator is introduced into the present study’s context because Such a difference between what is ideal and what is real in terms
based on literature review, it is perceived that public information of the political-legal scenario of Malaysia creates a gap worth of

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inquiry. Therefore, the need for this research on such issues is study intends to fill. Therefore, this study intends to modify the
justified as such policies of the Government could significantly PBC construct of the TPB, to include the political-legal factor.
hurt leadership participation in the country particularly by the This would mean that when youths perceive that opportunities
youth and thereby hinder critical analysis and personal opinion to participate in leadership related activities exist and their
on issues related to national concern. Moreover, this could also expectation towards success is guaranteed, it would motivate
lead to inferior quality graduates and weaker quality future leaders them to participate in leadership. However, if their perception is
in the country. the opposite, and they assume that their intended behavior and
participation would be significantly hindered by policies of the
2.2. Theoretical Foundation government and the political ideology, this would de-motivate
The present study involves the constructs of social media, social the youth from intending to or participating in leadership related
influence and political-legal influence, linked to the acquisition activities. This is how the present study attempts to extend the
of information and resources, which in turn is connected to TPB further by considering the legal and political environmental
leadership participation. Therefore, to explain this linkage, the impact on individuals’ behavioral intentions and actions. In
present study relies on the TPB. The TPB pays much importance terms of empirical evidence, numerous behavioral studies have
on the intention of individuals to perform a given behavior, employed the TPB to support their research related to social
which indicates how keen people are to attempt, and how much media and leadership participation (Aminu, 2012; Gazzar, 2011;
effort they are ready to put in to perform the behavior (Ajzen, Kahne and Middaugh, 2012; Koe and Majid, 2014). However,
1991). TPB asserts that intentions could be the best predictors of no theory is without its share of weaknesses and upon critical
behavior. However, the performance of any particular behavior review of the existing literature, it has been found that there is a
is also contingent on other non-motivational factors, including scarcity of studies that have employed the TPB to support their
availability of resources and opportunities, such as money, skills, work by integrating political-legal factors into the model. The only
time, and cooperation of others. The theory in general dictates studies found employing the construct of political-legal influence
the attitude of individuals towards a behavior that could be either was that of Mohamad et al. (2009) and Pandian (2014), however
negative or positive. Thus, social media, social influence, and both studies differ from the present in measuring leadership
political-legal influence may exist in an environment but the ability participation, as they used the Lewin Leadership and the Ohio
of the youth to utilize these opportunities and acquire relevant and Michigan Leadership theories, respectively, instead of the
information and resources to contribute positively to leadership TPB. Therefore, this study aspires to fill this gap and to make a
activities in his/her community lies within him/her. The original theoretical contribution to the body of knowledge by extending
model of TPB took into consideration and measured attitude the TPB by integrating and measuring political-legal factors to
towards behavior, perceived behavioral control (PBC), subjective the PBC in the TPB model.
norm (SN), intention, and the actual behavior (AB) (Ajzen, 1991)
as constructs of the original model. 2.3. Access and Usage of Social Media and Information
and Resources
The first construct in the TPB, attitude toward the behavior refers Social media includes applications and websites that can empower
to the subject’s unfavorable or favorable evaluation of the behavior users to share and create content and thereby participate in social
in context. PBC or locus of control focuses on the personality traits networking activities. One way of achieving mass participation in
of a person, such as self-confidence, self-efficacy, or beliefs. The leadership related activities is by employing social media. With
third construct, SN measures the social pressure on the person to the advancement of social media technologies, understanding
not perform or perform a particular behavior. According to TPB, perception, creating awareness, and increasing leadership
an aggregate of the factors mentioned could successfully predict participation has been tremendously trending in recent times
intention (I) and AB (Ajzen, 1991). TPB emphasizes more on (Ahmad et al., 2012). Logically, the social network is necessary
the personality of individuals and the influence of an individual’s to mobilize the resources needed for leadership. Furthermore,
social groups on his/her intention to behave and the AB of the referring back to the TPB, it could be argued that people’s attitudes,
individual. In the words of Ajzen (1991), “social attitude and values, practices, and identities could be influenced through
personality trait have played an important role in these attempts interactive communication with other people on the social media,
to predict and explain human behavior.” This could be translated which could in turn influence leadership, and the acquisition of
as other people’s ability to conditionally influence a person’s information and resources could theoretically be perceived to be
intention or behavior depending on the availability of resources affected by accessing and using social media (Ajzen, 1991).
and opportunities including money, time, skills, and support of
the others (Ajzen, 1991). It could also be deduced from TPB that The ability of citizens to access information from social media
lesser emphasis was awarded on other external factors such as for political activities enhances the political development of a
laws and government policies that could influence the decision country (Ahmad et al., 2012). Previous related studies found a
of an individual, though it was indicated that a person’s intended positive effect of social media on youth’s political engagement
behavior could be influenced by information regarding the and involvement in social activities such as cleaning streets; and
behavior, individual past experiences, experience of their relatives a negative impact of social media on leadership activities such
and friends, and by other factors (Ajzen, 1991). as receiving a forwarded message or spreading calls about a
revolution (Gazzar, 2011). This proves that social media is able
The “other factors,” as mentioned above, could be the political- to provide information and resources to the youths that could
legal force, which reflects a gap in literature that the present either be beneficial to leadership or anti-leadership in a country.

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Kahne and Middaugh (2012) found the positive impact of digital as social influence dependency on information and resource
media on academic and political engagement of youths, in terms acquisition in order to affect leadership participating behavior.
of networking and information exchange. Kafai et al. (2012) found
a positive relationship between online social awareness and task Empirically, previous studies have established that social
completion, due to collaborative teamwork, while Park and Suh networks provide access to information and resources necessary
(2014) discovered a significant positive influence of direction for entrepreneurial activity (Tata and Prasad, 2008). Research
of message in social networking service and word-of-mouth also reveals that general involvement in extracurricular (social)
information on a receiver’s attitude. activities such as sports and voluntary community associations,
such as clubs, require teamwork in schools. This provides
According to Chang et al. (2014), social media affects youth’s social networks that help to share information, experiences and
decisions in many aspects in recent times. By means of social motives, and encourages future leadership participation among
media, decisions could be made quickly irrespective of distance, youths (McFarland and Thomas, 2006). On the other hand, Oc
and information, conversations, files, videos, and pictures can and Bashshur (2013) reveal that followers directly influence the
easily be shared among members, which strengthen social ties behavior of leaders in regards to group cohesion and individual
within the social group (Gray et al., 2010). Social media was not strength. Other studies suggest that a good societal relationship
intended to be used for negative purposes, however, conversely with parents at home and peers at school is able to produce
research has discovered that the attitude, energy, and time devoted better behavior and the pursuit of excellence (Blair et al., 2008;
to social media applications, websites, and networks mostly by Asikhia, 2009).
the youths have enslaved them, causing a negative impact on their
personal lives, academics, and societal morality (Jean-Marie et al., Conversely, research has also found that youths perform in
2009; Ayub et al., 2014). contrary to parental advice mostly when depending on the
recommendation of their peers and role models while formulating
However, although debatable, several researchers have upheld most crucial decisions, which sometimes remain unknown to
that social media provides useful information and resources to their parents (Lawal et al., 2009). Unfortunately, this sometimes
youths in terms of educational, personal, social, and leadership leads to negative consequences, whereas social influence has
development, if used in the right manner (Brown, 2010; Gray et al., been generally perceived to provide positive information for
2010). Nevertheless, at the same time, the varied findings of earlier holistically developing young minds. Moreover, social influence
studies regarding the effect of social media on the acquisition of has also been linked to societal vices such as drug abuse and
information and resources indicate that a deeper exploration of the sexual assault among youths in most developing countries,
issue is required. Therefore, based on the theory and the existing including Malaysia (C.E.C., 2009). Hence, based on literature,
literature, the present study forwards the following hypothesis for this study acknowledges social influence as a key factor that
empirical investigation: influences information and resource acquisition, thereby resulting
H1: Social media access and use has a significant positive effect on in leadership participation. However, at the same time, the varied
information and resources acquisition among student leaders findings of earlier studies regarding the effect of social influence on
in Malaysia. acquisition of information and resources is found to be inadequate
and requires deeper exploration. Therefore, based on the theory
2.4. Social Influence and Information and Resources and existing literature, the present study forwards the following
Social influence refers to the phenomena where specific others hypothesis for empirical investigation:
influence the opinions, emotions, and behavior of a person. H2: Social Influence has a significant positive effect on Information
Social influence takes many forms, and is usually reflected in and Resources acquisition among Student Leaders in
socialization, conformity, peer pressure, leadership, obedience, Malaysia.
and persuasion. The concept of social influence revolves around
social ties, influence of family and friends, advisors and role 2.5. Political-legal Influence, Information and
models, and others, who could possibly influence one’s long- Resources
term behavior, such as leadership participation (Koe and Majid, Political-legal influences involve public policies in the context of
2014; Tata and Prasad, 2008). It is often rationally observed that political freedom or association, tolerance, ethnic minority, political
the advice of some parents, relatives, and peers aids or hampers ideology, legal rights, and freedom of speech (Kuhn, 2012). In
youths’ participation in leadership. Theoretically, the TPB could order to synthesize a relationship between Political-legal influence
be referred to as the starting point for articulating a relationship and Information-Resources, leading to Youths’ Leadership
between social influence and information and resource acquisition Participation, this study refers to the TPB. According to the theory,
leading to leadership participation. TPB emphasizes a lot on social a person’s intended behavior could be influenced by information
groups’ influence on the intention of individuals to behave and the regarding the behavior, personal past experience, experience
AB itself. According to the theory, social attitude and personality of relatives and friends, and by other factors (Ajzen, 1991).
trait play significant roles in predicting and explaining human Rationally, it could be perceived that environmental issues such
behavior, provided resources and opportunities such as money, as political and legal factors could hamper youths’ participation in
time, skill and required support of other people that could influence leadership activities, particularly in a country such as Malaysia that
the intention or behavior of a person are available (Ajzen, 1991). is characterized by the lack of ethnic or racial equality, political
For the purpose of the present study, this could be translated freedom, and one-party democracy. Therefore, for the purpose

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of the present study, the other factors, as mentioned above, are youth’s leadership participation, which thereby necessitates the
perceived as the political-legal force, which is expected to depend inclusion of a mediator in the present study’s model, in line with
on Information and Resource acquisition in order to influence the suggestion of Baron and Kenny (1986). This study therefore,
Leadership Participation. based on the theory, literature and empirical evidences, forwards
the following hypothesis:
Previous studies have established that favorable political-legal H4: Information and resources have a significant positive effect
factors such as political freedom, multi-party democracy, and on youth’s leadership participation among student leaders in
ethnic minority tolerance could provide youths the opportunity Malaysia.
to work with the adults and peers, and gain information and
resources on sustainability, as required for leadership participation 2.7. The Mediating Effect of Information and
(Ahmad et al., 2012; Powers and Allaman, 2012). Hence, based Resources
on literature, this study acknowledges political-legal influence as In response to the differences in causal relationships reported,
a key factor in influencing information and resource acquisition, the present study argues the adoption of leadership participation
thereby resulting in leadership participation. However, at the among youth leaders in Malaysia, and conceptualizes the access
same time, the inadequate and varied findings of earlier studies and use of social media, social influence, and political-legal
regarding the effect of political-legal influence on acquisition of influence as factors affecting the acquisition of information and
information and resources indicate that a deeper exploration of the resource. The study simultaneously articulates a relationship
construct is required. Therefore, based on the theory and existing between acquisition of information, resources, and youths’
literature, the present study forwards the following hypothesis for leadership participation. Therefore, the study rationally expects
empirical investigation: information and resources to significantly mediate the association
H3: Political-legal influence has a significant positive effect on between access and use of social media, social influence, and
Information and Resources acquisition among student leaders political-legal influence with youths’ leadership participation
in Malaysia. among student leaders in Malaysia.

2.6. Information and Resources and Youth’s Moreover, recent studies based on the TPB (Ajzen, 1991), focusing
Leadership Participation on the direct influence of followers on behavior of leader in terms
The above sections articulate relationships between access and of group cohesion and individual strength indicate that information
use of social media, social influence, and political-legal influence acquired from group social ties and social groups could impact
with youths’ leadership participation. Logically however, social leadership participation of youths (Oc and Bashshur, 2013).
media and socio-political influence alone cannot lead to youth’s Additionally, the inconsistencies in previous studies have
leadership participation without information and resource established both strong and weak relationships between social
acquisition. According to theory (TPB), social attitude and media, environment factors, and youth’s leadership participation,
personality traits, along with other factors play significant roles in thereby necessitating the inclusion of a mediator in the present
predicting and explaining human behavior, provided resources and study’s model, in line with the suggestion of Baron and Kenny
opportunities such as money, time, skills, and the support of others (1986), and hence, the study forwards the following hypothesis:
that could influence intention or behavior of a person are available
(Ajzen, 1991). That is, if the youth perceives that information H5: Acquisition of information and resources significantly mediates
and resources to participate in leadership activities are available
the relationship between access and use of social media, social
and their expectation for success is guaranteed, they would be
influence, and political-legal influence with youths’ leadership
influenced by social and political factors and the social media
participation among student leaders in Malaysia.
to participate in leadership related activities. However, if they
perceive that they are not able to acquire the necessary information
or resources, social, political factors, along with social media can 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
no longer influence them to participate in leadership activities.
This study employs the cross-sectional design and a quantitative
Previous related studies have also revealed that social media, social approach to measure the mediating influence of information
influence, and political-legal influence produce information and and resource acquisition on the relationship between social
resources which lead to youth’s leadership participation (Ahmad media, social influence, political-legal influence, and leadership
et al., 2012; Kafai et al., 2012; Mohamad et al., 2009; Powers and participation among youths in Malaysian public universities.
Allaman, 2012). However, in a different study, it has also been Sample respondents from the youths were studied at a given point
reported that no significant influence of media news exposure in time and the results were analyzed statistically.
(the types of social media news) was found on youth’s political
participation, in a study among Dutch and German college students 3.1. Research Instrument
in Netherlands (Mergner, 2009). Meanwhile, in the same study, In this study, structured and self-reported questionnaires were
the mediating variable, interpersonal communication (information) used. This is similar to that used by Al-Rahmi and Othman (2013),
was found to significantly mediate the relationship between social Gazzar (2011), Kennedy et al. (2003), Pandian (2014), and Tata
media and intended political behavior among the youths. The and Prasad (2008). However, more question items were developed
inconsistencies in these studies establish both strong and weak on the environmental factors to reflect Malaysia’s social, political,
relationships between social media, environment factors and and legal situations. The questionnaire or interview format was

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centered on social media, social influence, political-legal influence, Table 1: Profile of the respondents
information and resources, and youth’s leadership participation. Participants n (%)
Student’s demographics came last because not everyone likes to Age
disclose personal information at first sight. The questionnaire was 18‑19 years old 60 (15.0)
framed in bilingual languages including a simple English language 20‑21 years old 146 (36.5)
22‑23 years old 89 (22.3)
and Bahasa Melayu. These were sent to students (age between 15
24‑25 years old 105 (26.3)
and 30 years) in the Malaysian public universities, polytechnics, Total 400 (100.0)
colleges, and secondary/vocational schools through their Faculty Language
Deans or Principals. Bahasa Melayu 203 (50.7)
Mandarin 6 (1.5)
3.2. Sample Selection Tamil 6 (1.5)
English 3 (0.8)
The quantitative approach was based on a survey of male
More than 1 language 182 (45.5)
and female students (age 15-30) from the Malaysian Public Total 400 (100.0)
Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges, and Secondary/Vocational Education
Schools in Peninsula Malaysia, stratified into three regions, PMR 1 (0.3)
which are East, West, and North Coast. This study adopted SPM 16 (4.0)
probability sampling; the study adopted a proportionate stratified STPM 7 (1.8)
Diploma 148 (37.0)
random sampling method for selecting the sample. This involved Bachelor 200 (50.0)
separating the population into sub-groups, and then randomly Masters 26 (6.5)
drawing a sample from each group (Gay and Diehl, 1996). PhD 2 (0.5)
Total 400 (100.0)
To select the respondent, this study randomly selected the
respondents from the list, which was obtained from the Department
followed by Diploma students (37.0%), Masters (6.5%), SPM
of Statistics, Malaysia. Every youth in the population has an
(4.0%), STPM (1.8%), PhD (0.5%), and PMR (0.4%).
equal chance of being selected, and he or she will be selected
randomly. The sample size was obtained based on Krejcie
4.2. Validity and Reliability Analysis
and Morgan’s (1970) sample size measurement. Krejcie and
The Cronbach’s Alpha values for access and use of social media,
Morgan (1970) recommended 380  sample sizes for a total of
social, political and legal influences, information and resources,
30,949,962 youth population (July 2016 est.). According to and youth’s leadership participation are all more than 0.7. Since
Salkind (1997), the sample size can be increased by 40-50% the Cronbach’s alpha for all the items are more than 0.7, this
to account for uncooperative subjects. This study therefore study considers all items as reliable. For the composite reliability,
distributed questionnaires to 400 students to back up any unusable the indicators have different loadings for all items at more than
questionnaire and missing values. 0.7. According to experts, if the indicators are higher than 0.7,
it is considered reliable (Hair et al., 2013). Convergent validity
The questionnaires were distributed to students at Universiti signifies that a set of indicators represents one and the same
Malaysia Kelantan City Campus, Polytechnics Kota Bharu, underlying construct, which can be demonstrated through their
Polytechnics Kok Lanas, UITM Machang, Kolej Teknologi Darul unidimensionality, and the average variance extracted value for
Naim, University Technology Petronas, Polytechnics Ungku all items is more than 0.5, which indicates sufficient convergent
Omar, University Tun Abdul Razak, University Malaysia Perlis, validity (Hair et al., 2011) (Table 2).
Polytechnics Dungun, and University Utara Malaysia.
Moreover, according to Table 3, the cross loading values are
4. DATA ANALYSIS below the outer loadings, which suggest good discriminant
validity. Experts note that to assess the discriminant validity,
4.1. Demographic Characteristics the cross loadings of the indicators should be examined (Hair
Among the 400 participating student leaders in Malaysia, most et  al., 2013). The Fornell-Larcker assesses the discriminant
respondents (50.7%) were Bahasa Melayu users, followed by validity at the construct level. The Fornell-Larcker criterion
45.5% of respondents who used more than one language (Table 1). in Table 4 is largely unable to detect any lack of discriminant
Mandarin and Tamil acquired 6% of respondents for each of the validity. Furthermore, the Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio is an
two, while only 0.8% of respondents were users of the English estimate of the correlation between constructs, which parallels
language. The respondents were divided into four categories of the disattenuated construct score creation. Using a value of 0.9
ages. For the first category (between 18 and 19 years old), there as the threshold, this study concludes that there is no evidence
were 60 respondents (15%). For the second category (20-21 years of a lack of discriminant validity and all the constructs meet
old), there were 146 respondents (36.5%), reportedly the largest the criteria.
age group of respondents. This was followed by the third category
(22-23  years old), with 89 respondents accounting for 22.3% 4.3. Path Coefficients
and the fourth category (24-25 years old), with 105 respondents Path coefficients are estimated as path relationships in the
accounting for the remaining 26.3%. In terms of Education, most structural model between the constructs in the model. As presented
student leaders were found to be Bachelor students (50.0%), in Table 5, the path coefficients between access and use of social

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Simpong et al.: Factors Influencing Youth’s Leadership Participation in Peninsular Malaysia

Table 2: Reliability analysis

Variables Items Mean±SD Cronbach’s Alpha Composite reliability AVE VIF
Access and usage of social media 6 4.2829±1.0180 0.882 0.839 0.557 1.025
social influence 5 4.1820±0.8451 0.841 0.788 0.527 1.249
Political and legal influence 6 3.3738±1.0250 0.921 0.898 0.660 1.268
Information and resources 14 3.3546±0.9276 0.956 0.950 0.609 1.000
Youth’s leadership participation 9 3.6808±0.8494 0.930 0.915 0.596 ‑
SD: Standard deviation, AVE: Average variance extracted

Table 3: Outer model loading and cross loading

Variables and items AUSM SOIN PLIN INRE YOLP
AUSM
I enjoy checking my social media account 0.813 0.052 0.089 0.240 0.250
I am disappointed if I am unable to use social media at all 0.808 0.071 0.092 0.273 0.190
I get upset when I cannot log on to social media 0.767 0.053 0.041 0.214 0.162
I use YouTube everyday 0.629 0.086 0.272 0.277 0.207
I prefer to communicate with others through social media 0.665 0.088 0.056 0.165 0.143
I spend more than 2 h on social media in a day 0.777 0.054 0.083 0.222 0.245
SOIN
I always have discussions with my family −0.016 0.537 0.083 0.121 0.195
I always chat with my friends 0.194 0.468 0.118 0.110 0.229
I always get advice from my mentors 0.048 0.858 0.379 0.386 0.292
I always have discussions with my teachers 0.015 0.875 0.404 0.393 0.292
I always have discussions with community leaders 0.139 0.792 0.413 0.408 0.289
PLIN
I am aware of common public policies in Malaysia 0.118 0.412 0.763 0.407 0.168
I refer to public policy documents for certain purposes 0.102 0.457 0.819 0.483 0.214
I am interested in public policy issues 0.165 0.388 0.847 0.582 0.297
I always attend political talks or meetings 0.171 0.354 0.830 0.668 0.288
I strongly believe in the democratic idea 0.109 0.280 0.818 0.507 0.155
I believe in the freedom of giving ideas about governance 0.046 0.293 0.796 0.419 0.177
INRE
I always have discussions on professional associations using social engagements 0.218 0.365 0.492 0.794 0.458
I have discussions on professional associations using social media 0.227 0.391 0.491 0.811 0.495
I always update myself through the PLF 0.223 0.362 0.522 0.794 0.418
I always have discussions on funding in social media 0.211 0.350 0.499 0.802 0.420
I always discuss funding through my social engagement 0.197 0.338 0.532 0.805 0.412
I always update myself about funding through the political‑legal framework 0.198 0.331 0.547 0.780 0.403
I always follow discussions on leadership in social media 0.294 0.306 0.398 0.678 0.456
I always have discussions on leadership through my social engagement 0.295 0.338 0.453 0.750 0.436
I always update myself about leadership through political‑legal framework 0.303 0.309 0.496 0.764 0.435
I always have discussions on community development in social media 0.278 0.348 0.552 0.808 0.405
I always discuss about community development through social engagement 0.292 0.350 0.540 0.820 0.452
I always update myself about community development through PLF 0.256 0.382 0.560 0.787 0.428
I always follow discussions on volunteerism in social media 0.208 0.345 0.472 0.727 0.427
I always have a series of discussions about volunteerism on PLF 0.287 0.345 0.491 0.792 0.454
YOLP
I’m always involved in planning and organizing charity activities 0.253 0.255 0.221 0.465 0.775
I’m always involved in planning and organizing sporting activities 0.214 0.210 0.204 0.411 0.750
I always give ideas to my club/association 0.200 0.305 0.188 0.431 0.743
I’m actively involved in the decision‑making of my club/association 0.145 0.219 0.206 0.406 0.764
I’m always involved in planning and organizing activities in my club 0.162 0.289 0.209 0.386 0.774
I’m always involved in planning and organizing religious activities 0.163 0.278 0.267 0.427 0.780
I’m always involved in planning and organizing campaigns for volunteer work 0.221 0.279 0.261 0.429 0.790
I’m always involved in planning and organizing student union activities 0.220 0.318 0.178 0.394 0.783
I’m always involved in planning and organizing student union political activities 0.287 0.300 0.182 0.505 0.785
AUSM: Access and usage of social media, SOIN: Social influence, PLIN: Political and legal influence, INRE: Information and resources, PLF: Political‑legal framework, YOLP: Youth’s
leadership participation

media, social, political, and legal influences, have a positive According to the effect sizes f2 in Table 5, both access and use
and statistically significant effect on information and resources of social media and social influence have a small effect on
(at the chosen 5% level of significance). Moreover, information information and resources while political and legal influence is
and resources are also found to have a positive and statistically found to have a medium effect on information and resources among
significant effect on the youth’s leadership participation (at the student leaders in Malaysia. Moreover, information and resources
chosen 5% level of significance). are also found to have a moderate effect on youth’s leadership

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Table 4: Fornell‑Larcker criterion and three. In step three, the coefficient of information and resources
Heterotrait‑monotrait ratio on youth’s leadership participation is found to be 0.559 with a
Variables AUSM SOIN PLIN INRE YOLP P-value of 0.000, which satisfies the requirements and allows
Fornell‑Larcker conducting step four. Step four tests the effect of access and
criterion use of social media and information and resources on youth’s
AUSM 0.746 leadership participation. The coefficient value for step four is found
SOIN 0.090 0.726 to be 0.111 with a P-value of 0.012. The statistically significant
PLIN 0.153 0.446 0.813
(P < 0.05) effect of access and use of social media on youth’s
INRE 0.319 0.445 0.646 0.780
YLPA 0.272 0.354 0.276 0.559 0.772 leadership participation in Steps 1-4 indicates partial mediation
Heterotrait‑Monotrait of information and resources between access and use of social
ratio media and youth’s leadership participation among student leaders
AUSM ‑ in Malaysia.
SOIN 0.157 ‑
PLIN 0.172 0.456 ‑ The mediating effect of information and resources between social
INRE 0.349 0.446 0.679 ‑
influence and youth’s leadership participation, the steps involved,
YLPA 0.301 0.416 0.294 0.595 ‑
requirements for next steps, and the status are also presented in
AUSM: Access and usage of social media, SOIN: Social influence, PLIN: Political
and legal influence, INRE: Information and resources, PLF: Political‑legal framework, Table 6. In step one, the coefficient of social influence on youth’s
YOLP: Youth’s leadership participation leadership participation is found to be 0.364 with a P-value of
0.000, which satisfies the requirements and allows conducting step
Table 5: Path coefficient two. Step two tests the effect of social influence on information and
Variables Coefficient t value P value f2 r2 Q2 resources. As the coefficient value for step two is found to be 0.190
AUSM→INRE 0.222 6.144 0.000 0.095 with a P-value of 0.000, it satisfies the requirements and allows
SOIN→INRE 0.190 4.148 0.000 0.058 0.493 0.301 conducting step three. In step three, the coefficient of information
PLIN→INRE 0.527 13.828 0.000 0.436 and resources on youth’s leadership participation is found to be
INRE→YLPA 0.559 14.314 0.000 0.454 0.310 0.182 0.559 with a P-value of 0.000, which satisfies the requirements
AUSM: Access and usage of social media, SOIN: Social influence, PLIN: Political and allows conducting step four. Step four tests the effect of social
and legal influence, INRE: Information and resources, PLF: Political‑legal framework,
YOLP: Youth’s leadership participation
influence and information and resources on youth’s leadership
participation. The coefficient value for step four is found to be
0.155 with a P-value of 0.001. The statistically significant effect
participation among student leaders in Malaysia. The coefficient
of social influence on youth’s leadership participation in Steps 1-4
of determination (r2) of three endogenous latent variables as shown
indicates partial mediation of information and resources between
in Table 5 is considered acceptable, as this study is not designed to
social influence and youth’s leadership participation among student
identify the key factor affecting information and resources; rather,
leaders in Malaysia.
the study only attempts to identify how different constructs in the
context of the study’s model affect information and resource. As for
youth’s leadership participation, the coefficient of determination As for political and legal influence, Table 6 is referred to in
(r2) is found to be weak but acceptable. reporting the following. In step one, the coefficient of political and
legal influence on youth’s leadership participation is found to be
Q2 value assesses the relative predictive relevance of a predictor 0.287 with a P-value of 0.000, which satisfies the requirements and
construct on an endogenous construct value and a larger than allows conducting step two. Step two tests the effect of political
zero value indicates that the path model’s accuracy is acceptable and legal influence on information and resources. As the coefficient
(Hair et al., 2013). Based on Table 5, Q2 values are greater than value for step two is found to be 0.527 with a P-value of 0.000,
zero indicating the predictive relevance of the factors (i.e., access it satisfies the requirements and allows conducting step three. In
and use of social media, social, political, and legal influences) step three, the coefficient of information and resources on youth’s
on information and resources; and of information and resources leadership participation is found to be 0.559 with a P-value of
on the youth’s leadership participation among student leaders in 0.000, which satisfies the requirements and allows conducting step
Malaysia. four. Step four tests the effect of political and legal influence and
information and resources on youth’s leadership participation. The
4.4. Mediating Effect of Information and Resources coefficient value for step four is found to be -0.139 with a P-value
In terms of the mediating effect of information and resources of 0.007. The statistically significant effect of political and legal
between access and use of social media and youth’s leadership influence on youth’s leadership participation in Steps 1-4 indicates
participation, the steps, requirements for next steps, and the status partial mediation of information and resources between political
are presented in Table 6. In step one, the coefficient of access and and legal influence and youth’s leadership participation among
use of social media on youth’s leadership participation is found to student leaders in Malaysia.
be 0.282 with a P-value of 0.000, which satisfies the requirements
and allows conducting step two. Step two tests the effect of access 5. DISCUSSION
and use of social media on information and resources. As the
coefficient value for step two is found to be 0.222 with a P-value The findings from the study reveal that access and use of social
of 0.000, it satisfies the requirements and allows conducting step media has a positive and significant effect on information and

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Table 6: Mediating effects

Mediation Coefficient P Requirements for next Decision
AUSM→INRE→YLPA
Step 1: AUSM→YLPA 0.282 0.000 Statistically significant Satisfied
Step 2: AUSM→INRE 0.222 0.000 Statistically significant Satisfied
Step 3: INRE→YLPA 0.559 0.000 Statistically significant Satisfied
Step 4: AUSM and INRE→YLPA (AUM→YLPA) 0.111 0.012 Step 1: P<0.05 Partial mediation
Step 4: P<0.05
SOIN→INRE→YLPA
Step 1: SOIN→YLPA 0.364 0.000 Statistically significant Satisfied
Step 2: SOIN→INRE 0.190 0.000 Statistically significant Satisfied
Step 3: INRE→YLPA 0.559 0.000 Statistically significant Satisfied
Step 4: SOIN and INRE→YLPA (SOIN→YLPA) 0.155 0.001 Step 1: P<0.05 Partial mediation
Step 4: P<0.05
PLIN→INRE→YLPA
Step 1: PLIN→YLPA 0.287 0.000 Statistically significant Satisfied
Step 2: PLIN→INRE 0.527 0.000 Statistically significant Satisfied
Step 3: INRE→YLPA 0.559 0.000 Statistically significant Satisfied
Step 4: PLIN and INRE→YLPA (PLIN→YLPA) −0.139 0.007 Step 1: P<0.05 Partial mediation
Step 4: P<0.05
AUSM: Access and usage of social media, SOIN: Social influence, PLIN: Political and legal influence, INRE: Information and resources, PLF: Political‑legal framework, YOLP: Youth’s
leadership participation

resource among student leaders in Malaysia (H1). This could be leadership, instead of an autocratic style, could develop leadership
interpreted as student leaders’ dependence on social media for participation among citizens particularly the youth (Silong et al.,
acquiring resources and information. Social influence has been 2008; Mohamad et al., 2009; Tam, 2008), whereby Participatory
proven to have a positive and significant effect on information leadership acts as an instrument in increasing youths’ involvement
and resources among student leaders in Malaysia (H2), which in societal activities by creating newer opportunities for youth
indicates that student leaders consider the perception of family, participation in community-based leadership (Powers and
friends, mentors, teachers, and community leaders while acquiring Allaman, 2012). In such an attempt, the present study contributes
information and resources. Political and legal influence has also been to the existing literature in several folds as discussed below. Firstly,
found to have a positive and significant effect on information and this study forwarded an extended TPB model to explain the effects
resources confirming hypothesis (H3) and this could be interpreted of access, use of social media, social influence, and political-
as student leaders’ expression of trust towards public policy and legal influence on youths’ leadership participation by means of
democratic ideas while acquiring information and resources. acquiring information and resources, among youth leaders in
Malaysia. The present study has made a remarkable theoretical
Lastly, information and resources have been found to have a contribution towards the TPB in particular, and towards leadership
positive and significant effect on youth’s leadership participation and management theories in general by extending the TPB, by
among student leaders in Malaysia (H4). The finding reflects that means of modifying the independent variables in its model by
student leaders in Malaysia depend on leadership, community including political-legal factors, aside from the social influence.
development, volunteerism, professional associations, and funding
for their extra-curricular activities, community associations, social Moreover, the present study integrated the mediating effect of
works, and political activities. In terms of mediation, the mediating information and resources on the relationship between social
effect of information and resources on the relationships between media, social influence, political-legal influence and youth’s
access and use of social media, social influence, and political leadership participation in the adapted TPB model and thereby
and legal influence with the youth’s leadership participation, contributed towards the body of knowledge in the field of
has been found significant (H5). This indicates that information leadership. The integration of information and resources as a
and resource acquisition acts as a significant conjunction and is mediator was based on critical literature review, where it was
responsible for the relationship between access and use of social found that social media, social influence, and political-legal
media, social influence, and political and legal influence with the influence alone could not lead to youth’s leadership participation
youth’s leadership participation reflecting that all relationships without the interference of information and resource acquisition,
in this study depend on the partial interference of the mediator. and hence the inclusion of the mediator in this study, in line with
Baron and Kenny (1986). The present study further contributes
6. CONCLUSION theoretically by providing empirical evidence on the relationship
between social media, social influence, political-legal influence,
The present study examined the possible effects of social media, information and resources, and youth’s leadership participation
social influence and political-legal influence on youth’s leadership in Malaysia. Lastly, the study addresses the scarcity in studies
participation via information and resource acquisition under focusing on social media and youths’ social development, as
the premise of the TPB (Ajzen, 1991), among youth leaders in disclosed by the literature review, thereby enriching the existing
Malaysia. It has long been held that collaborative and participatory literature, particularly in the Malaysian context.

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Simpong et al.: Factors Influencing Youth’s Leadership Participation in Peninsular Malaysia

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