The moderating effect of self-efficacy in the relationship between subjective norms and intention to enlist in the Malaysian Army

Abstract

Without a doubt, every Malaysian citizen, regardless of race, bears responsibility for the country's defense. However, a persistent drop in non-Bumiputra enlistment in the Malaysian Army (MA) creates a serious issue, resulting in questionable MA cohesion in protecting a multiethnic nation from a security threat. Additionally, the small number of non-Bumiputra in the MA did not reflect the country's ethnic diversity or national unity. Thus, identifying the primary predictors of non-Bumiputra to enlist in the MA will assist the MA in overcoming its ongoing struggle to lessen the organization's image as a single race organization in this multi-ethnic nation. The study hypothesized that subjective norms are a predictor of non-Bumiputra intention to enlist in MA. Data was gathered through an online survey from 384 non-Bumiputra in Malaysia aged 19 to 24. The Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) method was used to validate the research model and test the hypotheses. The results show that subjective norms have a significant relationship with intention to enlist in the MA and self-efficacy significantly moderate this relationship. Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) is extended in this study by including self-efficacy as a moderator between subjective norms and intentions. The findings provide guidelines and solutions to the MA challenge of low non-Bumiputra enlistment. Furthermore, the findings may shed light on the role of self-efficacy in predicting non-Bumiputra intention to enlist.