The effects of commuting to the workplace on the quality of life of low-income employees

Hafizah Rosli; Narimah Samat

doi:10.24200/jonus.vol10iss2pp449-474

Authors

Hafizah Rosli Geoinformatic Unit, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Narimah Samat Geoinformatic Unit, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol10iss2pp449-474

Abstract

Background and Purpose: It is crucial to take into account the repercussions of mobility. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of commuting to work on individuals from the low-income population in the island area of Penang State, Malaysia.

Methodology: The study utilized a combination of quantitative and qualitative procedures, employing a mixed methods approach. The quantitative aspect was distributing a questionnaire to 306 low-income urban workers. Concurrently, the qualitative component entailed conducting comprehensive interviews with a subgroup of 10 employees who consistently travel over 15 km to their place of work.

Findings: The study's findings suggest that a substantial majority of the participants, precisely 89.21%, demonstrate a considerable dependence on their own vehicles. Only a small fraction of persons, specifically 5.56%, opt to employ public transit for commuting to their workplace. The findings suggest that health challenges have a greater impact on the impacts of commuting, compared to decreases in work performance and the existence of a mental illness.

Contributions: Hence, policymakers must prioritize the inclusion of measures to decrease travel duration when developing sustainable transport regulations. This is crucial in promoting sustainable mobility among low-income urban workers and addressing health concerns associated with their daily journey to work.

Keywords: Effects of commuting, commuting to the workplace, quality of life.

Author Biographies

Hafizah Rosli, Geoinformatic Unit, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

Hafizah Rosli is a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), with a specialization in urban and metropolitan geography as well as transport systems. She brings extensive experience in academic research focused on urban development, spatial dynamics, and sustainable transportation. Her work enhances the understanding of mobility patterns, accessibility, and socio-spatial inequalities in urban contexts. Dr. Hafizah is actively engaged in multidisciplinary research and fieldwork, including collaborations with local and regional stakeholders.
Narimah Samat, Geoinformatic Unit, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

Narimah Samat is a professor of Geographic Information Systems at the School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. She obtained her BSc (GIS/Mathematics) from Southwest Texas State University, U.S.A, Master of Arts in GIS and urban modelling from Universiti Sains Malaysia, and PhD in GIS and urban spatial modelling from University of Leeds, United Kingdom. Her work focuses specifically on the application of GIS in urban land use planning and GIS in social issues analysis. Her research project includes addressing spatial inequalities in term of access to health care and higher education and mapping spatial distribution of poverty.

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