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Article History

Received: 20 May 2025

Accepted: 21 October 2025

First Online: 2 January 2026

Declarations

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: This study utilized an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire to gather data on internal brand management and digital enablement within higher education institutions. The questionnaire was carefully structured to ensure respondent anonymity and did not include any collection of sensitive personal information such as medical data, psychological profiles, or financial records. Additionally, no medical, psychological, or high-risk interventions were part of the study. The research protocol was submitted for ethical consideration to the Research Ethics Committee at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). Following a review in 2024, the committee concluded that the study involved minimal risk and, given the adult status of all participants and the non-invasive nature of the methodology, formal ethical approval was not required. This determination was recorded under reference number: UNIMAS/NC-22.02/04–07 Jld 2 (01). All research activities were conducted in full alignment with UNIMAS’s institutional ethical standards and regulations, including principles of informed consent, voluntary participation, and the protection of respondent confidentiality and data integrity.

: All participants provided informed written consent prior to participation. They were assured that participation was voluntary, and they could withdraw at any time without any consequences. The questionnaire was completely anonymous; no identifying information such as names, email addresses, or institutional IDs was collected. To maintain data protection and privacy, all responses were stored on secure, password-protected devices, and were accessible only to the principal investigator. Data were used solely for academic purposes and will not be shared publicly without appropriate safeguards. These steps ensured compliance with ethical research practices and data privacy standards.

: Participants were informed that the findings of this research would be published in an academic journal, and consent to publish anonymized responses was obtained from all participants.

: The authors declare no competing interests.