bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INTERNATIONAL TEACHING PRACTICUM IN BANGLADESH: AN INVESTIGATION OF TESOL PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCES
Authors: Kabilan Muhammad Kamarul , Hussin Hallijah , Zul-Qarnain Nooraishah , Abdullah Anna Christina , Osman Shuki , Ismail Hairul Nizam , Khan Mahbub Ahsan , Zinnah Mohammad Ali
Published: August 2020

Purpose – International teaching practicum (ITP) is seen as an avenue for future teachers to broaden their world views and enhance their personal and professional development. Based on two teachers’ experiences of ITP in Bangladesh, in comparison to their teaching practicum experiences in Malaysia, this paper aims to examine the impact of the ITP on their professional development as future English language teachers. Methods – Two female teachers were involved in this qualitative research, whereby data were obtained from the teachers’ observations, reflective journals and face-to-face interview. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the data. Findings – Findings indicate that the two teachers had gained positive professional development experiences as a result of participating in the ITP, especially in terms of these four aspects: (i) confidence; (ii) teaching skills; (ii) perspective on education and culture; and (iv) interpersonal skills.    Significance – The study indicates that ITP could be an alternative platform for future teachers to gain positive professional development experiences, which then would prepare them for the challenging teaching environment.
Exploring the Effectiveness of Using Big Books in Teaching Primary English in Malaysian Classrooms
Authors: Yaacob Aizan , Pinter Annamaria
Published: August 2020

There are many benefits of using stories for language and literacy development particularly in the areas of vocabulary (Cameron, 2001; Elley, 1989; Penno, Wilkinson & Moore 2002; Hargrave & Senechal, 2000) and reading comprehension. Yet, much is still unknown in second language (L2) contexts. This paper investigates the use of Big Books in primary English in Malaysia where English is taught as an official second language. It draws on transcript data from one teacher from one primary school to illustrate how students’ active participation and interest in language learning emerged as the teacher introduced Big Books instead of the textbook. Our data shows that practice with Big Books changes the interaction patterns and learning opportunities. Students were actively involved and they contributed to the discussions and made spontaneous comments about the stories. Most importantly, the teacher’s elicitation skill is essential in enhancing students’ learning. The Ministry of Education’s hopes to provide more active engagement and to increase students’ interests and motivation through stories were achieved.
Construct Validation of a School Principal Decision-Making Styles Scale
Authors: Hengpiya Abdulhakam
Published: August 2020

Whereas substantial research in decision-making styles has focused on the theoretical and conceptual definitions, relatively less empirical attention has been paid to the development of its measures. Thus, the purpose of this study is to develop and validate a measure of school principal decision-making styles based on Vroom and Yetton’s (1973) theoretical framework. The researcher initially developed a 40-item pool of the Principal Decision-Making Styles Scale (PDMSS), and then these 40 items were reduced to 27 items after experts’ examination of its content validity. These 27 refined items were administered to 120 primary school principals in the northern states of Malaysia. In order to examine the construct validity of the PDMSS, a factor analysis employing principal component extraction procedures with varimax rotation was used. The factor analysis resulted in a 19-item instrument that measures three extracted decision-making styles, namely, autocratic, participative, and delegation. Additionally, the item analysis showed acceptable internal consistency reliability for the overall and the three specific sub-scales of PDMSS. Moreover, the confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the three identified styles indicate a good model fit.
‘Becoming Experts’: Learning through Mediation
Authors: Abdul Rahim Fauziah , Hood Philip , Coyle Do
Published: August 2020

Purpose – This study is largely founded on Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, Feuerstein’s theory of Mediated Learning Experience and Lave and Wenger’s ‘community of practice’, which concerned building a community of learners that places mediation as central in learning and teaching. While the overall study involved Malaysian Year One English and Mathematics classrooms, this article focuses only on the latter. Two research questions were posed: 1) How does the teacher/peers mediate learning? 2) How does mediation infl uence the individual’s identity?   Method – This qualitative study was conducted within a period of three months. Data collection included intense classroom observations, interviews, classroom discourse and dialogic discussions with teachers and pupils. Microgenetic analyses of transcripts were made to show moment-to moment changes observed.   Findings – Four types of mediation emerged from the data: Environmental mediation, cognitive mediation, affective mediation and metacognitive mediation (i.e., an ECAM model for mediation). Findings suggest that mediation enabled the Mathematics teacher to change, to take ownership and to sustain her new pedagogical approaches within the classroom. This re-focusing benefi ted her pupils, and dramatically changed a particular less able pupil from one who was initially ‘lost in his world,’ into one who was able to engage in the learning process, take ownership of his own learning, as well as mediate other pupils’ learning.   Value – Hence it is argued that the ECAM model for mediation provided opportunities for this teacher and her pupil to expand their capacity to learn and develop their identities as individuals capable of learning and becoming ‘experts’.
Gender Differences in Mathematics and Integrated Science Achievement Among Junior Secondary School Students
Authors: Ayodele Mathew Olagoke
Published: August 2020

Purpose – This study examined gender differences in Mathematics and Integrated Science achievement among the Junior Secondary School students with particular interest on the interaction effect of gender and school type on students’ achievement.   Method – The study adopted an ex-post facto research design and generated data from an inventory from the statistics unit, Ministry of Education, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria Public Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). The inventory requested among other things, data on the Junior Secondary School Certifi cate Examinations (JSSCE) in Mathematics and Integrated Science over a two year period.   Findings – The study revealed that, signifi cant difference was detected in students’ Science achievement; no signifi cant difference between male and female students in private and public schools; a strong interaction effect were detected between gender of the students, the type of school attended and achievement of students in Mathematics and Integrated Science; the average achievement gap of male and female students irrespective of the school type is statistically signifi cant in both Mathematics and Integrated Science, also, the strength of relationship between the gender of the students and the type of school attended is slightly stronger in Integrated Science than Mathematics.   Value – The possible implications for the study is discussed and addressed to the government and other stakeholders in education.
Kesan Model Unsur Tautan Terhadap Pengajaran Karangan Bahasa Melayu
Authors: Salleh Zamri , Shaari Abdull Sukor
Published: August 2020

Kajian ini dijalankan untuk melihat sama ada pengajaran unsur tautan dengan menggunakan Model Pengajaran Unsur Tautan dapat digunakan oleh guru sebagai salah satu teknik dalam menghasilkan karangan yang berkualiti. Tinjauan terhadap karya terdahulu mendapati bahawa tautan (kohesi) lebih menarik minat pengkaji luar negara berbanding dengan pengkaji tempatan. Kajian ini dijalankan terhadap 60 orang murid tingkatan tiga di sebuah sekolah menengah di Kedah. Mereka dibahagikan kepada dua kumpulan, iaitu 30 orang dalam kumpulan eksperimen dan selebihnya dalam kumpulan kawalan. Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk kuasi eksperimen (Quasi-Experimental Design). Untuk menentukan sama ada terdapat perbezaan yang signifi kan antara jumlah unsur tautan murid kumpulan eksperimen dengan jumlah unsur tautan murid kumpulan kawalan pada peringkat ujian pra dan ujian pasca, ujian-t sampel bebas (independent samples t-test) dijalankan dengan menggunakan perisian SPSS for Windows Version 11.5. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan pengajaran unsur tautan memberikan kesan terhadap jumlah unsur tautan yang dihasilkan oleh murid.
Modelling the Relationships between Personality Factors, Perceptions of the School as a Learning Organisation and Workplace Learning of School Teachers
Authors: Tengku Ariffin Tengku Faekah , Awang Hashim Rosna , Yahya Khulida Kirana
Published: August 2020

Purpose – In this study, a structural model based on Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory was proposed to explain how the interrelationships between a person (i.e. personality factors) and his or her environment (i.e. how one perceives the school as a learning organisation) can influence the person’s behaviour. The outcome behaviour of interest in this study is the teacher’s engagement in workplace learning activities.   Method – This is a a causal-comparative study which utilizes a survey method for data collection. The sample involved a total of 400 school teachers who were selected through a multistage cluster analysis sampling procedure. The data analysis involved an adoption of the two-step procedure. The first step was the analysis of the overall measurement model, followed by the analysis of the proposed structural model through structural equation modeling (SEM).   Findings – Results indicated that three of five personality factors (conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness to experience) and how the teacher perceived the school as a learning organisation, are significant influences of teacher’s engagement in workplace learning activities. Based on the holistic approach in model evaluation, both the overall measurement model and the structural model were found to be adequately fit.   Value – The study proposed a model which highlights the importance of personality factors and perceptions of the school as a learning organisation, and as significant contributors of workplace learning. Practical implications such as the improvement of personality items in the current teacher selection tool and the application of learning organisation in the school context are elaborated in this paper.
Mobile Game-Based Learning (mGBL): Application Development and Heuristics Evaluation Strategy
Authors: Zaibon Syamsul Bahrin , Shiratuddin Norshuhada
Published: August 2020

Purpose – This article presents an approach to developing a mobile game-based learning (mGBL) application by adapting unified characteristics of learning theories and approaches. In addition, the study also identified the strategy to evaluate mGBL.   Method – The study utilized the design research approach in information systems. The research methodology can be divided into five phases; (i) awareness of problem (ii) suggestion (iii) development (iv) evaluation and (v) conclusion.   Findings – Unified characteristics of mGBL were identified. In adapting the characteristics, the mGBL application was developed based on the concept of values in 1Malaysia. To evaluate the mGBL, a heuristics evaluation strategy is proposed. The strategy consists of four components: Game Usability, Mobility, Game Play, and Learning Content. Each of the components represents the issues to be considered and evaluated for a mGBL.   Value – The study provides intensive review of mGBL characteristics that can be useful and may be of interest to game developers. In addition the heuristics evaluation strategy is developed for evaluating the effectiveness of mGBL application.
Computer Attitudes and Use Among Novice Teachers: The Moderating Effects of School Environment
Authors: Teck Wong Kung , Choo Goh Swee , Hanafi Hafizul Fahri , Osman Rosma
Published: August 2020

Purpose − This survey research investigated important issues concerning computer use among novice graduate teachers from teacher training colleges in Sabah. The first issue was concerned with the levels of computer attitudes (CA) and computer use. The second was concerned with the effects of CA on computer use (CU). The third was concerned with moderating effects of the school environment (SE) on relationship between CA and computer use.   Method − A set of questionnaires was used as the research instrument and stratified systematic sampling was used to determine the research samples. The sample consisted of 192 primary and secondary school teachers. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (factor analysis and regression analysis). Research hypotheses were tested at significance level of a = 0.05.   Findings − The findings showed that novice teachers have moderate CA and CU. CA had significant effects on computer use. SE has moderating impacts on the relationships between CA towards CU.   Value − The study provided wider implications for theory development, practices and policymaking that can be associated with the computer use among teachers. As a whole, most of the theoretical rationales used in explaining those relationships have been supported.
Kompetensi Emosi dan Kepemimpinan Transformasional di Sekolah Berkesan dan Sekolah Kurang Berkesan
Authors: Don Yahya , Daud Yaakob
Published: August 2020

Kepemimpinan merupakan proses hubungan interpersonal yang dinamik, meluas merangkumi aspek-aspek kognitif, kompetensi emosi dan beroperasi dalam konteks sosial. Kajian ini bertujuan meneliti tahap kompetensi emosi pemimpin dan kepemimpinan transformasional di sekolah berkesan dan sekolah kurang berkesan. Seramai 485 pemimpin secara random telah terpilih dari sekolah tersebut dengan mengunakan Emotional Competencies Inventory (ECI-2) dan Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ5x). Dapatan menunjukan terdapat perbezaan yang signifi kan dalam tahap kompetensi emosi dan kepemimpinan transformasional di sekolah berkesan dan sekolah kurang berkesan. Perbezaan ini memberi pengaruh yang sangat besar ke atas kejayaan dan imej terhadap kepimpinan sekolah. Oleh itu, usaha-usaha perlu dilakukan untuk meningkatkan tahap kompetensi emosi dan kepemimpinan transformasional pemimpin di sekolah kurang berkesan dalam usaha untuk meningkatkan bilangan sekolah-sekolah berkesan.
Penilaian Kemahiran Guru Sejarah dan Geografi dalam Pelaksanaan Kerja Kursus di Peringkat Sekolah Menengah Rendah
Authors: Fook Chan Yuen , Sidhu Gurnam Kaur , Mohd Radzi Fatin Aliana , Singh Parmjit , Md. Yunus Md. Rizal
Published: August 2020

Tujuan – Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk menyelidik kemahiran guru dalam membimbing murid melaksanakan kerja kursus Sejarah (KKS) dan Geografi (KKG) di peringkat sekolah menengah rendah.   Metodologi – Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah penyelidikan deskriptif. Instrumen utama yang digunakan merupakan soal selidik yang ditadbirkan kepada seramai 186 orang guru yang mengajar di sembilan buah negeri di Malaysia yang telah dipilih scara rawak. Responden ini terdiri daripada guru yang mengajar Sejarah dan Geografi Tingkatan Satu hingga Tiga. Statistik deskriptif yang melibatkan min dan sisihan piawai serta statistik inferensi seperti ujian-t telah digunakan untuk menjalankan analisis data.   Dapatan – Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa dari segi pencapaian objektif dan elemen bagi kedua-dua KKS dan KKG, guru hanya mempunyai kemahiran bimbingan pada tahap sederhana tinggi. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan dalam kemahiran membimbing dalam kalangan guru-guru Geografi terlatih dan tidak terlatih. Namun demikian, tiada perbezaan yang signifikan dikesan di kalangan guru-guru Sejarah terlatih dan tidak terlatih.   Kepentingan – Dapatan Kajian menunjukkan keperluan untuk meningkatkan kemahiran guru dalam membimbing murid melaksanakan kerja kursus Sejarah dan Geografi. Kelemahan yang dikesan dapat membantu jabatan-jabatan tertentu di Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia untuk membekalkan latihan yang sesuai dalam membimbing guru-guru yang terlibat melaksanakan pentaksiran berasaskan sekolah dengan lebih baik di dalam bilik darjah.
Revisiting the Relationship between Organisational Commitment and Professional Commitment: A Case Study of Academicians in a Private Educational Institution
Authors: Ab. Rahman Nik Mutasim , Alias Mohmad Adnan , Maulan Suharni
Published: August 2020

Many studies have dwelled on various issues related to the concept of commitment. One particular issue concerns the relationship between organisational commitment and professional commitment. Between these foci of commitments, the issue has been whether both are compatible or in conflict with each other. The nature of the relationship between these variables is worth noting as it may have impact on the behaviour of individuals in organisations, and hence, the formulation and practice of human resource policies in these organisations. This paper reports the findings of a study conducted to investigate this issue of compatibility or conflict between the variables. The unit of analysis were academicians employed in a private research institution in Malaysia. The result of the mail survey revealed the existence of a commitment dilemma within the sample. No significant correlations were recorded between professional commitment and the various dimensions of organisational commitment. Additionally, professional commitment and organisational commitment correlated significantly with intent to stay in the profession and intent to stay with the organisation, respectively. Directions for further research were also discussed.
Multivariate Analysis on the Effectiveness of Monetary and Fiscal Policies in Fiji
Authors: Dahalan Jauhari , Jayaraman T.K.
Published: August 2020

By utilising a Cointegrating Vector Autoregressive Model, this paper assesses the relative effectiveness the fiscal and monetary policies on growth. It is observed that government expenditure has the strongest effect on Fiji’s national income which significantly explains Fiji’s GDP error variance even after a three year period with regard to the effect of shocks, we observed that the national income impulse respons to the one standard error shock among all macroeconomic variables, i.e. government expenditure and foreign assets, which is not permanent but transitory.
Domestic Macroeconomic Adjustment to Oil Price Shocks Under Different Exchange Rate Regimes in Malaysia
Authors: Furuoka Fumitaka , Tsen Wong Hock , Ing Chong Hui , King Ting Siew
Published: August 2020

This study examined the insulation properties of flexible exchange rate regime and fixed exchange rate regime in response to the oil price shocks in Malaysia. A monthly time series data for the period 1980- 2005 was used to examine whether the response of output, exchange rate and price levels to the oil price shocks were different across the exchange rate regimes. For this purpose, this study employed the structural vector autoregressive model. Empirical results indicated that the short-run output responses to the oil price shocks are smoother under the flexible exchange rate regime compared to the situation under the fixed exchange rate regime.
The Impact of Market Orientation on Business Performance: Evidence from a Developing Country
Authors: Mohd Mokhtar Sany Sanuri , Yusoff Rushami Zien
Published: August 2020

The main aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between market orientation and business performance. Hypothesis concerning the relationship between market orientation and business performance were posited and tested. Data were collected using a mail questionnaire survey approach. This study employed a simple random sampling procedure in selecting the organisations for inclusion in the sample. A total of 158 Malaysian manufacturing organisations participated in this study. Factor analysis, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression methods of data analysis were utilised for hypotheses testing. The results revealed that market focus, market action, market planning, market feedback, and market coordination jointly explained 32.6% of the variance of business performance. Market focus and market coordination were found to have statistically significant association with business performance. The outcome of this study provides vital information from a developing country perspective on the impact of market orientation practices on manufacturing organisations’ performance.
Long-Run Relationship Between Fiscal Policy and Economic Growth in Asia: Evidence Using Pedroni’s Cointegration Approach
Authors: Abdullah Hussin , Habibullah Muzafar Shah , Baharumshah Ahmad Zubaidi , Hui Tan Boon
Published: August 2020

This paper investigates the long-run relationship between fiscal policy and economic growth in Asia between 1982 and 2001 through the application of Pedroni’s Cointegration approach. It examines two different channels through which fiscal policy can affect long-run economic growth in Asian countries. The first channel is when components and aggregate government expenditure affect the real per capita GDP, and the second channel is when the distortionary taxation, budget balance, and aggregate of other fiscal variables affect the real per capita GDP. There is a positive and statistically significant impact of health and education expenditure, aggregate of government expenditure, and aggregate of other fiscal variables on real per capita GDP. It was found that the defence expenditure, distortionary taxation, and budget balance are significantly and negatively related to real per capita GDP. The Pedroni Cointegration result establishes a long-run relationship between fiscal policy and economic growth.
Corporate Governance, Executive Directors and Level of Voluntary Disclosure: The Case of Public Listed Companies in Thailand
Authors: Chobpichien Jakkravudhi , Ibrahim Daing Nasir , Haron Hasnah
Published: August 2020

This paper extends the literature on voluntary disclosure by reference to a developing country, namely Thailand, through a study of 70 voluntary disclosure items in the corporate annual reports of 317 public listed companies in 2004. The study examined the relationship between the level of voluntary disclosure and a single characteristic of corporate governance characteristics, namely the quality of the board of directors. It further examined the influence of the executive directors on this relationship. The findings suggested that the quality of the board of directors is positively associated with the level of voluntary disclosure, and this association appears to be weaker for firms with an executive director that has the family member, largest shareholder involved compared to the non-family member, largest shareholder and a high concentration of executive directors’ ownership compared to a low concentration of executive directors’ ownership. This effect is further exacerbated when board of directors’ quality levels increase. It was found that an executive director that has the family member, largest shareholder involved, and a high concentration of executive directors’ ownership are quasi moderators, which means they are both an independent and a moderating variable. As control variables, size of company, auditor type, and earnings return were found to have a significant influence on the level of voluntary disclosure. These results have important implications for good corporate governance policy formulation.
The Cause-and-Effect Linkage Between Quality Management and Balanced Scorecard
Authors: Yaacob Zulnaidi , S. Rauter Ommei Kolsum
Published: August 2020

The objective of this study was to scientifically examine the path relationship between Quality Management (QM) and cause-and-effect performance linkage. According to QM literature, many studies have been carried out to investigate the relationship between QM and organisational performance (OP). Nevertheless, the report of these studies seems to ignore the cause-and-effect linkage of OP dimension as discussed in the Balanced Scorecard literature. The findings of this study provided evidence to support the concept of cause and effect linkage of performance dimension.
Fiscal Policy, Institutions, and Economic Growth in Asian Countries: Evidence from Pedroni’s Cointegration Approach
Authors: Abdullah Hussin , Habibullah Muzafar Shah , Baharumshah Ahmad Zubaidi
Published: August 2020

This paper investigates the relationship between fiscal policy, institutions, and economic growth and also the role of the institution in Asian economies between 1982 and 2001 through the application of Pedroni’s Cointegration approach. It examined two different channels through which fiscal policy and institutions can affect long-run economic growth in Asian economies. The first channel is when aggregate of government expenditure, aggregate of other fiscal variables, and the institution affect the real per capita Gross Domestic Production (GDP) and the second channel is to determine the role of institutions on the real per capita GDP. The Pedroni Cointegration result established a long-run relationship between fiscal policy, institution, and economic growth. We found a positive and statistically significant impact of aggregate of government expenditure and aggregate of other fiscal variables and institution on real per capita GDP. We also found that there is a role of institutions on the real per capita GDP. JEL Classification: C23, H30, H50, O47
Assessing the Relationship between Organisational Commitment and Knowledge Sharing Behaviour
Authors: Pangil Faizuniah , Mohd. Nasurdin Aizzat
Published: August 2020

Knowledge sharing is one important activity in knowledge management. It enables knowledge to be created, as well as acquired and used by others. However, there are reasons to believe that employees are reluctant to share knowledge with their colleagues. Thus, in order to ensure the success of knowledge management effort, knowledge sharing among employees must be encouraged. Though studies had shown that there are many factors that might affect knowledge sharing behaviour, this paper aims at exploring the relationship between organizational commitment and knowledge sharing behaviour. Regression analysis on data gathered from a sample of 114 R&D employees’ indicated that affective commitment and normative commitment were significant predictors of tacit knowledge sharing. Additionally, explicit knowledge sharing was significantly and positively predicted by affective commitment. Implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are highlighted.
Dominant Personalities in Board Committees, Company Characteristics, and Internet Environmental Disclosure by Malaysian Listed Companies
Authors: Alarussi Ali Saleh , Selamat Mohamad Hisyam
Published: August 2020

This paper investigates the determinants of internet environmental disclosure (IED) amongst Malaysian listed companies. Ten variables have been tested using data collected from 170 Malaysian listed company websites, namely, dominant personalities in the audit committee, chairman of audit and nomination committees, dominant personalities in the audit and nomination committees, internationality, leverage, foreign shareholders, level of technology, firm age, number of shareholders, and listing status. It was found that internationality, foreign shareholders, level of technology, firm age, number of shareholders, and listing status are significantly affected by the level of IED. However, dominant personalities in the audit committee, chairman of audit and nomination committees, dominant personalities in the audit and nomination committees, and leverage did not show a significant relationship with the level of IED in Malaysia. The study provided some evidence to support signaling theory, shareholder accountability theory, and cost and benefit hypothesis in relation to internet disclosure.
The Shen Model for Make-to-Order SME’s
Authors: Muda Shaladdin , Mokhtar Zulkifli , Abu Bakar Semanat
Published: August 2020

This paper describes a new model developed for make-to-order (MTO) sectors namely SHEN Principles, which aims to fill a gap in the world-class manufacturing (WCM) literature that concentrates on the characteristics of the larger traditional make-to-stock (MTS) sector. Using evidence from the literature, especially the MTO literature and the more comprehensive WCM models, a new model was devised. This was then modified in the light of case study evidence collected from the six MTO companies ranging from small-to medium-sized MTO companies. The model presented in this paper known as “SHEN Principle”, will be the current version of the model after all the modifications have been incorporated.
Futures Price and Trading Volume: Evidence From Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Karim Bakri , Abdul Karim Zulkefly
Published: August 2020

This paper examines the long- and short-run dynamic causality between the futures price and trading volume in the Malaysian equity market. The data of futures price, trading volume and spot price are in daily frequency, spanning from 2006 to 2009. By using ARDL cointegration and VECM causality tests, the findings revealed the existence of long-run relationship between futures price, volume and spot prices. In addition, there exists a short-run bidirectional causality relationship running between futures return-trading volume and futures return-spot return. Thus, the stock index futures market in Malaysia is not informational efficient.
Propositions and Future Directions of Marketers’ Relationship Effectiveness in Mergers and Acquisitions Integration
Authors: Jedin Mohd Haniff , Md Saad Norsafinas
Published: August 2020

Research on marketing integration related to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) has paid little attention to the combination of similar resources between two similar departments, particularly in the M&A context. Furthermore, existing research does not clearly demonstrate the role of relationship among marketers within the amalgamation process between acquirer and target firm. Hence, this paper addresses a few propositions that relate to strengthening the relationship effectiveness among the marketers in both firms, which at the same time uphold the M&A performance. Collaboration and interaction are proposed as drivers to increase optimistic relationship among the marketers. A quantitative research design is suggested as this method is not popular compared to qualitative methods such as case study, event-study and longitudinal approach in M&A. Drawing from the extant literature, propositions are developed and future directions are presented elaborating success factors to improve M&A integration performance.
Effect of Strategic Determinants of Training on the Job Performance, Effectiveness and Efficiency: An Empirical Study
Authors: Talukder A.K.M. Mominul Haque , Ahmed Jashim Uddin
Published: August 2020

Investments in the development of human capital, which are concerned with the development of knowledge, competencies and qualifications of employees, are considered more important today for the performance of an organization and for the economic growth of a country than investments in physical capital. Keeping this in perspective, this research examined the effect of the determinants of training such as training and development, strategic objective, culture and value, knowledge and skills, rewards and promotion, readiness and flexibility on job performance, effectiveness, and efficiency of employees in a large service conglomerate. The results indicated significant positive relationship of training and development, strategic objectives, culture and values, knowledge and skills, rewards and promotion with job performance, effectiveness, and efficiency of employees. The study also reported the importance of training, strategic objective, culture and value, knowledge and skills, rewards and promotion to augment job performance, effectiveness and efficiency but undermined the significance of readiness and flexibility. The employees underpin motivational factors that are responsible for better job performance. The findings suggest that harnessing all these determinants may render service organizations with the potential to foster job performance, effectiveness, and efficiency of employees.
Factors Affecting Subscribers’ Relationship Commitment in the Context of a Leading Wimax Internet Service Provider in Bangladesh
Authors: Akbar Mohammad Muzahid
Published: August 2020

This study intends to investigate the relationships of technical quality, functional quality, communication effectiveness, and trust with relationship commitment in the context of the subscribers of the leading WiMax internet service provider (WISP) in Bangladesh. It presents a critical appraisal of a few important antecedents of subscribers’ relationship commitment, which eventually engenders customer loyalty. Data were collected from 172 subscribers by using a survey via the personal interview technique. Later, correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression were carried out. All the inter-construct correlations were found to be strong and supported the hypothesized relationships with high statistical significance. In the third model identified from the stepwise multiple regression, three out of four hypotheses got supported empirically. The stepwise regression results revealed that technical quality, trust, and communication effectiveness are the significant and powerful predictors of relationship commitment respectively. Functional quality did not appear to be a statistically significant predictor of relationship commitment. A clear understanding of such important precursors of subscribers’ relationship commitment might encourage the service provider(s) to indentify the needful and take necessary measures to strengthen subscribers’ relationship commitment to create a loyal customer base.
An Effective Interest Alignment Mechanism or a Tool to Expropriate: A Review of Malaysian Esos Adoption
Authors: Ghazali Zahiruddin , Md. Taib Fauziah
Published: August 2020

Employee Shares Option Scheme (ESOS) is theorised as a solution to bridge the interest of managers with owners of the firms particularly in setting where ownership is widely held. Modern corporations in developing countries are characterised by controlling shareholders who are also actively involved in the management of firms. The resultant conflict of interests between the majority and the minority shareholders questions the suitability of ESOS in aligning their interests towards the firm’s common goal. Findings from the study suggest that the usual determinants of ESOS adoption in the West do not hold in the environment of high ownership concentration. The post-adoption performance has not improved and there is no significant difference between the adopting and the non-adopting firms after controlling for size and industry. Nonetheless, there is evidence of better performance for adopting firms in terms of profitability albeit very weak in magnitude.
Work Stress Among Bank Employees: A Case Study of Bank Rakyat
Authors: Darus Amer , Ahmad Fais , Roslan Aliah , Jali Muhamad Nizam
Published: August 2020

The extent of stress faced by skilled employees in organizations is often substantial. In several professions, stress is intrinsic to the duty itself, where competing demands, challenges and pressures escort the duty and therefore cannot be avoided. On the organizational level, stress exists in every company. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that contribute of to work stress among Bank Rakyat’s employees. This study also aimed to determine if there were any statistically significant differences in the respondents’ level of work stress by demographic factors (gender, status, education qualification, job position and length of service). The survey was carried out at 12 branches of Bank Rakyat in the northern region of the Malaysian Peninsula. A total 154 bank employees participated in this study. Data was collected through a 40-item questionnaire on a five-point Likert Scale. The findings of this study showed that only organizational factors had a significant influence on work stress level. The study also revealed that the overall level of work stress among the respondents was moderate. While on the difference between the level of work stress by demographic factors, this study found that there was no statistically significant difference between these factors.
National Identity (NATID) Framework in Multi-Ethnic Affiliations Consumer Market: The Case of Malaysia
Authors: Rizal Hamid , Gugkang Alesia Sigang , Tanakinjal Geoffrey Harvey , Lada Sudin
Published: August 2020

This paper examines the transferability of the national identity (NATID) framework in a multi-ethnic consumer market. Data were collected using heterogeneous purposive sampling from 403 respondents in Malaysia. This study exert also responds to the cross-cultural validation of measures used in international research whereby the authors assessed measurement invariance of the NATID dimensions construct using Malaysian and non-Malaysian samples. The analysis provided strong support for the factor structure, internal consistency, and discriminant validity on the transferability of the NATID framework on the Malaysian data sample. The result also suggested ethnic affiliations are a relevant unit of analysis and indicates that the relationship between the dimensions of NATID and overall national identity, varied across the three major ethnic groups. With reference to originality, this research is pioneering the adaptive etic approach to elicit inputs and to improve the transferability of the NATID framework.
Managing Diversity: The Government Of A Malaysian Hawker Place
Authors: Backhaus Norman
Published: August 2020

Selling and consuming street food has a long tradition in urban areas of Asia. While the preparation of food, the appropriation of space, and the sale itself follow certain rules, some of them are informal and not always in line with government regulations. However, even though the street vendors (or hawkers) are practicing their trade in a gray area between formality and informality many hawker places function surprisingly well. It is the aim of the paper to analyze the functioning of such a hawker place. As case study serves Changlun, a small town in the Malaysian state of Kedah, where qualitative interviews with hawkers but also officials were conducted. Results indicate that the government of this hawker place is a consequence of an intricate entanglement of practices, which include a tolerant administration but also compliant hawkers and customers liking this place. However, this entanglement is not without conflicts and problems. The hawkers are economically vulnerable and do not have many alternatives to generate income. Consequently the paper ends with recommendations that should enable the functioning of a hawker place as a traditional and well-regarded place to meet and eat and a space for underprivileged people to earn an income.
An Empirical Study of R&D Investment Patterns, Effects, and Critical Factors in High-Tech Industries in Taiwan : The Case of the Hsinchu Science-Based Industrial Park
Authors: Chu Po-Young , Chang Pao Long , Ting Ming Yung
Published: August 2020

This research is an empirical analysis of high-tech firms at the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park (HSIP) in Taiwan. In this study, three main areas were systematically evaluated: the patterns of R&D intensity along the company's attributes of capital source, industrial category, and age; the relationships between firms' R&D investment and performance; and the critical factors of successful R&D management.
Perceived Service Orientation, Economic Factors, Psychological Factors and Tax Compliance: Evidence From Nigerian SMEs
Authors: Ayuba Augustine , Saad Natrah , Zainol Ariffin Zaimah
Published: August 2020

This study examined the influence of economic and , psychological factors, as well as the moderating role of perceived service orientation on the tax compliance of Nigerian SMEs owners / managers. Three hundred and twenty one SME owners /managers participated in the survey. The Partial Least Squares (PLS) path modeling was employed to analyze the data. The results showed that the probability of detection, incentives, and the public governance quality had significant positive effects on tax compliance, while tax complexity had a significant negative effect on tax compliance. On the contrary, the results showed that tax rates and tax knowledge had no significant effect on tax compliance. Furthermore, the findings of the moderating effect revealed that perceived service orientation only moderated tax rates and incentives, while in moderating effect was discovered on the relationship between the probability of detection, tax complexity, tax knowledge and public governance quality. The implications for tax revenue authorities and other policy-makers were also discussed.
Company Characteristics, Dominant Personalities in Board Committees and Internet Financial Disclosures by Malaysian Listed Companies
Authors: Alarussi Ali Saleh , Shamkhi Dhiaa
Published: August 2020

This paper investigates whether the internet financial disclosure can be explained by a company’s characteristics and the dominant personalities in board committees of the Malaysian listed companies. Ten hypotheses were tested using data collected from 194 Malaysian listed companies’ websites. Specifically, this paper examines the relationship between the internet financial disclosures (IFD) and the variables, namely internationality, leverage, foreign shareholders, level of technology, firm age, number of shareholders, listing status, dominant personalities in the audit committee, and chairmen of audit and nomination committees. It is found that the level of technology, firm age, number of shareholders and listing status significantly affect the level of IFD. However, the dominant personalities in the audit and nomination committees affect negatively the level of IFD in Malaysia. The study provides some evidence to support the signaling theory and the cost and benefit hypothesis in relation to internet disclosure.
The Mediating Effect of Brand Trust on The Influence of Communication, Price, and Product Quality on Consumer Purchase Behaviour in a Less-Developed Country
Authors: Esmail Al-Ekam Jamal Mohammed
Published: August 2020

Brand trust is one of the key elements in brand building and securing customer loyalty, based on relationship marketing factors. The aim of this research was to examine the influence of perceived product price, perceived product quality and communication on brand trust, and the effect of brand trust on consumer purchase behaviour based on the relationship theory perspective. The research instrument was developed based on items taken from previous studies. Questionnaires were distributed to 1400 consumers in 10 primary and secondary schools in three towns in Sanaa, Ibb, and Aden in Yemen. Only 711 questionnaires were used for statistical analysis, using Partial Least Squares (PLS–SEM). Results indicated that trust has a positive significant impact on purchase behaviour. Trust is also a mediator between communication and purchase behaviour, and between perceived quality and purchase behaviour. In addition, this study showed that both perceived product quality and communication positively influence building brand trust. The constructed model has a good goodness-of-fit index. This research also discussed practical implications and applications in developing and less-developed countries.
Housing Affordability Woes and The State Of Developed Underdevelopment In Penang Island
Authors: Leng Khoo Suet , Malek Nor Malina , Mat Yasin Suziana
Published: August 2020

Housing affordability is a critical issue in Malaysia. This issue is doubly challenging in states like Penang where its topographical make-up is divided into a mainland and an island. The dwindling stock of land in Penang Island has inevitably pushed up house prices. To compound this problem, a combination of policy and socio-economic changes has collectively hiked up the cost of buying a house on the island. This has hindered equal opportunities towards home ownership. Based on a development perspective, this paper attempts to contextualize current housing woes in Penang Island. This paper argues that Penang Island’s physical urban environment has ‘developed’ in terms of aesthetic values and appreciated in monetary terms but actual development in terms of a person’s ‘capability to function’ and enjoy a better quality of life is not progressing in tandem. A critical state of developed underdevelopment is currently unfolding on the island in terms of housing affordability. The recommendations of this paper will contribute towards shaping pragmatic housing policies.
THE ECONOMICS OF LUCKINESS: HOW CRAZY ARE MALAYSIAN CHINESE TOWARDS CAR PLATE NUMBER “8”?
Authors: Lim Hock Eam , Wong Woei Chyuan , Hiau Abdullah Nur Adiana
Published: August 2020

The Chinese society is well-known for its obsession towards number “8”. Eight is the luckiest number to the Chinese as its pronunciation resembles the meaning of prosperity, wealth or fortune. Prior research estimating the marginal effect of “8” on winning bid prices of car plate numbers attributes the positive impact of “8” on bid prices to superstitious value. However, the estimated positive effect could also be attributed to Veblen goods and future resale consideration. Thus, an upward bias might exist in prior research’s estimation. This study aimed to circumvent this issue by comparing the marginal effect of all “8” car plate numbers of Malaysian Chinese bidders and their non-Chinese counterparts who are neutral towards number “8”. Descriptive statistics results reveal that the majority of all “8” plates are won by Chinese bidders. However, regression results reveal that Chinese bidders have a lower estimated marginal effect of number eight than their non-Chinese counterparts. This implies that while number “8” is popular among the Chinese, this popularity does not translate into higher bidding prices. These findings suggest the roles of Veblen goods and future resale consideration should not be ignored in estimating the superstitious value in car plate numbers.
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS TO TAX ADMINISTRATION EFFICIENCY IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM BAUCHI STATE BOARD OF INTERNAL REVENUE
Authors: Ladan Shagari Shamsudeen , Saad Natrah
Published: August 2020

This study investigates the determinants of tax administration efficiency in Nigeria. The Nigerian tax system is faced with challenges, such as loss of revenue through high level of tax defaulters from both the legislative arm of the government and public institutions, corruption and financial irregularities and limited government administrative capability. Therefore, current study examines the influence of autonomy of the State Board of Internal Revenue (SBIR), use of information and communications technology, public enlightenment, strong auditing practice, motivation and incentives and perceived corruption on tax administration efficiency in Nigeria. A total of 124 questionnaires were collected out of 144 questionnaires that were administered. The study revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between tax administration efficiency and: autonomy of board of internal revenue, information and communications technology and public enlightenment. However, findings from the study revealed that there is insignificant relationship between tax administration efficiency and strong audit practice and motivation and incentives and perceived corruption. Based on the findings above, the study recommended that government should put an effective measure in place to collect taxes from tax defaulters across the different groups of the economy.