bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Service Quality in High-end IT Enabled Services: An Indian Perspective
Authors: Srivastava Vandana , . A.Sharfuddin , . Sanjeev Kishore
Published: January 2020

IT enabled Services (ITeS) have charted tremendous growth in India over the last two decades. Over the years, the service domain has evolved to include high-end services as well as traditional services. Along with fresh opportunities, the evolving service landscape brings new challenges for the service providers, with quality being the prime challenge. As the nature of services change, new determinants of service quality emerge. Towards this aim, this research paper presents a fresh perspective of determinants of service quality in high-end ITeS by integrating elements from traditional service quality models and frameworks with issues related to technology and organizational relationship management. The research involves a two-phase study. Findings from the literature survey and a qualitative study are used to identify the determinants of service quality and to create a hypothetical model. Based on data collected from senior executives of Indian service providers, the second phase of the study presents a regression model of the determinants. The combined linear effects of the determinants were found to account for 76.8% of the variation in success of high-end ITeS projects. The regression model highlights the critical and significant role played by Knowledge Management, Technology Management and Service Design and Delivery in service quality. The findings further highlight the potential of mechanisms for capturing and re-using organizational learning in reducing service quality gaps. The strategic implications presented in the paper will provide a starting point for service providers aiming to engage in providing high-end IT-enabled Services.
Six Sigma based Risk Identification and Mitigation Framework for Projects Execution
Authors: Tariq Muhammad Usman
Published: January 2020

Six Sigma being a project management methodology is used in the industries and corporate sectors to substantiate goal of near perfection in process implementation and execution. It is based on the impetus of Plan-Do-Check-Act and has myriads of applications in numerous organizational and business processes to attain significant performance improvement in different industrial and corporate sectors including the IT sector. Despite realization of profuse maturity in many business processes, Six Sigma still lacks across-theboard framework for effective risk management because root cause analysis (RCA) is still the primary and principal technique used for handling risks in this methodology. In this paper, we have attempted to put forward a risk identification framework in order to improve quality and productivity of Six Sigma projects, particularly the IT development projects. The study also encompasses an abridged overview of the current methods being practiced for risk identification in Six Sigma. Our proposed model enlist a number of hypotheses for validation purposes and is duly evaluated and analyzed viz-Ã -viz DMAIC and DMADV approaches to make it compatible with QFD, FMEA and PMBOK requirements.
Analysis of the Dynamical Behavior of Firms in a Three Layered Modular Assembly Model
Authors: LU Jianjun , . Wen Tian
Published: January 2020

This paper formulate an option model considers supplier's reaction as the profit sharing in module production, and analyses it by the agent theory. A dynamic environment in the model of the system of the production of modules of three layers is assumed, and the maker and the supplier are modeled by the technique of Genetic Programming (GP) as an agent who takes the action of selfoptimization. As result, the condition that the agent can exist continuously in the market is requested. In conclusion, violent competition and the selection of the similar agent are found even in the model of the option to consider the profit sharing and the reaction.
New Challenges in Corporate Governance: Linking M&A and Social Responsibility
Authors: Golja Tea
Published: January 2020

Answers to the questions of successful business models can be found in various strategies, amongst which mergers and acquisitions are considered as good growth strategies if implemented successfully. Corporate governance is seen as control mechanism dependent on the legal, regulatory, institutional and ethical environment of the community. Thus, authors emphasize that without considering the social aspects of business, leaders cannot lead the business in the right direction, but vice versa. Mergers and acquisitions (M&Aâ€™s), as one option for the companyâ€™s development could bring both positive, but as well as negative consequences for the target and the acquirer company. Corporate governance mechanisms, social responsibility and the importance of their adequate combination in the processes of merging and acquiring new company pervades in this paper. The paper brings insights on corporate social responsibility and the way its effective implementation supported by governance mechanisms can create a â€œsnowball effectâ€ of positive social changes. A special focus was put on M&A and its incremental value for the companyâ€™s development and growth. Important figures in the field of M&A are provided. A deep theoretical background is provided in the field arisen out of detailed literature review and practical experiences.
Efficiency Estimates and Rankings Employing Data Envelopment and Stochastic Frontier Analyses: Evaluating the Management of U.S. Public Colleges
Authors: Sav G. Thomas
Published: January 2020

This paper estimates and compares operating efficiencies of publicly owned associate degree granting colleges in the United States using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). Comparisons are based on panel data for 698 colleges over four academic years, 2005-09. Included are both constant and variable returns to scale DEA estimates along with half and truncated normal inefficiency SFA estimates. The values 0.56 vs. 0.45 represent the largest mean DEA-SFA efficiency differential. DEA results indicate that 13% of colleges are fully (100%) efficient while SFA puts that percentage at only 1.7%. Comparisons of rankings based on efficiency performance generated a weak 0.65 correlation. Encouragingly, despite the financial turmoil initiated by the global crisis, the findings indicate that colleges have managed large efficiency gains over the four-year period. By 2008-09, DEA estimated efficiency increased to approximately 60%. Given continuing reductions in higher education public funding and increasing interest in public management reforms, the results should be of both managerial and public policy interest.
Slow Infusion of Information Technology in Master Bank of Pakistan â€“ A Case Study
Authors: Khalil Fareeha , . Muhammad Farhan
Published: January 2020

E-Banking is now a well know phenomenon in the industry and amongst the banking users in Pakistan. This paper addresses the issues encountered and lessons derived by largest Pakistani bank while developing its e-banking capabilities. The paper explores some burning issues hindering key decisions of shifting to e-banking, e-banking delivery channel choice, enticing customers, and managing e-channel conflict to be made by bank. The findings indicated that the obstacles related to e banking customer location, customer satisfaction and the Bankâ€™s softwareâ€™s and communication infrastructure capabilities are influential factors in motivating the decision for shifting to a high-tech bank. The bank's E-channel choice is influenced by competence of application and software technologies that the bank acquires and the nature of diffusion of information and communications among its stakeholders. Technological development in Banking practices and awareness in customers due to presence of foreign and domestic banks in Pakistani financial market influenced the Master Bank to switch over to complete automated banking system. The sophistication of ebanking services and the further rapid improvement appears to influence strategies to entice E-channel conflict issues. The paper concludes by suggesting the Bank to optimally utilize its resources by deploying efficient applications and softwareâ€™s and third party alliances and partnerships required to offer customized technology enabled banking services and develop appropriate e-banking risk mitigation strategies that bring the bank into a win-win position.
A Review on Technique in Managing Oil Palm Plantation towards a Digitalized Online 3D Application
Authors: Mat Ruzinoor Che , . Norani Nordin , . Shahrul Azmi Mohd Yusof
Published: January 2020

The oil palm industry has been well known as the backbone in Malaysian agriculture and still maintain as the main commodity exports. The research on oil palm industry has been growing gradually by utilizing various methods and technology to solve the problem in managing oil palm plantation. The aim of this paper is to review the technique in managing oil palm plantation towards a digitalized online 3D application. Various problems and techniques on managing oil palm plantation has been reviewed which involving various technology such as GIS, GPS, DBMS and hyperspectral. It was found that monitoring the characteristic of oil palm plantation is beneficial and important to oil palm planters. The new online 3D application for oil palm plantation management has a potential of assisting oil palm managers in making a decision, visualizing their plantation in online 3D environment, and managing their plantation effectively.
The Impact of Service Quality, Student Satisfaction, and University Reputation on Student Loyalty: A Case Study of International Students in IIUM, Malaysia
Authors: Fares Djafri , . Omar Kachkar
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between service quality, student satisfaction, university reputation, and student loyalty in the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). This study aims to improve our understanding of student loyalty and to highlight the effect of student satisfaction, service quality, and brand image in building student loyalty towards IIUM. Data were randomly collected from 160 students studying in IIUM during the 2012/2013 academic session. Data analysis encompasses descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), correlation, and regression analysis. The data resulted in acceptably high reliability. The result indicates that all independent variables have significant impact on student loyalty. All three hypotheses were supported. This study is set to assist institutions of higher education to identify improvements in the service delivery process by identifying different aspects of service quality, brand image, and student satisfaction in IIUM.
Joining the New Band: Factors Triggering the Intentions of Malaysian College and University Students to Adopt 4G Broadband
Authors: Soon Wong Lai , . Bobby Chai Boon Hui , . Wong Kee Luen
Published: January 2020

The constantly intensifying demand for mobility has generated enormous market opportunities for telecom companies. The Internet has transformed lives of the Homo sapiens over the last decade in manners beyond the horizons of imaginations. 4G; the new kid on the block is the abbreviation for fourth-generation wireless; the phase of mobile communications providing high quality connections for transportable devices. By drawing on the attributes of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) which is an established methodology in technology based product acceptance researches; this paper contemplates the factors that influence the intentions of Malaysian college and university students to adopt 4G broadband for academic and for pleasure purposes. A theoretical framework has been proposed for this study which consisting of four independent variables, namely Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, Subjective Normand Perceived Enjoyment. The dependent variable of this study is Intention to Use.
An Examination of Business Social Responsibility (BSR) On the Local Environment: A Proposed Framework on the Relationship between BSR and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Performance
Authors: Gorondutse Abdullahi Hassan
Published: January 2020

Business social responsibility (BSR) is receiving an increasingly significant issue for economic agents all over the world, due to a new attention to all the aspects of firmâ€™s activities and their relationships with stakeholders. However few studies have considered the influence of BSR and organizational performances. Even if any the finding reveals inconsistenciesâ€™. Hence a mediating mechanism is suggested. This paper aims to provide a propose framework that examine the relationship between BSR and SMEs performance with mediating effect of organizational culture. Based on literature review, this paper proposes four constructs which can be used to identify the implementation at firm level. The constructs are commitment, passiveness, organizational culture, and SMEs performance.
Does the Suitability of National Culture Matters in the Adoption of Six Sigma?
Authors: Qamar Ahsan , . Ahmad Jusoh , . Halimah Idris
Published: January 2020

The concept and methodology of Six Sigma was developed by the American companies within the local culture of America. Therefore it is grounded on the standards, ethics and behaviours represented by America. The present study proposes that implementing Six Sigma in other countries with different cultures, norms and behaviours may have adjustment problems, as the required culture, values and behaviours for Six Sigma do not match with the local cultures of countries. A conceptual model is proposed which would utilize the Hofstedeâ€™s cultural dimensions to determine the effect of national culture at each phase of Six Sigma process.
The Convergence of Manufacturing and Service Technologies: A Patent Analysis Approach
Authors: Geum Youngjung , . Yongtae Park , . Sungjoo Lee
Published: January 2020

Active technological convergence of manufacturing industries and service industries has been emerged as a core and essential phenomenon for recent business environment. Technology convergence has already been the basic force behind the both product innovation and service innovation, changing the ways in which firms interact with their customers. Despite the gravity, there has been limited approach to investigate the technological convergence of manufacturing technologies and service technologies from the empirical perspective. In response, this paper aims to investigate technological convergence between manufacturing technology and service technology using patent analysis. For this purpose, we define the service technology and manufacturing technology. Following on this, we analyze the USPC classification of those technologies to analyze the technological convergence. To investigate the dynamic change of convergence, 10-year-dyanamics are observed. As case studies, three industries which show high level of technological convergence of manufacturing and service - banking, healthcare, and education industries are selected and analyzed in detail.
Applying Diffusion of Innovation in Online Purchase Intention through Social Network: A Focus Group Study of Facebook in Thailand
Authors: Leerapong Atchara
Published: January 2020

Although there are several studies on factors affecting online purchase intention in social media website using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), little research exists with respect to the study using different theories. This research is one of the studies that using an alternative theory, Diffusion of Innovation Model. This paper reports the findings of recent focus group research among working adult (ages 25 to 34), which examined the factors that influence their online purchase decision through online social network, particularly Facebook. The findings are presented and discussed in order to refine the preliminary research model that was developed from an extensive review of literature. Methods: Two focus groups involving 15 participants were recruited in Trang, Thailand. Researchers analyzed and coded the data according to research model and hypotheses. Results: Focus group respondents ranked in order of importance relative advantage, trust, perceived risk, compatibility as the factors that encouraged or discouraged them from purchasing product through Facebook. The findings of factors and their attributes from this study are in line with the findings in the literature with slight variation. Conclusions: This research makes a contribution to the development of a theoretical understanding of online purchase intention through social network.
Online Brand Awareness: Determining the Relative Importance of Facebook and Other Strategies among the Malaysian Consumers
Authors: Haque Ahasanul , . Seyama Sultana , . Farzana Yasmin
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study is to determine the relative importance of facebook with other strategies like affiliate marketing and word of mouth in creating online brand awareness. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis is used in the study. The study chooses 303 Malaysian frequent internet users as the respondents. In confirmatory factor analysis, a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach is applied to determine the relationship among the exogenous and endogenous constructs. The study finds facebook as the most influential online brand awareness creating strategies followed by the affiliated marketing and online word of mouth. In creating the online brand awareness; all the strategies have positive influence, however. The study can be a useful guideline for managerial implication in practice.
The Impact of Brand Image and Customer Commitment on Loyalty: An Empirical Study of Automobile Sector
Authors: Yu-TeTu Yu-TeTu , . Tan-Kui Hsu
Published: January 2020

Corporate brand image has been assessed as an important antecedent of customer commitment and loyalty. Corporate brands help companies achieving higher performance, such as sales. A poor brand image will lead to disaster, and lose customers. Marketing exists to deliver more value to satisfy customers as well as build a long-term and mutually profitability relationship with customers. If a firmâ€™s products or services do not satisfy or meet the customerâ€™s needs and wants, all the strategies are insufficient. With loyal customers, companies can have higher market share and reduce the operating cost. This initial study was from relevant literature, then set up research structure and hypotheses. Survey was employed, and respondents were collected from automobile sector in Taiwan. There were 170 usable questionnaires to analyze normality, convergent and discriminant validities, and SEM model by PASW 18 and AMOS 18.0. The research found that corporate brand image significantly affects customer commitment and loyalty, and customer commitment has strong impact on customer loyalty for the sample. Therefore, firms need to specifically focus on a long-term and mutually profitability relationship with a customer and create loyalty as competitive advantages in the markets.
Knowledge Based Information System for Strengthening the Competitive Advantages of Women Technopreneurs in Malaysia
Authors: Fuad Nurwahida
Published: January 2020

In context of technopreneur business, competitive advantages is the top most issues that facing by women entrepreneurs especially for sustaining their market position and profitability. The dramatically change of technopreneur landscape has exposed the women technopreneur with some of global challenges. In the one hand, competitive advantages possible to transform the business into the best track by monitoring the rapid change of external and internal environment of business. However, in the one hand, competitive advantages have exposed the business to some risks, damage and negative impacts if they are not ready to adopt the suitable strategy. The main objective of the paper is to discuss the competitive advantages forces of women technopreneur firms. Secondly, the paper is aimed to highlight the usability of knowledge based information system (KBIS) in dealing with the main issues of competitive advantages. This study has adopted the model of Porter Five Forces by Michael Porter to understand the competitive advantages as faced by women technopreneur. Meanwhile, the potential use of KBIS will explored by conducting the unstructured interview with selected expertise. In the turbulences market environment, KBIS should integrate with strategy which can help women technopreneur firms to positioning them self into the right time and track. Finally, some suggestion was made to guiding women technopreneur in integrating KBIS sophistication with strategy options as a new way of advancement.
Technostress: Mediating Accounting Information System Performance
Authors: Saganuwan M. U. , . U. N. U. Ahmad
Published: January 2020

In recent times, Accounting Information System (AIS) characteristics were studied to enhance its effectiveness but the impact technology stress, which imposes additional stress in the professionals known as techno stress, is not reflected. Technostress and AIS literatures were reviewed to synthesize the relationship. Technostress adversely affect the professionalâ€™s job satisfaction and performance. Therefore, this conceptual paper highlights and synthesizes the issues of techno stress with professionals and the effectiveness of AIS in organizations. However, based on the strength of existing frameworks of AIS, techno stress use to mediate the technological, organizational and cognitive contingency factors under condition of uncertainty to determine AIS effectiveness.
ATM Service Quality and its Effect on Customer Retention: A Case from Pakistani Banks
Authors: Hasan Ameer , . Muhammad Irfan Arif , . Nimra Khan
Published: January 2020

The concept customer retention has received a considerable attention from a few decades in both areas as academic and industry. In the dynamic market environment, customer retention is seen as much important factor to compete in the market. Banks deals very closely to their customers, find, and fulfill their needs. Due to the technological advancement, banks are offering technology based services to the customers, the aim is to have a competitive advantage in satisfying their customer needs and hence to retain their customers. This research attempts to find the technology based ATM service quality, that how the customer are satisfied with it and hence being retained with the bank. The study will find the factor of ATM service quality that are helpful in retaining the customers. Data was collected from different banks of Pakistan and result depicts that the satisfaction of the bank customers with ATM service quality leads to retain the customer with the bank. Hence, the manger should need to focus on the quality ATM service to their customers, to retain their customers with the Banks.
Investor Sentiment Measurement of Merger and Acquisition Companies in Indonesia
Authors: Rizal N. A.
Published: January 2020

This research is conducted about how to measure the investor sentiment, when the prospects of merger or acquisition have completed. The measurement is done by examining the likelihood of success or failure, which can determine the investment strategy, while holding a target when it is still occurred. It is to see whether the positive investor sentiment should increase or decrease when the probability of the acquisitionâ€™s success increases or decreases and that sentiment will also vary with events during the period of offering. The purpose of this paper is to make a probability model that will describe about the investor sentiment behavior during the merger and acquisition process in Indonesia. This model will also separate the effect of Indonesia markets and target companyâ€™s movement. The samples are taken from the companies that listed in Jakarta Stock Exchange from 2009 and 2012. The information that we used in this research is the public news from the Regulator Committee of Business Providers (Komite Penyelenggara Pengawasan Usaha/KPPU) and the available newspaper in Indonesia. The result shows that after the first announcement, the investor sentiment react very enthusiasm and the trend line of the sentiment tend to increase against the stock price and the market.
Pollution Management and Industrial Estates: Perceptions of Residents in the Vicinity of Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Thailand
Authors: Pinyochatchinda Supaporn
Published: January 2020

Industrial pollution has become a serious problem in most states and has been tackled by initiatives at the national and transnational levels. However, public opinion is still affected by the events of the past. This situation is explored through the case of Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Thailand,which has been bedeviled by environmental and safety issues since it was opened in 1989. Despite improvements in management systems, notwithstanding the explosion in 2012 which killed 12 workers in one factory, the opinions of nearby residents has been badly affected by the memories of the past. This has led to mistrust and suspicion of the industrial estate among those residents and so protests and dissent have been more common. This study employs a quantitative survey of 400 residents living in the vicinity of Map Ta Phut with a view to understanding their perceptions of environmental management on the estate and, hence, some indications of how better flows of information might improve confidence among these important stakeholders. There will need to be more effective long-term methods of dealing with health issues relating to pollution and conveying knowledge about what is being done in order to recapture public trust.
Special Event Logistics Geopolitical Event Bangkok
Authors: Gruenwald Hermann
Published: January 2020

Special event logistics covers a broad area from concerts, trade fairs, to public gatherings and beyond. This qualitative research is looking at special event logistics from a technical logistics management standpoint. The paper focuses on the logistics issues of the geopolitical events of the so called Shut down of Bangkok in 2014. The paper does not address the political issues surrounding the events and takes a neutral position only focusing on the technical logistics elements of the special event. Geopolitical special events are different as they involve thousands of volunteers at various levels of engagement over a more or less undetermined period of time with very fluid dynamics of the event. The emotions of the volunteers and participants are running high as it involves political and ideological viewpoints and therefore provides a high tension high pressure environment with a great level of uncertainty and risk. Supply chain risk management (SCRM) takes on a new meaning in the context of special events. Security is a major issue which goes beyond normal SCRM and business continuity planning. There needs to be access and crowd control as well as VIP and critical infrastructure protection. The logistics issues that need to be addressed include: site selection and preparation down to site dissolution, various sorts and types of assets and supplies from numerous and often daily varying sources need to be mobilized and demobilized. Infrastructure has to be provided and in some cases created including public utilities such as electricity, water, sewer, phone, fax, internet and mobile telephones, cable, wireless networks, satellite up and down links, to ATM machines which have to be brought to the site. Food and beverages (F&B) services range from drinking water to feeding thousands to special diets for vegetarians, Buddhist monks and Muslim participants. Storage on-site and off-site involves coldsupply chain (CSC) as well as perishable items and bulk items ranging from less than a truck load (LTL) to large bulk shipments. Audio visual (AV) services and multi-media needs to be covered both on a close circuit (CCTV) network for the site as well as national and international news and media coverage. There are also the demand planning and transportation issue, goods and people have to be transported to and from and in between often multiple venues which adds to the complexity.
Some Insights in the Historical Prospective of Hierarchy of Effects Model: A Short Review
Authors: Rehman Fazal ur , . Tariq Nawaz , . Ishfaq Ahmed , . Shabir Hyder
Published: January 2020

The study emphasized on the role of hierarchy of effects model in advertisement and reviewed its historical background along with different phases. This study clarified the early development phase, modern development phase, some challenges and defenses, and digital phase of the model in detail. The study highlighted different steps of hierarchy of effects model and how it effectively influence customers mind in advertisement. The study mentioned the steps of awareness, interest, desire, action which is also known as AIDA model. The study anticipated that AIDA is the oldest acronym of marketing. It is best, will never change and can be applied to print, social, mobile, online and digital advertising.
Internet Search Volume and Stock Return Volatility: The Case of Turkish Companies
Authors: Turan Semen Son
Published: January 2020

This study analyzes the relationship of the volatility ofstock returns and internet search volume (ISV). The dataset consists of 10 Turkish companies listed on the BIST-100 Index of Borsa Istanbul, and encompasses the period between January 2004 - September 2013. The GARCH (1,1) model is applied with two alternative mean specifications. The use of the novel exogenous variable ISV as proxy for investor sentimentis complemented through the inclusion of trading volume.Results show that as the GARCH (1,1) model becomes increasingly nested, volatility persistence declines with however no case of a vanishing G(ARCH) effect.
Female Indigenous entrepreneurship in remote communities in northern Australia
Authors: L. Cecil A.
Published: January 2020

Little is known about Australian Indigenous female entrepreneurship. Misconceptions typifying Australian Indigenous businesses are community enterprises are encumbered by research limitations, generalisations and stereotyping; the material is seldom voiced by Australian Indigenous people; and few sources detail the challenges for grass roots female Indigenous entrepreneurs in remote Australian Aboriginal communities that maintain patriarchal cultures. In this paper is described how 21 Indigenous female entrepreneurs in a remote region of northern Australia have tailored their businesses to comply with the regulatory and statutory framework of the dominant society while preserving sensitivity to the traditional cultural norms, rules, and obligations. The data were independently corroborated by Indigenous and non Indigenous men of recognised standing in the region. These empirical observations provide foundation for better informed judgements about the business environment in remote regions of Australia, which is fundamental when developing policies for delivering sustainable female Indigenous small businesses.
Problems and Factors of Non-Completion of Promising Projects by Young Entrepreneurs: The Case of Tunisia
Authors: Hamed Salah Ben
Published: January 2020

Our study attempted to explore the different problems and factors of the non-completion of business projects by a representative sample of project promoters. Four factors were selected to examine the issue, which are: resources availability and ease of access to finance, lack of capital and its impact on projects, promotersâ€™ competencies and cognitive skills and their projects vision as entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has shown that the financial factor is the main factor of the non-completion of promising projects by young project promoters.
Development of Foreign Competitor Identification Index (FCII) in Malaysia
Authors: Ab. Nur Izzati , . Christopher Nigel Preece
Published: January 2020

Most previous studies have dealt with foreign competitors in host country by considering how the contractors compete in international environment. The purpose of this study is to develop a foreign competitor identification index (FCII) by assessing the global orientation of international contractors in Malaysia using various characteristics. The exploratory study is based on the secondary data from Engineering News Record (ENR, 2013) and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB, 2013) Malaysia. The sampling frame was from the ENR top 250 international contractors operating in more than 100 countries worldwide. Their involvement in international projects includes general building, manufacturing, power, water supply, sewerage/solid waste, industrial process, petroleum, transportation, hazardous waste and telecommunications. Six (6) measurements were used to develop the FCII mode which were based on number of years of experience and number of consecutive years operating in Malaysia, number of countries they are working outside Malaysia, number of projects and number of diversity of projects undertaken in Malaysia, and ranking in ENR. The data was analysed descriptively to make the comparison and establish the findings. Thirty eight (38) out of 250 top international contractors listed by the ENR have been operating in Malaysia. It was observed that that the most competitive contractor with the highest FCII score has more than 12 year of consecutive years working in Malaysia working on 99 projects, operating in more than 20 countries outside Malaysia and ranked at 17th place by the ENR (2013). The study used a sampling frame of population based on ENR. Therefore, the proposed measurements shall be further validated by the subject matter experts. The study will assist local contractors to recognize the foreign competitors in Malaysia and a competitive index model will be further developed to guide the local contractors to prepare themselves to compete with the foreign contractors in Malaysia. Neglecting to properly assess the foreign contractorsâ€™ characteristics can lead to poor performance in their local business ventures. This study intends to contribute to an improved understanding foreign contractorâ€™s competitiveness in relation to the local contractors towards the development of the FCII model. Although there have been various models related to competitive index, there is currently no model that attempts to show the effects of foreign contractors on the local contractors.
The Dynamics of Value Creation in Online Brand Communities: Strategy Map Approach
Authors: Shabbir Rizwan , . Chatchai Pitsaphol , . Waseem Hassan
Published: January 2020

As the clout of social networking is growing, brand managers are exploring diversified marketing strategies and consumer attitudes. The current study reveals the impact of value creation practices and brand loyalty in online brand communities based on perceived benefits enjoyed by consumers. Based on quantitative research approach, a sample of 308 respondents were collected to investigate relationships among online brand community participation, value creation practices and brand loyalty. The results highlighted hedonic, learning, self-esteem and social benefits as antecedents for online brand community participation. Moreover, value creation practices are derived as essential factor for enhancing brand loyalty among online community members. The finding exhibited valuable insights about developing corporate strategies to achieve customer intimacy for long-term relationship. Managerial implications are explained by identifying value-creation practices as a mechanism for enhancing consumer engagement and relationship management.
Effective Inventory Management of Entrepreneurs in Eastern Part Thailand: 10 Big Questions
Authors: Suvittawat Adisak
Published: January 2020

The objective of this research is finding the variables which effect on entrepreneursâ€™ inventory management in eastern part of Thailand. The entrepreneurs have been identified in 2 difference sizes, large and small as the inventory management variables must be different. The results show that inventory management of large size were accepted by the entrepreneurs are space utilization, product sample, product feature differentiation, effective inventory management system, inventory management objective, effective inventory picking system, inventory cost reduction, regular problem happen, effective IT system and specific soft ware for inventory management. The results show that inventory management of small size were accepted by the entrepreneurs are specific soft ware for inventory management, effective IT system, inventory management objective, effective inventory picking system, regular problem happen, product feature differentiation, inventory cost reduction, product sample, space utilization and effective inventory management. Inventory management in small firm and big firm has significantly priorities as the big firms have advantage in space utilization but need specific soft ware for inventory management due to big firms have more products or inventories items than small firms.
Strategic Vision into Operational Reality: A Case Study on Menga Berhadâ€™s Transformation Journey
Authors: Francis Patricia
Published: January 2020

This case study describes the problems faced and transformation efforts taken by the Board of Directors of Menga Berhad in order to stay relevant in the evolving requirements of technology in the ICT industry. The case was identified as a result of stiff competition faced by Menga over the years which resulted in declining of revenues and profit margins, delayed projects and declining customer satisfaction during the recent years and how the strategic vision was turned into operational reality. The data related to the case study has been compiled from Companyâ€™s Periodic Financial Statements, BURSA announcements given by the new management, websites, articles and through interviews and discussions with the relevant stakeholders of Menga Berhad. The analysis is based on management theories and proven concepts. The strategic intervention identified is per that which has been undertaken by the management in order to mitigate the issues that were being experienced by Menga Berhad. The outcomes of those strategic interventions along with the outcomes, justification of managerial decision making and its critical analysis have been recorded in order to provide further insights to the readers for future application.
The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth in Nigeria
Authors: Ibrahim Sani Ali
Published: January 2020

The economic development performance can be used to measure the economic growth of a given country. In economic analysis, a country can attain economic growth through the growth in national income measurement. However, there were rigorous discussions on the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth and continued to be a topic of discussion on the contemporary economy. This paper serves as an extension to the previous empirical studies on the issue by providing some evidence from time series data for the period 1971 to 2013 of Nigeria. The primary aim of this study is to analyze the impact of FDI on economic growth of Nigeria taking trade openness, Gross Fixed Capital Formation and human capital as control variables. To investigate the long run equilibrium relationship, Johansen and Juselius co-integration approach is analyzed, while the speed of adjustment in the short run is analyzed through the use of VECM method. In Nigeria, FDI, GFCF and HK have long run relationship with economic growth. However, the coefficient of ECM in Nigeria is statistically significant at 1% level of significance. Thus, 10.8% of the adjustment is achieved due to the correction of the adjustment speed in a year.
The Determinants of Employee Attitude towards e-HRMâ€“A Study of Engineering Company in Malaysia
Authors: Omar Muhamad Khalil , . Azzarina Zakaria , . Badrul Azmier Mohamed
Published: January 2020

Electronic Human Resource Management (e-HRM) is â€œâ€¦the application of information technology for both networking and supporting at least at least two individual or collective actors in their shared performing of HR activitiesâ€ (Strohmeir, 2007). Using a survey method, this study reports the determinant of employee attitude towards e-HRM in an engineering company in Malaysia. There are basically two major independent variables i.e. perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. The overall results show that the employees had significantly positive attitude towards e-HRM as they perceived that the system is useful and easy to use. Data shows that they intend to use e-HRM and predict that they would use e-HRM in future. The findings of this research provide valuable insights for the management to create a positive attitude towards technological interventions especially in assisting human resource management. Hence, a company should enhance the employeesâ€™ understanding of the system through a proper and thorough training so that they will perceive the system as useful and easy to use.
Financial Inclusion in India: An Empirical Study of Unorganized Sector in Gujarat
Authors: Sahoo Manoj Kumar
Published: January 2020

The Indian economy being one of the emerging economies among the twenty global traders with annual growth rate projected at 7.4% for the year 2014-15 as compared to 6.9% growth in the fiscal year 2013-14.With second largest population in world and third largest purchasing power parity India suffers from socio cultural issues such as poverty and unemployment. The major question here is on sustainable growth of the nation. An easy and affordable access to financial and banking services accounts for the financial inclusion particularly for the lower and vulnerable sections of the society. More the people earn more they invest and save more. In order to address the sate of inequality it is essential to give major priority for achieving 100 per cent or near to 100% Financial Inclusion. Gujarat being a rapidly growing state contributing 10% to Indiaâ€™s GDP despite efficient growth it lags behind in Financial Inclusion .The paper on Financial Inclusion in India: An empirical study of unorganized sector aims to do an in depth research in order to reason out for the unaccounted un-organized sector of the state. Unorganized sector refers to the people who drive their economic activities on daily basis by unregistered business firms or self employment. Dealing with primary data on Different parameters of Financial Inclusion pertaining to unorganized sector of Gujarat state and a regression model namely Logit Model is estimated to examine the relationship of Financial Inclusion parameter on various determining variables. Research work is on-going; we expect that Gujarat government has to focus on more spread of awareness among people of Gujarat who are not able to avail economic growth benefits equally despite an excellent performance in HDI, per capita GNI and other economic development parameters.
Perception of Complexity Area in Managementâ€“an Exploratory Study in Poland
Authors: GorzeÅ„-Mitka Iwona
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this article is presentation theoretical and empirical analysis about complexity perception in organization. We propose following thesis: "perception of complexity in company is possible by separating complexity levels of particular areas of company activity". Taking into account the general aspect of perception and complexity perception in management to the understanding this concept we use the Cynefin model. We accept the assumption that the recognition complexity levels in selected areas create value in decision making processes. Theoretical considerations are supplemented by results of the study in 157 Polish SMEs. The study was conducted in May 2015.
Businesses Blogging and the Effects of Non-Compliance
Authors: Mohamed Duryana Binti
Published: January 2020

Presently, business blogging is gaining increasing on-line popularity. Some bloggers or business owners engage in this form of business for limited periods to test the marketability of their products, while others rely on it as the primary medium for marketing their products and services. Given that commerce is being conducted via blogs, some exploit this medium for fraudulent purposes. In Malaysia, there are legal rules and regulations governing online transactions or electronic commerce. However, to date these have not been updated to include specific provisions for business blogging. The legal issues that arise are whether owners of such commercial blogs should comply with the existing legal framework governing online transactions or electronic commerce and are thus liable to consumers under consumer laws. This paper discusses the above issues by examining the application of existing laws on business blogging and the effects of non-compliance.
Analysis of the Perceptions of Administrators on the Educations Regulations
Authors: Kapusuzoglu Saduman , Copur Zubeyde
Published: January 2020

The main purpose of the Ministry of National Education Guidance and Inspection Directorate and Education Inspectors Directorates Regulation consists of defining the organizations and duties of these directorates. In this respect, the regulation deals with the power and responsibilities of education inspectors to be appointed in the directorates separately and regulates issues such as their appointment, employment, training and replacement; in short all working style and principles. In this study, it is aimed at analyzing and evaluating the Ministry of National Education Guidance and Supervision Directorate and Education Inspectors Directorates Regulation taking the views of inspectors in the dimensions of structure, process and understanding. In line with this purpose, the views of education inspectors (N=86) have been obtained by Baskan and KapusuzoÄŸlu (2013) through a survey of 25 items developed in line with the regulations. The obtained data has been analyzed through averages, the T- test, Anova and Tukey-B tests. As a result of the study, it has been concluded that the inspectors do not find the application terms related to the competition examination and the changes made in terms of the examination board, regulations made in terms of the reclamation period and the oral examination process â€œappropriateâ€ and that they find the regulations related to the written examination subjects and score weight, their training and appointment â€œpartially appropriate.â€ In addition, the views of the inspectors do not display differences based on personal characteristics with the exception of terms of service.
Factor Analysis - Dominant Factors Affecting the Investment of Natural Resources in Papua Province
Authors: Wasaraka Zainal Arifin
Published: January 2020

The aims of this research are to determine and to analyze about the effect of infrastructure, bureaucracy and regulation, and culture social environment toward natural resources in Papua Provincial. The research methods are survey and path way analyses. Results from the research showed that are: 1) bureaucracy and regulation factor have direct effect to invest, it is also indirect effect with culture intervening variables, 2)The Direct effect of culture social environment to invest natural resources is 21,3%.
The Relationship between Commitment-based HR Practices and Organizational Performance: The Role of Organizational Learning Capabilities as a Mediator
Authors: Chia Po Li , Yahya Khulida Kirana Yahya Kirana , Yean Tan Fee
Published: January 2020

This study intends to investigate the relationship between commitment-based human resource practices (CBHRP) and organizational performance of the multi-national organizations in Malaysia with the present of organizational learning capability (OLC) as the mediator. The data were collected from 150 multi-national organizations, using a survey questionnaire. The returned response rate was 97 percent. A relevant statistical analytical such as regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses set forth in this study. The outcome of the analysis showed that the relationship between commitment-based HR practices and organizational performance was influence by organizational learning capability. The results imply that the multi-national organizations should enhance their CBHRP and OLC to strengthen their organizational performance.