Vol.1 No. 2, June 2010

Article 1: LOGISTIC BENCHMARK STUDY OF THE EAST WEST ECONOMIC CORRIDOR, pp. 1-13
By: Ruth Banomyong (Guest Author), Thammasat University, Thailand
Apichat Sopadang,and Sakgasem Ramingwong, Chiang Mai University, Thailand

The main purpose of this paper is to analyse and benchmark the current status of the East West Economic Corridor (EWEC) logistics system. The EWEC is one of most recognised program of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) within the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMS) initiative. This development program is named after the physical linkages in the transportation network from East to West across 4 GMS countries, i.e. Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR and Vietnam. The benchmark study is based on several logistics assessment tools, i.e, analysis on macro logistics system component, logistics performance benchmarking, corridor analysis and a snapshot methodology. The rationale behind EWEC logistics benchmark analysis is to provide policy makers with a detailed illustration of the “AS IS” situation and the issues currently constraining integration. Logistics development policies, comprising of 8 sub programs, are then proposed to enhance EWEC integration. The prediction is that the 1,109-km journey will travelled in less than 22 hours in the near future.
Keywords: Logistics benchmarking, east-west economic corridor, logistics policy development

Article 2: THE INFLUENCE OF TRAINING IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT ON COMPETITIVENESS, pp. 14-31

By: Arawati Agus and Zulridah Mohd. Nor, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Za'faran Hassan, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia

This paper examines the relationship between training in supply chain management (SCM) and competitive advantage of manufacturing companies in Malaysia. The study measures senior SCM managers’ or production managers’ perception of training in SCM practices and level of competitiveness in the industry. Associations between training in supply chain management and competitive advantage are analyzed through methods such as Pearson’s correlations, cluster analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) utilizing 115 respondents’ data. The findings suggest that training in SCM has significant correlations with competitive advantage (comprises of determinants such as product differentiation, employee differentiation, service differentiation and price differentiation). Specifically, competitive advantage (CA) has high correlations with training variables such as ‘adequacy of production training among employees’, ‘management training in supply chain effectiveness’ and ‘employee training in supply chain technologies’. The SEM result also reveals that training in SCM exhibit direct impact on competitiveness. Findings of the study provide a demonstration of the importance of training in enhancing competitiveness in Malaysian manufacturing companies.
Keywords: Supply chain management, training, competitive advantage, manufacturing companies, Pearson’s correlation, cluster analysis and structural equation modeling.

Article 3: THE IMPACT OF CULTURAL INDUSTRIES ON MALAYSIA'S ECONOMY, pp. 33-42
By: Herwina Rosnan, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia
Mohd Nazari Ismail, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia

The main objective of this paper is to examine the impact of cultural industries in general and film industry in particular on national economy. Globally, cultural industries have contributed to economic development of many developed and developing countries. For example, in the United States, film industry (which fall under the category of cultural industries) contribution is greater than its aerospace industry. In the case of third world countries, film industry has been neglected in the academic literature despite its huge potential contribution to the economy. Based on the reviews of earlier studies, it was found that little attention has been given by scholars to study the impact of cultural industries and national economic development. Most studies on economic development focused on other industries deemed significant, especially manufacturing industry. Hence, this paper highlights the importance of cultural industries and its potential contribution to national economy. It also highlights some important points that need to be considered by national government in their effort to benefit from the development of their national film industry.
Keywords: Cultural industries, film, national economy, economic development.

Article 4: EFFECTIVENSS OF THE EXTENDED MEAN-VARIANCE MODEL USING FUZZY APPROACH FOR PORTFOLIO SELECTION IN MALAYSIAN STOCK MARKET, pp.43-53
By: Zulkifli Mohamed, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Johor, Malaysia
Ruzidah Ahyak, Segamat Technical School, Johor, Malaysia
Sazali Abidin, University of Waikato, New Zealand
Norzaidi Mohd Daud, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia

Purpose of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of the extended mean-variance model using fuzzy approach in maximizing portfolio diversification benefit in the Malaysian stock market. 10 types of portfolios involving 300 listed companies in Bursa Malaysia from 1998 to 2009 were used as a sample for the extended model testing. Linear programming optimization tool was used to derive efficient portfolios. Portfolio superiority then been measured by using the efficient frontier index (EFI). Empirical evidence revealed that the extended mean-variance model is able to maximize portfolio’s diversification benefit in the Malaysian stock market compared to the conventional mean-variance and the VBS fuzzy models. The result provides on how the Malaysian investors could improve on their investment strategy. This study is perhaps one of the first to address portfolio diversification benefit using the extended mean-variance model in the Malaysian stock market.
Keywords: Portfolio, mean-variance, efficient frontier, fuzzy, Malaysia.

Article 5: VISITOR' USE OF INFORMATION KIOSK AT MELAKA TOWN HERITAGE SITES, pp.54-65
By: Mohd Hasrul Yushairi Johari, Mohd Saiyidi Mokhtar Mat Roni, Amiruddin Ahmad & Ahmad Khairuman Md. Hasim, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka, Malaysia

The advancement in information and communication technology (ICT) has garnered much interest in various fields. Tourism arena is one of the many fields in which ICT has become a subject of interest. Although in the late 90’s and in the early 21st century virtual tourism was predicted to have a major impact, traditional visit to places of attraction still remains popular. Therefore, the visitor’s appreciation and knowledge on certain places of attraction may improve through an integration of virtual tourism into a conventional physical movement. This will later could help induce further interest to visit. This integration can take in many forms. One of the many significant approaches to this method is to deploy an ICT based information kiosk. Adapting the intrinsic value of information through the information kiosk however, requires more than just the technology. Social norms and user behaviour has to be adequately studied in order to better understand the visitors intention and likelihood to use such technology. Perhaps, the deployment of such technology is viewed as a catalyst to lure interest among visitors to heritage sites. Therefore, understanding the social behaviour among visitors would contribute useful information on the technical aspects of the kiosk such as design, concept and content. Several theories of social behaviour are studied and the most applicable theory is used to explain the intention and the actual use of the kiosk. Derived from the Theory of Reasoned Action which is later refined into Theory of Planned Behaviour, a model called Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) is adapted in this study. The use of UTAUT is considered appropriate in current study as it incorporates several parameters that help to explain the use of an ICT based information kiosk among visitors.
Keywords: Kiosks, behavior model, interpretive media

Vol.1 No. 1, March 2010

Article 1: RELATIONSHIP OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN PUBLIC ORGANIZATION, pp. 1-8

By: Nour-Mohammad Yaghoubi, Jamshid Moloudi, and Atiyeh Haghi, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between organizational intelligence (OI) (e.g. strategic vision, shared fate, and appetite for change, heart, alignment and congruence, knowledge deployment and performance pressure) and organizational culture (OC) in Social Security Organizations in Iran. 280 of personnels were selected radomly using Albrecht OI and Denison organizational culture questionnaire. This study suggested that there is statistical significant relation between organizational intelligence and organizational culture.
Keywords: Organizational intelligence, organizational culture, organizational intelligence dimensions, Iran.

Article 2: MODERATING EFFECT OF INFORMATION PROCESSING CAPACITY TO INVESTMENT DECISION MAKING AND ENVIROMENTAL SCANNING, pp. 9-22

By: Nik Maheran Nik Muhammad, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kelantan, Malaysia

Muhamad Jantan and Fauziah Md Taib, Universiti Sains Malaysia

This study will examine the role of information processing capacity in enhancing investment decision quality and environmental scanning relationship. Cross sectional data was collected through a survey and analyzed by means of factor analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. Information processing capacity is only contingent upon technology information in order to affect the quality of investment decision. Method of scanning on the other hand will lead to quality decision only with the inclusion of information processing capacity. Use of convenience sampling may restrict the generalizability of findings. Information processing capacity is needed when scanning technology information to bring about decision quality, thus for technology related matters, firms should be investing in the information processing capacity to produce quality decision. Information processing capacity theory is genuinely new in the literature of investment decision making. This study uses decision as its unit of analysis.
Keywords: Environmental scanning, decision quality, information processing capacity

Article 3: IS DIRHAM BETTER PERFORMED THAN DINAR IN HEDGING FLUCTUATED PRICES?, pp. 23-30

By: Dziauddin Shraif, Norlina Hazamuri and Mohd Asyadi Redzuan, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka, Malaysia

Previous researches had shown that the coinage system can make the whole economic system sustainable rather than fiat money system. Of course the reason for that is the Gold Dinar and Silver Dirham are capable of reducing the fluctuation in goods price, thus it can reduce the inflation and deflation. Despite the fact that the both gold dinar and silver dirham are in a same kind, but they are in a different weight age, hence each of them would bring different result in case of stabilizing or hedging the price fluctuation. The question may arise here is which one of these metal can be a better tool to stabilize or hedge the price fluctuation. As a response to this matter, an empirical study would be carried out to find the answer. Therefore, this study is purposely compared the performance of gold dinar and silver dirham in hedging the price fluctuation, and subsequently to identify which one of these commodity monies could be a better hedging tool.
Keywords: Performance, dinar, dirham, fluctuated prices, hedging

Article 4: MERGER AND ACQUISITION: THE ORGANIZATION WELL BEING AND IMPACT TO THE EMPLOYEES OF THE ACQUIRED ORGANIZATION, pp. 31-40

By: Roshidi Hassan, Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam, Malaysia

The paper aims to discuss the types of mergers and acquisitions and elaborate on the effectiveness of the integration of the merger based on the previous research done. Merger and acquisition do have significant impacts to employees well being, work, team performance and organization performances. Managing acquisition process and the employees of the acquired organization in the right manner and approaches can reduce the negative impact of the acquisition process. It also can help organization to recover and perform again in shorter span of time. Organization should employ the right approach and strategies during the acquisition process and special attention given to effectively managing the employees of the acquired organization. The significance of the paper stems from the fact that it highlighted some important points that need to be considered by organizations when implementing merger and acquisition exercises based on the reviews of earlier studies and some from authors own viewpoints.
Keywords: Merger and acquisition, employee’s transitions, adaptations and workplace recovery.

Article 5: CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT IN OUTCOME-BASED EDUCATION (OBE) FOR INDUSTRIAL PRACTICUM TRAINING PROGRAM, pp.41-51

By: Sariwati Mohd Shariff and Shatina Saad, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia

This paper aims to share the findings and continual improvements made to the curricular structure on industrial practicum training program in the Faculty of Business Management of a local public university based on a study carried out in 2005 – 2006. A total of 103 practicum students (25%) responded to a quantitative survey using a 5-point Likert scale to determine the practicum training effectiveness; followed by in-depth interviews on twelve purposive–selected trainees. Findings showed that the factors that make the industrial practicum training effective were: host organizations, roles of facilitators, roles of trainees and the training-learning curriculum in the practicum. The scope of study encompassed final semester business management students who had completed practicum attachments in various industries from multinational companies, national and local small-medium enterprises. The practical implications of this study resulted in a change of curriculum structure for practicum programs, improved administration and practicum evaluations on the students, and enhanced the university- industrial linkages.
Keywords: Industrial training, practicum, curricular development, learning