No.2, Vol. 3, 2011

Article 1: Indentifying the link between tourism and internationalisation of education: The case of North-East Asian countries and New Zealand
By: Ershad Ali and Geetha Subramaniam

This paper examines whether there exists any link between the growth of tourism and internationalisation of education by focussing on tourists from the North-East Asian countries (NEAC) to New Zealand. A positive trend has been noted on tourism movement from North East Asian countries to New Zealand during the past decade. However, the export education sector is not as strong at this stage to meet the competitive countries‟ marketing ventures and these calls for new tourism/trade type policies and strategies to further improve the export market for education. Tourism growth from NEAC seems to be steady and continuous whereas the export education sector seems to be unsustainable at times and lacks the marketing edge of the tourism industry.
Keywords: Internationalisation of education, tourism, North East Asia

Article 2: An exploratory study of the matching problems among game theoretically coordinating parties in a virtual organisation
By: Muhammad Yasir, Abdul Majid and Iftikhar Ahmad

Virtual organization is a temporary network of independent parties to exploit the emerging market opportunities. It has several defining characteristics among which coordination is of particular importance. Coordination among parties is required to ensure the efficient and effective accomplishment of tasks in a virtual organization. This research suggests that the approaches of Game theory in which each strategy of a player represents the best response to the others‟ strategies could be applied to model the coordination among parties in a virtual organization. Matching problems could arise among parties while maintaining a virtual relationship. This study aims at exploring the possibilities of game theoretic modeling of relationship among parties in a virtual organization. Potential matching problems arising out of a virtual relationship have also been discussed in this study.
Keywords: Virtual organization, game theory, matching problems, coordination

Article 3: Market orientation, financial management and business performance: exploring the relationships in financial sector
By: Boo Ho Voon, Jipiu Marjorie, and Karen Kueh

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationships between market orientation, financial management and business performance with data from a financial institution in Malaysia. The research fulfils a need for more studies of market orientation in the financial sector of developing countries. It utilises a market orientation scale which incorporates service oriented elements, thus being more relevant to service industries such as banks. Market orientation is measured from the employee‟s perspective in contrast to prior studies which utilise management perceptions. Structured questionnaires were used to capture employees‟ perceptions of market orientation, financial management and business performance for the selected institution. The relationships were tested using regression analysis. The results show that market orientation has a significantly positive relationship with both non-financial and financial performance. Financial management moderates the market orientation-business performance relationship.
Keywords: Market orientation, business performance, financial management, banking, Malaysia.

Article 4: Entrepreneurial intentions among university students
By: Chin Tee Suan, Yeow Jian Ai, Kavitha Raman, Koe Wei Loon and Joenathan Tanumihardja

The purpose of this study is to examine the entrepreneurial intentions among university students. The study examines the personality traits, family and individual background, education and experience and also perceived desirability. A total of 200 university students took part in this study. It was found that personality traits such as locus of control and the need for achievement had a stronger correlation in comparison with other elements such as education. The background of the student plays an important role as well. Where of the parents is involved in business, the student will be influence by it.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship, intentions, motivations, sustainability, business schools, personality trait

Article 5: Acceptance of technology and its relationship with computer anxiety
By: Maimunah Mohd Shah, Roshidi Hassan, Roslani Embi and Ahmad Mazli Muhammad

This study was conducted to find out the relationship between acceptance of technological changes and computer anxiety among commercial bank employees. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed by Fred Davis in 1989 was used to measure the level of acceptance of technology use. This instrument has been widely used by many researchers as reported in the literature. Simple random sampling technique was used to select participants to answer the questionnaires. Three hundred and thirty-tree participants from ten commercial banks responded the questionnaires. Only 319 were usable and were analyzed. The results reveal positive acceptance of the various computer applications used by the employees. T-tests conducted on gender, non-executive, executive and age revealed mixed results. Interestingly, the correlation results among the variables showed small to high negative relationships. Using a stepwise multiple regression, the results revealed two variables as indicators toward experiencing computer anxiety among employees in commercial banks.
Keywords: Technology Acceptance Model, computer skills, computer knowledge, attitude toward computer, computer anxiety.

Article 6: The role of microfinance in development of micro enterprises in Malaysia
By: Jasman Tuyon, S.Junaidi S.Mohammad, and Rosalan Ali

Micro enterprises play an important role is socio-economic development in Malaysia. Acknowledging this, development of micro enterprises has been a key strategy of the government’s to help ensure an equitable and balanced economic growth since the formation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1971 and still been maintained as a key development area under the New Economic Model (NEM), 2010. However, despite various financial assistance offered by the government and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) supports on micro enterprises financing, the critical issues of shortage of capital and limited access to commercial bank financing still prevail. This posted a question on the effectiveness of the previous enterprises financing policy. Specifically, this research paper is looking into the innovation and roles of non-bank and bank Microfinance institutions (MFIs) in provision of micro credit to support the development of micro enterprises in Malaysia. Both of this MFIs category is approaching the same market segments but on a different operational approaches and lending criteria.
Keywords: Microfinance, micro enterprises, entrepreneurial financing, Malaysia

Article 7: Investigating critical success factors of value chain in health tourism industry in Malaysia
By: Noorainie Saadiah Mohd Salleh, Syed Jamal Abdul Nasir Syed Mohamad, Siti Syairah Taib

This paper articulates the function of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) in developing the Health Tourism Industry. Focus was given in identifying the challenges faced by MHTC, understanding the competitiveness of the industry and proposing a suitable value chain framework for the industry. Total of 12 organizations have been identified, which were including private and public organizations. Conclusions of findings have been derived and few recommendations made at the end of this article.
Keywords: Health tourism, medical tourism, competitive, leisure services and value chain

Article 8: Impact of ERP system on productivity improvement: Some empirical findings
By: Zaini Zainol and Zaitun Abu Bakar

The aim of this study is to investigate whether enterprise resource planning (ERP) investment brought productivity improvement to the organization as promised by the system provider. We used three productivity indicators adopted from the Malaysia Productivity Corporation. These indicators are competitiveness indicator, labour productivity indicator and capital productivity indicator. A total of four manufacturing companies were selected. These companies have been using ERP based systems for a minimum three years. Our findings showed mixed results. Of the three indicators, the labour productivity indicator had shown positive contribution whereas the remaining two indicators i.e. competitiveness and capital productivity had resulted in negative feedback. Generally, these indicators seem to show that the increase in labour cost was greater than the increase in the value-added created as a result of adopting an ERP system.
Keywords: ERP, productivity, competitiveness, benefits

Article 9: Public acceptance towards Kelantan gold dinar
By: Nik Maheran Nik Muhammad

This research was conducted in objective to identify the factors that influence public acceptance towards Kelantan gold dinar. For this purpose, survey to 220 respondents who bought Kelantan gold dinar at ar-rahnu (Kelantan gold dinar distribution centre) using purposive sampling method was conducted. Out of those, 100 questionnaires were received and usable. The data was then analyzed using SPSS statistical tool via frequency analysis, factor analysis, reliability test and descriptive analysis. From factor analysis it was found that there were four factors namely economic, political, investment and social factors that influenced the public acceptance towards Kelantan gold dinar. Descriptive analysis on the other hand found that an economic factor was the most influential factors followed by social, political and investment factor. The present study is descriptive in nature thus for future research, prescriptive research is recommended so that it can determine how gold dinar influences the economic stability. Future research could also be investigated focusing on the effectiveness of the gold dinar investment strategy and their implementation to increase economic stability.
Keywords: Gold Dinar, fiat money, Islamic investment.

Article 10: Can customer experiance build loyalty? A paradigm in the food retail context
By Evagelos D. Lioutas, Georgia Lavranou, Irini Tzimitra-Kalogianni and Efthimia Tsakiridou

This study is focused on developing a model to explain relationships between customers‟ satisfaction with their experience as food retail stores shoppers and their loyalty towards these stores. Hence, two types of experiences were examined. Experience formed as the output of consumer‟s interaction with the material or physical elements of the retail store was defined as “instrumental experience”, while the term “emotional experience” was used to describe the emotional responses caused from this experience. Results indicate that, while none of the studied customer‟s personal characteristics - except gender - affects loyalty, both types of experience are strong predictors of loyalty that customers show towards food retail stores. The research findings, managerial implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
Keywords: Customer experience, loyalty, emotional experience, customer satisfaction, food retail stores

Article 11: Gold as a safet portfolio investment
By: Dziauddin Sharif, Siti Sarah Abdul Jabar, Suhaida Mohd Amin and Mohd Faizal P.Rameli

The aim of this paper is to empirically examine the relationship of gold price with US Dollar, Malaysian CPI and KLCI to ultimately show how gold could be a good and safer investment for investors. It gives guidelines and clear view for investors to make the right decision in investment. By understanding those relationships, some answers to the investors on some advantages that they might gain will be provided, so that, they could reduce the risk in their portfolio. Moreover, with the current economic situation slowing down, and the return on other investment like stocks are bearish, the potential of gold that could serve the alternative is much better.
Keywords: Gold, investment, financial market indicator

Article 12: Impact of motivation to learn, organisational commitment and job satisfaction on organisational learning culture
By: Ali Usman, Muhammad Mudassar Ghafoor and Ridwan Qaiser Danish

The objective of this study is to investigate how of job satisfaction, organizational commitment and motivation to learn impact the universities learning culture. For this purpose, 210 questionnaires were distributed among lecturers, assistant professors, associate professors and professors of 12 public and privately owned universities out of which 186 questionnaires were returned at a response rate of 88%. The results showed that motivation to learn, organizational commitment and job satisfaction have significant positive impact on organizational learning culture in education sector. The policy implications, limitations and future guidelines of the study have also been discussed.
Keywords: Learning culture, motivation, job satisfaction, organizational commitment

Article 13: Validity test of customer relationship management performances: A case of ICT companies in Malaysia
By: Hadi Nejati, Shishi Kumar Piaralal, and Abdul Manaf Bohari

Organizations can create new ideas and provide improved and new services by help of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) performance. The CRM performance as an integral element could help organizations to tailor their products and services and even the entire relationship with customers to increase customer satisfaction and finally economic profitability. This paper seeks to examine and validate the construct of CRM performance among ICT companies in Malaysia. Using simple random sampling method, a total of 201 questionnaires completed. 2nd order technique of structural equation modeling using AMOS version 18 performed on the data and produces four underlying components to confirm the construct validity of CRM performance. The positive link between CRM performance and the constructs on past research, this study confirmed financial, customer, internal process and innovation perspective as latent constructs of CRM performance.
Keyword: Validity Test, CRM Performance, Structural Equation Modeling

Article 14: Emotional intelligence and career role effectiveness in service organisations: The moderating effect of emotional labor
By: Abdul Kadir Othman, Hazman Shah Abdullah and Jasmine Ahmad

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is expected to assist service providers achieving Career Role effectiveness. Studies have started to demonstrate, even though the evidence is still mixed, the potential advantages of EI for service providers. The purpose of this paper is to determine the moderating effect of Emotional Labor on the relationship between EI factors (Self-emotion Appraisal, Others-emotion Appraisal, Regulation of Emotion, and Use of Emotion) and Career Role effectiveness. Analyses of 167 responses revealed that the interaction between Emotional Labor and Self-Emotion Appraisal was significant to affect Career Role effectiveness. The findings highlight the importance of EI in low Emotional Labor work to enhance service providers‟ Career Role effectiveness. Implications for managerial practices and future research are discussed.
Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, emotional labor, career role effectiveness

Article 15: The impact of exchange rate misalignment on disaggregated manufacturing and agriculture esports in Malaysia
By: Noor Zahirah Mohd Sidek

This paper attempts to examine the impact of exchange rate misalignment on exports at disaggregated level. First the data is aggregated into 2 sub-categories – agriculture and manufacturing exports. Second, analyses are performed on disaggregated exports at 2-digit SITC. We rely on the conventional cointegration and vector error correction specifications to establish and estimate long run relationships. Results suggest that the impact of misalignment is negative and significant with the effect being more pronounced in the manufacturing sector compared to the agriculture sector. At 2-digit SITC, forty-two out of fifty-six (or 75%) sub-sectors experienced negative effects of misalignment. The magnitude of misalignment at 2-digit SITC is much larger compared to the aggregated estimations which suggests that the process of aggregation has diluted the impact of misalignment. It is suggestive that misalignment presents risks which would undermine export competitiveness in the long run. Therefore, policymakers should always align the real exchange rate to its fundamentals.
Keywords: Exchange rate misalignment, disaggregated exports, Malaysia

Article 16: Enviromental regulatory pressure-A qualitative study on the Malaysian palm oil industry
By: Mohd Rafi Yaacob

The main objective of this study is to investigate how and to what extent regulatory departments impose pressure on the industry to more environmentally responsible. Data of this paper were based from face to face interviews with three senior officers from the DOE and a senior enforcement officer from the Sabah Environmental Protection Department (SEPD). From the qualitative analysis it seemed clear that using its coercive power the regulatory stakeholders have exerted significant influenced on the industry to be more environmentally conscious. Nonetheless, this study also showed there were a number of challenges faced by regulatory departments which had diluted their power to exert power on the industry. Some recommendations to increase corporate environmentalism in the industry were also included at the end of this paper.
Keywords: Malaysian palm oil industry, regulatory pressure, environmental issues

Article 17: Job characteristics and job satisfaction: A relationship study on supervisors performance
By: Noor Azzah Said and Rudzi Munap

This study attempted to examine the relationship of job characteristics on job satisfaction of the middle level managers. The findings indicated there is a relationship in all the five dimensions of the job characteristics model to job satisfaction of the middle level managers. It was found that job feedback (r = 0.825) has the strongest relationship with job satisfaction. The findings further reported that job description has the highest mean rating towards job satisfaction with a value of 3.94.
Keywords: Job characteristics, job satisfaction, middle level managers, supervisor performance

Vol. 2 Issue 2, June 2011

Article 1: CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN ISO 9000 MAINTENANCE, pp. 1-13
By: Roslina Ab Wahid, Universiti Teknologi MARA
James Corner, University of Waikato, New Zealand and Research Fellow, Bordeaux Management School, France

The purpose of the ISO 9000 standards is to facilitate the multinational exchange of products and services by providing a clear set of quality systems requirements. It is also to assist organisations of all sectors and sizes to implement and operate an effective quality management system (QMS). The generic nature of the standards allows interested companies to determine the specifics of how the standards apply to its organisation. Registration or certification to the standards demonstrates to customers that the supplying organisation has achieved a basic level of quality assurance by the formalisation and documentation of its quality management system. However, there is a lacking in the literature on the post-certification period as most of the published work focuses on how to obtain certification and the impact of certification on ISO 9000-certified companies. Thus, studies do not generally address what happens after the companies have obtained their certification.
Keywords: ISO 9000 maintenance, quality systems, quality management systems

Article 2: MP3 IN MALAYSIA: CREATIVITY OR PRIRACY?, pp. 14-24
By: Fadli Fizari Abu Hassan Asari, Khadijah Nik Muhd Naziman and Tismazammi Mustafa, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Terengganu

In Malaysia, MP3 was started in late 1990s when locals developed some websites for Malay MP3. Rising numbers of these websites and CDs sold throughout the nation has produced a new dilemma. MP3 stands for Moving Picture Experts Group, Audio Layer III, which was on track in the mid-1980s, at the Fraunhofer Institute, Germany. Is this MP3 a form of creativity or piracy? Is it legal to have this MP3 format while at the same time there is no royalty earned by the music industry and income collected by the government? Should the consumer be punished for using the MP3 format while in chorus there is almost no MP3 produced by the music industry? This paper contains the history, production and distribution stages, advantages, as well as the pros and cons of this issue. The argument will be based on the Copyright Act 1987 (Amendment 2002) and Optical Disc Act 2000, with the focus on local MP3.
Keywords: MP3, creaticity, priracy, Malaysia

Article 3: REVISITING FINANCIAL DISTRESS PREDICTION IN THE DEVELOPMENT SECTOR IN MALAYSIA, pp. 25-38
By: Mohd Norfian Alifiah, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Norhana Salamudin and Ismail Ahmad, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia

This study revisited the prediction of financial distress companies in the development sector in Malaysia using PN4 companies as the dependent variable and financial ratios or accruals-based ratios as the independent variables. Logit Analysis was used because the dependent variable is binary or dichotomous in nature. This study found that only debt ratio can be used to predict financial distress companies in the development sector in Malaysia. The findings from the internal validation showed that the prediction model provided a more than 50% chance that the model is accurate. Furthermore, the findings from the external validation showed that the model might be able to be used outside the estimation time period because the overall percentage accuracy were more than 50% for five years before distress. This study not only provides the prediction model of financial distress companies in the development sector in Malaysia but it also validates the findings internally and externally. Internal and external validations were seldom conducted in previous studies on the prediction of financial distress in Malaysia due to lack of data.
Keywords: Bankruptcy, financial distress, development sector, Malaysia

Article 4: DETERMINING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE DIMENSIONS AMONG WORKERS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE IN MALAYSIAN ZAKAT INSTITUTIONS, pp. 39-48
By: Rozman Md Yusof, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka, Malaysia
Abd Hair Awang, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Arifin Md Salleh, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka, Malaysia
Mustafa Mohamad, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

This study explored the emotional intelligence dimensions (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and social skills) of employees employed in Zakat Centers. Data were collected from 113 randomly selected from three zakat centers: Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor using self-administered questionnaires of Emotional Competence Inventory (ECI) (108 items) that measured emotional intelligence. Overall, the study revealed that the employees’ emotional intelligence and its dimensions level: self-awareness, social-awareness and social skills are proficient, except for self-management, which was slightly low proficient. T-tests revealed that there was a significant difference in the self-awareness, social awareness and social skills between male and female of zakat personnel. One-way ANOVA test found that there was a significant difference in the mean score of social awareness across the work load of zakat personnel. Posthoc Turkey test also revealed that there was a significant difference in social awareness between the two groups being compared, Low level and Moderate level of work load of zakat personnel.
Keywords: Zakat personnel, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, social skills

Article 5: THE THEORIES OF THE DETERMINANTS OF MIGRATION. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE SCOTTISH EXPERIANCE?, pp. 49-60
By: Baayah Baba, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia

There are many theories of migration. The human capital, search and the gravity models are among the most widely referred to by researchers. The influence of house prices, job vacancies, wage differentials on the migration decisions have widely been noted and have the expected signs. However, in a study done using the Scottish data the house price variables seem to give an opposite sign that contradicts previous findings. This could be due to the change in the determinants of migration whereby it is not just available house or accommodation that matters, it is something more than that. This finding could lead to further research on why there is a change in the determinants of migration in Scotland and what can Asians learn from the Scottish experience.
Keywords: Migration, house prices, real wage, job vacancy

Vol.2 No. 1, March 2011

Article 1: AN ENQUIRY INTO IMPACT OF HR ARCHITECTURE ON HUMAN CAPITAL POOL, pp. 1-13
By: Jyotirmayee Choudhury, Utkal University Vanivihar, India
Suresh Ch. Nayak, Silicon Institute of Technology, India
Noorlaila Yunus, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia

The present study stands on its view that the architectural perspective of HR (HR configurations) is consistent with the uniqueness and value of employee knowledge and skills, employment mode, and employment relationships. Designing of the HR architect can enable in managing human capital of an organisation strategically and harnessing and leveraging their knowledge and experience and expertise more systematically to attain competitive advantage. The purpose of this research—which yielded more than 466 respondents—was to identify the idiosyncratic context of HR practices and policies followed by various IT organisations to strengthen their human capital pool. The research is carried out primarily on the basis of field survey and designed to study and analyse the extent to which HR practices and procedure practised in various Indian IT organisations are boosting development of human capital of that particular industry and found that both acquisition and developmental HR configuration has significant contributions for the development of the human capital of the organisations under study.
Keywords: Intellectual capital, knowledge economy, acquisition HR configuration, developmental HR configuration, human capital.

Article 2: CONSUMERS' PREFERENCE AND CONSUMPTION TOWARDS FAST FOOD: EVIDENCE FROM MALAYSIA, pp. 14-27
By: Farzana Quoquab Habib, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Rozhan Abu Dardak, MARDI, Malaysia
Sabarudin Zakaria, Multimedia University, Malaysia

This study aims to understand consumer preference relating to the fast food in Malaysian market. Moreover, this paper also seeks to investigate the trend and pattern of fast food consumption and the importance of various factors affecting the choice of fast food among Malaysian consumers. Finding suggests that expenditure for fast food mostly goes to fried chicken, while instant noodles are the least. Moreover, food safety, speed in delivery and food taste suitability have been found as the main influential factors for purchasing the fast food, while, quality, freshness, easy to cook cleanliness are the second priority. Furthermore, ‘Halal’ status has been indicated as the most important factor for the Muslim consumers. A survey method using convenience sampling has been carried out for conducting this study. Therefore, further research targeting a more diverse group of consumers employing random sampling can provide greater generalizablity.
Keywords: Consumer preference, fast-food consumption, Malaysian consumers

Article 3: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIRECT TAXES AND GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT (GNP): MALAYSIAN CASE, pp.28-37
By: Juliana Abdul Kadir and Mustaffa Idris, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Johor Malaysia
Zulkifli Mohamed, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kelantan Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to investigate different types of Indirect Taxes that effect to GNP by using Multiple Regression. This study proposed that different taxes respond differently to the Gross National Product (GNP) with the largest responses by import duties and excise duties.
Keywords: Economics growth, indirect taxes and Malaysia

Article 4: WAQF REPORTING TO FULFIL STAKEHOLDER ATTRIBUTE IN WAQF ISLAMIC COUNCILS, pp. 38-53
By: Dalila Daud, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Rashidah Abdul Rahman, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia
Zaluddin Sulaiman, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to propose an accountability model that may overcome the attributes of non-reporting. Moreover, the current study redefining specifications of stakeholder theory to fulfill the waqf requirement which proposed the 3ts concept that based on Tawhidic approach.
Keywords: Accountability, waqf, Reporting, stakeholder theory, Islamic councils, triple accountability

Article 5: PRE-IPO CHARACTERISTICS AND POST-IPO OPERATING PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA, pp. 54-64
By: Catherine S F Ho and Raja Aerol Shariza Raja Amir Hamzah, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia

The objective of this study is to identify the determinants of post IPO operating performance. The pre-IPO factors include pre-IPO profitability, dilution of ownership, age and size of firm. The post-IPO operating performances include: return on asset, return on sales and asset turnover. Findings confirmed that pre-IPO profitability and firm size are the key predictors of post-IPO performance. The results obtained provide useful information and caution for prospective investors in new issues.
Keywords: Pre-IPO characteristics, post-IPO operating performance, Malaysia

Vol.1, No. 4, December 2010

Article 1: E-COMMERCE INTERACTION AND THE ELEMENT OF TRUST, pp. 1-7
By: Mohd Sazili Shahibi, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
Zaitun Abu Bakar, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this paper is to identify the elements of trust in e-commerce interactions and how far the element of trust has influence a business transactions electronically. A survey was conducted on Information System Personnel in Selangor State government office. The result revealed policy clearly stated on the website has been identified by the researcher as a dominant element to the Internet user to trust a certain website. 69.4 percent of the respondents considered the element of return policy in e-commerce website as significant and a core trust element in e-commerce applications.
Keywords: Trust, e-commerce, interaction

Article 2: MEASURING AND EVALUATING TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF A LIBYAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES THROUGH DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS, pp. 8-21
By: Abdullah Ahmad A Eltaief, Libya and Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam Malaysia
Saadiah Mohamad and Badrul Hisham Kamaruddin, Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam, Malaysia

This paper attempts to investigate this claim through measuring the technical efficiency for 26 companies surveyed in 1995-2005 in Libyan construction industry. In measuring technical efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA) will be adopted. Further, this paper looks at determine the level of technical efficiency where as the input variables comprise assets, equity and number of employees. The output variables used were revenue and profit. The results from this study show that the majority of the Libya companies are operating inefficiency. The overall (pooled) technical efficiency (TE) estimate was 0.807. Whereas 69 percent of the firms were operate above the average, and 31 percent below it. Only 2 firms scored full efficiency (TE = 1.00) while 24 others were inefficient. Detailed analysis showed that majority of firms suffer over employment of workers, overstatement of assets and equity and using obsolete technology. The results also showed that larger firms are more efficient than the smaller firms, and technical efficiency is not a consequence of firm’s age, and that change of government policy has a strong effect on technical efficiency. That is, after the government implemented the open door policy, technical efficiency scores gradually increase.
Keywords: Libya, technical efficiency, data envelopment analysis, construction firms, scale of production, optimal.

Article 3: CREDIT GUARANTEE CORPORATION(CGC)MALAYSIA BERHAD OPERATIONS:AN EXTENDING CREDIT GUARANTEE TO MALAYSIAN SMEs, pp. 22-33
By: Amirul Afif Muhamat and Hardi Emrie Rosly, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the operations of CGC’s Islamic and conventional guarantee scheme. The findings suggested that the performance of the Islamic guarantee scheme has not performed as expected and has not been as competitive as the conventional guarantee scheme. This paper provides insights into the implementation of Islamic guarantee scheme in Malaysia, which can be a source of reference for other organizations or countries in formulating the similar concept of guarantee. Moreover, this paper is one of its kinds in evaluating and investigating the process of Islamic guarantee scheme.
Keywords: Islamic finance, credit guarantee, Credit Guarantee Corporation, SMEs

Article 4: PORTFOLIO CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN MALAYSIA: A CONCEPTUAL STUDY, pp. 34-59
By: Irfah Najihah Basir Malan, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia

The main objective of this paper is to highlight a conceptual understanding on the portfolio capital investment in Malaysia. It constitutes an overview of features, facts and figures over the financial account in the Malaysia balance of payment, Malaysia external trade, heightened exposure to mobile capital flows, total of portfolio capital inflow by country, total portfolio investment by country, the net inflow of portfolio capital investment in total and from four major countries and currency exchange rate of major portfolio capital investment by country. The findings of the paper show that the trends of portfolio capital investment are on uptrend after Asian crisis. Asian crisis had brought terrible effects to Malaysia especially during Asian crisis. But the situation become well after Asian crisis.
Keywords: Portfolio capital, investment, Asian crisis, Malaysia.

Article 5: THE EFFECT OF CORPORATE IMAGE, CUSTOMER PERCEIVED VALUE, RELATIONSHIP QUALITY AND SWITCHING INTENTION AMONG ISLAMIC BANKING CUSTOMERS IN MALAYSIA, pp. 60-74
By: Nor Hashima Hashim, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia
Sharifah Latifah Syed A.Kadir, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia

Considerable attention is now given to the concept of relationships between service providers and their customers due to the rapid changing marketing environment and in particular the retail banking sector. The switching behavior phenomena are worth investigating because by assessing switching intentions service providers can implement defensive or offensive marketing strategies for their customers. This study develops and empirically tests for examination of the relationships among corporate image, customer perceived value, relationship quality and switching intention in an Islamic retail banking context. The model is tested using structural equation modeling analysis approach. The conceptual model allows Islamic banking service providers to determine which among the two factors impact switching intention, enabling Islamic service providers to determine appropriate strategies to reduce defection among their bank customers.
Keywords: Islamic banking, customer perceived value, service quality, relationship quality, switching intention

Vol.1 No. 3, September 2010

Article 1: LEADERSHIP IN PRIVATIZING GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS IN A DEVELOPING ECONOMY: A CASE STUDY, pp.1-13
By: Mohammed-Aminu Sanda, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden

The purpose of this study was to explore the kind leadership that could infect positive changes in the work environments of government research organizations undergoing privatization in most developing countries in order to enhance the commercialisation of their production activities. An interpretive analytic framework was used as an appropriate platform to build a qualitative design. Qualitative data was collected through taped-recorded interviews with seventeen senior staff members identified as key actors in the organization’s privatization processes, and analysed using an interpretive description qualitative approach. The results showed that the organization’s managers used charismatic and values-based leadership approaches during the transition period of commercialisation process and was viewed by their subordinates as leaders who were true to their own values and who also went on to help those they led to articulate what they valued. It was concluded that an amalgamation of transformational and value-based styles of leadership approach could be used by managers of government agencies in most developing countries to infect positive changes in their work environments when managing the privatization of their organizations. The study has shown that value-based transformational leadership could be used by managers of challenged government research and development organizations in most developed countries to infect positive changes in their work environments and which could help facilitate their efforts towards the privatization of their organizations’ activities.
Keywords: Leadership; change management; work environment; privatization; government institutions.

Article 2: GREEN CAMPUS INITIATIVE FRAMEWORK AT UCSI UNIVERSITY AND PROPOSED FRAMEWORK, pp.14-27
By: Keoy Kay Hooi, UCSI University, Malaysia
Padzil Hassan, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia

As the interest of green business sustainability is generating a lot of interests in the higher education institution, this paper evaluates the implementation of Green Campus Initiative (GCI) at the Unwavering Commitment to Serve Intentionally (UCSI) University Malaysia by evaluating their carbon footprint emission. The carbon footprint calculation and proposed framework presented in this paper aims to encourage other higher Education Institutions in Malaysia to implement the GCI. In order to reduce the environmental impact at UCSI University, the measurement of the CO2 emission was a very important starting point. The paper starts with the literature review about the sustainability and implementation of GCI in other countries outside Malaysia to give an overview regarding the concept. The next section is the calculation of carbon footprint emission of UCSI University with the primary data collected from Logistics and Marketing Department during the year 2008. These primary data were processed with the formulas had been developed earlier and resulted the total carbon footprint produced by UCSI University in one year. Later on, the results of these calculations become the basic concept of developing the proposed framework to be used by higher education institution in Malaysia. Supported by the secondary data (i.e. literature review), a proposed framework of GCI implementation was developed to be tested and empirically validated in future studies. It is hope that result obtained from this paper will provide guidelines for policy maker and management of the universities to acknowledge the importance of GCI to create a sustainable and profitable business application.
Keywords:Green campus initiatives, carbon footprint, performance, corporate social responsibility

Article 3: ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR AND COMMITMENT:DO AGE AND TENURE MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?, pp.28-49
By: Jihad Mohammad and Farzana Quoquab Habib, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Sabarudin Zakaria, Multimedia University, Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of age and tenure upon organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and organizational commitment (OC) in the context of higher learning institution in Malaysia. A survey method has been carried out to collect the data by using self-administered questionnaire to the academic staffs of a public university in Malaysia. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed along with suggestions for future research.
Keywords: Organizational citizenship behavior, age, higher learning institution, Malaysia

Article 4: ANALYSIS OF THE COST OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION IN SELECTED COUNTRIES, pp.50-63
By: Ershad Ali, Auckland Institute of Studies, New Zealand
Geetha Subramaniam, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia and Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

This paper examines the cost of education for international students in selected countries: New Zealand, Australia, USA, UK, Canada and Ireland. These countries export education since long and each one is a competitor for another one. Cost of education is an important factor for international students to choose study destination. The study collected data from official data sources of the respective countries. The study defines the cost of education as the total cost that a student has to bear for obtaining a degree. Total cost includes annual tuition fee, living cost, and other costs such as insurance premium. The study found that cost of education is varied for a specific program from one country to another. It is also varied from one university to another within a country. However, the most costly education is in USA while the cheapest one is in New Zealand. The findings of this study might be useful for researchers, policy makers and educationists.
Keywords: Cost of education, international students, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK, Ireland.

Artircle 5: MEASURING LEADERSHIP VALUES BASED ON VALUE-BASED TOTAL PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE MODEL (VBTPEM), pp.64-79
By: Mohd Rashid Ab Hamid, Universiti Malaysia Pahang
Zainol Mustafa, Nur Riza Mohd Suradi, Fazli Idris, Wan Rosmanira Ismail, Zalina Mohd Ali and Norkisme Zainal Abidin, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Mokhtar Abdullah, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia/AD-MACS Corp. Consultants (M) Sdn. Bhd

This paper discussed the core values of leadership and its indicators based on the Value-Based Total Performance Excellence Model (VBTPEM) in the context of Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) i.e. the university. The pilot study was conducted at the selected university and produced high reliability index of Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.866). Multivariate technique i.e. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was deployed for the analysis and resulted the GFI = 0.966, CFI = 0.991, and TLI = 0.980 while RMSEA is 0.067 with p = 0.07 and the data fit the model of the single-order measurement of leadership values model. In conclusion, the instrument for measuring the leadership values is suitable to be administered as it was tailored to needs and applicability at the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) in Malaysia.
Keywords: Performance management system, leadership values, performance measurement system, value-based total performance excellence model (VBTPEM)

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