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After so many years, the Malaysian mobile service market is getting saturated, whereby service operators are having difficulties differentiating themselves because they offer similar services. As the service options are wide, customers become less committed to a particular provider and might easily shift from one operator to another. This situation forces the service providers to create a strategy that focuses more on gaining and retaining long-term relationships with their customers. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the underlying dimensions of relationship marketing in the Malaysian mobile service sector. A sample of 300 customers in Klang Valley was drawn using scientific procedures of mall intercept, and structural equation modeling was utilized in testing the proposed model. The results show that the relationships between the exogenous latent factors and the overall endogenous factor are significant, ranging from.77 to.94. This illustrates that a relatively high proportion of the variance in relationship marketing is well explained by each of the factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- This study aims to identify the dimensions of business student satisfaction in the Malaysian private higher educational environment and evaluate the influence that demographic factors have on satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach -- A questionnaire was developed and distributed to 1,200 undergraduate business students at four private higher educational (PHE) institutions in Malaysia. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the underlying dimensions that drive student satisfaction. ANOVA and t-tests were conducted to evaluate the influence that demographic factors have on the results. Findings -- Factor analysis resulted in the adoption of a 12-factor solution from an original set of 53 satisfaction items. The results also indicated the influence of demographic factors on the level of business student satisfaction. Originality/value -- This study identified 12 factors or the underlying dimensions that drive business student satisfaction in the Malaysian PHE. The 12 factors are: professional comfortable environment; student assessments and learning experiences; classroom environment; lecture and tutorial facilitating goods; textbook and tuition fees; student support facilities; business procedures; relationship with teaching staff; knowledgeable and responsive faculty; staff helpfulness; feedback; and class sizes. Understanding these factors could help educational institutions to better plan their strategies and inform academics interested in studying student satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Teamwork in the construction industry has attracted much attention from both academic and industrial circles. Most importantly, improving team effectiveness will increase the likelihood of successful project delivery. Recognising the factors influencing team dynamics is important for enhanced team performance. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a detailed literature review, a survey questionnaire containing 10 aspects and 25 attributes of teamwork relevant to construction is used to collect feedback from Malaysian construction practitioners from client, consultant and contractor organisations to prioritise these hypothesised variables. The data are then subjected to reliability analysis, descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, and frequencies), a one-sample t-test, the Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA and exploratory factor analysis. Findings: The significance of these aspects and attributes is then presented. The three most crucial aspects are "project performance", "decision-making capability" and "problem-solving ability". The most influential attributes are "effective communication between project team members", "efficient team leadership", "well-defined team responsibilities and roles", "clear team goals and objectives" and "good collaboration between all project leaders". The Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA reveals five attributes having statistically significant differences with respect to company size, namely "clear team goals and objectives", "commitment to the project", "adequate resources", "team or task processes" and "creativity and innovation". Six underlying dimensions are found, comprising (1) participative engagement and task commitment; (2) team responsibility structure and accountability; (3) culture of trust and respect; (4) leader's skills and abilities; (5) top management support; and (6) synergic working environment. Practical implications: The identification of these dimensions for team effectiveness provides rigorous basis for formulating useful team-building strategies for integrating a collaborative environment among project stakeholders and consequently improving project performance. Originality/value: This paper bridges the identified knowledge gap concerning the dimensionality of teamwork attributes in construction-based setting and adds to existing knowledge of how team effectiveness can be leveraged to improve project performance in the construction management literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This is amongst the first works to develop a technographic segmentation of smartphone users attending music festivals based on attitudes, motivations and usage patterns. We also aim to describe festivalgoers' characteristics. Design/methodology/approach: The data were collected from 522 festivalgoers who attended the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) in Malaysia. A two-stage cluster analysis of Ward's method and k-means was applied to develop technographic segmentation during the festival. Using discriminant analysis, we confirmed that each festivalgoer's characteristics differ amongst groups. Findings: Four technographic segments were developed: alarm hitters, technological tickers, plug pullers and fuse blowers. The results confirmed that festivalgoers had distinct characteristics and preferences based on smartphone use. Research limitations/implications: We extend previous research on the technographic segmentation of smartphones and festivalgoers. We highlighted the limitations of cluster analysis in terms of stability to produce a suitable number of segments and to include other festivals. The generalisability of the results may be constrained by the time gap between data collection and publication. Practical implications: Our results can help marketing managers understand the needs of segments by selecting appropriate advertisements and promotional tools that appeal directly to the desired target segments. Social implications: This study will help local communities increase their revenue and job opportunities. The culture of music festivals for the next generation can be sustained and promoted by local and international festival lovers. Originality/value: This study is the first to present festivalgoers' use of the technographic segmentation term in music festivals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this paper is to identify tourists' perception toward boutique hotel attractive attributes through the detection of those factors that drive guests to this special type of accommodation. Furthermore, this study attempts to find the underlying dimensions of attractive attributes of boutique hotel from tourist after actual experience of this type of accommodation. The empirical study is supported through data from a sample of 133 individuals who stayed in Penang Island boutique hotels. The findings show that hotel guests' perceptions of boutique hotels characteristics have four dimensions, namely: special services, room features, convenient and hotel design. However, results revealed that boutique hotels attractive elements after the actual experience of tourists have four slightly different dimensions special services, hotel facilities, price and location, and hotel design and image. From findings of this research practical suggestions are made to help hotel operators and those wishing and willing to enter the market. Furthermore, this study can help marketers gain substantial insight in order to market and promote this particular segment of the accommodation industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous literature indicated that research and development ( R& D) activities are influenced, to a large extent, by the culture of the organization. While these studies have identified elements of culture that are conducive to R& D, identifying the existing dimensions of organizational culture in Malaysian R& D organizations has not been empirically explored. The measures for this study were originally developed for the sole purpose of capturing cultural aspects in R& D organizations in the Malaysian context. These measures were developed based on the relevant issues discovered from exploratory case studies and nine categories of cultural values identified from the literature. A sample of employees ( n = 198) from 45 R& D organizations took part in this study. Factor analysis was adopted to uncover common underlying dimensions (factors) of the organizational culture construct. The findings suggest that the organizational culture construct in R& D organizations may best be represented through a structure of eight factors. The eight factors are teamwork and knowledge sharing, empowerment and recognition, conformity and impediments to R& D, risk-taking, customer orientation, autonomy, social networking, and organizational design. Despite some methodological issues that arose from this study, this model has the potential to become a management instrument to measure the underlying culture in R& D organizations. R& D managers can deploy this model to establish the baseline level of research culture in their respective units and thus provide the foundation for management initiatives to drive R& D activities. This model can also be used as benchmarking parameters when an R& D organization intends to evaluate various aspects of their organizational culture in relation to others that are considered to be leaders in the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The push-pull motivation theory was applied to examine the role of travel motivation in the relationship between senior-friendly destination attributes and future seniors' travel intention to a senior-friendly destination. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 209 future senior tourists in Malaysia. Hierarchical multiple regression and factor analysis results revealed four important attribute dimensions of a senior-friendly destination from the perspective of future senior tourists, i.e., 'senior-friendly facilities and accessibility,' 'tourism resources and attractions,' 'complementary services,' and 'safety and security services.' 'Tourism resources and attractions' was found to be the only destination attribute that significantly predicts future seniors' travel intention. Travel motivation was tested to determine its effect on travel intention, however the findings indicated that future senior tourists' travel motivation has no moderating role in the relationship between senior-friendly destination attributes and travel intention. Implications and suggestions are provided for tourism researchers, destination managers, and travel service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the popularity of cluster analysis as a segmentation tool, its limitations continue to include the production of random solutions and the existence of uncertainties. This study aims to assist marketers in understanding the characteristics of festival goers based on music events in Malaysia. The present study investigates the existence and effect of uncertainties produced in cluster analysis results by using an artificial neural network (ANN). Four market segments are identified: the alarm hitter, the technology ticker, the plug puller, and the fuse blower. Error analysis results reveal that uncertainties may cause incorrect predictions. Academically, the limitations in existing market segmentation studies are highlighted by adding the process of ANN training and testing the segments generated from the cluster analysis. From the industry perspective, this approach introduces an important segmentation basis—technographic segmentation—to tap into the wired generation. Future research may extend this study and apply a nonprobabilistic neural network to eliminate the existence of errors in cluster analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Sustainable development concern, coupled with changes in the talent landscape, has led to a heightened focus on green human resource management (GHRM). Drawing on attribution theory and conservation of resources theory, this study examined GHRM, leader–member exchange (LMX) and core self-evaluations (CSE) in relation to work engagement together with human resource management (HRM) performance attributions as a mediator. Design/methodology/approach: Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the data collected from 110 respondents working in ISO 14001 certified organisations in Malaysia. Findings: Results revealed that GHRM and LMX were positively related to HRM performance attributions that were intended to improve employee performance. However, CSE was not found to be related to HRM performance attributions. Consequently, HRM performance attributions were positively related to work engagement. Furthermore, GHRM and LMX had positive indirect effects on work engagement through HRM performance attributions as a mediator. Research limitations/implications: Since the data collected were from Malaysia only, it limits the generalisability of the results to other regions. Practical implications: The findings suggest that organisations should adopt GHRM and train its leaders to forge stronger social bonds with their subordinates to elicit higher work engagement by positively influencing employee attributions on the motives of HRM practices. Originality/value: This study contributes to the acknowledged gap on GHRM and HRM attributions by examining the non-green employee outcomes of GHRM and the antecedents of HRM performance attributions. This study also contributes by integrating attribution theory with conservation of resources theory to provide the mediation mechanism in linking GHRM and LMX towards higher work engagement through HRM performance attributions as a mediator; thus empirically illustrating the resource gain spirals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption rate of new technologies is still relatively low in the construction industry, particularly for mitigating occupational safety and health (OSH) risks, which is traditionally a largely labor-intensive activity in developing countries, occupying ill-afforded non-productive management resources. However, understanding why this is the case is a relatively unresearched area in developing countries such as Malaysia. In aiming to help redress this situation, this study explored the major barriers involved, firstly by a detailed literature review to identify the main barriers hampering the adoption of new technologies for safety science and management in construction. Then, a questionnaire survey of Malaysian construction practitioners was used to prioritize these barriers. A factor analysis further identified six major dimensions underlying the barriers, relating to the lack of OSH regulations and legislation, technological limitations, lack of genuine organizational commitment, prohibitive costs, poor safety culture within the construction industry, and privacy and data security concerns. Taken together, the findings provide a valuable reference to assist industry practitioners and researchers regarding the critical barriers to the adoption of new technologies for construction safety management in Malaysia and other similar developing countries, and bridge the identified knowledge gap concerning the dimensionality of the barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to provide a conceptualisation of HR outsourcing (HRO) effectiveness from a service quality perspective and subsequently develop a scale – HROSERVPERF to measure HRO service performance underpinned S-O-R theory. Design/methodology/approach: Grounded on theoretical conceptualisation, literature and information collected through semi-structured interviews, HRO service performance items pool were generated. 257 responses from manufacturing firms in Malaysia that have outsourced their HR were collected. PLS-SEM is used for scale confirmation and validation. Findings: The conceptualisation of HRO effectiveness and HRO service performance suggests a need for scale development that encompasses service quality-satisfaction-loyalty framework supported by S-O-R theory. Operational improvement, resource alignment and service delivery emerged as the service performance dimensions of HROSERVPERF. Research limitations/implications: This study was limited to manufacturing firms in Malaysia, hence little generalisation could be drawn beyond this context. However, this serves as future research opportunities. Practical implications: HR managers and service providers can employ HROSERVPERF to measure and improve HRO service performance more effectively. Service providers can re-strategise and target their scarce resources to better retain their clients. Originality/value: This is the first paper that provides HRO effectiveness conceptualisation from a service quality perspective followed by a scale development with formative measures using PLS-SEM underpinned S-O-R theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the first and only global geopark in Malaysia, Langkawi Island is experiencing an unstable and slow growth of international tourist arrivals. The main objective of the present study is to examine the predicting factors that can enhance the island's destination loyalty by investigating the relationships between destination attractiveness, service quality, tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty. Data from a total of 365 completed questionnaires were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM-AMOS) in which the research findings supported all hypotheses. Specifically, tourist satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between destination attractiveness, service quality and destination loyalty. This study proposes three recommendations for tourism managers to optimise tourist experience which are quality transportation service, cultural attractiveness and adequate infrastructure to increase international tourists arrivals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Brand personality plays an important role in affecting customer satisfaction. The Muslim population is estimated to reach 30% of the world's population, and it is considered as the fastest-growing religion in the world. To tap into this market, it is important to explore various aspects of business, in general, and marketing, in particular, from the perspective of Muslim consumers. The present research also attempts to do the same by proposing a conceptual model related to the brand personality of Islamic Banks, named, Islamic Banks' Brand Personality (IBBP) and its impact on customer satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach: This paper analyses the causal relationship that exists between the variables related to Islamic brand personality and customer satisfaction. For this purpose, data was collected quantitatively from 337 customers of different Islamic banks, through a self-administered questionnaire. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS and AMOS software. Factor analysis was performed to extract and decide on the number of factors underlying the measured variables of interest. Structural equation modelling was then used to examine the variables and the fitness of the proposed model. Findings: The result revealed that five out of the total six hypotheses were supported. In this case, trustworthiness and Shariah compliance resulted in the strongest impact on customer satisfaction followed by sincerity and justice. Practical implications: The positive significant impact of trustworthiness and Shariah compliance on customer satisfaction attests to the importance of these variables in the development of a strong brand personality in the context of Islamic banks. Policymakers of the financial industry in general and the Islamic financial service industry, in particular, may benefit from the findings of this study. Originality/value: There is a dearth of research conducted on investigating the impact of brand personality-related variables on the Islamic banking sector. The present research did not only develop variables of IBBP but also empirically tested their effect on customer satisfaction. This paper, therefore, offers invaluable insight into IBBP with its impact on customer satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The motivations to visit archaeological tourism destinations vary, ranging from history enthusiast, leisure lover, adventurer to conservationist. However, not all archaeological sites are able to capture the tourists' attention since there are many other famous archaeological sites competing against one another. Thus, developing a strong and unique brand identity for a destination is significantly important in order to be distinctive from other destinations. Hence, this present study aims to examine the dimensions of brand personality of archaeological sites in Malaysia and to evaluate its prediction on tourists' revisit intention. This study employs exploratory factor analysis and multiple linear regression to analyze the data collected from Bujang Valley (305) and Lenggong Valley World Heritage Site (300). Findings indicate that tourists ascribe different personality dimensions to these archaeological sites. The brand personality of Bujang Valley is translated to sophistication, sincerity, contemporary, ruggedness, and excitement, while the brand personality of Lenggong Valley World Heritage Site is translated to excitement, contemporary, sophistication, ruggedness, and sincerity. The results from this present study further enriches the tourism literature and provides noteworthy solutions for destination marketing organizations in utilizing brand personality to build a unique identity for these archaeological sites in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Malaysian construction industry is stigma-laden 'dangerous, dirty and difficult' (3 D) with a high number of blue-collar foreign workers. Poor safety performance is undermining the public perception. The purpose of this study is to examine the current level of safety awareness in construction, to determine the significant factors affecting safety performance and to evaluate the potential measures for improving the construction workers' safety awareness. A total of 27 reasons were first identified through a comprehensive literature review. A questionnaire survey then employed to evaluate the perceptions of construction personnel on the factors that affect safety performance and potential measures to improve safety awareness, in which the understanding on the hierarchy of controls is still lacking. The primary safety issues are: personal protective equipment (PPE), working environment, working attitude, communication and maintenance of equipment. Then, an exploratory factor analysis revealed eight underlying factors. The most effective preventive measure are: install fall protection system, effective communication and regular safety inspection. Finally, the relationships between the factors and preventive measures were identified using correlation tests. This paper provides more profound insights into the underlying factors affecting safety performance in construction and recommends feasible measures to raise safety awareness among the construction personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International efforts to preserve the natural environment are mainly concerned with large, bio-diverse and relatively untouched ecosystems or with an individual animal or vegetal species, either endangered or threatened with extinction. The rapid pace of expansion and development in urban areas will undoubtedly affect many aspects of sustainable development. Unsustainable consumption of natural resources, water, land and recreational facilities will have detrimental effects on the environment as well as on both economic and social health livelihood. Much less attention is being paid to natures that are close to where people live and work, to small-scale green areas in cities and its benefits to people. Increasing empirical evidence, however, indicates that the presence of natural areas contributes to the quality of life in many ways. Besides many environmental and ecological services, urban nature provides important social and psychological benefits to human societies, which enrich human life with meanings and emotions. Thus, this paper elaborates on the general perspectives of the current status of urban forests and green areas in Taman Tasik Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. The issues investigated concerns people's motives for urban nature, the emotional dimension involved in their experience of nature and its importance of its people's general well-being. The results attest of that experience of nature in urban environment is a source of positive feelings and beneficial services, which fulfils important immaterial and non-consumptive human needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose This paper found some factors which influence research supervisees' selection of their research supervisors. Background Research on supervisor-supervisee relationship is mostly conducted when research students have already initiated their studies. Research on how a supervisor is selected before the research begins is researched less. How do supervisees select their supervisors? Which factors do they consider important? These questions were not clearly answered in the literature so far. Methodology A scale was developed to measure factors which influence the selection of research supervisors. Using an online survey, data was collected from 315 research students in Malaysia between August and October 2018. Psychometric properties of the scale were assessed using exploratory factor analysis followed by confirmatory factor analysis. Construct reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the scale were assessed using composite reliability, maximal reliability, average variance extracted, and maximum shared variance. Contribution How research supervisees select their supervisors is an understudied area. Most of the research on supervisor selection is done after the research journey has begun. This research focuses on the thought processes before supervisor selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) initiative poses both significant opportunities and difficult challenges to the Malaysian SME communities. This study aims to investigate the preparedness of the local SMEs to compete and exploit opportunities in a post-AEC era. The aim is to contribute to existing literature and knowledge base on SMEs' practices in the ASEAN region. The manufacturing sector has been selected for study, and the research efforts focus on procurement competencies. SME procurement practices in the two largest manufacturing sub-sectors in Malaysia – resource-based (RB) and electrical and electronics (E&E) – are explored. Design/methodology/approach: Preparedness for AEC is gauged from four key performance areas summarized from literature review. Six key research activities are also identified for each performance area from the findings of previous works. Data were collected using a survey instrument and face-to-face interviews. Research methodology is primarily qualitative with quantitative data for robustness check. Findings: The findings reveal peculiar procurement practices in Malaysian SME manufacturers that have significant implications on their preparedness to compete effectively post-AEC. The findings also highlighted the key influences that have contributed to variations in Malaysian SMEs' attitude toward trade liberalization challenges and business process improvements in comparison with practices in foreign firms and more advanced economies. Originality/value: Theoretical models have been adopted across business settings and environments by managers. This study reveals managerial practices in Malaysian SME manufacturers run counter to developed theories. The peculiarities and business attitudes of this resilient economic sector can be an important input to managerial decision-making when analyzing business activities in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to analyse the influence of change management and e-learning in Malaysian private higher education institutions focusing on educators' perspectives. The conceptual framework was modified in combination of various theories from Systemic Change Models and E-learning Cycle Models. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from Siebel 4.0-2 Survey Questionnaires (SSQ) by Hambling, 2010 was the data collection instrument. The sample consisted of educators from private higher education institutions with visions or missions based on e-learning implementation in Malaysia. As per findings, through review of the visions and missions, the selected private higher education institutions integrated teaching and learning with Stepwise Multiple regression analysis, has a significant relationship on independent variables that contribute to e-learning implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite suicide rate becoming a growing trend in research locally and globally, there is no standard measuring instrument developed in Malaysia. The aim of this study is to establish the first ever Malay version of suicide screening tool that is suitable and fit with multiracial and complex culture of Malaysia. Methods: This study comprises of three phases, namely (1) items selection phase, (2) pilot study phase, and (3) scale validation phase. During the first phase, the items were selected from items pools which gathered from previous suicide ideation/ attitude scales. Then the pilot study was carried out to examine the items for Yatt Suicide Attitude Scale (YSAS). Lastly, the Yatt Suicide Attitude Scale (YSAS) validation study was conducted with 219 university students. Results: Initial version of YSAS comprised 16 items and three components. After factor analysis, the questionnaire was reduced into only two components (Suicide Ideation and Suicide Attempt) with 5 items each. Both of the components obtained high reliability value (.89 and.86 respectively) and the questionnaire accounted for 67.84% of the total variance. Conclusion: The analysis showed that YSAS has an acceptable reliability and validity for Malaysian population. Although these findings corroborate literature on development of suicide ideation assessment instrument for specific cultural context, there is a need to further examine its reliability with clinical population and general population of different cultural context in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the findings of a national study involving 534 lecturers from 33 higher learning institutions in Malaysia to find out their self-reported practices and perceived competencies in assessment for learning. Data were collected using a 24-item assessment practice inventory drawn from five of the six standards stipulated in an established US developed assessment competency framework for teachers. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and descriptive statistics were used to analyse lecturers' reported practices and competencies. The PCA procedures extracted four underlying dimensions of AfL practice among the lecturers that corresponded to four of the five standards used. Further descriptive analysis produced a rank order of the four AfL dimensions in terms of practice and competency. Lecturers reported to quite frequently practise "communicating results and feedback to students" and "using diverse AfL methods." They also perceived to be more competent in these two aspects than in AfL compliant grading practices and recognising unethical uses of assessment information. The findings produced adequate empirical support for instructional interventions and training to be provided at the national level to upgrade lecturers' current competencies in assessment and support their adoption of AfL.

Despite the Malaysian government's efforts to increase the use of ICT in school, teachers' uptake of the technology remains slow and dismal. In this study, teachers' perceptions of the barriers that inhibited their use of ICT in the science classroom were explored. One hundred and fifty-one (N = 151) science teachers from selected secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor took part in the survey. Teachers' perceptions of the barriers were captured using a self-developed questionnaire consisting of 27 Likert-type items. The questionnaires were administered with the help of school principals. Principal components analysis (PCA) with Promax rotation extracted four underlying dimensions of barriers to ICT use, namely teachers' self-handicapping thoughts, school support, attitude toward ICT use, and negative beliefs about ICT use. Three of these factors were teacher related. Self-handicapping thoughts emerged as the largest inhibitor, explaining about 38.2% of teachers' lack of ICT utilization in the science classroom. The results corroborated previous findings that teacher factors tend to outweigh school factors in hampering teachers' uptake of technology.

The design and build concept has become a popular contract system. It requires the owner and contractor to identify, analyse and manage risks and search for the best solutions to improve performance. The objective of this paper is to identify the project manager's perception of risk factors associated with the design and build project in Malaysia. A total of 100 usable questionnaires were received and analysed using mean ranking and factor analysis. The results show that three most risky factors are: "client financial capability", "inadequate cash flow by contractor", and "lack of payment (delayed progress payment by owner to the contractor)". Risk can be grouped into 12 categories, namely: (1) lack of management competency; (2) lack of contractor experience; (3) political issues; (4) lack of standardized system; (5) unpredictable issues; (6) lack of client experience; (7) safety issues; (8) lack of teamwork; (9) poor supervision by client; (10) lack of client information; (11) material availability; and (12) design error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates beliefs about a good life among Malays, Malaysian Chinese and Mainland Chinese university students as a follow up to earlier findings. Three hundred and sixteen participants - 95 Mainland Chinese, 123 Malaysian Chinese and 98 Malay were asked to evaluate 30 descriptors of a good or worthwhile life that are commonly cited across cultural groups. Results show significant between-group differences for seven of the 30 criteria. Consistent with earlier findings, differences among Asian groups emerged along a theoretical dimension related to practical concerns on one side as compared to moral and spiritual concerns on the other. In this study, consistent with previous findings, Mainland Chinese tended to prefer more practical criteria, while Malays were similar to South Asian groups in their preference for more spiritual criteria. Malaysian Chinese participants' preferences, in general, fell between those of Mainland Chinese and Malays. Also consistent with previous findings, all three groups in this study rated close interpersonal relationships as central to determining whether life is worthwhile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines whether the manufacturing competitive capabilities that Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector currently pursue yield satisfactory returns in terms of financial and nonfinancial performance. A sample of 145 manufacturing SMEs were analyzed to examine the relationship between manufacturing competitiveness (price, delivery dependability, innovation, and quality) and business performance (financial and nonfinancial) using partial least squares approach via Smart PLS 2.0. The study reveals that competitive capabilities did not lead to satisfactory financial performance. However, manufacturing competitive capabilities, in terms of delivery dependability and quality, did lead to satisfactory nonfinancial performance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of accounting students' attitude on their current knowledge enhancement intention and the moderating role of the learning environment on the attitude-intention relationship. The relationship between current knowledge enhancement intention and level of current knowledge acquired is also investigated. Design/methodology/approach -- Copies of a structured questionnaire were randomly distributed to 400 final-year accounting students from three major public universities and 243 completed questionnaires were analyzed. Findings -- Attitude is a significant predictor of students' current knowledge enhancement intention, which, in turn, positively impacts their level of current knowledge. The learning environment significantly moderates the attitude-intention relationship. An inhibiting learning environment tends to accentuate the differences in current knowledge enhancement intention between students with good attitude and those with poor attitude toward current knowledge enhancement. Research limitations/implications -- The study has the limitations often associated with self-administered questionnaire research. The findings also may not be generalizable to other student and current knowledge settings. Practical implications -- There is a need to re-orientate the accounting curriculum design and the accounting academics' attitude from one that is overly technical focussed to one that emphasizes on other competencies necessary for sustained professional success. Educators and teaching pedagogy that promotes a culture of lifelong learning and current knowledge enhancement among students should be encouraged. Originality/value -- This study fills the gap in the literature by examining the role of the learning environment not as a direct determinant of students' attitude and their intention, but rather as a moderator of the attitude-intention relationship. The implication is that modifying the learning environment could facilitate or promote development of the desired attitude and hence, intention. The findings of this study support the moderating role of the learning environment in the relationship between current knowledge enhancement attitude and intention of accounting students in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- Based on the trust theory, the purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the role of trustworthiness and trust in users' intentions to continue using internet banking. Further, the authors position the trust beliefs of competence, benevolence, integrity, and shared values as key antecedents of trustworthiness and trust. Design/methodology/approach -- A questionnaire survey was used to collect responses from 227 actual users of internet banking in Malaysian context. A PLS analysis was conducted to explore the relationships between trusting beliefs, trustworthiness, trust, and internet banking use. Findings -- Empirical findings show that trusting beliefs of consistency, integrity, and shared values determine the trustworthiness and trust in internet banking. Moreover, trust was found to mediate the relationship between trustworthiness and internet banking use. Practical implications -- The study findings help managers understand the factors that determine Malaysia users trust and trustworthiness perceptions in internet banking. With reports indicated increase in internet banking use in Malaysia, the study findings provide important insights into enhancing users' trust in internet banking for future transactions. Originality/value -- Unlike previous studies that have largely focussed on technology factors, this study based on trust theory proposes that trust is important for users to continue using internet banking services. In developing this trust, the authors propose that trustworthiness is of vital importance. Further, the authors propose and show that trusting beliefs of competence, integrity and shared values influence user trustworthiness and trust in internet banking use. Thus, this study extends the understanding of the internet banking use in Malaysian context. Paper type Research paper [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the locational behavior of multinational enterprises, particularly the role of Malaysian subsidiaries in relation to other subsidiaries in the region. Survey results showed that rising wage costs have led to low cost, labor-intensive, and mature technology production being moved to China. Concurrently, Malaysian subsidiaries, particularly the export oriented, have taken on production of more sophisticated goods. They play regional coordination roles, are sources of ethnic Chinese managerial talent for the region, and they provide “back-up” production for less reliable plants in China. Their strategic role appears to have evolved from being “export platforms” toward “regional mandated hubs.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the influence of gender, age and socio-economic status on attitudes of Foochow and Hokkien towards their ethnic language and Mandarin. The matched guise test results of 120 Foochow and 120 Hokkien participants in Kuching, Malaysia, showed positive attitudes towards Mandarin on all the 15 traits. The Hokkien participants were more positive than the Foochow participants towards speakers of their own ethnic language. Foochow speakers were perceived as loud, and the male Foochow speaker was rated unfavourably on five other traits. Multivariate analysis of variance results showed that gender significantly influenced the Foochow participants' ratings of the wealth of Foochow speakers and the Hokkien participants' ratings of the easy-going nature of Mandarin speakers, the gentleness and solidarity of the male Mandarin speaker, and the height and intelligence of the male Hokkien speaker. Age influenced the attributions of status to the female Foochow speaker and solidarity with the female Mandarin speaker. Socio-economic status influenced the ratings of the most number of traits. Interaction effects were also found. The underlying dimensions loaded onto one factor each for Foochow (easy-going and rich) and Hokkien (formal, strong solidarity) and two different factors for Mandarin, suggesting different stereotypes of dialect and Mandarin speakers.

othman n. & MOHD nasurdin a. (2012) Journal of Nursing Management Social support and work engagement: a study of Malaysian nurses Aim This study addressed the question of whether social support (supervisor support and co-worker support) could contribute to the variance in work engagement. Background Nurses, as customer-contact employees, play an important role in representing the organization's competence. Their attitudes and behaviour toward patients has a significant influence on patients' satisfaction and perception of quality of service. Methods The sample comprised 402 staff nurses working in three general hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia. Variables included demographic information, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and Social Support Scale. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlations and regression analysis. Results Findings indicated that supervisor support was positively related to work engagement. Co-worker support was found to have no effect on work engagement. Conclusions Supervisory support is an important predictor of work engagement for nurses. Implications for nursing management Nursing management should provide more training to nurse supervisors and develop nurse mentoring programmes to encourage more support to nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

User acceptance of technology has been an important field of study for over 2 decades. Numerous models have been proposed to explain and predict the user acceptance of technology. The technology acceptance model (TAM) is one of the most admired models capturing the important aspects of users' intention to adopt technology. Thus, it is essential for anyone willing to study user acceptance of technology to understand TAM. This article analyzes the adoption and utilization of e-procurement in the agro-based sector. The article provides empirical evidence on the attitude and its behavioral intention of using e-procurement in agro-based companies in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strategy based on long-term relationships is considered one of the most effective options, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to be competitive and sustainable in the market. There are many benefits that can be obtained from long-term relationships that include efficiency and effectiveness in operations, total cost reduction, better delivery performance, and higher profit. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine factors that influence the development of long-term relationships among SME entrepreneurs in the Malaysian agro-based industry. The data collected from 226 entrepreneurs has revealed 7 important factors that influence the development of long-term relationships of SME entrepreneurs with their preferred buyers. These factors were trust, reputation, quality, satisfaction, power/dependence, relationship specific investments and communication. This result provides a basis for managers to put more effort into developing business relationships in order to create high competitive advantage in the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to test a theoretical model determining the relationships among tourists' perceived food image, food satisfaction, culinary quality, and behavioral intentions. The structural relationships between the variables were examined by adopting a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, and the empirical data was collected in Malaysia. Analysis of findings revealed that (a) tourists' perceived food image played a role in directly influencing food satisfaction and quality of culinary experience (culinary quality); (b) food image influenced tourists' behavioral intentions through culinary quality; (c) tourist satisfaction with their food experience directly affected perceived quality of their culinary experience and behavioral intentions; and (d) tourists' behavioral intentions were directly affected by their evaluation of culinary quality. This study concluded that food was an imperative contributor in destination tourism due to its capability in influencing tourists' perceived image, food satisfaction, culinary quality, and consequently impacting tourists' behaviors in the selection of a travel destination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of construction management, Social Infrastructure Projects (SIPs) have long been overlooked. However, SIPs are one of the main criteria for enhancing economic productivity. This paper analyses the results of a survey aiming to develop a framework for SIP success factors to enhance the likelihood of success in the provision of SIPs in Malaysia. The principal component analysis reduces a set of 41 project success factors to six dimensions based on the idea of the project life cycle, i.e., the preconstruction factor, the construction factor and postconstruction factor, and three internal factors: the organizational factor, the information management factor, and the change management factor. Understanding these success factors could be crucial in managing SIPs, since it will allow project stakeholders to take precautionary steps to identify foreseeable problems and areas for improvement. This will increase the success rate of the project and could even help avoid problems completely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the strategies adopted by successful Malaysian small and medium-sized biotechnology enterprises in riding out the effect of market turbulence. Based on a survey of 103 biotechnology SMEs in the country, several factors emerged as having a profound impact on the success of these enterprises: the presence of strategic linkages with other private enterprises, the conduct of various innovations and the adoption of backward integration strategy. These same factors, however, were found to have no significant impact on the enterprises in times of intense competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between general environmental attitude and specific SCUBA diving attitude with responsible behaviour among divers underwater. The empirical data were collected from divers (N = 413) at the five most popular islands for SCUBA diving in Malaysia using the combination of purposeful, quota and convenience sampling. The revised New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) scale [Dunlap, R.E., Van Liere, K., Mertig, A., & Jones, R. (2000). Measuring endorsement of the New Ecological Paradigm: A revised NEP scale. Journal of Social Issues, 56(3), 425–442] was utilised to measure the general environmental concern (attitude) among divers. Measurement of SCUBA diving attitude and underwater responsible behaviour was self-developed based on both literature review and expert opinions. Correlation and regression analyses were employed to examine the relationships among the constructs. Divers are mostly ecocentric and highly responsible underwater and possess a positive SCUBA diving attitude. Divers' behaviour underwater has a direct relationship with both environmental concern and specific SCUBA diving attitude. The latter partially mediates the relationship between environmental concern and responsible behaviour underwater. The cognitive and conative dimensions of specific SCUBA diving attitude are strongly related to skill diving behaviour and safety diving behaviour, respectively. The affective dimension of specific SCUBA diving attitude has a strong relationship with non-contact diving behaviour. Based on the study findings, this paper presents some of its theoretical and managerial contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the important property specific criteria for office occupation decision making by tenants of purpose built office buildings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It attempts to provide more definitive information on office space occupation to prospective property marketers, managers, owners and investors. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the important criteria which were earlier selected by expert panels. The outcome was then analysed through the principal component analysis and importance factor index adopted from an earlier study. The findings from the survey can then be used to examine the relative importance of the identified criteria through the use of a multi criteria decision making (MCDM) technique. Findings – Four main criteria could be identified under the property specific criteria. Six of the "building features, services and management" attributes have higher rankings than the attributes under the "financial" considerations, mainly rent. the high rank attributes under the main criteria of "location" relate to the prestige and accessibility of the building while the high rank criteria under the main "lease" criteria relate to the monetary considerations of the lease arrangement. The high rank criteria under the main criteria of "building features, services and management" relate to the management and building services rather than the design/space provision. Research limitations/implications – The study area is confined to Kuala Lumpur city centre commercial area and covers prime office buildings. Originality/value – Office occupation studies have been established in developed countries but are very limited in Malaysia. This study attempts to relate to the current office market developments and to seek the preferences of the various categories of tenants at a later stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite considerable research in advanced countries on public perceptions of and attitudes to modern biotechnology, limited effort has been geared towards developing a structural model of public attitudes to modern biotechnology. The purpose of this paper is to identify the relevant factors influencing public attitudes towards genetically modified (GM) soybean, and to analyze the relationship between all the attitudinal factors. A survey was carried out on 1,017 respondents from various stakeholder groups in the Klang Valley region. Results of the survey have confirmed that attitudes towards complex issues such as biotechnology should be seen as a multifaceted process. The most important factors predicting support for GM soybean are the specific application-linked perceptions about the benefits, acceptance of risk and moral concern while risk and familiarity are significant predictors of benefit and risk acceptance. Attitudes towards GM soybean are also predicted by several general classes of attitude. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate and assess guest perceptions of service quality in luxury hotels in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia. A convenient sample of 463 guests drawn from eleven luxury hotels was used in the analytical stage. Overall, the results clearly indicate significant differences between guests' expectations and their actual experiences, thus highlighting managerial implications. It was recommended that hotel management should identify, prioritize and improve the areas of service flaws and distribute important resources to the most effective areas with a view to increasing guest satisfaction towards the hotel services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study empirically investigated the factors that influence consumer's perception of online brand trust in Malaysia. Six hypotheses were developed to test hypothesizing relationships among: security/privacy, perceived risk, word-of-mouth, quality information, good online experience, brand reputation with online brand trust. A survey of 209 respondents was used in this study to test hypothesized relationships. Survey findings indicate that security/privacy, perceived risk, word-of-mouth, quality information and brand reputation appear to have a significant and positive relationship with online brand trust (R2=0.537). Interestingly good online experience was not found to be significantly influential. The results are compared with earlier findings and implications for further research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology is evolving rapidly around the world, and the use of mobile devices is increasing every day. Today, everyone owns a mobile device, including young children. Parents provide and allow young children to use mobile devices for various purposes. Due to the fact of these circumstances, children begin to become comfortable with the use of mobile devices, and they are prone to excessive use. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of sociodemographic factors on excessive mobile device use among young children. Sociodemographic variables, including the child's gender, the child's age when starting to use a mobile device, the parent's educational level, household income, type of application used, and the purpose of giving a mobile device to the child, were selected as predictive factors. A cross-sectional survey study design with a quantitative approach was conducted. A simple random sampling technique was employed, and a total of 364 parents completed the adapted questionnaire, namely, the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Scale (PMPUS). Data were statistically analyzed using descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis. The findings revealed that gender, age of the child when starting to use mobile devices, and purpose of parents providing mobile devices significantly contributed to 77.7% of the variance to make children users with a problem. However, the parent's educational level, household income, and type of application did not significantly contribute to the problem of mobile device use. Later, this study discusses the research implication, limitation, and recommendation for future research based on the finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Customer satisfaction is an important aspect of the success of all businesses, including sport. Research on customer satisfaction as it relates to recreational sport facilities and services might provide useful insights to increase participation rates. The aims of the present research were twofold: to examine the nature of Malaysians' (selected from two urban areas of Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam in the Selangor State) satisfaction with recreational sports facilities and services; and to assess the impact of demographic variables on satisfaction. The data collection involved the administration of a satisfaction questionnaire to 602 participants. The data was later collated and analysed using SPSS. The results showed that satisfaction was influenced by three groupings of factors: facilities, staff attitude, and staff competence; relaxation, health, and fitness; and skills, variety, and accomplishment. Demographic variables also influenced satisfaction: males were more satisfied with the recreational sport facilities and services than females; 18 to 25-year-olds recorded the highest level of satisfaction; and single and the divorced/separated respondents registered higher levels of satisfaction with the relaxation, health, and fitness dimension than married respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of the paper was to examine whether, and in what way, managers perceive that the level and shape of intellectual capital (IC) within firms influences management accounting practice, specifically, performance measurement, planning and control, capital budgeting, and risk management. It also explores whether such firms are better able to respond to unanticipated economic and market changes and achieve relatively higher performance within their sector. Design/methodology/approach -- The paper is based on the results of a study conducted in Malaysia through a questionnaire survey in 119 large companies with varying levels of IC and selected interviews with both accounting and non-accounting executives in a subset of them. Findings -- The findings in the paper suggest some evolution in management accounting practices for firms investing heavily in IC. The findings are discussed and further explored through interviews in some of the firms analysed. Research limitations/Implications -- The limitations of survey research in this paper are acknowledged, however these are ameliorated by confirmatory insights from the interviews. Further research could be carried out using more extensive case studies in companies, perhaps longitudinally, or undertaken using sector focused surveys. Practical Implications -- It is important to show in the paper that management accounting systems reflect the strategic orientation of the companies concerned. Where a greater focus on intangibles and intellectual capital occurs it may require a different emphasis on management accounting practices compared to companies where they do not feature strongly. It is important that management recognise and act on this in order to improve corporate performance. Originality/value -- The paper shows that it is widely recognised that (IC), whether in the form of knowledge, experience, professional skill, good relationships, or technological capacity is a major source of corporate competitive advantage. Whilst the literature places considerable attention on the valuation, measurement and reporting of IC for external reporting purposes, far less attention has so far been given to the implications of IC for managerial accounting practice. This paper addresses this omission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the need for a culturally valid attachment measure for Malaysians, the present study examined the psychometric properties of the items and scales of the Attachment Style Questionnaire. The questionnaire is a broad-based self report measure originally developed in Australia. Results of the study only partially supported the validity of the measure. Several items in the measure lack reliability and validity. One of its scales was found to have questionable content validity. This study illustrates several issues highlighted in the literature regarding the use of assessment measures in multicultural and cross-cultural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most significant implications of technological advances in the banking sector is the possibility of delivering banking services through electronic channels (EC). EC provide alternatives for faster delivery of banking services to a wider scope of customers. A survey is thus conducted to determine factors that are essential for the successful implementation of EC by domestic commercial banks in Malaysia. The results of the survey suggested that banks' operation management is the main factor affecting the success of automated tellers machine, personal computers and branch banking.

This paper examines the work roles of public enterprise managers, the classifications of the work roles, and the importance of the work roles across hierarchical levels, functional speciality, business sector and the size of the organisation, based on Mintzberg's framework of managerial roles. The result showed that 105 managers ranked the role of entrepreneur as most important and the role of spokesman as most unimportant in performing their jobs. The principal component solution resulted in three Interpretable categories of work roles: internal roles; external roles, and internal-external roles. There were also variations in work role Importance across hierarchical levels, functional speciality, business sector and size of the organisation. Implications for further research and management practice are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]