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The purpose of this study is to identify the types of halal food supply risks, types of mitigation strategies for the upstream supply chain and to examine the relationship between halal supply risk and mitigation strategy efforts using the lens of the agency theory. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is used to validate the variables of the study and regression is performed to analyze the relationship of halal food supply risk and mitigation strategy. It is identified that halal food supply risk (agency uncertainties) consists of quality risk, delivery risk, and price/cost risk. The mitigation strategy efforts consist of behavior-based management, buffer-based management, and traceability-based management. Results indicate that halal food supply risk significantly increase mitigation strategy efforts of firms. However, price & cost risk does not significantly increase behavior-based management. Practical implications include suggesting the firms to invest more in buffer-oriented so as to mitigate the agency uncertainties.

Green Information Technology (IT) has emerged as a crucial topic for environmentally and sustainability development. At the same time, Green IT impacts the organisation as well. Studies show there is a lack of a proposed framework in the Green IT literature. As the IT industry is one of the significant sectors supporting the Green Technology Policy, this study objective is to identify the factors rendered in the Green IT adoption and examine the factors that drive the adoption of Green IT in Malaysia. The study referred to the case study to show the most important factors rendered in Green IT adoption in the public sector and the private sector in Malaysia. A qualitative method was applied through a semi-structured interview by using open-ended questions as a guideline with five organisations from the public sector and the private sector. This study prioritises the explanation building as a specific approach to analysis. Results show that there are five factors rendered in Green IT adoption in Malaysia: environmental factor, cost factor, organisational factor, technological factor, and business opportunity factor. This study benefits policymaker, organisations, and other researchers to support Malaysia’s pledge to reduce its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by up to 45% by 2030.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the entrance of Chinese-based Alipay’s mobile-payment (m-payment) technology into Malaysia. Malaysia allowed this entry of the first foreign m-payment company because it would allow Chinese tourists spending while they are visiting Malaysia. It will view this entrance from a Malaysian perspective. Design/methodology/approach The views of Malaysian players (Bank Negara Malaysia officers, three Malaysian banks’ officers, Alipay-Malaysia officers, airport section manager, convenience store manager and airport store sales executive) were sought via qualitative interview concerning Alipay’s entry into the Malaysian market. Respondents who had relevant knowledge and/or were involved in Alipay m-payment technology development in Malaysia were contacted, while there remainder were obtained by snowballing. Secondary data was collected from Bank Negara Malaysia’s policy, three Malaysian banks’ reports, the Alipay-Malaysia public statements and the Airport and Convenience Store reports. Triangulation using primary and secondary data was used to safeguard the validity and reliability of the outcomes. Findings The entry strategy used by Alipay was different from those reported in previous studies. The establishment of Alipay-Malaysia was the first element of the “mode of entry” gaining pioneer status in Malaysia. The next stage was gaining support from Bank Negara Malaysia-Malaysian Central Bank and three Malaysian banks (Maybank, Public Bank and CIMB) through collaborative ventures with Alipay-Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., leading to acceptance nationwide by local merchants. The key driver of acceptance being Chinese outbound tourists in Malaysia. Research limitations/implications This case study was conducted during the early implementation of Alipay in Malaysia from 2015 until April 2019. During this period, there were challenges due to the lack of primary data. These were overcome by the support from the respondents and the secondary data. Practical implications This study contributes to insights from a different entry strategy that used tourism as a leading force. This can give guidance to other m-payment service providers or other countries as m-payment technology recipient about “market entry strategy” and “modes of entry” following Alipay’s approach. Originality/value To date, no study has been conducted to investigate the nature of Alipay m-payment in Malaysia. This qualitative study has examined the new phenomenon regarding how Alipay entered the Malaysian market. Moreover, this study can also contribute new insights into the existing theory of “market entry strategy” in terms of Alipay’s tourist-based approach.

Purpose This paper adopts an existing body of theory (gaps model of service quality) and aims to further contribute to it. The theory building within this paper is expected to represent an extension to the existing theory, particularly with regard to the reconceptualisation and redefinition of service quality in sustainable banking. Design/methodology/approach The case study was based on primary data collected through a series of qualitative interviews with the 35 bankers who were from different departments. In addition, available secondary data such as academic books and journals, government and regulatory authority’s publications, website publications, Maybank’s annual reports and sustainability reports were reviewed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the Maybank’s sustainability banking operating system. Findings This paper has documented various findings identified with the aspects of sustainable banking in Maybank. Essentially, these findings are focussed on filling the gaps that currently exist in the literature and in the practice of sustainable banking in Maybank. Maybank is in the phase of preventive banking because, in recent years, it has been observed that Maybank is moving towards the initiative to embrace sustainability in their banking operations. Maybank has used the sustainability criteria for the credit risk management process and socially responsible investing. When viewed from this perspective, it is possible to say that a transition process has started towards offensive banking. In addition, this research’s findings imply that the determination of the service quality level of customers focusses not only on the homogenous customer’s quality evaluation, but it also includes the examination of heterogeneous customers. Heterogeneous customers are those who have an indirect interest in the bank; they are indirectly affected either positively or negatively by the actions of the bank. Research limitations/implications The reconceptualisation and redefinition of service quality, which embeds the novel concept of sustainable banking, can be attributed to a handful of distinctive financial institutions which have been proactively and gradually shaping their corporate images as advocates of socio-environmental sustainability. Originality/value The limited literature on sustainable banks and to the best knowledge of the researchers, no other researcher has examined sustainable banking in the Malaysian banking industry to date. This study is designed to address this gap with the central objective to investigate the aspect of sustainable banking operating system provided by Maybank by using the gap model of service quality which was developed by Parasuraman et al. (1985).

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a more holistic perspective on rationales that motivated Maybank to move toward a sustainable banking operating system. Design/methodology/approachThe case study was based on primary data collected through a series of qualitative interview with 35 bankers who were from different departments. Besides, the secondary data such as academic books and journals, government and regulatory authority’s publications, website publications, Maybank’s annual reports and Maybank’s sustainability reports were reviewed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding on rationales that motivated Maybank to move toward a sustainable banking operating system. FindingsWithin the corporation studied, the rationales for moving Maybank toward sustainable banking operating system are driven by macro-, meso- and micro-level drivers. In terms of macro-level drivers, the pressures come from the bank’s external environment. A PESTLE analysis is used to discuss the drivers for change present within the macro environment. The different national government bodies and non-government organizations are calling upon financial institutions to implement more socially and environmentally friendly lending policies. In terms of meso-level drivers, stakeholders are viewed as important driving forces for Maybank to integrate sustainability into banking operations. Internal driving forces are likely to emanate from employees, the board of directors and shareholders. External driving forces result from pressure from customers, governments, competitors, NGOs and society at large. Micro-level drivers are drivers of sustainable banking that include pressures generated from within the bank’s internal environment. Maybank is largely motivated by its mission statement and vision statement, which is articulated in their sustainable banking agenda. Research limitations/implicationsViewing the rationales that motivated Maybank to move toward a sustainable banking operating system through multiple perspectives – macro-, meso- and micro-level drivers present an interesting approach for research. Originality/valueThe rationales for moving Maybank toward a sustainable banking operating system are driven by macro-, meso- and micro-level drivers. This paper provides fresh insight into rationales that move toward the sustainable banking operating system.

The telecommunication industry in Malaysia is led by the 3 major companies that continuously compete over a small profit of pool to increase their market share in Malaysia. This has cause the telecommunication industry to be caught in the Red Ocean traps. Furthermore, in this research, the top three mobile providers which are Celcom, Digi and Maxis the factors that cases the Mobile Provide in Malaysia to be entrapped in the Red Ocean Traps. By resolving the Red Ocean traps of Mobile Provider in Malaysia, they can achieve a sustainable business and create new opportunity in the market. A qualitative interview is conducted to collect the respondent’s answer for the analysis. The data is analyzed by using the qualitative method. The result of this research will be the causes and strategies to release Red Ocean traps of Mobile Provider in Malaysia. This research has been able to provide innovative suggestion that will help the Malaysian mobile providers to be sustainable within the business.

The airline industry is one of the fastest growing industries as well as transportation modes in the world. Global airline contributes about 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions and supports 8% of the world economic activity in terms of GDP. Along with the rapid growth of the airline service industry, climate change issue is getting more attention due to its increasing adverse effects on human and earth. Competing and winning in today's economy required a strategy that incorporates environment sustainability. In recent decades, airlines and aircraft manufacturers have become increasingly committed to becoming more “green,” or environmentally friendly. To close the gaps, a research has been done in order to eliminate as much potential harm to the environment as possible and make air travel as efficient and economical as it can be by identifying the key success factors toward Green Airlines. A research was conducted based on the secondary data from the Green Airlines international data sample to provide airlines and aircraft operators a common framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable processes, innovative practices, and operations. The operation of Green Airlines only focuses from gate to gate destination with giving impact on the customer experience on the services. Through the benchmarking for high performing green airlines, a green airline framework can be a solution for future Green Airline Industry. The research highlights and demonstrates the need for a degree of understanding of key success factors when comparing airline performance measures with each other.

Background and purpose: The quality management field has been studied for more than 100 years dating back to the early 1900s when Fredrick W. Taylor is known as the father of Scientific Management, stressed the importance of quality inspection. This paper describes how quality management field has developed and evolved to date, particularly by tracking its focus over time. Design/Methodology/Approach: A systematic approach to literature review was adapted in this research. Identifying the gurus and the scholars in this field makes it possible for the researchers to review their works, which are, mainly, in the form of books and journal articles. Process in getting literature review that has been conducted include quality management in general, as well as ‘evolution of quality management’ and ‘development of quality management’ respectively in capturing the field of quality management and thus, illustrating how the quality management field has evolved over the time. Results: It appears that quality management literature have evolved through time, and as they evolved, the principles, systems, tools and techniques have changed. As a result of the study, this paper also provides the synthesis of quality management literature over time according to the key focus and gives a new perspective for the further research. Conclusions: The historical review allows the researchers to establish the pattern of quality – the ‘focus, principles, systems, and tools and techniques’ over time. Our observations have confirmed that as the focus has changed, the principles have also changed and as the principles have changed, the systems, tools and techniques also have changed in quality management field.

Purpose– The main purposes of the study were to investigate the ethical banking operations based on the award-winning the UK Co-operative Bank which has successfully brought significant implications on sustaining the nation’s (the UK) socioenvironmental development. The Co-operative Bank operations are conceptualised into a solid ethical banking operations framework (EBOF) to contribute theoretically into enriching the body of the knowledge. Besides, by understanding the EBOF of an ethical banking system, the other banking players like the Malaysian bank can learn from this best practice and gradually shape its operation to become more ethical.Design/methodology/approach– The case study on the UK Co-operative Bank was based on primary data collected through a series of qualitative focus group conducted on 20 senior bank managers who were interested and were supportive of this research project. These experienced respondents are actively involved in the Co-operative Bank’s “Corporate Ethical Policy” formulation, as well as the implementation of this policy into the Co-operative Bank’s daily operations. Besides, secondary data are reviewed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding on the Co-operative Bank. The research began in December 2012 and was completed in August 2014. The main reason the researchers opted for qualitative studies is to comply with the criteria of inductive approach, whereby the final outcomes (EBOF) include the crystallisation of the ethical banking operations, which could be generalised theoretically and empirically.Findings– At the end of the study, EBOF based on the Co-operative Bank’s ethical operations (as the case studied) is constructed. As a conclusion, the Co-operative Bank has done tremendously well in sustaining the UK’s socioenvironmental development, which justifies the reason why the Co-operative Bank has won numerous prestigious awards and is being well recognised nationally and regionally.Practical implications– The novelty concept of ethical banking is driven by the global socioenvironmental initiative that influences some of the major financial institutions which are proactively and gradually shaping their corporate image in safeguarding the community around the environment. This research has successfully attained the ultimate objective to foster knowledge transfer through learning from the best (from the UK Co-operative Bank) in shaping local (Malaysia) ethical banking.Originality/value– This study constructs the EBOF based on the Co-operative Bank’s ethical operations that could be empirically disseminated and adopted in other banks’ operations (across the globe). This is aimed in shaping the local banking industry to become more ethical (learning from the best practice of the UK Co-operative Bank) in wealth creation that places high emphasis on socioenvironmental benefits rather than economic gain on profit maximisation alone. Besides, the EBOF contributes and enriches the body of the knowledge about ethical banking operations.

In service industry, the subject of service quality remains crucial as business strive to maintain a comparative advantage in the marketplace. In aftermath of globalization, the operating environment for banking industry has become more dynamic and competitive. Banks have evolved to become diversified financial providers instead of traditional banking-only service providers. With bank placing emphasis on a mutually beneficial bank–customer relationship, customer loyalty must be pursued through repeat purchases. Central to achieving this is often the quality of services offered by the bank should satisfy the customer’s needs. This article attempts to identify any service gaps in Malaysian banking industry and to recommend effective strategies to close these service gaps from bank mangers’ and executives perspectives based on GAPs Model of Service Quality (GAPs Model). Using qualitative data collected from interviews with 30 bank managers and executives, this article provides effectives strategies t...

This paper discusses the development of E-saving glass (ESG) in Malaysia by using quality function deployment (QFD) method for market transformation. This paper focuses on two objectives, i.e., (i) to investigate the suitability of the ESG in Malaysian market for customer satisfaction, product quality and manufacturer competitiveness by using systematic tools of QFD process, and (ii) the implementation of ESG by looking at factors analysis based on QFD method and Malaysian market transformation. The QFD method is utilised by a multidisciplinary team to translate a set of customer requirements (the “voice of customer” (VOC)), market research and technical benchmarking data into an appropriate number of prioritised engineering targets that could be met by a new product design.

Philip New-the ex-CEO of BP Biofuels proclaimed in 2007: the emergence of biofuels involves two value chains-agriculture and energy, where both mature industries are connected to new national/regional policy. This has opened various opportunities for developing countries to tie business relationships through BP’s investment into non-food next-generation biofuels (NGB) feedstocks farming. This study reviewed all BP’s NGB development projects undertaken from 2006 until 2016. Secondary data was collected through media, corporate websites/reports and newsletters. Next, the NGB development projects were mapped into a technology roadmap (TRM). From this case study, it is hoped that BP’s pursuance on the NGB development could be referred by other oil companies that would have a similar intention of the NGB developers.

Sustainable land public transportation (SLPT) aims to promote a better and healthier ways of meeting individual and community needs. Even though sufficient land public transportation have been provided at Ayer Keroh, Malacca but the level of usage among the community is still low as there is the growth in traffic. Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (HTJMC) is responsible to identify the most appropriate strategies to manage the issues regarding SLPT in order to support of the Malacca state vision becoming Green Technology State in the year 2020. Therefore, this paper attempts to examine the strategies involve in building a SLPT, which may enhance the community’s welfare. Thus, the proposed theoretical framework is to demonstrate the strategies towards building a SLPT, which can cater issues within the municipal council area. In this qualitative research, an in-depth focus group have been conducted to obtain the primary data. Thirteen (13) executives from HTJMC involved. This study brings a new paradigm in t...

A slope assessment to predict the probability of landslide occurrence and the safety factor of landslide at E9 building, Home Economics Department, Universitas Negeri Semarang was conducted to obtain a safety factor index of slope and structures in study area. A rupture of soil surface appeared in some parts of the study area. It indicated an initial destruction of structure and infrastructure. Differential settlements occurred in north side of building. Therefore, a downward movement of soil, rock mass and debris to the slope direction was identified as an initial hypotheses. The influence of season was analyzed in this paper. A combination of LHZ method and numerical analysis by Plaxis version 9.2 was utilized for the predicted behavior of soil movement and the safety factor. The results of analysis revealed that the safety factor in the wet season reached 1.0635 and in the dry season reached 1.075. From this results, it can be concluded that the influence of season parameter of the season did not affect for the possibility of landslide in this area.

The basic function of an international airport is an aerodrome, provides not only the facilities for flights management, but also for customs and passport control. Nowadays, most of the international airports have established commercial outlets for food, products and services. As such, these airports are built with larger scale and more sophisticated on both infrastructure and infostructure which aim to be the most extensive air-travel service providers that connect the nations to the international gateways. Looking at the daily operations of an international airport, the energy consumption is apprehended to be enormous. Besides, knowing the fact that reliance on fossil fuels to power the airport buildings and to run the operations daily, this has led to many negative socioenvironmental implications. To date, some of the world major international airports have begun in renewable energy adoption-which mainly focused on solar energy as a way to reduce fossil energy consumption and towards greenhouse gases r...

Nowadays, the world energy requirements are increasing at an alarming rate and the power demand is running ahead of supply. It is widely recognized that the fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas are presently being used for electricity generation. Therefore, in future it may not be sufficient to keep pace with ever increasing demand of the electrical energy of the world. The renewable energy can provide clean sources of energy which is reliable and secure to society. This paper analyzed renewable energy adoption, focusing on offshore wind turbines. In this case study, Labuan, Sabah has been selected and suggested as the location to install the offshore wind turbines because of geographical advantage of the South China Sea. The technology is expected to provide great power energy with least environment impact and high sustainability as it is located within the windy area with no terrain features, buildings or other obstruction. This study used qualitative methods for both data collection and...

Ayer Keroh Toll that under the administration of Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (HTJMC) is the main entrance for the people to enter to the city from North-South Expressway. This situation causes congestion to happen in this area especially during weekend and holiday and lead to air pollution. Hence, it is important to solve this problem beginning with the transport system and brings the city toward the sustainable way by learning the foreign city experience. In this research, the researchers start to revise the case study from foreign city councils on what and how they improve their cities transport system in term of sustainability. There are total of 17 case studies been studied including the cities that recognize with Sustainable Transport Award (STA) and other special activity and event that held worldwide. These cases studied are merged with the behavioral modification. There are four methods of changing behavior: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment and extinction. Besides, t...

Green building construction is growing tremendously globally even in Malaysia. Currently, there are approximate 636 buildings have registered and to be certified with Green Building Index. Among these buildings, 45 buildings have already fulfilled the requirements and fully certified. The other buildings still under provisional certification stage. Malaysia had adopted Green Building Index in 2009 to support a move to promote green building concept. Malaysia starts to move towards green building because Malaysian construction and building industry realizes that both energy consumed and waste produced are reduced without irreversible impacts to ecosystems. Consequently, insurance companies such as Fireman’s Fund from America has started the green building insurance policies for their green building in the year of 2006, while Malaysia still remain the coverage for green buildings using conventional property insurance. There are lacks of efforts to be seen from insurance companies to propose green building i...

Presently service organizations are challenged by fierce global competition, new technology and changing customer demands. These trends force service sectors to adapt environmental factors and places innovation at the core of their competitive strategy. On the other hand, service sectors challenge to deliver value memorable experiences and complete “service solutions” while lowering costs and keep sustainable. Despite, many studies have attempted to explore the factors that help toward environmental sustainability in the manufacturing sector, the service sector has not yet received a considerable attention in all world countries generally and in developing countries particularly. Thus, this paper aims to explore the factors that help to attain environmental sustainability in the service sector. A qualitative case study through semi-structured interview conducted with twenty managers from AirAsia to explore the factors that are related to environmental sustainability and green services. Besides, secondary ...

The implementation of integrated management system (IMS) for better quality management has become a preference for many organizations. This can be seen as many organizations used the combination of quality ISO 9001, an environment ISO 14001 and occupational health and safety management system OHSAS 18001 as a core for the IMS that largely implemented. Besides, the linked between quality management with risk management system need to be identified as the management system that enhance the effectiveness of IMS. Therefore, the risk management system ISO 31000 also presented as a part of integration. In nowadays competitive environment, the increasing pressure and needs from customer or stakeholders make it compulsory for the organization to propose the new system and standards. This paper presents and discusses about the benefit of integration, the management system components that can be converged and the implementation approach. A series of interview was conducted through in-depth interviews with 8 experts...

Energy saving glass known as e-saving glass is very popular in the design of windows or walls for modern day building due to their low-emissivity properties. This glass is produced by applying a thin coating of metallic oxide (e.g. silver oxide or tin oxide) on one side of the float glass. This coating provides good thermal isolation to the building by blocking infrared radiation from outside while almost transparent to the visible light. Marketing an e-saving glass is totally different than market a consumer product that carries little or no risk but e-saving glass cost fortune to the consumers. Therefore, research will be looking particularly on consumers' acceptance towards consumers purchase decision (CPD) and market transformation (green awareness, Esaving glass knowledge, new product advantage). An investigation will be conducted to assess the market needs in order to ensure that the product meets the market demand and solves the problem it intended to. This is then followed by a market feasibility study to determine the potential consumers of the product. The data gathered based on randomly market survey around Malacca.