Abd Hair Awang

Knowledge transfer and the role of local absorptive capability at science and technology parks

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate to what extent knowledge inflows have taken place among professional Malaysian workforces and what the significant employee‐related factors of knowledge transfer are. The development of technology parks at Technology Park Malaysia (TPM), Kulim High Tech Park (KHTP) and Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) is the focus of the discussion.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through a self‐administered survey to 300 local professionals; and 51 percent responded. A multiple regression was used to identify the significant determinants of transfer of knowledge.Findings – Knowledge transfer from foreign expatriate, parent and peer subsidiary companies to local professionals is at a moderate level. The overall multiple regression shows that workplace learning, personal time management, symptom of replication, adaptation and innovation, and work experience significantly contribute to the transferring of expertise to local professional employees.Research limitations/...

TRAINING IMPACT ON EMPLOYEE’S JOB PERFORMANCE: A SELF EVALUATION

Abstract Nurturing a high-quality, knowledgeable and innovative human capital with strong moral and ethical values has become a new source of driving the nation’s productivity growth and competitiveness. Therefore, Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) was established in 1992 to generate lifelong learning in workplace setting to improve labor productivity, technology transfer and innovation. In 2002 it was renamed as Human Resource Development Limited (HRDL). All registered employers with HRDL are eligible for the employees training grants. The total approved training places and disbursement of training grants had increased over the years. This paper investigates to what extent the training programs improve employee knowledge, skills, works behavior and job performance, and what are the significant training related factors influencing job performance. The paper is based on data collected through self-reported survey on 1200 employees (458 responded) at hotels, resorts and ICTs companies in four selected states. Out of the responses, 73 percent attended various training programs coordinated by HRDL. The result shows that, in general, the training programs improve knowledge, skills and positive work behavior of employees. Multiple linear regression analysis supports the hypothesis that training related variables have positive impact on employees’ job performance except cognitive competence.

A study on the mediating role of halal perception: determinants and consequence reflections

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine potential determinants of halal perception and to validate the mediating model of halal perception on purchasing decision of Malaysian consumers. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a survey to obtain the relevant data. The survey involved self-administration of questionnaires to 420 consumers and 96 per cent responded. The questionnaire consists of four sections designed to obtain information on demography, halal perception, determinants of halal perception and purchase decision. Findings The main finding reiterates the role of credible signals in credence items purchased as suggested by the signaling theory. Halal perception has association with respondents’ purchase decision. Thus, it highlights that halal perception is the mediating variable that intervenes in the relationship of a few independent variables and the purchase decision trends. The independent variables such as manufacturer identity, product label, physical product and packaging as well country of origin are considered to be important extrinsic cues that deliver messages regarding the halal of certain food products. The association of the four variables with halal perception is also found to be significant. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in its attempt to explore the role of halal perception in the marketing of food products especially within the scope of a Muslim’s market. Besides, this study attempts to investigate the halal issue based on a specific model that includes potential variables and the intervening role of halal perception.

Measuring Tourist Behavioural Intention Through Quality in Malaysian Medical Tourism Industry

Abstract Medical tourists’ expectations and perceptions regarding health services have been explored by the service providers in developing countries. Patients’ perceptions in health services especially about quality might contour confidence and leads to positive behaviours with regard in choosing and using the available health care facilities provided by the developing countries. It seems that patients voice has been noted as one of the greatest roles in designing the health care service delivery processes in the developing countries. This conceptual paper offers an in-depth literature review regarding quality and behavioural intention of the potential medical tourists and medical tourists. Based on this, contents of quality and behavioural intention are discussed.

Impact of Training under Human Resource Development Limited on Workers’ Mobility in Selected Malaysian Services Sector

Training is an important component of human resource development and is emphasized in the Malaysian economic development process. The Malaysian Government has established the Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) managed by the Human Resource Development Limited (HRDL) to enhance and monitor the aspect of workers’ training. The HRDF has managed to increase the workers’ training activities; nevertheless, the issue raised here is to elucidate whether the training has adversely encouraged the workers’ mobility. This paper aims to analyze this issue based on 817 workers in a selected services sub-sector, namely, the information and communication technology (ICT) and the hotel sub-sector in the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru, and Penang, collected in the period of 2008/2009. The results show that the HRDL training has a positive and significant influence on workers’ mobility.

Independent Oil Palm Smallholder Participation and Technology Transfer

Food supplies in the agricultural sector rely heavily on small farmers. Technology transfer in the agricultural sector is crucial to ensure the livelihoods of small farmers and thereby guarantee stable food supplies. To meet this need, the palm oil guidance and advisory centre, managed by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), has assumed responsibility for the transfer of technology through formal and informal training. This study seeks to assess the participation of independent oil palm smallholders in the transfer of oil palm cultivation technology. This study consulted 275 independent oil palm smallholders in Teluk Intan, Perak, and Saratok, Sarawak, both in Malaysia. The survey form is used to obtain smallholder information, involvement in TUNAS programmes and technology transfer competencies. The findings show that the technology transfer capabilities by TUNAS officers are outstanding and the smallholders’ participation in the programme is encouraging.

A Study on Costs, Risks and Competitiveness of Palm Oil Fruit Dealers’ Business in Malaysia

This exploratory study aims to describe the nature of palm oil intermediary business focusing on the costs structure, risks and competitive challenges. This study employs qualitative research design. Five fruit dealers (FD) are involve in the interview. The findings show that palm oil fruit dealer business requires enormous amount of cash and equipment investments during the start-up and growth stages. In addition, FDs must comply with specific requirements to apply for the operating license. The risks are divided into non-controllable and controllable risks. The non-controllable risk refers to the external source of risks such as fresh fruit bunch (FFB) shrinkage due to weather factor, volatility of market price and inconsistent mills purchase decisions. Meanwhile, the controllable risk consist of the probability of unripe FFB purchased from the smallholders. Furthermore, the finding indicates that the business competitive structure is relatively intense due to strong bargaining power of buyers and sellers, high service substitutability from nearby FDs, high rivalry among existing firms, and the need of special equipment. However, the threat of new entrants is low due to the high entrance and exit barriers of the business. Finding of this study suggested that agriculture intermediaries have important roles within the palm oil smallholders’ value chain. Therefore, this study disseminates preliminary insights on FDs’ business in terms of costs, risks and challenges.