Abdul Rahim Othman

Does interaction between TQM practices and knowledge management processes enhance the innovation performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of applying total quality management (TQM) on enhancing knowledge management processes. It also examine the relationship between knowledge management and innovation performance in the Malaysian manufacturing sector. Design/methodology/approach This study used a survey method to test the formulated hypotheses. Therefore, the adopted questionnaire was used as an instrument to collect the needed data. The population of the study consisted of 800 big and medium manufacturing companies listed in Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (2012). Findings The results of this paper support a positive and significant impact of TQM practice on knowledge management processes. Furthermore, the relationship between knowledge management and innovation performance has been a proved. However, further analysis on dimension level indicates that knowledge acquisition failed to show significant relationship with innovation performance. Originality/value This study addresses one of the recent issues within the Malaysian context of becoming a developed nation, which is innovation performance, specifically for manufacturing companies. To do so, the overlapping relationships among TQM practices, knowledge management, and innovation performance have been tested.

EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION ON SME’S PERFORMANCE: A STUDY OF SPORTS INDUSTRY PAKISTAN

The Sports industry has played a vital role in the economy of Pakistan.The recent high failure rate of small and medium businesses in the sports sector has necessitated the need to identify strategies that will help to improve their performance.The primary objective of this study is to establish the level of entrepreneurial orientation of small and medium enterprises in the sports sector of Pakistan.Simple random sampling method was used to gather 153 usable questionnaires from small and medium businesses in Sialkot, Pakistan.An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the validity of the measuring instrument.Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated to assess the reliability of the measuring instrument.Multiple regression analysis was performed to analyze the hypothesized relationships. The results of this study have shown that the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (i.e., pro-activeness, innovativeness, and competitive aggressiveness) have a significant positive influence on the success of the business, whereas the dimensions (i.e., autonomy and risk-taking) have no influence. The study has implications for both researchers and small and medium business owners.