Alina Shamsuddin

A study of electronic commerce adoption factors in Nigeria

The paradigm shift to e-commerce in business transactions provides significant advantages such as expanding markets, improving customer services, reducing costs, and enhancing productivity. The global phenomenon is less aggressive in developing economies where small and medium enterprises struggle to provide internet services at their own expense due to limited government support and infrastructural deficiency. The acceptance of e-commerce adoption among Nigerians is slow irrespective of the huge population which should be of an advantage. This study investigated the factors hindering the adoption of e-commerce among Nigerians. A quantitative approach through a survey method was utilised with a total of 150 questionnaires distributed to Nigerian post graduate students studying at a Malaysian university. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS 16 was used to analyse the data. This study finds among others that poor infrastructural facilities are the major factors hindering e-commerce adoption among Nigerians.

Key factors enhancing innovativeness among VSMEs of Pakistan

Small and medium sized enterprises have been recognized as the main driver of economic development of a country. Hence their development is the main issue of discussions in the literature. In Pakistan, 96% of its SMES are employed less than five workers (Very Small and Medium Sized Enterprises-VSMEs). These enterprises face a lot of difficulties in their development. Hence, this paper examines the structure of the VSMEs. Its objective is to propose a conceptual framework on the factors contributing to the innovativeness of these VSMEs. Consequently, their contribution is more significant in the development of the country.

Determining customers' perception on green hotel using attitudes toward green behaviour (ATGB) model

This research is on a study of the influence of eco-friendly attitudes on the intention of customers from a certified green hotel. The specific dimension of attitudes toward green behavior that gives strong influence on customers eco-friendly intention has been identified by using the attitudes toward green behavior (ATGB) model. This is a quantitative research. It adopted a case study as the research strategy. A certified green hotel that has been chosen was located in Selangor. 105 questionnaires have been distributed among the customers from this green hotel. The findings of multiple regression method indicate that the green hotel customers eco-friendly attitudes of ATGB model are significantly associated with their expressed eco-friendly intentions to visit and pay more for a green hotel. This research is expected to raise attention on the ATGB model dimensions to be focused more rigorously by the hotel management. Consequently, customer retention strategies can be focused on.

GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN IMPLEMENTATION IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY: A CASE STUDY

This paper is a case study in Malaysia which examines the level of implementation of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices in Malaysia. The findings serve as an indicator to the future prospects of GSCM in Malaysia. The study was carried out in the manufacturing industry as the manufacturing industry produces more emissions compared to other industries. A quantitative method was adopted. Questionnaires were sent to the employees of the manufacturing companies and the data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) program. The levels of implementation of the manufacturing companies were determined using a descriptive analysis. The results indicate that the company had a medium implementation level of GSCM practices. From the results, it can be concluded that the manufacturing companies are aware of green practices but are not able to implement it out in each of the supply chain key processes. Keywords— GSCM Practices, Level of implementation, Manufacturing Industry, Malaysia

Exploring the Relationships among Transformational Leadership, Organizational Culture and Product Innovation using PLS-SEM

Product innovation refers to new products development and improvement of existing products. The importance of product innovation proliferated as the market grows and becomes more diversified. Among SMEs, product innovation is one of the most critical determinants for their survival, growth, and competitiveness. Nonetheless, product innovation among SMEs is still low, owning to various issues and challenges. This study attempts to focus the effect of transformational leadership and organizational culture on product innovation among 36 SMEs in Johor. A SEM-PLS was used to validate the measurement model and develop the path modeling among variables studied. It is found that both transformational leadership and organizational culture are significantly related to product innovation. This finding substantiates previous findings and lends supports to the important roles of both constructs in SME’s development.

A Qualitative Inquiry of Organizational Commitment on the Relationship between Technology Characteristics and Technology Adoption

A number of studies that have bearing on Technology Characteristics and Adoption have been conducted. However, very scanty ones relate these concepts to organizational variables. This paper set out to have an empirical look at the mediating effects of organizational commitment (OC) on the relationship between technology characteristics (complexity and perceived usefulness) and computer technology adoption (CTA). To achieve the objective of this study, a model was proposed and two propositions were formulated (1. OC mediates the relatioship between complexity and CTA; 2. OC mediates the relatioship between usefulness and CTA). In addition to the literature reviewed, relevant data were gathered by interviewing ten employees of different SMEs; and qualitative analysis was carried out using content analysis respectively. It was found that OC mediates the relationship between Technology characteristics and CTA. Among the implications of this paper are the extension of the frontier of the exiting literature and helping practitioners plan using the proposed framework.

Strategic and adaptive knowledge-environment-technological (SAKET) management system for sustainable reuse of dredged marine soils

Dredging is the process of removing sediments from the seabed to deepen the waters for the safe navigation of vessels. The dislodged materials from the seabed, i.e. dredged marine soils, are generally disposed of as a geowaste. This paper examines the potential reuse of the dredged materials within a comprehensive framework of technological feasibility, environmental soundness and knowledge creation (SAKET management system). The existing multi-discipline knowledge base serves as a vast reservoir of good practices to be adopted and moulded into the proposed system. The environmental background and impact that are related to the reuse mechanism need to be thoroughly investigated and determined too. The background data enables an informed selection of relevant technology to be implemented in the reuse exercise of dredged marine soils, which could lead to technological integration and innovation for optimum outputs. The subsequent monitoring and reviews would then create new insights and understanding to enrich the existing knowledge base, i.e. a full circle return. The proposed SAKET framework aims to provide a handling and management system of dredged marine soils which is simultaneously proactive and responsive, while being sufficiently flexible and predictive to ensure effective operational outputs with efficient utilization of the resources available. In short, the framework would embrace existing know-how in the folds of technological advances and innovations to develop an all-encompassing management system for reusing the dredged marine soils in a responsible manner for long term benefits.

Characteristics of Innovative SMEs in Pakistan: A Case Study

The area of innovation has received much attention from the literature. However the characteristics of innovative SMEs are still unclear. Hence, this research’s purpose is to provide a list of comparative analysis between innovative SMEs and ordinary SMEs. This is a qualitative research and 13 interviews have been conducted. This paper reported only one interview. The analysis is using Miles and Huberman (1994) techniques. The finding can be scanned as a guideline for government and policy makers to understand and to be more focus on the innovativeness among SMEs.

Implementing Malaysian standards in a MoT program: A research agenda

Program Learning Outcome (PLO) in the Outcome-based Education (OBE) approach has been an integral topic for discussions among academics in most higher education providers particularly in Malaysia. The basic principles of OBE which are clarity of focus, designing back, high expectations and expanded opportunities have also been elaborated in many education conferences. In Malaysia, the implementation of OBE has been integrated in the quality assurance standards by MQA. However, the transformation of the implementation of standards on molding the graduate attributes as needed by the market is still vague. Hence, this paper explores the transformation of the PLO of a program in one public university and discusses the conceptual finding. The standards have been used as the case study protocol in the discussions and conclusions.

Talent pool cultivation for succession planning in IHEs: A dynamic close-loop cycle

Succession planning in IHEs is inextricably associated with talent pool cultivation, where leaders of the future are being groomed today, in-house. It is imperative that means of cultivating the talent pool be acclimatized from the beginning to meet the needs of an organisation. It starts at the entry point of recruitment, followed by induction, continuous training and development of the talents. Each stage interacts with one another in a dynamic close-loop cycle. Regular health check of the loop is also necessary to ensure that each component remains effective in the smooth operation. In this paper, a number of strategic approaches are highlighted on how to create and sustain the talent pool within the close-loop cycle. Proper execution of these strategies could bring a threefold benefit: hidden talents identified, star potentials further developed and under-performers rejuvenated. It is an integrated system that caters not only for the future but the present too, for tomorrow is shaped and sustained by the actions of today.