Azura Omar

Women in management: a comparative cross‐cultural overview

Provides a review of the position of women in management in a number of countries. Describes how in almost all countries, management positions are dominated by men. Concludes that, although many similarities were found in women’s work experience across cultures, cultural factors accounted for the unique experiences of women in a given country.

Black, asian and minority ethnic female business owners: discrimination and social support

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on the positive and negative effects of gender and ethnicity in relation to discrimination and the problems encountered in accessing social support (including emotional and instrumental support).Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative data were collected through in‐depth interviews with 40 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) female small business owners based in north west England. The main aims and objectives of the study were to: investigate the discriminatory experiences of BAME female small business owners related to their gender and ethnicity; and to identify the forms (formal and informal) and types (emotional/instrumental) of social support available in relation to their entrepreneurial activities that enabled them to cope with and overcome, the discrimination they may encounter.Findings – Over half of the respondents in the study had experienced discriminations because of their gender, ethnic background or both. This was attributed to a number ...

Social Support, Work-Family Enrichment and Life Satisfaction among Married Nurses in Health Service

Abstract—The objectives of this research are i) to examine the psychometric properties of the constructs of social-support, work-family enrichment and life satisfaction, ii) to validate the hypothesized interrelationships among the constructs of social support, work-family enrichment and life satisfaction among nurses of public hospitals in Malaysia and iii) to examine the likely mediation effect of work-family enrichment on support-satisfaction relationship. Survey questionnaire was administered to 689 married nurses of public hospitals in Malaysia. A full structural modeling testing was used in SEM with AMOS 17 data-fitting program, supported the hypothesized relationship. The results substantiated the psychometric adequacy of the measure and produced a good-fitting life satisfaction model among nurses.

Self-Esteem, Work-Family Enrichment and Life Satisfaction among Married Nurses in Health Care Service.

Managing work and family roles become a critical issue due to changes in the lives of men and women. Hence, understanding work and family roles is seriously important for organization in helping employee to experience satisfaction in life. Thus, the objectives of this research are i) to examine the psychometric adequacy of the constructs of self-esteem, work-family enrichment and life satisfaction ii) to validate the hypothesized interrelationships among the constructs of self-esteem, work-family enrichment and life satisfaction among nurses of public hospitals in Malaysia and iii) to examine the likely mediation effect of work-family enrichment on self-esteem-satisfaction relationship. Survey questionnaire was administered to 689 married nurses of public hospitals in Malaysia. A full structural modeling testing was utilized with AMOS maximum likelihood estimation, supported the hypothesized relationship. The results substantiated the psychometric adequacy of the measure and produced a good-fitting life satisfaction model among nurses.

Supervisor support, work/family conflict and employee satisfaction among nurses in health care service

Understanding work and family roles is critically important for organization in enabling employee to experience satisfaction in life. Besides, this is one of the possible solutions for organization to attract and retain capable employee. The present study aims to validate the hypothesized interrelationships among the constructs of supervisor support, work-family conflict and satisfaction outcomes among nurses. Survey questionnaire was administered to 689 married nurses employed in five regional public hospitals in Malaysia. The hypothesized relationships were tested using a full structural modeling with AMOS maximum likelihood estimation. The results indicated that supervisor support is positively related to satisfaction of employee such as well-being, family and job satisfaction. However, the findings also revealed that supervisor support is negatively related to work-family conflict and satisfaction outcomes. The research concluded that the need of supervisor support is practically important in helping employee to achieve satisfaction in life.

Preparedness for hospital practice in assuring quality of care

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the dimensions of preparedness for hospital practice among newly graduated medical officers in Malaysian hospitals who are undergoing their housemanship training; and to compare the level of preparedness among the different curricula and predict the dimensions of preparedness for hospital practice. Design/methodology/approach A national study was carried out and data collection was by means of self-administered questionnaire. Data obtained (n=1,213) were subjected to exploratory factor analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 18 in extracting the dimensions of preparedness for hospital practice. Findings Nine dimensions of hospital practice were identified which were access to information and IT skills, interpersonal skills, basic skills, and continuing professional development, holistic skills, coping skills, ethic and legal skills, patient management skills, scientific knowledge, and clinical skills. Overall, the respondents felt their medical schools prepared them for hospital practice. The strongest predictor for preparedness for hospital practice is coping skills. Holistic skill and preparedness for hospital practice was found to be negatively associated. Those who graduated from twining programmes between Malaysian and overseas universities were found to be better prepared for hospital practice. Social implications An understanding on preparedness for hospital practice among newly graduated medical officers is a step forward in assuring patient safety and quality of care. Originality/value Although of significant importance, however, a study of this nature is rarely researched and the first for Malaysian houseman.

Access to information and use of IT as a dimension of preparedness for hospital practice among Malaysian housemen

Much concern has been raised regarding the preparedness of newly graduated medical officers for hospital practice. The concern is granted given the fact that incompetency and medical error may, and can, lead to grave consequences. The housemanship period is a two-year training programme for newly graduated medical officers aimed at building competency and preparation for hospital practice. It is also a transition period between medical school and hospital practice. A national study was carried out with the objective to explore the level of preparedness for hospital practice among housemen in Malaysian hospitals. Data obtained (N=1213) were subjected to statistical analysis by using SPSS. Access to information and IT were among the nine dimensions of preparedness for hospital practice; with the rest being interpersonal skills, basic skills and continuing professional development, holistic skills, coping skills, ethic and legal skills, patient management skills, scientific knowledge, and clinical skills.