Bahtiar Mohamad

Relationships Differentiation: Cross-ethnic Comparisons in the Malaysian Workplace

Abstract This research examines how Malaysian managers and employees interpret and embody leader–member relationships differentiation. To analyze this question, we conducted a thematic analysis of top management, middle management and supporting dialogue group discussions. Results showed that leader–member relationships differentiation is a symbol that is essential for the creation and sustenance of leader’s conceptual skills, communication openness, respect, trust, and age differentiation. These findings validate our proposition of leader–member relationships differentiation in Malaysian workplace and empirical support for the central roles of communication exchange processes in workgroups.

Antecedents and consequences of corporate communication management (CCM): An agenda for future research

Purpose This paper aims to provide a degree of clarity on the corporate communication management (CCM) concept, by building a conceptual framework that uncovers its underlying antecedents and consequences. Although it is consolidated that corporate communication and information together play an important role in strategic management planning because of the high relevance of managing positive relationships with multiple stakeholder that have a strong impact on corporate survival, extant literature suggests that there have been few empirical studies so far assessing the contribution of CCM to organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach The paper is conceptual, and a model is developed as a result of an extensive critical multidisciplinary literature review. Findings Findings of this study identify three antecedents of CCM, namely, culture, information and communication technology innovation diffusion and corporate leadership. In addition, the study highlights a potential positive relationship between CCM, financial performance and corporate mission achievement. An integrative conceptual framework and a detailed summary table are presented in the paper. Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive critical insight into a growing body of corporate communication and information business literature that offers the basis for a thorough assessment of CCM contribution to organisational performance. By doing so, it advances the body of applicable knowledge of corporate communication meant as a strategic management lever. Moreover, the managerial and policy implications provided in this paper may help corporate communication and information practitioners to identify the key guidelines for the design and implementation of an appropriate CCM programme.

The Role of Newspaper and State Government in Conservation of World Heritage Site in Malaysia

Currently, there are two historical sites has been recognized as World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Malaysia, which are Melaka (Malacca) and George Town, Penang. Since its recognition, those cities becomes so famous and positioned as one of the world tourism attraction that need to visit. In line with this prestige, conservation matter definitely appears to be a major concern especially to both cities in order to maintain the status given. The paper aims to discover the local daily newspaper of The Star in terms of its portrayal of image on the historic or heritage buildings within the areas of World Heritage Site. Content analysis and previous literature were used as the research method. The findings show that indeed the images of photo could influence the public reader and create awareness of the issues raised. Behind the image thus, this paper would also examine at the role of the state in an effort to conserve the historic buildings of these two cities. Studies on image or visual are still rare in the country and therefore, this paper intend to fill this gap by associating it with the cultural heritage conservation in Malaysia.