Maznah Wan Omar

The relationship between product quality and purchase intention: The case of Malaysia's national motorcycle/scooter manufacturer

This study aims to determine the level of product quality based on the eight quality dimensions framework and the relationship towards the buyer purchase behaviour. For a good understanding of the study, a case study on Malaysia’s national motorcycle/scooter manufacturer has been used by considering the lack of theoretical studies being conducted on the sales of motorcycle/scooter products. In this study, the result shows the level of customer perceptions has no significant impact on the customer purchase decision. The customers are looking at other elements beyond quality perceptions on their purchase decision and only they themselves understand what they are actually looking for. Buyers may not rely on the perceptions of quality alone in deriving intention to purchase or not to purchase any motorcycle/scooter product. Another possible reason is the introduction of beneficial impact as a mediator between product quality and purchase intention (indirect effect) as suggested by past researches which could increase the importance of perceived quality in the study relationships. Future research should focus on a similar study of product quality and purchase intention to the Yamaha and Honda brand for being the closest competitors to Modenas in the market. It is expected that, from the findings of the study of both brands, it could lead to a clearer picture on the relationship that exist between product quality and buyer purchase behaviour.

Determinants of electronic commerce adoption in Malaysian SMEs' furniture industry

This paper aims to identify the determinants towards the adoption of e-commerce adoption particularly in Malaysia’s SMEs furniture industry. The scope of study in SMEs furniture industry can be considered as significant and appropriate in view of its establishments with significant effect to the overall Malaysian economy. The finding of the study indicated that adoption factors such as organizational readiness, external pressure, perceived ease of use and perceived benefit are positively related to ecommerce adoption. The result was found consistent with the outcome from previous studies in similar area. Hence, such generalization from the result of the study particularly in Malaysia SMEs can be considered as appropriate and relevant in view of the present competitive market environment that demands a better way of managing business as compared to the traditional means. Future research should take into considerations on other determinants towards the adoption of e-commerce among SMEs in Malaysia. For examples, top management support, presence of information technology (IT) skills, availability of consultancy, prioritization of e-commerce to the enterprise, perceived risk, enthusiasm of top management and compatibility with the work of the company.

Modelling the mediating moderating effects of ethical leadership on the relationship between moral competence and moral cognition

This study suggests that the multifaceted relations between moral competence, ethical leadership and moral cognition cannot be subsumed within a simple mediation or moderation model because the maturity of the study and the sophistication of the field of inquiry can be questioned. Three competing configurationally models are tested to examine the adequacy of influence-intervention effects of the model that satisfy cause and effect analysis using structural equation modelling. The finding has revealed the strength of mediating moderating role of ethical leadership that highlights the superiority of influence-intervention effect to support the cause and effect relationship between moral competence and moral cognition. The generalisability of findings is restricted by the nature of the inter-industry and no final conclusion about causality can be drawn because the participants may be influenced by ethics-situational events. Our study is considered as innovative as it extends a well-known mediator and moderator model by mediating moderating process.

The development of four-partite integration ethics scale

Drawing on other ethics scales which are grounded in virtue, deontology, utilitarianism and justice principles, we developed a four-partite integration ethics scale. Other ethics scales emphasized on people classification according to their beliefs based on criterion used to make ethical decision and the ethicality of decisions. We suggested that our four-partite integration ethics scale could provide a complimentary role in terms of rules to follow; utilitarianism endow with cost benefit analysis to bestow justice in dealing business with virtuous characters. The integration enables for the expansion of scope and understanding of ethical analyses in order to help business people to solve specific problems in specific situation and context in volatile business environment; in which widely open to constraints and complexities.

The mediating effect of cognitive and emotional satisfaction

The applications of salesperson presentation skills by a salesperson during their interaction with customers in the sales situation was found in previous studies to have a significant effect on customers intention to promote through word-of-mouth. This research was conducted in order to examine the relationship between salesperson presentation skills and the relative roles played by cognition and emotion in the development of customer satisfaction which latter lead to customers intention to promote through word-of-mouth particularly in a computer retail setting in Malaysia. The study tested the important variables that are associated with the problem, making it a co relational in nature. Attempts were made to establish relationship through corelational and regression analysis, where data were gathered once by means of a structured questionnaire. Survey method was employed and the unit of analysis was individual customers who patronized computer stores that were selected randomly. This study will lead to increased benefits for the organization in the form of customer loyalty. The cognitive evaluation of customer satisfaction was found to explain customer loyalty through word-of-mouth in a retail setting more than the emotional reaction. This finding holds importance to those retailers who have been able to generate high expectations in the eyes of their customers. This study is unique and makes headway in addressing this empty space by testing a model involving salesperson presentation skills amongst salesperson in Malaysia and it offers a complete distinction to previous research which has been conducted mainly in Western locale.

The correlation between Label Messages and Labeling Effectiveness

Labeling can perform many different functions, like the identification, description or promotion of food products, however based on research the main purpose of food labeling is to inform consumers on the content and the nutrients of the food. All food labels need to have minimum amount of mandatory or legally set information, but a producer may add any voluntary but correct information should they feel that the information stated would be off an advantage and that would lead a consumer to purchase the product. Food producers also would at times, use terms which would only be understood by experts and non experts would be left guessing and interpreting the terms themselves. Consumers also consider food labeling to be very important component of their lifestyle and regard nutrition as a positive attribute to the products. With that, this study attempts to see the correlation between Label Messages and Label Effectiveness. These findings will provide a view on what is the correlation between the label messages and its effectiveness. This would also assist manufaturers to identify on what information or messages which would have an impact before consumers makes their buying decisions.