Mohd Fauzi Ahmad

Comparative Study of TQM Practices between Japanese and Non-Japanese Companies: Proposed Conceptual Framework

In todays highly competitive market, the demand for quality is a critical factor for organization to survive in the ever-expanding global marketplace. The concept of total quality management (TQM) has been developed as a result of intense global competition. Japanese companies have had superior achievement, and left their counterparts, non-Japanese far behind. One of the TQM strength practices in Japanese companies is technical aspects; tools and techniques namely statistical process control (SPC), total productive maintenance (TPM) and lean production. The purpose of this paper is to compare TQM practices between Japanese and non-Japanese companies, and develop the conceptual framework based on extensive review of the literature. Three theories; institutional theory, system theory and contingency theory have been identified and applied in this study for developing conceptual framework. Based on literature review, Japanese companies have higher TQM practices compared to non-Japanese companies. Furthermore, this study proposes that SPC, TPM and lean production are mediators for TQM in Japanese companies. This proposed research will help the academicians and industry players to have better understanding of TQM implementation in order to improve business performance effectively in the future.

The Effect of Demographics on Customer Satisfaction amongst Malaysia Hajj Pilgrims: Survey Result

Customer satisfaction (CS) is one of the most important criteria for business performance. Customer satisfaction contributes to the customer loyalty, which in turn helps improving performance of the organisation such as sales and profit. In order to survive in the operation and business with intense competition between enterprises, the focus of CS is important to ensure business excellence. This piece of work relates to a study on effect of demographic of Hajj Pilgrims on customer satisfaction. A questionnaire was prepared and given to 500 respondents of Malaysian Hajj Pilgrims which gave a 70.0% response rate or 350 respondents. Overall descriptive result depicts high level of CS, showing that Malaysia Hajj Pilgrims have high satisfaction towards Hajj services, which are being provided by Hajj Pilgrims organiser. Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), which manages more than 80.0% of Malaysia Hajj Pilgrims every year, has performed the excellent performance towards CS. This study also shows that there are no significant differences in CS amongst demographics such as gender, age, occupation, academic status except category of Hajj Pilgrims.

Meta-analysis of the TQM impact on business performance amongst regions and countries

Meta-analysis has been conducted based on 20 previous works from 4,040 firms at 16 countries from Asia, Europe and USA. Throughout this paper, the meta-analysis is applied to review the impact of TQM on business performance amongst the regions and countries. The result of meta-analysis shows that the average of regression coefficient (rc) is 0.47; Asia (rc = 0.54), USA (rc = 0.43) and Europe (rc = 0.38). Asia developed countries have the greatest impact of TQM towards business performance (rc = 0.56). ANOVA and t-test have been conducted to test the difference amongst type of country (developed and developing countries) and regions at p = 0.05. However, the result shows that there is no significant difference. In addition, rc2 of each country have been calculated based on rc value and the average result of rc2 is 0.24; Asia (rc2 = 0.33), USA (rc2 = 0.22) and Europe (rc2 = 0.15). Meanwhile, rc2 in developing countries (rc2 = 0.28) are higher than developed countries (rc2 = 0.21).

The mediator effect of customer satisfaction between quality management practices and communication behavior amongst Malaysia hajj pilgrims: Survey result

Quality management practices (QMP) is one of the most important management in ensuring an organisation continuously improves their business performance. In order to continuously improve in the service and operation, the adoption of QMP is necessary to ensure business excellence. Most previous works have given less emphasis on mediator effect of customer satisfaction (CS) between QMP and communication behavior (CB) amongst Malaysia Hajj pilgrims. A questionnaire was prepared and given to 500 respondents of Malaysian pilgrims which gave a 70.0% response rate or 350 respondents. Overall descriptive result depicts high level of QMP, CS and CB, showing that Malaysia Hajj Pilgrims have high satisfaction towards Hajj services, which are being provided by Hajj Pilgrims organiser. Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), which manages more than 80.0% of Malaysia Hajj Pilgrims every year, has performed the excellent performance towards QMP, CS and CB. This study also revealed that QMP has significant effect on CS with r = 0.91 at p<0.01 and CS has significant impact on CB with r = 0.39 at p<0.01. The model has r2=0.75, meaning that 75% of CB is accounted by the CS and QMP.

Meta-analysis of the relationship between TQM and Business Performance

Meta-analysis has been conducted based on 20 previous works from 4,040 firms at 16 countries from Asia, Europe and America. Throughout this paper a meta-analysis, this paper reviews the relationships between TQM and business performance amongst the regions. Meta-analysis result concludes that the average of rc is 0.47; Asia (rc=0.54), America (rc=0.43) and Europe (rc=0.38). The analysis also shows that Asia developed countries have greatest impact of TQM (rc=0.56). However, the analysis of ANOVA and t-test show that there is no significant difference amongst type of country (developed and developing countries) and regions at p=0.05. In addition, the average result of rc2 is 0.24; Asia (rc2=0.33), America (rc2=0.22) and Europe (rc2=0.15). Meanwhile, rc2 in developing countries (rc2=0.28) are higher than developed countries (rc2=0.21).

Review of Relationship between TQM and Business Performance

In todays highly competitive market, the demand for quality is the single most critical factor for companies to survive in the ever-expanding global marketplace. The concept of total quality management (TQM) has been developed as a result of intense global competition. The purpose of this paper is to propose relationship between TQM practices and business performance based on extensive review of the literature. The main contribution of this paper is to identify comprehensive construct of TQM and business performance for improving previous models. Authors also introduce Business ethics as a new construct for TQM practices, which it has not been seen in previous literature as one of the key of sustainability factor. This proposed research will help the academicians and industry players to have better understanding on the importance of TQM implementation and business performance to the company in terms of financial performance, customer satisfaction, quality and production performance.

Mediator effect of statistical process control between Total Quality Management (TQM) and business performance in Malaysian automotive industry

In todays highly competitive market, Total Quality Management (TQM) is vital management tool in ensuring a company can success in their business. In order to survive in the global market with intense competition amongst regions and enterprises, the adoption of tools and techniques are essential in improving business performance. There are consistent results between TQM and business performance. However, only few previous studies have examined the mediator effect namely statistical process control (SPC) between TQM and business performance. A mediator is a third variable that changes the association between an independent variable and an outcome variable. This study present research proposed a TQM performance model with mediator effect of SPC with structural equation modelling, which is a more comprehensive model for developing countries, specifically for Malaysia. A questionnaire was prepared and sent to 1500 companies from automotive industry and the related vendors in Malaysia, giving a 21.8 per cent rate. Attempts were made at findings significant impact of mediator between TQM practices and business performance showed that SPC is important tools and techniques in TQM implementation. The result concludes that SPC is partial correlation between and TQM and BP with indirect effect (IE) is 0.25 which can be categorised as high moderator effect.

Carbon Sequestration and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is a standout amongst the most presented districts to unnatural weather change dangers even they are not principle worldwide carbon dioxide (CO2) maker, its discharge will get to be significant if there is no move made. CO2 wellsprings of Southeast Asia are mainly by fossil fuel through era of power and warmth generation, and also transportation part. The endeavors taken by these nations can be ordered into administrative and local level. This paper review the potential for carbon catch and capacity (CCS) as a part of the environmental change moderation system for the Malaysian power area utilizing an innovation appraisal structure. The countrys recorded pattern of high dependence on fossil fuel for its power segment makes it a prime possibility for CCS reception. This issue leads to gradual increment of CO2 emission. It is evident from this evaluation that CCS can possibly assume a vital part in Malaysias environmental change moderation methodology gave that key criteria are fulfilled. With the reason to pick up considerations from all gatherings into the earnestness of an Earth-wide temperature boost issue in Southeast Asia, assume that more efficient measures can be taken to effectively accomplish CO2 diminishment target.

Relationship amongst TQM, business performance, tools and techniques: Qualitative study result

The concept of total quality management (TQM) has been developed as a result of intense global competition. However, almost previous works were given less emphasis on technical aspects; tools and techniques as mediators in TQM performance model, which identified as theoretical gap. In this study, institutional and system theory are applied for examining the relationship amongst TQM, business performance, tools and techniques. The main contribution of this study is to explore the relationships of TQM, and tools and techniques as mediators, which effect to business performance. Qualitative study has been conducted in six companies in automotive industries. Respondents were asked about issue of the industry and TQM. In addition, they also were requested to assess TQM, business performance (BP), tools and techniques based on importance and practices. Spearmans rho was used to analyze correlation amongst them. This study result has identified ten constructs for TQM and six constructs for business performances. Furthermore, three tools and techniques namely statistical process control (SPC), total productive maintenance (TPM) and lean production are the most important tools and techniques in TQM implementation. Network diagram amongst the variable have been developed to understand the relationships. This study shows that there are significant correlation amongst TQM, tools and techniques, and business performance. TQM have strong correlation with tools and techniques (0.714) and business performance (0.928). Furthermore, tools and techniques have also positive correlation with business performance (0.899). The result shows that business performance is accounted 87% by TQM. In addition, if TQM is implemented simultaneously with tools and techniques, business performance is accounted to 91% by TQM and tools and techniques.

Study on Temperature, Force and Specific Energy of AISI 1020 under MQL Grinding Process

Grinding is one of the most difficult processes in machining operations. Normally, the flood coolant method was used as a cooling agent in the grinding process. The most common defects using flood coolant are higher grinding friction, higher heat generation, and thermal damage. Therefore, the minimum quality lubricant (MQL) was introduced to minimize the defects. The main objective of this project is to compare the performance of MQL and flood coolant techniques in terms of grinding temperature, grinding force and specific energy. Three levels of cutting speeds, three levels of feed rate and depth of cut are adopted in the evaluation. The experiments were conducted on a thin plate of mild steel AISI 1020. The result shows that the MQL technique was effectively supplied to the grinding contact zone. This research revealed that the MQL technique exhibited an advantages on the surface temperature compared to the flood coolant.