Osman Mohamad

Does image of country‐of‐origin matter to brand equity?

– The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of brands country‐of‐origin image on the formation of brand equity., – To accomplish this, the brand equity of household electrical appliances, particularly televisions, refrigerators and air‐conditioners, in the Malaysian market is examined. A conceptual framework in which brands country‐of‐origin image is postulated to influence the dimensions of brand equity, which is made up of brand loyalty, brand awareness, perceived quality, and brand associations. These dimensions, in turn, influence brand equity. Data were collected from consumers of household electrical appliances using probability sampling., – Factor analysis conducted on brand equity dimensions, produced three factors namely, brand distinctiveness, brand loyalty, and brand awareness/associations. The regression analysis results show that brands country‐of‐origin image positively and significantly influences dimensions of brand equity. The results also show that brands country‐of‐origin image influences brand equity, either directly or indirectly, through the mediating effects of brand distinctiveness, brand loyalty and brand awareness/associations., – The study investigates brand equity of durable goods of three product categories namely television, refrigerator and air‐conditioner. It only considers brands country‐of‐origin image as one of the sources of brand equity. The conceptual framework does not take into consideration factors that moderate the influence of antecedent of brand equity on brand equity., – Producers of household electrical appliances should put greater emphasis in creating brand loyalty for their products. The good image of brands original country should be highlighted in order to enhance the overall image of the brand. Favorable country image can also be capitalized in brand‐naming strategy., – This is paper important in identifying the sources of brand equity.

International risk perceptions and mode of entry: a case study of Malaysian multinational firms

Abstract Risk perceptions are believed to influence a firms choice of entry mode into foreign markets. However, studies of the risks faced by international businesses have typically focused on a specific category of risk, such as political or financial risk, overlooking possible interrelationships among the many types of risk that are present in the international environment. This study applies an integrated international risk framework to investigate the relationship between risk perceptions and the choice of foreign market entry mode. Data from 69 Malaysian public companies yielded a high degree of correlation among 11 international risk variables that were broadly grouped into two categories: external risks and internal risks. A significant relationship was found between the level of perceived risk and choice of entry mode, such that low risk perceptions were associated with high control modes of entry and high risk perceptions were associated with low control modes of entry.

Outsourcing: is the social exchange theory still relevant in developing countries?

Purpose – The paper offers a viewpoint on the relevance of the underpinnings of the social exchange theory (SET) in understanding inter‐firm relationships, specifically with respect to outsourcing relationships in a Southeast Asian context.Design/methodology/approach – The viewpoint is based on literature review on outsourcing trends, characteristics and underlying theories including the underpinnings of SET in combination with anecdotal accounts from practitioners in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector as well as personal emic observations of management styles embedded within the socio‐cultural context of a developing country.Findings – Management and outsourcing of contracts in a Southeast Asian context are usually done on a personal level with some leeway provided by top management. The reverse is true for developed countries where all processes and contracts need to be seen as just and transparent to stakeholders. Dominant theories identified with outsourcing generations seem to be embedded in...

Readiness to Adopt E-Business Among SMEs in Malaysia: Antecedents and Consequence

The adoption of the Internet as a business strategy tool is becoming an important way for firms to expand their business through innovative strategies. This study provides an insight concerning the factors that influence the adoption of the Internet to support business activities, also known as e-business among SMEs in Malaysia. In addition, the study also examines the relationship between e-business adoption and the business performance of the SMEs. Using a structured survey questionnaire, a usable response was received and statistically analyzed from 177 SMEs that currently use e-business. The research found that organizational characteristics, technology characteristics and environmental characteristics influence e-business adoption and that the adoption of e-business has a direct influence on the business performance of the SMEs. The findings of this study can aid and encourage the SMEs in developing countries to build a competitive advantage by using the Internet in their business strategy practices.

The Role of Organisational Commitment, Leadership Style, Strategic Human Resources Practices and Job Satisfaction Towards Sustainable Tourism Industry: Comparative Study in the UAE and Malaysia

The role of organisational commitment, leadership and strategic human resources practices towards developing a sustainable tourism industry has received limited attention under multi-country perspective. The aim of this research project is to concentrate on testing hypothesis derived from theories presented by leading scholars regarding the potential impact of organisational commitment, leadership style, strategic human resources practices and job satisfaction towards developing sustainable tourism industry, using cross-sectional data from the UAE and Malaysia. The research is empirically motivated where the survey is to be conducted among managers and employees from different tourism service providers in the UAE and Malaysia. Convenience sampling and a survey of questionnaires have been utilised in both countries. Although several assumptions and judgements have been tested regarding the foundation of sustainable tourism, there were still very few empirical research gaps on the comparative study with regard to strategic human resources aspects in preparing a sustainable tourism industry. The research findings showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the independent variables, such as organisational commitment, leadership style, strategic human resources practices and job satisfaction with the dependent variable, sustainable tourism in both countries. The findings also revealed the antecedents of creating sustainable tourism industry by concentrating on human resources practices which is deemed to contribute to the UAE and Malaysian tourism industry. This explains the necessity for intra-country cooperation (between the UAE and Malaysia) for the preparation of a favourable environment and mobilisation of strategic human resources for sustainable tourism growth.

Market Orientation and Innovation Ambidexterity: A Synthesized Model for Internationally Operated Herbal-based Small and Medium Enterprises (HbSMEs)☆

Abstract Given the adverse impacts of globalization together with technological advancement and rapidly changing customers’ lifestyle, firms have no option but to give consideration and re-evaluate the way they do things to attain a competitive advantage. Dynamic capability in Herbal-based Small and Medium Enterprises (HbSMEs) is viewed as the strategic component in response to the changing landscape of international business environment. This study draws an attention on the linear effects of market orientation, including customer orientation and customer value creation on the establishment of ambidexterity capability. While many empirical studies focus on market orientation, the generalization of its impact on innovation ambidexterity is yet to be explored. Structured questionnaires have been received from 103 key informants of internationally operated HbSMEs in Malaysia. The data has been analyzed using partial least squares. The outcome of the study indicates that market orientation positively affects the establishment of technological and non-technological innovation ambidexterity in the context of internationally operated HbSMEs.

The Empirical Link Between Resources, Networks and Export Marketing Performance and the Implications for Developing Countries

This study examines the empirical link between organizational resources (production resources, financial resources, human resources, R&D resources, and reputation resources), networks (institutional, government, and research) and export marketing performance in export market ventures in a developing country context. The study was based on an empirical investigation of firms involved in exporting to foreign countries from Thailand. The primary data for the study were collected from a self-administered mail survey of 950 export market ventures from the manufacturing sector in Thailand. The study findings suggest that financial, human, R&D resources, and all networks had a significant positive impact on export marketing performance.

The marketing capabilities-performance relationship: the empirical link in export ventures

This study examines the empirical link between marketing capabilities (product capability, pricing capability, distribution capability and promotion capability) and export marketing performance in export market ventures in a developing country context. The study was based on an empirical investigation of firms involved in exporting to foreign countries from Thailand. The study findings suggest that product, pricing and promotion capability all had a significant positive impact on export marketing performance. The study findings further suggest that marketing capabilities is a multi-dimensional construct.

Examining the Antecedents of Ambidextrous Behaviours in Promoting Creativity among SMEs in Malaysia

This study investigates the effect of organizational context and entrepreneurial orientation in facilitating ambidextrous behaviours that shape creativity in Malaysian-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A cross-sectional research design was used with a total of 183 owner-managers. Questionnaires were distributed via email and analysed using Partial Least Squares (SmartPLS). The results reveal that organizational context and entrepreneurial orientation positively predict ambidextrous behaviours. Furthermore, ambidextrous behaviours were found to be positively influencing creativity. This study recommends a possible route in developing innovative firms through ambidextrous behaviours among SMEs in Malaysia. Accordingly, several important implications for academics and industry decision-makers are formulated.

BRAND ORIGIN RECOGNITION ACCURACY (BORA) AND ITS ANTECEDENTS: A CASE IN MALAYSIA

The objectives of this study are to investigate young Malaysians’ ability in recognising USA brands, and to determine the antecedents of it. It is proposed that the level of BORA score is influenced by the following antecedent variables consumer ethnocentrism, consumer animosity, need for cognition, education, international experience, vocation, and gender. Research findings revealed that young Malaysians’ ability in recognising USA brands is low, and USA BORA score is influenced by consumer ethnocentrism, need for cognition, education, international experience and gender. This study contributes to the literature and brings some insights to policy makers as well as marketing practitioners.