Raduan Che Rose

Examining the link between Islamic work ethic and innovation capability

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an in‐depth analysis of the Islamic work ethic (IWE) and its influence on innovation capability in the public sector.Design/methodology/approach – The foundations of IWE and innovation capability were assessed using a validated questionnaire. A total of 472 employees from the Malaysian public sector participated in the survey.Findings – The empirical results indicate that the IWE is highly adapted in the public sector. In addition, the respondents collectively declared that the innovation strength in the Malaysian public sector is mounting. The IWE measure was found to be significant with moderate correlation and positive relationship with the innovation capability scale.Research limitations/implications – While the study was confined to the Malaysian public sector, it has considerable implications for the development of an optimistic workforce in other regions and across sectors.Practical implications – An understanding of the commitment of the workforce ...

Facilitating learning and change for performance improvement

A review of the literature reveals that learning organisation is likely to have significant impact on performance improvement. Nevertheless, a reduced amount of empirical research exists to support the significant relationship between learning organisation dimensions and performance improvement among Private Higher Learning Institutions (PHLIs). Thus to understand the relationship, managerial responses to the Dimensions of the Learning Organisation Questionnaire (DLOQ) together with perceived measures of PHLIs financial and knowledge performance were obtained. The exploratory models suggested that provision of strategic leadership for learning and, establishment of systems to capture and share learning are more likely to contribute positively to perceive financial and knowledge performance improvements. Additionally creation of continuous learning opportunities and, encouragement of collaborative and team learning have influenced the perceived financial performance and knowledge performance, respectively. This study also provides evidence on the reliability of the DLOQ in measuring the learning practices of PHLIs.

Age of Joint Venture, Inter-Firm Technology Transfer and Local Firms' Performance

The inter-firm technology transfers (TT) through international joint ventures (IJVs), among others, have significantly contributed to a higher degree of local innovation performance/capabilities, technological capabilities, competitive advantage, organizational learning effectiveness, productivity, technological development of local industry, and the economic growth of the host country. Since the focus of inter-firm TT in developing countries has shifted to degree of technology transfer, organizations in developing countries are attempting to assess not only the significant role of technology transfer in strengthening their corporate and human resource performance but also the influence of other critical variables such as MNCs’ size, age of JVs (JVAGE), country of origin, and MNC’s type of industries that could significantly moderate the relationship. The main objective of this paper is to empirically examine the moderating effect of age of JV (old vs. young JVs) on the relationships between degree of inter-firm technology transfer and two dimensions of local firms’ performance: corporate and human resource performances. Using the moderated multiple regression (MMR) analysis, the theoretical models and hypotheses in this study were tested based on empirical data gathered from 128 joint venture companies registered with the Registrar of Companies of Malaysia (ROC). The results revealed that age of JV has significantly affected the relationships between degrees of technology transfer and both dimensions of local firms’ performance; where the relationships were found stronger for old JVs as compared to young JVs. The study has bridged the literature gaps in such that it offers empirical evidence and new insights on the significant moderating effects of age of JVs in the relationships between degree of inter-firm technology transfer and local firms’ performance using the Malaysian sample.

Recognising and leveraging unique strengths of entrepreneurs in Malaysia

The main focus of this research is to investigate the factors that influenced Malaysian founding entrepreneurs to take their companies to a growth-stage. The study found a significant relationship between venture growth and entrepreneurs with high personal initiative, focused on specific competency areas within operations, finance, marketing and human resources. This study on venture growth will serve as a road map and guide for many new business start-ups to follow and to grow towards the direction that would produce desirable results.