Siew-Phaik Loke

A structural approach to integrating total quality management and knowledge management with supply chain learning

The aim of this study is to integrate total quality management (TQM) and knowledge management (KM) into a unified framework to study supply chain learning among partnering firms. The impacts of TQM practices (e.g. leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, information analysis, people management and process management) and KM practices including KM process, leadership in KM, KM culture, KM technology and KM measurement on supply chain learning were examined. In this study, mail questionnaire have been sent to the managers consists of the Malaysian manufacturing and service firms. A total of 202 firms participated in this study. While greater level of TQM practices tends to enhance KM practices, we found that both TQM and KM are significantly positively related to supply chain learning. The findings of this study empirically tested and confirmed the proposed integrated model. It is hoped that findings from this paper can provide greater understanding in the areas of quality and knowledge management, and illustrate how these practices can enrich the supply chain learning among partnering firms.

Mobile TV: a new form of entertainment?

Purpose – While mobile TV (m-TV) is beneficial and is currently an emerging area within mobile commerce, the adoption rate is at the infancy stage. The purpose of this paper is therefore to adapt the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) model to explore on the factors in predicting users’ behavioral intention (BI) of m-TV. Design/methodology/approach – Partial least square structural equation modeling approach was employed using 193 respondents to test the findings. Findings – The findings revealed that effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), facilitating conditions (FC), hedonic motivation (HM) and habit (HT) have significant effects on BI. In addition, gender was found to have moderating effect between FC and BI. Practical implications – Findings from this study provide valuable insights and contribute to the marketing strategy for mobile marketers, wireless communications vendors and application developers in the m-TV industry. Originality/value – Since the emergence of ...

TQM and service quality: a survey of commercial banking industry in Malaysia

The objective of this paper is to examine the association between Total Quality Management (TQM) practices and service quality in Malaysias commercial banking industry. This study is based on empirical data collected from a survey of 101 middle management employees of 20 commercial banks in Malaysia. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the dimensions of TQM and service quality. The results revealed that TQM dimensions such as leadership, strategic planning, information analysis and human resource management are significantly and positively associated with service quality. The human resource management, a perceived dominant TQM practice for improving service quality levels, was found to be significant. The results of this study can be used by banking industry to prioritise the adoption of the dimensions of TQM practices. For instance, those practices that were found to have positive association with service quality can be recommended to senior management so that appropriate resources are allocated to further enhance these practices, and more importantly, to achieve higher quality of service.

Adoption of mobile social networking sites for learning

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that influence users’ behavioral intention (BI) to adopt mobile social networking sites (mSNS) in facilitating formal/informal learning. Specifically, the study also investigates the association of mobility, reachability and convenience with performance expectancy (PE) and effort expectancy (EE). Design/methodology/approach – Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was applied to test on 266 valid responses. Findings – The findings indicated that learning compatibility (LC), PE, EE and copyright clearance (CC) has a significant effect on BI. The results also revealed that EE is influenced by mobility, reachability and convenience. PE however was found to be influenced by convenience. Practical implications – The results of this study provides valuable insights and references for practitioners and mobile network providers in developing mSNS in facilitating learning. Originality/value – While mSNS have the potential ...

A linear structural equation modelling of TQM principles and its influence on quality performance

The objective of this study was to examine the structural relationships between TQM practices and quality performance within the Malaysian manufacturing firms. This study was empirically supported by data collected from 116 managers in Malaysia using self-completed questionnaire. Structural equation modelling was applied to analyse the data. The findings revealed that both strategic planning, and information and analysis have strong association with quality performance. This study provides valuable insights for Malaysian manufacturing companies as how to manage their quality performance in order to enhance their capabilities and competencies for long-term sustainability in the marketplaces.

Relational capital and SME collaborative strategy in the Malaysian service industry

Effective management of collaborative relationships requires an in-depth understanding of constructs contributing to the performance of the collaborating firms. Using structural equation modelling (SEM) approach, we explored the interfirm relational capital leading to more successful strategic collaborative outcomes. Drawing on social exchange theory, trust, interdependence, and participative communication are used to describe interfirm relational capital. We hypothesised that this relational capital affects collaborative performance in terms of perceived value, overall success, relationship-specific investment and continued commitment toward the collaboration. The results of this study suggest that interfirm relational capital enhances and perpetuates strategic collaborative outcomes through strengthened ties and greater integration between collaborative firms. This research represents an important and novel theoretical contribution to the alliance literature with conceptualisation of interfirm relational capital and, at the same time, provides empirical evidences to support the proposed framework. The limitation of the study and direction for further research are discussed.

Aligning IT strategy with business strategy for competitive advantage: a structural equation model

For the last two decades, Information Technology (IT) in general, and information systems (IS) in particular have rapidly advanced in capability and have changed the way organisations do business. For many firms, IT spending constitutes one of the largest yearly budget items. Alignment IT strategy and business strategy has assumed significant importance in business planning. However, the factors influencing strategic alignment and its effect on the competitive advantage of firms have remained understudies. The objectives of this research were to identify the behavioural, technical and organisational factors underlying strategic alignment and to investigate strategic alignment influence on the use of IT for competitive advantage. A questionnaire was administered to 202 IT and business executives in the Malaysian tour and travel agencies. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques to validate a hypothesised second-order model of strategic alignment model. Analysis supported the hypothesis that the alignment of IT strategy with business strategy has a positive influence on the use of IT for competitive advantage.

Strengthening supply chain risk management for business continuity: a case study approach

This research is undertaken to determine the current business supply chain risk management (SCRM) practices in Malaysias electronics industry after the Japan earthquake and tsunami through assessment of robustness, resilience, flexibility and agility of the supply chain. In this study, findings of the case studies of buyer-seller (dyadic) relationships conducted on SCRM practices are reported. Three interviews were conducted with senior managers from one of the top Japanese electronics manufacturers as well as its component parts supplier. We observed that while successful SCRM greatly enhances business continuity, securing the supply chain requires a full collaboration among supply network partners, a well-aligned structure and a more dynamic and innovative approach for catastrophic risks management. We also proposed a conceptual framework that can be used in future study for examining the relationship of robustness, resilience, flexibility, agility of a supply chain and firms sustainability.

Secondary students' perfectionism and their response to different programming learning tools

In this study, we examined the effect of perfectionism on learning programming using different computer applications, and the levels of motivational and attainment. Three representative multimedia-oriented programming tools are used: Visual Basic Express, Scratch and a 2D-Programmable PyGame Based Computer Game. A total of 591 of secondary school students located in Perak region were sampled. The respondents were categorized according to the degree of perfectionisms using the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionisms Scale (FMPS). We found that there were significant differences in both motivational and attainment levels between different programming learning tools. Specifically, for both low-positive and high-positive perfectionist groups, the students who use Scratch and PyGame tend to score high in the motivational and attainment variables when compared to the Visual Basic Express. Scratch and PyGame seem to be more attractive and thus make learning programming more effective. Our findings provide insights to educators in schools who are selecting and using appropriate software for teaching programming courses.

Evaluating and comparing ten-year (2006–2015) research performance between Malaysian public and private higher learning institutions: a bibliometric approach

This study aims to bibliometrically evaluate and unprecedentedly compare the research performance accomplished by public and private Malaysian universities and their respective researchers from an international perspective, by examining publications that are indexed to Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) and Arts and Humanities Citation Index (A%HCI). Data was gathered from Web of Science, covering the most recent ten-year period from 2006 to 2015. Only 5,599 journal articles written in English were considered. Over the ten-year period, public or government funded universities have impressive number of publication counts and total citation received, while privately funded universities are better in terms of average citation per item. Moreover, the most prolific, most highly cited, and most influential author is currently affiliated with a private university. Besides, it was also discovered that both types of universities do not collaborate much with each other.