Siti Arpah Noordin

Hypothetical framework for luminescence effect as advanced decoration on Labu Sayong

Sayong clay is a material for craft making of the traditional pottery in Malaysia. The pottery work crafted as a water vessel adapting the form of pumpkin/bottle gourd is called Labu Sayong. Further inspired by the nature, the decoration on Labu Sayong body used the flora and fauna as main motif. In this present work, a hypothetical framework of using advanced luminescent materials was proposed to underline the study on how the existing decoration can be enhanced further by using the luminescent effect. A comprehensive review in observing the current ceramic based luminescent materials was carried out and proposed as part of the framework. In this framework, the understanding of the Labu Sayong decoration will be also investigated to suit the luminescent effect. Finally, this framework will allow other researches to embark on this study and thus reviving the Malaysia national heritage of Labu Sayong.

A fusion design study evolving a Malay modern teapot

This research covers the product design process that involved study on concept or theme that lead to final production process. In this study, modern and contemporary teapot design was conceptualized by fusioning the Malay iconic heritage elements of traditional Labu Sayong (gourd-shaped water vessel). The fused design finally leads to a teapot without handle and a surprise feature of leather material was introduced acting as insulating holder of the teapot. The idea was aligned with the theme of feminism (women with corset). The teapot also was spout-less which resulted from systematic study of water flow. Finally, the major idea was successful and a modern teapot design was achieved.

Discovered aesthetic elements of bubbles inspiring ceramics art form

Bubbles are made of water, gas and air with very thin skin surrounding a volume of air. Bubbles are very elastic and stretch when inflated. However, the bubbles are very flexible and changes into various forms. This interesting accidental forms inspired ceramic artist to explore bubbles aesthetics elements in to ceramics. Design studies methodology was performed and finally, distinct elements of bubble were successfully determined. The design was then manufactured through the typical ceramic process.

Integrating Information Literacy Instruction (ILI) through Resource-Based School Projects: An Interpretive Exploration.

Resource-based school projects have good potential to be an effective approach in information literacy instruction (ILI). These projects offer the opportunity for students to engage in information problemsolving learning activities and employ various learning skills, including information literacy (IL). The researchers seek to explore ILI through resource-based projects to shed more light in this area. This paper aims at better understanding the integration of IL through the context of school project work. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the respondents involved in this single case study are three project supervisors/teachers and six 15 years old students who are involved in two project assignments. The study employed semi-structured interviews with the teachers and focus-group interview with the students. Findings of the study show that all teachers interpret IL as ICT skills and admitted to not teaching “IL” during project supervisions. It also reveals that only minimum IL integration took place during project supervision, where only IL elements of lower levels were involved in that integration.

An interpretive exploration on tacit knowledge dimensions in academia

This interpretive study explored tacit knowledge in Malaysian academia. Academicians are important assets in institutions of higher learning; therefore it is critical to understand tacit knowledge which resides in them. The lack of understanding of tacit knowledge impedes the efforts of managing it as a source of competitive advantage. The research employs the grounded theory approach and data are gathered through semi-structured interviews incorporating the critical incidences technique. It is discovered that tacit knowledge of Malaysian academicians is knowledge internalized in their work practices, which is externalized through action strategies in fulfilling the seven performance indicators introduced by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. Three dimensions of tacit knowledge are discovered, namely the intellectual-affirmation tacit knowledge, self tacit knowledge and social tacit knowledge. Theoretical contributions from this study include a paradigm model of knowledge internalization and a theoretical model of tacit knowledge dimensions in Malaysian academia. Practically, the research highlights the tacit knowledge content of successful academicians which is imperative to improve the performance of an academician and the institution.

Exploring the Relationship between Job Design and Knowledge Productivity: A Conceptual Framework in the Context of Malaysian Administrative and Diplomatic Officers

To sustain its knowledge economic growth, Malaysian government had launched the K-Economy Master Plan in 2010; outlining the knowledge economy policy initiatives in supporting the knowledge based economy. The transition to knowledge based-economy, knowledge plays a governing role in leading the productivity and maintaining the economic performance growth. Equally important would be the factors that would contribute towards the knowledge creation. However, the literature indicates that very little attempts have been conducted to investigate factors that influence knowledge productivity. In Malaysia, the Administrative and Diplomatic Officers or PTD, are heavily involved in the development and implementation of the main policy makers of the federal government. However as to date, there are no mentions of any study exploring knowledge productivity of PTD. Against this background, this study intends to investigate the contributions of job characteristics towards knowledge productivity. In the process, it will propose a framework linking job characteristics and knowledge productivity. The proposed research method that will be employed will be a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative approach will use interview as the main data collection technique, while the quantitative approach will adopt the questionnaire. The qualitative approach will help the researcher to develop the framework that depicts the factors that contribute towards knowledge productivity among PTD. Based on this framework a questionnaire will be developed so as to collect quantitative data involving PTDs. The contribution of the study can be viewed from two perspectives i.e. theoretical and practical. From the theoretical perspective, the study will develop an empirical based framework while from the practical perspective the study will help to devise strategies for improving and enhancing knowledge productivity. The significant of the study is that, it will further improve knowledge productivity among PTDs who are mainly involved in executing the countrys development strategies including strengthening the administrative functions, social infrastructures and also the performance of the countrys economic growth in line with the countrys National Key Results Area (NKRA).

The Relationship between Cultural Identity and Individual Knowledge Sharing Behavior

While study focusing on cultural identity has been vastly reported in the literature, not much is really known about the relationship between knowledge sharing behavior and cultural identity. Against this background, this study was undertaken to examine the relationship between knowledge sharing identity and the four cultural identities, namely, horizontal individualism, vertical individualism, horizontal collectivism and vertical collectivism. Using the survey research method involving 100 respondents in a university setting, the study found that both collectivism behaviors are significantly correlated with the knowledge sharing behavior. The findings also suggest that vertical collectivism is more dominant amongst research respondents.

Taxonomy Approach for Organizing Knowledge in Academic Institutions

Knowledge organisation is critical to ensure that knowledge is being distributed widely in an organisation. There are a lot of approaches to organise and manage knowledge. One approach that has been found for so long but has not been explored to its optimum is taxonomy approach. This paper presents how taxonomy approach is able to provide an alternative solution to managing and organising knowledge in the institutes of higher learning (IHL). In the study, qualitative methods namely document analysis using thematic analysis, observations, and semi-structured interviews were employed during data collection. This study highlights the taxonomy concept and approach, and proposes a corporate taxonomy framework in IHL environment. A clear taxonomy concept and approach discussed in this article is for the future development and implementation of the taxonomy in IHL.

Knowledge Management Implementation in a Government Research Institute in Selangor, Malaysia

Knowledge is recognised as an important asset in any organisations these days. Unfortunately, many organisations are not doing enough to effectively manage this important asset in creating and maintaining their competitive advantage. The objective of this study was to investigate the implementation of knowledge management in a government research institute in Selangor, Malaysia. This explorative study employs both quantitative and qualitative approaches to achieve the research objectives. A set of questionnaires was developed using online survey software. This set was sent to 96 respondents from five divisions based on a simple random sampling method. The questionnaires comprised items that were used to investigate the understanding and awareness of KM in the chosen organisation. The data were analysed using the Lime Survey statistic, Chi Squared tests and Reliability analysis. For the qualitative component, the interview method was used. This method was conducted to determine the KM process implementation in the organisation and focuses on the Knowledge Management Section (KMS). The interview data were analysed using ATLAS.ti software. The results showed that three main factors affected knowledge management implementation in the company; namely, organisation, people and technology. We suggest that a need exists within any organisation to strengthen the implementation process to successfully obtain the benefits of knowledge management in creating and sustaining competitive advantage.