Zainol Mustafa

Value-based total performance excellence model: A conceptual framework for organisations

This article presents a conceptual framework for the development of a value-based total performance excellence model (VBTPEM) in organisations. This model signifies core values as a strategic component for an organisation to achieve total performance excellence. The VBTPEM is an extension of the earlier version of the TPEM proposed by Husain et al. [Husain, N., Abdullah, M., Idris, F., & Sagir, R.M. (2001). The Malaysian total performance excellence model: A conceptual framework. Total Quality Management, 12(7&8), 926–931] and Abdullah et al. [Abdullah, M., Husain, N., & Nik Hassan, N.M. (2008). Guidelines for implementing value-based total performance excellence model in business organizations. Presentations at the The Islamic Perspective Forum, Manila, Philippines]. This extension integrates the intangible parts of performance measurement that have become a pivotal issue in many organisations. Hence, this paper discussed the core values associated with each of the criteria in the TPEM framework. The significance of the study is that it contributes to the extended version of performance measurement research by integrating core values into the total performance excellence framework. The notion of values-driven total performance excellence applies to an organisation that achieves superiority in both financial and non-financial performances due to reinforcement and internalisation of balanced, viable, aligned, and authentic core values in that organisation [Hultman, K., & Gellerman, B. (2002). Balancing individual and organisational values: Walking the tightrope to success. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons].

Technological innovation capability in Malaysian-owned resource-based manufacturing companies: Early findings

This study aims to identify the determinants of technological innovation capability of Malaysian-owned companies in the resources-based manufacturing, to identify the relationship between technological innovation capability (TIC) and technological innovation performance (TIP) for the resource-based manufacturing. Furthermore, this study also aims to identify innovation capability factors that need more emphasis and improvements from the respective authority. The scope of the study covers four industries which are petrochemical industries, pharmaceutical industries, palm oil-based industries and food processing industries which are located in the state of Selangor. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis and performance capability analysis were used in this study. It was found that, technological innovation capabilities (TIC) for companies in the resource-based manufacturing are moderate. Factors such as policies capability, human resources capability and facilities capability have a positive relationsh...

The Integration of the Kano Model and SERVQUAL into the House of Quality for Developing Occupational Safety and Health Training Program

Knowledge on occupational safety and health (OSH) management system is very important to any industrial organization in order for them to make sure that the safety and health elements in their organization are well maintained and according to the law. It is very important for the industrial management and workers to know and understand the correct OSH knowledge and concept. Because of that it is very important for them to attend sufficient and relevant OSH training in order for them to attain the OSH knowledge. These trainings must be effective and have sufficient impact. For that purpose a new method is used in this research. The Kano model and SERVQUAL have been integrated into the house of quality (HOQ) for the purpose of developing an OSH training course that would satisfy not only the requirement and needs of the industry but also unexpected factors towards the trainee who attends the course. By using this method we can see that the level of understanding for the training participant using this new model is higher compared to the level of understanding for the participant from the conventional OSH training program that has been conducted by the training provider. With the increment in the level of understanding, the level of effectiveness for doing OSH-related job for the training participant would also be different. We can prove this by using Kirkpatrick’s Evaluation Model, whereby we would evaluate the trainee from the conventional OSH training program against the newly developed OSH training program. The evaluation would be based on their level of understanding and the level of effectiveness of doing OSH-related jobs in their respective workplace.

Wafer dice process improvement using Six Sigma approach

Quality is an important objective in production or operational function. In mass production, a high accuracy manufacture line, better quality and less variance are inevitable. Six Sigma is customer oriented, improving the whole process by using data and statistical method for enhancing quality management. The main barrier in achieving targeted quality is product variation which causes by differences in machines, suppliers, raw materials and production batch. If the product variation is uncontrolled, the product needs to be reworked. Six Sigma approach focuses on quality improvement by eliminating variation in manufacturing process. In this paper, the use of quality techniques in Six Sigma methods for process improvement by electronic component manufacturing company is discussed. Six Sigma method by DMAIC approach is proposed to reduce defect rate of wafer dice processing. The optimum parameters were established through the design of experiment to ensure the process was stable.

The impact of culture and employee-focused criteria on productivity: A structural equation modelling approach

Culture and employee-focused criteria are important factors for the success of any organization. These factors have to be aligned with the productivity initiatives in the organization in order to gear ahead for excellence. Therefore, this article investigated the impact of culture and employee-focused criteria on productivity in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia using intangible indicators through core values. The hypothesized relationship was tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the PLS estimation technique. 429 questionnaires were returned from the target population. The results of the modelling revealed that the PLS estimation confirmed all the hypotheses tested as in the hypothesized model. The results generally support significant relationships between culture values, employee-focused values and productivity-focused values. The study also confirmed the mediating role of employee-focused values for the relationship between culture values and productivity-focused values. ...

Multi-factor of employee values: A confirmatory factor analytics (CFA) validation

Employees are an asset to the organisation and therefore, values that surround them have to be empowered for the benefit of the organisation. This article examines the factor structure of employee values which are fairness, consultative, mutual trust, acknowledgement, altruism and empowerment. Questionnaires were distributed to staff at the selected Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the east coast of Malaysia. The data collected was analysed using confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) approach in order to test the 6-factor hypothesized model of employee values. The revised hypothesized CFA model yielded a p-value of 0.180, normed chi-square of 1.329, CFI of 0.995, TLI of 0.990, GFI of 0.960 and RMSEA of 0.054 that suggested 4 core values, that is, fairness, consultative, mutual trust and altruism that dominantly explained the university’s employee values in the selected university. Besides,Bayesian estimation was then employed to cross-validate and support the modeling result obtained from the maximum likelihood (ML) estimation. Both Bayesian and ML estimation results are comparatively agreed to each other. The findings may pave the way forward for empowering values adoption and embracement for employees especially at the HEI in Malaysia.

Assessment method of study program: Results from regression analysis

Assessment is an important part in any universities programs. Various approach of assessment has been used in determining the students’ grade for the subjects. Therefore, this article discussed the empirical study for finding the best solution for determining the student grades. Several predictors for determining the students’ grades i.e. total marks were identified such as coursework marks, mid-semester marks and final exam marks. Therefore, raw data from the database for a particular semester at one university in east coast of Malaysia are used for this purpose. The Correlational analysis was used to determine the strength of the association between the three predictors and the criterion variable. Also, multiple regression analysis was used to find the best regression model for the purpose of the study. Implications of the study were also discussed.

Application of quality measurement tools in determining the quality of drinking water

Use of quality measurement tools is gaining an attention in the industry and also outside of the industry to improve quality and productivity. In this study, two out of seven quality measurement tools have been applied in determining the quality of drinking water in Malaysia during the year 2010. This study is conducted to measure the nonconformance of drinking water parameter by using p control chart and also to know which states are beyond the control limit. Performance of all states including Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan are measured in this study by applying Pareto chart and control chart. Pareto chart is used to identify the states which contribute to the proportion of non-conformance while p control chart is used to determine the states that are out of process control. Five parameters of drinking water identified to be the focus of this study are aluminium, chlorine residual, E.coli and chlorine residual, E.coli as well as turbidity. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-h...

Level of understanding of innovation among the Malaysian executives

Innovation is among the most frequently used word in the business world today. While many businessman and executives agree that innovation is needed to sustain their long term business success, many struggle to understand the concept of innovation. This study aims to measure the understanding level of innovation among the Malaysian executives using a survey questionnaire. Questions regarding innovation were posted to the respondents and they were requested to answer either it was True or False. Each respondent was given scores for their correct answers. The score of the right answers were then categorized into low, moderate and high understanding level. Results of the survey revealed that the understanding level of innovation among the Malaysian Executives is still at moderate level thus leading to the failure of many initiatives introduced by the organization or the government.