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PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the mediating roles of social and personal norms in the relationships between transcendent values (i.e. altruistic and biospheric) and responsible computer acquisition behaviour (RCAB). Previous studies suggested the role of norms in explaining the value–behaviour relationship. However, they did not provide sufficient evidence of the mediating roles of both personal and social norms.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered questionnaire was employed to gather data from 571 consumers in Malaysia. The data were analysed using the structural equation modelling method.FindingsIt was found that personal and social norms partially mediate the relationship between altruistic values and RCAB. Social norms also partially mediate the relationship between altruistic values and personal norms. However, there was no significant relationship between biospheric values and RCAB; thus, the norms have no mediation roles.Practical implicationsIt provides policymakers and marketers insights into ways of encouraging pro-environmental behaviour such as RCAB.Originality/valueThis research provides empirical evidence of the mediating roles of personal and social norms in value–behaviour relationships in an emerging market context.

Aim/Purpose: This study examined the relationship between critical success factors (CSFs), perceived benefits, and usage intention of Mobile Knowledge Management Systems (MKMS) via an integrated Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Information Systems Success Model (ISSM). Background: This study investigates the CSFs (i.e., Strategic Leadership, Employee Training, System Quality, and Information Quality) that impact the usage intention of KMS in mobile contexts which have been neglected. Since users normally consider the usefulness belief in a system before usage, this study examines the role of perceived benefits as a mediator between the CSFs and usage intention. Methodology: A survey-based research approach in the Malaysian semiconductor industry was employed via an integrated model of TAM and ISSM. At a response rate of 59.52%, the findings of this study were based on 375 usable responses. The data collected was analyzed using the Partial Least Squares with SmartPLS 3.0. Contribution: This study contributes to the body of knowledge in the areas of mobile technology acceptance and knowledge management. Specifically, it helps to validate the integrated model of TAM and ISSM with the CSFs from knowledge management and information system. In addition, it provides the would-be adopters of MKMS with valuable guidelines and insights to consider before embarking on the adoption stage. Findings: The findings suggest that Employee Training and Information Quality have a positive significant relationship with Perceived MKMS Benefits. On the contrary, Strategic Leadership, System Quality, and Perceived User-friendliness showed an insignificant relationship with Perceived MKMS Benefits. Additionally, Employee Training and Information Quality have an indirect relationship with MKMS Usage Intention which is mediated by Perceived MKMS Benefits. Recommendations for Practitioners: The findings are valuable for managers, engineers, KM practitioners, KM consultants, MKMS developers, and mobile device producers to enhance MKMS usage intention. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers would be able to conduct more inter-disciplinary studies to better understand the relevant issues concerning both fields – knowledge management and mobile computing disciplines. Additionally, the mediation effect of TAM via Perceived Usefulness (i.e., perceived MKMS benefits) on usage intention of MKMS should be further investigated with other CSFs. Future Research: Future studies could perhaps include other critical factors from both KM and IS as part of the external variables. Furthermore, Perceived Ease of Use (i.e., Perceived User-friendly) should be tested as a mediator in the future, together with Perceived Usefulness (i.e., perceived MKMS Benefits) to compare which would be a more powerful predictor of usage intention. Moreover, it may prove interesting to find out how the research framework would fit into other industries to verify the findings of this study for better accuracy and generalizability.

The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of microfinance services on the socio-economic welfare of urban households in Malaysia. We distribute questionnaires to 400 respondents across three different urban areas in Malaysia in order to collect the relevant data for this study. Quota sampling is employed in the process of collecting the data. Incorporating income as a mediating variable into the model, the results show that most of the services provided by the microfinance institutions including microcredit, micro insurance and training have significant effect on socio-economic welfare. Income is also observed to have a significant impact on socio-economic welfare. With the exception of training, the microfinance services also have significant impact on income. The results further show that most of the microfinance services have indirect effect on welfare through income. The recommendations of this study are detailed in the body of the paper.

Purpose First, this study aims to investigate the effects of quality perceptions (i.e. system quality, information quality and service quality) and perceived ubiquity on engineers’ perceived benefits and perceived user-friendly of mobile knowledge management systems (MKMS). Second, it aims to examine the influence of perceived benefits and perceived user-friendly on MKMS adoption intention. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative empirical research using an integrated technology acceptance model and information systems success model was used, among semiconductors engineers in Malaysia. There were only 375 usable responses collected, which are at a response rate of 59.52%. The partial least squares version 3.0 was used to analyze the valid data collected. Findings The results suggest that service quality plays an important role that would increase the engineers’ perception of MKMS benefits and its user-friendliness. Intention to adopt MKMS was found to be strongly predicted by perceived MKMS benefits as compared to perceived user-friendly. Practical implications The findings are valuable for managers, engineers, knowledge management (KM) practitioners, MKMS developers and mobile device producers to enhance MKMS adoption intention. Originality/value Despite KM has been well accepted and established in the management science and practice area of study, yet it is still neglected in a “mobile” context. Accordingly, this paper contributes to the research gap.

With the growing ageing population in Malaysia and the increasing cost in healthcare, assessing patients’ active and healthy states have been recommended by World Health Organization in evaluating the performance of the health recovery system among older adults. However, previous studies on rehabilitation services were 1) mainly conceptual and, 2) limited in number as only empirical articles related to hospital management. The purpose of this study is to investigate the antecedents that promote the credibility and the intention to recover among older adults in Malaysia. The study reviews past literature and suggests the antecedents of 1) Health Consciousness, 2) Participation, 3) Financial Security, 4) Physical Environment and 5) Online Learning. The study uses survey research, by adopting previously used questionnaires, to determine the relationships between the stated variables. The data will be collected, analysed, and interpreted via 1) Descriptive analysis, 2) confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM).

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between women on board and the financial performance of Malaysian listed companies. Design/methodology/approach Panel generalised method of moments (GMM) analysis was used over 928 public-listed companies listed on the Malaysian Stock Exchange from 2010 to 2016. GMM overcomes the problem of endogeneity and simultaneity bias. The dependent variable was firm performance, measured by Tobin’s Q. The explanatory variable was gender diversity, proxied by the percentage of women on board, the presence of women and gender heterogeneity indices, Blau and Shannon indices. Findings More gender diversification leads to declining firm performance possibly due to issues of tokenism and gender stereotypes. Research limitations/implications Further studies should look into the impact of various types of ownership structures on firm value and also by sectors. Practical implications As women represent half the population in Malaysia, more positive affirmative policies must be introduced to enhance their contributions to society. Social implications As women progress in society, their contributions towards nation building will be significant. Women not only play a nurturing role, but also can shape the destiny of a country. Originality/value Studies on the relationship between board gender diversity and financial performance have been conducted in the context of a few developed economies. This study contributes to the literature by examining such an issue in a developing economy that has a different environment from that of developed economies.

Purpose The purpose of this research is to explore how current implementation of KM practices, KM processes and KM-centred strategies among Malaysian R&D firms contribute to improving their knowledge quality. In addition, the KM practices investigated are supported by ways of how the R&D firms are motivated to share knowledge and what are the constraints inhibiting such sharing. Design/methodology/approach A total of 320 questionnaires were disseminated to Malaysian R&D firms and the response rate was 47 per cent. Descriptive analysis such as percentage, mean values and indexes were used to analyse the data. Findings Overall, the findings reflect the nature of R&D firms as knowledge-intensive organisations. KM practices show that there is a very high tendency of implementation of knowledge exploration and knowledge exploitation activities. In all, 90 per cent of more firms have implemented the three KM processes with constructing new knowledge appears to be the most implemented process. Knowledge-centred culture scores the highest overall mean, followed by leadership and HR practices. Practical implications This study provides an identification of KM practices that serves as a starting point for R&D managers to determine the gaps and appropriate actions to collectively achieve the desired R&D results and national innovation. Originality/value This study serves as a careful examination in exploring the extent to which KM practices, KM processes and KM-centred strategies are implemented in improving the knowledge quality in the Malaysian R&D firms. It helps R&D firms to frame their KM activities to drive the capability of creating and retaining a greater value onto their core business competencies.

Small medium enterprises (SMEs) hold 98.5% of businesses and serve as economy backbone in Malaysia. However, the global competitiveness of Malaysia in innovation has been declined recently. The declining innovation index has been reflected a low level of innovation in SMEs. This study serves as one of the pioneer studies conducted to foster the achievement of Malaysia Master Plan (2012-2020), focusing on a fresh approach to bring SMEs to the next level through innovation. The study aims to examine which innovation factors affect innovation performance, as there are relatively little empirical evidences in previous researches and very little innovative activities in SMEs Malaysia. This study uses quantitative research methodology, 300 sample sets have been collected from Malaysia SMEs and the data was analyzed by using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). All proposed factors in this study (absorptive capacity, internal R&D collaboration and knowledge sharing) are significantly affect innovation performance, except technology transfer. The findings of this study provide theoretical contribution and practical contribution for small medium enterprise, stakeholder, academic institution, policy makers as well as a reference for government to help SME achieve higher innovation.

This chapter develops a model based on role theory and the conservation of resources (COR) theory to examine the influence of work-level (work schedule flexibility (WSF) and role ambiguity (RA); family-level spousal support (SS) and individual-level core self-evaluations (CSEs) factors on work–family conflict and job satisfaction amongst women entrepreneurs. Self-administered survey questionnaires were used to collect data from participants in regions of Malaysia. Using the partial least squares approach, SS and CSEs exhibited significant positive relationships with work–family conflict, whilst RA, SS and work–family conflict had a positive influence on job satisfaction. It was found that SS and CSEs on job satisfaction were mediated by work–family conflict. This study contributes to knowledge and practice by providing novel insights to multiple stakeholders in Malaysia.

According to the Ministry of Information and Communications in Vietnam, as of November 2015, the number of mobile subscribers is over 120 million ones, accounting for over 86% of the total number of telephone subscribers. With a total population of over 92 million Vietnam citizens, a stable national economy and a large populations of young consumers in the country, mobile communication industries still have a huge potentials for future development. Telecommunication service providers in Vietnam are facing fierce competition. Subscribers are expecting OTT (Over the Top) applications, good quality service and handset subsidy. This study investigated whether legal frameworks, OTT applications, quality of service and handset subsidy are important components of mobile telecommunication service in Vietnam. This study used quantitative method to distribute surveys to mobile subscribers. Findings found that all four factors significantly influence mobile business in Vietnam. Thus, telecommunication service providers in Vietnam must continuously innovate to enhance operational competitiveness, improve business efficiency, expand business scale, and improve its position in the market in order to ensure sustainable development. Moreover, Vietnamese government needs to develop a legal framework to help mobile telecommunication service providers enhance the common interests and benefits of the entire society.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the antecedents of successful organizational cross-border knowledge transfer and also the relationship among the antecedents for sustainable competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach First, a focus group study was conducted to identify major constructs and map out the proposed framework. This is then followed by questionnaire survey from 210 Malaysian multimedia super corridor (MSC) status corporations as recipients. Their international business affiliates refer to any organizations located outside Malaysia with which the recipient firm has a relationship. Data were analysed using SPSS. Findings The findings suggest that the perceived value of the knowledge, relational dimension and cognitive dimension, as well as recipient learning intent and the attractiveness of a foreign source are significant related to the effectiveness of organizational cross-border knowledge transfer. Research limitations/implications Because this research only covered 210 MSC status corporations, future research can try to have more coverage on other industry to have larger sample size for generalizability purposes. Other factors such as organizational and context characteristics can be added as antecedents to strengthen the framework for effective knowledge transfer. Practical implications The empirical findings can be used as a guideline for MSC status firms to undergo a self-check and help them rethink and reposition themselves in light of the findings. It helps MSC status corporations to frame their organizational cross-border knowledge transfer activities to enable the creation and application of knowledge which should allow them to drive the capability of creating and retaining a greater value onto their core business competencies. Originality/value This study provides valuable insights to help creating a successful foundation for organizational cross-border knowledge transfer. This study is also among few studies to examine the critical antecedents in successful organizational cross-border knowledge transfer from a multidimensional perspective in Malaysia.

Purpose This paper aims to identify the key competencies managerial coaches have and examine the significant competencies that affect coaching effectiveness in the Malaysian telecommunications industry. Design/methodology/approach The unit of analysis was individual managerial coaches who were working in the Malaysian telecommunications industry. Among the 300 questionnaires distributed, a total of 140 were obtained and deemed sufficiently complete to be useable. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Findings The results indicated that leadership development is the most important function of managerial coaching, followed by communication. In addition, co-creating the relationship and effective communication are the critical categories of competencies for managerial coaching. Analysis from the regression highlighted that effective communication is the influencing factor on the coaching effectiveness, followed by facilitating learning, and results. The findings also shown that all the core competencies in setting foundation are the significant influencing factors. Research limitations/implications Analyses relied on cross-sectional data and limits the generalizability of findings to other industries. The utilization of self-reported perceptual data may suffer from response bias. Practical implications This paper highlights personal or professional coaching characteristics that might affect managerial leadership development. It also provides a list of important criteria for developing effective managerial coaching to assist Malaysian managerial coaches to build a world class workforce. Originality/value Using International Coach Foundation competency model, this study provides an insight on the important criteria to develop and select coaching managers effectively which ultimately lead to performance improvement in the organization.

Near field communication (NFC) mobile payment system allows users to make payment on goods instantly. There is a significant lack of previous study in Singapore to review the reasons why NFC mobile payment system is underutilized. This research is therefore conducted to investigate key factors contributing to the current low user acceptance of NFC mobile payment system and recommend ways to motivate perpetual consumer usage of the NFC mobile payment system. This study is targeted to all residents in Singapore, regardless to their citizenship. The data was collected within Singapore. Questionnaires were sent to 500 randomly selected respondents. Key user acceptance factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence, facilitating condition, hedonic motivation, price value and habit are examined. The results of this study show that NFC mobile payment system is still in the early stage of implementation in Singapore. Many consumers are yet to adopt NFC mobile payment system. Some of the Singaporean consumers even do not know much about NFC mobile payment system and they wonder how this payment system may help them in making payment efficiently on mobile devices. As the results of this study also show that Singaporean consumers are more conservative and higher requirements towards the security and efficiency of NFC payment system, practical managerial recommendations have been provided to assist mobile business industry to promote NFC payment system among consumers. This study aims to understand user acceptance into NFC mobile payment in their daily life

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the cultural differences in internet banking adoption between the USA and Malaysia. It aims to provide marketing recommendations based on specific cultural dimensions to promote internet banking. Design/methodology/approach – With four added variables (attitude towards use, perceived credibility, self-efficacy, and anxiety), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model was used. A questionnaire was developed based on the research model and distributed to 1,050 internet banking users from two countries. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to 666 valid questionnaires to test the research hypotheses. Findings – Results show that due to cultural differences, global consumers have different internet banking adoption patterns. Consumers in the USA have a more positive attitude towards use. Moreover, perceived credibility plays an important role in influencing internet banking in the USA. On the other hand, performance expectancy has a direct influence on internet banking adoption in Malaysia. Cultural dimensions such as individualism/collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, monochronic/polychromic, and high context/low context were used to explain these findings. Based on the findings, marketing recommendations that help promote internet banking in both countries were provided. Originality/value – This is the one of the pioneer studies that highlights the importance of cultural differences in promoting internet banking services. It contributes to the literature by developing and testing a comprehensive research model using SEM.

Purpose – The aim of this study is to build upon Jain et al.'s (2007) work by investigating the knowledge-sharing barriers and strategies of academic staff in public and private universities in Malaysia which have received relatively little research attention to date. Design/methodology/approach – A survey of 502 questionnaires was collected on both public and private universities in Malaysia. Data were analysed using SPSS. Findings – The overall findings show that private universities are more effective and are more willing to share knowledge. Linking knowledge sharing with non-monetary rewards and fair performance appraisals are strongly recommended in private universities, while monetary rewards, recognitions, publication of knowledge on websites and newsletters and the use of appropriate technology tools and systems are strongly recommended in public universities. Practical implications – Top management in Malaysian public and private universities must play their role and put in more effort to ensure academics have the proper platform and support to share their knowledge. Originality/value – This study is perhaps one of the first to address the comparison between knowledge sharing among lecturers in private and public universities in Malaysia.

The objective of this research is to develop a security framework for online banking based on security information posted on websites of eight major banks in Australia and Malaysia and to investigate whether and why banks in culturally different countries manage security differently. Twenty-five security measures were identified and classified into three categories-physical, administrative, and technical. Security measures adopted by the major banks in Australia and Malaysia were then compared and analyzed along the cultural perspective. Results show that Australian banks provide general security information more often than Malaysian banks. Moreover, Australian banks pay attention to all categories of security measures whereas Malaysian banks lack physical security measures. Such differences are attributed to cultural factors such as individualism, power distance, and uncertainty avoidance. Results help customers in Australia and Malaysia assess the security of their online banks and are useful as...

In 2006, there were 16.2 million registered mobile phone users in Malaysia, a country with a population of approximately 27.5 million. Despite the popularity of mobile phone use in developing countries such as Malaysia, little research has been done on both the negative and positive aspects of mobile phone usage in urban areas. This study seeks to fill this research gap by providing a comprehensive investigation of the factors influencing citizen's satisfaction and dissatisfaction with daily mobile phone use. After a literature review to identify positive and negative factors associated with mobile phone use, a survey was conducted of Malaysian urban residents. The validity of the study's constructs, criterion and content was confirmed. The findings indicate that an increase in mobile phone peer chatting and family coordination will significantly increase overall mobile phone satisfaction (OMPS). An increase in mobile phone radio-frequency radiation health concern, public disturbance, social interruption and road accidents will significantly decrease OMPS. Suggestions are given on promoting each of the positive factors and reducing each of the negative ones.

Weak marketing strategies of emphasizing the same Internet banking features in different countries have failed to accurately suit the local demands. As one percent increase in the retention of Internet banking acceptance will typically bring 18 percent reduction in operating cost (Bhattacherjee, 2001), indifference towards consumers’ adoption of Internet banking services may result in a big loss to the financial institutions. Therefore, this study is conducted to help banks mitigate the key cause of profit reduction in Internet banking industry which is an insufficient understanding of customer behaviour and preference by recommending effective strategies to help banks retain existing Internet banking customers. A questionnaire was developed based on the theoretical framework, tested in a pilot study, and finally distributed to a sample of 1,200 Internet banking users from major cities in the United States and Malaysia. Malaysian females have significantly higher behavioural intention to use Internet banking services compared to their counterparts in the United States. Young adults in the United States are more likely to be influenced by their social environment when using Internet banking services while middle-aged adults from Malaysia rank significantly higher on behavioural intention to use Internet banking services, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions and attitude towards using Internet banking. The study is also the among the very few available research that attempts to discuss cultural differences of Internet banking acceptance of the United States and Malaysia by applying a combination of Hofstede (2001) and Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner (1998)'s cultural dimensions.

Ever since the 9/11 terrorist attack, many countries are considering the use of smart national identity card (SNIC) which has the ability to identify terrorists due to its biometric verification function. However, there are many ergonomics issues in the use of SNIC, e.g. card credibility. This research presents a case study survey of Malaysian users. Although most citizens (>96%) own MyKad (Malaysia SNIC), many do not carry it around and use its applications. This defeats one of its main purposes, i.e. combating terrorism. Thus, the research investigates ergonomics issues affecting the citizens’ Intention to Use (ITU) MyKad for homeland security by using an extended technology acceptance model. Five hundred questionnaires were collected and analysed using structural equation modelling. Results show that perceived credibility and performance expectancy are the key issues. The findings provide many countries with insights into methods of addressing ergonomics issues and increasing adoption of SNIC for homeland security.

This study examines the influence of demographic factors on Malaysian citizens' satisfaction with mobile phones. Three hundred questionnaires were collected. Results indicate that differences exist between students and working adults' in relation to their perception of social interruptions caused by mobile phone use. Males exhibit greater concern over road accidents associated with mobile phone use than females, whilst different ethnic groups exhibit differing levels of health concern regarding radio frequency radiation. Recommendations are provided to assist governments, telecommunication companies, researchers, and health practitioners in increasing Malaysian citizens' mobile phone satisfaction.