Hubungan Pengurusan Kualiti Menyeluruh Dengan Tahap Pemindahan Teknologi : Suatu Kajian Empirikal Mengikut Perspektif Penyelidik Universiti

Abstract

Total Quality Management (TQM) practices have been positively associated with organizational performance particularly for business-oriented organization in the manufacturing and service sectors. While TQM as a successful managerial strategy is generally accepted in commercial organizations, its role in public sector especially in higher education institution is still controversial. Only a few empirical studies exist to support the implementation of TQM in higher education institution. Besides, previous studies have shown that the TQM practices adapted in higher education institution are predominantly in administrative areas and teaching activities only. Accordingly it is too hard to find any TQM literatures focusing and discussing on the issues of research and development (R&D) management in higher education setting. Therefore there is a big gap in the TQM literature that has to be filled and a new framework of TQM is called for,along with the modification of the TQM practices for a unique culture of research. In addition, having a good practice of research management in higher education institution is really critical since it will affects the research performance such as the level of technology transfer. Looking at the current phenomenon of technology transfer in higher education institution, there is a need and the justification for doing a research is to understand how TQM practices in R&D management would explain the level of technology transfer. This study is able to prove that there is a positive impact of TQM practices on the level of technology transfer. There are seven constructs in measuring TQM practices i.e. leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, data and information management, people management, process and system management, and partnership and resources. While the indicators of technology transfer are ranging from publication, seminar, consultation,invention disclosure, patenting, licensing, royalties and spin-off company. This study used academic researchers from four research universities as the unit of analysis and had employed stratified sampling technique in the data collection procedure. The instrument used in the data collection process is a set of questionnaire which recorded a high response rate. The instrument had been validated using certain procedure such as expert opinion assessment, pilot test and factor analysis. It also has a higher degree of reliability.The factor analysis was carried out and Hierarchical Multiple Regression analysis that takes into account the personal factor was used to test the main hypothesis of the study.The analyses revealed that there are some modifications on the original construct of TQM and there is a positive significant relationship between TQM practices and level of technology transfer. In conclusion the findings of the study have contributed to the enhancement of understanding on the subject matter and more importantly it also contribute to the development and affirmation of theories in the field of quality management