Intelligent cities? Disentangling the symbolic and material effects of technopole planning practices in Cyberjaya, Malaysia.

Cyberjaya was heralded in the mid-1990s as the Multimedia Super Corridor's (MSG) flagship 'intelligent city' and designed to prepare Malaysia and its citizens for a giant leap forward into an imagined new 'information age'. The urban mega-project constituted a state led response to the much hyped 'Siliconisation of Asia' and was planned to fast-track national development through investment in information and communications technologies (ICTs). The thesis seeks to examine how the discursive architectures of the 'information society' were mobilised, by whom, and with what material consequences as technopole planning practices were inscribed on the Malaysian landscape. Ten years on from the excessive high-tech utopianism and urban boosterism that accompanied the city's launch, the thesis promotes qualitative methodologies to examine the critical human geographies of the MSG. Specifically, empirical analysis addresses the uneven socio-spatial consequences and 'splintering urbanisms' manifesting in Malaysia's emerging spaces of neoliberal modernity. Research methodologies included in-depth interviews with political and business elites in Malaysia, participant observation with residents and workers in Cyberjaya, and a critical discourse analysis of the MSG policy and promotional materials. To this end, the thesis seeks to disentangle the symbolic and material effects of technopole planning practices in Cyberjaya

Proceedings of the 2nd Conference on Managing Digital Industry, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CoMDITE 2021)

This conference proceeding provides the compilation of all papers presented during the 2nd Conference on Managing Digital Industry, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CoMDITE 2021) on 7th and 8th April 2021. This year, CoMDITE is held virtually with participations from local and international participants. The theme is Business Sustainability Through Digital Transformation. CoMDITE 2021 is mainly aimed to serve as a sharing platform that enables researchers, academics and practitioners to share the best practices, which have been produced through research, as well as to potentially propose the best strategy in utilizing digital transformation for business sustainability. All papers are presented according to the following seven tracks - (i) Big Data Analytics for Business, (ii) Digital Innovative and Education, (iii) Digital Marketing, (iv) Digital Talent for Management, (v) Digital Technology for Business, (vi) Entrepreneurship and (vii) Strategic Management and Ecosystem Business

The moderating effect of information technology capability on the relationship between business continuity management factors and organizational performance

Despite the enormous acknowledgement of the importance of Business Continuity Management (BCM) in sustaining organization survival, very limited studies have focused on the effects of BCM on organizational performance. Hence, the purpose of this study is to provide the empirical evidences that support the relationships that exist between BCM Factors and Organizational Performance with the moderating effects of Information Technology Capability (IT Capability) in organizations from various sectors in Malaysia. Based on the existing literature, BCM Factors are operationalized by Management Support, External Requirement, Organization Preparedness, and Embeddedness of Continuity Practices. A combination of selfadministered and mail survey was deployed involving 147 ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 certified organizations representing both public and private sectors. These organizations were selected as they are deemed to possess a considerably higher sense of commitment towards embracing BCM best practices to enhance their business resilience. At the end of the data collection phase, the study managed to obtain 77 usable responses constituting an effective response rate of 55 percent. The findings indicate that BCM Factors namely External Requirement and Embeddedness of Continuity Practices are significantly related to Overall Organizational Performance and Non-Financial Performance. However, only External Requirement is found significantly related to Financial Performance. The results also reveal that fully supported relationships are found between IT Capability and all Organizational Performance dimensions. In addition, the findings show that IT Capability moderates the relationship between BCM Factors and Organizational Performance. These results provide valuable insights to both practitioners and academia for further understanding the effects of BCM Factors and IT Capability on Organizational Performance. Finally, the research limitations are discussed and suggestions on extended area of research are recommended for future researchers

Spaces of innovation : 21st century technopoles

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2004.Page 129 blank.Includes bibliographical references (p. 121-128).Public authorities and private developers around the world are attempting to create and sustain hubs within the innovation-based economy by fostering successful urban environments. These large-scale developments succeed an earlier generation of post-industrial "technopoles" named after the French word popularized by Castells and Hall in Technopoles of the World (1994). In the 1990s, most planned technopoles resembled suburban office environments with generous landscaping, wide roads, and automobile-focused circulation systems. In contrast, today's economic development experts are increasingly emphasizing the need for interaction and cross-fertilization among companies and institutions in an attempt to foster innovation, from which successful communities are assumed to derive their competitive edge in an information- based economy. Parallel shifts in live-work patterns among creative talent groups are being documented in social science and anecdotal observations. These trends have heightened competition for qualified individuals and initiated a talent war among cities globally. And these individuals are living footloose lifestyles supported by mobile devices and wireless connectivity. Entrepreneurial public agencies and private developers have recognized the potential for reconceiving live-work environments as economic hubs. These holistic projects are identified as 21st century technopoles because they directly address and capitalize on the socio-economic shifts described above leading to vastly different ideal urban configurations. The thesis asks how urban form is expected to contribute to innovation; and, how urban form is being reconceptualized in turn at the neighborhood scale.(cont.) Four case studies provide a rich narrative that begins to sketch the range of proposed urban developments: Cyberjaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Digital Media City, Seoul, Korea; one-north, Singapore; Lower Manhattan, New York. A narrative ties the four cases together providing "thick descriptions" as a base-line study for a new mode of technopole development. The analysis reaches from (1) "hardware" or the urban built environment and (2) "wiring" or the embedded and supported technologies to (3) "software" or the actors involved. The case studies indicate several emergent themes that are rescripting our urban environments. Dense urban zones with a high level of sensory diversity are being proposed for emerging technopoles that capitalize on the city as a metaphor for human interaction and exchange. Real estate value in this system is measured by the number of serendipitous encounters it facilitates. The dichotomous relationship between spaces of places and spaces of flows set forth by Castells seems inapplicable within the boundaries of these zones that are at once core and periphery, local and global. Finally, these developments are living laboratories for the technologies that support new live-work preferences and shifting lifestyles. Several contradictions become apparent in delving more deeply into the examples, which are still under development. In the promotional materials, diversity - demographic and physical - is embraced, but it is not clear how it will contribute to innovation. More generally, the projects plan for often unpredictable "knowledge accidents." ...by Susanne Seitinger.M.C.P

Resident’s personality traits on acceptance of information system: Case study of Majlis Perbandaran Sungai Petani (MPSPK)

The rapid development of information technology nowadays has changed the way we live and work significantly. Malaysia is actively improving its infrastructure as a way to give the best services to its local community. As to date, the local government is working on improvising their services to the local community via information system. Thus, the people’s acceptance towards information system is important in ensuring the success of the local government’s objective in providing better and efficient services. This research is based on Big Five Personality Trait as the underpinning model. This study attempts to identify the personality patterns of the community who uses the information system that has been introduced by their local government. In addition to that, this study also intends to unravel the relationship between local community’s beliefs and personality patterns. Through this study, problems faced by users regarding the information system are also analysed. The research findings were derived from quantitative and qualitative methods based on the data collection process using questionnaires involving 355 respondents and face to face interviews with eight (8) local community and four (4) local government officers. The findings indicate mixed results in answering the research objectives. The findings have shown that each person's personality patterns are different in giving opinions and expectations from their local government. The element of trust plays an important role in ensuring the success of information systems. However, when each personality is being analysed, the result indicates extraversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness produced negative feedback. Based on the findings, several recommendations are made such as monitoring and evaluation of the program, awareness program and empowering the community with suitable and relevant knowledge. These can assist the local government to improve their services towards local community

The internationalisation of firms in a policy-driven industrial cluster : the case of Malaysia's multimedia super corridor

This thesis investigates how operating in a policy-driven industrial cluster built from scratch by policymakers affects the internationalisation of firms. Following the success of well-known clusters like Silicon Valley, policymakers in many countries often seek to replicate these examples, anticipating the offset of various advantages as a result. One of the main perceived externalities associated with developing an industrial cluster is that it can potentially provide a foundation for enhancing firm internationalisation. However, extant literature has not adequately addressed whether and how a policy-driven industrial cluster affects the international growth of firms. In fact, research examining the impact on internationalisation of clusters as a whole, whether policy-driven or otherwise, is relatively scant, despite the importance of locational factors in International Business (IB) research, as stipulated by the eminent John Dunning, among others. The purpose of this research, therefore, is to generate fresh insights and understanding into how operating in a policy-driven industrial cluster impinges on firm internationalisation. The context of the study is the case of Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC). This case was selected for two key reasons. Firstly, it fits with the definition of a policy-driven industrial cluster, namely that its birth was the result of the direct actions of policymakers, and secondly, one of its primary objectives is to enhance firm internationalisation, which makes it a highly suitable case to examine.The research adopts the interpretivist paradigm, with an embedded single-case study deemed the most appropriate methodology for responding to the research question. Multiple sources of evidence were employed, with the primary focus being on personal interviews with key managers in 10 firms, and representatives from the MSC cluster and a private organisation that works to support firms and entrepreneurs in the cluster. The findings suggest that the impacts of a policy-driven cluster on internationalisation are largely associated with marketing and financial support from policymakers, rather than deriving from the geographic co-location of actors, as suggested by much of the existing literature on 'organic' clusters. The key contributions of the research are grounded in the fact that it focuses on internationalisation within a particular context (a policy-driven cluster) which, as noted, has been largely overlooked by IB scholars. In particular, fresh insight has been gained into some of the potential motivations behind firms joining such clusters, and the nature of their impact on internationalisation. The study also stresses various important implications that emerge for practitioners and policymakers. The thesis concludes by highlighting the limitations of the study and offers some suggestions for future related research.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceEconomic and Social Research CouncilGBUnited Kingdo

An empirical investigation the adoption factors of building information modelling (BIM) from the perspective of Malaysian Civil And Structure Consultant Firms

The construction industry in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) have to focus on high-technology jobs such as technological skill rather than labour-intensive approach and low-skilled job. But, most of the construction industries in Malaysia are using traditional approach which is labour-intensive approach and it has resulted in fragmentation issue among the project participants resulting less productivity and inefficiency in delivering the project. In order to tackle this issue, Building Information Modelling (BIM) can offer a platform to integrate between different parties in the construction industry. It also offers a lot of benefits to construction industry in term of productivity and efficiency. Even though there are a lot of benefits that can be gained by BIM utilisation and many efforts to increase the adoption of BIM in construction projects such as conducting the seminars, workshops and incentives but, the rate of BIM adoption by the Malaysian construction players is still low compared to other Asians countries. Therefore, there is a need to study the adoption factors within Malaysian construction industry that could facilitate the pace of BIM adoption in Malaysia especially from the perspective of civil and structure (C&S) consultant firms. Several studies had explored the way to increase the pace of BIM adoption from the perspective of architectures, facilities management, quantity surveyor and contractors, and very little effort to identify the adoption factors and its relationship that could facilitate the adoption of BIM especially from the perspective of C&S consultant firms. C&S consultant firm plays a vital role to ensure the design is constructible, operable and maintainable. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the relationship between organizations, people and technology towards making decisions in adopting BIM from the perspective C&S consultant firm. In this study, qualitative and quantitative approaches have been utilised as research method to develop in-depth understanding of the happening by obtaining the views on the subject studied especially the current application of BIM in the Malaysian construction industry. At the same time, this study is conducted to explore what are the factors that affecting the adoption of BIM in the Malaysian construction industry. Lack of national guideline for implementing BIM, pressure from clients or governments and lacking of technical support from BIM experts are the vital challenges faced by the adopters besides having a higher cost of early investment in BIM technology. Analysis from multiple linear regression revealed the factors that have a strong relationship in influencing organisation to adopt BIM are; having a strong support from the top management, having a coercive pressure, having a clear BIM implementation plan, undergo training, having a BIM competency team, having a clear job specification for new roles, BIM technology must free from interoperability issue, less cost of technology, and the issue of compatibility. This study offers a new insight from the perspective of C&S consultant firms on the adoption of BIM and could improve the rate of BIM adoption. At the same time, it could fill the gap from previous studies by extending the study of BIM adoption by investigating from C&S consultant firm’s point of view and it complementing the overall view of BIM adoption from all participants

Factors affecting building infrmation modelling adoption by Malaysian consultans and contractors

The paradigm shift to Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction industry has transformed the construction process. BIM adoption requires strategic implementation and collaboration. The inherent benefits of this shift are gradually experienced in Malaysia. However, adoption of BIM in Malaysia is prone to resistance as experienced in construction industries across the globe. Construction professionals are awakened to challenges with the use of a new system which define their adaptability to the BIM push within the construction industry. This research develops a BIM adoption model which builds on people, process and technology factors affecting BIM into a higher order resource of BIM perception and strategic IT implementation (business process re-engineering and computer integrated construction) mediated by collaborative processes. Data was collected from three hundred and fifty two (352) construction professionals (architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and contractors) using questionnaires. Descriptive and multivariate analyses (Structural Equation Modelling) were used to assess the measurement and structural models developed. The model explained the variance in business process re-engineering, computer integrated construction, collaborative processes and BIM adoption. The results revealed an anathematised state of collaboration leading to significant decrease in BIM adoption rate. Seven (7) out of fourteen (14) hypothesised paths were statistically significant. BIM perception exhibited indirect effect on collaborative processes through strategic IT implementation. Business process re-engineering exhibited significant direct effect while computer integrated construction exhibited a significant indirect effect on BIM adoption. This result projects the prevalent factors affecting BIM adoption, highlights grey areas needing improvement and formulating policies to further enhance BIM adoption

Globalisation, ICTs and national identity : the case of Malaysia

For the past thirty years the Malaysian economy has been said to contribute well to the progress of the nations. However, the intensification of global economic activity and the extensive use of ICTs in recent years are challenging government's effort to further develop Malaysian society. The competition posed by the low wage economies such as China and Vietnam have made the government realise the importance of engaging in high-skill and high technology industries. It is hoped this will be the basis of attracting more FDI (foreign direct investment) in order to help the country to compete in a globalised world. Using Vision 2020 as its targeted vision, the government has decided to engage in the use of ICTs and introduce many policies pertaining to it. This thesis is mainly concerned with the study of ICT policy in Malaysia and its consequences for both the economy and society. The investigation focuses on the three dimensions: 'ICTs and economic growth', 'ICTs and inequality' and 'the element of neo-colonialism'. Two approaches are used to achieve the objectives of the study. They are secondary analysis and semi-structured interviews. This thesis is largely dependent on library research and secondary sources such as government official policies and data. Semi-structured interviews are used as a means to support or test some of the arguments and evidence collected throughout the analysis and discussion. For the interviews, three groups of people were identified: policy developers, implementers and evaluators. These people are those involved directly and indirectly with ICT policy establishment and implementation. The findings show that policy pertaining to ICTs in Malaysia contributes to economic growth, but the consequences of this have resulted in greater division within society. Although some of the divisions such as gender and ethnicity are narrowing down, the gap in important areas such as regions and class differences, is becoming wider. The widespread use of ICTs might contribute to the further establishment of democracy in Malaysia, but the increasing number of foreign entities such as FDI and foreign workers, cultural hybridisation and to some extent cultural doniination are contributing to neocolonialism in Malaysia. This has obvious consequences for the government's effort to create a Malaysian national identity. An important finding of this work is that there are contradictions within ICT policy between the effort to develop the economy and society.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo