Customer knowledge management antecedent factors for enterprise software quality

Customer Knowledge Management (CKM) plays an important role in the production of high quality software products. Previous studies have only focused on the technical aspects of software quality. However, because of the nature of enterprise software, there is a greater dependence on CKM for customization, enhancement, maintenance, and training. As CKM in Enterprise Software (ES) development is still immature, this raises questions on how CKM can help ES development companies to improve their software quality. In this research, Knowledge-Based View (KBV) and Theory of Technology were used to demonstrate the Organizational, Human, and Technological antecedent factors that enable the CKM process and lead to ES quality. Human, Organizational and Technological CKM antecedent factors were identified from the literature. The importance degree of each factor was determined by experts from ES development companies using Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Moreover, based on high priority factors, a theoretical model was developed. The proposed model was evaluated by distributing a survey questionnaire to decision-makers in ES development companies. With 164 valid questionnaires received, the collected data was analyzed using the Partial Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. The results show that Customer Involvement together with Senior Management Support were the most influential factors. There was no impact from Organizational Training, Customer Knowledge Map, and CKM Strategy Development. The results revealed that the impact of CKM on software quality is significant. The model developed in this research can be used as a guideline for the successful application of CKM in enterprise software development companies to improve the software quality

Factors influencing sense of security in residential neighbourhood in Johor Bahru

Sense of security or the lack of it is increasingly becoming one of the main social issues in modern residential neighbourhoods. This research aims to investigate and evaluate the factors influencing sense of security in residential neighbourhoods of Johor Bahru. It also examines the effect of residential neighbourhood’s distance from the city centre on resident’s sense of security. A questionnaire survey was undertaken as a primary data collection tool. The data were analysed with SmartPLS and SPSS softwares. The SmartPLS was used to evaluate the research questions and construct the research model. Results revealed the appropriateness of designed research model by approving 16 relationships among the research factors. In addition, the research factors associated to economic and demographical background of the research respondents were examined by using SPSS software. The analyses showed the effect of gender, age, income and the distance of selected research study areas (Taman Abad and Taman JP Perdana) to central part of Johor Bahru on sense of security. Finally, the results revealed that residents of residential neighbourhood closer to the city centre feel more insecure compared to residents in farther residential neighbourhoods. The results also revealed that females feel less secure compared to male residents. The sense of insecurity was higher within the higher age groups (50 years and above). Moreover, higher income groups (RM10000/month and above) feel less secure comparing to the residents in lower income groups (below RM1000/month). Urban designers and architects can use the aforementioned results to improve the sense of security in residential neighbourhoods of Johor Bahru by considering the distance of residential neighbourhoods to urban centres and the social composition of residents in terms of gender, age and income status. In closing, the results of this research generally can be helpful in improving the overall quality of life and sense of security in residential neighbourhoods of Johor Bahru