The influence of knowledge sharing on performance among Malaysian public sector managers and the moderating role of individual personality

There have been recent calls for further research into the sharing of managerial tacit knowledge to enhance individual and organisational performance. This, due to a lack of knowledge of current practices of knowledge sharing, especially in developing countries, has been the motivation behind this research. The study examines the roles of personality traits in facilitating knowledge sharing practices and managerial tacit knowledge transfer among managers working in high and low performance local governments. Specifically, the study examines the direct relationship between knowledge sharing practices and tacit knowledge among 308 managers working in local governments. Secondly, this study explores the differences between knowledge sharing practices, tacit knowledge and individual performance among managers working in high and low performance local governments. Thirdly, this study also explores the role of personality traits as moderators of the relationship between knowledge sharing practices and tacit knowledge with individual performance. A triangulation approach combining questionnaire and interviews was used in the study. The questionnaire was distributed to middle managers of 35 Malaysian local government engaged in a Star Rating System. There were 358 completed questionnaires returned, but only 308 were useable. To support the results from the quantitative data, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 managers from Malaysian Local Governments of high and low levels of performance representing 4 main categories: City Hall, City Council, Municipal Council, and District Council.The results provided general support the majority of hypotheses of the study. Specifically, mentoring programme (competence), individual codification, institutional personalization and institutional codification were related to managerial tacit knowledge transfer. Tacit knowledge associated with managing oneself, managing tasks and managing others were significantly related to knowledge sharing practices. Unexpectedly, there were no significant differences in knowledge sharing practices, levels of accumulated managerial tacit knowledge, or individual performance between high and low performance local governments. Finally, results indicated that the agreeableness dimension of individual personality interacted with mentoring programmes in a way that predicted individual performance. Furthermore, agreeableness and conscientiousness dimensions of personality interacted with tacit knowledge associated managing self and managing tasks to influence individual performance. The openness dimension interacted with tacit knowledge associated with managing others to influence individual performance.This study adds to the limited body of empirical research in knowledge management, particularly within the Malaysian public sector. It represents a comprehensive survey and explanation of knowledge management in Malaysia. The relationship between knowledge sharing practices and tacit knowledge variables and their interaction with sub traits of personality in terms of individual performance suggests that it would be beneficial to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in Malaysia to manage tacit knowledge as a way of enhancing individual performance. Contributions to the theory and practice, limitations and implications of the study are discussed

Prestasi Organisasi Di Majlis Perbandaran Kota Setar (MPKS) Kedah

The aim of this research was to examine the differences and relationship between demographic factors, Departmental factors, Individual factors and organizational performance. The researcher has applied a research model (Performance Management Model) adapted from Mwita (2000). The research was conducted at Majlis Perbandaran Kota Setar (MPKS), Kedah. The subjects of the research comprised of 150 employees from various ranks ranging from Professional Management Group to the Supported Group working on location. The questionnaire consisted three sections: demographic and background details, Departmental factors and Individual factors. Data were analyzed using correlation Pearson (r), One Way ANOVA and T-Test. The result indicated that organizational performance did not have any significant dflerences based on age, sex and post for the MPKS employee. On the other hand, the result showed that there was a relationship between organizational performance with Departmental factors such as organizational culture, human capital and capacity, leadership and red tape. This research also showed that Individual factors such as task structure, task motivation and individual performance had a significant correlation with organizational performance. The research has constructed a new model to examine organizational performance

An X-ray of the Factors Influencing Individual Knowledge Sharing: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Knowledge and its management is a quintessential source of competitive edge. This is more precious and desirous in knowledge-intensive settings i.e. academes, where the stocks in trade (resources) are virtually knowledge driven. And for knowledge to be of essence, it must be transmitted (shared) among individuals. Accordingly, performance is maximized by giving individuals useful knowledge. The objective of this study is to empirically conduct a confirmatory factor analysis(CFA) of the dimensions of knowledge sharing(KS) among individual academic staff.  A valid response rate of 391 was utilized in this study which was obtained from five hundred and ten (510) questionnaires administered to academic staff. Data collection was conducted in all 13 public universities in north central region, Nigeria. The findings reveal that the four factors – nature of knowledge, motivation to share, opportunities to share and working culture as theorized by Ipe (2003) were empirically affirmed to be dimensions of KS in that, the parameters of the CFA were sufficiently achieved given standard thresholds as suggested by scholars/experts. By implication, these factors shape the level of KS practices amongst individual academics in Nigerian public universities. It also reveals that the influence of KS is better predicted by appreciating how these factors interact to shape the KS practices amongst academics. Consequently, Ipe’s factors may not be the only dimensions of individual knowledge sharing owing to the multidimensional nature of the construct. Hence, a call on future studies to replicate, affirm or modify the affirmation in a bid to widen the dimensionality of the construct by factoring in other possible relevant dimensions to minimize the degree of unexplained variance in the construct. Keywords: knowledge, knowledge Sharing, Individual knowledge

Impact of Microcredit Scheme on the Development of Entrepreneurship Skills among Low Income Households in a Developing Country Context

This study seeks to investigate the extent to which microcredit scheme can predict the development of entrepreneurship skills, particularly on entrepreneurial acumen, competitive of business, advantages of small business and business survival.This quantitative study is based on survey datafrom 1176 microcredit scheme participants.The data shows that participant involvement in microcredit scheme has a positive relationship with the development of entrepreneurial skills.The study provides insight into how theories from microcredit scheme may help us to understand the nature of entrepreneurial development, particularly among low income households.This article has focused only on the borrowers from microcredit scheme known as Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia and TEKUN.Hence, future research is recommended to include leadership style and expand the sample of the research to the elite group consisting of chairman/CEO of these two institutions.Emergent results make a contribution to research regarding how microcredit scheme can lead to the development of entrepreneurial skills in the context of developing countries.The findings demonstrate that to sustain in small medium scale business are require essential entrepreneurship skills such as competitive advantage, business survival to try varies type of business before they can be succeeding

Impact of Microcredit Scheme on the Development of Entrepreneurship Skills among Low Income Households in a Developing Country Context

This study seeks to investigate the extent to which microcredit scheme can predict the development of entrepreneurship skills, particularly on entrepreneurial acumen, competitive of business, advantages of small business and business survival. This quantitative study is based on survey data from 1176 microcredit scheme participants. The data shows that participant involvement in microcredit scheme has a positive relationship with the development of entrepreneurial skills. The study provides insight into how theories from microcredit scheme may help us to understand the nature of entrepreneurial development, particularly among low income households. This article has focused only on the borrowers from microcredit scheme known as AIM and TEKUN. Hence, future research is recommended to include leadership style and expand the sample of the research to the elite group consisting of chairman/CEO of these two institutions. Emergent results make a contribution to research regarding how microcredit scheme can lead to the development of entrepreneurial skills in the context of developing countries. The findings demonstrate that to sustain in small medium scale business are require essential entrepreneurship skills such as competitive advantage, business survival to try varies type of business before they can be succeeding. Keywords: Microcredit, Entrepreneurship Development Skills, Malaysia JEL Classification: ZO

The roles of personality in the context of knowledge sharing: A Malaysian perspective

Our era of knowledge today has shown the fact that accomplishments achieved by public agencies receive influence from several inside factors; to name but a few, individual intelligence and personality characteristics.The emphasis on this paper rests on the contributions made by personality and the act of implicit knowledge-sharing to improve individual presentation, with special regards to managers in the public sector. There is a potential that this paper can serve to justify how individual differences are able to weave their way among knowledge workers for performance improvement. The assessment of personality traits is performed using the Big Five Inventory, where the traits are extraversion, agreeableness, openness to experience, neuroticism and conscientiousness. Tacit knowledge sharing, on the other hand, is realized through mentoring and knowledge-sharing agenda. This current study is targeted at Malaysian public sector managers who are expected to distribute their valuable knowledge with others and help enhance individual productivity. Individual performance system is introduced as a measuring tool on individual productivity which comprises of four main components; knowledge and expertise, personal quality, leadership and community contribution. It is suggested that for the purpose of practising knowledge sharing, managers need to possess some personality traits to improve their employees’ performance

Malay business leaders’ characteristics and their success in business

This research is mainly focusing on the profile of successful Malay business leader in Malaysia.The major objectives were to study their characteristic that contributed to the successful in the business.The data for this research were collected from two sources, namely primary sources and secondary sources.The qualitative in-depth interview research technique was used for the primary data.A total of ten (10) successful Malay business leaders around Kedah and Perlis state were selected as respondents of this research. As for secondary data, five (5) successful Malay business leaders were analyzed based on the existing books and other sources documented their success.Based on the analysis, these leaders exhibit a vision in their life, intelligence, inspiring and compassionate.Besides, they are also very decisive, hardworking and committed in their work.These characteristic have proven to be key ingredients in their success and these traits are also present among successful business leaders of other ethnic groups

DEFORESTATION POLICY GOVERNANCE IN INDONESIA

Deforestation is a threat to national security and a disaster caused by natural and human factors. Natural factors, namely the dry season resulting in forest fires and the human factor which takes over the function of forests to become plantations and illegal logging. This paper uses a literature study with the theory of policy governance. The research method is a qualitative descriptive method. The results of the study show that accountability in the management and protection of forests in Indonesia has not run optimally due to overlapping policies and legal certainty relating to forests or land use in Indonesia is still ambiguous so that law enforcement is weakened and there is a lack of of quality resources in enforcement. Weak participation can also be seen from the policies implemented by the Indonesian government that have not been able to involve the involvement of local communities to avoid or reduce the rate of deforestation that occurs. While in terms of transparency carried out by the Indonesian government, one of which is through the SLVT policy to realize transparent government administration in forest management, which has shown results, although improvement efforts are still being made so that transparency criteria can be met to the fullest

AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF KNOWLEDGE SHARING ON INDIVIDUAL ACADEMIC STAFF PERFORMANCE

AbstractIn the 21st century, material resources have ceased to be the backbone of organizations; knowledge has assumed that status. For knowledge to be of value, it must be shared. Accordingly, performance can be optimized by providing individuals with useful knowledge. The aim of this study is to empirically examine the influence of knowledge sharing(KS) on individual academic staff performance(IASP). A total of 510 questionnaires were distributed to academic staff with a valid response rate of 391. Data gathering was carried out in all 13 public universities sited in north central region, Nigeria. The findings reveal that KS has a significant positive relationship with IASP. KS and IASP are higher order constructs with four and three dimensions respectively; by implication, the higher the influence of these dimensions on KS, the more influence it exerts on IASP. The results of this study reveal that the factors – nature of knowledge, motivation to share, opportunities to share and working culture basically shape the level of KS practices amongst individual academics in Nigerian public universities which in turn influence their individual performance. It reveals that the influence of KS on IASP is better predicted by appreciating how these factors interact to shape the KS practices amongst academics. Consequently, KS may not be the only predictor of IASP due to the multidimensional nature of academics’ responsibilities. Hence, this study is calling on future research to broaden the model by incorporating other relevant predictors to minimize the degree of unexplained variance in the model

A Systematic Literature Review on Smart City Project Initiatives for Rural Community Participation

Most democratic governments have prioritised offering people more significant input in government decision-making and promoting public participation in policy creation. People and governments may now effectively integrate formerly unsurmountable gaps in their relationships thanks to advances in digital and information technologies. "Smart City" technologies are not a new term in today's urbanisation development field; however, this "Smart City" technologies term is likely unfamiliar with the rural area, as the rural area is sometimes assumed to perform poorly in the development of innovative city initiatives, which are mostly being pioneered by the local government authority with a focus on a city or urban region. Citizens can now participate in decision-making and policy-making due to the smart city project initiative, which cannot be disregarded entirely; unfortunately, rural population participation remains limited. This conceptual research aims to examine smart city project aspirations for the rural community public participation framework. The author comprehends the importance of including significant public participation in all parts of the planning process. The methodology behind this research is based on a detailed study of the scholarly literature that has already been done. The conclusions of the research were derived from a number of different reading materials, such as books, journals, and other sources on smart city programmes for public participation in rural areas