Supplier selection in the Malaysian telecommunications industry

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Supplier selection plays an important role in any organisation. This study investigates and examines supplier selection criteria and the impacts on buying firm performance; specifically focusing on the telecommunications industry in Malaysia. Previous studies in this area have focussed on the criteria such as quality, price, delivery, supplier relationship management and decision making tools and techniques. However, little research has been undertaken to include government policies and business ethics as elements in the supplier selection criteria. After a literature review and interviews, the development of conceptual frameworks and a number of hypotheses were put forward. To achieve an in-depth study, four major telecommunications service provider companies in Malaysia were chosen as a case study. A questionnaire was used as the main instrument in gathering data. The questionnaire is principally concerned with the understanding of supplier selection and its criteria; based upon the variables that are used for the model and hypothesis testing. The study also investigates the relationship between supplier selection and the impact of supplier selection to the company performance. This model was tested using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique with the AMOS software application. Results indicated all of the criteria include quality, price, delivery, supplier relationship management, decision making tools and techniques, government policy and business ethics as valid constructs. A good model fit was also established. The findings of this research conclude that the influencing criteria to supplier selection in the telecommunications industry in Malaysia are supplier delivery performance standards and supplier relationship management even when considering the remainder of the above mentioned elements.The price factors were found to be less important due to this factor possibly leading to unhealthy competition in the market in terms of price wars among the suppliers in order to win the business. Most of the criteria are also interrelated to each other and affect the supplier selection decision. This model has added new perspectives to the study of supplier selection in the supply chain management field. As for future research it is suggested that intangible elements such as political, cultural and social influences are included in the conceptual framework; as this would offer important insight for management bodies in organisation, academia and public policy fields alike

Challenges in Sustainable Supply Chain Management of Live Animal Trading: A Case Study of Live Animal Industry in Malaysia

There are various challenges of the live animal industry, not just in Malaysia but also to many parts of the world. This study focuses on the supply chain management of live animal trading in Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the challenges specifically in supply chain management areas in the live animal trading. A total of 20 semi-structured interviews have been carried out with a few companies involved in the industry and a few officers from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS). The premises of the companies also have been observed a day earlier before the interview. The data gathered from the observation as well as from the interview and literature review were analysed using TOWS analysis. The findings show that the industry is facing multiple challenges based on their strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities that being offered and the threats that they faced, which are vital for their business continuity.  This study also highlights the essential problems to focus on and formulate strategies to achieve competitive advantages and sustainable supply chain management, especially to the practitioners in the live animal trading industry

Factors that Influence Customers’ Intention to Visit Green Hotels in Malaysia

In recent years, the hospitality Industry has overcome numerous challenges to initiate green practices. Greater interest in customers green behaviours has led the hotel industry to practice more environmentally friendly activities. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors that influence customers in visiting green hotels in Malaysia. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) has been embedded to investigate the factors. Data was collected via questionnaires through online by invitation through email and offline from travellers in selected airports. IBM SPSS Statistics software was used to analyse the data. The results discovered that attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and environmental concern significantly influence customers in visiting green hotels. Meanwhile, attitudes mediate subjective norms and perceived behavioural control and finally attitudes, and perceived behavioural control possess a positive relationship with the environmental concern of visitors in visiting green hotels. Findings from this research can help the Malaysian government and hoteliers to integrate the research framework in their current business model and imposed more effective strategies on a green environment in developing green hotels

Investigation of Supplier Selection Criteria that Leads to Buyer-Supplier Long Term Relationship for Semiconductor Industry

Selecting the right supplier has been the greatest challenge in supply chain management (SCM) in many industries. Large spool of suppliers in industry and diversity of purchasing scope causes a wide variety of supplier selection criteria. The right strategy in fixing the criteria for supplier selection is crucial, to ensure smooth supply chain operation. It is believed that in SCM, a good relationship with suppliers will further benefit the operations of both buyers and suppliers. This research attempts to investigate the supplier selection criteria that leads to buyer-supplier long term relationship, especially for the semiconductor industry in Penang, Malaysia. In this study, the focus is to identify the critical supplier selection criteria such as supplier quality, performance delivery, supply service, cost and estimate their influence towards buyer’s satisfaction which later on, narrate a path for a buyer-supplier long term relationship. Two hundred eighty-eight respondents with a minimum one year of working experience in handling suppliers in the semiconductor industry in Penang, Malaysia, participated in this research. Smart PLS was used to conduct hypotheses testing while confirming the validity and reliability of the data collected from the survey. The finding of this research shows that supplier quality, performance delivery, and supply service criteria are significant for the buyer-supplier long term relationship. The outcome of this research will help semiconductor companies to have a set of best criteria for supplier selection. Later, it could help them establish long term relationship with the supplier to benefit their supply chain operations, and at the same time ensuring the growth, survival and sustainability of their supplier business

Challenges in sustainable supply chain management of live animal trading: a case study of live animal industry in Malaysia

There are various challenges of the live animal industry, not just in Malaysia but also to many parts of the world. This study focuses on the supply chain management of live animal trading in Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the challenges specifically in supply chain management areas in the live animal trading. A total of 20 semi-structured interviews have been carried out with a few companies involved in the industry and a few officers from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS). The premises of the companies also have been observed a day earlier before the interview. The data gathered from the observation as well as from the interview and literature review were analysed using TOWS analysis. The findings show that the industry is facing multiple challenges based on their strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities that being offered and the threats that they faced, which are vital for their business continuity. This study also highlights the essential problems to focus on and formulate strategies to achieve competitive advantages and sustainable supply chain management, especially to the practitioners in the live animal trading industry

Shipper’s perceptions of aviation Logistics Service Quality (LSQ) of air freight provider

This research investigates logistics service quality of the air freight provider from a shipper's perspective in Malaysia. The multiple empirical case studies are used to collect data from the shipper's perspective. Findings suggest there are five main factors that represent air freight service quality of the air freight provider. They are ground handler attitude, fast delivery, communication and information sharing, product reliability and price. These findings contribute to the current theory of Logistics Service Quality (LSQ) with specifically enhance our understanding of air freight service quality. These findings contribute to the current theory of air freight service quality where it is still underdeveloped. This research studies LSQ from shippers perspective only. Findings from this study has developed better our current understanding of logistics service, particularly in air freight sector. Thus, this study is pioneer that offers a study on LSQ in air freight perspective and explore the elements of air freight service quality. Findings from this study not only enhance current knowledge on air freight LSQ but also assist the government to help air freight provider to support themselves as a preparation to become the major player of Aeropolis city in Malaysia

Digitalization and Leap Frogging Strategy Among the Supply Chain Member: Facing GIG Economy and Why Should Logistics Players Care?

This article integrates the concept of leap frogging strategy and digitalization as a key strategy for the sustainability of logistics players in facing up with GIG economy. At present, business organization are moving towards Industry 5.0 (internet of thought) and GIG economy where the traditional way of fully relying on full time workers are no longer relevant. The world of work is changing. From organizational view, leap frogging strategy with technological advancement are significant to achieve competitive advantage to ensure the continuity of business. While from worker perspective, having technology driven talent is a must to face new business economy called as GIG economy. In other words, all workers in every industry including logistics should ensure they have technology driven talent in his/her portfolio to remain competitive in the working world. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the applicability of Industry 5.0 such as digitalization and mobile marketing to logistics players; to make them more visible to customer and competitor. Single case study method was adopted to study on the perspective as discussed above more in-depth. Findings from this single case study is transferable as it provides rich explanation and discussion from one of the earliest logistics company in Malaysia, with logistics experience almost five (5) decades in providing logistics services. The qualitative findings pointed out four key areas for LSP improvement. Firstly, all LSPs should go for transition process with their business model to provide them with new revenue - logistics digital business and allow them to be more visible to their customer by fully utilizing the promotion activities online. Secondly, every agreement with customer should be put into contract and it is paperless within system. Thirdly, digital payment is a must to all logistics players to practice in order for them to compete in digital era. Finally, and inevitability, to sustain in the business, logistics may move to become intelligent logistics players with carrying no asset and just focus on negotiating contracts with customers. This term refers to practising logistics players with no assets or less assets centric. In principle, the company does not own asset but able to provide logistics services (for example fleet and warehouses) by aggregating “information about assets†from people who do own them by leveraging on data. This article contributes to the logistics study by matching issue on digitalization and GIG economy in logistics sector. More work on future of logistics is needed with large sample across the globe in order to obtain more data to help the logistics players depict themselves in new economy

Linking halal requirement and branding: an examination of halal flight kitchen provider in Malaysia

There is something very appealing about Halal branding and its linked to Halal requirements. The establishment of Halal branding is actually closely related to Syariah compliance requirements. This study aims to explore how Halal branding is created in the context of Halal Flight Kitchen in Malaysia. This study adopted single case study method for deep exploration of the topic. This interpretive study opted for semi-structured interview, observation, and documents review as a main data collection method. Findings suggest proper segregation, sertu and workers hygiene are the three main elements to establish Halal branding in Halal flight kitchen. This study is among the pioneering research on Halal branding establishment from Flight Kitchen perspectiv