Managing Raw Material in Baked Tapioca Cake Manufacturing Industry

Mr. Hafiz was a young entrepreneur who had been on the hunt for the perfect business.After being involved in the property industry as an evaluator for a few years, he wanted to find a way to spend his time by being productive and involve in business he interested most.He was ready to start a new chapter.His passion towards traditional Malay dessert drove him to start the Aura Bengkang Enterprise, a small scale business producing baked tapioca cake – a type of cake requiring unique culinary skills and material use (i.e. the cassava).Not everyone had the required skill set to make the tapioca cake, a traditional semi-soft, chewy yet fragrant Malay dessert. With a tinge of excitement in his voice, Hafiz confessed that his family’s recipe was so good that he could make them for business.Hafiz had always loved mixing and cooking the tapioca cake with a combination of his grandmother recipe and traditional Malay recipe.He was a master in his own kitchen. He considered becoming an international manufacturer for traditional Malay dessert in the future. Being a person who liked to think big and pencil out all of his ideas, he ultimately concluded that it would be difficult to scale up his business with limited management skills in handling raw materials for the tapioca cake, the cassava.This is even worst, when he found difficulties in searching cassava suppliers who can supply the material for his daily baked tapioca cake productio

Relationship Between Firm Resources and Product Innovation Performance in Malaysian Small Medium Enterprises: The Moderating Role of Age & Size

The purpose of this research was to assess the product innovation performance (PIP) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Malaysian manufacturing sector. The research focused on SMEs because of the high percentage of them in the Malaysian business population. Furthermore, manufacturing SMEs are mostly involved in innovation activities. Also, there are increasing levels of product innovation in the manufacturing sector in recent years. The present research has assessed the actual and expected relationship of the resources of SMEs and PIP. It has also discussed the moderation effect of the size and age of the SME on this relationship. In addition, there are also findings on the most innovative manufacturing industries in Malaysia. This research uses survey methodology that includes a descriptive analysis, test of non-response bias, validity and reliability analysis and regression analysis (multiple and hierarchical) of the study population from among SMEs in the manufacturing sector. Findings showed that the production of electrical and electronic industry (E&E) has achieved the highest PIP. In terms of the direct relationship between SME resources and PIP, the results showed no relationship between tangible resources and PIP. On the other hand, intangible resources demonstrated a positive relationship with PIP. Moreover, there was a partial moderation effect of the SME’s age towards SME tangible resources and PIP. Conversely, the size if an SME does not moderate the relationship between SME resources and PIP. Originality of this study is to contribute to the flow of resource view (RBV) and innovation research, especially in the context of the study, conceptualization and methodology. In terms of the direct relationship between SME resources and PIP, the results showed no relationship between tangible resources and PIP. On the other hand, intangible resources demonstrated a positive relationship with PIP. Moreover, there was a partial moderation effect of the SME's age towards SME tangible resources and PIP. Conversely, the size if an SME does not moderate the relationship between SME resources and PIP. Originality of this study is to contribute to the flow of resource view (RBV) and innovation research, especially in the context of the study, conceptualization and methodology. The findings of this research also provide important contributions for practitioners and policy-makers in developing policies and strategies for promoting SMEs

4Ps Innovations In Small Medium Enterprise And The Impact To The Business Performance

Researchers have identified innovation as a key organizational activity, contributing directly to the long-term viability of operations. Utilizing a sample of SMEs' (Small Medium Enterprise) from Alor Setar and Kubang Pasu District in Kedah, this study proposes and tests a model that assesses relationships between 4Ps (product, price, place and promotion) innovation and organization performance. Result generally support past work by Biggs (1996), Cohen (1988), Kelleberg (1986), Palmer (1993), Perreault and Russ ( 1976), who have proposed that innovation is positively related to financial and non-financial performance of the organization

Technological capability, relational capability and firms’ performance The role of learning capability

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically evaluate the mediating role of learning capability on the relationship between technological capability, relational capability and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) performance in developing economy of Africa. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative survey design was employed to collect the data from owner/manager of manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria. Partial least square structural equation model was used in the evaluation of both the measurement and structural models to determine the reliability and validity of the measurement and test the hypotheses, respectively. Findings – The statistical result indicates a positive relationship between technological capability, learning capability and SMEs performance. Equally, relational capability significantly and positively relates to SMEs learning capability. However, relational capability negatively relates to SMEs performance, while technological capability also negatively relates to learning capability. Furthermore, learning capability mediates the negative relationship of relational capability and SMEs performance to significant positive relationship, while it does not mediate the relationship of technological capability and performance. Research limitations/implications – The analysis of this study is restricted to only resource-based view and dynamic capability theory. Data of the study were collected once a time on a self-reported technique. The study contributed significantly to the body literature on technological and relational capabilities and performance. It also demonstrated the need for SMEs manager to recognize and appreciate the roles of these strategic capabilities in achieving sustainable competitive position. Practical implications – Through relational capability SMEs develops efficient collaborative relationship to acquire new techniques, knowledge. This is specifically, essential for SMEs firms from less developing and emerging economies as they are lagging behind at the global competitive platform, and that the possession of specific advantage locally may not be adequately enough to help penetrate the global markets. Similarly, technological capability enable firms to identify acquire and apply new external knowledge to develop operational competencies which may lead to the attainment of superior performance. Social implications – Government policies and programs designed to support technological development and innovation must be adjusted to consider the peculiar nature of SMEs firms in terms of technology and innovativeness that enhances competitive position and performance. Originality/value – This study empirically examined the relationship of technological and relational capabilities and the SMEs learning capability and performance

Factors contributing to SMEs innovative culture in Punjab, Pakistan: a pilot study

The objective of this research is to measure the reliability and validity of SMEs innovative culture and its construct developed by Rao & Weintraub (2013).60 questionnaires were used to collect the responses from SMEs’ CEOs and senior top executives in Punjab, Pakistan.The study adopted the simple random sampling method for data collection.The reliability and validity of the instrument were assessed through experts from academia and industry and also from small sample of the data.Results provide the evidence of validity and reliability of the instrument.This study will help to identify the factors contributing for innovative culture in SMEs Pakistan

Small medium enterprises' resources and the development of innovation in Malaysia

More recent research has shifted attention from tangible to intangible resources as it perceived to be more important from a strategic point of view, since they bring together more frequently the requirements necessary for producing sustainable advantage: to be valuable, rare and difficult to imitate and replace by competitors (Barney 1991; Hitt et al. 2001).In view of the fact that there has been a dramatic increase in Malaysia SMEs development, this research reviews the SME resources and its contribution to innovation development. In the context of Malaysia manufacturing companies, reputational resources have been found given the highest impact on the product innovation performance compared to other factors.Survey was distributed randomly to the business owners and managers who work in various sizes of manufacturing firms.The response rate was 48% resulted from the personally administered questionnaire are considered highly favorable

A study of product innovation performance: Identifying the most innovative industry in Malaysian manufacturing sector

The purpose of this paper was to assess the product innovation performance (PIP) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Malaysian manufacturing sector. The study focused on this sector because of the high percentage of them was involved in product innovation activities. The present study has assessed the actual result and discussed the findings on the most innovative manufacturing industries in Malaysia. The research methodology used includes the research design approach, population and sampling techniques, selection and administration of questionnaires, organizing and analyzing the data.Findings showed that the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry achieved superior pip. These research findings contribute to the stream of research on innovation particularly in the light of research context and conceptualization.The findings of this research also provide important contributions for practitioners and policy-makers in developing policies and strategies for promoting SMEs

Strategic Alliance and the Performance of SMEs in Developing Economies: The Mediating Role of Innovation Strategy

The importance of innovation in enhancing the performance of business enterprises have been acknowledged and documented in economic literature. However, SMEs find it difficult to innovate due mainly to constraint of resource. Nevertheless through effective strategic alliance with other participants in the market SMEs get access to numerous resources, skills and technique to overcome the challenges affecting their innovativeness and performance. The study presents a conceptual framework depicting the mediating role of innovation strategy on the relationship between strategic alliance and SMEs performance in developing economies. Empirical validation of this model would entail crucial policies implication to policy makers, owner/managers and all other stake holders

Technological capability, relational capability and firms’ performance: The role learning capability

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically evaluate the mediating role of learning capability on the relationship between technological capability, relational capability and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) performance in developing economy of Africa. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative survey design was employed to collect the data from owner/manager of manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria. Partial least square structural equation model was used in the evaluation of both the measurement and structural models to determine the reliability and validity of the measurement and test the hypotheses, respectively. Findings – The statistical result indicates a positive relationship between technological capability, learning capability and SMEs performance. Equally, relational capability significantly and positively relates to SMEs learning capability. However, relational capability negatively relates to SMEs performance, while technological capability also negatively relates to learning capability. Furthermore, learning capability mediates the negative relationship of relational capability and SMEs performance to significant positive relationship, while it does not mediate the relationship of technological capability and performance. Research limitations/implications – The analysis of this study is restricted to only resource-based view and dynamic capability theory. Data of the study were collected once a time on a self-reported technique. The study contributed significantly to the body literature on technological and relational capabilities and performance. It also demonstrated the need for SMEs manager to recognize and appreciate the roles of these strategic capabilities in achieving sustainable competitive position. Practical implications – Through relational capability SMEs develops efficient collaborative relationship to acquire new techniques, knowledge. This is specifically, essential for SMEs firms from less developing and emerging economies as they are lagging behind at the global competitive platform, and that the possession of specific advantage locally may not be adequately enough to help penetrate the global markets. Similarly, technological capability enable firms to identify acquire and apply new external knowledge to develop operational competencies which may lead to the attainment of superior performance. Social implications – Government policies and programs designed to support technological development and innovation must be adjusted to consider the peculiar nature of SMEs firms in terms of technology and innovativeness that enhances competitive position and performance. Originality/value – This study empirically examined the relationship of technological and relational capabilities and the SMEs learning capability and performance

Do the motivational factor matters in creativity and innovation programmes organized by government agencies?

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of the employee motivation towards the effectiveness of the creativity and innovation programmes organized by Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC). This research was quantitative in nature where data were gathered using survey questionnaire. A total of 374 respondents were participated in this study whereby regression analysis has been used to determine the influence between the employee motivations towards the MPC programmes. Result shows that employee motivation positively influence the effectiveness of the creativity and innovation programmes and it was found that workplace environment is the most important motivational factor that should be highlighted in the organizational setting