Performance of wireless local area networks in Malaysian institutions

Although Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) are widely used in many settings little work has been done in studying their impact and benefits. This study provides empirical indicators on the performance of the WLANs implemented on Malaysian Institutions of Higher Learning Our research adopted Deming’s P-D-C-A Model and modified it to Plan-Implement-Control-Evaluate (P-I-C-E) in establishing a performance measurement for a WLAN; hence WLAN Performance Index (WPi). The measurement consists of four key performance indicators (KPi), reflecting the performance of the four P-I-C-E dimensions. These performance indicators provide a guide for the institutions to take the necessary corrective and preventive actions in attaining an effective WLAN system. Benchmarking was conducted by comparing three institutions in identifying the best WLAN system measures. The WPi is then applied to the three Malaysian public institutions of higher learning (MIPTA), which have implemented such WLAN system. The study reveals the WPi of each of the MIPTA being measured, indicating the strength and weaknesses of each institutions. Also, we suggest corrective actions necessary in achieving an effective and efficient WLAN system. Gap analysis was done to the three MIPTAs findings comparative to the benchmarked WLAN system

Software Quality: Concepts, Problems and Tools for Improving

In this paper, we discuss the concept and principles of the total quality management (TQM). The paper describes the main Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) models and pros and cons of each one. In addition, overview measures of quality during SDLC. Finally, the paper describes the software quality problems and how to achieve TQM via defect prevention. Keywords: Quality; quality management; SDLC; software development; total quality management

The impact of Total Quality Management on organizational performance

This study came to investigate the impact of Total Quality management (TQM) practices and strategies on organisational performance. TQM is defined as a strategy that essentially aimed to establish and deliver high quality products and services that cover all customers' demands and achieve a high level of customer satisfaction. This paper discusses the implementation of total quality management in Pakistan and explores the relationship between the effective implementation and organisational performance. TQM in Pakistan was implemented in three categories of implementation methods which are; quality control, quality assurance and continuous improvement. The findings indicate that TQM has two organisational performances, either is TQM practices effect the organisational performance, or it hinders organisations to achieve their goals in which this will negatively affect the organizational performance. Keywords: Total Quality management, organisational performance, high quality products and services, customer satisfaction

Outcome based education: a computational measurement on special librarian intelligence competency / Azrilah Abdul Aziz, Sohaimi Zakaria and Johari Jamaluddin

Information is the key driver for an organization to be able to make prudent decision and direct the organization effectively to meet their corporate objectives. With the advent of information technology and information systems, dissemination of knowledge, data, and information, has exploded by leaps and bounds. Librarians are now expected to conduct data mining, explore and analyze meta data, code and categorize knowledge, employing the most advance information management system as well as the best available technology. Now, they need to be equipped with specific competency to execute responsibilities vested on them. This has prompted the need to study Library and Information Management program offered by the Faculty of Information Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia (UiTM) . The program was designed to develop competent Librarians; among others the graduate outcomes is to be Knowledge Managers, Information Innovator; etcetera, which are deemed Information Professionals (IP). This is explicitly described in the subject learning outcomes where technical knowledge and generic skills were identified using Blooms Taxonomy. This paper presents a case study on special librarians who is required to carry out specific task in a highly specific environment. Result of computational measurement of course learning outcomes is mapped against job specification in the industry utilizing competencies attributes established from meta-analysis. It was noted that development of technology and expansion of current job scope demands a specific training for these special librarians

Validating the ISO 9000 Construct of Measurement Instrument Through Application of RASCH Model

There are numerous researches conducted on the issues related to ISO 9001 quality management system. Among the issue is the impact of the ISO 9001 quality management system implementation on the performance of the organization. However the findings from the research appeared as inconclusive. Few literature suggest that the inconclusive result may due to the level of ISO 9000 implementation therefore further research is required. Generally the data collected for these types of researches are through mailed questionnaires and analyzed it using SPSS and SEM. In line with that this study also developed questionnaires correspond to a 5 point Likert to assess the implementation of ISO 9000 in the organization. As a result 231 items are identified within five dimensions. The five dimensions are derived from ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 quality management standards requirement and guidelines. Among the dimensions are management responsibility, resource management, product realization, measurement improvement and innovation and organizational performance. The questionnaires are sent to 78 automotive based companies located in the Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. 19 questionnaires were returned and used as pilot test to validate and calibrate the instrument. The responds from the organization are tabulated and run in WinSteps software for the purpose of validating and calibrating the instrument by implementing the Rasch ‘quality control' and reduction of items. Not all the outfit items are removed from the instruments, Rasch Model did provide room for the researcher to make decision either to remove or not those outfit items. In this study those outfit items need to be corrected in order to ensure that the instrument is reliable and fit to measure the performance of the organization. As a result 68 items are removed from the questionnaires

KMS components for collaborative software maintenance – a pilot study

Software maintenance (SM) environment is highly complex, knowledge-driven and collaborative environment. Therefore, a Knowledge Management System (KMS) is critical to ensure various parties have the necessary information to perform SM activities. In an effort to model the requirements for sharing and sustaining knowledge in SM environment, we review literatures on Knowledge Management (KM), KMS and SM frameworks to identify the knowledge components, tools and technologies. An initial model of KMS components in collaborative SM is proposed, to be verified vis-a-vis a questionnaire survey. Before the questionnaires are sent out, a pilot study was conducted to identify misfit questionnaire items so that they could be revised before being sent out. Rasch Unified Measurement Method (RUMM) is used to analyze the pilot data. Item reliability is found to be poor and a few respondents and items are identified as misfits with distorted measurements. As a result, some problematic questions are revised and some predictably easy questions are excluded from the questionnaire

Validating The ISO 9000 Construct of Measurement Instrument Through Application of RASCH Model

There are numerous researches conducted on the issues related to ISO 9001 quality management system. Among the issue is the impact of the ISO 9001 quality management system implementation on the performance of the organization. However the findings from the research appeared as inconclusive. Few literature suggest that the inconclusive result may due to the level of ISO 9000 implementation therefore further research is required. Generally the data collected for these types of researches are through mailed questionnaires and analyzed it using SPSS and SEM. In line with that this study also developed questionnaires correspond to a 5 point Likert to assess the implementation of ISO 9000 in the organization. As a result 231 items are identified within five dimensions. The five dimensions are derived from ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 quality management standards requirement and guidelines. Among the dimensions are management responsibility, resource management, product realization, measurement improvement and innovation and organizational performance. The questionnaires are sent to 78 automotive based companies located in the Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. 19 questionnaires were returned and used as pilot test to validate and calibrate the instrument. The responds from the organization are tabulated and run in WinSteps software for the purpose of validating and calibrating the instrument by implementing the Rasch ‘quality control’ and reduction of items. Not all the outfit items are removed from the instruments, Rasch Model did provide room for the researcher to make decision either to remove or not those outfit items. In this study those outfit items need to be corrected in order to ensure that the instrument is reliable and fit to measure the performance of the organization. As a result 68 items are removed from the questionnaires.Keyword: rasch model, ISO 9001, quality control and items reduction

A perception assessment on security awareness in Malaysian government agencies by Rasch model / Mohd Ismail Ahmad, Azrilah Abdul Aziz and Mohd Saidfudin Masodi

The Chief Government Security Office (CGSO) in the Prime Minister's Department is responsible for protecting the country against potential threats to the national security. A number of other security and intelligence agencies work alongside CGSO to gather, analyse and utilise information on intelligence and national security matters. In order to protect national security and economic well-being, the CGSO collects and disseminates intelligence, investigates and assesses threats and works with others to counter them. They render advise on protective security and provide effective support of such tasks since 1957 as empowered in Arahan Keselamatan, (Pin.J984). The CGSO also provides protective security advice to multi-national corporations where it involves National Infrastructure Key Points (NIKeP), helping them reduce their vulnerability to possible threats. Ever since the CGSO has established highly competent quality service in discharging their statutory junctions. However, the vital role of the CGSO in the government service has since diminished despite the rise of global terrorism. Subsequently, the CGSO has taken a concerted effort by vigorously carrying out workshops and seminars at various Government Agencies to improve the awareness and put security as being of utmost importance. It is aimed as preventive measures to frustrate sabotage, espionage, prevent damage to the country from subversion and other covert activity; frustrate proliferation of detrimental information, watch out for new or re-emerging types of threat; protect the Government's sensitive information and assets. This paper assessed feedback from Government Officers as participants in workshops and seminars conducted by the CGSO on protective security. The evaluation shows there is a strong correlation between the number of courses conducted and level of security appreciation; hence, higher level of competency in taking protective security measures amongst the government officers

A Rasch analysis on the usability model in applying CMM to improve the quality of software maintenance process

Maintenance plays an important role in the life cycle of a software product.It is estimated that there are more than 100 billion lines of code in production in the world. As much as 80% of it is unstructured, patched and not well documented. Maintenance can alleviate these problems. IEEE and ISO have both addressed software maintenance, the first with a specific standard and the latter as a part of its standard on life cycle processes. Multiple solutions to problem of software development have been proposed such as development methodology, management model and software tools. Software maintenance suffers because of the scarcity of management model that would facilitate its evaluation. This paper described a model of a quality software maintenance process. The proposed model is based on Capability Maturity Model of the Software Engineering Institute (CMM-SEI) to evaluate and enhance the software maintenance process. The architecture of the CMM model is retained while the development process is either modified or extended to take into account the characteristics specified to the maintenance function. These characteristics were then organized into key process areas as the new CMM model