The influence of comprehensive performance measurement system (CPMS) towards managers’ role ambiguity

Comprehensive PMS (CPMS) has been widely used for decision facilitating and decision influencing purposes.Role theory suggests that CPMS information is useful for enhancing role expectation and motivation.Prior research shows inconsistent findings and research that examines behavioural consequences of CPMS informational characteristics is still lacking.This research examines how CPMS may influence managers’ role ambiguity.The data were collected from 120 business unit managers of manufacturing firms listed in the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) 2011 Directory.Consistent with prior literature, findings indicate that CPMS informational characteristics would reduce managers’ role ambiguity

Factors associated with anti tuberculosis therapy (ATT) compliance, ATT outcomes and survival of patients with TB/HIV co-infection using generalized structural equation modeling (GSEM)

Introduction: The number of TB/HIV co-infection reported in Malaysia is about eight percent of total HIV cases and about 5.9 percent of total notified TB cases. The proportion of the cases was decreased each year started in 2007. For more effective strategies of preventive, a model of TB/HIV should be developed especially compatible with Malaysia situation. Objectives: This study was proposed to model TB/HIV co-infection based on associated factors of anti TB treatment compliance and associated factors of TB treatment outcome and also predictor factors of mortality in TB/HIV co-infection and to assess the model using a new method known as a generalized structural equation model. Methodology: Retrospective cohort study had extracted out information such as socio-demographic, social and medical history, signs and symptoms at diagnosis and treatment from 284 medical records from 2005 to 2012 in two selected government hospitals. Multiple logistic regression was applied in two analyses; determination of associated factors in ATT compliance and associated factors in the ATT outcome. Meanwhile, Cox regression was used in determining predictor factors of mortality. All outcomes were combined together and latent variable of TB diagnosis was added to determine the TB/HIV co-infection model using generalized structural equation modeling. The mediating effect also was assessed in the model. Results: The model had identified three significant associated factors of ATT compliance (hepatitis, age of diagnosis TB and history of previous TB), five significant factors of success in TB treatment (CD4 count, area of residency, ATT compliance, ATT duration and received HAART) and five significant predictor factors of mortality (ATT outcome, MOT sexual, MOT IVDU, received HAART, ATT duration) included one time varying covariate variable (area of residency). The latent TB diagnosis variable was significantly measured by symptoms of cough, fever, night sweating, loss of weight and laboratory findings (chest x-ray, sputum AFB smear and culture). The combination of all outcomes of the analyses simultaneously by a new method gave a similar result as traditional methods with advances in increments of a latent variable added. ATT outcome was suspected to mediate the effect of ATT compliance to mortality. Conclusion: Development of generalized structural equations modeling to analyze simultaneously many outcomes of different distributions with the addition of latent variables at the same time can benefit many researchers to validate their models. However, the method was still in early development and has many limitations need to improve by the software developer

Just-in-time manufacturing and purchasing practices and business performance: an exploratory study / Che Ruhana Isa and Tay Yew Keong

In today’s challenging and turbulent competitive markets, companies need to constantly review their strategies in order to survive and sustain their market positions. One of the strategies frequently adopted by companies to improve manufacturing performance is Just-in-time purchasing and manufacturing practices. Use of JIT enables them to be more efficient, effective and more responsive to customer needs as JIT is based on the philosophy of demand pull and lean manufacturing. This study investigates the relationship between the level of just-in-time (JIT) purchasing and manufacturing practices and performance. It employed a self-administered questionnaire survey to collect data from Malaysian manufacturing companies

A note on market competition, advanced manufacturing technology and management accounting and control systems change / Che Ruhana Isa

Changes in competitive and manufacturing environments have important implications for designing appropriate management accounting and control systems (MACS) in organizations. This paper examines the effect of market competition and advanced manufacturing technology on management accounting and control systems change. Using a sample of 110 Malaysian manufacturing firms, this study investigated the roles of perceived market competition, advanced manufacturing technology adoption and employee attitude toward change in predicting MACS change. Hypotheses were tested using both quantitative and qualitative data collected by a questionnaire survey and post-survey interviews

Exploration of Risk taking behaviors for Financial decision making in Malaysia

We used and evaluated a simple real payoff choice investment alternatives to measure risk taking behavior of Malaysian youth and also applied this measure to examine differences in risk taking behavior of male, female, younger and older adult university students. Participants chose which of ten 50/50 chance to win or loss alternative they wish to choose. We found significant ethnic difference when Malay and Chinese were placed in-groups, Chinese showed a stronger pro-risk position than Malay. While no significant difference was found between Indian and Chinese. However, overall there was a significant gender difference in investment risk taking behavior. Females turned out in a stronger pro-risk position than males. In terms of choosing investment alternatives, there was a significant difference between age groups, such that younger adults were relatively more risk taker than older adults.  

Market competition, lean manufacturing practices and the role of Management Accounting Systems (MAS) information

Adoption of advanced manufacturing techniques such as lean manufacturing is one of the strategies that help manufacturing firms to sustain their competitiveness and achieve the desired outcomes. It is argued that the traditional Management Accounting Systems (MAS) are no longer capable of providing information necessary to operate in the ever changing business environment. This study examines the role of MAS information in the relationship between market competition, lean manufacturing and organisational performance. Data were gathered using a questionnaire survey from manufacturing firms listed in the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Directory. The results reveal the relationships between lean manufacturing and the MAS, as well as between the MAS and performance, are positive and significant, which suggest that the relationship between lean manufacturing and performance is indirect through the MAS. This provides evidence that the use of MAS information in a lean manufacturing environment facilitates firms in improving organisational performance

Factors associated with psychological disturbance among healthcare providers during the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic in Kelantan, Malaysia

COVID-19 pandemic had significant emotional and psychological effects on the general population where healthcare providers were no exception. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with psychological disturbances such as vicarious traumatisation, anxiety and depression among healthcare providers during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study included 306 participants who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria from May to July 2020 in a state tertiary hospital. We employed a self-administered case report form containing socio-economic data and three questionnaires, i.e. Malay version Vicarious Traumatization Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey. Descriptive analysis and linear regression were applied for vicarious traumatisation while binary logistic regression was applied for anxiety and depression outcomes. The findings suggested that participants worked in the Medical Department were more likely to develop psychological disturbances than other departments. Non-frontline (adjusted coefficient [95% CI]: -17.04 [-24.77, -9.30]) and female healthcare providers (adjusted coefficient [95% CI]: 10.73 [2.99, 18.46]) were associated with vicarious traumatisation. Non-frontline healthcare providers (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]: 0.13 [0.06, 0.29]) were also associated with anxiety besides shift work (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]: 3.80 [1.04, 13.83]). Meanwhile, medical officers (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]: 0.31 [0.10, 0.91]) were less likely to report depression symptoms compared to staff nurses. These findings can assist hospital bureaucracy to focus on necessary interventions to improve the mental and psychological health of healthcare providers

Case 1: Bumpy ride on EL7

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has been Malaysia’s sole key player in the logistic industry for transporting people and goods via rail throughout Malaysia since 1948. The transportation company, which will reach its 57th anniversary this year, is now plagued with several serious problems that arise due to its inability to respond to the evolving market environment and customer demands. Problems, such as recent hikes in fuel prices, would have a direct impact on KTMB’s transporting operations. KTMB needs to also address its negative public image due to its inefficiency and current low capacity, especially with its intercity services. In addition, shortage of skilled staff, as well as old inventories and resources such as coaches and old tracks, are also hampering KTMB in its quest to improve itself and meet future demands. With the burgeoning of other modes of transportation, such as the low budget air carrier AirAsia, and modern comfortable buses that move people along the efficient highways of Malaysia, KTMB is indeed, in need of fast solutions to face its stiff competitors if it wants to remain a key player in the Malaysian transportation industry

Semantic network representation of female related issues from the Holy Quran

Quran is the main source of knowledge and has been a major source reference for all types of problems.Female is one of terms that are very popular in the Quran.This term represents a group of human that are venerable in the aspect of social and family.Quran contains many important issues related to the female. However understanding the issues and the solution from the Quran is difficult due to lack of understanding of Quran literature.Furthermore, female has been addressed in the Quran through several other terms such as women,lady and girls depending on the issues that being addressed.In this paper, 16 terms that are related to female and its related surah and verse have been identified.Semantic network is used to represent the issues. This study also found that, semantic network representation provide a clear and brief overview of the issue that is easy to understand and comprehend

Object-based knowledge representation of famale related issues from the Holy Quran

Focusing on the use of Semantic Network and Conceptual Graph (CG) representations, this paper presents an easy way in understanding concepts discussed in the Holy Quran.Quran is known as the main source of knowledge and has been a major source reference for all types of problems. However understanding the issues and the solution from the Quran is diffi cult due to lack of understanding of Quran literature.Meticulously, the Quran contains much important information related to female.However, this information are scattered and complexly linked. Technically, to extract and present the encapsulated knowledge on female matters in the Quran is a challenging task.Thus, this paper discusses on how to understand and represent the knowledge in an easy way.A total of 18 female terms are identifi ed. Through the terms, the name of surah, verses number and text from the verses are gathered. The texts are then analyzed and clustered into specific issues.Result of the analysis that consists of extracted knowledge on female issues is presented in a systematic structure using Semantic Network and CG.The strength and advantages of both approaches are compared, discussed and presented