Mediation impact of manufacturing strategies on external environmental factors and manufacturing performance

The growing global competition has presented firms around the world, including manufacturers in Malaysia, with unprecedented challenges to ensure survival. Such a challenging environment should propel these manufacturers to adapt certain, well-proven manufacturing strategies, such as lean manufacturing, the inclusion of manufacturing technology and the appliance of a strategic level of flexibility. With respect to Malaysia insufficient research has been done on what are the winning formulae to overcome the mounting challenges in the business environment. In this study, all three identified strategies – lean, manufacturing technology and strategic flexibility – were investigated in depth as integrated factors that could positively improve manufacturing performance. The research framework examined the impact of such an integrated and strategic approach on the performance of Malaysian manufacturers. Data was collected using survey method, through the distribution of structured questionnaires to lean manufacturers in Peninsula Malaysia. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test multiple mediator models the results of which indicated that all three strategies had a significant impact and mediated the relationship between external environmental factors and manufacturing performance. The results from this study also emphasized several interesting quasi-paradoxical relationships that implied that Malaysian lean manufacturers preferred a cautious approach towards manufacturing technology implementation, preferring to incorporate technology in a more stable business environment and viewed strategic flexibility as unfavorable toward performance improvement. This study produced a strong predictive model that explained the mediation impact of manufacturing strategies on external environmental factors and manufacturing performance that would be useful to those managing such companies. The main limitation found in this research was the small number of respondents. Future research should focus on a wider dimension for performance measurement, include additional manufacturing strategies as part of the research framework and enlarge the scope of this study in order to increase the generalizability of the research outcome

Genetically Modified Food in Malaysia Halal Food Supply Chain: An Insight

The aim of this paper is to investigate Genetically Modfied Food(GMF) management and acceptance in the halal food supply chain and to explore how the GMF impacted Malaysia food consumerism. In this study, the researchers adopted in depth critical review of various publications and data made available on the issues and various studies on GMF consumerism and acceptance in Malaysia. The findings showed that in general GMF is still a new concept among Malaysians and despite a few studies on the matter, it is far from being able to conclude solidly or generalize compellingly the acceptance, understanding or even awareness among Malaysian consumers towards GMF. In the term of halal status of GMF, in depth and further study should be made on the unresolved issues concerning understanding on GMF products before any halal assessment could be done on it. Therefore, it is assumed that the subject of GMF in Malaysia is still far from being clear and much less distinctive among the consumers themselves. For future research, the researcher needs to take a look at the understanding level of GMF concept among consumers before wading down deeper on their behaviour, intention as well as awareness towards consuming GMF. Keywords: GMF, Halal, Food Supply Chai

Supplier Management System in Halal Food Supply Chain: A Case Study Approach

Abstract The aims of this paper is to investigate supplier management in Halal food supply chain in according with an existing framework of supplier management and to explore how the size of enterprises influences supplier management in Halal food supply chain. In this study, the researcher adopted case study research method and collected the data from one small and medium-sized enterprise and one multinational enterprise producing Halal foods in Malaysia with Malaysia Halal certification. The findings showed specific risk consequences, supply risk sources, risk drivers and risk mitigating strategies in Halal food supply chain based on the framework of supplier management. By comparing the constructs of the framework, differences in the cases emerged: the type of risk mitigating strategies and the range of monitoring. Therefore, it is assumed that bargaining power and resources based on the size of enterprises influenced the type of risk mitigating strategies and the range of monitoring in Halal food supply chain. For future research, the researcher needs to take not only the size of enterprises but also other contextual factors into consideration for a wholesome approach in understanding each firms characteristics and how the supply chain system is affected

Manufacturing technology adoption among lean manufacturers: An initial study

Lean manufacturing is a technique that allows work to be performed without bottlenecks or delays while eliminating wasteful activities by linking and balancing equal amounts of work steps together, enabling products to be consumed directly into the next step, one piece at a time until completed.The aim of this research is to analyse the level of implementation of manufacturing technology among lean practitioners in Malaysia.It highlights on the types of technologies applied in the lean practice and to what extend the level of technologies being used. A questionnaire survey was used to identify the different manufacturing technologies being used and the level of applications among lean manufacturers in Malaysia. From the questionnaire results, it shows that there are 3 groups of manufacturing technology used by manufacturers, mainly the direct, indirect and administrative technology.Meanwhile, according to the results the level of technologies used by lean manufacturers in Malaysia is considered as within medium level. This might be due to the cost of applying such technologies or the lack of information regarding each manufacturing technologies

Issues of Japan Halal Industry: An Exploration of Potential Obstacles to Japanese Smes’ Export Development

The aims of this paper are to investigate the process of Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) Halal food business toward exporting Halal food and to explore issues of the Japan Halal Industry that potentially interfere SMEs exporting Halal food. In this study, the researcher interviewed three SMEs with Japan Halal certification issued by Japanese Halal certification bodies, two Halal certification bodies recognized by foreign Halal certification bodies, two Halal consultants, two researchers who are familiar with Halal study and three Malaysian Muslim consumers who had visited and/or lived in Japan. By analysing the contents emerged from all the interviews, the findings show the following things. First, the SMEs follow a traditional model of internationalization; they focus on a domestic market first, accumulate experimental knowledge in the domestic market and then, move toward foreign markets. Second, 15 issues categorized into barriers to starting Halal food business, perceptions of Halal food business, Halal certification, consultation of Halal food business and Muslim market in Japan emerged. In light of the traditional model, it is assumed that the issues in Halal certification, consultation of Halal food business and Muslim market in Japan adversely influence SMEs accumulating experimental knowledge of Halal food business. Hence, those issues, possibly become potential obstacles to SMEs export development

Halal Compliance impact on Organizational Performance: the role of religiosity

The purpose of this paper is to study how the implementation of Halal certification could facilitate successful certification implementation in halal manufacturing company in Malaysia. The paper is based on a thorough review of published journals on the subject of implementation of halal level compliance and performance that moderate by religiosity. In recent years, 70 percent of the Malaysian halal manufacturer being non-Muslim. Thus, it is important to study the hindsight of the halal manufacturer on regard the compliance and performance, since there are lack of study examine the impact if religiosity in the area of operation organizational performance

Lean manufacturing implementation: Developing a qualitative research design

Lean manufacturing have been widely used by manufacturing companies worldwide.However, low rate of success towards lean manufacturing transformation in many countries had created a cause of concern.Change agent system is a crucial element in lean transition as most of the employees are not familiar with lean work environment, and requires a behavioural and mindset change due to the different expectation for performance and value.This study attempts to investigate the role of change agent in the successful implementation of lean manufacturing. Qualitative case study approach is chosen as it offers a more holistic perspective.Therefore, the aim of this paper is to discuss on developing the research design in answering the research questions.A manufacturing company was selected. The four different methods for gathering data: interviews, observation, documents and focus group will contribute towards the categorization and code development process.This enabled a precise analytic approach to the study, which is an induction of highly specified and valid constructs concerning the knowledge development and conveyance process

Kajian terhadap keperluan dan pemahaman berkaitan produk makanan halal di Malaysia

Pada masa sekarang telah banyak produk makanan yang dicipta dan dikeluarkan dalam perniagaan berasaskan makanan.Produk makanan halal merupakan salah satu daripadanya dan merupakan makanan yang mematuhi Syariah dalam Islam serta turut menjadi pilihan masyarakat bukan Islam.Kajian ini mengenalpasti adakah wujud keperluan dan pemahaman masyarakat terhadap produk halal.Responden dipilih secara rawak di seluruh Malaysia tanpa mengira agama dan bangsa iaitu seramai 100 responden.Kaedah utama yang digunakan ialah melalui pengedaran borang soal selidik untuk mendapatkan data.Terdapat dua perkara yang dititiberatkan dalam borang soal selidik iaitu keperluan logo halal dan pemahaman berkenaan dengan status produk makanan halal.Bagi mendapatkan maklumat berkenaan keperluan dan pemahaman produk makanan halal telah memilih dua kategori iaitu etnik dan tahap pendidikan responden sebagai kajian.Hasil dapatan kajian bahawa keperluan dan pemahaman dalam borang soal selidik telah menunjukkan keputusan yang positif daripada masyarakat tentang produk makanan halal. Secara keseluruhannya, mendapati bahawa majoriti responden memahami dan menyatakan bahawa makanan halal amatlah diperlukan dan sudah mula menjadi pilihan kebanyakan masyarakat Malaysia

Implementation benefits and challenges for Malaysia food manufactures: A case study on HACCP certified company

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) is a preventive system in assuring the safety of food products and finished products for consumption.The aim of this research is to study the benefits and challenges of HACCP implementation on food manufacturers.This study highlighted the procedures of the implementation, objectives of implementing this system and the problem of implementing this system.This research was conducted through interview on a HACCP certified company in Kedah.The result of this interview showed that the biggest challenges of implementing this system are communication issue that is related language barriers, staff motivation and lack of awareness.The outcome of this research showed that through the implementation of HACCP, there are reduction in customer complaints, sales increase and products quality improvement

Mediating impact of manufacturing technology, lean and strategic flexibility on manufacturing performance

In respect of Malaysian lean manufacturer; there has been insufficient research on what are the winning formulate to overcome the mounting challenges from the business environment. In this study, three identified strategies i.e lean, manufacturing technology and strategic flexibility, that could positively improve manufacturing performances, are investigated in depth. The research approach used was quantitative with data analyzed using SmartPLS.Results from this study also emphasize several interesting quasi - paradoxical relationships which implied that Malaysian lean manufacturers prefer a cautious approach towards manufacturing technology implementation, preferring to incorporate technology in a more stable business environment and view strategic flexibility as unfavorable toward performance improvement.In conclusion, this study manages to produce a strong predictive strategy-performance model, which explains the mediation impact of manufacturing strategies on external environmental factors and manufacturing performance