Graduates' work experiences in SME's in the northern states of Malaysia

This paper was designed to examine university graduates’ expectations and experiences of employment in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Northern States of Malaysia.A self-reported questionnaire data was gathered from 84 graduate employees. Graduates reported positive experiences in many areas.These often exceeded their expectations, and in general over-met expectations were much more common than under-met ones. The graduates’ work appeared to offer quite high autonomy, the chance to develop a wide range of skills, and to progress towards career goals, at least in the short term. In line with previous research, there were signs that pay; within enterprise career prospects and training were relatively weak areas.Taken as a whole, the results substantiated previous research done and challenge more negative images of employment in small enterprises, and also the preoccupation with under-met expectations in the literature on new entrants to enterprises

Banking in the era of globalization: Why bankers should focus on 'relationship banking' with their small business customers?

The growing financial sophistication of customers, the greater and more efficient use of information technology and the increased types of institutions offering similar products and services in the market place have intensified competition in the banking industry in Malaysia. This competitive environment makes it a necessity for banks to focus more on establishing and maintaining relationships with customers. One important segment, the small business sector, however had not been given much attention by the banks. The small business sector is now a significant contributor to the country's economy, and the banks may miss the opportunity of an emerging lucrative market if they fail to recognize the potential profitability that this sector provides. This paper reports on a study conducted among the small business owners in the relationships with their banks. The findings will provide banks with information on understanding the needs of the small business customers they serve or want to serve

Graduates' work experiences in small and medium enterprises in the northern states of Malaysia

This research was designed to examine university graduates’ expectations and experiences of employment in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Northern States of Malaysia.A self-reported questionnaire data was gathered from 84 graduate employees in SMEs (52 in Perlis and Kedah; 32 in Penang and Perak).Graduates reported positive experiences in many areas.These often exceeded their expectations, and in general over-met expectations were much more common than under-met ones.The graduates’ work appeared to offer quite high autonomy, the chance given to further training, good working conditions, but higher intention to leave, at least in the short term.In line with previous research, there were signs that pay and within organization career prospects were relatively weak areas.Taken as a whole, the results substantiated previous research done and challenge more negative images of employment in SMEs, and also the preoccupation with under-met expectations in the literature on new entrants to organizations

Konsep khiyar dalam muamalat di Malaysia: Satu tinjauan berdasarkan kitab Mughni Almuhtaj Syeikh Mohamad Al-Khatib Al-Syarbini

Secara asasnya, sesuatu akad yang telah dipersetujui hendaklah dilaksanakan secara terus. Namun sedikit kelonggaran diberikan kepada kedua-dua belah pihak yang berakad untuk menarikbalik akad tersebut disebabkan sesuatu perkara.Konsep ini disebut sebagai khiyar.Hikmah khiyar disyariatkan adalah untuk memperkukuhkan konsep reda dalam urusniaga.Persoalannya sejauhmanakah konsep khiyar itu dibenarkan dalam Islam. Kajian ini menganalisis konsep khiyar menurut pandangan mazhab Syafi’i berdasarkan kitab Mughni al-Muhtaj yang dilihat bersesuaian untuk diimplimentasikan dalam masyarakat di Malaysia.Kitab Mughni al Muhtaj karangan Syeikh Mohammad al-Khatib al-Syarbini menjelas dan menghuraikan teks Minhaj al-Talibin karangan Imam al-Nawawi, kedua-duanya bermazhab Syafi’i. Belum ditemui lagi sebarang kajian yang telah dilakukan terhadap pandangan Syeikh Mohammad Khatib al-Syarbini mengenai konsep khiyar melalui karangannya itu.Kajian ini merupakan kajian kualitatif yang bersifat tekstual dengan memfokuskan kaedah penyelidikan melalui kajian kepustakaan.Data yang diperolehi dari kajian ini dianalisis menggunakan kaedah analisis isi. Kajian ini mendapati bahawa konsep khiyar amat luas penggunaannya sehingga meliputi juga akad yang lain seperti akad salam, syarikat, sharf dan sebagainya.Terdapat dua jenis khiyar yang utama iaitu khiyar tasyah dan khiyar naqisah. Terdapat akad yang tidak boleh diberikan hak khiyar seperti akad nikah, syuf’ah, sewaan dan lain-lainnya.Namun dalam keadaan yang tertentu hak khiyar tidak boleh digunakan seperti jika keaiban itu amat sedikit dan tidak merosakkan tujuan pembelian tersebut.Persoalan timbul adakah hak khiyar ini turut terlaksana terhadap mana-mana akad yang telah dipersetujui tetapi belum berlaku sebarang penyerahan barangan

Critical success factors in franchise business: A cross analysis among Muslim and non Muslim franchisors in Malaysia

Franchising is one of a means to embark in business by entrepreneurs, specifically Muslim entrepreneurs.The objective of this research is to identify the critical success factors of Muslim franchisors in conducting their franchise business in Malaysia.The cross case study approach was used to analyse the data.Six Muslim franchisors and seven Non Muslim franchisors were selected as the sample cases.There were two important variables which had been identified as very critical to the success of local franchise business namely marketing orientation factors and entrepreneurial based factors. The Muslim franchisors highlighted competition as their main business market orientation.They also demonstrated high entrepreneurial based factors in the product dominant sector.For the service dominant sector, Muslim franchisors stressed more on customer and inter functional coordination.However, they scored moderate achievement motivation and low risk taking as well as innovation.The implication of this study was the barriers and promoters on development of Muslim franchisors were identified and further action was to be taken to develop successful Muslim franchisors

Planting density effects on feed and fibre yield of two kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) varieties in Malaysia

Background and Objective: Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) has been identified as a viable alternative crop to replace tobacco in Malaysian agriculture. Since 2001 V36 kenaf variety has long been planted and currently a new variety MHC123 is being evaluated. The study was conducted to determine the effects of planting density and harvesting age on yield and quality of MHC123 compared to V36 kenaf varieties. Methodology: The study was conducted at MARDI Serdang Selangor and planting was carried out on 4th-6th April, 2013. The treatments of planting density, harvest age and variety were arranged in a split-split plot design with 4 replications. Harvest age was set as the main plot, planting density as a sub plot and variety as a sub-sub plot. Data were analyzed using SAS software. Results: The MHC123 had higher (p<0.05) CP content (18%) at planting density of 666,700 plants haˉ¹ while V36 with 20.6% CP at planting density of 500,000 plants haˉ¹. The MHC123 and V36 varieties had lower ADF content at planting density of 666,700 plant haˉ¹ (30.7 and 30.8%, respectively) compared to the other planting densities. Planting density of 444,400 plants haˉ¹ produced the highest fibre production for MHC123 and V36 where both varieties were higher in dry matter yield, bast yield and core yield compared with other planting densities. Across both varieties, dry matter yield was highest (p<0.05) at the lowest planting density of 444,400 plants haˉ¹ at 12.7 t haˉ¹, followed by decreased dry matter yield of 11.5, 11.2 and 10.3 t haˉ¹ for planting density of 500,000, 571,500 and 666 700 plants haˉ¹, respectively. Conclusion: The MHC123 is superior to V36 variety in leaf yield, stem yield, leaf to stem ratio, leaf area index, number of days to flowering and bast yield. For kenaf forage production the suitable planting density for MHC123 variety is 666,700 plants haˉ¹

The extent of marketing capability and market orientation in franchise business in Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to provide a deeper insight and understanding into issues surrounding that impact the success of franchisors in Malaysia.In this paper, the researchers explore the role and extent of marketing capability and market orientation concept applied by Malaysian franchisors especially the Muslim entrepreneurs, in developing and operating their franchise businesses.In doing so, the critical success factors (CSFs) of franchisors will be identified and then confirmed using three methods of qualitative study: convergent interview, confirmatory workshop and secondary information. The case study approach involves a series of in-depth interviews with several predetermined local franchise entrepreneurs (franchisors) who have proved to be successful in their business operations and who actively play a dominant role in the industry.The information gathered from this study is useful in forming guidelines for the success of business operators in franchising

Yield and quality of two kenaf varieties as affected by harvesting age

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is grown either as an animal feed or as a source of fibre. In Malaysia, the variety V 36 has been planted since 2001 and currently a new variety MHC 123 is being evaluated. This experiment was conducted at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) Serdang, (latitude N 3o 17’, longitude E 101o 46’) from August to December 2012 to determine the optimum harvest age for the two varieties of kenaf for animal feed and for fibre production. The two varieties were harvested at 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after planting (WAP). Mean biomass yield of MHC 123 (11.7 t ha-1) was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to V 36 (8.7 t ha-1). The crude protein (CP) of MHC 123 decreased slowly from 18.06 to 17.22% while CP of V 36 declined rapidly from 21.72 to 11.32% between 8 and 12 WAP. Acid detergent fibre content in MHC 123 increased slowly (31.72 to 36.86%) compared to V 36 (39.57 to 55.59%) from 8 to 12 WAP. From these findings, MHC should be harvested at 12 WAP while V36 should be harvested at 8 WAP for use as forage. Tests on the fibre showed that the tensile strength for both varieties was highest at 16 WAP and both varieties should be harvested at this age for fibre production