Enhancing the effectiveness of the balanced scorecard with scenario planning

Purpose: This paper aims to propose the idea of linking the use of the balanced scorecard with scenario planning. Scenario planning emphasizes the development of a strategic plan that is robust across different scenarios. This ensures that the strategy implemented using the balanced scorecard is linked to external conditions and takes into consideration the expected changes in the environment. Design/methodology/approach: This paper examines the criticisms of the balanced scorecard and proposes the use of scenario planning as a way of overcoming some of these limitations. Findings: It argues that the use of scenario planning is capable of overcoming the lack of external orientation in the balanced scorecard. Scenario planning also helps make the balanced scorecard more reflective of changes that may appear in the future. This ensures that the scorecard developed is not merely a linear extension from the present. Research limitations/implications: Studies need to be undertaken to examine whether integrating scenario planning with the balanced scorecard leads to more effective strategy implementation. Practical implications: Adopters of the balanced scorecard need to recognize that developing a balanced scorecard system needs to be preceded by a strategy formulation process that incorporates an understanding of how future events may evolve. This can be achieved using scenario planning. Originality/value: This study is probably the first attempt to link the implementation of the balanced scorecard and scenario planning

PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACT VIOLATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR

A psychological contract is an implicit understanding between a group of employees and their employer that arose as a result of a particular leadership style. Psychological contract violation (PCV) is said to occur when there is a perceived breach of promise that leads to an emotional and affective response. The literature on PCV posits a number of antecedents and outcomes of PCV. This study seeks to develop a model of PCV by linking it with justice and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). It is argued that the antecedents of PCV lead to a sense of  injustice. These will then create the emotional response that is indicative of PCV. It is also argued that an outcome of this PCV experience is reduced OCB and the emergence of a new outlook towards employment relationship. Data was collected from a Malaysian company that initiated a voluntary separation scheme as part of an effort to downsize its work force. The finding of this study provides partial support for the model

Global standardization education program collaborated by Osaka Univ. and MJIIT, UTM

In Osaka University, the Education on Global Standardization Program (Univ- EoGSz) for post-graduate students is offered by the Interdisciplinary Center of Osaka University and extensively developed since 2009. The Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is now going to setup the courses of standardization education as a sub program in collaboration with Osaka University for Malaysian academics and university students. In this article, the objectives and frameworks of this global standardization education program will be evaluated, especially on the existing Osaka Univ. program and MJIIT program. The general issues on standardization education and the results of case studies on the current trends of global standardization are discussed. The contents of Osaka Model, which MJIIT is now adopting, are slightly different from the conventional educations regarding the introduction of standards, which was architected for the general local schools and companies. It is expected that the article will give a valuable example for understanding on the future direction of standardization educations and advance further its activities in academic and/or university on the issue.And by promoting this education, we hope the conceptual paradigm regarding standardization will be shifted from the just simple international standardization, as reflecting international expansion of the intellectual property right (IPR) based national standard, to global standardization, as commonly acceptable one beyond IPR.And it focuses more enhancing the innovativeness, entrepreneurial and global standardization activities as well

Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Of Antibiotics Usage And Resistance Among Dental Students

Aim: This study aimed to estimate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of dental students in Erbil city toward antibiotic use, misuse, and resistance. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 dental students in Erbil city. The students were divided into two groups, the first group included classes from first to fourth (47%). The second group was the fifth class (53%). The students answered a closed-ended questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions to evaluate the KAP of the dental students in using antibiotics. T-test, ANOVA, mean, and frequency in SPSS version 23 to analyze the data. Results: Knowledge and attitude scores were high (9.3000 ± 1.01005 and 9.4000 ± 1.28708 respectively). The practice score was low (6.3000 ± 2.73585). There was a significant difference in KAP means according to gender (males KAP = 8.7778, 8.6111, and 5.3889 respectively). Females KAP = 9.5763, 9.8305, and 6.9661 respectively. The results showed that there was an insignificant difference in knowledge and attitude between the first group and the second group. On the other hand, there was a significant difference between the first group and the second group in practice. Conclusion: Dental students must change their practice and do what they know because they have a noticeable effect on society and their teachers must improve their (KAP) not just their knowledge

The effect of sourcing strategies on the relationship between competitive strategy and firm performance

The paper presents a study which seeks to add to the body of knowledge that relates Porter’s generic strategies, and sourcing strategies to organizational performance in the context of Malaysia manufacturing industry.Using mail survey, the study first identified the natural taxonomy of two strategic types of manufacturing firms, based on their use of Porter’s generic strategies in pure form, and sourcing strategies of make and buy options.The study examined specific strategic types were associated with specific sourcing strategies.The findings indicate the cost leadership strategy that is mediated by make strategy generate better performance than other types of association.Similar to the relationship between differentiation strategy and organizational performance which mediated by buy strategy, have superior performance than other type of association.The study concludes that the research provided body of knowledge relevant for the Malaysia manufacturing industry, which may be used by top management in the industry in the strategy formulation process as well as by the researches in exploring the influence of different contingencies on manufacturing industry’s strategic orientation

Salary and Wages in Malaysia

This paper discusses the compensation practices in Malaysia against the backdrop of the legal framework for wage and salary deterination. It also examines the Malaysian labour market situation and trends in salary and wage administration together with the role of unions in compensation determination

Make or buy strategy and origin of sourcing materials and their relationship with firm performance

The paper presents a study relating to the strategic decision of ‘make’ or ‘buy’ to organizational performance, and whether it is related to the origin of the resources used on manufacturing firms in Malaysia.Convenience sampling was done and 314 companies responded.The findings indicate that there was no significant difference between the performance of companies that ‘make’ or ‘buy’. But when these two groups were further scrutinised based on the origin of their resources used, sourcing from developed and developing countries do have effects on company performance.The make or buy decisions have become strategic in nature and the sourcing from different destinations have significant relation with performance.Now that globalisation is common, choosing where your resources come from (to ‘buy’ or to ‘make’) can also be a strategic factor.The findings may add another dimension for consideration in the strategy formulation process

Effect of Video Game on School Achievement in School Age Children in Erbil/City

Background and objectives: Playing video games is associated with poor academic achievement, Student who got their game systems directly spent less time on homework and, four months later, they got lower reading and writing scores, their teachers were more likely to report academic difficulties. The aim of study is to identify the effect of play video game on school achievement. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out at five primary school in Erbil city 50 students was taken as a case group compared with 200 students as control group started from 15 September to 15 November 2020. A Questionnaire format was used as a tool for data collection and consists, demographic information of the students, parents and some Items about students game, Official permission has been obtained from College of Nursing / Hawler Medical University, Ministry of Education and primary schools. Data was analyzed through using frequency, percentage and chi-square by using SPSS, 22. Results: The study reveal that 58% of participants were age group between 12-14 years old, 74% of them were boys among playing group, 18% of father were graduated from college, 60% of played children were from middle socioeconomic status, 16% of game players have missed school, 66% of played students were missed homework, about 10% of the students have a good school achievement among who played video games and more than half (58%) among non-play students. There is highly significant association between parent educational levels with their children school achievement. Conclusions: Playing video game was negatively associated with poor school achievement. The study recommended the parent to limit the time of playing less than one hour daily, also limit the number and type of game especially fighting game and replaced with educational game.

Effect of acceptor impurity (Cu and Al) in Zn4Sb3 thermoelectric materials via hotisostatic pressing (HIP) method

This project investigates the influence of dopants use via hot-isostatic pressing (HIP) sintering technique on thermoelectric properties. A total of 8 samples weighing 3 g each at different compositions (Zn4-xMxSb3) (M = Cu, Al) (x= 0, 0.3, 0.6 at.%) were prepared via powder metallurgy technique and followed by HIP sintering process. The relativedensity of all the samples recorded 85-95% which is comparable to the published data. From the XRD results, a near single phase of Zn4Sb3 was obtained. The SEM images revealed a minor of porous surface exist and showed metallurgical bonding formed in the prepared samples. From thermoelectric properties characterization, Cu showed as an effective element to lower the electrical resistivity as compared to Al when Sample 6 (Zn3.4Cu0.6Sb3) recorded 16.18×10-5 Ωm and Sample 8 (Zn3.4Al0.6Sb3) was 27.09×10-5 Ωm. The results showed that HIP sintering technique at lower temperature compare to other studies offers potential processing route to produce a good thermoelectric material associated with the doping element

Pengurusan sumber manusia strategik: beberapa isu penyelidikan

Konsep pengurusan sumber manusia menyaran satu pendekatan baru dalam pengurusan tenaga kerja. Di antara sifat utama konsep ini ialah penekanan kepada satu pendekatan yang strategik. Ini bererti amalan pengurusan sumber manusia sesebuah organisasi hendaklah memenuhi kehendak strategi organisasi. Menurut pengurusan sumber manusia strategik penekanan kepada pendekatan yang berorientasikan strategi seharusnya menghasilkan amalan pengurusan sumber manusia yang mempunyai kesan positif ke atas prestasi organisasi. Walaupun pengurusan sumber manusia strategik boleh dikatakan diterima agak meluas, bukti empirikal yang menunjukkan wujudnya pengamalan konsep ini agak terbatas. Malahan, kajian-kajian yang dilakukan sejak kebelakangan ini menunjukkan amalan pengurusan sumber manusia seperti yang disaran oleh konsep ini jarang wujud di kalangan organisasi-organisasi. Sebaliknya, kajian-kajian empirikal menunjukkan amalan pengurusan sumber manusia sesebuah organisasi dipengaruhi kontingen berbilang. Tidak wujud bukti yang meyakinkan yang menunjukkan strategi berperanan sebagai penentu bentuk amalan pengurusan sumber manusia. Ini mempunyai beberapa implikasi terhadap pembangunan teori pengurusan sumber manusia. Beberapa isu penting berkaitan dengan masa depan penyelidikan dalam bidang ini di Malaysia dibincangkan