Antecedents of the Internationalization and the Relationship between Internationalization and Performance of Malaysian Small and Medium Manufacturing Enterprises (SMEs)

Despite the importance of SMEs and the increased in knowledge in the area of internationalization, empirical research on Malaysian SMEs in the area of internationalization has been limited. In an attempt to investigate the antecedents of internationalization that influence the performance of SMEs, this study focuses on SMEs in the Malaysian manufacturing sector. The conceptual framework is developed based on previous literature gaps on SME internationalization and firm performance

Optimization of Organisational Performance among Malaysian Manufacturing SMEs in Digital Age via Talent Farming

The purpose of the study is to enhance organizational performance among the SMEs in Malaysia in the digital age, particularly the manufacturing sector, which has an important contribution to the Malaysian economy. This study attempts to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between the four dimensions of talent farming and organizational performance in response to previous scholars' call on the influence of talent on SMEs' organizational performance. The dimensions considered in the study are talent harnessing, talent acquisition, talent retention and talent displacement. A total of 157 responses from a cross-sectional survey from Malaysian manufacturing SMEs were investigated using SPSS software version 24 and Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that talent retention and talent displacement has significant influence organizational performance, but talent harnessing and talent acquisition have no influence on organizational performance. This research highlights the importance of talent retention and talent displacement by SME owners or leaders compared to investing on internal talent harnessing and acquiring external talent to embrace and develop their skills as a crucial step towards achieving sustainable performance for their companies. The paper provides strategic insights, practical knowledge and policies that assist SMEs in the manufacturing sector to strategies to explore another alternative approach to prepare well for the digital competencies workforce in the digital age. The novelty of this study to assist SMEs in the manufacturing sector to understand better talent farming and its important approach in formulating effective human capital strategy. The dimension of Talent Farming and conceptual research framework was chosen and formulated based on I-TOP Strategic Agility Model and Dynamic Capability Theory, respectively. The empirical analysis and the tentative conceptual framework make an important contribution towards a demand-led policy framework in the area of digital talent competencies to support for Manufacturing SMEs to overcome the talent shortage in Malaysia. The contribution and limitations of the research are discussed, and recommendations for future research are also presented. Research paper Keywords: Talent Farming; I-TOP Strategic Agility Model; Digital Age; Small Medium Enterprises (SME); Organisational Performance Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Palanisamy, S., Chelliah, S., & Muthuveloo, R. (2021). Optimization of Organisational Performance among Malaysian Manufacturing SMEs in Digital Age via Talent Farming. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics, 9(1), 82–120

Optimization of Organisational Performance among Malaysian Manufacturing SMEs in Digital Age via Talent Farming

The purpose of the study is to enhance organizational performance among the SMEs in Malaysia in the digital age, particularly the manufacturing sector, which has an important contribution to the Malaysian economy. This study attempts to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between the four dimensions of talent farming and organizational performance in response to previous scholars' call on the influence of talent on SMEs' organizational performance. The dimensions considered in the study are talent harnessing, talent acquisition, talent retention and talent displacement. A total of 157 responses from a cross-sectional survey from Malaysian manufacturing SMEs were investigated using SPSS software version 24 and Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that talent retention and talent displacement has significant influence organizational performance, but talent harnessing and talent acquisition have no influence on organizational performance. This research highlights the importance of talent retention and talent displacement by SME owners or leaders compared to investing on internal talent harnessing and acquiring external talent to embrace and develop their skills as a crucial step towards achieving sustainable performance for their companies. The paper provides strategic insights, practical knowledge and policies that assist SMEs in the manufacturing sector to strategies to explore another alternative approach to prepare well for the digital competencies workforce in the digital age. The novelty of this study to assist SMEs in the manufacturing sector to understand better talent farming and its important approach in formulating effective human capital strategy. The dimension of Talent Farming and conceptual research framework was chosen and formulated based on I-TOP Strategic Agility Model and Dynamic Capability Theory, respectively. The empirical analysis and the tentative conceptual framework make an important contribution towards a demand-led policy framework in the area of digital talent competencies to support for Manufacturing SMEs to overcome the talent shortage in Malaysia. The contribution and limitations of the research are discussed, and recommendations for future research are also presented. Research paper Keywords: Talent Farming; I-TOP Strategic Agility Model; Digital Age; Small Medium Enterprises (SME); Organisational Performance Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Palanisamy, S., Chelliah, S., & Muthuveloo, R. (2021). Optimization of Organisational Performance among Malaysian Manufacturing SMEs in Digital Age via Talent Farming. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics, 9(1), 82–120

Examining the role of perceived social support on psychological adjustment of international students in a Malaysian public university

The globalization of the economy and society has had its impact on Malaysian higher education institutions, particularly universities. The Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education aims at intensifying globalization through increasing the number of international students. However, many international students struggle with adjusting to a new culture. The role of social support on international students’ adjustment is important because international students encounter many academic and cultural challenges when they come to Malaysia. Thus, the present study examined the relationship between perceived social support and psychological adjustment of international students in a Malaysian public university. A total of 185 international students from various countries and regions completed questionnaires about their perceived social support and psychological adjustment. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet et al., 1988) was used to assess international students’ social support. Psychological adjustment was measured with the Satisfaction With Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985). As hypothesized, the two dimensions of perceived social support significantly related with psychological adjustment. Implications of the findings for better adjustment in university environment among international students and future research on international students; adjustment are discussed

The Effect of Subsidiary Characteristics on Efficiency in Knowledge Transfer between Multinational Companies

This paper aims to establish a comprehensive framework for relationships between parent and subsidiary (subsidiary autonomy, subsidiary position, organizational trust) on knowledge transfer efficiency. Then shed light on how the long-ignored characteristics of the subsidiary (characteristics of the knowledge transfer participant) play a role in the knowledge transfer of MNCs. The study highlights and tests the influence of two parts by subjecting a dataset of 212 Chinese MNCs to a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analysis: one is the impact of relationships between parent-subsidiary (subsidiary autonomy, subsidiary position, organizational trust) on the knowledge transfer efficiency. The other is the subsidiary characteristics (subsidiary age, subsidiary size) moderates the relationship between them. The robust results indicate that subsidiary autonomy, subsidiary position, organizational trust have a significant positive influence on the knowledge transfer efficiency of Chinese MNCs. As well as one of the subsidiary characteristics (subsidiary age) only moderates the relationship between subsidiary autonomy, organizational trust and knowledge transfer efficiency. While the other characteristic (subsidiary size) has no moderation. The findings indicate that the ignored subsidiary characteristics (subsidiary age, subsidiary size) have some moderations in the knowledge transfer efficiency, and it is useful to help MNCs improve knowledge transfer efficiency by copying and creating the implicit meaning of characteristic. Research paper Keywords: Knowledge transfer efficiency; MNCs; Subsidiary characteristics; Subsidiary autonomy;  Subsidiary position; Organizational trust Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Cheng, J., Chelliah, S., & Teoh A. P. (2021). The Effect of Subsidiary Characteristics on Efficiency in Knowledge Transfer between Multinational Companies. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics, 9(1), 230–274.          &nbsp

Medical tourism research: A conceptual framework of emerging business strategies in healthcare industry

Malaysia is in the progress of diversifying its economic activities towards a service-based economy to create highly payable jobs and to achieve a developed nation status by 2020. At the same time, the world had recognized healthcare sector as a highly potential global industry Therefore, based on the available resources in the country and the changing trend of the world economy, Malaysia noticeably recognizing healthcare travel as one of the new source of sustainable economic activity. Malaysia’s effort in promoting medical tourism industry is being materialized through the strategies adopted by the healthcare centers in the country. Looking into this opportunity, academic research is needed to device strategies to gain competitive advantage in medical tourism industry in the region. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to examine the factors that contribute to the growth of the medical tourism industry in Malaysia by studying the medical tourists’ satisfaction from the aspects of medical cost, quality healthcare services, specialist medical services, government regulations and contribution of medical tourism agents. Medical cost, quality healthcare services and specialist medical services are identified as internal factors within the control of the healthcare centers. Government regulations and contribution of medical tourism agents are defined as the external factors that are not regulated by the healthcare providers. This study is designed to see the relationship between internal factors and external factors on medical tourists’ satisfaction using resource based view (RBV) theory and adopting Porter’s Competitive Advantage Model. The practical implication of the study is focused to the management of the international healthcare providers in adopting strategies in achieving greater medical tourists’ satisfaction

Acquiring International Knowledge and Experience: Internationalization of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Purpose â€“ This paper intends to understand the importance of acquiring international knowledge and experience and its relationship in the internationalization of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Malaysian context. Within this scope, this study sets out to further the discussion by comparing the global orientation of SMEs in Malaysia with their different levels of firm size. In a nutshell, the study further understands the moderating effect of firm size between the relationship of international knowledge and experience, and internationalization of SMEs.   Design/Methodology/Approach â€“ The study is based on literature review in the areas of SMEs internationalization, international knowledge and experience, and the firm size. The data was collected using a survey instrument among 300 internationalized enterprises located in the northern region of Malaysia.   Findings â€“ The results suggest that those firms that acquire international knowledge and experience have no significant relationship with firm internationalization. However, when firm size is used as a moderating factor, acquiring international knowledge and experience shows some importance for internationalization of firms. Interestingly, international knowledge and experience are important for relatively smaller firms. In other words, firm size is significant when relatively smaller SMEs acquire international knowledge and experience. It poses some implications for managers and policy makers.   Originality/Value â€“ This study explores the use of the index of internationalization to measure the internationalization of SMEs in Malaysia.   Keywords: International knowledge and experience, index of internationalization, firm size

Role of Travel Motivations, Perceived Risks and Travel Constraints on Destination Image and Visit Intention in Medical Tourism

Travel motivations, perceived risks and travel constraints, along with the attributes and characteristics of medical tourism destinations, are important issues in medical tourism. Although the importance of these factors is already known, a comprehensive theoretical model of the decision-making process of medical tourists has yet to be established, analysing the intricate relationships between the different variables involved. This article examines a large body of literature on both medical and conventional tourism in order to propose a comprehensive theoretical framework of medical tourism decision-making. Many facets of this complex phenomenon require further empirical investigation

Role of Travel Motivations, Perceived Risks and Travel Constraints on Destination Image and Visit Intention in Medical Tourism : Theoretical model

Travel motivations, perceived risks and travel constraints, along with the attributes and characteristics of medical tourism destinations, are important issues in medical tourism. Although the importance of these factors is already known, a comprehensive theoretical model of the decision-making process of medical tourists has yet to be established, analysing the intricate relationships between the different variables involved. This article examines a large body of literature on both medical and conventional tourism in order to propose a comprehensive theoretical framework of medical tourism decision-making. Many facets of this complex phenomenon require further empirical investigation.Keywords:

Adoption of Retail Internet Banking: A Study of Demographic Factors

This study focuses on the adoption of retail internet banking among consumers in the Klang Valley, Malaysia and the impact of demographics factors on such adoption behavior. This study adopts a quantitative approach using surveys conducted at banks. The results indicate that while the hypotheses pertaining to gender, race, income, educational level and occupation were not supported but age is supported. Therefore, the current research indicates that the age of retail banking consumers affects the adoption of internet banking among Malaysian consumers. The result also suggests that consumers in the age group below 25 years old are the major contributor to the differences. Based on these findings, we conclude that younger consumers are more likely to adopt internet banking. Therefore, the result suggests implications for retail bankers in Malaysia to adopt appropriate strategies to encourage retail internet banking for other age categories of consumers in Klang Valley. By doing so, it enables the banks in Malaysia to save costs of maintaining physical distribution systems through providing bigger scale of Internet retail banking services