Operational Excellence in Manufacturing, Service and the Oil & Gas: the Sectorial Definitional Constructs and Risk Management Implication

The current global business climate has not been favorable to most firms irrespective of industry affiliation. That condition necessitated companies to adopt operational excellence as a strategy for optimising output with little resources, reducing lead time with the efficient use of assets and employees and avoiding safety and health issues to people and the environment. As a result of the need for operational excellence, many kinds of literature defined the concept based on the context of industry or sector. Industries such as manufacturing, services, oil and gas, mining and so many industries to mention a few, have their unique construct in the definition and therefore causing dilemma on which dimension to hold on to. It is against this backdrop that this paper synthesizes and integrate all the varying dimensions and fuses out similarities, differences and the antecedence of research directions taken on the few mentioned sectors. The paper thus concludes that the unique construct among all the definitions is continuous improvement, cost reduction, quality, time utilization, operational efficiency, staff involvement and output optimisation. However, they varied on risk management, staff health, safety and the concern for the environment, which is unique to oil and gas industry and that can affect the choice of research variables

Big Data Management in Education Sector: an Overview

The advancement in technological innovation has given rise to a new trend known as Big Data today. Given the soaring popularity of big data technology, organisations are profoundly attracted to and interested in it to transform their organisation by improving their businesses. Big data is enabling organisations to outpace their competitors and save cost. Similarly, the application of Big Data management in Universities is an essential aspect to institutions that have Big Data to manage; as the use of Big Data in the higher education sector is increasing day by day. Many studies have been carried out on big data and analytics with little interest in its management. Big Data management is a reality that represents a set of challenges involving Big Data modeling, storage, and retrieval, analysis, and visualization for several areas in organizations. This paper introduces and contributes to the conceptual and theoretical understanding of Big Data management within higher education as it outlines its relevance to higher education institutions. It describes the opportunities this growing research area brings to higher education as well as major challenges associated with it

Big Data Management in Education Sector: an Overview

The advancement in technological innovation has given rise to a new trend known as Big Data today. Given the soaring popularity of big data technology, organisations are profoundly attracted to and interested in it to transform their organisation by improving their businesses. Big data is enabling organisations to outpace their competitors and save cost. Similarly, the application of Big Data management in Universities is an essential aspect to institutions that have Big Data to manage; as the use of Big Data in the higher education sector is increasing day by day. Many studies have been carried out on big data and analytics with little interest in its management. Big Data management is a reality that represents a set of challenges involving Big Data modeling, storage, and retrieval, analysis, and visualization for several areas in organizations. This paper introduces and contributes to the conceptual and theoretical understanding of Big Data management within higher education as it outlines its relevance to higher education institutions. It describes the opportunities this growing research area brings to higher education as well as major challenges associated with it

SOCIETY TRANSFORMATION AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH UNIVERSITY-COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION CENTRE (UCTC) VIA UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA EXPERIENCE

Society transformation implies to various means in which globalising forces give impacts upon local communities and national societies with highly diverse historical backgrounds, social and economic patterns, political institutions and cultures. Hence, social development means a commitment that development processes need to benefit people, particularly but not only the poor, but also a recognition that people, and the way they interact in groups and society, and the norms that facilitates such interaction, shape development processes. Malaysia has a large base of middle income household segment. However, there are 94% working population which contributes to 32% on the Gross Domestic Product. In comparison to the countries at Western Europe, they attain a level of 65% working population that contributes to 51% GDP. This signifies that a majority of workforce contributes to the significant half of the wealth of the nations. Hence, it is important for Malaysia to attain these development levels through the leverage of information technology, the Internet and social media for the well-being of the community. University Community Transformation Centre (UCTC) is a mean to deliver more university intellectual and physical values to wider communities for their higher quality of living, activity outcome and income throughput. Academicians can also transfer and share their knowledge and expertise to community members in solving their constraints and problems. This paper highlights on UTHM community programmes that complement society daily problems and challenges, hence uplifting the well-being of community and business alike

Applicability of Socio-Technical Model (STM) in Working System of Modern Organizations

Knowledge has been identified as one of the most important resources in organization that contributes to competitive advantages. Organizations around the world realize and put into practice an approach that bases on technological and sociological aspects to fill-up the gaps in their workplaces. The Socio-Technical Model (STM) is an established organizational model introduced by Trist since 1960s at Tavistock Institute, London. It relates two most common components exist in all organizations, namely social systems (human) and technological systems (information technology, machinery and equipment) in organizations over many decades. This paper reviews the socio-technical model from various perspectives of its developmental stages and ideas written by researchers. Therefore, several literature reviews on socio-technical model have been compiled and discussed to justify whether its basic argument matches with required practices in Techno-Social environments. Through a socio-technical perspective on Knowledge Management, this paper highlights the interplay between social systems and technological system. It also suggests that management and leadership play critical roles in establishing the techno-social perspective for the effective assimilation of Knowledge Management practices

Impact of multi factor leadership approach on employee conflict and employee performance in Malaysia

Leadership is the need of today’s business circumstances. Because care of the worker helps to enhance profit. Leader’s quality flourishes the life’s quality1. Followers thinking, approach,conduct and comfort is influenced by Leadership behavior. Development of leader’s abilities and capability is because of the preparation and training, a leader gets to progress, resulting in better leadership. According to 2, organizational and social atmosphere and leader’s interaction in it, makes Leadership multifaceted as also stated by 3, 4.Solving problems and handling crises to manage followers are the characteristics of leadership. Trait, contingency, behavioral, and transformational are the main leadership theories discussed by5. Multi-factor or full range of leadership theory (Transformational, Transactional and Laissez-faire) was developed by 6is a generalized model for diverse cultures, organizations and different management levels as described by7.Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire is frequently used instrument to explore leadership as quoted by numerous authors

Determining factors of knowledge management implementation in knowledge-based organizations

Knowledge management (KM) is regarded as a potential management tool in running modern organizations.It contributes significant roles in creating long term internal strength and supporting external competitive advantage.The study seeks to gauge level of KM implementation in Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status organizations. MSC certified firms are acknowledged as knowledge-based organizations. This study also examines relationship between demography of respondents with KM influential factors in those organizations.Results of 121 data sets have been collected from 4 MSC-status organizations. Mean score and One Way ANOVA are applied to identify the level of KM practices. This also identifies the relation between the demography and KM factors.It is reported that KM practices in MSC status organizations are at medium level. There are significant differences in KM practices with respect to age of respondents and job designation. It is suggested that sufficient attention should be given to culture, information technology, organization structure and people to achieve success in KM implementation

Knowledge management and innovation in Peninsular Malaysia

Knowledge Management is frequently cited as one enabler of firm innovation especially among Western corporations.There is scant reported research that supports for such empirical links especially in the Malaysian context.There is a need for local research to address the KM practices, concepts, instruments, and effects.Using data from 149 Malaysian large manufacturing firms, a KM practices survey which comprises of five key domains are investigated.Measurement model analysis is engaged to confirm significant relations hips between variables and their respective KM factors.Subsequently, structural model analysis is applied to test theory of structural relation between KM and innovation

Cultural management and its impact on quality performance

Studies on cultures have gained significant attention in decades. Such studies are essential due to its impact on organizations and societies.Multiracial communities in the USA have contributed to its development and modernization.As such, the USA strongly influences the world’s economy.In contrast, Japan through its homogeneous racial environment manages to bring the community as a developed country.Thus, this study will investigate the multicultural society in Malaysia.Whether this local environment reflects like the one in the USA or in the Japan cultures.As such, the impact of cultural management practices on organization towards quality performance will be identified. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches will be applied in this research for collecting data.The findings of the research are expected to be a viable reference for multinational firms to perform effectively in multicultural setting

Relationship of servant leadership with employee in-role and extra-role performance in GLC’s of Malaysia

This research aims to study the relationship of servant leadership with employee performance of in-role and extra role performance. Servant leadership, and its relationship with employee OCB and task performance are discussed to start with. Though some literature is available on links of servant leadership with employee task performance or Organizational Citizenship Behaviors, but how these two behaviors interact is not explained much. This paper explains that servant leadership has positive relationship with OCB. Though, other leadership approaches are different from servant leadership as its focus is on personal integrity and lasting relationships with employees