Quantitative Versus Qualitative Methods in Social Sciences: Bridging the Gap.

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The Relationship Between Work Values, Organizational Commitment and Job Performance Among Executives in Malaysia

Areas such as work values, organizational commitment, and job performance has been widely researched for the past years. The main purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between work values, organizational commitment, and job performance among managers in Malaysia. In addition, the study was also meant to identify the possible variations between selected demographic variables with work values, organizational commitment, and job performance. Two h undred thirteen (213) executives from 48 organizations participated in this research. The instruments used were Work Values Scale (Elizur, 1996), Organizational Commitment Scale (Meyer and Allen, 1990), and Job Performance Scale (Suliman, 2001). Statistical analyses used for the study included the Pearson Correlation, Independent t-test, one-way AN OVA, multiple regression, and path analysis.The analyses of data revealed significant relationships between work values and organizational commitment, and work values and job performance. Indirect relationship was seen between organizational commitment to job performance through work values. Race, academic qualification, division, and monthly salary were found to be related to work values. Age, marital status, and academic qualification were found to be related to organizational commitment. Finally, working experience were related to job performance. This study was able to prove the hypotheses proposed and was able to provide new support on the existing theories. It also managed to add new information and understanding on the organizational practices in Malaysia

Cultural dimensions among Malaysian employees

This study explores the similarities and differences of cultural values among the Malay, Chinese, and Indian management employees in Malaysia, mainly via a case study of Nestlé in Malaysia, one of the major multinational organisations in the country. Qualitative approach was taken where 13 management employees were interviewed. This study shows several new patterns of cultural values emerging among the employees of Nestlé in Malaysia. Primarily, it extends the literature, by providing further understanding on the issues of cultural values on the Malaysian society

Understanding the individual values of working and non-working wives in Malaysia

Changes in the socio-cultural environment such as the emergence of dual career for women are seen to be an influence to the values of the specified gender. Malaysian society differs from the West in terms of family composition and structure, values, norms and behaviour, which affect the role of wives. This study is considered preliminary and investigates the values of women, specifically the wives, across various areas in Peninsular Malaysia in an effort to further understand the uniqueness of this group. The methodology entails a survey approach using structured questionnaires on a sample of 1252 wives throughout Malaysia. Quota sampling was used to ensure representativeness of the Malaysian household's social diversity. Findings revealed a few similarities and also differences in terms of values between wives across the various locations and levels of education

Tak Nak (Say No) anti-smoking television advertisement: is it influential enough to stop smoking?

This paper aims to look at the levels of exposure, awareness, receptivity, and assessment of the Tak Nak (Say No) anti-smoking television advertisement in Malaysia. At the same time, the study also explores possible relationships between the said factors with the intent to smoke. The study utilized self-administrated questionnaires to survey the perceptions people hold regarding the above stated matters. Despite the evidence showing the ineffectiveness of the Tak Nak anti-smoking television advertisement, the respondents still believe that all the elements (namely, exposure, awareness, receptivity, and assessment) are able to influence the intent to smoke. All the factors [exposure (χ2 = 14.151, ρ = 0.007), awareness (χ2 = 10.471, ρ = 0.033), receptivity (χ2 = 33.149, ρ = 0.000), and assessment (χ2 = 10.359, ρ = 0.035)] show significant relationships with the intent to smoke

Food for thought

This case revolves around a food company called Wharton Food (Malaysia) Berhad, a leading food manufacturer in Malaysia. Wharton Food is an international organization originating in New Zealand. It was founded in 1866 and it had grown into a huge organization employing over 200,000 people in more than 500 factories worldwide. The organization has a presence in most countries in the world with well diversified product lines in the industry including Malaysia. Wharton Food Malaysia moved from a hierarchical organization to a more flexible and dynamic network following the direction of Wharton Food. The change was intended to produce an alert and inventive organization as a flat and flexible structure were assumed to be able to increase efficiency, motivate employees, and enable the organization to foster the organization’s image as an attractive employer. This case highlights problems related to organizational change specifically on the issue of performance appraisal. The case presents an opportunity for post graduate and undergraduate students to apply their knowledge on a real life situation. This case has a moderate level of difficulty and may be used in the relevant management classes such as Human Resources and Organizational Behavior

Tabung Haji's global standards for hajj management

This case is about Lembaga Tabung Haji Malaysia (TH) and its uniqueness as the first and only model of a dedicated institution in the world to systematically manage the Hajj pilgrimage. Since performing Hajj is one of the pillars in Islam, there is an increasing number of Muslims who want and are able to perform Hajj, hence the need for a systematic method of managing the whole journey. TH was established to do just that; and the institution has managed to perform effectively and efficiently throughout the years. This case study highlights among others, the role of Tabung Haji Act, TH investment and savings plans for pilgrims-to-be, and TH Staff to be among the many unique characteristics that have given the institution global recognition for hajj management

Benevolent leadership and its organisational outcomes: a social exchange theory perspective

This study examines the relationship between benevolent leadership and employees’ organisational citizenship behaviour with organisational commitment as a mediator. Social exchange theory is applied in supporting the proposed relationship. A total of 163 employees from four- and fivestar hotels in the Klang Valley participated in the questionnaire survey. Structural Equation Modeling was employed to analyze the data and test the four hypotheses in this study. The empirical results show that there is a full mediation effect of organisational commitment on the relationship between benevolent leadership and organisational citizenship behaviour. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are suggested

The clock is ticking

This case mainly on talent management and training issues, presents an opportunity for post graduate and undergraduate students to test their knowledge on a real life situation. It provides critical information on the organization’s internal and external environment and highlight issues that require students’ immediate attention. This case has a moderate level of difficulty and may be used in the relevant management classes such as Human Resources and Organizational Behavior

Determinants and influence of wives' sex role orientation in urban family purchase decision making in Malaysia

Changes in the socio-cultural environment such as emergence of women with dual careers entail that dimensions of their influence in family purchase decision making (FDM) be investigated in a specific context. Malaysian society differs from the West in terms of family composition and structure, values, norms, and behaviour, which affect the role that working and nonworking wives play in FDM. This study investigates factors that determine sex role orientation (SRO) of women and its influence on FDM. The methodology used a survey with structured questionnaires on a sample of 1252 working and non-working wives throughout Malaysia. Quota sampling was used to ensure representativeness of Malaysian household’s social diversity. Findings reveal that FDM is governed by SRO based on socioeconomic and cultural factors. Wives’ SRO influences major purchases of products and services that are bought for the family’s consumptions