A Case Study of an Internationalization Process of a Private Higher Education Institution in Malaysia

The increasing competition and commercialization of higher education has led to the internationalization of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) around the world. While internationalization appears to be inevitable, differences are apparent in its definitions, depth, scope and mode. The main aim of this paper is to assess the internationalization efforts of Malaysian HEIs through a case study on the internationalization process of one private HEI. The case highlights various weaknesses of the internationalization effort in the institution. The symptoms and the causes of the problems in the institution corroborate similar findings in other studies involving the internationalization of HEIs. Suggestions and recommendations are presented to enable other organizations that wish to undertake similar internationalization efforts to learn from the case study institution’s experience

Internet Sales Channel and Manufacturers’ Brand: A Transaction Cost Analysis

In modern age, Internet has brought massive impact to the distribution channel management. Especially to the manufacturers, harnessing the power of Internet is deemed a strategic step to reinforce the products' awareness among consumers and further improve market share. However, the outcomes of setting up Internet sales channel are mixed. Although some organizations do exemplify the success of online sales channel, there are manufacturers who simply fail in this aspect. This paper aims to provide insights into the factors which manufacturers must take into consideration in contemplating to setting up Internet sales channel. By using transaction cost analysis (TCA), we set up a research model, which composed of various factors which are critical to the success of Internet sales channel and elaborate the role of these factors on this issue. Subsequently, appropriate propositions are instigated and investigated in order to determine the impact of these variables on the manufacturers’ decision making in this area

Cultivating export market oriented behavior in halal marketing

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to highlight the development of global halal marketing by assessing its current status, challenges and issues within and measures taken to improve it. Strategic marketing conception from the perspective of export market orientation behaviors is offered to help foster industrial innovation to create a halal economy.Design/methodology/approach – The development of a global halal market is first assessed and its current status is highlighted.The issues and challenges within are identified and explored, followed by a consideration of measures already taken to rectify and improve the situation.Strategic export market orientation behaviors perspective is offered to encourage industrial innovation within the complex global halal market, to ultimately establish a halal economy. This is done by going through the relevant scholarly discussions in various international conferences and available published literatures.Findings– The paper identifies three major issues and challenges in global halal marketing and what has been done and can been done to rectify and improve the situation, particularly from the perspective of strategic export market orientation behaviors.Research limitations/implications– The discussion is limited to its conceptual boundaries and in the long run requires empirical research to enhance its applicability.Practical implications – The discussion offered in the paper is expected to be valuable for global halal marketers seeking strategic marketing design in undertaking the complex market structure and confronting the issues identified.Originality/value – The paper discusses issues and challenges for halal marketing and how to address the issues through the perspective of strategic export market orientation behaviors, for an industrial innovation to form a halal economy

Applying Islamic market-oriented cultural model to sensitize strategies towards global customers, competitors, and environment

Purpose – The purpose of this conceptual paper is to attempt to introduce an Islamic market oriented cultural model to illustrate the role of market orientation within an Islamic culture. Design/methodology/approach – The paper proposes an Islamic-based view of a market-oriented cultural model that aims to help understand how cultural principles, practices, and values are discussed within an Islamic culture, and subsequently understand the effects of this view on themarket performance of the exporting firms. Reviews of literature in market orientation and cultural values served as a foundation for the development of the conceptual arguments. The model is adapted from several market orientation and cultural frameworks including Homburg and Pflesser, Hofstede, and Schein. Findings – National culture, which underlines employee’s cultural values, attitudes, and beliefs, has a profound impact on organizations and thus its impact onmarket performance should not be underestimated.Research limitations/implications – Since the paper presents only the conceptual framework, it does not include empirical validation of the argument.Further empirical research could be carried out in order to validate the arguments presented in this paper.Practical implications – In response to increased global competition, firms need to employ effective international marketing strategies in order to enhance performance. When exporting halal products, managers need to comply with Islamic guidelines, practices, and standards that serve as the main criteria by which Muslim’s customers’ needs and preferences are met.Originality/value – The conceptual framework integrates market orientation with Islamic cultural values.The discussion strengthens the need for firms to apply an Islamic market-oriented cultural model when they deal with customers in Muslim countries

Examining New Product Development Speed and Team Work Quality Relationship: Evidence from Telecom Industry

Although prior research has suggested that team work quality and internal market orientation can affect new product development (NPD) speed in a positive direction, however relatively little research has examined the incremental validity of team work quality to NPD speed after controlling for internal market orientation. To address this theoretical gap in marketing literature, the present study attempts to examine whether the dimensions of team work quality account for incremental variance in NPD speed, after controlling for the dimensions of internal market orientation.  Using a random sampling, a total of 149 members of NPD teams in Saudi telecommunications firms responded to measures of each construct.  Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to access the incremental validity. Overall results suggest that cohesion accounted for a significant amount of variance relative to coordination, balance of member contribution, efforts, communication, mutual support and other dimensions of internal market orientation in the prediction of NPD speed

Will you boycott?: A study of Malaysian Non-Muslims’ willingness to boycott

Purpose : This paper examined the motivations and willingness to boycott of Non-Muslim consumers in Malaysia; where Islam is prominent.The underlying base used is an on-going boycott spurred by Palestinian/Israel conflict in the Middle East, which targets American-originated firms operating in Malaysia. Design/Methodology/Approach: Two firms were selected based on their market presence, consumer familiarity and product affordability. In total 340 questionnaires were obtained from Non-Muslim university students and validated by multiple regression analysis. Findings :Three factors were found to be significant in predicting willingness to boycott; which were self-enhancement, perceived egregious behavior, and country image. Originality/value : This paper addressed boycott motivations from the context of Malaysian Non-Muslims quantitatively, based on an issue strongly related to Muslims.The results may have some implications on multinational firms, non- government organizations, policymakers as well the consumers

An examination of ethnic-based consumer ethnocentrism and consumer animosity

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of consumer ethnocentrism and consumer animosity at the ethnic level. This study examines both effects on an ethnic majority’s consumption of an ethnic minority’s products and services, focusing on the relationship between two ethnic groups in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach The relationship between the constructs were analyzed using the co-variance-based structural equation modeling techniques with analysis of a moment structures version 21. Self-administered questionnaires were obtained from 325 Malay respondents in 2 Malaysian cities. Findings The results suggest that ethnic-based consumer ethnocentrism can negatively affect product judgment and product judgment can affect consumers’ willingness to buy. Two significant findings were rejected as the directions of the results were not as hypothesized. Research limitations/implications Future research could study other ethnic groups of different countries using specific ethnic related products and/or brands. Originality/value This research suggests that ethnic-based ethnocentrism and ethnic-based animosity are important factors for businesses to consider as both can affect ethnic consumers’ purchasing behavior. Depending on ethnic consumers’ perception toward a brand, a manager may face either an opportunity or a challenge. Acknowledgements This study is funded by the International Islamic University Malaysia Research Initiative Grant Scheme Research IIUM RIGS17-009-0584. The authors would like to thank the University for generously funding the research

An examination of the effects of consumer racism and consumer ethnocentrism on willingness to buy products associated with ethnic Chinese

Purpose –This paper attempts to investigate the effects of consumer racism and ethnic-level consumer ethnocentrism on Malay consumers’ willingness to buy toward products associated with Malaysian ethnic Chinese. Design/methodology/approach – Potential respondents were obtained through social media platform and were directed to an online survey questionnaire.The total respondents were 210. The hypothesized relationships between the constructs were analyzed using the partial least squares approach.Findings – Consumer racism was found to have negative effect on product judgment but not willingness to buy.The results also suggest that consumer ethnocentrism did not have any negative effects on both product judgment and willingness to buy.However, three of the unsupported hypotheses have significant t-values which suggest rather interesting findings.Research limitations/implications – This study did not incorporate specific products and/or brands to predict consumers’ reaction, but rather, used a collection of familiar products to elicit generalized response.Future studies can use specific brands or products associated with a particular ethnic group.Originality/value – This study utilized a modified consumer racism scale to suit the Malaysian marketplace and as according to the country’s historical aspects. Similar scale can be utilized in countries with similar historical background and/or multiethnic societies.An examination of the effects of consumer racism and consumer ethnocentrism on willingness to buy products associated with ethnic Chinese

A case study of an internationalization process of a private higher education institution in Malaysia

The increasing competition and commercialization of higher education has led to the internationalization of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) around the world.While internationalization appears to be inevitable, differences are apparent in its definitions, depth, scope and mode. The main aim of this paper is to assess the internationalization efforts of Malaysian HEIs through a case study on the internationalization process of one private HEI. The case highlights various weaknesses of the internationalization effort in the institution.The symptoms and the causes of the problems in the institution corroborate similar findings in other studies involving the internationalization of HEIs. Suggestions and recommendations are presented to enable other organizations that wish to undertake similar internationalization efforts to learn from the case study institution's experience

Non-pecuniary factors influencing diaspora homeland investment

This study attempts to provide a theoretical outline of the non-pecuniary factors influencing diaspora homeland investment. It presents the findings of previous scholars on non-pecuniary motivational factors that drive diaspora homeland investment decisions. Moreover, the study suggests other additional non-financial motives that nurture homeland investment decisions. To identify the non-monetary motivational factors influencing diaspora homeland investment, a comprehensive literature review on the perspectives of previous scholars was conducted. The study presents the analyses and findings of multiple scholars who studied diaspora investment motives. Although studies have suggested altruism, emotional satisfaction, and social status to be the primary motives, little is known about the non-economic motivations of diaspora homeland investment. Therefore, this study offers additional motivational factors to help broaden the understanding and provides an overview of the non-pecuniary factors that drive diaspora homeland investment intentions. It offers a comprehensive explanation of the topic, such as the background of diaspora investment, entrepreneurial activities, and general contributions to their home country. The study also presents recommendations for future studies