A foresight study on green technology in paint industries in Malaysia

Green technology paint industries have been rising significantly over the years due to its benefit to environment and consequently to human health. However, the high manufacturing cost and other disadvantages threatened its sustainability in the future. Therefore a research was carried out to identify the issues and drivers of employing in green technology paint industries and to study the future trend of green technology paints in Malaysia. STEEPV approach which is an acronym for (Social, Technological, Environmental, Economic, Political and Values) is an internationally recognized tool used in conducting technology foresight worldwide. This tool was used in the current research in identifying various issues and drivers based on the above mentioned six categories. New technologies in preparing low energy consuming paints and the role of government and non-governmental organization was voted as the most influential drivers for the eco-friendly paint industries in Malaysia. In line with this regard, a scenario development carried out and a number of projects were suggested in order to move towards sustainable development of eco-friendly paint industry. As a consequence it is recommended to add more political will and support in such projects to ensure the ownership at the top level and maximize the chances of implementing the outcomes

Exploring relationship between perceived motivation factors and job satisfaction

A number of studies that have focused on perceived motivation factors towards employees’ job satisfaction have been conducted. However, very few relate these concepts from knowledge workers’ perspective. This paper set out to have an empirical look at the relationship between motivation factors and employees’ job satisfaction. The survey had been conducted by distributing questionnaires to employees describes as “knowledge workers” by the manager. 50 respondents participated in this study to yield a response rate of 84.75%. The results showed that only two out three motivator factors (recognition and achievement) have significant relationship between with intrinsic satisfaction and only two out of three hygiene factor (security and working condition) have significant relationship with extrinsic job satisfaction. Thus, this signifies the importance of both motivator and hygiene factors in enhancing job satisfaction among employees especially among knowledge worker

An Empirical Investigation of Absorptive Capacity on Technology Transfer Effectiveness Through Organizational Innovation

Purpose:   Achieving technology transfer effectiveness (TTE) remains challenging in developing and underdeveloped economies to improve social infrastructures and develop economic systems. Bringing effectiveness in technology transfer is a complicated process for organizations that require improvement in their absorptive capacity (ACAP) and organizational innovation (OI). In the Information and communication technology (ICT) sector of Pakistan, technology transfer is ineffective due to a lack of ACAP and OI. This study aims to investigate the impact of ACAP and OI on TTE in the ICT sector of Pakistan.   Theoretical framework:   This study empirically investigated the relationship of ACAP and OI with TTE with underpinning organizational learning theory.   Design/methodology/approach:  A cross-sectional survey design was adapted for collecting data from 393 management representatives from 33 organizations of two main sub-sectors (Telecommunications and Information Technology) of the ICT sector of Pakistan. PLS-SEM was used for the reliability and validity measurement of research constructs. It also tested the hypothesized relationships between ACAP, OI, and TTE.   Findings:  This study confirmed the significant relationship of ACAP and OI with TTE. Further, the results also confirmed the mediation of OI between ACAP and TTE in the ICT sector of Pakistan.   Research, Practical & Social implications:  The implication of this research is to help government institutions and public and private sectors to develop mechanisms, economic policies, strategies, and business support for effective technology transfer in the ICT sector. This research model is also helpful for researchers and practitioners in its applicability in other industries, countries, and cross-cultural environments.   Originality/value:   Due to the lack of research in the ICT sector of Pakistan, this study empirically investigated the hypothesized significant relationships of ACAP and OI with TTE. This study also filled the research gap by evaluating the significant mediation of OI between ACAP and TTE and contributed to the body of knowledge

Transformational Leadership in Operational Competitiveness Improvement: A Case Study in Malaysian Automotive Industry

The purpose of this paper is to analyze operational competitiveness by two core factors, i.e. manufacturing strategy and transformational leadership with technology level. In additional, CFI models in sense and respond (S&R) method are introduced to optimize strategic adjustments, which give supports in fast strategic decision-making process. The analysis results of case study show that leaders in automobile companies in Malaysia should deeply develop their leadership by inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and building trust and confidence etc. to improve operational competitiveness. Agile operations strategy should be utilized towards automobile enterprises in Malaysia in order to be competitive under dynamic and tightrope business situations.© 2012 The authors. Published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-NoDerivs license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Green Supply Chain Management Practice and Performance of Manufacturing Companies in Batu Pahat, Johor

Environmental issues such as air and water pollutions are increasing because of the speedy growth of industrial modernization especially in the manufacturing industry. The industry is considered as one of the main sources of environmental problems. Green supply chain management (GSCM) practices can help companies in the industry improve firm sustainability performance through reduction of environmental risk, at the same time, provide economic and environmental benefit. In Malaysia, researchers were more focused on internal environmental management practices such as the implementation ISO 14001 and the number of research on GSCM practices is still low. This research aims to explore GSCM practices and sustainability performance through a survey among manufacturing companies in Batu Pahat, Johor. It also compares the practices and performance of two case companies using data gathered from interviews. The findings reveal that the manufacturing companies in Batu Pahat had a moderate level of GSCM implementation and sustainability performance. The GSCM practices that companies should focus more are internal environmental management and reverse logistics

Testing of the Technology Acceptance Model in Context of Yemen

Recently, the technology acceptance model (TAM) has been widely used by researchers in order to gain a better understanding of the factors that affect on acceptance of technology. Technology Acceptance Model is one of the most common models in field of acceptance of the technology. Technology Acceptance Model has been tested in North America, but the factors that effect on acceptance of technology may be different in diverse cultural and social contexts. This paper test the technology acceptance model in context of telecommunication companies in Yemen. Where, test the model with different data set help to generalization of the model. The questionnaire used to collect primary data. The 269 completed questionnaires were received from the companies. This study test the model by using structural equation modeling techniques. The study found that, three of the hypotheses are supported. This means that technology acceptance model useful in context of Yemen. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s1p26

The Impact of Top Management Support, Training, and Perceived Usefulness on Technology Acceptance

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of top management support, training , and perceived usefulness on the acceptance of technology in Yemeni organizations. The questionnaire used to collect the data. The questionnaire was prepared on the basis of review of literature. 250 completed questionnaires were received from the telecommunication companies in Yemen. Data were obtained through 4 companies. The responses were collected on seven point liker type scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. This study analyzed the data two times first with Pearson correlation (SPSS), second by using structural equation modeling techniques (AMOS Graphics), then compare the findings. Based on correlation techniques this study found that there are significant relationship between top management support, training, and perceived usefulness with acceptance of the technology. In other hands, based on SEM techniques this study found that there is significant relationship between perceived usefulness and acceptance of the technology. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s4p1

A study of electronic commerce adoption factors in Nigeria

The paradigm shift to e-commerce in business transactions provides significant advantages such as expanding markets, improving customer services, reducing costs, and enhancing productivity. The global phenomenon is less aggressive in developing economies where small and medium enterprises struggle to provide internet services at their own expense due to limited government support and infrastructural deficiency. The acceptance of e-commerce adoption among Nigerians is slow irrespective of the huge population which should be of an advantage. This study investigated the factors hindering the adoption of e-commerce among Nigerians. A quantitative approach through a survey method was utilised with a total of 150 questionnaires distributed to Nigerian post graduate students studying at a Malaysian university. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 16) was used to analyse the data. This study finds among others that poor infrastructural facilities are the major factors hindering e-commerce adoption among Nigerian

A foresight study on nanotechnology in cosmetics industries in Malaysia

The advancement of science and technology has greatly impacted the society because these scientific advances and technological elements are the key performances to improve competitive advantage and enhance the nation’s economic status. Recent years, there are an increasing emphasis on nanotechnology because nanotechnology is becoming popular and it is seen as a potential technology to replace the existing limitations with current conventional computer hardware lithography capabilities and it would be a new generation of technology that is more environmental friendly, reliable and precise to society. The current study aims to identify the issues and drives of employing nanotechnology in cosmetic industries and to study the future trend of nanocosmetics in Malaysia. STEEPV approach which is an acronym for (Social, Technological, Environmental, Economic, Political and Values) is an internationally recognized tool used in conducting Technology Foresight worldwide. This tool was used in the current research in identifying various issues and drives falling under the above mentioned six categories. Need an efficient waste management system and usage of biocompatible and biodegradable compounds in nanocosmetics was voted as the most influential drivers for the nanocosmetics industries in Malaysia. In line with this regard, a scenario development was done and a number of solution were suggested in order to move towards sustainable development of nanocosmetics industry. As a consequence it is recommended to add more political will and support in such solution to ensure the ownership at the top level and maximize the chances of implementing the outcomes