Critical success factors (CSFs) framework for nanotechnology industry development in Malaysia

Malaysia focuses on several industrial areas for rapid development, through selective cores for development in all Malaysia Plans. Nanotechnology received governmental support with its first inclusion in 2001 under the Eighth Malaysia Plan (20012005). However, its development of nanotechnology has its issues, such as slow development, lack of collaboration, etc. Many industry based reports highlighted the need for more comprehensive effort to facilitate development. This study aimed at developing a framework of critical success factors (CSFs) for effective nanotechnology development in the Malaysian nanotechnology industry. This research has identified problems from available resources related to current practice and knowledge in the nanotechnology industry, followed by identification of best practices, tools, and principles toward achieving better nanotechnology development. The Modified Delphi Technique was employed with two iterations, beginning with data collection interviews involving nanotechnology players in the industry, and ending with validation interviews with Malaysian nanotechnology bodies/agencies. In between the two interview rounds, thematic analysis of the data collection interviews was combined with factors identified in the literature review to develop a framework of CSFs that was verified in the validation interviews. Resource Based View (RBV) theory and Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory were identified as underpinning theories to explain the findings. The final framework highlighted four element factors, namely human resource and infrastructure (as explained by RBV), and consumer awareness and regulatory framework (as explained by DOI). This framework can be used as a term of reference for both Malaysian nanotechnology practitioners and academicians toward achieving greater nanotechnology development in Malaysia

E-waste management: UUM students awareness of smartphone recycling

Millions of smartphones reach the end of their lives each year, making their responsible management an urgent environmental goal.Cell phone waste will continue to be growing problem as more devices are produced roughly 1.5 billion cell phones were sold worldwide in 2011 alone.The fastest growing segment of this market is smartphones, which grew 62.7% from 2010 to 2011 and now account for nearly a third (32%) of all handsets (IDC2012;Canalys 2012). This study will focused on the ways of UUM students dispose their old smartphone.They are some effect will occur when students not dispose their smartphone in correct manner.These device are tremendous waste challenge because smartphone users replace handsets after an average of only 2 years (Entner 2011; Singhal 2005; Google 2012) and they contain toxic materials.Besides that, the awareness of proper waste management of smartphone will realize the students about the important to dispose their smartphone in the right way without give bad effect to environment and human. From this study also, we are able to know the methods for proper treatment like recycling. This methods is help to reduce the negative effect to environment and human

Awareness of usage Pest Detection using Internet-Of-Things Application in Palm Plantation

The agricultural sector is an important sector for developing countries such as Malaysia, it is focuses on world trade as it is a leading supplier of food and raw material to the people of the world. The palm oil industry is one of the most important agriculture in Malaysia and several other countries in the world. Palm has become a commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. However, the industry is also facing some issues such as pest attacks. This problem has affected the quality of palm trees. To address this problem, researchers have introduced pest detection using Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications to detect pests in oil palm farms. The objectives of this study were to identify knowledge of IoT among farmers, to investigate acceptance of farmers on the use of IoT in prevention of pest, and to recommend use of IoT (pest detection) to solve pest problem among farmers. This study used qualitative methods to obtain farmers' level of awareness in usage pest detection using IoT application. The findings of this study can inform farmers on the benefits of using IoT applications

The role of internal R&D in operational performance as moderated by intellectual property rights: The Malaysian manufacturing perspective

This paper reviews the role played by a company’s internal R&D in stimulating operational performance of a manufacturing company, which is moderated by intellectual property rights (IPR), particularly patents, in Malaysia.The constructs of this paper are based on a comprehensive review of recent literature on internal R&D and operational performance moderated by patents. A detailed discussion revealed implications on policy making, especially for government or related authorities in promoting and enforcing IPR. IPR policy especially regarding patents should be part of a company’s business strategy. Implementing IPR will safeguard new invention, innovation, or processes in the long run. Furthermore, the company may gain benefits in creating new business opportunity during various patenting stages.The environment and conditions for R&D activity have changed significantly in the last decade.Thus, effective practice of internal R&D gives advantage to the company from three different aspects; namely, the ability to develop and grow critical human resource, dynamic involvement in the corporate R&D programme, and the ability to connect information. Therefore, the relationship between internal R&D and operational performance moderated by IPR would encourage the betterment of the company in the future.In summary, this paper highlights the importance of internal R&D toward operational performance of a company moderated by IPR, as well as reviews the latest literature from the perspectives of sustainability and innovation

Benefit of 5S system in waste elimination: A case study in Faber Medi-Serve Sdn Bhd

5S system has been implemented in the manufacturing field to help eliminate the waste and to improve the productivity for an organization.The highlight and objectives for this paper is to show the implementation of 5S system in helping Faber Medi-Serve SDN.BHD to improve; the performance of work done, service quality and elimination of waste.This project employs qualitative methods in the data collection stage, in the form of interviews. This project has reviewed the current practices of Faber Medi-Serve SDN. BHD. and has proven that 5S system is successful in developing good practice and deliver good result for the organization performance

The challenges that SME needs to face in order to keep sustain in the Industrial Revolution 4.0

This study aims to identify the challenges that Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) face in the implementation of Industrial Revolution 4.0. SME is the major contributor to the economic growth in Malaysia. However, it is hard for them to keep their businesses sustain in the industry that are now implementing the Industrial Revolution 4.0. Thus, this study focused on identifying the types of challenges, level of knowledge and the possible solutions in facing the Industrial Revolution 4.0 in SME. This study design used qualitative research method. The respondents are top management from Now Food Sdn. Bhd. which located in Kubang Menerong, Tasek Gelugor, Pulau Pinang. The results have shown that there are many types of challenges which is skilled worker, financial, management and the community support. Meanwhile, the lack of knowledge of workers also would cause the technology could not be used by the business and it will become a waste. The results of this study provide a solution to the challenges faced by the SME which is hire the skilled workers and gives incentives to the excellent workers, implement the right system to replace the manual data storage system, get the higher certificates of the food and beverages industries which HACCP, and keep on improving product in order to gain trust from the market. As implications, this study have resulted to the increment of SME’s level of knowledge towards Industrial Revolution 4.0 in order to help them to compete and sustain their businesses in the industry and implement the technology and system that can help them sustain

Strategy for Energy-Efficient Office Building of Public University in Malaysia: Case Study

Malaysia’s public university campuses should be a good example of pioneering efforts to achieve good energy efficiency in government-owned office buildings. While there is concern about achieving energy efficiency in office buildings, there are still many energy efficiency problems that cause an increase in operating expenses every year. Based on a preliminary energy audit of two main office buildings at two separate public university campuses in Malaysia, this study investigated possible strategies. During the audit process, there was a range of different approaches that were introduced and proposed, which include no-cost, low-cost, and high-cost energy measures. However, in addressing energy efficiency issues, there are three practical energy-saving measures to be considered, not only in the university’s main buildings but also in other government office buildings. Such energy-saving measures involve the lighting system, air-conditioning system, and building envelope. The measures chosen as a strategy described in this paper have been researched recently, or are currently on-going studies. All of these strategies have been and are being implemented in these two campuses, and are therefore examples of practical solutions that can be applied according to budget planning and annual budget allocations. The findings and strategies of this study are expected to be a form of guidance to address issues related to energy management in office buildings. The end of this paper provides some recommendations in future and similar studies that may be conducted for all office buildings within these two campuses containing different building designs and features. &nbsp

Pengetahuan pelajar Universiti Utara Malaysia tentang sisa buangan kayu dalam kitar semula

Projek kitar semula sisa buangan kayu ini menjelaskan secara jelas kepada pelajar Universiti Utara Malaysia mengenai pentingnya kitar semula sisa buangan kayu tersebut.Kayu merupakan sumber semula jadi yang perlu dijaga oleh para pengguna. Sisa buangan kayu tidak semestinya dilupuskan setelah digunakan. Ianya dapat dijadikan alternatif lain antaranya dapat dijadikan hiasan dalaman rumah.Harga kayu sekarang semakin meningkat dan masalah pembalakan yang terlalu meluas dapat menjejaskan ekosistem alam semula jadi.Selain itu, pencemaran alam juga akan terjejas disebabkan oleh pengeluaran kayu yang melampau.Oleh yang demikian, Kita hendaklah mengawal akan pengeluaran kayu ini dengan cara menjalankan kitar semula sisa buangan kayu ini. Dengan pendekatan ini, masalah pencemaran juga dapat dijaga sepenuhnya disamping dapat meningkatkan sumber ekonomi kepada negara. Melalui projek ini, para pelajar Universiti Utara Malaysia akan tahu akan kelebihan sisa buangan kayu ini dengan lebih jelas.Kesimpulannya. dengan cara soal selidik dan sebagainya kita dapat mengumpul maklumat tentang pengetahuan para pelajar ini akan pentingnya kitar semula sisa buangan kayu ini

Relationship development and construction supply chain management performance: The Malaysian scene

As business operations expand in scope and borders, many successful companies of today are exploring new ways of gaining ground over their competitors in the market. These companies have to operate within the context of the environment that they are in, and in some countries, there are specific laws and situational factors that may influence how successful a company can operate. More to the point, this paper addresses some issues concerning the applicability of supply chain management in the context of the construction industry, with Malaysia being the backdrop to this research effort. More specifically, this paper will present the results of an initial effort in exploring the Construction Supply Chain Management (CSCM), focusing on the relationship development between the main players in the industry, namely the developer/client, contractor, and supplier.From the results of the study, it was revealed that there were several issues that have an effect on the success of the company which must be addressed, namely the issues of trust, information flow, and collaboration. A discussion based on these findings, which was obtained through a mix of qualitative and quantitative approaches, is also presented. Finally, this paper rounds of the research with a conclusion and some recommendations for future endeavours

Push and pull innovation strategies being adopted in automotive industry

Push and pull system in innovation being applied is a critical factor to be determined in the automotive industry.The degree of adaptation of these systems would determine the overall performance of an automotive manufacturer. Either one of the methods has its advantages and disadvantages in its implementation stages. Therefore, the highlight of this paper is to figure out the importance of these two systems and identify the significance of the system to the production of automotive industries.This is a conceptual study and therefore the data would be collected through observation of past data, and review of related academic journals.The outcome of this research has provided useful information in strategic planning for automotive industry by having a better focus on customers’ needs