Quality of Work Life and Job Performance Among Malaysian Executives in The Electrical and Electronics Industry in Selangor

This study was to determine the relationships of selected variables, namely career satisfaction, career achievement, career balance, organizational climate and organizational constraint in predicting the quality of work life (QWL) and their relationships to job performance. The survey research provided a method of empirical verification utilizing stratified random sampling to determine the relationships between variables at the time of study. The sample consisted of 475 executives from the electrical and electronics industry. The selection of respondents involves a complete list of electrical and electronics companies registered with Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA). The quantitative data were subjected to various descriptive-correlation statistical analyses, multiple regression, mediation anaIyses, and structural equation modeling. In this study, the findings support the relationship between the independent variables and QWL. All the variables explained 79.1% of QWL, thus presenting a good model of the significant exogenous variables and fairly accurate. QWL is a significant predictor in determining Job Performance. However, the effect of the QWL as a mediator between the exogenous variables and Job Performance is not found. The results show that the executives are satisfied with their level of quality of work life, career achievement, career satisfaction, and organizational climate but not in terms of career balance and the organizational constraints they faced in the organization. Future research suggestions were advocated, in particular, the replication of this study to other population. Further work is also needed to develop and identify avenues and constructs for quality of work life and career related development within the organization as a relatively young fiel

China's Left-behind Children (Liu-shou-er-tong): Development and Challenges for the Future

This article analyses the left-behind children (LBC/Liu-shou-er-tong) phenomenon resulting from rural-urban mobility, focusing on their well-being and the problems faced. It demonstrates the current development, challenges and direction of social development as a result of this unprecedented phenomenon in Wuxi County, Chongqing. Interviews and semi-structured questionnaires were utilized in this research, which covered town and village schools, and individuals from NGOs as well as government departments. A brief concluding section draws together local government initiatives and programmes, offering a few general and interesting observations on the solutions using five models

Managing across Public-Private Partnerships: A Review of Implementation in China and Australia

Public-private partnership is about governance in the contemporary public service and public interest in public administration with the participation of private sector in the market economy in establishing strategic partnerships in responsible economic management of public services. This article provides an overview of the implementation of public-private partnerships and how these evidences have been managed across China (including Hong Kong SAR) and Australia. It also depicts the key challenges of managing them in both countries given their different stages of maturity in implementation framework of regulation and evaluation

Towards conceptualizing reverse service supply chains

Purpose – Recognizing the heterogeneity of services, this paper aims to clarify the characteristics of forward and the corresponding reverse supply chains of different services. Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops a two-dimensional typology matrix, representing four main clusters of services according to the degree of input standardization and the degree of output tangibility. Based on this matrix, this paper develops a typology and parsimonious conceptual models illustrating the characteristics of forward and the corresponding reverse supply chains of each cluster of services. Findings – The four main clusters of service supply chains have different characteristics. This provides the basis for the identification, presentation and explanation of the different characteristics of their corresponding reverse service supply chains. Research limitations/implications – The findings of this research can help future researchers to analyse, map and model forward and reverse service supply chains, and to identify potential research gaps in the area. Practical/implications – The findings of the research can help managers of service firms to gain better visibility of their forward and reverse supply chains, and refine their business models to help extend their reverse/closed-loop activities. Furthermore, the findings can help managers to better optimize their service operations to reduce service gaps and potentially secure new value-adding opportunities. Originality/value – This paper is the first, to the authors ' knowledge, to conceptualize the basic structure of the forward and reverse service supply chains while dealing with the high level of heterogeneity of services

Impact of intellectual capital on innovation capability and organizational performance: an empirical investigation

Intellectual capital has much contribution for organizational value creation in developed nations, but it is still in progressing stages in developing countries. This study aims to develop a model to investigate the effects of different dimensions of intellectual capital on innovation capability and organizational performance. Data were collected from 295 respondents in large textile companies in Pakistan. This study found significant positive direct and indirect effects on innovation capability and organizational performance among three dimensions of intellectual capital: human, relational, and technological. This research presents the implications for HR managers and policy makers in incorporating intellectual capital. This study contributes to bridge the gap in research by examining the effects of different dimensions of intellectual capital on organizational performance in the context of a developing country

Second-life retailing: a reverse supply chain perspective

Purpose – The authors examine the role of entrepreneurial business models in the reverse supply chain of apparel/fashion retailers. The purpose of this paper is to offer an alternative approach to the “return to the point of origin” prevalent in the reverse chain of manufacturers but less technically and economically feasible in the case of apparel/fashion retailers. This approach, second-life retailing, not only reduces waste but also democratises consumption. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on an extensive literature review, semi-structured interviews with managers of two second-life retailers in Malaysia and observations of a number of stores. Findings – Using the Business Model Canvas, the authors demonstrate the essential characteristics of second-life retailers. Retailers in this study, unlike retailers in the developed world, combine traditional business models with off-price retailing. There is no clear demarcation between the forward and reverse supply chain used to manage first- and second-hand retailing. Practical implications – The paper demonstrates the potential of innovative business models in the reverse supply chain. It encourages managers to look beyond the “return to the point of origin” and seek imaginative alternatives. Such alternatives potentially could result in additional revenue, enhanced sustainability and democratisation of consumption meeting triple bottom line objectives. Originality/value – This paper highlights the importance and relevance of entrepreneurial business models in addressing the reverse supply chain, demonstrating this with the aid of two Malaysian off-price retailers. It also contributes to our nascent knowledge by focusing on emerging markets

Development and distortion of Malaysian public-private partnerships - patronage, privatised profits and pitfalls

This article examines the politicisation of systemic patronage and privatised profits in the development of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Malaysia. Issues associated with inadequate regulatory frameworks, control, accountability and poorly managed risks, demonstrate that much more effective reforms are required to reduce further pitfalls, to protect public interests and to uphold the integrity of the public service and government. The adoption of a transparent procurement and evaluation system will be a challenging task if public and investor confidence is to be built up and strategic partnerships in the complex web of governance and administrative relationships in the governance of PPPs are to be developed effectively. Finally directions of reform and lessons learnt are suggested

Impact of intellectual capital on organizational performance: Evidence from a developing country

Intellectual capital has been much discussed in developed nations for organization's value creation. In a competitive market, intellectual capital proved to be a source of a competitive advantage for organizations. However, this study is conducted to anticipate the potential effect of intellectual capital in the context of a developing country. The central objective of this research is to hypothesize the mediation effect of knowledge process capability between intellectual capital dimensions and organizational performance. Survey method is applied for data collection. Data is collected from 154 large manufacturing industries in Pakistan. The analysis is performed via partial least square (WarpPLS 5.0). The outcome of this research revealed that knowledge process capability mediates with all dimensions of intellectual capital. Among the dimensions of intellectual capital, relational capital has the strongest effect on knowledge process capability and organizational performance. The present study advances knowledge by applying intellectual capital effects on organizational performance in a developing country. This study added new insights for the HR managers and policy makers of developing countries to disseminate such concepts to their respective organizations

Grim consequences of workplace traditional bullying and cyberbullying by way of mediation: A case of service sector of Pakistan

Various studies have been conducted to measure bullying incidence and prevalence in multiple organizational settings based on a variety of methods and research design. Nonetheless, these studies indicate that bullying is a devastating and crippling problem that should be addressed in relation to its adverse effects and implications. This study identified several gaps in the literature when expanded specifically to the service sector of Pakistan, where the problem of bullying is prevalent. This research endeavored to fill in the aforementioned gaps by precisely focusing on organizational climate as a cause of bullying (based on frustration–aggression theory and social interaction approach), technology in relation to cyberbullying, and effects on employee health. Hence, this study contributes to the emergent discussion in identifying the debilitating outcomes of bullying. Results indicated the significant negative relationship of organizational climate and workplace bullying and the grim consequences on employees' health in the form of psychological, physiological, and emotional health distractions. © 2019, Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication. All rights reserved