Modelling predictors of students’ learning gain - an empirical evidence using structural equation modelling / Nor Aini Hassanuddin, Sakinah Mat Zin and Rohana Yusoff

The abundance of literature on effective teaching that relates to student achievement bears witness to the ongoing quest for a better understanding of the effect of lecturers’ characteristics and attributes (inputs) on students’ learning gain. What is rarely looked at is how lecturers actually performs in the classroom and how that performance translates into students’ learning advantage. The aim of this paper is to provide an in-depth analysis of the relationship between the lecturers’ teaching contribution and students’ learning gain. The methods of analysis start with establishing construct validity of the instrument through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), using Analysis of Moment Structures software (AMOS). Data from this study were further analyzed with Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). All four dimensions of the lecturers’ teaching attributes; namely rapport, clear explanation, preparation and organization, and feedback are considered as independent variables and students’ learning gain as the dependent variable. The results of this study indicate that among the four teaching dimensions examined, the significant predictors of students’ learning gain in the process of teaching and learning are clear explanation and lecturers’ feedback

Behavioral Intention on Islamic Crowdfunding Usage among Malaysian Bumiputera SMEs: Moderating effect of technology readiness

Access to financing is crucial for Bumiputera SMEs’ growth, but lending from financial institutions is reduced due to default risk. Therefore, entrepreneurs often rely on short-term resources like personal savings, friends and family. Islamic crowdfunding offers wider financing alternatives to help Bumiputera SMEs grow their businesses. Hence examining the contructs that influence Bumiputera SMEs' intentions to use Islamic crowdfunding is vital. These factors are investigated using UTAUT theory, adding technology readiness as moderating factor. The proposed framework could provide insights for crowdfunding providers and policymakers to increase awareness of financing alternatives among SMEs in Malaysia

Intelectual capital Islamic work ethics and the performance of Bumiputera small and medium enterprises (SMES) experts views / Sakinah Mat Zin ...[et al.]

Despite numerous efforts initiated by Malaysian government, Bumiputera entrepreneurs are still considered as incapable to compete with other groups in realizing business success. This study seeks to examine the intellectual capital (IC) and Islamic work ethics (IWE) that contribute to higher performance of SMEs among Bumiputera in Malaysia. In doing so, the measurement instruments are developed based on previous literature reviews and refined by expert validation. Informal interviews were held individually with 13 experts with the aims of gaining relevant and insightful information for IC, IWE and business performance cohesion. From a pilot study of 49 Bumiputera SME entrepreneurs, the findings indicate that intellectual capital components and Islamic work ethics are vital for performance management practices in the firm. Contribution/ Originality: Theoretically, this study generalizes intellectual capital and Islamic work ethics in SME setting and is a preliminary impetus for exploring Bumiputera intellectual capital, Islamic work ethics and business performance. Practically, it provides valuable references for entrepreneurs, giving a prioritized array of crucial resources that allows Bumiputera SMEs to sustain the competitive advantage

Effects of Machiavellianism on Ingratiation in Organizational Settings

Abstract: Influential behaviour has generally been shaped by personality. In organizational research, Machiavellianism has commonly been defined as the need to develop and defend one’s power and success. It is the utilisation of power to incite other people to act or believe in conformity with one’s own principle and a personality disposition that involves manipulative and deceptive intent. Whereas, ingratiation is an influence tactic to obtain favour from somebody by purposeful efforts. It is depicted as subordinates’ improper efforts within an organisation to enhance their interpersonal allure in the eyes of their superior. In other words, the subordinates are attempting to obtain the superior's approval with the aim of attaining favourable perquisites such as promotions and raises. Thus, such influence tactic is more often than not, a reflection of a personality trait found in Machiavellianism. On this premise, this paper elucidates the relationship between Machiavellianism and ingratiatory behaviours of subordinates in organisations. Key words: Machiavellianism; Ingratiation; Employees; Influence; Management Résumé: Les comportements influents ont généralement été façonnés par la personnalité. Dans les recherches organisationnelles, le machiavélisme a souvent été défini comme la nécessité de développer et de défendre le pouvoir et succès de quelqu’un. L'utilisation du pouvoir peut inciter d'autres personnes à agir ou à croire en conformité avec son propre principe et une disposition de personnalité qui implique l'intention manipulatrice et trompeuse. Alors que, la complaisance est une tactique d’influence pour obtenir la faveur de quelqu'un par des efforts constructifs. Elles sont considérées comme des efforts incorrects des subordonnés au sein d'une organisation pour améliorer leur allure interpersonnelles aux yeux de leur supérieur. En d'autres termes, les subordonnés tentent d'obtenir l'approbation du supérieur dans le but d'atteindre les avantages indirects favorables telles que la promotion et l’augmentation de salaire. Ainsi, ce genre de tactique d’influence est souvent un reflet d'un trait de personnalité trouvé dans le machiavélisme. Sur ce prémisse, ce document met en lumière la relation entre le machiavélisme et les comportements de complaisance des subordonnés dans les organisations. Mots clés: Machiavélisme; Complaisance; Employés; Influence; Gestio

Upward influence strategies: relationship with academics' career advancement

Often times, in academia world, academics report to superiors who are not from similar backgrounds and do not share the same standards, points of view or needs. Hence, to be effective, any particular academic staff must understand that upward power is partly based on the ability and willingness to use influence tactics. The aim of this paper is to provide an in-depth analysis of the relationship between upward influence strategies and employees’ career success. All three dimensions of upward influence strategies i.e. soft, hard and rational tactics have different effects towards career progression due to the nature of the tactics. The paper argues that career advancement, assuming that all other factors are equal, is a very subjective matter which lies upon three main influencing factors of ingratiation, assertiveness and reasoning

Ingratiation and the use of power in Malaysian secondary schools

It is presumed that an ingratiating subordinate would acquire more rewards from a leader. When the leader is receptive to influence, subordinates would attempt to impress him/her by presenting themselves to be competent. This holds true for any type of organizations. The objective of this paper is to analyze principals’ exertion of power in Malaysian secondary schools and teachers’ ingratiatory strategy. This paper argues that generally, principals’ leadership in schools can be considered as authoritarian and that therefore, teachers are prone to employing ingratiation tactic in order to obtain the principal’s approval and receive favorable outcomes

The perception of integrity of three public agencies in Kuala Terengganu

Malaysia in its effort to become a fully developed nation by 2020 has undertaken a monumental task in instilling noble values into its society including its civil sector. The integrity of the civil servants needs to be greatly improved in order to turn this vision into a reality. This project attempted to examine the level of awareness, knowledge and understanding on noble values particularly integrity among selected civil servants in selected State Government agencies in Terenganu, Malaysia. The respondents were selected based on a purposive sampling technique. The research used a quantitative approach where self-administered structured questions were distributed. Descriptive and inference analysis were carried out to meet the research objectives outlined. The research findings showed that there were civil servants groups who were unclear and uncertain about the meaning of integrity in public sector. Those with shorter length of services were found to be less knowledgeable on the rule and procedure which led to them being unsure about integrity. Length of service was found to be inversely related to the perception on the knowledge of integrity, corruption and quality of service delivery. For that reason, future research should identify the causes that will lead to enhancement of perception of integrity

Knowledge and perception of integrity among Penang civil servants

The integrity of the civil servants needs to be greatly improved in order to turn Malaysian Vision 2020 into a reality. This objective of this research was to determine the level of awareness, knowledge and understanding on noble values particularly integrity among selected civil servants in selected State Government agencies in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. The respondents were selected based on a purposive sampling technique. The research used a quantitative approach where self-administered structured questions were distributed. Descriptive and inference analysis were carried out to meet the research objectives outlined. The research findings showed that there were civil servants groups who were unclear and uncertain about the meaning of integrity in public sector. Those with shorter length of services were found to be less knowledgeable on the rule and procedure which led to them being unsure about integrity. Length of service was found to be inversely related to the perception on the knowledge of integrity, corruption and quality of service delivery. In this research, respondents might or might have not disclosed the actual truth when answering questions. Most heads of departments might have not wanted to disclose actual work realities of their offices. They, in particular, did not want to wash their dirty linen in public. For that reason, future research may improve on such limitation