Comparative study of TQM practices between Japanese and non-Japanese companies: proposed conceptual framework

In todays highly competitive market, the demand for quality is a critical factor for organization to survive in the ever-expanding global marketplace. The concept of total quality management (TQM) has been developed as a result of intense global competition. Japanese companies have had superior achievement, and left their counterparts, non-Japanese far behind. One of the TQM strength practices in Japanese companies is technical aspects; tools and techniques namely statistical process control (SPC), total productive maintenance (TPM) and lean production. The purpose of this paper is to compare TQM practices between Japanese and non-Japanese companies, and develop the conceptual framework based on extensive review of the literature. Three theories; institutional theory, system theory and contingency theory have been identified and applied in this study for developing conceptual framework. Based on literature review, Japanese companies have higher TQM practices compared to non-Japanese companies. Furthermore, this study proposes that SPC, TPM and lean production are mediators for TQM in Japanese companies. This proposed research will help the academicians and industry players to have better understanding of TQM implementation in order to improve business performance effectively in the future

Acceptance of internet banking system among ICT professionals

Acceptance of internet banking system among potential young users is crucial to commercial banks to ensure sustainability of banks’ businesses. While the importance of acceptance of young users towards information systems has been recognized in the marketing literature and information system studies, the conceptualization and empirical validation of the behavioral intention of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) literate users for Malaysia’s internet banking context has not been addressed. This paper describes a conceptual model for examining acceptance of internet banking system among potential young users, specifically future ICT professionals. A conceptual model was developed to examine the effects of computer self- efficacy (CSE) and extended technology acceptance model (TAM) on the behavioral intention (BI) of young users to use the internet banking systems. Using stratified random sampling procedure, data were obtained from 281 undergraduate ICT students in a Malaysia’s public university. The result revealed that perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PE) and perceived credibility (PC) of extended TAM affect respondents’ intention to use the internet banking systems. PE was found to have stronger influence than PU and PC on BI. The findings unveiled that indirect relationships existed between CSE and BI through PU, PE and PC of TAM. These results validated that CSE and the three variables of TAM were well adopted in predicting individual responses, including young users, to information technology systems. Three implications of these findings were highlighted for future researches and managerial action

Sleepiness among train drivers: a case study in Malaysia

To ensure system performance and safety, train drivers need to be highly efficient. It has always been given the highest priority by all stakeholders in railway industry. Awareness and better understanding on the importance of human performance towards productivity and efficiency have increased. Monotonous driving is one of the major contributing factors for sleepiness among train drivers. The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of sleepiness among train drivers and the importance to address sleepiness problem by the train operating companies (TOC) in Malaysia. 195 male train drivers were selected to answer self- administrated questionnaire to gather information on age and working experience. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to measure sleepiness among the train drivers; where the respondents themselves rate their chances to doze off or fall asleep in eight typically different situations. Flinders Fatigue Scale (FFS) was used to measure fatigue among the train drivers. The respondents were locomotive drivers and junior drivers from five different depots across Peninsular Malaysia; who drive locomotives in long haul operations. The results of the analysis are presented to provide better understanding on the sleep-related factors the impact on the performance of train drivers

Causal analysis of ISO/TS16949 efforts in automotive industry

The principal aim of this study is to determine the impact of ISO/TS16949 efforts on total quality management (TQM) and the ISO/TS16949 efforts relationship in Malaysian automotive industry. A survey method was employed to collect data using English version for Malaysian respondents. Exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis empirically verified and validated the underlying items of TQM, ISO/TS16949 and organizational performance. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed model. Data analysis revealed that TQM implementations have a strong and positive impact on organizational performance through direct relationship as well as through a mediating role of ISO/TS16949 efforts. From the research findings, it is viable to recommend that ISO/TS16949 should be incorporated with philosophy and methods of TQM to achieve better performance. This study proved to be valuable to academic researchers as well as automotive practitioners. It systematically analyzes the mediating effect of ISO/TS16949 efforts on TQM and organizational performance relationshi

Re-validate total quality management constructs and employee performance measures in Malaysian manufacturing industry

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a management philosophy and operating approach that aims to consistently exceed the current and future expectations of all stakeholders, based on continuous improvement in all processes, goods and services. TQM is very important to the organization in order for them to survive in the global market. The main objective of this study is to develop a TQM and employee performance model. Authors review updated literature on TQM research organized along two main themes: evolution of TQM considering as a set of practice, and its impacts to employee performance. Two research questions are proposed in order to re-validate TQM constructs: (a) Is the set of practices associated with TQM valid as a whole? (b) What performance measures should be considered to exhibit an effectiveness of its implementation

Consumers perception, purchase intention and actual purchase behavior of organic food products

The green concept and the developing of organic food are still in the infant stage in Malaysia. Therefore, there is a need to gain knowledge about the consumer’s behavior towards organic food products. Specifically, this study attempts to examine consumer’s perception, purchase intentions and actual purchase behavior and the interrelationship between them in the context of organic food products. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, the five steps of consumer decision making process and previous researches on organic foods , 18 items of four dimensions were constructed to measure the consumer’s perception towards organic food, 6 items were used to measure their purchase intention and six items were engaged to determine the actual purchase behavior of consumers. Data was collected in supermarkets and surrounding areas in the district of Kluang, Johor, Malaysia. A total of 288 completed questionnaires were gathered, representing 96% response rate, using convenient sampling method. The result indicated that intention to purchase organic food was significantly influenced by the consumer’s perception of safety, health, environmental factors and animal welfare of the products. Surprisingly, there was no significant effect of consumers’ perceived quality of organic food products on their intention to purchase the products. Actual purchase behavior of organic food products was significantly affected by the purchase intention of the products. Significant means differences were observed in the purchase intention of organic food products according to the respondents’ gender, age, income level, education level and residence area. Theoretically, this study supported the view of consumers’ perception towards organic food products will influence their behavioral intention and then lead to the actual purchase of the products. The findings proposed useful information to organic marketers to help them develop effective marketing strategies to convince organic-concerned segment to purchase the organic food products and to enhance the pro-environmental purchasing behavior in Malaysia

Success model of internet banking: a conceptual framework

Internet banking is an outstanding application based on using Internet. Previous research has found that satisfaction, trust, commitment, and loyalty are important factors for Internet banking success. This paper identifies factors affecting Internet banking success and then provides a conceptual framework using termination cost, affective commitment, commitment website quality, service quality, perceived security, perceived privacy, satisfaction, trust and loyalty

Study of green supply chain management, green innovation and environmental performance among Malaysian manufacturing companies

The growing of environmental concern from customers, buyers, communities, and government regulations has forced companies to implement Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices and green innovation. GSCM practices and green innovation is believed to have strategic interconnection in improving environmental performance positively. Objective: This pilot study aims to identify the dominant practices of GSCM and green innovation that is implemented among Malaysian manufacturing companies and the correlation across them to environmental performance. Results: The pilot results reveal that some of GSCM practices and green innovation were found in this study to have direct impact on companies’ environmental performance. Conclusion: As a conclusion, manufacturing companies should focus considerable efforts and develop some innovation in order to deal with environmental issues along their supply chain