Environmental changes and collective bargaining priorities: analysis, implications and outline for future research

There has been limited attempt to examine the issue of collective bargaining, the changes in the larger industrial relations environment and the impact of these changes on Malaysian trade union movement. Thus a study was conducted to enhance the understanding of the process of collective bargaining and the underlying environment within which it is conducted. The emphasis is to examine the nature, extent, and scope of changes in the sector/industry environment, management strategies, workplace practices, and work environment and how they shaped collective bargaining priorities among private sector employee unions in Malaysia. The findings of this research have several practical and theoretical implications

Relationship between strategic human resource management and organizational performance: evidence from selected Malaysian firms

Based on the universal and contingency approach, the relationship between strategic human resource management (HRM) practices and organizational performance have been examined in the Malaysian electrical and electronic sector. The finding provides support for the universal perspective and the resource-based theory that a firm’s human capital pool that is embedded within a synergistic HRM practices will lead to a better organizational performance. It has also proven the idea propagated by institutional theorist that firms will adopt best practices to survive external pressures like economic uncertainty and the market environment

The effect of organizational learning on organizational commitment, job satisfaction and work performance

The literature review reveals that there is a relationship between organizational learning organizational commitment, job satisfaction and work performance. However, it is apparent that the integrated relationships between these variables have not been found to be reported. Hence, we examine the relationship among these variables using a sample of public service managers in Malaysia. Organizational learning was found positively related to organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and work performance. Organizational commitment and job satisfaction are also positively related with work performance and these variables partially mediate the relationship between organizational learning and work performance. Implication of the study and suggestions for future research been discussed in this paper

Learning Culture and Innovative Work Behaviour: Does Attitude Toward Change Matter?

Purpose:  This empirical research aimed to analyze the mediating role of attitude toward change (ATC) on the relationship between the learning organization dimensions (LODs) and innovative work behaviour (IWB) among academics with the rank of professor in Malaysian public higher education institutions (HEIs).   Theoretical framework: Organizational effectiveness, leading to sustainable goal development to happen swiftly, requires an attitude toward change (ATC) that leads to IWB among the institutional members who are undoubtedly already in a learning culture with supporting milieus.   Design/methodology/approach: 366 valid survey responses were collected using self-administered questionnaires delivered through the online survey with professors serving Malaysian public HEIs as target respondents. The study used Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS‐SEM) for exploratory data analysis and hypothesis testing.   Findings:  The results indicate that four LODs, systems connection, strategic leadership, continuous learning and dialogue and inquiry, significantly affect IWB in the presence of ATC as a mediator. On the other hand, ATC cannot mediate the outcome of IWB substantially, testing for the following exogenous variables: team level of learning, and two different dimensions of learning at the organization level, embedded system and empowerment.   Research, Practical & Social implications:  This study can be instructive for HEIs policymakers and those charged with institutional change and development. The study found that the HEIs’ effort in creating dynamic continuous learning opportunities and endless action in creating a culture of enthusiasm for questioning, timely feedback, and research enhanced the IWB through the upshot of ATC. At the structural level,  encouraging active participation and contributions to global intelligence and learning-oriented leadership marks the progress of the IWB. The capacity of the HEIs to integrate people and structures ultimately reaches healthier work behaviour necessary for the present needs of creative educational institutions. Practical implications and future research opportunities are in this empirical paper.   Originality/value:  The study empirically supports the strength of measures used to gauge the LODs, ATC and IWB. The mediating effects of ATC are substantial, with solid research evidence to suggest it is essential to identify what influences employee attitudes to change to facilitate and optimize employee receptiveness to change and, therefore, the likely success of HEIs change.

Factors influencing the effective use of technology among Malaysian teachers

Previous studies revealed that the socio-demographic factors are vital and would sway the actual usage of computer (AUC) among secondary school teachers. Nevertheless the outcome of previous studies had shown inconsistent results. Hence, it is pertinent to investigate further on the influence of socio-demographic factors of gender, age, teaching experience, main subject taught, and training in computer usage on AUC among secondary school teachers. The AUC means the intensity of the computer usage by teachers, which would be measured in terms of how frequently the computer is used for job related and personal tasks. Interestingly this study has been carried out in Malaysia seeing that numerous incentives and support were given to the Mathematics, Science and English language (MSE) teachers to use computer in schools but preliminary observations found that they are not fully making use of the investment in technology

Auditors' perceptions on obliteration of mandatory annual audit: an empirical study

Fundamentally, an audit is important to several parties to obtain some management and financial information of a company. Indeed the issue of whether or not small companies should be audited has been addressed in many studies in the UK, Australia and some Asian countries such as Hong Kong and Singapore. On contrary, there is dearth of study pertaining to audit exemption of small companies in Malaysia. Thus a research been carried out to examine the perceptions of external auditors and their readiness for exemption of annual audit requirement of small companies in Malaysia, While contributing to the body of knowledge, the findings of this research could help the regulatory bodies to gauge the perceptions of auditors of small companies towards audit exemption. Future research direction been highlighted

Progression In Recognising Diversity, Fostering Inclusiveness and Equality in Malaysia

Men and women are both inherently equal; the issue is that they do not always have equal rights in practice, but the supporting pieces of evidence are limited. The Malaysian Constitution, which guarantees civil rights and equality, includes state institutions dedicated to maintaining gender equality and policies designed to that end. However, adverse reports criticised the judicial system and emphasised fair chances for all, supporting and appreciating differences, and ensuring equal access. Anti-discriminatory practices are a contentious subject, but there must be an assessment to see if today's youth have retained a memory of the past and a sense of good values and proper mechanisms for peaceful coexistence in the pursuit of social equity and diversity and inclusivity in Malaysia. The opportunities for Malaysia to promote human rights, eliminate gender-based violence and injustice are more excellent now than they have been in the country's history. The study's intriguing results are directly linked to practice and lead to several other routes for further investigation

To use or not to use new IT: the effect of healthcare professional's OCB on intention to use new clinical IT

Although compared to other industries the utilization of information technology (IT) has slowly increased in many healthcare organizations, a variety of IT systems in the forms of clinical information systems, personal digital assistants, electronic patient records and other applications have gradually become established in the healthcare industry. IT has been enhanced as a means to advance healthcare services and patient care. Yet, it is impractical to imagine that if a new clinical information system is adopted by a healthcare organization all organizational members will be willing to apply the system simply. As healthcare professionals play an important role in the healthcare industry, there is no doubt that introducing new medical IT should be coupled with healthcare professionals' acceptance to use the IT properly. Clinical IT applications in healthcare are regarded as a key element in raising the quality of medical care. However, factors affecting the healthcare professionals' adoption behavior regarding the clinical IT systems are still not completely clear. In this study, by integrating the professional characteristics of healthcare profession with technology acceptance model, a modified model has been developed to address the issues of accepting new technology in the health care context. In this research (as a conceptual research) the concept of change-oriented Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) is proposed as the key factor in the proposed conceptual framework concerning healthcare professionals' IT adoption behavior

Human governance: a neglected mantra for continuous performance improvement

Every individual should be entrusted with an internal driver to strive their best towards achieving their potential and to manifest their performance through innovative means. This can be reached only under circumstances where the abstract human values and principles are recognized and indoctrinated in the culture. The strategies discussed in this article will serve as input in proposing the areas of focus toward the practice of human governance

The effect of the healthcare professional - hospital relationship on accepting new clinical IT: a modified technology acceptance model from a relational perspective

Moving into 21st century brings us fundamental transformations thanks to the rapid change of Information Technology (IT). Nowadays IT plays an important role in all fields. Especially, the application of IT has become pervasive in the health sector. Many consider clinical IT as a strategic healthcare tool to improve health care delivery, efficiency of medical care and clinical decision-making in medical practice. But, new technologies that change the traditional practice patterns of healthcare professionals in hospitals can not be simply accepted by them. There is enough evidence to say that healthcare professionals are not willing to accept and use clinical IT that interferes with their day-to-day work activities. If healthcare professionals, as the key players in medical practice, do not use new clinical IT, all the effort, money and resources used for the implementation of the system are doomed to failure. Although utilization of clinical IT is a sign of successful implementation of the IT project, factors affecting the healthcare professionals' acceptance of clinical IT are still not fully identified. In this study (as a conceptual research), the possibility of extending TAM to incorporate the unique characteristic of healthcare professionals and healthcare professional-hospital relationship is discussed. The modified model has been developed to address the issues of IT adoption amongst healthcare professionals in a hospital setting