Journal of Governance and Integrity

THE ROLE OF LEAN SIX SIGMA IN BOOSTING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN THE GOVERNANCE OF HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Suzan Al-Najjar — 2024-06-19

This study aims to present a conceptual framework that brings together reward and recognition, and customer focus (organizational factors), which can help organizations achieve a competitive advantage (CA) through applying Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in healthcare. A critical review of the models of reward and recognition, and customer focus, LSS, and CA measures was performed to create the conceptual framework. A synthesis of the existing literature provides the basis for the development of the conceptual framework of the LSS measures. The independent variables are reward and recognition, and customer focus. The mediator variable in this framework is LSS, and CA is employed as the dependent variable. The framework offers a systematic method of evaluating the determinants of LSS in healthcare. Accordingly, the newly developed conceptual framework identifies and describes the direct associations between organizational factors and CA in the healthcare (HC) sector and the indirect associations through LSS. This study is important for professionals working in HC seeking to achieve CA in hospitals. Additionally, this study is valuable to researchers and academics working in the LSS field as it explores the importance of LSS implementation in hospitals. In addition, limited studies have been conducted to explore the status of LSS implementation in HC and this study is expected to provide theoretical contributions to the LSS approach in healthcare.

THE EFFECT OF EXPORT PROMOTION PROGRAM TOWARDS SMALL-MEDIUM ENTERPRISES’ EXPORT PERFORMANCE: A GOVERNANCE PERSPECTIVE

Nur Faizah Afiqah Mansor — 2024-06-19

This paper investigates the effectiveness of export promotion programs (i.e., information, experiential, and financial supports) towards small-medium enterprises (SMEs) export performance. The research framework is guided by the Research-Based View. A sample of 116 Malaysian small and medium size exporter firms was tested by using the model. The data were analyzed through a partial least square structural equation modelling approach. Study results show that all three supports in the export promotion program improve SMEs’ export performance with the mediating effect of network role. The findings show that the implication of the impact of export promotion programs on export performance is justified. Besides, it also validates the importance of networking in using support from government agencies. The findings can also help SMEs engage with foreign buyers or trade organizations to profit from trade fairs and trade exhibits, promoting promotion programs on a global scale. Last but not least, government agencies can also strengthen international trade relations and foreign diplomacy for exporters to boost their trade competitiveness.

EXAMINING FACTORS OF SAVINGS BEHAVIOUR AMONG MALAYSIAN YOUTH

Salmi Mohd Isa — 2024-06-19

The study's primary purpose is to investigate the effect of financial literacy, attitude, subjective norms (peer influence), perceived behavioural control (self-efficacy), and savings intention in determining the savings behaviour among Malaysian youth. A framework was developed based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to address this prerequisite. A quantitative method was employed where data for this research have been carried out by survey approach targeted to youth aged 18-40. Based on snowball sampling, 384 usable questionnaires were returned. The hypotheses of the research were tested using PLS analysis. In detail, the survey results supported the 5 main hypotheses. This study evidenced that financial literacy, attitude, subjective norms (peer influence), and savings intention should be implemented to achieve the savings behaviour of youth. However, perceived behavioural control (self-efficacy) was found to be less likely affecting the savings behaviour among Malaysian youth. Additionally, the result of mediation analysis shows that the savings intention has an indirect effect on the savings behaviour. The study was conducted only in Malaysia, so the results may not be applicable to different cultures. The study's outcome offered theoretical and practical contributions that help academicians and practitioners understand the savings behaviour of youth. Retail banks could promote financial services or products to urge youth to save and policymakers could develop effective education programs and encourage practice of good integrity to improve youth's financial knowledge. The study's findings provided evidence that financial literacy, attitude, subjective norms (peer influence), perceived behavioural control (self-efficacy), and savings intention have a significant effect on the savings behaviour of youth.

THE INFLUENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL OWNERSHIP ON INTENTION TO STAY AMONG ACADEMICS EMPLOYED AT MALAYSIAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Yean Sze Ong — 2024-05-30

In the context of Malaysian research universities, this study examined how psychological ownership influenced Malaysian academics’ intention to stay. Based on self-determination theory, a model was developed to investigate how psychological ownership and employee engagement might improve the intention to stay. A questionnaire survey was used to gather the data, which was then analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that psychological ownership positively and significantly impacts employee engagement. The intention of an employee to stay is also positive and significantly impacted by employee engagement. In addition, when employing employee engagement as a mediator, psychological ownership also revealed a significant indirect effect on the intention to stay. The novelty of this study contributed to the body of knowledge on psychological ownership and intention to stay while also shedding light on the mediation of employee engagement in the context of Malaysian research universities. The findings of this study also have significant practical implications for academics and policymakers who wish to understand the roles of psychological ownership and employee engagement that contribute to the intention to stay among academics.

FORMULATION OF SAFETY PREDICTORS IN CONSTRUCTION SITES THROUGH THE LENS OF THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR: A DEMATEL BASED MODEL

Chun Xiang Kang — 2024-05-30

The construction sector drives our country’s economic growth and fosters the development of human resources. Yet, the industry faces a significant challenge with a heightened rate of workplace fatalities, making safety a pressing concern. Unsafe working environments and employee conduct contribute to the escalation of construction accidents. Addressing safety compliance and safety participation is critical for improving safety performance. Past studies have concentrated around technological approaches, leaving a notable gap in exploring behavioural interventions within the workplace. The critical factors that influence safety compliance intention and safety participation would be best explained by using Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). TPB posits that actual behaviour can be predicted by intention, while the formation of intention is mainly determined by attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Although the TPB framework is considered, there remains a lack of evidence substantiating the correlation between the safety predictors, safety compliance intention, and safety participation. This study investigates the impact of safety predictors on both safety compliance intention and safety participation through the application of the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique. Through DEMATEL technique, 25 experts were enlisted to offer pairwise rankings regarding the predictors influencing both safety compliance intention and safety participation. The predictors examined in the study include Attitude, Subjective Norm and Perceived Behavioural Control. The research findings highlighted substantial interconnections among all safety predictors, with “Attitude” identified as the most influential predictor among them. Organizations should prioritize this to enhance safety performance. Enhancing safety performance in construction projects becomes feasible through comprehensive understanding and intervention in the interconnections among safety predictors, safety compliance intention, and safety participation.

EXPLORING A MOBILE APPLICATION FOR REPORTING NON-COMPLIANCE WITH HALAL STANDARDS: A PILOT STUDY

Mohamad Reeduan Mustapha — 2024-06-19

The purpose of this paper is to explore a mobile application for Halal Reporting Non-Compliance. The app is developed to enable users to report non-compliance with the Halal standards and encourage community involvement in promoting Halalan Tayyiban, as well as providing information and education on Halal issues. The project’s objectives include creating a user-friendly app for reporting Halal non-compliance, fostering transparency in the Halal industry, and educating consumers about Halal standards, certification, and compliance. To achieve these objectives, market research methods were chosen in order to assess the viability and value of developing a mobile application. A cross-sectional design using questionnaires was conducted as a pilot study to potential users between May and June 2023. Sixty-eight students participated in this survey. Regarding the most important factors that respondents consider in choosing a mobile application, 48 (70.6%) consider the accuracy of information and trustworthiness of the reporting system as the most important factor when choosing a mobile application that promotes Halal compliance and enables reporting of non-compliance with Halal standards. This initial research serves as a promising foundation for future development of the Halal Report app, with a clear understanding of user expectations and preferences.

THE FUTURE STUDY OF UNMANNED CONVENIENCE STORE IN MALAYSIA

Teck Rong Ee — 2024-06-19

Most conventional convenience stores in Malaysia face operation time and manpower problems, indicating the need for solutions such as unmanned convenience store. The unmanned convenience store is a retail outlet without service personnel or cashier. The technology of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things are typically used to facilitate transactions in unmanned stores. However, whether unmanned convenience stores might replace conventional stores in the future has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the key drivers of the unmanned convenience store from merged issues, trends, and challenges and its future scenarios of the unmanned convenience store in Malaysia. This study used exploratory research design by using descriptive survey developed from the STEEPV analysis. Eight merged key drivers had been identified after the merging of all the drivers from STEEPV analysis. Descriptive questionnaires were distributed to the consumers who went to unmanned convenience stores. The technology readiness of unmanned convenience stores was also evaluated using Technology Readiness Index (TRI). The top two drivers that were identified which are “innovation of technology adoption” and “consumer preference” in impact-uncertainty analysis and were used for developing future scenarios of unmanned convenience store in the next 5 to 10 years. Four future scenarios discussed were “technology is at par with customer demand”, “improvement is observed”, “uses of technology are not welcome by customers”, and “not fulfilling customer’s demand”. Consequently, this study may assist future researcher and developers to enhance their understanding of the unmanned convenience store in Malaysia.

CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY: EXPLAINING STUDENTS’ RECYCLING BEHAVIOUR USING THE TPB-MORAL NORM FRAMEWORK

Che Nur Anis Atikah Che Abdullah — 2024-06-19

The campus sustainability initiatives, including recycling, has become increasingly important for higher education institutions that aspire to be recognized in UI GreenMetric World University Rankings such as Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA). Hence, this study aims to enhance theoretical understanding of in-campus recycling practice and provide practical insights for effective communication and intervention strategies. The Theory of Planned Behavior was adopted to examine factors influencing UMPSA students’ engagement in recycling activities. A set of survey questionnaire form was utilized to collect quantitative data from a diverse sample of diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate students at UMPSA. From the survey, 320 eligible respondents were successfully acquired and further analysed using IBM SPSS and SmartPLS 4. Ethical considerations (moral norms) and ease of recycling activities (perceived behavioural control) played a crucial role in determining UMPSA students’ intention to engage in recycling practices. The insights gained can guide interventions and educational programs to promote sustainable practices on campus. Future research could explore contextual nuances, like cultural or institutional factors at UMPSA, affecting recycling behaviour. Investigating intervention strategies to enhance moral norms, perceived behavioural control, and recycling intentions would further enrich sustainability initiatives at the university. The study sets the foundation for future research aiming to advance understanding and promote sustainable practices among university students.

FROM COMPLEXITY TO CLARITY: A DEMATEL ANALYSIS OF CRITICAL BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION FACTORS

Jankin Abdul Rahman — 2024-06-19

This exploration is initiated with resolute authentic intention of unravelling complex and intricate topics surrounding the adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain management. Thus, through the operation of DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) analysis, a methodological approach known for capturing and evaluating complex relationships is rather crucial as it could transition the complexity inherent in these factors to a state of clarity. It delves into three influences of technological factors namely, scalability, interoperability, and security that serve as decisive influence on blockchain adoption. The study explores the influence of those technological factors and the dynamic of collective impact on decision-making process in blockchain adoption within the supply chain context. The findings produced from this study hold strong implications for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers seeking to enhance the strategic adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain ecosystems.

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACTS OF LOCKDOWN AND WORK DISRUPTION: A DEMATEL BASED MODEL

Jankin Abdul Rahman Bin Aman Wong — 2024-06-19

Almost every construction activity has been affected by the impact of COVID-19. Many construction workers were laid off during the Movement Control Order (MCO) due to lockdowns and the closure of all construction sites. In light of these circumstances, this study aims to investigate the impacts of lockdowns and work disruptions due to COVID-19, as well as explore potential strategies to overcome these impacts. Literature review efforts identified a range of potential impacts. Following a process of synthesis, six key impacts were identified for further analysis. The Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique was used to examine the causal relationships between the impacts based on the pairwise rankings of 15 construction professionals in the construction industry. The findings suggest that a shortage of skilled labor (A), insufficient supplies and material delays (E), and project deceleration (D) emerged as the most critical impacts. The study proposes several strategies to mitigate these critical impacts, aiming to assist key stakeholders in both the government and construction sectors in developing effective interventions to address the consequences of lockdown and work disruption during a severe pandemic.