Business Commons^™

Knowledge Management In Twenty Malaysian Companies, Lai Yee Kong

Student Works (2000-2009)

The world economy has evolved over the last couple of years from a managed economy into an entrepreneurial economy or commonly referred as knowledge-based economy. In the knowledge-based economy, knowledge is becoming the primary production factor comparing to the traditional economies, which focused on labour, land, and capital. Therefore, there is a need to explore its impact to Malaysian's firms. This research deals with knowledge management in the emergence of knowledge economy especially for developing country such as Malaysia. Exploration of Malaysian's managers' perception towards knowledge management process and its awareness will be focused in the entire research study. In …

Service Learning In Business Schools: What The H.E.L.P. Honduras Story Teaches About Building, Sustaining, And Replicating International Initiatives In Graduate Programs, Lisa Mali Jones

Theses and Dissertations

This document outlines the foundation and first year results of the H.E.L.P. Honduras organization, which was formed as a student-based, student-governed international outreach initiative at the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University. Specifically, in its first year the organization focused on providing microcredit and service relief to victims of Hurricane Mitch in Honduras.

After studying the case of H.E.L.P. Honduras, readers should conclude that educators interested in sponsoring sustainable student-run service learning organizations at private universities must address three primary issues: the problem of student selection and turnover, the need for administrative and faculty endorsement, and the need …

The Demographics And Personality Types Of Malaysian Travellers : A Study On Urban Malaysians, Jasper Yusof Diego

Student Works (2000-2009)

Tourism has been the most profitable industry in the world. It is reported to have generated US$2.65 trillion worldwide, and employs more people than any other single industrial sector. Malaysia Tourism industry was the third largest source of foreign exchange earnings. It helped to create jobs and ultimately lead to a better standard of living. This present study will be of significant value to the tourism operators or players as it provided detailed information on travellers' demographics, personality, and their actual travel behaviour and perceptions pertaining to domestic holidays. The primary data was collected through four-paged self-administered questionnaires. The sample …

Does The Value Investing Strategy Outperform The Klci? : (Empirical Refutation Against The Efficient Market Hypothesis In Its Semi-Strong Form), Jee Mun Wong

Student Works (2000-2009)

A value strategist is a fund manager who seeks to buy stocks that are a discount to their fair value and sell them· in excess of that value. Value strategists see value where many other market participants do not. Value investing strategy was popularized by Benjamin Graham and later, his protégé Warren Buffett. Graham, a finance professor, taught security analysis at Columbia University and retired a millionaire as a result of his investments in the NYSE. Together with David Dodd, he laid out the analytical framework for investing in stocks that are cheap on the basis of their underlying assets. …

Director Ownership And Financial Performance Of Listed Companies In Malaysia, Kiew Heong Yap

Student Works (2000-2009)

The ability to align managerial and shareholder Interests via the managerial ownership of equity is an important topic of Inquiry, with the governance issues arising from the separation of ownership from control. The primarily US and UK based literature and findings suggest that management is aligned at low and possibly high levels of ownership but is entrenched (pursuing self interest) at intermediate ownership levels. This paper examines the relationship between the performance of public-listed companies (PLC) and director ownership in Malaysia using accounting and market performance measures. The empirical results of the paper shows that as director ownership in a …

Consumers' Awareness Of Internet Banking - A Survey In Kuala Lumpur And Ipoh, See Yan Chan

Student Works (2000-2009)

The purpose of this research paper was to investigate the consumer's awareness on Internet banking in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. The dependent variable in this study was awareness (knowledge and perception), and the independent variables considered were age, gender, job level and education level. The data collection method is a 47-item questionnaire. A convenient sample of 100 respondents in Kuala Lumpur and 50 respondents in Ipoh at shopping malls were chosen for this study. The data analysis to test the several hypotheses included the use of Pearson correlations, t-tests and ANOVA test. The results showed that job level, education level …

Holiday Effect : A Decade Of Change In The Performance Of The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, Rina Bee Yan Tong

Student Works (2000-2009)

This empirical research investigates the holiday effect in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) using three daily stock indices: Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange Composite Index (KLSE Cl), Exchange Main Board All-Share Index (KLSE EMI), and Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange Second Board Index (KLSE SBI) over the period January 1990 to June 2001. The results show abnormally high pre­holiday returns which predominate only on the single trading day immediately prior to holidays and the pre-holiday fraction of positive return is found significantly higher for all three indices. On the other hand, the post-holiday returns are higher than normal trading days but …

Transnational Strategy At Nestle : A Focus On Nestle Malaysia, Pin Tat Keh

Student Works (2000-2009)

Nestle is one of the few multinational companies that adopts the transnational strategy to pursue its global competitiveness. In Nestle Malaysia, it is no different with great focus on product innovation and cost leadership a real challenge to the management. With the advent of trade liberalisation upon the implementation of AFTA and WTO, it is inevitable that Nestle Malaysia should focus on its core competencies and build on its strengths as designated by the Asian Zone Management, that is to be a regional player of Milo and infant cereals In order to consolidate and build on its dominant market share …

The Future Of Payphones Industry In Malaysia, Kamarul Shah Azman Mohd Hussin

Student Works (2000-2009)

With rapid technological advancement especially in telecommunications sector, today's payphones industry seems irrelevant and facing difficulties to survive in the current business environment. This paper presents an insight into the present and future of payphones industry in Malaysia by considering external environmental impacts and the industry competitiveness effects. Looking into the external environmental impact, it will be seen that payphones industry is in declining stage in term of its market share due to the existence of surrounding threats in the industry. In deeper perspective, this paper discusses on the contributing factors that causes Malaysian payphones market to decline, specifically in …

Bridging The Gap Between Business And Technology : Bumiputra-Commerce's Approach, Anitha Poopalasingam

Student Works (2000-2009)

This paper studies the approaches Bumiputra-Commerce Bank (BCB) used to bridge, transform and reposition itself after the recent merger. The reason BCB was chosen was because it was the first bank to complete the merger exercise and because of the various challenges faced due to the size and complexities of its operations. The evolution of the banking and financial industry is addressed in the paper and evaluates how BCB has repositioned and re-aligned itself in the industry's financial landscape. The transformation of BCB from the 41h to the 5th Generation of Banking to the E-Banking initiatives is also identified. In …

Survival Strategy Of Sunway Construction Berhad In 1997 Financial Crisis, Kok Leong Chow

Student Works (2000-2009)

Over dependence on the domestic market and government projects and lack of international exposure are the weaknesses of Sunway Construction Berhad, (SWCB), leading to being hit badly by the 1997 financial crisis. The financial crisis has only help to expose such weaknesses . The lack of marketing strategy and over-emphasis on closing of sale (Bidding of tender) do not help to face the challenges of the new business environment, such as trade liberalization ,merger and acquisitions, new entrants and Gatt's and protectionism. To survive well and to maintain growth, it is essential for SWCB to strengthen its competitive advantages and …

Study On Complaint Handling System In Jabatan Pembangunan Dan Penyelenggaraan Harta Benda, University Of Malaya, Azahar Awalludin

Student Works (2000-2009)

Customers are the lifelines of any organization and it is important to keep current patrons by avoiding or minimizing customer dissatisfaction. Within any industry, an effective complaint management system is capable to provide competitive edge to the organization with a positive philosophy and reputation. Complaint handling system offers organization an opportunity to correct immediate problems. Frequently, this system provides constructive ideas in improving and upgrading products and services. Many organizations recognize the importance of complaint handling system by establishing effective and innovative system to resolve complaints. One of them is Jabatan Pembangunan dan Penyelenggaraan Harta Benda, University of Malaya through …

Research And Development Practices Of Malaysian Companies : Current Perceptions Of The Directors, Ervina Alfan

Student Works (2000-2009)

Short-termistic perception; according to a study done in U.K is the main cause for declining UK companies competitiveness in the international market. Because of this perception, companies are less involved in R&D activities. This scenario could be detrimental to their survival in the long run. This paper tries to explore this issue from the Malaysian perspective. It attempts to determine the perceptions of the Finance Directors of Malaysian companies and to obtain an understanding behind their perceptions.

Perkembangan Perdagangan Elektronik Di Malaysia, Navarajan Subramaniam

Student Works (2000-2009)

Kajian ini adalah berkenaan dengan perdagangan elektronik yang lebih dikenali sebagai e-dagang. Perdagangan elektronik ini telah diperkenalkan oleh kerajaan Malaysia pada awal tahun 90-an. Kajian ini akan menumpukan kepada tahap kesedaran dan potensi masa depan e-dagang di Malaysia. Kajian ini dijalankan ke atas sampel yang terpilih di sekitar Kuala Lumpur. Kajian bertujuan untuk melihat tahap kesedaran dan pemahaman rakyat amnya mengenai pelaksanaan e-dagang di Malaysia. Perdagangan elektronik berlaku melalui talian elektronik yang melibatkan urusan berkait dengan pengiklanan, pesanan, penjualan dan semua aktiviti pembelian serta termasuk juga penghantaran bagi perkhidmatan atau produk yang memungkinkan dihantar melalui media elektronik. Organisasi perniagaan memerlukan …

A Study On Infant Formula Industry In Malaysia, Kaun Kwai

Student Works (2000-2009)

Since established in 1959, DUMEX (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. is the market leader in infant formula business in Malaysia. Stricter Code of Ethics for Infant Formula Products and increasing market competitiveness however, have awaken the need to examine appropriate marketing strategies in order to remain as number one in the infant formula segment. Marketing strategies proposed for infant formula industry in this study are predominantly based on capabilities of DUMEX (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. DUMEX Nutrition Services Team plays an important role in creating infant formulas awareness among health care professionals. Dilemma of high staff turnover generated a need to determine correlation …

Developing An Effective Marketing Strategy For Petlin (Ldpe), Ramu Shankar

Student Works (2000-2009)

Malaysian International Trading Corporation (MITCO), a fully owned subsidiary of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) has been appointed to market the Low Density Polyethylene (LOPE) of PETRONAS's share to be produced by PETRONAS's joint-venture petrochemical plant called PETLIN. The plant would be on-stream (in production) at the end of the year 2001. A continued rapid growth in the low-density polyethylene (LOPE) market has been expected globally for the next 4 to 5 years although competition is being encountered from other resins such as polypropylene in the important consumer and industrial packaging market. The growing concern is that the impact of this …

Case Study : Business Strategy On Siemen's Power Plant Generation In Malaysia, Wai Chee Wong

Student Works (2000-2009)

The power plant producers in Malaysia is dominated by several market players such as Siemens, ABB, General Electric (GE), supplying hardware equipment, software support programs and after sales professional back up services to the Independent Power Producers(IPP) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). This study highlights the business strategy on Siemens power plant generation operations in Malaysia. This study analyses Siemens' industry's market share, the competition structure, its product plans, its pricing plans, etc. using relevant business models, making remarks and recommendations in order to strengthen its strategic competitive advantage in order to stay ahead or to remain as a major …

Retail Customers' Perception Towards Internet Banking In Malaysia, Suliman Adam

Student Works (2000-2009)

Banking Institutions (Bis) have entered into an Internet Banking (IB) era following Bank Negara Malaysia's decision to allow domestic Bis to set up their IB services commencing 1 June 2000. Foreign Bis were given permission to set up communicative website beginning from 1 January 2001 and a full-fledged IB from 1 January 2002 onwards. A survey performed on 169 respondents indicated 27 .8% of the respondents are IB users. The most dominant profile of IB users based on the survey is single Malay male with tertiary/professional qualification. They are mostly Government servants with disposable incomes ranging from RM1 ,000 to …

Critical Success Factors (Csfs) For The Implementation Of Information System (Is), Chee Leong Lim

Student Works (2000-2009)

This paper is a pilot study intends to examine the composite critical success factors (CSFs) for implementation of information system (IS), from the perspective of user satisfaction. The composite CSFs are tested for their relationships to IS success and one another in order to evaluate which factors have a direct/indirect impact on IS success. Data were gathered from forty-three (43) respondents representing both Credit Management Division (CMD) and Credit Card Centre (CCC) departments in the headquarters of Hong Leong Bank. Their responses were used to develop a model of IS success. The model shows that IS success determinants are closely …

Eva Evidence On Public Listed Companies In Malaysia, Walter Lo

Student Works (2000-2009)

This study examines claims that Economic Value Added (EVA) better explain stock values and stock returns than traditional accounting measures. Also, this study examines the relationship between EVA and Marl

The Impact Of Selective Capital Controls On The Malaysian Economy, Tengku Rethwan Tengku Mansor

Student Works (2000-2009)

The capital control policy adopted by Malaysia is a radical approach towards restoring its battered economy during the financial crisis of 1997. Such stance was taken by the Malaysian government to combat currency speculators from causing further damage to its economy as the earlier IMF-like prescription had failed. It may be an unpopular approach especially, to the advocates of the free market, nevertheless it provides an alternative solution for other countries to emulate in the event of facing such onslaught on their currency. It is also hoped that this study will serve as a reference on the subject of selective …

Application Of Soft System Methodology In A Planned Organisational Change : A Case Study On Chs Ind. Bhd., Chew Choo Chan

Student Works (2000-2009)

The objective of this study is to gauge the organisation viability and performance by applying the Soft System Methodology, to draw a framework for a planned organisational change in a polywrap packaging material manufacturer. The selection of samples for observation and secondary data was based on census (for organisation level and group level) and probability sampling (for individual level). The stratified sampling method was used to select 30% (70 individuals) from 3 levels of employees in the organisation (which consists of 234 employees). The 5 points Likert Scale was used to measure the magnitude of the variables being evaluated. The …

Money Attitude And Compulsive Buying Behaviour Among Urban Malaysians, Boon Chui Teo

Student Works (2000-2009)

This paper seeks to explore the attitude of urban Malaysians towards money, Ethnic and gender differences on their money attitude were examined. In addition to exploring money attitude, compulsive buying, a specific aspect of abnormal consumer buying was investigated. Specifically, the intent of this study is to examine the extent to which money attitude influence compulsive buying. This study involved 270 respondents from the urban areas in the Klang Valley and Kuala Lumpur and was conducted using survey approach to a convenient sample of consumers. Gresham and Fontenot's Money Attitude Scale ( 1989) and later modified to reflect money behaviour …

The Strategic Management Of A Large Scale Information Technology Project In The Financial Services Sector, Foong Seng Chee

Student Works (2000-2009)

Information Technology (IT) is one of the essential building blocks of modern organizations. Increasingly, IT is being used by innovative organization to facilitate the re-engineering of their business processes and in some instances to radically change the way in which they conduct business. Therefore, IT is no longer a technical problem but a business issues. IT strategy should be created to serve as a tool to implement an organization's business strategy and provide the company strategic advantage. The main purpose of this dissertation is to explore the issues surrounding IT strategy formulation and implementation especially in term of merging in …

The Performance Of Local Majority Equity Companies (Lmecs) And Foreign Majority Equity Companies (Fmecs) In The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange : Before And During The Financial Crisis, Fadillah Mansor

Student Works (2000-2009)

The financial crisis, which began in July 1997 in Malaysia, had affected both Local Majority Equity Companies (LMECs) and Foreign Majority Equity Companies (FMECs). The study attempts to examine and compare the performance of LMECs and FMECs listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) by looking at companies' stock return. The study is divided into two sub periods, namely "before the crisis" and "during the crisis'. The samples consisted of 21 LMECs and 21 FMECs, which were selected from the companies listed on the KLSE main board and second board. These samples of LMECs and FMECs were matched respectively …

Teenagers' Acceptance Of Products Endorsed By Ethnicity Of Local Celebrities, See Seng Lim

Student Works (2000-2009)

The world population today is said to be not less than seven billion citizens. It is said that every minute a baby is being born somewhere in the world and unconfirmed statistic reported that a big fraction of the population comprises of the youths. lf the report findings are true there is a huge and lucrative teen market waiting to be tapped yearly that might runs into billions of US$ dollars. No wonder the teenager has been the focus of media attention and commercialization. This paper seeks to explore the Malaysian teen market and their acceptance of celebrity as an …

Technology, Globalization And Liberalization : The Effectiveness Of Pos Malaysia Berhad To Meet Challenges, Nazirruddin Abd. Rahman

Student Works (2000-2009)

Technology, globalization and liberalization are new forces that challenge Pos Malaysia Berhad (PMB) government core control business business activity activity and organizational effectiveness. being a government control business entity, the business entity and the institutional and legal set-up to a certain extends limit PMB effective response to the environmental changes. It made more difficult when the entity has to fulfill two divergence objectives; to support some overarching social ideal and to excel in business performance. The interactions of these factors have developed some observable symptoms to PMB organizational weakness. This phenomenon triggered the need to analyze PMB organizational effectiveness to …

Home Buying : A Contemporary Study Of House Buyers In Klang Valley, Ching Ching Ngu

Student Works (2000-2009)

The recent economic slowdown has posted greater challenges to the developers. Likewise, general consumer sentiment towards the housing market is bullish and the new residential development would further increase the residential stock in the country. The challenges for developers are to produce the kind of houses that meet the buyer's demand by studying the market first before embarking on any project. Therefore, the objectives of this study are as followings:

• To identify factors that influence house buyers in their choice of house;

• To study the housing needs of the house buyers;

• To examine the search behaviour of …

Corporate Strategy For An Enterprise : Case Study On A Local Private Education Company, Sau Keen Wong

Student Works (2000-2009)

Recent decades have seen tremendous growth in the number of public and private institutions of higher learning being set up in Malaysia especially by the private sector. The catalyst behind this growth is none other than the Malaysian government; where reputable and financially strong private corporations were encouraged to participate in the establishment of private universities and colleges to address the shortages in supply versus the continuous increase in demand for tertiary education in Malaysia. This will also curtail the increase In outflows of foreign exchanges due to large number of students advancing their studies overseas, which arise directly as …

Key Factors Predicting The Effectiveness Of Organizational Change, Shreen Ahmad

Student Works (2000-2009)

Change management is the process of continually renewing an organization's direction, structure and capabilities to serve the ever-changing needs of the external and internal customers. Mastering strategies for managing change is more important today since the rate of change is greater than at any other time in history. Research shows that many change initiatives, even those undertaken by organizations with the best of intentions, are often destined for failure. It is therefore imperative for organizations to develop and implement strategies for successful organizational change. Many authors have provided guidelines on the principles and practices underlying the effective management of change. …