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Volume 3 Number 1

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HRM Effectiveness within the Role of HRM Department at the Large Companies in Malaysia

This study examines the relationship between the role of the HRM department (strategic partner, change agent, employee champion, and administrative expert) and HRM effectiveness among large firms (i.e., manufacturing firms that have 150 or more full-time employees, whilst, 50 or more full-time employees for the service firms) in Malaysia. Data from a survey of 108 firms were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression.  The results indicated that business partner role positively related with HRM effectiveness, whilst the other two roles were unrelated to HRM effectiveness.  Lessons and implications for the role of the HRM department and HRM effectiveness are presented. We conclude that the role of the HRM department is changing in Malaysia from administrative expert role to business partner role.  Role changes of the HRM department helped the organization to increase the effectiveness of HRM.

The Relationship between Internal Marketing and Implementation of Strategic Orientations in Malaysian Service Industry

The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of internal marketing on job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Furthermore, it examines the relationship between job satisfaction, organizational commitment and implementation of strategic orientations. Data were gathered by means of survey from 102 managers of various service organizations in the northern region of Malaysia. The findings of the study reveal that internal marketing has a significant positive relationship with job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Job satisfaction also positively affects the implementation of strategic orientations, but the relationship between organizational commitment and implementation of strategic orientations is insignificant. The findings also show that job satisfaction and organizational commitment mediate the relationship between internal marketing and implementation of strategic orientation. The results of this study have several implications for service organizations on how to implement strategic orientations by practicing and implementing internal marketing.

Bank-specific, Industry-specific and Macroeconomic Determinants of African Islamic Banks’ Profitability  

This paper studies the effect of factors that contribute towards the profitability of Islamic banks in Africa over the period 1999-2009. Using panel data techniques, this study estimate several specifications to examine the impact of bank-specific and country-specific variables on profitability. Results show that Bank characteristics, financial structure and macroeconomics variables are important in explaining African Islamic banks’ profitability. Bank’s capital and size increase bank’s profitability whereas credit risk and operating efficiency reduce it. With regards to the macroeconomic indicators, higher economic growth and inflation spur banks’ profitability. The study also provides evidence for the positive impact of market concentration on Islamic banks profitability. Finally, the empirical results show robust supports to suggest that higher bank development leads to lower bank profitability.

Moderating Effect of Government Policy on Entrepreneurship and Growth Performance of Small-Medium Enterprises in Cambodia

The role of Small-Medium Enterprises has been recognized to be importance as an engine of growth and poverty alleviation through the creation of jobs and income for the people. The aims of this study are to examine the `moderating effect of government policy on the relationship between entrepreneurial values, firm financing, management, market practices and growth performance of SMEs in Cambodia. The survey method was used to gather 220 usable questionnaires from SME owner-managers in the City of Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the results. The results of the study showed a positive relationship between entrepreneurial values, firm financing, management, market practices and SME growth performance as hypothesized. The results also confirm that government policy have an important role as full moderator in such relationships. In addition, implications to growth theory and practice, limitations, and suggestions for future research were also discussed.

Modeling Customer Perceived Service Quality for Electricity Supply in South Haryana

Electricity industry is considered one of the most vital elements for the overall socio-economic development of a developing country such as India. In an open retail market condition for electricity, it is worth understanding the attitudes, motivations and behavior of residential electricity consumers; particularly in terms of quality of services. This study strives to develop a valid and reliable instrument to measure customer perceived service quality for electricity supply in south Haryana. A total of 300 residential customers participated in the survey.. A multiple regression analysis was employed and the, “electricity supply quality” appeared as the best predictor, followed by responsiveness, convenience, reliability, assurance, pricing and empathy. The policy implication is that policy makers of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (DHBVNL); single supplier in south Haryana, can use so developed service quality instrument for periodic monitoring of service quality as perceived by customers.

Understanding Corporate Social Responsibility with the Integration of Supply Chain Management in Outdoor Apparel Manufacturers in North America and Australia

This paper investigates how supply chain management issues feature in the understandings of corporate social responsibility (CSR) held by managers of outdoor apparel manufacturing firms and whether outdoor apparel manufacturing firms engage in sustainable supply chain management practices. Data were collected using two methods: through semi-structured interviews with nine managers from nine manufacturing firms in the outdoor apparel industry; and through a review of the sustainable supply chain management practices of 27 firms that manufacture and retail outdoor apparel. Interviewed participants articulated their understandings of CSR in terms of three perspectives on sustainability (financial, environmental and social issues). A small number of firms were found to engage in multiple types of sustainable supply chain management practices, and a larger number of firms either did not engage in any sustainable supply chain management practices or used only an industry administered code of practice to guide the way they worked with their suppliers.