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Volume 4 Number 1

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Standardized Acceptance Factor Average (SAFA): Conceptual Framework

This paper discusses the SAFA framework that facilitates the process of decision making - acceptance or rejection of an article for possible publication. Generally, such decision is made based on the reviewers’ opinion in a complex way which is often very difficult to make because of associated human errors. Since all the assigned reviewers do not evaluate an article from the similar point of view and level of skills, there always may be a chance of biasness. If it is possible to minimize this bias as well as the impact of human error, a decision can be made with high efficiency. In this paper we intend to focus on the SAFA framework that proposes a way to minimize the above said bias and human error as well in evaluating an academic article for publication.

The Influence of Fairness on Channel Member Relationship Satisfaction: A Case of Malaysian Car Dealers

Undeniably, buyer-supplier relationship has become an important issue in today’s business-to-business environment. In business-to-business, dealers or marketing channels are increasingly emphasising relationships they have with their suppliers. Consistent with the increasing interest in buyer-supplier relationships, relationship satisfaction has become an important factor in relationship marketing and channel theory. Despite the assumption that relationship satisfaction influences buyer-supplier relationship, the factors that contribute to relationship satisfaction has not received much research attention. Using a survey method, this study investigates the influence of fairness on relationship satisfaction among 107 Malaysian car dealers. The findings suggest that perceived fairness has significant associations with relationship satisfaction. The results of this study will be of particular interest of practicing suppliers for maintaining relationship with dealers.

A Cross-Cultural Insight into the Competency-Mix of SME Entrepreneurs in Australia and Malaysia

This paper attempts to unearth the competency-mix required by entrepreneurs in Australia and Malaysia in order to sustain their ventures. Based on this premise, the present study aims to identify, validate, and compare the competencies perceived to be important by SME entrepreneurs operating in both countries. This involved determining the psychometric rigor of the model and establishing the psychometric properties of the model of entrepreneurial competency using a sample of 391 SME entrepreneurs. Interestingly, it was found that some competencies are context-free while others are culture-specific. The identification of competencies that are highly prevalent in Australia and Malaysia would assist in the development of an assessment index that could be use in training and development programs for practicing as well as prospective SME entrepreneurs.

Enhancing Ethics at workplace through Emotional Intelligence: An Exploratory Study on Business Organizations in India

Emotional intelligence is gaining prevalence in all the walks of personal and professional lives of individual as well as the organizations. With the increasing demands of the world of work, these tiny clusters of abilities and aptitudes help an individual adapt better and manage a meaningful work life with enhanced values and ethical standards. It is desirous on the part of the organizations to tap this potential and lead the company towards an ethical work environment leading to effective performance and heightened satisfaction. With this forethought in mind, the current paper sets out to examine the relationship between the dimensions of emotional intelligence and ethics at workplace in Indian business organizations. The results suggest that emotional intelligence and its dimensions are significantly related to ethics at workplace and variables of emotional intelligence namely, self awareness, interpersonal connectivity and emotional regulation have a predictive relationship with ethics at workplace.

The Significant Effect of Information Sharing and Strategic Supplier Partnership on Supplier Performance

This article explores the importance of incorporating supply chain management (SCM) in Malaysian manufacturing industry. The paper investigates the influences of two important key ingredients of SCM namely ‘information sharing between SCM partners’ and ‘strategic supplier partnership’ on ‘supplier performance’. The study measures production or SCM managers’ perceptions regarding SCM and level of performances in their companies. The SEM result demonstrates that proxies of ‘information sharing between SCM partners’ namely ‘sharing of business knowledge and plan’, and ‘sharing of production information’ appear to be of primary importance and exhibit significant impact on ‘supplier performance’. In addition, determinants of ‘strategic supplier partnership’ such as ‘quality and continuous improvement programs’ and ‘joint-effort problem solving’ also demonstrate high and significant impacts on ‘supplier performance’. Manufacturing companies should emphasize greater attention to ‘sharing of business knowledge and plan with suppliers’ in ISBP programs as well as ‘quality and continuous improvement programs’ in SSP programs.