Tarannum Azim Baigh, Chen Chen Yong and Kee Cheok Cheong
This study aims to explore, in the context of Machinery and Equipment sector of Malaysia, the association between average wages and share of employment in automatable jobs…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore, in the context of Machinery and Equipment sector of Malaysia, the association between average wages and share of employment in automatable jobs, specifically whether the association between average wages and share of employment automatable jobs is asymmetric in nature.
Design/methodology/approach
The responses obtained from the structured interview of 265 firms are used to build up the empirical models (conditional mean regression and quantile regression).
Findings
The conditional mean regression findings show that employment levels in some low-waged, middle-skilled jobs are negatively associated with average wages. Furthermore, the quantile regression results add that firms that possess higher levels of share of employment in automation jobs are found to have a stronger association to average wages than those possessing a lower share of employment in automation jobs.
Practical implications
From the theoretical perspective, the findings of this study add to the body of knowledge of the theory of minimum wages and the concept of job polarization. From a policy perspective, the findings of this study can serve as a critical input to standard setters and regulators in devising industrial and as education policies.
Originality/value
Based on the assumption of a constant average policy effect on automatable jobs, conditional mean regression models have been commonly used in prior studies. This study makes the first attempt to employ the quantile regression method to provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between wages and employment in automatable jobs.
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Hoong Sang Wong and Chen Chen Yong
This chapter provided systematic and comprehensive analysis on trawl fisheries management and conservation measures in the Straits of Malacca. Detailed analysis is conducted on…
Abstract
This chapter provided systematic and comprehensive analysis on trawl fisheries management and conservation measures in the Straits of Malacca. Detailed analysis is conducted on Malaysian fishery management framework particularly domestic country's trawl fishery status, legal structure, input-control strategies, ecosystem protection plan, pollution, law enforcement, and complementary measures that designed to reduce and prevent overfishing in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Malacca Straits. Gaps and challenges found in existing trawl fisheries literature are presented followed by recommendations for improvement in the management and conservation of trawl fisheries.
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Teh Pei‐Lee and Yong Chen‐Chen
The purpose of this paper is to examine the first three dimensions of the triple helix model. The focus of this paper is to study and develop a model for the role and functions…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the first three dimensions of the triple helix model. The focus of this paper is to study and develop a model for the role and functions performed by a university to nurture undergraduate student technopreneur development.
Design/methodology/approach
This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the process of the technopreneurship program undertaken by Multimedia University (MMU) in 1999‐2005. The analysis is based on the self‐administered questionnaires, qualitative interviews, internal documents, web sites and direct observation. Electronic questionnaires are e‐mailed to 24 founders of start‐ups to explore their views on the entrepreneurial support structures in MMU.
Findings
The success of MMU in undertaking the technopreneurship programs is the result of the organization structure, management's policies and priorities which are concentrated on creating and sustaining the necessary support structures to foster undergraduate student entrepreneurial activities.
Practical implications
A very interesting and useful information and impartial for new university planning to establish a culture of new enterprise creation within a university. It should be noted that though this is a study of various aspects of the success of MMU in undertaking technopreneurship programs, however, this will have an implication of how triple helix strategic model can be implemented in China.
Originality/value
Many universities have focused more on linkages of entrepreneurship and commercial‐valued research involving academic staff and postgraduate students rather than undergraduate student entrepreneurship. It is believed that MMU is one of the few entrepreneurial universities which focuses on undergraduate students, who, from enrollment to graduation, are offered constant encouragement, training and support for their efforts to conceive and start up business enterprises. This paper is intended to share the experiences of MMU in fostering and supporting undergraduate student technopreneurship programs in a triple helix model. This paper is intended to share the experiences of MMU in fostering and supporting undergraduate student technopreneurship programs in a triple helix model with readers in China and out of China who have interest on the effective implementation of the university ‐ government ‐ industry strategic partnership.
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Chen‐Chen Yong, Pei‐Lee Teh, Keng‐Boon Ooi and Kim‐Lan Siah
Science and technology is the bedrock in developing a knowledge‐based economy. Immense changes will be spawned by the development of science and technology. Today, China's…
Abstract
Purpose
Science and technology is the bedrock in developing a knowledge‐based economy. Immense changes will be spawned by the development of science and technology. Today, China's remarkable growth has brought a great interest to the rest of the world in fostering her economic development through scientific research and technology acquisition. Whether China will be the world leader in science and technology remains a puzzle. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges of the science and technology development in strengthening China's economic growth. In this context, the purpose of the study is to provide a conceptual framework for the strategic management of science and technology policy in China.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted based on the past and present observations and literature review.
Findings
Although the concept of “policy for science” plays a pivotal role in the technology progress in China, the concept of “science for policy” should be emphasized. Hence, a unified policy framework where the concepts of “science for policy” and “policy for science” have to be incorporated and synchronized in tackling the challenges faced by current practices.
Originality/value
The commitment in developing an “innovation‐oriented society” in the twenty‐first century, it is essential to lay the foundation for the framework to understand the science and technology policy management in stimulating the Chinese economic growth. The framework could be served as the basis for policy formulation and policy analysis.
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Tarannum Azim Baigh and Chen Chen Yong
The purpose of this study is to examine the key challenges currently prevalent in the Machinery and Equipment (M&E) sector of Malaysia and to offer an integrative Industry 4.0…
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the key challenges currently prevalent in the Machinery and Equipment (M&E) sector of Malaysia and to offer an integrative Industry 4.0 strategic roadmap. The Environmental Scan 2016 and 2018 provides a basis for the identification of the challenges in the M&E sector of Malaysia. The study further investigates the challenges by analyzing the responses of four major stakeholders in a Focus Group Discussion. The findings reveal that the M&E sector suffers from very low automation adoption. This study is among the first few to analyze the challenges in the M&E sector and lay out a strategic roadmap encompassing the role of each stakeholder at every phase of the transition toward Industry 4.0. The proposed method of transitioning through targeted incentive schemes will help academics and practitioners in developing concrete and workable action plans to conduct the transition process.
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Pei‐Lee Teh, Keng‐Boon Ooi and Chen‐Chen Yong
The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual model to examine the multidimensionality of total quality management (TQM) practices and its impact on role stressors.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual model to examine the multidimensionality of total quality management (TQM) practices and its impact on role stressors.
Design/methodology/approach
The background of TQM philosophy and theory of role stressors serve as starting‐points to develop the conceptual model. From the extensive literature review, six practices of TQM and two components of role stressors were identified to construct the model.
Findings
The model based on TQM with respect to role stressors provides a basis for assessing the level of role conflict and role ambiguity under which the use of different aspects of TQM should be retained or revised. This finding suggests that TQM is not a panacea that can be unthinkingly applied, but must be practised with a clear sense of the impact on role stressors.
Practical implications
Given that role stressors are often detrimental to organizational functional efficiency, it is appropriate for management to invest time and effort to diagnose effects of implementation of TQM practices on role stressors. For this analysis, this model will prove valuable.
Originality/value
This conceptual model provides an insightful foundation for the analysis of multidimensionality of TQM practices on role stressors. The model examines the independent influences of TQM practices on role stressors and treats role conflict and role ambiguity as dependent variables. This design stands in contrast to other researchers' study of conflict and ambiguity as independent variables.
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Pei‐Lee Teh, Chen‐Chen Yong, Veeri Arumugam and Keng‐Boon Ooi
The purpose of this paper is to examine the total quality management (TQM) practices of both manufacturing and service firms in order to determine the relationship between the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the total quality management (TQM) practices of both manufacturing and service firms in order to determine the relationship between the multidimensionality of TQM practices and role conflict of employees.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaires are distributed to 433 employees of 98 different firms from manufacturing and service industries in Malaysia.
Findings
The results support significant negative correlation among all TQM practices (i.e. leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, human resource focus, process management and information analysis) and role conflict. By employing multiple regression analysis, leadership, process management and information analysis are found to have significant and negative relationship with role conflict. Human resource focus is reported to have a significant and positive relationship with role conflict.
Practical implications
This model is ideal for practical usage by managers to evaluate the perceptions of role conflict of employees in TQM‐oriented firms. The findings suggest that firms should look into ways of developing the major roles of leadership and process management as well as improving efficient use of information analysis in order to reduce the detrimental role conflict of employees. This finding may also help administrators and individuals to attain a fine‐grained understanding of different dimensions of TQM in relation to role conflict.
Originality/value
TQM practices appear to be related to role conflict, addressing an apparent noticeable gap in the literature of TQM and the psychological well‐being of employees. This paper also lays the foundation for formation of a theoretically based model which integrates the elements of TQM and role conflict.
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Kunyong Chen, Yong Zhao, Yuming Liu, Haidong Yu and Shunzhou Huang
This paper aims to propose an optimization method to automatically adjust the spatial route of multibend pipes to meet the assembly demands in constrained space.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose an optimization method to automatically adjust the spatial route of multibend pipes to meet the assembly demands in constrained space.
Design/methodology/approach
The compact geometric parameters that uniquely determine the pipe route are analyzed. Besides, the relationship between these parameters and the end pose is revealed based on the exponential product formula. Mathematical representations for the engineering constraints, including the end pose restriction, collision interference, manufacture ability and geometric limitations, are further established. On this basis, the adjustment of the spatial route is formulated as a multiconstraint optimization problem. A modified particle swarm optimization method based on the combination of gradient projection and swarm intelligence is designed to find the near-optimal pipe that meets the required assembly demands.
Findings
The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively find the feasible pipe route that satisfies the engineering constraints and the end pose requirement is highly guaranteed.
Originality/value
The proposed method can automate the geometric adjustment of multi-bend pipes to meet the actual assembly demands, which significantly reduces manual efforts and guarantees high accuracy. The results demonstrate the possibility of further applications in the pipe assembly or design process, especially in ships, aerospace products or pressure vessels.