Norzanah Mat Nor, Siti Murni Mat Khairi, Herwina Rosnan, Roozita Maskun and Elaina Rose Johar
Studies on knowledge management (KM) and its effect on organisational innovation and firm performance have been carried out and subsequently proven. However, the consequence is…
Abstract
Purpose
Studies on knowledge management (KM) and its effect on organisational innovation and firm performance have been carried out and subsequently proven. However, the consequence is that KM programmes did not achieve the expected results that they were designed for. Considering the issue mentioned above, a KM shortfall and its underlying challenges seem to exist. The purpose of this study is to assess the current practices of KM, lesson learnt and KM challenges in Malaysian organisations from various types of industries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted with information gathered through a focus group of managers with different hierarchical levels, different types of companies, from multinational corporations to state organisations. This inductive approach was adopted to gain a grounded, rich, local and lived understanding of the process based on the case studies of eight Malaysian organisations that represent the major industries in the Malaysian economic sectors. Additionally, the information gathered was further supported with secondary data that consisted of a case study report of the eight organisations on their KM programmes’ implementation.
Findings
The overall results showed that the practice of KM in Malaysian organisations typically displays the following two challenges: (1) process and infrastructure issues and (2) cultural issues. Organisational culture remains the main obstacles faced by most of the organisations in adopting KM. As a lesson learnt, managers should also focus on the after-effect of KM programmes on soft human issues such as employees’ satisfaction and well-being.
Research limitations/implications
The authors believe that further research is required considering KM challenges and employee satisfaction or well-being to improve KM performance among different groups of employees through such methods as research survey.
Practical implications
The findings can act as a guideline for any organisations to address when adopting KM. Identification of the KM challenges provides the basis for organisations to attach considerable importance to employees’ satisfaction and well-being to enhance the chances of successful KM programmes. Managers should take a proactive approach in creating an appropriate atmosphere to cultivate KM culture among employees.
Originality/value
This study offers not only challenges in implementing and sustaining an effective KM system within organisations but also promotes moving the KM literature to the next stage where there is a lack of concern on KM implementation effect on “soft” human issues from the perspectives of employees. This is due to organisations tend to eradicate people’s performance in terms of employee well-being and satisfaction and to the author’s knowledge, this has been largely unexplored in previous research.
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Rosmimah Mohd Roslin and Herwina Rosnan
This paper is a case study of a cooperative whose involvement in the retail business was exemplary of a successful cooperative, bold enough to venture into the retail business…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper is a case study of a cooperative whose involvement in the retail business was exemplary of a successful cooperative, bold enough to venture into the retail business. Known as the Johor Cooperative Supermarket (JCS), it was established in 1976 with the support of a firm number of cooperative members, totaling 15,000 at its peak. The purpose of this paper is to examine the success story of JCS and the eventual demise of such an outstanding cooperative.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the case study method through in‐depth interviews with the board of directors of the cooperative, information was accumulated to conceptualize the story and trace the chronological events relevant to the case.
Findings
Unlike other business entities, JCS was established on the foundation of a cooperative that seeks to attain profitable standing for the benefit of its members. Located strategically in the southern tip of Johor Bahru in Malaysia's southern state of Johor, the supermarket attracted a large number of Singaporeans who find the assortment of merchandise and the pricing of the vast array of goods offered by JCS an attractive lure to shop in this cosy and neighbourly supermarket. However, a strategic decision on its location eventually led to the closure of this once supreme supermarket.
Originality/value
The paper traced the history of the supermarket and trailed the strategies which the management took that led to its ultimate demise. This case is also a reflection of the brave move undertaken by the members of the cooperative board to venture into a big retail business that makes it susceptible to the peculiarities and erratic movement of the business environment.
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Herwina Rosnan, Mohd Nazari Ismail and Norzaidi Mohd Daud
The study aims to examine the impact of globalization of film business on the Malaysian film industry.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to examine the impact of globalization of film business on the Malaysian film industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Interviews were conducted as the primary source of information from film industry players in Malaysia.
Findings
Globalization of film business gives an impact on the Malaysian film industry.
Research limitations/implications
This paper focuses on the Malaysian film industry and concentrates only on globalization of film business impact.
Practical implications
The results provide insights to the Malaysian film sector and other organizations of similar structure of how they could manage business strategies for improved business performance.
Originality/value
This paper is perhaps one of the first to investigate the impact of globalization on the Malaysian film industry.