M. Sadiq Sohail, Jegatheesan Rajadurai and Nor Azlin Abdul Rahman
With increasing competition amongst higher education institutions to attract students, “quality” has emerged as a theme to be adopted. This paper undertakes a case study of an…
Abstract
With increasing competition amongst higher education institutions to attract students, “quality” has emerged as a theme to be adopted. This paper undertakes a case study of an institution, which has implemented a quality system and was the first private college in Malaysia to be awarded the ISO 9002 certification in total for all of its departments. The paper investigates the management system prior to adopting the quality system, reviews the implementation process and evaluates the effectiveness of the system on the academic departments. The paper reports findings of the study.
M. Sadiq Sohail, Salina Daud and Jegatheesan Rajadurai
The competitive environment facing all organizations has forced many of them to choose strategies that enhance organizational effectiveness and efficiency. Re‐engineering is one…
Abstract
Purpose
The competitive environment facing all organizations has forced many of them to choose strategies that enhance organizational effectiveness and efficiency. Re‐engineering is one of the tools used in administering productivity improvements, cost control and asset management.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines the re‐engineering process of a higher education institution (HEI) in Malaysia. The impact of cost reduction strategies linked to the overall performance of the organization is discussed in comparison to management system prior to restructuring; vision, mission and strategic direction; core business processes; financial performance analysis; corporate and organizational structure; reorganization of learning centers; courses offered; human resource policies and customers feedback.
Findings
The study found that generally the HEI focused on the cost‐cutting strategy especially on cost of sales and operational expenses. Consequently, there were increases in the utilization of the learning; occupancy of the learning centers; number of home courses offered increased and a decrease in employment of part‐time teaching staff. There were also marked improvements in academic networks and partnerships that provide for knowledge exchange and transfer.
Originality/value
Although a number of studies have been carried out in Malaysia, very few have concentrated on restructuring process of higher educational institutions. This study critically examines the restructuring process and the major gains of a higher educational institution that embarked on a restructuring program to fully meet its objectives of high quality education and training.
Details
Keywords
Salina Daud, Nurazariah Abidin, Noraina Mazuin Sapuan and Jegatheesan Rajadurai
This study seeks to investigate the potential gap between important dimensions of business graduates' attributes and the actual performance of these graduates in their…
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to investigate the potential gap between important dimensions of business graduates' attributes and the actual performance of these graduates in their post‐graduate employment. These graduates have completed a business‐related degree from the business management faculty of a higher education institution (HEI) located in Peninsular Malaysia. The dimensions of attributes and the performance of these graduates are considered in four broad areas, namely, knowledge, skills, abilities, and personality.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire seeking responses from managers reflecting their importance ratings of essential attributes for business graduates, and the corresponding performance ratings of the graduates in these attributes, was distributed to managers of all companies employing the graduates from the business school. Importance‐performance analysis was used to evaluate the managers' perceptions of these graduates and to determine their actual performance. The graduates' information was obtained from the records of the HEI's alumni.
Findings
The results of this study reveal that managers attach different weights to different aspects of graduates' performance. Therefore, curriculum development should be directed towards attributes that are expected of these graduates and are relevant to the needs of the market and industry. This will allow for corrective action to take place to improve perceived problem areas.
Research limitations/implications
Since this research is a case study of business management faculty graduates, future nationwide research could be carried out on graduates from all HEIs employed in different industries and involving different levels of management and employment to determine whether a consistent pattern is discernable.
Originality/value
There are only a few studies that have included employer research surveys with the intention of evaluating factors contributing to graduate performance and improving the business management curriculum of HEIs in Malaysia.