Abdel Hafiez Ali Hasaballah, Omer Faruk Genc, Osman Bin Mohamad and Zafar U. Ahmed
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influences of relational variables on export performance and the interactions among relational variables in the emerging market context…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influences of relational variables on export performance and the interactions among relational variables in the emerging market context of Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a mail questionnaire sent to Malaysian companies that export to Arab-speaking countries and achieved a response rate of 27.92 percent, resulting in a sample of 106 exporters.
Findings
The results of the path analyses indicate a positive impact of relational variables (adaptation, cooperation and communication) on export performance. However, the authors found that the impact was mediated by trust and commitment, rather than being direct.
Research limitations/implications
The findings suggest that the impact of relational variables on export performance is complex and indirect. Mediators and moderators play important roles in this relationship.
Practical implications
Firms should invest in export relationships with the aim of building trust and commitment, which are the primary factors that affect export performance.
Originality/value
The authors have shed light on the way relational variables affect export performance. Moreover, this study contributes to a better understanding of small emerging markets, which are poorly represented in studies in this field.
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Abdel Hafiez Ali Hasaballah, Omer Faruk Genc, Osman Bin Mohamad and Zafar U. Ahmed
The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive model that explains the influence of different relational variables on export performance and the interaction between those…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive model that explains the influence of different relational variables on export performance and the interaction between those relational variables.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a theoretical paper building upon the relational variables and export performance literatures.
Findings
A theoretical model was developed based on the existing studies and findings. In the proposed model, relational outcome variables mediate the effect of relational contextual variables on export performance.
Research limitations/implications
The model developed in this study opens new avenues for future research because it provides a different perspective on how relational variables interact with each other in terms of their impact on export performance.
Practical implications
Relational variables have great importance for firms’ export performance. This study provides a framework about how these variables affect export performance, which should be taken into consideration in firms’ strategies and decisions with regard to the relations with partners.
Originality/value
Despite the consensus about the importance of relational variables, the evidence is mixed with regard to the way they affect export performance. With the proposed model, this study aims to fill this gap by providing a framework that explains how relational variables interact with each other and how they affect export performance.
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Wai Chuen Poon and Osman Mohamad
The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents of exploitative and explorative behaviours and to give valuable insight into the role of ambidextrous behaviours in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents of exploitative and explorative behaviours and to give valuable insight into the role of ambidextrous behaviours in developing creativity and innovativeness among owner-managers in SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of existing literature was carried out and drawing upon owner-managers, a survey using structured questionnaires was carried out with a total of 183 useful responses received. The proposed model was analysed using SmartPLS v2.3.7.
Findings
The empirical result suggests that behavioural complexity and organisational flexibility encourages exploitative and explorative behaviours, while ambidextrous behaviours encourage creativity and innovativeness. Rigidity, on the other hand, hinders the cultivation of ambidextrous behaviours.
Originality/value
The paper entails useful implication by demonstrating that flexibility enables owner-managers to reconcile competing demands and consequently, cultivate innovative outcomes. In this regard, business owner-managers must learn implicitly how to juggle these contradictory demands, suggesting an internal balancing mechanism independent of the organisational context and individual behavioural complexity. This paper suggests that cultivation of exploitative and explorative behaviours among owner-managers is useful in encouraging ambidextrous behaviours among SMEs.
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Ngoc Bich Do, Y Nhu Nguyen Luu, Vi Thai Huyen Kim and Viet Chi Duong
Spirituality serves as an ethical benchmark for shaping human and brand identity. Only a few studies have recently attempted to examine the impact of spiritual attributes on…
Abstract
Spirituality serves as an ethical benchmark for shaping human and brand identity. Only a few studies have recently attempted to examine the impact of spiritual attributes on customer behavior. This study extends the current literature and aims to develop a research model to investigate spiritual brand attributes toward customers’ behavior. The study employs the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model as a theoretical signpost to construct the research model. Driven by this chapter, future research opportunities are presented, and the opportunity for empirical research is also illustrated.
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Faizah Mashahadi, Noor Hazlina Ahmad and Osman Mohamad
This paper aims to explain the relationship between strategic technological and non-technological innovation ambidexterity and the internationalization performance of HbSMEs.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explain the relationship between strategic technological and non-technological innovation ambidexterity and the internationalization performance of HbSMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
The theory of dynamic capability is highlighted as the main approach to enhance the internationalization performance of HbSMEs. It spells on the importance of continuous improvement, which can be realized by renewing and reconfiguring businesses competencies in response to the changing nature of business environment. The respondents composed of 310 HbSMEs that involve actively in international business activity. The data is analyzed using partial least squares.
Findings
The results indicate that only strategic non-technological innovation ambidexterity plays critical role in determining the internationalization performance of HbSMEs, while strategic technological innovation ambidexterity creates non-significant impact.
Originality/value
As resource-constrained enterprises, innovation activity imposed undue burden to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). However, since people are started to shift their preferences on herbal-based products, strategic innovation ambidexterity is critical for HbSMEs to respond to the global herbal market. This research may provide information in which area of innovation should be emphasized by HbSMEs. Here, strategic non-technological innovation ambidexterity has been observed to create positive and significant impact on the internationalization performance of HbSMEs. Therefore, exploiting the existing marketing capability and concurrently exploring new marketing capability are critical for HbSMEs so that businesses could improve its performance in the turbulent nature of international business environment.
Teo Poh Chuin and Osman Mohamad
Consumer brand familiarity influences product judgment and the purchase decision. This study aims to examine consumer familiarity towards local and foreign chocolate brands and…
Abstract
Purpose
Consumer brand familiarity influences product judgment and the purchase decision. This study aims to examine consumer familiarity towards local and foreign chocolate brands and how it is related to brands' country of origin and their consumption level.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology was convenience sampling collected from a 100‐student sample.
Findings
The findings indicate that a chocolate brand's country of origin is related to a young consumer's chocolate brand familiarity level. Other than that, the finding demonstrate that the consumer's chocolate brand familiarity level is positively related to their consumption level.
Research limitations/implications
This study has implications for marketers, where they need to take account of the effects of a brand's country of origin, gender and consumption level on brand familiarity in designing marketing strategies.
Originality/value
This study help market practitioners to design market strategies that involve a brand's country of origin information, especially when targeting young consumers.
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Mina Behyan, Osman Mohamad and Azizah Omar
The purpose of this paper is to investigate several concepts of inward and outward internationalization and their impact on export performance in the context of Malaysian…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate several concepts of inward and outward internationalization and their impact on export performance in the context of Malaysian manufacturing exporting firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Mail survey was administered to gather data from the Malaysian manufacturing firms that have been identified to have business export trading to the major oil and gas producer countries in the Middle East. A total of 120 respondents were received and further analysis was tabulated.
Findings
Findings revealed that the outward internationalization is positively related to economic and non-economic measures of export performance. It indicates that an outward internationalization related to organizational capability has a major contribution to the export performance of Malaysian manufacturing and exporting firms. On the other hand, top management international orientation as an inward internationalization is negatively and significantly associated with economic measures, but not in the non-economic measures of the export performance.
Research limitations/implications
The cross-sectional nature of this study may have limitations with respect to examining the direction and causality of some of the variables. The findings are limited to Malaysian manufacturing firms exporting to targeted markets. The significant of this study emanates from its expected theoretical implications to knowledge and practical implications to business and public organization. It lends support to the internationalization theory and contributes to a firm’s performance and enhances their export marketing knowledge with useful implications for international and relationship marketing.
Originality/value
The results support the proposition that internationalization of firms from emerging nations are dependent on learning, acquiring and applying the knowledge from other firms particularly from firms originating from advanced developed nations.
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Jason Wai Chow Lee, Osman Mohamad and T. Ramayah
The paper offers a viewpoint on the relevance of the underpinnings of the social exchange theory (SET) in understanding inter‐firm relationships, specifically with respect to…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper offers a viewpoint on the relevance of the underpinnings of the social exchange theory (SET) in understanding inter‐firm relationships, specifically with respect to outsourcing relationships in a Southeast Asian context.
Design/methodology/approach
The viewpoint is based on literature review on outsourcing trends, characteristics and underlying theories including the underpinnings of SET in combination with anecdotal accounts from practitioners in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector as well as personal emic observations of management styles embedded within the socio‐cultural context of a developing country.
Findings
Management and outsourcing of contracts in a Southeast Asian context are usually done on a personal level with some leeway provided by top management. The reverse is true for developed countries where all processes and contracts need to be seen as just and transparent to stakeholders. Dominant theories identified with outsourcing generations seem to be embedded in management culture of developed countries which are largely influenced by the transaction cost economics theory and its extensions, the resource‐based view and the resource‐dependence view. By placing a caveat on generalizability, the paper opines that SET is still relevant in the Southeast Asian context.
Originality/value
As outsourcing characteristics have changed and evolved over the years, relationship models need to be reviewed and redefined to be in congruence with the changes that are occurring. The Southeast Asian socio‐cultural context can be a reference point for conceptualization of relationship models to understand E&E outsourcing relationships along global supply chains.
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Norjaya Mohd Yasin, Mohd Nasser Noor and Osman Mohamad
The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of brand's country‐of‐origin image on the formation of brand equity.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of brand's country‐of‐origin image on the formation of brand equity.
Design/methodology/approach
To accomplish this, the brand equity of household electrical appliances, particularly televisions, refrigerators and air‐conditioners, in the Malaysian market is examined. A conceptual framework in which brand's country‐of‐origin image is postulated to influence the dimensions of brand equity, which is made up of brand loyalty, brand awareness, perceived quality, and brand associations. These dimensions, in turn, influence brand equity. Data were collected from consumers of household electrical appliances using probability sampling.
Findings
Factor analysis conducted on brand equity dimensions, produced three factors namely, brand distinctiveness, brand loyalty, and brand awareness/associations. The regression analysis results show that brand's country‐of‐origin image positively and significantly influences dimensions of brand equity. The results also show that brand's country‐of‐origin image influences brand equity, either directly or indirectly, through the mediating effects of brand distinctiveness, brand loyalty and brand awareness/associations.
Research limitations/implications
The study investigates brand equity of durable goods of three product categories namely television, refrigerator and air‐conditioner. It only considers brand's country‐of‐origin image as one of the sources of brand equity. The conceptual framework does not take into consideration factors that moderate the influence of antecedent of brand equity on brand equity.
Practical implications
Producers of household electrical appliances should put greater emphasis in creating brand loyalty for their products. The good image of brand's original country should be highlighted in order to enhance the overall image of the brand. Favorable country image can also be capitalized in brand‐naming strategy.
Originality/value
This is paper important in identifying the sources of brand equity.
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M. Nusrate Aziz and Osman Bin Mohamad
The purpose of this paper is to identify some well-set instruments in Islam that can efficiently alleviate poverty, solve social problems and reduce social inequality through a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify some well-set instruments in Islam that can efficiently alleviate poverty, solve social problems and reduce social inequality through a new operational framework called “Islamic social business (ISB)”.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a conceptual research that is based on Al-Quranic principles as well as contemporary social welfare philosophies, such as, augmented stakeholder theory, social enterprise and social business. Al-Quran, Al-Hadith and existing traditional and Islamic literature are consulted for this study.
Findings
The study proposes an efficient system of Islamic wealth sourcing and management to make the process of poverty alleviation sustainable. Other social problems for disadvantaged people, such as, health-, shelter-, literacy- and environmental-related issues are also addressed in the proposed system. The study identifies the inefficiency in the current practices and makes some propositions that are in conformance with Islamic principles and implementable by Islamic institutions all over the world. The authors propose a theoretical framework and operational propositions for ISB.
Practical implications
In following this study, social policymakers, Islamic financial institutions, Islamic social enterprises and Islamic charity organizations will find organized guidelines to initiate “new entities” or “reshape existing entities”.
Social implications
The study will be effective in solving social problems, alleviating poverty and reducing social inequality.
Originality/value
This is the first study that identifies all the potential Islamic sources of funding and the efficient management thereof through ISB. The study also proposes an ISB model and makes several propositions for different types of ISB.