Owee Kowang Tan, Nabila Mohd Hamel, Choon Hee Ong, Chin Fei Goh and Amran Rasli
The study aims to explore how lean research and development (R&D) tools and techniques (T&T: i.e. R&D hard practices) affect the relationship between lean R&D soft practices and…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to explore how lean research and development (R&D) tools and techniques (T&T: i.e. R&D hard practices) affect the relationship between lean R&D soft practices and organization performance within R&D-based manufacturing firms in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
The current study is a quantitative study that utilized an online survey questionnaire for data collection. Data were collected based on a cross-sectional survey of R&D managers from 102 R&D-based manufacturing firms in Malaysia. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the impact of lean R&D soft and hard practices on firms' performance.
Findings
As per the study findings, it was determined that T&T of lean R&D was significant mediator in the relationship between lean R&D soft practices (i.e. managerial practices, transformational leadership, financial capability and supplier involvement) and R&D firms' performance.
Practical implications
The study delivers an important message to R&D companies that lean practices could be applied in R&D environments to drive organization performance.
Originality/value
The study extends the knowledge regarding lean principles and framework beyond the domains of production and services. The study offers new conceptual contribution in term of lean principles and framework in R&D environments by introducing the role of lean R&D tools and technique to enhance the effects of lean R&D practices on organization performance.
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Choon Hee Ong, You Ying Koo, Owee Kowang Tan and Chin Fei Goh
This paper aims to examine the role of rational culture in the relationship between lean manufacturing practices and operational productivity in the machinery and equipment…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the role of rational culture in the relationship between lean manufacturing practices and operational productivity in the machinery and equipment industry.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a cross-sectional quantitative approach to conduct the research. Using an online survey questionnaire, 118 responses were collected. SPSS was used to assess validity, reliability and hypothesis testing of the study variables. Hierarchical regression analysis was employed to investigate the moderating effects of rational culture.
Findings
The study results reveal that quick setup and quality control were significantly related to operational productivity. Rational culture was a significant quasi-moderator.
Practical implications
This study highlights the importance of quick setup and quality control for machinery and equipment firms to gain higher operational productivity. Rational culture could be used to drive the firms toward greater achievements in this regard.
Originality/value
The use of rational culture as a quasi-moderator in the relationship between lean manufacturing practices and operational productivity is unprecedented. This study offers new findings by introducing the role of rational culture to enhance the effects of lean manufacturing practices on operational productivity.
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Chin Fei Goh, Amran Rasli, Owee Kowang Tan and Sang Long Choi
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that drive students to use Facebook for educational communication and explore the impact of Facebook use for educational…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that drive students to use Facebook for educational communication and explore the impact of Facebook use for educational communication on perceived academic achievement.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from student Facebook users at a large technology and engineering university in Malaysia. Partial least squares path modeling was used to test the hypotheses in the research model.
Findings
This empirical study showed that Facebook use in educational communication is determined by subjective norms and purposive value. Facebook use in educational communication positively affected perceived academic achievement.
Practical implications
The findings provide useful insight for higher institutions and educators regarding the potential academic effects of integrating Facebook into higher education learning. Moreover, this study provides insight into the factors that drive Facebook use in educational communication.
Originality/value
Prior studies have largely investigated the determinants and the effects of Facebook use among university students. However, little research has focused on educational communication phenomena. This study investigated determinants and academic achievement effect of Facebook use in educational communication among university students.
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Chin Fei Goh, Owee Kowang Tan, Amran Rasli and Sang Long Choi
The purpose of this paper is to propose a reciprocal peer review approach that resembled the scholarly peer review process using the Moodle e-learning system. The authors…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a reciprocal peer review approach that resembled the scholarly peer review process using the Moodle e-learning system. The authors investigated interrelations among engagement in providing peer feedback, engagement in responding to peer feedback, learner-content interaction and learning outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
An experimental intervention study was designed. A total of 45 students who enroled in an undergraduate research methods course completed the assigned project. Reciprocal peer review was adopted, in which the participants provided a peer review report on a randomly assigned peer’s research proposal. Subsequently, participants revised and submitted their proposal along with a response letter that highlighted the revisions.
Findings
This study highlights that the engagement in providing peer feedback exerts an indirect effect on learning outcomes through learner-content interaction. Learner-content interaction fully mediates the causal relationship between engagement in providing peer feedback and learning outcomes.
Practical implications
Learner-content interaction fully mediates the causal relationship between engagement in providing peer feedback and learning outcomes. Thus, e-learning practitioners who engage in peer review should first construct high-quality course materials to enhance learning outcomes.
Originality/value
Learning outcomes can be enhanced if there is a high level of engagement in providing peer feedback among learners. However, learner-content interaction fully mediates the positive effect of engagement in providing peer feedback on learning outcomes. Furthermore, engagement in providing peer feedback will enhance the learner’s motivation to intensify his or her learning from the course material.