Korean Expatriates Adjustments and Job Satisfaction in Malaysia: Analysis of Corporate Cultural Asymmetry

Omkar Dastane,Woo Yong Willis Lee 한국유통과학회 2016 The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business( Vol.7 No.4

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to discover how Korean expatriates that are currently employed in Korean subsidiaries operational in Malaysia possibly suffer from career dissatisfaction due to differences between Korean Corporate Culture (KCC) and Malaysian Corporate Culture (MCC). The integration of KCC into MCC is discussed. Research design, data, and methodology – The analysis herein is via a qualitative research. Forty-six interviewees voluntarily participated in in-depth interviews. Document analysis and qualitative interviews were utilized to develop participant profiles and to generate the framework. Interview data were transcribed and subsequently analysed to facilitate the development of themes and ultimately led to emerging patterns. The framework discusses the following Confucian pillars pronounced in KCC: Control Systems, Power Structures, Organisational Structures, Authority and Harmony and Stories and Myths. Those pillars are analysed and the results of the interviews are discussed in detail. Results – Korean expatriates on assignment in Malaysia endure struggles in all five selected Confucian pillars as they are not symmetrical with Korean Corporate Culture common at head companies in Korea. Conclusion - As a consequence, there is substantial disharmony which needs to be rectified if Korean companies are to continue their ‘miraculous’ economic movement into the country.

Sustainability Practices as Determinants of Financial Performance : A Case of Malaysian Corporations

Amacha Bright,Omkar Dastane 한국유통과학회 2017 한국유통과학회 학술대회 논문집 Vol.2017 No.-

This research is carried out to investigate the relationship between sustainability practices and performance in a financial sense for Malaysian Oil and Gas sector. Objectives include to study the state of sustainability disclosure among Malaysian oil and gas companies, to understand if companies that practiced sustainability had better performances to their financial bottom-line and to conduct a data analysis to understand the relationship between Environmental, social and governance performance [represented by the acronym ACSI] and financial performance. Sustainability performance is measured using ACSI checklist, which is an adaptation of the GRI 3.0 by Global reporting initiative while financial performance was measured on financial and profitability parameters namely EBITDA, EPS and PE ratio. Secondary data sources are used which were then converted into a rating scale to develop quantitative data. SPSS 21 is used for the analysis. The result shows that the majority of oil and gas companies in Malaysia had poor performance in terms of sustainability disclosure. On all three chosen profitability parameters, the companies that practiced sustainability were found to perform better than their counterparts that did not. Strong and significant relationship exists between sustainability practices and better financial performance.

The Impact of Technology Adoption on Organizational Productivity

Monika LAKHWANI,Omkar DASTANE,Nurhizam Safie Mohd SATAR,Zainudin JOHARI 한국유통과학회 2020 The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business( Vol.11 No.4

Purpose: This research investigates the impact of technology adoption on organisation productivity. The framework has three independent variables viz. technological change, information technology (IT) infrastructure, and IT knowledge management and one dependent variable as organisational productivity. Research design, data and methodology: An explanatory research design with a quantitative research method was employed, and data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire using online as well as an offline survey. The sample consisted of 300 IT managers and senior-level executives (production as well as service team) in leading IT companies in Malaysia selected using snowball sampling. Normality and reliability assessment was performed in the first stage utilising SPSS 22, and Confirmatory Factory Analysis (CFA) was performed with maximum likelihood estimation to assess the internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. Finally, Structural Equation Model (SEM) and path analysis are conducted using AMOS 22. Results: The research findings demonstrated that technological change and IT infrastructure positively and significantly impact the organisation's productivity while IT knowledge management has significant but negative impact on organizational productivity of IT companies in Malaysia. Conclusion: The research concludes that all three factors plays important role in deciding organizational producvity. Recommendations, implications, limitations and future research avenues are discussed.

Building a Sustainable Competitive Advantage for Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) Firms: An Empirical Investigation of Contributing Factors

Lee Siew Keong,Omkar Dastane 한국유통과학회 2019 유통과학연구 Vol.17 No.3

Purpose - The purpose of this research is to investigate the factors contributing to sustainable competitive advantage for multi-level marketing (MLM) firms in Malaysia. The selected variables in this study are company image, product innovation, leadership, distributor rewards system and distributor training system. Research design, data, and methodology - Quantitative research method is employed with collected sample size of 398 respondents using judgmental sampling technique. Normality and reliability test were performed in the first stage utilizing SPSS 22 and Confirmatory Factory Analysis (CFA) and variance analysis were obtained in the subsequent stage, following up with the overall fit of the measurement model, Structural Equation Model (SEM) using AMOS 22 with maximum likelihood estimation to assess the internal consistency, convergent validity and discriminant validity. Results - The research findings show that company image, leadership, distributor rewards system and distributor training system were supported and are factors affecting the sustainable competitive advantage of MLM companies in Malaysia. However, in this study, product innovation was not supported but this result does not depict that it is trivial and inconsequential in maintain sustainable advantage. Conclusion - Companies can build sustainable competitive advantage by focusing on these contributing factors. Several other comments and implications were brought to light and discussed in the paper.

The Impact of Word of Mouth on Customer Perceived Value for the Malaysian Restaurant Industry

Adebusoye Shedrack Oluwafemi,Omkar Dastane 한국유통과학회 2016 Asian Journal of Business Environment (AJBE) Vol.6 No.3

Purpose - The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of word of mouth on customer perceived value for restaurants in Malaysia. The objectives of this research include determining how word of mouth (WoM) factors - frequency of word of mouth messages, reputation of word of mouth messenger, richness of word of mouth message, dispersion of word of mouth conversations and manner of word of mouth delivery impact customer perceived value in Malaysian restaurant industry. Research Design, Data, and Methodology – The research follows causal / explanatory research method based on quantitative data. A sample of 150 restaurant customers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was selected using convenience sampling technique. Likert scale questionnaire is used to collect data and data is analysed using regression analysis through SPSS 22. Results – The statistical analysis revealed that independent variable ‘manner of delivery’ significantly and positively impacts c ustomer perceived value for restaurants in Malaysia. Conclusions – To build strong positive customer perception, Malaysian restaurants can enhance word of mouth campaigns’ ‘manner of delivery’ by making them passionate, exciting and with high emotional appeal.

Perceived Risk Factors Affecting Consumers’ Online Shopping Behaviour

Kok Wai THAM,Omkar Dastane,Zainudin JOHARI,Nurlida Binti ISMAIL 한국유통과학회 2019 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.6 No.4

The study examines the impact of financial risk, convenience risk, non-delivery risk; return policy risk and product risk on online consumer behavior of Malaysian consumers. The research employed a self-administered survey to collect empirical data from 245 Malaysian online shoppers by using convenience sampling. Cronbach alpha was calculated to confirm the reliability of the data and then normality was assessed. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was then conducted to test the model using the goodness-of-fit tests. And finally, structural equation modeling is used to test the hypotheses and draw conclusions. IBM SPSS AMOS version 22.0 was utilized for data analysis. The research indicates that product risk, convenience risk, and return policy risk have a significant and positive impact on online shopping behavior. Financial risk is found to have insignificant and negative effects on consumer behavior. In addition, the non-delivery risk is found to have a significant and negative impact on online shopping behavior. The findings provide a useful model for measuring and managing perceived risk in online shopping which may result in an increase in participation of Malaysian consumers and reduce their cognitive deficiencies in the e-commerce environment. Several managerial implications are discussed along with the scope for future research.

Sustainability Practices as Determinants of Financial Performance: A Case of Malaysian Corporations

Ezeoha Bright Amacha,Omkar Dastane 한국유통과학회 2017 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.4 No.2

This research is carried out to investigate the relationship between sustainability practices and performance in a financial sense for Malaysian Oil and Gas sector. Objectives include to study the state of sustainability disclosure among Malaysian oil and gas companies, to understand if companies that practiced sustainability had better performances to their financial bottom-line and to conduct a data analysis to understand the relationship between Environmental, social and governance performance [represented by the acronym ACSI] and financial performance. Sustainability performance is measured using ACSI checklist, which is an adaptation of the GRI 3.0 by Global reporting initiative while financial performance was measured on financial and profitability parameters namely EBITDA, EPS and PE ratio. Secondary data sources are used which were then converted into a rating scale to develop quantitative data. SPSS 21 is used for the analysis. The result shows that the majority of oil and gas companies in Malaysia had poor performance in terms of sustainability disclosure. On all three chosen profitability parameters, the companies that practiced sustainability were found to perform better than their counterparts that did not. Strong and significant relationship exists between sustainability practices and better financial performance.

Key Factors Affecting Intention to Order Online Food Delivery (OFD)

SAN, Sing Su,DASTANE, Omkar Korea Distribution Science Association 2021 The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business( Vol.12 No.2

Purpose: This study investigated the impact of key factors such as service quality, perceived benefit and brand familiarity on a consumer's intention to order online food delivery (OFD). In addition, mediating effect of electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) between relationships among selected key variables and OFD purchase intention is also assessed. Research design, data and methodology: This explanatory, quantitative study employed convenience sampling and collected data through online structured questionnaire from 304 respondents who are users of OFD apps based in greater Klang valley region of Malaysia. The data was then subjected to normality and reliability assessment followed by confirmatory factor analysis, validity assessment and structural equation modelling using IBM SPSS AMOS 24.0. Results: Findings revealed that service quality, perceived benefits and brand familiarity affects purchase intention positively and significantly. Perceived benefits demonstrated highest impact on purchase intention followed by brand familiarity and service quality. Findings also suggest that e-WOM fully mediates relationship between brand familiarity and purchase intention, however, the same was not observed for remaining two variables. Conclusions: The study has enriched OFD literature by investigating impact of selected key factors on purchase intention in the context of OFD. Implications, limitations and future research avenues are then discussed.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TURBULENCE MODELS FOR AUTOMOTIVE AERODYNAMIC SIMULATION AND DESIGN

Dastan Igali,Olzhas Mukhmetov,Yong Zhao,Sai Cheong Fok,Soo Lee Teh 한국자동차공학회 2019 International journal of automotive technology Vol.20 No.6

The reduction of energy consumption and environmental impacts of road vehicles is always a major design objective. Many investigations suggest that reducing aerodynamic drags such as pressure drag and skin friction drag is a more efficient method than engine modification in achieving the design objective. Turbulent flow around a bluff body is notoriously difficult to simulate accurately due to the complexity of the flow conditions around the body, such as complex flow separation and laminar to turbulent flow transition. This paper investigates the flow over a benchmark model called the Ahmed body with a slant angle of 25o, which is considered a challenging problem for RANS approach with two-equation turbulence models (Menter, 1994; Serre et al., 2013). Three popular turbulence models, such as the k-ε, k-ω and SST models are evaluated by benchmarking their predictions against experimental data and those of the latest LES solvers. The main purpose of the study is to compare the performances of these models in simulating such a category of flows. In addition, the accuracy and factors that determine the success of such simulation are discussed. Our findings, for the first time, show that with a skillfully generated mesh and proper discretization schemes, the RANS approach with the above two-equation turbulence models are capable of capturing the salient features of the highly complex flow over the Ahmed body with a slant angle of 25o. The performances are as good as the LES solvers as reported in Serre et al. (2013), if not better for time-averaged flow simulations. The SST model produces the best results among the three models studied. This study could assist designers in the automotive industry in the applications of these cost-effective tools to improve their design productivity. Future study will focus on the performances of the models in simulating time-dependent flows over the Ahmed body.

Psychoeducation Intervention to Improve Adjustment to Cancer among Turkish Stage I-II Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Dastan, Nihal Bostanci,Buzlu, Sevim Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

Psycho-educational interventions are not a substitute for analgesics, but they may serve as adjuvant therapy. Nurses can provide psychoeducational programmes to cancer patients to assist them in optimizing behavior that strengthen adjustment. The aim here was to determine the effects of psychoeducation on levels of adjustment to cancer in stage I-II breast cancer patients who met the study criteria (experimental group: 38 women, control group:38 women). The psychoeducational program consisted of eight 90 minute weekly sessions and data were collected using a questionnaire and the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale three times: before, six weeks and six months after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistical methods as well as the Chi square test, the Mann Whitney U test, repeated measures analysis of variance, the matched pairs t test and the Post Hoc Bonferroni test. The results at 6 weeks and 6 months after the program revealed that the experimental group had higher levels of "fighting spirit", lower levels of "helplessness/hopelessness, anxious preoccupation and fatalism" but there was no significant change in levels of "avoidance/denial" compared to the control group with regard to adjustment to cancer. In this study, psychoeducation was shown to cause positive changes in levels of adjustment to cancer in breast cancer patients