The development of long term relationships between consultants and project managers in construction supply chain in Malaysia

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship development process between consultants and a project management firm in Malaysia. Research approach: This qualitative study was based on 6 in-depth semi-structured interviews which were carried out with the owners and senior managers of five consultant firms (an architect, quantity surveyors and structural and civil consultants) and the director of a project management firm. The data were analysed using thematic analysis method. Findings and Originality: Although theoretically, a well developed relationship has to go through five phases of relationship development process (awareness, exploration, expansion, commitment and dissolution), the findings reveal that every consultant’s relationship with the project management firm appeared to exhibit additional developmental stages to those which are established within the literature. The results revealed that the practices that lead to a successful or failed inter-organisational relationship are greatly influenced by interpersonal factors rather than the organisation’s performance-related factors. Research impact: This study has explored various ways in which the cultural values play significant roles in the development of long term relationships among organisations in the construction supply chain. Practical impact: This study brings new dimensions in the context of inter-organisational construction supply chain through the significant use of cultural values, which could be practiced by other supply chains.relationship development process, personal relationship, cultural values, indebtedness, construction supply chain

Innovation in logistics services – halal logistics

Purpose: The expansion of liberalization of trade and services has forced companies to consider the global market demand in their competitive strategic planning. Hence, business organisations need to be continuously as innovation could promise potential growth and development so as to gain competitive advantage in being ahead in the market. Specifically, supply chain has always been viewed as the most important areas to be innovated as it would be an effective means to gain efficiencies and eliminate accumulating competitive pressures and thus increasing innovations. Thus, the purpose of this study is to present a case study that demonstrates an innovation created in the logistics services, i.e. halal logistics services, as to fulfil the increasing demand of the customers throughout the world particularly the rising number of Muslim population. Research approach: This study uses case study approach to elaborate the implementation of halal logistics practice. In achieving the objective, related literature concerning the halal concept is reviewed and explained to provide better understandings of the concept and how it is applied to logistics services. The emphasis on the innovativeness of this concept is also included. The data for the case study is gained from in-depth interviews with the corporate and operation managers of two leading logistics service providers in Malaysia, who are the subjects of the case. Findings and Originality: This study found new logistics services that are able to fulfil the growing demand of the customers especially the increasing number of Muslims. This is important as these services have taken into consideration several factors such as comprehensive hygiene practices and thus, is also crucial to other customers. However, understanding the basic concept of halal practice and the rationale of its implementation is very crucial before one can commit to its practice. This study contributes to the advancement of knowledge through the elaboration of a case study, which demonstrates the application of halal concept into logistics service practices. Research impact: This study introduces a new concept of halal logistics, which applies the concept of halal into logistics. The needs to initiate more logistics services that are based on halal concept are crucial in meeting the needs of the increasing demand by the customers. Practical impact: The findings provide insights to the practitioners of the importance in implementating halal logistics services. It also indicates the needs for logistics companies to be innovative in creating more halal logistics services to fulfill these demands.Halal logistics, innovation, case study

Health promotion and disease prevention : myths and reality

Dewan Kuliah Jati, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 23rd December 2005

Health promoting schools and children’s oral health related quality of life

BACKGROUND: The study objective was to compare children’s oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) in schools with 6 years of implementation of a health promoting school model in Malaysia, i.e. the Doktor Muda Programme (DMP) and in schools without the DMP. METHODS: This report was part of a larger study to evaluate the DMP impact on schoolchildren’s oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviour, caries progression and OHRQoL. It was conducted in Negri Sembilan state. The sample comprised 3455, Year 6 (11–12 year old) children; 1282 from DMP (intervention) and 2173 from non-DMP (control) schools. The Malay Child-OIDP index was used to evaluate children’s levels of oral impacts on 8 daily performances after 6 years of DMP implementation (2006–2011). Prevalence, score, impact intensity, causes and extent of impacts were compared. Chi-square and Mann–Whitney tests were used in the data analysis. RESULTS: Overall response rate was 95.1%. Prevalence of overall impacts was 57.8% and 60.8% (mean total impact score was 7.10 and 7.77) in the intervention and control group, respectively. The three most frequently affected performances in both groups were eating, cleaning teeth and emotional stability. Significantly less DMP children had oral impact on cleaning teeth (p = 0.034). The majority of children with impacts in both groups reported ‘very little’ to ‘moderate’ levels of impact intensity. Significantly more DMP children reported having ‘very little’ and ‘little’ levels of impact intensity on cleaning teeth (p = 0.037) and emotional stability (p = 0.020), respectively. Significantly less DMP children reported having ‘very severe’ level of impact intensity on speaking (p = 0.038). The most prevalent cause of impacts in both groups was toothache. Significantly less DMP children reported bleeding gums (p = 0.016) and presence of plaque/calculus as causes of impacts (p = 0.032). About 75% of children with impacts in both groups reported having up to four daily performances affected. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the health promoting school model, i.e. the Doktor Muda Programme for primary schools in Malaysia had some positive impacts on 11–12 year old children’s oral health related quality of life

Validity Of Mothers’ Caries Screening Of Their Preschool Children And Its Relationship To Sociodemographic Backgrounds

Introduction: Mothers can be trained to screen caries in their children. The aim of this study is to assess the validity of mothers’ caries screening of their preschool children. Materials and Methods: 81 volunteer mothers of four- and five-year-old preschool children, from four kindergartens in Pahang were included this study. All mothers were trained by a dentist to detect caries in preschoolers based on a simplified caries detection guideline by WHO (1997) in a three-hour course. Subsequently, all mothers screened their own children caries status at the workshop and 24 hour later, at home. The validity of the results was determined by comparing mothers’ to dentist’s findings; and calculating their sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values at child and tooth levels. Results: Caries prevalence among the children was 88.9%, with mean dmft of 7.10 (sd 5.07). At the workshop, mothers’ screening sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values at child level were 93.1%, 66.7%, 95.7%, 54.5%; and at tooth level were 76.6%, 94.0%, 90.4% and 87.8%, respectively. 24 hours post-workshop screening’s sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values at tooth level were 76.1%, 93.7%, 90.7% and 87.9% respectively. The reliability of 24 hours post- workshop screening at tooth level was almost perfect (kappa=0.84). No significant relationship was reported between validity of screening and mothers' age, educational status, household income and area of residence. Conclusion(s): The validity of mothers’ screening in this sample was adequate in identifying caries in their preschool children, regardless of their sociodemographic backgrounds

The development of long term relationships between consultants and project managers in construction supply chain in Malaysia

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship development process between consultants and a project management firm in Malaysia. Research approach: This qualitative study was based on 6 in-depth semi-structured interviews which were carried out with the owners and senior managers of five consultant firms (an architect, quantity surveyors and structural and civil consultants) and the director of a project management firm. The data were analysed using thematic analysis method. Findings and Originality: Although theoretically, a well developed relationship has to go through five phases of relationship development process (awareness, exploration, expansion, commitment and dissolution), the findings reveal that every consultant’s relationship with the project management firm appeared to exhibit additional developmental stages to those which are established within the literature. The results revealed that the practices that lead to a successful or failed inter-organisational relationship are greatly influenced by interpersonal factors rather than the organisation’s performance-related factors. Research impact: This study has explored various ways in which the cultural values play significant roles in the development of long term relationships among organisations in the construction supply chain. Practical impact: This study brings new dimensions in the context of inter-organisational construction supply chain through the significant use of cultural values, which could be practiced by other supply chains

The development of long term relationships between consultants and project managers in construction supply chain in Malaysia

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship development process between consultants and a project management firm in Malaysia. Research approach: This qualitative study was based on 6 in-depth semi-structured interviews which were carried out with the owners and senior managers of five consultant firms (an architect, quantity surveyors and structural and civil consultants) and the director of a project management firm. The data were analysed using thematic analysis method. Findings and Originality: Although theoretically, a well developed relationship has to go through five phases of relationship development process (awareness, exploration, expansion, commitment and dissolution), the findings reveal that every consultant’s relationship with the project management firm appeared to exhibit additional developmental stages to those which are established within the literature. The results revealed that the practices that lead to a successful or failed inter-organisational relationship are greatly influenced by interpersonal factors rather than the organisation’s performance-related factors. Research impact: This study has explored various ways in which the cultural values play significant roles in the development of long term relationships among organisations in the construction supply chain. Practical impact: This study brings new dimensions in the context of inter-organisational construction supply chain through the significant use of cultural values, which could be practiced by other supply chains

Assessing the Islamic Values in the Halal Supply Chain of the Poultry Industry

The values in our daily life are important as the values play a role in influencing our principles and behaviours, and positive values could create good behaviour and a happy living. Thus, values in Islam are essential as those act as a guide for Muslims to be the good believers and capable in forming the better societies. These values are based on the Shariah principles which can be found in the Holy Qur’an, which dominantly enacted as the main reference of foundation for Muslims in present time and the Hereafter. Occasionally, Muslims do not realise that the good things that they do in their daily activities are considered as good values from the Islamic perspective, i.e. Islamic values. The present business environment of the food supply chain, particularly the poultry industry has been chosen in this study due to the fact of highest food consumption of Malaysian in poultry and poultry based products. This study found that research which assessing the Islamic values and halal supply chain has received relatively little attention in the literature. Therefore, this study attempts to fill this void by assessing the Islamic values in the halal supply chain of the poultry industry. By using a qualitative approach, data was collected from in-depth interviews of a case study. The case study of poultry supply chain is focused on the initial stage of supply chain i.e. farm. Therefore, this study found six Islamic values which exist in the halal supply chain

Halalan Toyyiban Supply Chain The New Insights in Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Purpose: In today’s highly competitive world scenario, in order for logistics and supply chain firms to be successful, resilient and sustainable, halalan-toyyiban supply chain could be the new insight in assisting the firm. Hence, the purpose of this study is to provide a practical definition for developing an effective supply chain through halalan toyyiban processes and comparing the similarities and differences of the halal term. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis is developed through literatures starting from the year 1990s till 2013 which emphasis on definition of supply chain, halal supply chain, halal food supply chain and halalan-toyyiban supply chain ; however due to the application of religious in the supply chain area is relatively new, the searching of materials goes beyond it. Findings: The paper finds that this work yielded: a comparison of supply chain, halal supply chain, halal food supply chain and halalan-toyyiban supply chain definition. It provides clarification to the practitioners on the term of halalan-toyyiban supply chain. Research limitations/implications (if applicable): Since there are not much academic journals in the area of halalan-toyyiban logistics and supply chain, therefore these concepts need to be explored further in other types of publications. Originality/value: As the recent literatures concentrating on halalan-toyyiban and supply chain are limited, hence this paper contributes new insights and knowledge advancement in the logistics and supply chain area via expansion in the logistics and supply chain discipline

Innovation in logistics services – halal logistics

Purpose: The expansion of liberalization of trade and services has forced companies to consider the global market demand in their competitive strategic planning. Hence, business organisations need to be continuously as innovation could promise potential growth and development so as to gain competitive advantage in being ahead in the market. Specifically, supply chain has always been viewed as the most important areas to be innovated as it would be an effective means to gain efficiencies and eliminate accumulating competitive pressures and thus increasing innovations. Thus, the purpose of this study is to present a case study that demonstrates an innovation created in the logistics services, i.e. halal logistics services, as to fulfil the increasing demand of the customers throughout the world particularly the rising number of Muslim population. Research approach: This study uses case study approach to elaborate the implementation of halal logistics practice. In achieving the objective, related literature concerning the halal concept is reviewed and explained to provide better understandings of the concept and how it is applied to logistics services. The emphasis on the innovativeness of this concept is also included. The data for the case study is gained from in-depth interviews with the corporate and operation managers of two leading logistics service providers in Malaysia, who are the subjects of the case. Findings and Originality: This study found new logistics services that are able to fulfil the growing demand of the customers especially the increasing number of Muslims. This is important as these services have taken into consideration several factors such as comprehensive hygiene practices and thus, is also crucial to other customers. However, understanding the basic concept of halal practice and the rationale of its implementation is very crucial before one can commit to its practice. This study contributes to the advancement of knowledge through the elaboration of a case study, which demonstrates the application of halal concept into logistics service practices. Research impact: This study introduces a new concept of halal logistics, which applies the concept of halal into logistics. The needs to initiate more logistics services that are based on halal concept are crucial in meeting the needs of the increasing demand by the customers. Practical impact: The findings provide insights to the practitioners of the importance in implementating halal logistics services. It also indicates the needs for logistics companies to be innovative in creating more halal logistics services to fulfill these demands