Management Research Journal

Malaysian Islamic Secondary School Leaders’ Leadership Challenges

Zunaidi Harun — 2024-02-24

This study aims to explore the Malaysian Islamic secondary school (SMA) leaders’ leadership challenges. To respond to the study's aim, a qualitative method using interviews was applied to seven leaders of Islamic Secondary Schools. The informers were selected based on some criteria such as the length of service as a leader and leadership knowledge. The data that were analyzed using thematic analysis reported seven challenges of Malaysian Islamic secondary school leaders’ leadership, namely: (i) lack of knowledge, in particular, the field of school management such as finance, IT, asset, data, and information, (ii) lack of management skill to figure out conflicts regarding incentive differences among senior and novice teachers, (iii) lack of collaboration among stakeholders, (iv) need to allocate more finance for the competency development program such as enhancing novice teachers’ pedagogical skills, (v) Inadequate planning of valuable program for students residing in hostel, (vi) less concern to support some Ministry of Education’s policies, and (vii) less concern on the changing environment, in particular, the field of pedagogical changes for the post of COVID-19 pandemic. The implication of this study is to be aware for the educational stakeholders, in particular, the school leaders, to take into account this study's findings to make self-improvement to enhance the students learning and school achievement.

Development of Cross-Cultural Leadership Model (m2cL) For Malaysian School Leaders

Zatun Najahah Saari — 2024-02-24

In Malaysia, the field of education is the heart of society and the country to achieve the best educational development goals. Therefore, as an effort to achieve global competition in the world of education, the Malaysian Ministry of Education has taken steps through the Malaysian Education Development Plan (PPPM) in the fifth wave (2015 - 2025) which is that every school must place high-performing leaders (PPPM 2015- 2025). This study aims to design and develop a cross-cultural leadership model based on the local context under the needs of school leaders in Malaysia. In addition, this model is suggested to school leaders to be used as a guideline in the administration that covers various races and cultures, especially in school organizations. Therefore, this model should reflect the components and elements that are appropriate to the needs of school leaders. The lack of cross-cultural leadership components appropriate to local situations is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently. Thus, after seeing the dynamic transformation of education nowadays, improvements according to the current needs for the future are very necessary. Therefore, for this study, the researcher applied the Fuzzy Delphi Technique which aims to obtain expert consensus to identify the position of elements in each dimension of cross-cultural leadership of school leaders in the local context. In this study, 23 experts were involved in the design and development phase. Therefore, in this study, a questionnaire instrument was used for that purpose. Data were analyzed quantitatively. Findings from this study successfully produced the m2cL Model that can be used as a guide for school leaders, especially schools that consist of members of various cultures and backgrounds.

Knowledge Management, Work Ethics, and Leadership Management as Predictors of Academic Staff Engagement in Colleges of Education in Southwest, Nigeria

Emmanuel Adekunle Adebiyi — 2024-03-08

Employee engagement issues have become a concern to researchers, especially in our tertiary institutions that face challenges. This study examined knowledge management, work ethics, and leadership management as predictors of academic staff engagement in Colleges of Education in South-West Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The sample comprised nine hundred and thirty-six (936) academic staff selected through a stratified random sampling technique from one college of education in each of the six states of southwest Nigeria. Data were collected using five instruments; namely: Employees Engagement Scale (r = 0.84), Knowledge Management Scale (r = 0.82), Work Ethics Scale (r = 0.61) and Leadership Management Scale (r = 0.57). Findings revealed the significant composite contribution of knowledge management, work ethics, and leadership management to academic staff engagement. It was recommended that Nigerian Colleges of Education management should appropriately incorporate leadership styles that will foster positive work engagement. They should also ensure that their academic staff are comfortable with the work climate and are willing to stay on. Suppose academic staff are valued for their contributions, receive constructive criticism, and are given latitude in how they go about their jobs. In that case, both student engagement and instructor retention will increase, making for a better educational environment overall.

Expert Consensus on the Usability of the SLC3DM Model: A Fuzzy Delphi Method Application

Faiezah Shamsuddin — 2024-03-08

Each model should undergo a usability evaluation to ensure a model meets the users’ needs and expectations. This is a process of testing the model with real users to measure how user-friendly and effective it is. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate a model of School Leaders Competencies in Data-Driven Decision Making (SLC3DM). The model has been designed and developed using the Design and Development Research (DDR) approach, which involves three phases: the need analysis phase, the design and development phase, and the usability evaluation phase. However, the researcher only focuses on this paper in the third phase. The model was designed using the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) technique, which entailed consensus from a 20-expert panel. The model usability evaluation phase discovered that all 13 components of the SLC3DM model had high expert consensus. Overall, based on the consensus of the experts, the SLC3DM model is appropriate for usage and implementation. As a result, school leaders can benefit from the SLC3DM model, an empirically grounded and tested tool, as it can boost their knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to data-driven decision-making.

Laissez-Faire Leadership Style and Its Impact on Safety Behavior Among Paramedics in the Klang Valley

Jamaludin Nasir Romli — 2024-03-22

This study examines the impact of the laissez-faire leadership style on safety behavior among ambulance paramedics in the Klang Valley. Through data analysis, the study results indicate a very high evaluation of this leadership style, with an average mean of 4.62, suggesting a strong tendency to allow individual freedom without significant managerial intervention. The respondents showed high satisfaction with the existing way of working and tended to be less concerned with the actions of others unless they were considered important. However, the lack of active supervision associated with the laissez-faire leadership style potentially increases safety risks, especially in situations where strict adherence to safety procedures is critical. This article discusses the implications of the study's findings on paramedic operational safety and the need for improvements in organizational supervision structures. By assessing the impact of the laissez-faire leadership style on safety behavior, this study guides enhancing safety management and operational effectiveness of paramedics in the Klang Valley.

Economics Online Learning Management through Learning Platform, Interaction and Motivation Aspects among High School Students in Johor

Emilda Hashim — 2024-03-22

The purpose of this study is to examine online learning management for Economics subject through three aspects, specifically, learning platform, interaction, and motivation among upper-secondary school students located in Johor throughout the COVID-19 pandemic until now. A total of 103 high school students took part in this study via survey questionnaires, using a stratified random sampling method. This study employs descriptive statistics, mean scores, and correlation analyses. The findings disclose that online learning management for economics subject in all three aspects, learning platform, interaction and motivation, are at a high level with overall mean scores of 3.98, 3.70 and 3.58, respectively. Despite other apps' popularity, Google Meet platform continues to become the most preferred online learning platform. With the exception of highly correlated motivation and online learning management variables, the rest of the paired variables are positive and moderately correlated. Clearly, everything depends on the students themselves in determining the outcomes of their academic performances irrespective of whether learning is held online or face-to-face.

Nosacq-50: Assessment of Safety Climate Among Management Workers and Frontliners in Health Offices in The State of Terengganu, Malaysia

Mohd Azwan Ali — 2024-03-25

Various aspects need to be considered to ensure that the workplace has a positive safety culture. Therefore, this study examines the differences in safety climate among management and frontline workers at district health offices (PKD) in Terengganu, Malaysia. A safe working environment can prevent workplace accidents and enhance the safety culture at the workplace. In Malaysia, workplace accidents that result in the loss of workers' lives still occur. Therefore, it is essential to study the safety climate and improve the safety culture in workplaces across Malaysia. This study involves two District Health Offices, namely Kuala Nerus District Health Office and Kuala Terengganu District Health Office. A total of 50 respondents, comprising staff working in the Vector Unit at each District Health Office, participated in the study. Data from respondents were obtained using the NOSACQ-50 Safety Climate Questionnaire (Nordic Safety Climate Questionnaire), which was distributed to gather demographic information and to answer questions related to safety climate. The findings of the study indicate that the overall safety climate in both PKDs is relatively low. The assessment shows that Dimension 5, which pertains to the priority of safety and the non-acceptance of risks by workers, is at the lowest level (2.15) and requires significant improvement. Meanwhile, the other five dimensions, namely Dimensions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 (Management’s commitment to and competence in safety, Management’s empowerment of safety aspects, Management’s safety justice, Workers’ safety commitment, and Workers’ trust in the effectiveness of the safety system) are also at relatively low levels and need specific enhancements. Lastly, Dimension 6, which relates to communication, learning, and trust in colleagues' competence, is at a relatively good level. Therefore, management must further improve the quality of occupational safety management so that the safety climate reaches an optimal level and ensures a positive safety culture, especially in health facilities generally.

Exploring Al Ghazali's Theory for Professional Development in Middle Leadership: A Systematic Literature Review

Nur Suhaila Ahmad — 2024-03-26

Al Ghazali's theory, renowned for its profound philosophical and ethical foundations, offers a unique lens through which to explore the intricacies of professional development in educational leadership. Al Ghazali's ethical theory emphasized virtues such as justice, wisdom, temperance, and courage, which can profoundly impact leadership practices and professional growth. This systematic literature review explores the intersection of Al Ghazali’s theory for professional development seeking to promote a comprehensive approach that bolsters both teacher empowerment and enhanced student outcomes. Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, a thorough search was conducted in SCOPUS and Web of Science databases using keywords such as “Al Ghazali,” “professional development,” and “middle leader teacher empowerment,”. Analysis of 16 relevant articles structured around four main themes: Al Ghazali's influence on professional development, middle leadership and instructional leadership, management and organizational practices, and environmental and contextual influences on educational development. The findings of the review suggest that Al Ghazali's theory, with its emphasis on self-reflection, lifelong learning, and spiritual development, has significant potential for enhancing the professional development of middle leaders in a variety of educational contexts. However, the review also highlights the need for further research to fully understand the complexities and challenges of implementing Al Ghazali's theory in different cultural and institutional settings.

Exploring the Impact of Social Media Marketing on Malaysia’s Food Truck Industry

Jastini Mohd Jamil — 2024-04-01

This study examines the effectiveness of social media as a marketing tool in Malaysia’s rapidly growing food truck industry. Given the widespread adoption of digital platforms, understanding the dynamics that enhance social media’s effectiveness in marketing has become crucial. This research specifically investigates the relationship between the perceived usefulness of social media and key factors such as informativeness, credibility, hedonic value, and co-creation value. Data were collected from 201 Malaysian social media users interacting with food truck businesses using a quantitative survey method. Analytical methods included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, multiple regression analysis, and ANOVA tests to assess the impact of demographic variables on perceived usefulness. The findings highlight that informativeness and credibility are critical drivers of perceived usefulness in social media marketing. The results support the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), suggesting that effective social media marketing strategies should focus on enhancing the quality and reliability of content to foster consumer engagement. This study offers practical insights for food truck owners on optimizing social media usage to attract and retain customers effectively. It also identifies future research directions, emphasizing the need for a broader demographic approach and exploration of emerging digital marketing trends. This research contributes to academic literature and practical marketing strategies, guiding food truck businesses to leverage digital platforms for enhanced market engagement and growth.

Empowering the Management of Ambulance Personnel in the Klang Valley: A Transformational Leadership Approach

Jamaludin Nasir Romli — 2024-04-01

This study aims to assess the level of transformational leadership among ambulance personnel in the Klang Valley and its relationship with safety behavior and workplace safety climate. Using a descriptive and inferential quantitative approach, data were collected through questionnaires involving ambulance personnel from various hospitals in the Klang Valley. A stratified sampling method was used to ensure a proportional representation of each hospital in the study sample. The main instrument used was the MLQ6 questionnaire, which evaluates dimensions of transformational leadership such as idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. The results of the study indicate that the overall level of transformational leadership among ambulance personnel is high, with the dimensions of "Intellectual Stimulation" and "Individualized Consideration" recording the highest scores. Further analysis shows that transformational leadership significantly influences safety behavior and perceptions of the safety climate, with personnel reporting higher levels of transformational leadership also demonstrating better safety behavior and a more positive perception of the safety climate. This study highlights the importance of practicing transformational leadership among managers and supervisors of ambulance personnel to enhance safety and service quality. The study's recommendations include strengthening transformational leadership training in the professional development programs for ambulance personnel and exploring the long-term effects of this leadership style on their performance and well-being. The implementation of transformational leadership in the ambulance service sector is expected to improve work culture and safety, thereby enhancing the quality of service provided to the community.