Malaysian Workplace Research Articles

The importance of supervisor support for the work outcomes and psychological well-being of Malaysian low-income working mothers

Low-income working mothers are susceptible to well-being issues. However, research on the interplay between supervisor support and the work outcomes and psychological well-being of Malaysian low-income working mothers is scarce. Therefore, this study identifies the relationship between work outcomes (work stress, work-life balance, workplace bullying) and the moderating role of supervisor support in the psychological well-being of working mothers. Using purposive sampling, data were obtained from a survey of 269 respondents (M-age = 38.15, SD-age = 8.14) employing offline and online methods. The participants completed the demographic section, Psychological Well-being Scale, Work Stress Scale, Work-life Balance Checklist, Malaysian Workplace Bullying Index, and Supervisor Support Scale. Structural equation modelling analysis showed that work stress was the main contributor to psychological well-being (β = -0.41, t = -2.87, p = .004), followed by supervisor support (β = 0.29, t = 3.34, p .001), and workplace bullying (β = -0.23, p = .048). In addition, supervisor support significantly weakened the impact of work stress on psychological well-being (β = -0.14, t = -2.00, p = .045). The study concludes that supervisor support enhances psychological well-being and reduces the negative burden of work stress on the psychological well-being of Malaysian low-income working mothers. Identifying the most significant contributors to psychological well-being can help working mothers to become more aware of the negative side effects of work, and encourage them to find effective solutions to maintain their psychological well-being. Finally, the study emphasizes for supervisors and human resource personnel the importance of supervisory roles in improving the work environment and providing strengthened support for psychological well-being.

Request modifications by Malay speakers of English in the workplace: A contrastive pragmatic analysis

A request is one of the most frequently used speech acts in a person’s daily life. Many studies have been conducted on the act of request and several researchers have developed strategies and modifications that are used in delivering requests to mitigate the imposition of the FTA. Thus, this study aims to investigate the internal and external modifications applied in requests by Malay speakers of English and Malay to specific requestees in the workplace context following Blum-Kulka et al.’s (1989) Request Modification framework. To achieve the purpose of this study, a qualitative approach was employed. A number of 30 Malay workers were asked to complete a Written Discourse Completion Task (WDCT) which involves eliciting requests. The findings revealed that the respondents used more internal modifications in their requests with people of equal relative power compared to high and low relative power, and used more external modifications in requests with a higher degree of imposition in certain contexts. This implies the act of request from the viewpoint of the Malaysian workplace context. It offers meaningful insight into the preferences of working Malay speakers of English in modifying their requests, and shows the level of pragmatic competence of Malay speakers of English and Malay in the workplace environment.

Investigating patterns of workplace fatal fall injuries: Case study of Malaysia

Introduction: Falling from heights can be a serious and potentially life-threatening hazard. In Malaysia, falls from heights are one of the leading causes of workplace accidents and fatalities. The Malaysian Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) reported that the year 2021 recorded an alarmingly high number of fatalities, of which the majority of the injuries were due to falls from heights. Objective: The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between the different variables associated with fatal falls from heights, which will help identify potential areas to work on to prevent these types of injuries. Methods: The study analyzed 3,321 fatal falls from height accidents from 2010 to 2020 DOSH data. Data were cleaned and normalized to extract relevant information for analysis, with agreement on variables and reliability achieved through independent sampling. Results: This study found that general workers were the most vulnerable category to fatal falls, with a 32% yearly average, whereas supervisors were the least vulnerable, with 4%. Roofers recorded a yearly fatal falls average of 15.5%, followed by electricians with 12%. Cramer’s V results ranged from negligible, weak, and strong correlations; strong to moderate correlation between the dates of injuries and the factors used in this study, whereas the direct and root causes recorded a weak to negligible correlation with the rest of the variables. Conclusions: This study provided a better understanding of the working conditions of the Malaysian construction industry. By analyzing fall injury patterns and uncovering the factors, direct and root causes relationship with other variables, it was clear how severe the Malaysian workplace conditions were. Practical Applications: This study will help better understand fatal fall injuries in the Malaysian construction industry and help develop prevention measures based on the uncovered patterns and associations.

Enhancing Organizational Commitment through Effective Computer Communication Practices: A Proposal for Malaysian Organizations

This research aims to explore and propose effective computer communication practices that can enhance organizational commitment in the Malaysian context. As organizations in Malaysia increasingly adopt Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) tools and digital platforms for collaboration, it becomes crucial to understand how these practices influence employees’ commitment to their organizations. This study will identify the specific challenges and opportunities related to CMC in the Malaysian workplace, explore cultural factors, leadership styles, and organizational characteristics that impact organizational commitment, and propose strategies to optimize computer communication to foster higher commitment levels. By addressing the unique needs and dynamics of Malaysian organizations, this research will contribute to the development of tailored approaches to enhance organizational commitment through computer communication practices.

Collective Action for Wellness in the Malaysian Workplace: Protocol for a Feasibility Study.

Chronic diseases and the associated risk factors are preventable with lifestyle changes such as eating a healthier diet and being more physically active. In Malaysia, the prevalence of chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases, has risen. In the present study, we explore the potential of co-designing and implementing a digital wellness intervention to promote socially-driven health knowledge and practices in the workplace in Malaysia, drawing on social cognitive theory, social impact theory, and social influence theory. This study aims to co-design and assess the feasibility of a socially-driven digital health intervention to promote healthy behavior and prevent chronic diseases in a workplace in Malaysia. This study involves two phases: (i) identifying the barriers and facilitators to healthy behaviors at work and co-designing the intervention activities with the employees, (ii) implementing and evaluating the intervention's feasibility. Phase 1 will involve qualitative data collection and analysis through semi-structured, in-depth interviews and co-design workshops with the employees, while Phase 2 will consist of a feasibility study employing quantitative measurements of health behaviors through accelerometers and questionnaires. This study was funded in June 2021 and ethics approval for Phase 1 was obtained from the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee in January 2022. As of August 2022, qualitative interviews with 12 employees have been completed and the data has been transcribed and analyzed. These results will be published in a future paper with results from all Phase 1 activities. The study will help us to better understand the mechanisms through which digital technologies can promote socially-driven health knowledge and behaviors. This research will also result in a scalable wellness intervention that could be further tailored and expanded to other employers and social groups across the region. PRR1-10.2196/39238.

A Needs Analysis on the Demands of Malaysian Industries for Spoken English Communication Skill at the Workplace - A Concept Paper

English Spoken Communication (ESC) is a skill that is very much needed at the workplace in Malaysia. It’s a skill that is currently in demand by most local businesses from our graduates. This concept paper seeks to propose a qualitative phenomenological research study which employs semi-structured interviews in conducting a needs analysis involving local industries, and undergraduates, specifically interns, with regards to their demands on the ESC skills needed from our local undergraduates upon graduation. At the present, most locally written academic papers on needs analyses are inclined to a quantitative approach or of a mixed-method approach which are heavier on the quantitative aspect which is aimed at a specific industry only. There is a scarcity of research employing a full qualitative approach on the needs analysis which focuses on multiple industries. This concept paper aims to bridge that gap and also in identifying the relevant and lacking thereof ESC skills, at the Malaysian workplace, the usability of said skills, and the expectations of future graduates with regards to ESC. The proposed analysis method will be thematic analysis, codifying and organising the data in order a conclusion can be drawn. It is hoped that with this concept paper, a clearer picture on the English language needs relative to the Malaysian tertiary education sector can be addressed.

ENGLISH AT WORKPLACE: A QUANTITATIVE REPORT ON COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION AMONG MALAYSIAN EMPLOYEES

Oral communication had been regarded as one of the important elements especially in Malaysian workplace context and the use of English language had been deemed to be the necessary requirement for employees. Based on series of literature review, only a few studies had been done toward examining communication apprehension issue using English within Malaysian workplace context. With the aim of investigating English oral communication apprehension among Malaysian employees, the study adopted quantitative approach and use PRCA-24 as the main instruments to 352 respondents. From PRCA-24, four communicative events were measured which group discussion, meeting, conversation and public were speaking. Overall, Malaysian employees recorded a moderate level of CA using English at workplace. In addition, government employees are more apprehensive compare to their counterpart. Both private and government employees recorded higher level of CA during public speaking and meeting. In relation to demographic variables, gender, job sector and highest education levels were found to be significant in influencing level of CA among Malaysian employees whilst both age and years of service were not. The study inferred some important findings that could help in understanding English communication apprehension at workplace and Malaysian employers (private and government) need to consider continuous professional development to further enhancement English communication competency of their employees resulting in lowering CA level.

Female Language Used in a Male-Dominated Workplace in Malaysia

In the modern society today, women are now more progressive and hold a significant role in society due to their contributions. However, several studies have indicated that women are still being looked down upon in the workplace setting due to gender biasness. The paper analyses whether the patriarchal system prevalent in Malaysia had an impact on the language used by females. A semi-structured interview is conducted between fifteen female participants who have worked in a male-dominated industry for at least two years in Malaysia. The analysis is derived from two theoretical frameworks; Kendall and Tannen’s Genderlect Theory and Cameron’s Patriarchy and Sexism in a Language through thematic analysis. Findings revealed that most participants used rapport-talk when conversing with their female colleagues; however, they would turn to report-talk when conversing with their male colleagues to be taken seriously. Moreover, the findings also revealed that the participants share common themes, which are patriarchy, profession, position, and situations when conversing. This has shown that gendered language is still prevalent in the Malaysian workplace due to patriarchal influence which needs to be addressed.

A Study to Uncover the Malaysian Workplace Fatal Accident Patterns

A Study to Uncover the Malaysian Workplace Fatal Accident Patterns

Messaging in the Malaysian Workplace: Communication, Social Media and Employee Wellbeing

This article attempts to identify the impact of social media and new messaging processes on the well-being of Malaysian workers (specifically middle managers). It explores Malaysian workplace use of electronic communication methods and how managers view the impact of tablets, social networking apps and similar technologies on their social and emotional well-being, including their capacity to relate to and interact with other employees. In the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, 27 middle managers were interviewed in five focus groups, with the middle managers representing various public and private sector organizations. The findings reveal that social media and e-mail dominate workplace communication among these Kuala Lumpur–based managers; emotional and mental health concerns (like pressure to be constantly available) for themselves and the people they managed motivated some middle managers to preference face-to-face interaction. This was particularly true of certain contexts, like when providing one-on-one feedback on performance. The past decade has seen the widespread and rapid adoption of social media, messaging and other communication technologies in the workplace. It is hoped that this study contributes to an understanding of the impact of this change on employee well-being in Malaysia.

The Role of Religiosity in Ethical Decision-Making: A Study on Islam and the Malaysian Workplace

This study investigates how Islamic religiosity affects ethical decision making. The study was conducted in the Malaysian workforce across the public and private sectors with a sample of N = 160. Five factors are tested to determine if they mediate the relationship between Islamic religiosity and ethical intention. These factors are: perceived importance of the ethical issue, moral judgment, ego strength, spiritual intention, and conscience. A parallel mediation design was chosen to test six hypotheses derived from the theoretical literature. The findings indicate that only the variable conscience mediates the relationship between religiosity and ethical intention. This study gives insights into the role of Islam in ethical decision-making, especially for Muslims in Malaysia, an area which has limited exploration. More generally, it contributes to the ongoing discussion in the literature on the relationship between religiosity and ethical decision-making.

English Language Competency in Enhancing Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Graduates’ Marketability in the Malaysian Workplace: A Literature Review

TVET graduates contribute greatly to the country’s development. Issues regarding the readiness of TVET graduates upon entering the industry have been raised especially on their level of proficiency in the English language. English language proficiency is important and has become one of the top five reasons for recruiting fresh graduates. Not only do TVET graduates need to excel in technical skills, but they also need to be equipped with other essential skills such as communication skills especially English language competency. Employers place strong communication skills at the top of their priority list, and this is the first thing they look for in every new employee interested in working for their separate businesses. TVET education content needs to be on par with the industrial demand and the active role of the industries in giving direct feedback to the educational institutions is crucial. Therefore, this study aims to highlight the importance of English competency and the challenges of teaching English in technical institutions. Apart from that, this study also suggests some measures that can be implemented in enhancing TVET graduates’ marketability in the workplace.

Psychological Capital Scale: A Study on the Psychometric Properties of Employees in Malaysia

Since its inception in 2007, psychological capital has been gaining more and more attention. Nonetheless, zero studies had been done on the psychometric properties of the 24-item Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ) in Malaysia. Therefore, the present study examined the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. A total of 420 Malaysian government employees participated in this study. Findings revealed that the PCQ demonstrated a satisfactory level of psychometric properties in Malaysia after five items were excluded. Hence, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ) could be used for Malaysian employees to discover positive contributions to psychological capital in the Malaysian workplace setting.

The Malaysian Workplace Bullying Index (MWBI): A new measure of workplace bullying in Eastern countries.

Workplace bullying is a significant cause of stress at work. Existing studies, primarily based on Western-oriented frameworks and instruments, have largely overlooked the role of culture. This oversight questions whether understandings generated from those studies can be generalised to employees working in Eastern countries, which differ on important cultural dimensions. To date, there is no Eastern-based instrument for measuring workplace bullying. In two studies, we developed and validated such a measure: the Malaysian Workplace Bullying Index (MWBI). Study 1 entailed a content validation of bullying behaviours via written records (diaries) completed by Malaysian bullying victims. The 19 validated behaviours formed the basis of Study 2, with additions from the wider literature. Study 2 used survey data collected at three time-points from Malaysian employees exposed to bullying at work. The final result was an 18-item scale with two nine-item factors: work-related bullying and person-related bullying. Overall, the MWBI is a psychometrically sound measure of workplace bullying in Eastern workplaces.

Understanding Career Commitment of Women through the Theory of Ideal Self

This paper looks at the issue of participation and retention of women in the Malaysian workplace from the perspective of the personal vision of the women. A total of 117 working women responded to either online or personally administered questionnaire. The findings revealed the importance of hope and identity as elements that positively influence career commitment. Self-efficacy had no influence on women’s career commitment while optimism had a negative influence. Workplaces need to look into recommendations and activities that can help enhance hope and identity of women. Further research is needed to understand how to enhance hope and identity of women so that career commitment at the workplace can be increased.

Hearing Voices of Local Graduates in a Malaysian Workplace on Their English Language Competency

The call from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia to academics in tertiary institutions to collaborate with industry is pertinent where curriculum design is concerned. Far too often what we teach in the university does not match with real world needs. Hence this small scale study is one which aims to bridge that gap. Using a quasi-ethnographic approach, the researcher who was based at a manufacturing firm in Klang Valley, observed the company activities and carried out semi structured interviews with employees who have graduated from local universities. The aim of the study is to find out whether they have a need to improve their English language skills, and if so, in what areas would they want to be trained. In hearing their “voices”, various perspectives were obtained regarding their competence at the workplace. The findings revealed that work competency does not rely on language skills alone, but other factors come into play and these need to be given attention as well.

Working in the Islamic Economy: Sharia-ization and the Malaysian Workplace

Working in the Islamic Economy: Sharia-ization and the Malaysian Workplace

Understanding Malay and Chinese work ethics in Malaysia through proverbs

Proverbs are important cultural products that both reveal and direct the values, behaviour and world view of a particular culture. This article relates the proverbial collection of two particular cultural groups, the Malays and Chinese of Malaysia, to workplace attitudes. After reviewing more than 2000 proverbs, we identified those that were most pertinent to the Malaysian workplace, based on two key categories: (i) the portrayal of work in the lives of the Malays and Chinese and (ii) the approach to workplace etiquette. Local proverbs portray hard work as an admirable quality among not only the Chinese but also among the Malays, despite suggestions to the contrary by some writers. Regarding workplace relations, proverbs again constitute a vital source of guidance for both groups, particularly the high regard for ‘face’.

Matter of Similarity and Dissimilarity in Multi-Ethnic Society: A Model of Dyadic Cultural Norms Congruence

Taking this into consideration of diver cultural norms in Malaysian workplace, the propose model explores Malaysia culture and identity with a backdrop of the pushes and pulls of ethnic diversity in a Malaysia. The model seeks to understand relational norm congruence based on multiethnic in Malaysia that will be enable us to identify Malaysia cultural and identity. This is in line with recent call by various interest groups in Malaysia to focus more on model designs that capture contextual and cultural factors that influences Malaysia culture and identity.

Effectiveness of a Malaysian Workplace Intervention Study on Physical Activity Levels

Effectiveness of a Malaysian Workplace Intervention Study on Physical Activity Levels