Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor Research Articles

Impact of Knowledge Management Processes on Competitive Advantage: The Case of Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Companies in Malaysia

This study examines the effect of knowledge management (KM) processes, specifically knowledge acquisition, conversion, application, and protection, on competitive advantage (CA) within Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) companies. Using a pre-tested survey questionnaire, data was collected from 122 MSC companies. The collected data was analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Path analyses results revealed significant and positive associations with CA exclusively for knowledge conversion and application, highlighting the critical role of these KM processes in shaping CA. This study contributes to the KM literature by providing empirical evidence on the impacts of individual KM process capabilities on CA. Practically, this study offers practical insights for industry practitioners, guiding them in the strategic enhancement and sustenance of CA through effective KM processes tailored to the MSC context.

The Effects of Role on Tacit Knowledge Sharing Practices/ Kesan Peranan Terhadap Amalan Perkongsian Ilmu Tersirat

This study investigates the impact of role (work scope, authority and responsibility fulfilment) towards the practice of tacit knowledge sharing. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed via mail to the organizational managers (outsourcing companies) registered with Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor. Of these, 168 questionnaires were returned and only 166 had been coded and analyzed. The analysis of the hypotheses is carried out using multiple regression analysis. The findings show that role elements such as work scope and responsibility fulfilment have a positive and significant relationship to the practice of tacit knowledge sharing. Theoretical and practical implications and suggestions for future research are also discussed.

The Relationship between Self-confidence, Self-remembrance and Sincerity among Staff towards Information Systems Outsourcing Success

The study examined the relationship between the humanistic elements of self-confidence, self remembrance and sincerity among staff towards the success of information systems (IS) outsourcing.A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed by mail to the manager of information systems outsourcing companies registered with Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor and 168 were returned. The hypotheses of this study were analyzed using multiple regression methods.The findings show that the element of self confidence and sincerity of the staff have a positive and significant relationship towards the success of information systems outsourcing. The theoretical and practical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Cross-border knowledge transfer in Malaysian multimedia super corridor (MSC) status corporations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the antecedents of successful organizational cross-border knowledge transfer and also the relationship among the antecedents for sustainable competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a focus group study was conducted to identify major constructs and map out the proposed framework. This is then followed by questionnaire survey from 210 Malaysian multimedia super corridor (MSC) status corporations as recipients. Their international business affiliates refer to any organizations located outside Malaysia with which the recipient firm has a relationship. Data were analysed using SPSS.FindingsThe findings suggest that the perceived value of the knowledge, relational dimension and cognitive dimension, as well as recipient learning intent and the attractiveness of a foreign source are significant related to the effectiveness of organizational cross-border knowledge transfer.Research limitations/implicationsBecause this research only covered 210 MSC status corporations, future research can try to have more coverage on other industry to have larger sample size for generalizability purposes. Other factors such as organizational and context characteristics can be added as antecedents to strengthen the framework for effective knowledge transfer.Practical implicationsThe empirical findings can be used as a guideline for MSC status firms to undergo a self-check and help them rethink and reposition themselves in light of the findings. It helps MSC status corporations to frame their organizational cross-border knowledge transfer activities to enable the creation and application of knowledge which should allow them to drive the capability of creating and retaining a greater value onto their core business competencies.Originality/valueThis study provides valuable insights to help creating a successful foundation for organizational cross-border knowledge transfer. This study is also among few studies to examine the critical antecedents in successful organizational cross-border knowledge transfer from a multidimensional perspective in Malaysia.

The Effect of Open‐Plan Workspaces on Behavior and Performance Among Malaysian Creative Workers

Attracting and retaining creative workers is essential to the success of the companies in Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor, a special economic zone and high‐tech business district that is an important driver of local development. Guided by a conceptual framework based on environmental comfort theory, researchers surveyed 238 employees in 15 firms in this region to assess the impact of employees’ perceptions of workplace design and conditions on their performance and behavior. The findings show that although open‐plan offices can contribute to teamwork and creativity, such distractions as uncontrollable and unwanted noise, lack of visual and acoustical privacy, the presence of others, and other ambient conditions in such settings may reduce not only employees’ satisfaction with their work environment, but also their performance. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Intention to Quit and the Demand Control Model: A Case of Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor Status Companies

In the fast paced global economy where trades are being conducted everywhere and at any time, the focus of organizations has shifted from the traditional view of producing what they think are needed by the market to a new paradigm whereby they are now to produce products or services that the markets desire literally. One requirement of surviving in such challenging business environment is to be able to retain performing employees whereby employee loyalty has been a thing of the past. This study will look into three critical factors that are often associated with unwelcome behaviors in the organizations such as low motivation, low organizational commitment, less satisfaction which in turn will lead to lower productivity, creativity and innovations and may result in employees quitting. The main objectives of this particular study are to explore the degree of intention to quit, examine relationships between job demands; job control; social support with turnover intention; also to examine the ability of the demand control variables (Karasek, 1979) in explaining turnover intention among IT executives. The sector which is being investigated is the small and medium companies which operate in the IT related businesses particularly Small and Medium companies in Malaysia. Results showed that only job demand and job control have significant associations with turnover intention and subsequently the demand control model is unable to explain the variances in turnover intention. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n2p217

Application of knowledge management factors on customer relationship management process

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the application of knowledge management (KM) factors on customer relationship management (CRM) process in Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status organisations. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was conducted on KM workers (customer service) in Malaysian MSC status organisations. Based on the extensive review of the current literature, eight KM factors were investigated to examine the application toward CRM process. Findings – The data, collected from 96 knowledge workers, suggest that KM process, organisational infrastructure and technology are three important predictors for effective CRM process. Practical implications – The practical implication of this paper could be useful for business managers who want to enhance organisational CRM through implementing KM practices to support their organisation’s KM efforts. Originality/value – This is one of the few papers to study the application of KM factors on CRM process in Malaysia.

Knowledge-sharing through social interaction in a policy-driven industrial cluster

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether knowledge-flows through social interaction occur within the context of a policy-driven industrial cluster. Design/methodology/approach – The paper follows a single-case approach, adopting Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor cluster as the unit of analysis. Semi-structured interviews with firm- and non-firm-respondents in the cluster constitute the prime source of data. Findings – Spontaneous social interaction leading to knowledge diffusion within the cluster may be lacking. However, policymakers may be able to remedy this somewhat by organising workshops, conferences and other events to help firms gain additional knowledge, although these measures should ideally complement, rather than replace, spontaneous face-to-face meetings. Practical implications – Although policymakers may implement certain measures to try to compensate for the shortage of knowledge flows through social interaction (e.g. organising more “formal” events such as workshops and exhibitions), it is argued that these may not be sufficient in ensuring the long-term, self-sustaining success of the cluster. Originality/value – The paper integrates extant literature on “organic” industrial clusters into a pre-planned, purpose-built, policy-driven cluster context. Research on policy-driven clusters is somewhat limited, with attention from scholars primarily focused on organic clusters. This paper attempts to bridge the gap for future research in the area.

Engineering a Global City

This research concerns the Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor project. Part of the project is a construction of a future intelligent city named Cyberjaya. This is a utopian city. The dream encompasses constructing working and living spaces for information communication technology professionals and experts from all over the world. Based on an ethnographic approach, this article seeks to explore what happens when utopian ideas are implemented. That is, rather than testing whether or not the dream has become true, the authors investigate the “materiality” of dreamwork in the development of a “planned city.” They show that the utopian globalized information communication technology city is built on the principles of zoning, sterility, and security. These principles are at the core of engineering a global community of knowledge workers. The authors argue that the ordering of this particular version of utopia—discursively anchored in a specific hybridization of (hyper)modernity, Malaysian culture, and Islam—has resulted in a proliferation of “non-places” that inhibit binding associations and thus prevent the development of a sense of “belonging.”

Policy-driven clusters, interfirm interactions and firm internationalisation: Some insights from Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor

This paper investigates the impact of social and business interactions on firm internationalisation within the context of an industrial cluster created from scratch by policymakers. Based on in-depth interviews with firms in Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor cluster, our findings suggest that a permanent cluster of this nature may not be able to stimulate the development of frequent, spontaneous, informal interaction and rich social networks often seen in ‘organic’ clusters, thus limiting the cluster's effect on firm internationalisation. However, the paper also shows that ‘temporary clusters’, such as trade shows and conferences, organised by policymakers on a regular basis within the broader context of the permanent cluster, can help firms to quickly acquire relevant knowledge.

Policy-driven collaborative arrangements and competency development – a case of Malaysia's MSC flagship networks

This paper presents the results of a survey done among organisations participating in flagship networks in Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC Malaysia) project. The MSC flagships are an integral part of MSC Malaysia and are inter-organisational networks, built through policy-driven collaborative arrangements, to help participating organisations develop innovative applications and achieve sustainable competitive advantage. These directed networks of exchange relationships are intended to create value in that the creativity and talent derived out of such an environment is perceived to result in certain competencies. Preliminary findings indicate that the three network groups are identified as having different forms or structures. The results of the statistical analysis indicate the following – that network structure is important in facilitating results for the organisations committed to the networks, where different network forms display different combinations of network characteristics and correspondingly, the different combinations lead to differing strengths in different competencies. It is especially significant where the focus is on policy-driven inter-organisational networks in developing economies.

Clustering as Anti-politics Machine? Situating the Politics of Regional Economic Development and Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor

Lepawsky J. Clustering as anti-politics machine? Situating the politics of regional economic development and Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor, Regional Studies. This paper addresses the formation of an ‘intentional cluster’ in Malaysia called the Multimedia Super Corridor. In this context, ‘clustering’ is a spatial fix and a development discourse that is as much about political expediency as it is about economic development. This paper suggests the utility of theorizing clusters as ‘anti-politics machines’ in terms of their instrumental utility for depoliticizing the reproduction and expansion of state bureaucracy and capital accumulation. Lepawsky J. Le regroupement comme une machine contre-politique? Le positionnement de la politique d'aménagement du territoire et de l'Autoroute Multimédia en Malaysie, Regional Studies. Cet article cherche à aborder l'établissement d'un ‘regroupement voulu’ en Malaysie appellé l'Autoroute Multimédia. Dans ce contexte, la notion de ‘regroupement’ constitue une fixation géographique et un discours de développement qui concerne autant l'opportunisme politique que le développement économique. Cet article propose l'utilité de théoriser les regroupements comme ‘machines contre-politique’ vu leur utilité de dépolitiser la reproduction et l'élargissement de la bureaucratie d'Etat et l'accumulation de capital. Regroupement Politique culturelle Malaysie Lepawsky J. Clusterbildung als antipolitische Maschine? Untersuchung der Politik zur regionalen Wirtschaftsentwicklung und des Multimedia Super Corridor von Malaysia, Regional Studies. In diesem Beitrag wird die Bildung eines ‘beabsichtigten Clusters’ namens Multimedia Super Corridor in Malaysia untersucht. In diesem Zusammenhang stellt die Clusterbildung eine räumliche Korrekturmaßnahme und einen Entwicklungsdiskurs dar, bei dem es nicht nur um Wirtschaftsentwicklung geht, sondern auch um politischen Eigennutz. Im Artikel wird der Nutzen einer Theoretisierung von Clustern als ‘antipolitischen Maschinen’ nahegelegt, was ihre zentrale Rolle bei der Entpolitisierung der Reproduktion und Ausdehnung der staatlichen Bürokratie und Kapitalanhäufung anbelangt. Clusterbildung Kulturpolitik Malaysia Lepawsky J. ¿Aglomeración como máquina antipolítica? Situación de la política del desarrollo económico regional y el Súper Corredor Multimedia de Malasia, Regional Studies. En este artículo analizo la formación de una ‘aglomeración deliberada’ en Malasia denominada el Súper Corredor Multimedia. En este contexto, la ‘aglomeración’ es un remedio espacial y un discurso de desarrollo que trata sobre la conveniencia política pero también sobre el desarrollo económico. En este artículo sugiero la utilidad de la teorización de las aglomeraciones como ‘máquinas antipolíticas’ en cuanto a su utilidad instrumental para despolitizar la reproducción y expansión de la burocracia estatal y la acumulación de capital. Aglomeración Política cultural Malasia

Organisational Symbols: Reflections of Organisational Culture?

The objective of this paper is to discuss the role(s) of organisational symbols in representing organisational identity. To what extent do the so-called organisational symbols have significant impact on the employees in an organisation in identifying themselves with the organisational identity? Is it due to the top-down approach imposed by the top management? This paper is based on a six month ethnographic study conducted in selected Information Communication Technology (ICT) based corporations in one of the Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) cities. From the fi ndings, there are three main organisational symbols which are related to organisational identity: identity cards, black sofa, and offi ce cubicles. The paper concludes that the construction of organisational symbols is a mix of a controlled culture (top-down) and to a certain degree is the participative activity of the employees. Nevertheless, the organisational symbols are embraced by the employees due to the need to be identified with an organisation.

Policy-Driven Collaborative Arrangements and Competency Development - A Preliminary Survey of Organisations Participating in Malaysia's MSC Flagship Networks

This paper presents the results of a survey done among organisations participating in MSC Flagship networks in Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) project - a cluster-oriented initiative by the government of Malaysia aimed at jumpstarting its transition to a knowledge-based economy. The MSC flagships are an integral part of the MSC project and are inter-organisational networks, built through policy-driven collaborative arrangements -and these networks with exchange relationships are intended to create value in that the creativity and talent derived out of such an environment is perceived to result in certain competencies. Preliminary findings, from three of the networks studied, indicate that the three network groups have different forms or structures. The network structure is important in facilitating results for the organisations committed to the networks, where different network forms display different combinations of network characteristics and correspondingly, the different combinations lead to differing strengths in different competencies. It is especially significant where the focus is on policy-driven inter-organisational networks in developing economies.

Exploring Knowledge Management (KM) issues and KM performance outcomes: empirical evidence from Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor companies

This article explores six important Knowledge Management (KM) issues identified from previous research and their relations to KM performance outcomes. The analysis is based on the survey data collected from 427 middle managers in 194 Multimedia Super Corridor's Information Technology (IT) companies operating in Malaysia. The multiple regression results indicated that there are some significant associations between the issues of KM and KM performance outcomes. The results have important implications in guiding the IT organisations in understanding how the KM issues can be resolved by implementing KM from the KM performance outcomes perspective.

KM Implementation and Its Influence on Performance: An Empirical Evidence from Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Companies

This paper investigates how information technology (IT) companies in Malaysia, particularly those with Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status, perceived the importance and degree of implementation of knowledge management (KM) success factors in their organisations and how these factors impact on their performance. Data were generated from a questionnaire survey of 427 middle managers from 194 MSC-status companies operating in Malaysia. Although the IT companies are highly aware of the importance of KM, the factors were only moderately implemented, with the exclusion of removal of organisational constraints. Some significant interactions were found between the KM success factors and organisational performance. Such significant findings provide important information on whether the MSC-status companies perceived KM as important to their success. In addition, based on the empirical results, recommendations are made on how the companies could improve their performance by narrowing the gaps through better organising their KM practices from the right perspective. This paper provides new information not only in terms of filling the gap of the newness of KM practices in Malaysia, it also has implications on the relationships between KM success factors and the performance of the MSC-status IT organisations in Malaysia.

Re-fragmenting the ‘political’: Globalization, governmentality and Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor

Abstract Work drawing upon Michel Foucault's analyses of governmental rationalities has extended understandings of the ‘political’. The geography of this domain, however, has remained largely intact in the governmentality literature. In this paper, we contribute to work which unsettles conceptions of national scale society as a political unity across and within which government is territorialized. We examine Cyberjaya, an ‘intelligent city’ in Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor, as part of a distinct governmental zone oriented to the nurturing of ‘intelligent’ subjects for a globally-oriented information economy. What the anthropologist Aihwa Ong terms the ‘cybercorridor’ zone is one of a series of differentiated sites and spaces of government which reconfigure existing communal and spatial division in postcolonial Malaysia. As such, while exemplifying non-national territorializations of government, the Malaysian case also questions the extent to which these are novel to an era of globalization. Beyond the ‘advanced liberal’ contexts which have been the main focus of the governmentality literature – and from where the ‘death of the social’ has been diagnosed – governmental fragmentation often precedes the rise of languages and lenses of globalization.

ICT Clusters as a Way to Materialize a National System of Innovation: Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor Flagships

AbstractDeveloping countries have realised the need to develop the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector to compete in an environment of increasing globalisation and also the emergence of the knowledge based economy. But given the limited resources, one approach seems to be popular among many countries is the ‘cluster’ based approach for industrial development This paper seeks to highlight one such effort viz. Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Cluster with its Flagships approach. The MSC is presented in the paper as a physical manifestation of the NSI, to illustrate how a policy driven – cluster based regional development approach has helped to further national innovative performance and competitiveness

The Webs They Weave: Malaysia's Multimedia Super-corridor and New York City's Silicon Alley

This paper compares Malaysia's Multimedia Super-corridor (MSC) and New York's Silicon Alley to assess whether state-led development of digital districts is a viable alternative to neo-liberal approaches. The changing nature of east Asia's developmental states as they adopt neo-liberal elements (such as venture capital) casts doubt on the idea that east Asian cities are `embedded' in developmental frameworks. Using actor-network theory to conceptualise the nesting of cities as processes of 'translation', the paper examines how state frameworks in the US and Malaysia shaped the respective efforts of district entrepreneurs to weave together ideas, resources and relationships. The findings confirm actor-network theory's claim that the significance of a particular element depends on the network it becomes enmeshed in. In the case of Silicon Alley, neo-liberal regimes did not directly participate but promoted devices (such as venture capital, options) that enabled venture capitalists to bring together myriad enterpreneurs. In contrast, the Malaysian state, which is deemed a 'developmental hybrid', devised a comprehensive plan for the MSC and itself used devices such as venture capital to enrol participants. While Silicon Alley was a temporary base for circulating capital, the MSC effort is creating an enduring foundation for digital industry.

Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor Cluster: communication linkages among stakeholders in a national system of innovation

As the wave of globalization washes over geographical boundaries, the world steps into the era of a new knowledge-based economy with governments striving to encourage innovation in industry especially through national systems of innovation. A national system of innovation (NSI) is considered important because how a nation utilizes and exploits its NSI will determine whether it can compete and ride the wave of globalization or be carried by it and thrashed onto the shores of the new economy. This paper seeks to highlight the linkages developed for enabling communication among the various NSI stakeholders for achieving goals in one such effort, viz. the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Cluster of Malaysia. The MSC offers a vision to create a global multimedia climate through an integrated environment of interlinked elements and attributes. The government of Malaysia, realising the significance of the NSI as a way to better utilize, exploit, and enhance systems, is making efforts to this effect. The efforts include bringing together various stakeholder organizations under the "Multimedia Flagship Applications" to develop flagship applications. This is for the development of information technology applications to pave the way toward a knowledge-based economy. The MSC Cluster is presented here as a physical manifestation of the NSI, and it gives an idea as to how policy makers can design linkages for communication among the various stakeholders to further national innovative performance and competitiveness in general.