Soft skills requirements in e-complaint project team to support facilities management at Malaysian polytechnics

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zul-Atfi Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Maintenance Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operation And Maintenance ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Working Practices

PurposeIn the context of the study, soft skill means identifying efficient and effective approaches for improving operation and maintenance (O&M) processes in facilities management and extending the management of building facilities and infrastructure. Applying the concept of soft skill to the O&M processes of facilities management at polytechnics in Malaysia, the paper aims to identify problems with conventional working practices in this area and to recommend potential solutions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews evidence that conventional working methods generate significant problems related to paper-based forms, improper database management and flawed decision-making processes.FindingsThe paper finds that the application of the concept of soft skill reveals the need for more sophisticated management solutions in the O&M processes of facilities management.Originality/valueThe concept of soft skill will guide future improvements and developments in maintenance management systems (MMS) to fulfil requirements in this area.

Analysing the gaps in the conventional e-complaint method for maintenance management at Malaysian polytechnics

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 861-875
Author(s):  
Zul-Atfi Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Conventional Method ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Maintenance Management ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Major Conclusion ◽  
Major Drawback ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operation And Maintenance ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Purpose Several previous studies have described the use of maintenance management (MM) at polytechnic institutions. However, a major drawback of those studies is that they did not reveal the actual support for MM as practiced using the conventional method. To describe the full situation at polytechnics, the gaps in the conventional method must be determined. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyse the gaps in the conventional method for actual MM as practiced at Malaysian polytechnics. Design/methodology/approach The existence of these gaps must be explored further to reach a better understanding of the utilisation of the conventional method for MM. Primary data were gathered through interviews to develop the proposed system. The major conclusion drawn from the interview results is that there is a lack of comprehensive MM systems that integrate the operation and maintenance processes of facilities management and software programming to guide the decision-making processes. The interview results also reveal irregularities within the MM database used by Malaysian polytechnics related to e-complaints, as well as the fact that the database is unsystematic. Findings The findings show the need for sophisticated MM at polytechnics. Originality/value The identified gaps will guide future improvements to develop MM systems that meet the solution needs.

The generative role of curiosity in soft skills development for contemporary VUCA environments

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 737-751
Author(s):  
Alison Horstmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
The Body ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Content Type ◽  
A Value ◽  
Skill Gaps ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper examines the role of curiosity in volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) work contexts.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual article relied upon an examination of literature about curiosity, VUCA and soft skills.FindingsCuriosity, when encouraged and supported within the workforce, may aid organizations in closing soft skill gaps and better navigating ambiguity, perpetually changing business landscapes, and rapidly advancing technology.Research limitations/implicationsEmpirical research is needed to validate, confirm and further explicate the specific mechanisms and value of curiosity within VUCA environments.Practical implicationsOrganizations need to move beyond espousing a value of curiosity to deliberately and effectively cultivating and supporting it within their employees.Originality/valueAlthough ample research and literature has examined curiosity, soft skills and VUCA environments independently, the body of literature on the specific role of curiosity in such environments is limited.

The effect of soft skills on French post-secondary graduates’ earnings

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 782-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines Albandea ◽  
Jean-François Giret
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Professional Experiences ◽  
Heterogeneous Nature

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to construct soft-skill indicators and measure their effects on graduates’ earnings using survey data from a sample of master’s degree graduates in France. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a quantile analysis to measure the effects of soft skills on income. Findings Certain soft skills explain a proportion of the earnings of recent master’s graduates. In particular, they influence the highest salaries and are important for the most highly skilled jobs. Research limitations/implications Most of these soft skills are measured using declarative responses and may result from the feeling of having skills rather than actually possessing the skill. Moreover, this paper only looks at graduates who are employed, and a deficit in soft skills may be more penalising for job seekers. Social implications While some young people take advantage of soft skills early and benefit from them in the labour market, it is likely that it is even more important for those less endowed with these skills to further develop them before entering the labour market. Originality/value This research illustrates the heterogeneous nature of the skills that young post-secondary graduates acquire. French diplomas do not seem to homogenise all of the skills that young people develop through their academic and professional experiences.

Assessing the readiness of facilities management organizations in implementing knowledge management systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syahrul Nizam Kamaruzzaman ◽  
Emma Marinie Ahmad Zawawi ◽  
Muhaimin Ooyub Shafie ◽  
Siti Nur Aishah Mohd Noor
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Strong Influence ◽  
Technology Policy ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Organizational Policy ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – This paper aims to assess the readiness of Malaysian facilities management (FM) organizations in implementing knowledge management (KM) systems. Design/methodology/approach – The questionnaire survey was used to retrieve information on the readiness of FM organizations in Malaysia. Findings – The findings reveal that, although many FM organizations were capable and ready in terms of information technology, lack of human behaviour and organizational policy is still seen. Technology, policy and human behaviour are the factors that have a strong influence on the successful outcome of KM. Originality/value – This paper fulfils an identified need to study in implementing KM systems.

The requirements for maintenance management systems (MMS) at Malaysian polytechnic: a case study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zul-Atfi Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Maintenance Management ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operation And Maintenance ◽  
Conventional Methods

PurposeThe conventional methods practiced by Development and Facilities Management Unit (UPPF) faced issues due to management deficiencies and negligent staffs to handle operation and maintenance processes of Chemical Facility (CFs) management at Malaysian Polytechnic. The prime objective of this paper is to improve the conventional methods which tend to be both cumbersome and ineffective in the Maintenance Management Systems (MMS) for UPPF at Malaysian Polytechnic.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data was gathered through the interview to develop the proposed system. The major conclusion drawn from the interview results was that there is a lack of comprehensive MMS that integrate operation and maintenance processes of CF management and software programming that provide the guides for decision-making processes. The interview results also revealed irregularities within the Malaysian Polytechnic's maintenance management database.FindingsThe conventional methods had significantly little emphasis on defect diagnosis tools. It had also increased the inadequate strategic decision making to analyse information in improving the maintenance project outcomes for Malaysian Polytechnic's building. New MMS tools is suggested from findings and lessons learned as a good practice to reduce the frequent overhauling and repairs on the durability's performance and design of building control instrument.Originality/valueThe new MMS potentially transform operation and maintenance processes of CF management into one of the most sophisticated technologies by providing access to all information published by all Malaysian Polytechnics institutions. This is in order to foster financial cooperation, the idea that being that Polytechnics who compete with one another become financially independent towards successful achievements of CF management for laboratory building and equipment.

Factors influencing real estate graduates soft skill gap in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Oluwafemi Ayodele ◽  
Oluseyi Joshua Adegoke ◽  
Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu ◽  
Olaitan Olaoye
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Business Negotiation ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Skill Gaps ◽  
Major Property

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the soft skill gap of graduate employees, as well as the factors influencing the skill gaps of real estate graduates in the employment of real estate firms in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were employed for the study. Close-ended questionnaire served on real estate employers in the two major property markets of Nigeria: Lagos and Abuja. From a total of 343 questionnaires administered, 172 (59.7%) questionnaires were retrieved. While data from the graduate employees were obtained via a web-based survey sent out to a total of 558 graduates, 119 (21.33%) responses were received. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed in the data analysis.FindingsThe findings showed that employers had high expectations for soft skillsets relating to responsibility, administrative, listening and communication skills. These have respective mean scores of 6.38, 6.33, 6.31 and 6.31 on a seven point scale. However, the results revealed significant skill gaps with skills such as logical thinking, business negotiation, responsibility and marketing. Further, the analysis revealed that factors influencing the skill gap, in decreasing order of influence, are training/professional mentors/remuneration, personal preferences/industry characteristics and curriculum/faculties.Practical implicationsReal estate graduate soft skills are investigated to uncover areas of emphasis and skill gaps. These outcomes could serve as important feedbacks for stakeholders towards improving real estate teaching and curriculum. The findings could also assist real estate graduates to know employers areas of emphasis in relation to graduate employability skills.Originality/valueExtant studies have reiterated and evaluated the soft skills gaps based on the perceptions of employers, faculties and institutions of higher learning. However, there is the need to investigate the perception of graduate employees, being the recipient and major stakeholders in the training process.

scholarly journals Bringing the national interlending system into the local document supply process – a Swedish case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-109
Author(s):  
Ylva Gavel
Keyword(s):  
System Integration ◽  
Management System ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Local Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe how systems automating the local document supply process (such as integrated library systems and ILL management systems) can be integrated with systems automating regional document requesting (interlending). This is illustrated with a case study of DocFlow, an ILL management system developed in-house at Karolinska Institutet and its integration with Libris, the national interlending system in Sweden. Design/methodology/approach – The present paper describes how system integration between Libris and DocFlow was accomplished in practice. It also discusses various aspects of integration between systems offering automation of document supply. Findings – Integration between local document supply workflows and regional document request flows may involve techniques such as import of outgoing and incoming interlending requests, synchronization of status values between systems, exchange of messages between systems and quick links to the native interfaces of external systems. Practical implications – The paper brings up various aspects to consider when developing or procuring a system for the local management of ILL workflows. Originality/value – The paper may provide a deeper understanding of system integration, as it applies to the document supply process.

Leading toward new horizons with soft skills

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nida’a K. AbuJbara ◽  
Jody A. Worley
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Leadership Training ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Measurement Development ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Disciplines

Purpose This paper aims to highlight the importance of soft skills for leadership and offers recommendations for soft skill development training for the next generation of leaders. Design/methodology/approach An integrated review of current research literature was conducted on management, leadership and soft skills to develop recommendations for integrating the development of soft skills in leadership development training protocol. Findings A one-size-fits-all approach does not work for soft skills development or measurement. Each soft skill is defined differently and should be assessed based on different behavioral actions. Progress in this area of measurement development will make a great impact on the use of soft skills. The development of assessment tools for the different soft skills across professional disciplines is assumed to enhance other aspects of transformational leadership such as coaching and mentoring. Research limitations/implications Current strategies for the assessment and measurement of soft skills present an obstacle for including these skills in current leadership training models. Practical implications The paper includes implications for the development of soft skills for the next generation of leaders and offers recommendations for integrating the development of soft skills in leadership training programs. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study how soft skills can be measured and assessed. This is important given that specific skills vary across professional disciplines and organizational contexts.

Elephants in the room

Facilities ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 412-423
Author(s):  
Bert Smit ◽  
Roy C. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Environmental Design ◽  
Human Dimensions ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Direct Relevance ◽  
Management Concepts ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Conceptual Paper

Purpose – This paper aims to develop an understanding of the potential for application of facilities management concepts and principles in the context of the “zoo sector”. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a conceptual one and begins with a narrative designed to provide sufficient background to understanding key issues relevant to the practice of facilities management in zoological and similar institutions, including the implications of conservational/scientific and display imperatives of zoological facilities for facilities management. We then consider how these issues can be worked through in the context of four broad dimensions of facilities management: strategies for the management of stakeholder behaviour (non-human animals, personnel and visitors); building and environmental design (including space usage); safety, security and health; and “miscellaneous” services. The paper concludes by providing a provisional framework for further research into facilities management in the zoo sector. Findings – As a conceptual paper, there are no empirical findings. Conceptually, the paper offers an initial and simple framework for interpreting the possible application of facilities management in zoological and related facilities. Originality/value – In a search of the two principal journals in the field of facilities management, nothing could be found of direct relevance to the management of facilities in zoological and similar organizations. This paper is thus a singular contribution to the field. Conceptually, the authors attribute neglect of the topic to the distinctive traditions in the study of facilities management, which, at the risk of caricature, emphasise either the pre-eminence of a building and building services approach to facilities management, or an approach which is almost exclusively focused on the “human” dimensions to the discipline.

Performance measurement and management systems as IT artefacts

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 1214-1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Marchand ◽  
Louis Raymond
Keyword(s):  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Value ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Nomological Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
It Business Value ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
And Task

Purpose Considering performance measurement and management systems (PMMS) to be “mission-critical” information systems for many business organisations, calls have been made for researchers to shift from studying the use of such systems to studying their “effective” use, and in so doing to focus on their characterisation as information technology (IT) artefacts. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach In seeking to answer these calls, the authors apply Burton-Jones and Grange’s theoretical framework to study the dimensions, contextual drivers and benefits of the effective use of PMMS. This is done through a field study of 16 PMMS artefacts as used in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Findings In characterising, contextualising and valuing the effective use of PMMS, this study provides answers to the following questions: What constitutes the effective use of PMMS? What are the user, artefactual and task-related drivers of such use? And what are the benefits for SMEs of using performance measurement and management (PMM) systems effectively? Practical implications With regard to the design of a PMMS artefact, the findings imply that one should concentrate on those artefactual attributes that most enable informed action on the part of owner-managers, as it is these actions have the greater consequences for the realisation of IT business value in SMEs. Moreover, the nomological network resulting from this research provides the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of a diagnostic tool meant to develop the PMM function in SMEs. Originality/value This study provides further empirical grounding and understanding. This study provides further empirical grounding and understanding of the concept of effective use, as well as further applicability and actionability to this concept and to the nomological network of its dimensions, contextual drivers and benefits in the case of PMMS and in the context of SMEs.

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