SCHOOL OF BUSINESS 2019-2020 SIP Report
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EXTERNAL GRANTS & FUNDING
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COVID-19 .
Engaging with industry and government is a central pillar of the School ’ s approach to promoting responsible management and building sustainable social , environmental and economic value . By actively collaborating with business , industry and the government to provide solutions to their challenges , the School is able to make a meaningful contribution to building sustainable economies and communities . The research projects highlighted below are funded by external organisations .
Responsible Production .
Challenges and Strategies of Combining Work and Home during COVID-19 Pandemic : Experiences of Dual-Earner Parents with School-age Children
Overnight , a vast majority of workers were ordered to move their work from offi ces to their homes due to the Coronavirus-19 ( COVID-19 ) outbreak . This profound , sudden , and widespread change has implications for the way employees combine their work and family lives . The researchers conducted a qualitative study of 28 dual-earner households who had at least one school-age child , resided in China , Iran , Malaysia , United Kingdom , and the United States , and worked from home during the lockdown . This study of work from home among dual-earner couples who have parental responsibilities provided theoretical implications for how to understand the work-family interface . At a practical level , the strategies presented can inform employers of dual-earner couples and families experiencing similar dynamics .
Researcher : Dr Au Wee Chan Funding agency : University of Idaho , USA
The Ma laysian Business Sentiment Report 2021 / 2020
A joint initiative with CPA Australia , the Business Sentiment report continues the tradition of understanding business challenges from the perspective of business leaders . The report tracks Malaysian business leaders ’ response as they react and adapt to a wide range of evolving business protocols and arrangements in the face of COVID-19 . The Business Sentiment Report charts key operational and strategic actions that were taken by businesses to respond , optimize and prepare for a post-COVID-19 future . The impact of the pandemic has not been even , differentially impacting some sectors more than others . The report highlights that the COVID-19 dislocation is most sharply felt by SMEs , given their limited fi nancial wherewithal to withstand unanticipated shocks . This is where the role of the government becomes critical in enabling struggling fi rms to address critical shortages to remain afl oat .
Researchers : Professor Mahendhiran , Professor Pervaiz Ahmed , Associate Professor Santha Vaithilingam , Dr Au Wee Chan , Dr Prabahkaran Narayanan , Daniel Lee Lei Wei , Yeng Hong Qing , Choong Chai Lim , Lee Wan Juin , and Shirlyn Tang Funding agency : CPA Australia
Re-framing the Narrative Around Plastics
Between 2019-2021 , the School of Business explored long-term collaboration with Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association . This collaboration saw the following output ; a jointly prepared “ Industrial Skill Framework for the Malaysian Plastic Industry ”, providing an insight of the skills required , career pathways , as well as the required training and certifi cations for talent development in the industry ; a skills sharing webinar with MPMA for senior management of plastic manufacturers on how they can take advantage of government incentives and programs to implement IR4.0 and other digital strategies in their companies ; and , a jointlyprepared white paper entitled “ An Advanced Plastics Recycling Industry for Malaysia ” to assist in articulating the plastic industry ’ s recycling strategies and sustainable waste management systems in Malaysia .
Researchers : Professor Mahendhiran Nair , Professor Pervaiz Ahmed , Associate Professor Santha Vaithilingam , Dr Au Wee Chan , Yeng Hong Qing , Daniel Lee Lei Wei Funding agency : Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association
Modelling Economic and Environmental Performance of Upcycling Palm Oil Biomass Waste to Bio-organic Fertilisers Framework
It is imperative to recognise existing challenges with biomass waste and the need to optimise biomass waste valorisation . A Circular and Shared Economy model with the palm oil mill as the hub can be the foundation for the palm oil industry to set the pace for post-pandemic revitalisation and resilience infrastructure build-up for rural communities that rely on oil palm cultivations as their livelihoods . This economic and environmental model is based on successful use cases undertaken by the School of Business , which puts forth a framework for a synergistic and progressive engagement with the global community and forges a joint mission between the pragmatic palm oil-producing countries and the moral obligations of palm oil-consuming countries to further the UN Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG ). Instead of adopting a confrontational approach in sustainability governance , an inclusive , collaborative and common approach is imperative for a better world envisaged in the UN 2030 SDG .
Researcher : Associate Professor Poon Wai Ching Funding agency : Ministry of Higher Education , Malaysia