Paper Title:

Virtual Collaborative R&D Teams in Malaysia Manufacturing SMEs

Periodical	Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 433 - 440)
Main Theme	Materials Science and Information Technology
Edited by	Cai Suo Zhang
Pages	1653-1659
DOI	10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.433-440.1653
Citation	Nader Ale Ebrahim et al., 2012, Advanced Materials Research, 433-440, 1653
Online since	January, 2012
Authors	Nader Ale Ebrahim, Shamsuddin Ahmed, Salwa Hanim Abdul Rashid, M A Wazed, Zahari Taha
Keywords	Collaborative Tools, Medium Enterprises, Questionnaires, Small Enterprises, Virtual Teams
Price	US$ 28,-

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• Abstract
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This paper presents the results of empirical research conducted during March to September 2009. The study focused on the influence of virtual research and development (R&D) teams within Malaysian manufacturing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The specific objective of the study is better understanding of the application of collaborative technologies in business, to find the effective factors to assist SMEs to remain competitive in the future. The paper stresses to find an answer for a question “Is there any relationship between company size, Internet connection facility and virtuality?”. The survey data shows SMEs are now technologically capable of performing the virtual collaborative team, but the infrastructure usage is less. SMEs now have the necessary technology to begin the implementation process of collaboration tools to reduce research and development (R&D) time, costs and increase productivity. So, the manager of R&D should take the potentials of virtual teams into account.

Virtual Collaborative R&D Teams in Malaysia Manufacturing SMEs

Technology Use in the Virtual R&D Teams · Science Publications

Technology Use in the Virtual R&D Teams

Nader Ale Ebrahim, Shamsuddin Ahmed, Salwa Hanim Abdul Rashid and Zahari Taha

DOI : 10.3844/ajeassp.2012.9.14

American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Volume 5, Issue 1

Pages 9-14

Abstract

Problem statement: Although, literature proves the importance of the technology role in the effectiveness of virtual Research and Development (R&D) teams for new product development. However, the factors that make technology construct in a virtual R&D team are still ambiguous. The manager of virtual R&D teams for new product development does not know which type of technology should be used. Approach: To address the gap and answer the question, the study presents a set of factors that make a technology construct. The proposed construct modified by finding of the field survey (N = 240). We empirically examine the relationship between construct and its factors by employing the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). A measurement model built base on the 19 preliminary factors that extracted from literature review. The result shows 10 factors out of 19 factors maintaining to make technology construct. Results: These 10 technology factors can be grouped into two constructs namely Web base communication and Web base data sharing. The findings can help new product development managers of enterprises to concentrate in the main factors for leading an effective virtual R&D team. In addition, it provides a guideline for software developers as well. Conclusion: The second and third generation technologies are now more suitable for developing new products through virtual R&D teams.

Cite this Article

Ebrahim, N.A., S. Ahmed, S.H.A. Rashid and Z. Taha, 2012. Technology use in the virtual R&D teams. Am. J. Eng. Applied Sci., 5: 9-14.

	ISSN Print: 1941-7020
	ISSN Online: 1941-7039

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Technology Use in the Virtual R&D Teams · Science Publications

Collaborative R&D Teams in Malaysia...

Paper Title:

Virtual Collaborative R&D Teams in Malaysia Manufacturing SMEs

Periodical	Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 433 - 440)
Main Theme	Materials Science and Information Technology
Edited by	Cai Suo Zhang
Pages	1653-1659
DOI	10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.433-440.1653
Citation	Nader Ale Ebrahim et al., 2012, Advanced Materials Research, 433-440, 1653
Online since	January, 2012
Authors	Nader Ale Ebrahim, Shamsuddin Ahmed, Salwa Hanim Abdul Rashid, M A Wazed, Zahari Taha
Keywords	Collaborative Tools, Medium Enterprises, Questionnaires, Small Enterprises, Virtual Teams
Price	US$ 28,-

View full size

• Abstract
• Related Articles

This paper presents the results of empirical research conducted during March to September 2009. The study focused on the influence of virtual research and development (R&D) teams within Malaysian manufacturing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The specific objective of the study is better understanding of the application of collaborative technologies in business, to find the effective factors to assist SMEs to remain competitive in the future. The paper stresses to find an answer for a question “Is there any relationship between company size, Internet connection facility and virtuality?”. The survey data shows SMEs are now technologically capable of performing the virtual collaborative team, but the infrastructure usage is less. SMEs now have the necessary technology to begin the implementation process of collaboration tools to reduce research and development (R&D) time, costs and increase productivity. So, the manager of R&D should take the potentials of virtual teams into account.

Virtual Collaborative R&D Teams in Malaysia Manufacturing SMEs

A Comparison between Two Main Academic Literature Collections: Web of Science and Scopus Databases | Chadegani | Asian Social Science

A Comparison between Two Main Academic Literature Collections: Web of Science and Scopus Databases

Arezoo Aghaei Chadegani, Hadi Salehi, Melor Md Yunus, Hadi Farhadi, Masood Fooladi, Maryam Farhadi, Nader Ale Ebrahim

Abstract

Nowadays, the world’s scientific community has been publishing an enormous number of papers in different scientific fields. In such environment, it is essential to know which databases are equally efficient and objective for literature searches. It seems that two most extensive databases are Web of Science and Scopus. Besides searching the literature, these two databases used to rank journals in terms of their productivity and the total citations received to indicate the journals impact, prestige or influence. This article attempts to provide a comprehensive comparison of these databases to answer frequent questions which researchers ask, such as: How Web of Science and Scopus are different? In which aspects these two databases are similar? Or, if the researchers are forced to choose one of them, which one should they prefer? For answering these questions, these two databases will be compared based on their qualitative and quantitative characteristics.

Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.5539/ass.v9n5p18


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Asian Social Science   ISSN 1911-2017 (Print)   ISSN 1911-2025 (Online)

Copyright © Canadian Center of Science and Education 

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A Comparison between Two Main Academic Literature Collections: Web of Science and Scopus Databases | Chadegani | Asian Social Science

Do Criticisms Overcome the Praises of Journal Impact Factor? | Fooladi | Asian Social Science

Do Criticisms Overcome the Praises of Journal Impact Factor?

Masood Fooladi, Hadi Salehi, Melor Md Yunus, Maryam Farhadi, Arezoo Aghaei Chadegani, Hadi Farhadi, Nader Ale Ebrahim

Abstract

Journal impact factor (IF) as a gauge of influence and impact of a particular journal comparing with other journals in the same area of research, reports the mean number of citations to the published articles in particular journal. Although, IF attracts more attention and being used more frequently than other measures, it has been subjected to criticisms, which overcome the advantages of IF. Critically, extensive use of IF may result in destroying editorial and researchers’ behaviour, which could compromise the quality of scientific articles. Therefore, it is the time of the timeliness and importance of a new invention of journal ranking techniques beyond the journal impact factor.

Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.5539/ass.v9n5p176


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Asian Social Science   ISSN 1911-2017 (Print)   ISSN 1911-2025 (Online)

Copyright © Canadian Center of Science and Education 

To make sure that you can receive messages from us, please add the 'ccsenet.org' domain to your e-mail 'safe list'. If you do not receive e-mail in your 'inbox', check your 'bulk mail' or 'junk mail' folders.
Does Criticisms Overcome the Praises of Journal Impact Factor? | Fooladi | Asian Social Science

Ebrahim et al. Effective virtual teams for new product development. Sci. Res. Essays: 7 June, 2012

Scientific Research and Essays Vol. 7(21), pp. 1971-1985, 7 June, 2012 DOI: 10.5897/SRE10.1005 ISSN 1992-2248 ©2012 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper Effective virtual teams for new product development   Nader Ale Ebrahim1*, Shamsuddin Ahmed1, Salwa Hanim Abdul Rashid1 and Zahari Taha2   1Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering and Management Technology, University Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia. *Corresponding author E-mail: aleebrahim@siswa.um.edu.my.   Accepted March 29, 2012    Abstract   At present, the existing literature shows that the factors which influence the effectiveness of virtual teams for new product development are still ambiguous. To address this problem, a research design was developed, which includes detailed literature review, preliminary model and field survey. From literature review, the factors which influence the effectiveness of virtual teams are identified and these factors are modified using a field survey. The relationship between knowledge workers (people), process and technology in virtual teams is explored in this study. The results of the study suggest that technology and process are tightly correlated and need to be considered early in virtual teams. The use of software as a service, web solution, report generator and tracking system should be incorporated for effectiveness virtual teams.   Key words: Virtual teams, collaboration, questionnaires, communication, information, integration, performance, success, cross-functional teams, product development.

Ebrahim et al. Effective virtual teams for new product development. Sci. Res. Essays: 7 June, 2012

Full Record - The Effectiveness of Virtual R&D Teams in SMEs: Experiences of Malaysian SMEs

The Effectiveness of Virtual R&D Teams in SMEs: Experiences of Malaysian SMEs

 

• Journal title : Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
• Volume 10, Issue ,2,  2011, pp.109-114
• Publisher : Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
• DOI : 10.7232/iems.2011.10.2.109

 Title & Authors

The Effectiveness of Virtual R&D Teams in SMEs: Experiences of Malaysian SMEs
Ale Ebrahim, Nader ; Abdul Rashid, Salwa Hanim ; Ahmed, Shamsuddin ; Taha, Zahari ;

 Abstract

The number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially those involved with research and development (R&D) programs and employed virtual teams to create the greatest competitive advantage from limited labor are increasing. Global and localized virtual R&D teams are believed to have high potential for the growth of SMEs. Due to the fast-growing complexity of new products coupled with new emerging opportunities of virtual teams, a collaborative approach is believed to be the future trend. This research explores the effectiveness of virtuality in SMEs' virtual R&D teams. Online questionnaires were emailed to Malaysian manufacturing SMEs and 74 usable questionnaires were received, representing a 20.8 percent return rate. In order to avoid biases which may result from pre-suggested answers, a series of open-ended questions were retrieved from the experts. This study was focused on analyzing an open-ended question, whereby four main themes were extracted from the experts' recommendations regarding the effectiveness of virtual teams for the growth and performance of SMEs. The findings of this study would be useful to product design managers of SMEs in order to realize the key advantages and significance of virtual R&D teams during the new product development (NPD) process. This is turn, leads to increased effectiveness in new product development's procedure.

 Keywords

Virtual Teams . New Product Development . Survey Finding . Small and Medium Enterprises

 Language

English

 Cited by

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Full Record - The Effectiveness of Virtual R&D Teams in SMEs: Experiences of Malaysian SMEs