EDITORIAL
Volume 14, Issue 2, 2019
1. Work-Care Balance Among Working Parents in the Malaysian Childcare Industry
- Jessie Huey Li TAN
There has been a age-long tradition that mothers spend their time in childcare while fathers earn money to support the family, and society has been constructed with that assumption. This works for some families, where the father's earnings are sufficient and the mother feels fulfilled, but where this is not the case it creates difficulties. Over the last century views have changed, but the structure of society is not always supportive. The needs of a child stay the same, and there need to be good facilities for childcare - meaning physical, emotional, and developmental needs are met. The rest of life stays the same, and there are inevitably situations where short-term needs, like a sudden meeting at work, or a childhood illness, means arrangements have to be changed. It is extremely difficult to get the balance right, from a personal or organisational point of view. Different countries tackle this in different ways. This paper looks at the situation in Malaysia.
2. A Study on Correlation between Financial Motivation and Expatriate Staff Retention in Malaysian High Technology Start-Ups
- Alvin Koh Seng Thye
Business thrives when the workforce is motivated, and what factors motivate them best has been a steady debate. This paper looks specifically at financial reward for expatriate employees in the high-technology sector, which needs to attract people with sophisticated skills who embrace constant change, who learn and adapt rapidly. They may find these people in other countries, in which case the employees additionally need to be prepared to pursue a career away from their native country. So the job demands particularly high skills combined with strong commitment. There is also a culture of sending money home. All these factors make monetary reward important. To motivate people and keep them motivated in any sector, there needs to be a good motivation package, with money being one important factor. Job satisfaction is the key to loyalty, and research will continue as to what gives job satisfaction.
3. A Study of Occupational Adjustment in relation to Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence among Senior Secondary School Teachers
- Sonia Sharma
It is a universal need to adjust well to different situations and to cope with change, at home, in social interactions of any kind, and at work. This is even more important for teachers, who are helping the development of the next generation. Adjustment goes across the board, affecting health, family relationships, friendships, and success at work. This paper looks at two factors - emotional intelligence and social adjustment. Emotional intelligence is the ability to to recognise emotions (good and bad) in themselves and others, and being able to deal with these in a positive way. Spiritual intelligence (which not equate to religion) is adapting to new situations without negative feelings towards difference or feelings of superiority. Both of these types of intelligence correlate with good adjustment.
4. The Strategies of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology in China – A Case Study of HSBC China
- Angeline, ANG POH HAR
There is a steady move towards a cashless society. One form this may take is cryptocurrency, although is not yet fully trusted. China does not allow it to circulate, but is pursuing blockchain, a technology designed to make it secure. This means virtual chains of virtual blocks that store information in digital form. It is difficult for hackers to access these blocks, and difficult for anyone to change the contents. Innovation often brings resistance to change, especially where money is concerned, and especially in areas they do not understand. Fear of cybercrime increases resistance, and the progress of trust in cybercurrency is patchy. Sometimes it is encouraged and sometimes it is banned. This paper discusses various aspects of cybercurrency and blockchain in a case study of HSBC.