Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of soft skill acquisition and the training methodology adopted on employee work performance. In this study, the authors study the trends of research in training and work performance in organisations that focus on the acquisition of technical or “hard skills” for employee training and evaluating work performance. This study was conducted to redirect the focus of employee training and development goals to the acquisition of soft skills, which have a very high and lasting impact on improving employee performance. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a quantitative research approach. Questionnaires were administered to selected managers and executives of a few Malaysian private companies. The questionnaire was specifically designed to examine the competencies of various Malaysian-based company managers, executives and supervisors who had undergone a soft skills training programme over a period of a few weeks or months. These soft skills training programmes were not conducted consecutively, but rather with a break or “time-space” in between each session. The target population in this study consisted of 810 employees from nine companies. The sample size was 260 trainees who were selected from the population with a 95 per cent confidence level within 0.05 risk of sampling error. Findings Using regression analysis, this study estimated the relationships between employees’ acquisition of soft skills, the training methodology adopted by the trainer, and work performance. The results indicate that the two predictors – soft skill acquisition and training methodology – significantly predict employee performance. The authors propose the need for employers to redesign the methodology for training employees in soft skills. Based on the findings, “time-spaced learning” is highly potent in undermining the hindrance associated with training transfer. Practical implications The findings of this study help to raise the awareness of employers, human resource managers, professional and industrial experts and the government to rethink the need to improve soft skills training methodologies. Specifically, this can be achieved by giving the trainees “space” or breaks to practice, apply and internalise what they have learnt intermittently during the training programme. This will enhance employee performance, and consequently, organisational performance. These findings also inform company managers that the time-spaced learning method enables employees to acquire soft skills more effectively, which will invariably bring about positive behaviour changes in employees towards their work and co-workers. Originality/value The originality of this research is based on the fact that the results are peculiar to Malaysia, whereas most of the literatures on training methodology especially the time-space and soft skill have focused on developed countries. Furthermore, the study emphasised that time-space learning training methodology helps employees in transferring knowledge acquired during training to their work. The research also emphasised that soft skills acquisition brings about increase in employee work performance. This research shows 14.5 per cent increased employee work performance in the selected companies because of their employees’ acquisition of soft skills and a 27.9 per cent increase in employee performance is based on time-space training methodology. This makes the investigation on the effects of soft skills acquisition and the training methodology adopted on employee performance very important for organisational survival.
The sample is comprised of principals, vice-principals, headmasters, and teachers as educational leaders in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria. The study adopted quantitative research design of the survey type to determine education leaders' perceptions on the adoption of information and communication technology. The quantitative approach in this study involves the use of research instruments consisting of closed-ended, on-line, and paper-based questionnaires (single version sent to multiple respondents). The study found out that education leaders have low perception on the adoption of information and communication technology for dissemination of information, utilization of virtual learning environments among teachers. The study also found out that lack of awareness on e-learning software and inadequate use of internet-enabled technologies or applications were highlighted as challenges in adoption of ICTs for development in Nigeria. The study recommended that educational leaders should make ICT adoption needs known to appropriate authorities.
This chapter explores the efficacy of spiritual transcendence scales developed by Ralph L. Piedmont in his ASPIRES Manual. This study employs a quantitative approach to assess the spiritual transcendence scales among students in Malaysia. Over 250 questionnaires were distributed and filled online. Data collected from the questionnaires were analyzed to understand the dimension of spirituality. The findings reveal the scale remains reliable and structurally valid across gender, cultures, and religious contexts. The psychometric qualities of the spiritual transcendence scales were examined among Muslim students in Malaysia. The result demonstrated the structural validity and applicability of the scale within the group. It further provided further support for the cross-cultural applicability of the instrument and for the assumption of spirituality as a universal aspect of human experience.
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