It is critical for organizations to self-assess their Industry 4.0 readiness to survive and thrive in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Thereon, conceptualization or development of an Industry 4.0 readiness model with the fundamental model dimensions is needed. This paper used a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and content analysis strategy to review 97 papers in peer-reviewed academic journals and industry reports published from 2000 to 2019. The review identifies 30 Industry 4.0 readiness models with 158 unique model dimensions. Based on this review, there are two theoretical contributions. First, this paper proposes six dimensions (Technology, People, Strategy, Leadership, Process and Innovation) that can be considered as the most important dimensions for organizations. Second, this review reveals that 70 (44%) out of total 158 total unique dimensions on Industry 4.0 pertain to the assessment of technology alone. This establishes that organizations need to largely improve on their technology readiness, to strengthen their Industry 4.0 readiness. In summary, these six most common dimensions, and in particular, the dominance of the technology dimension provides a research agenda for future research on Industry 4.0 readiness.

Despite consistent monitoring by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the fabrication of fake halal logos and certificates by irresponsible parties continues to challenge the integrity and authenticity of halal products. Malaysia's Halal Certification Procedures (Second Revision, 2012) state that companies operating in Malaysia need to develop their Halal Assurance System (HAS) to strengthen the management of halalrelated matters within organizations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of perceived benefits and traceability practices on readiness for Halal Assurance System (HAS) implementation. The study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey, and simple random sampling was employed. At the end of the data collection period, a total of 139 responses from halal-certified small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were obtained. Structural equation modeling with Amos graphics was used to perform a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a causal path analysis. Results indicate that perceived market/competition benefits and perceived operational benefits are positively related to traceability systems implementation and readiness for HAS. It was found that traceability systems are fully needed to bridge the connection between perceived benefits and readiness for HAS. This paper has important implications for resource-based theory, literature on HAS and traceability, SMEs, and halal authorities and certifying bodies. Limitations and directions for future studies are provided.

Digitalization has increased the adoption pace of Industry 4.0 technologies, particularly in connection with Open Innovation. However, companies are still finding it challenging to know the variety of Industry 4.0 technologies available, and their fit with the scope of the organization. To address this issue, a cross-sectional research design under quantitative approach was adopted. The data were collected first-hand through a survey questionnaire from a total of 238 technology companies in Malaysia. Technology companies were selected as they have higher agility in terms of technology which suits the digital revolution nature of Industry 4.0. The findings of this descriptive study revealed a range of insights in terms of Industry 4.0 technologies and open innovation. First, this study presents the standing of technology companies in terms of 12 Industry 4.0 technologies. Second, a comparison of these technologies is analyzed in terms of company size (small, medium, and large). Third, a contrast of these technologies is ascertained based on the type of company (manufacturing and services). In brief, this research contributes in providing valuable insights that can help companies in the awareness of open innovation and adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies.

Globalization and liberalization in the business environment have changed the requirements of types and qualities of human capital needed by the corporate sector. In relation to this, business graduates not only need to have theoretical understanding, but they also need to have creative thinking, communication skills and decision making skills based on multidisciplinary knowledge. Simulation game in business education is suggested to fill the gap by exposing students to real business situations. This study evaluates the effectiveness of business simulation in teaching Strategic Management in Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). A total of 48 students participated in the business simulation game and answered a survey at the end of the Strategic Management course. The objective of this paper is to present the findings in terms of contextual and processual context of using business simulation as an approach in teaching strategic management. The important findings of this research are the ability of simulation in transferring theory to practice, applying multidisciplinary knowledge, managing team dynamics, making decisions in uncertainties and managing in realistic situation. This study highlights the potential of business simulations in developing competent business graduates that fulfill the requirements of the industry.

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the extent to which franchisees are satisfied with the attainment of their personal goals in business. Although franchising continues to be exploited in the business sector, research and studies of franchising were scarcely mentioned in the organizational literature. Obviously, franchising as a body of knowledge has been studied mostly from the franchisor’s perspective than on franchisees. Within franchisee literature, studies on people’s motivation to become a franchisee have received some attention and provided little understanding, but no study has ever measured to what extent franchisees are satisfied with their personal goals in the business. Design/methodology/approach – To investigate the hypotheses, a positivist approach is chosen as the philosophical foundation of this study, and all methodological aspects related with this approach are used in this study. A total of 204 franchisee entrepreneurs in Malaysia were surveyed and answered self-administered questionnaires. Findings – In general, statistical analysis suggests franchisees were satisfied with their goals attainments. However, further analysis shows that franchisees were mostly satisfied with intrinsic rewards goals, followed by perceived autonomy goals and family concern goals. Surprisingly, franchisees have less satisfaction with economic gain goals comparatively with other goals. Moreover, based on the conceptual analysis and empirical evidence, hierarchy of economic goals and hierarchy of family goals are discovered. Besides, this study does suggest that franchisees’ sustainability in the business may be affected by attainment of their personal goals. Originality/value – This paper studies franchising from a franchisee’s perspective and from a non-Western perspective. It investigates whether franchisee entrepreneurs share similar goals compared with other types of entrepreneurs and to what extent franchisees are satisfied with their personal goal attainment in the business.