Perception on training and employee innovativeness: An evidence from small firms

Abstract

-Small firms have been recognized as the pillar of industrial development in Malaysia. However, recent report indicates that majority of small companies are noninnovating companies. One of causes cited is the lack of welltrained workers. Furthermore, there are limited studies that focus on the role of training on employee innovativeness especially among small firms. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between perception on training and employee innovativeness among employees of small firms. A total of 182 employees from 36 small firms participated in this survey. Descriptive analysis and regression analysis were used to describe constructs' central tendency and variability and test the hypotheses respectively. It is found that training explained 28.8% of variance in employee innovativeness. Training is proved to be one of the significant predictors of employee innovativeness and all its dimensions (opportunity exploration, idea generation, idea promotion and idea implementation). This finding accentuates the importance of training among small firms, which should go beyond on-job training. In the face of business challenges, small firms need to promote employee innovativeness through training.

Enhancing Employee’s Creative Performance by Providing Training among Employees of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia

“…The enhancement of SMEs of endeavours structures one of the fundamental ways of Malaysian initiatives to gain sustainable economic growth and to see developed nation status persistently 2020 (Abdul-Mohsin, 2020;Abdullah et al, 2014). Regardless, to achieve postulations initiatives, creativity and innovation may expect a basic work as drivers for growth and intensity (Hanifah et al, 2019).…”

“…Other than the commitment to giving a job, there's an issue emerging in front of SMEs which is concerning low innovation (Abdullah et al, 2014;Hanifah et al, 2019). National study of the report (2015) illustrated that 64.25% of small organizations are less creative dependent on justify.…”

“…Moreover, as demonstrated by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry 2018found that a nonappearance of innovation and adaptability of SMEs since of the nonattendance of exceptionally much-prepared employees. Various research moreover recognized that over 40% of SMEs are not providing training to their staff (Abdullah et al, 2014;Khalique, Isa, Nassir Shaari, and Ageel, 2011). Consequently, it impacts on non-creative culture among employees within the SMEs.…”

“…Various research likewise has illustrated that due to the non-creative workers within the small and medium size of enterprise the tremendous majority of the organizations are raised sustainability issues amid the opening of early age. (Hanifah et al, 2019;Halim et al, 2019;Abdullah, Ping, Wahab, and Shamsuddin, 2014, September). The Ministry of International Trade Industry (2018) realizes that due to the non-creative employees and need of trained employees this kind of issue confronted by small and medium-sized of enterprise in Malaysia.…”

Nurturing innovative employees: effects of organisational learning and work environment

“…The dynamic of exploring the innovativeness among the SMEs still moving towards multi-dimensional (Cobbenhagen, 1999;Hazana Abdullah, Lee Ping, Wahab, & Shamsuddin, 2014;Van de Ven, 1986). However, there are differences of innovation between SMEs and large companies (Bertschek & Entorf, 1996;White, Braczyk, Ghobadian, & Niebuhr, 1988;Wolf, Kaudela-Baum, & Meissner, 2012).…”