Country perspective on medical tourism: the Malaysian experience

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Hazilah Abd Manaf ◽  
Husnayati Hussin ◽  
Puteri Nemie Jahn Kassim ◽  
Rokiah Alavi ◽  
Zainurin Dahari
Keyword(s):  
Medical Tourism ◽  
Destination Country ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Main Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Future Intention ◽  
The Right ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Purpose – The study seeks to explore the perception of international patients on Malaysia as a medical tourism destination country, as well as overall patient satisfaction, perceived value and future intention for repeat treatment and services. Design/methodology/approach – Self-administered questionnaire was the main method of data collection. The survey covered major private hospitals in medical tourists’ states in the country, namely, Penang, Melaka, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Convenience sampling was used due to the condition of patients as respondents. Findings – Indonesian patients formed the largest majority of international patients in the country. Five dimensions of medical tourism in Malaysia was identified, namely, hospital and staff, country factor, combining tourism and health services, cost saving and insurance and unavailability of treatment. Of these, hospital and staff was found to be the most important factor for the patients. Perception of value, overall satisfaction and intention for future treatment was also found to be high. This indicates that Malaysia is on the right footing in this burgeoning industry. Practical implications – Findings from the study will enable policy-makers to better position Malaysia as a medical tourist destination country. Originality/value – Medical tourism is a recent phenomenon and very little empirical research has been carried out at the patient level. This study is one of the first few studies which seek to explore medical tourism from the perspective of the patients themselves.

“Dialysis and medical tourism. Investigating patients’ perceptions in Greece”

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Traouda ◽  
Panagiotis Mpogiatzidis
Keyword(s):  
Renal Failure ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Medical Tourism ◽  
Renal Dialysis ◽  
Artificial Kidney ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Right ◽  
End Stage

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities and the growth prospects of medical tourism in Greece, while particularly focusing on the dialysis process. Patients with end-stage renal failure have the right to any treatment deemed necessary during their journey to another city or country away from the place where their treatment normally takes place. Design/methodology/approach The survey has been conducted among 193 kidney disease patients that underwent extra-renal dialysis in two public and three private artificial kidney units in Thessaloniki. The study population consists of patients with end-stage chronic renal failure (CRF) that undergo dialysis. For the purpose of this study, quantitative research was carried out via a structured and anonymous questionnaire. The design and structure of the study were based upon questionnaires from two relevant questionnaires. The questionnaires were modified appropriately to respond to the subject in question. Finally, for the analysis of the data, the SPSS software has been used. Findings One of the most obvious results is that patients on dialysis treatment have limited both the frequency and the duration of their vacation. The 8.3% of patients that did not use to travel increased to 37.8%, whereas only 22.3% continue to travel 2–4 times a year. Patients that keep on going on vacation frequently claim that a break from the daily routine improves their quality of life. Most of the participants (up to 36.3%) claim they feel healthier, while 34.2% stated they experience a normal life when they escape their everyday life and travel far from home. The 69.9% claim that Greece has the potentials to be a popular medical tourism destination. However, a well-structured and government-financed assistance programme is absent. The processing of data has revealed a positive correlation between age and tourism behaviour. Additionally, according to the research results, younger patients tend to be better informed regarding medical tourism in comparison with older ones. Social implications Considering the patients to be potential travellers facilitates the development, realization and promotion of medical tourism. Originality/value This study attempts to investigate, for the first time, the tourism behaviour of chronic kidney disease patients. The study highlights a sensitive issue, patients’ right to treatment without geographical or distance-related obstacles.

Mindfulness and gender differences in ethical beliefs

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tavleen Kaur Dhandra ◽  
Hyun Jung Park
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Consumer Ethics ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Ethical Beliefs ◽  
Unethical Practices ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Consumer Ethics Scale ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to examine the ethical beliefs of consumers with regards to their levels of mindfulness. Furthermore, it aims to investigate if mindfulness is related to gender differences among respondents in their ethical beliefs about consumer unethical practices. Design/methodology/approach University students in India were surveyed with self-administered questionnaires comprising the consumer ethics scale and mindfulness attention awareness scale. Mediation analysis was conducted to test whether gender differences in ethical judgements are due to the different levels of mindfulness. Findings The results indicate that mindfulness is not only a predictor of ethical beliefs but also a mediator of the relationship between gender and ethical beliefs. Individuals with greater mindfulness reported greater acceptance towards the five dimensions of consumer ethics scale. Indian male participants were found to be more mindful and lenient in ethical judgements than female participants. Originality/value The present work is a novel attempt in examining the effect of mindfulness on the relationship between gender and ethical beliefs of consumers. The results of this study can have positive implications for organizations, managers, public policy makers and consumers.

Preserving or maneuvring leadership? Teacher unions’ strategies in Israeli educational regulation

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1705-1717
Author(s):  
Nivi Gal Arielyi ◽  
Emanuel Tamir
Keyword(s):  
Policy Research ◽  
Teaching Profession ◽  
Teacher Unions ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teachers Union ◽  
Documentary Analysis ◽  
Public Crisis ◽  
Union Leaders ◽  
The Right

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine why, despite the advantages they might gain by participating in regulation of teaching by law, Israeli teachers’ unions leaders abandoned the opportunity to obtain the right of regulation and instead preferred an ambiguous role. Design/methodology/approach This is a policy research study, involving documentary analysis, focusing on one specific bill and data from interviews with teachers’ union leaders and officials who participated in discussions on the bill, and/or in crucial negotiations concerning teaching regulation. Findings It was found that unions’ leaders preferred to leave the licensing process for teaching as an open-ended and constantly negotiable issue with their employer rather than assuming the role of gatekeeper, understanding that this gave them more space and power to maneuvre in future struggles. Consequently, only the Education Ministry determines who becomes a teacher. Research limitations/implications These findings can inform educational policy makers and stakeholders, by giving them a glimpse into policy considerations. New knowledge is offered for the development of theory concerning teaching profession regulation and involvement of the teacher unions in these processes. Practical implications Policy makers may re-evaluate their interests as stakeholders in the education system, when they try to shape the profession through regulation of those who seek to become teachers. Originality/value The research sheds light on a hidden part of the policy-making puzzle that most studies do not explore and educational leaders prefer not to discuss especially when there is no proof of achievement, nor a public crisis.

scholarly journals Relationships Between Supervision and Teachers’ Performance and Attitude in Secondary Schools in Malaysia

SAGE Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402092550
Author(s):  
Kazi Enamul Hoque ◽  
Husaina Banu Bt Kenayathulla ◽  
Malar Vili D/O Subramaniam ◽  
Reazul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Status ◽  
Supervision Practices ◽  
The Right ◽  
Supervisory Practices ◽  
Analyze Data

This study was carried out to determine the relationships between supervision and teachers’ performance and attitude in secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This is a quantitative study where the 5-point Likert-type-scale questionnaire was used to analyze data using descriptive and inferential statistics. Simple random sampling was used to select the respondents. This study entailed respondents from various schools in one of the districts in Kuala Lumpur which comprises 200 teachers and 50 supervisors. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the status of supervision practices, teachers’ attitude toward supervision, and teachers’ level of performance after supervision. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the relationships between supervision (supervisory practices–directive, collaborative, and nondirective approach) and teachers’ performance and attitude. The current status of supervisory practices, teachers’ attitude toward supervision, and teachers’ performance after supervision is found at moderate level in secondary schools in Malaysia. As a whole, supervisory practices are not correlated with teachers’ performance and attitude. But worthy to mention, directive supervision is positively and significantly related to teachers’ performance and attitude. This study result will benefit the policy makers, school supervisors and headmasters to choose the right kind of supervisory practices which can contribute to better teaching performance.

Image of Poland as perceived by German and British medical tourists

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 861-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Dryglas ◽  
Adrian Lubowiecki-Vikuk
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Medical Tourism ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Projected Image ◽  
Image Characteristics ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify Poland’s image as a medical tourism destination (MTD). Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from 282 German and British medical tourists, using a self-administered questionnaire. The Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing method was used to conduct the survey. Subsequently, the responses were analysed using advanced statistical tools (McNemar’s exact test, Cochran’s Q test and Chi-square test). Findings Before visiting Poland, the respondents perceived the country through the prism of medical attributes, whereas after the visit, they perceived it through the prism of non-medical attributes. Research limitations/implications Identification of a set of MTD image characteristics has important implications for scholars, allowing them to understand attributes which shape projected and perceived MTD image. Such construct can also be a useful tool for marketing planners, destination managers and marketers to create an effective marketing policy and projected image of MTDs based on these features. Originality/value The study fills an important gap regarding the lack of conceptual and empirical content allowing for exploration of MTD image.

scholarly journals Consumer attitudes towards luxury fashion apparel made in sweatshops

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Phau ◽  
Min Teah ◽  
Joe Chuah
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intention To Purchase ◽  
Tpb Model ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Fashion Apparel ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire ◽  
Made In

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how attitudes towards sweatshops, social norms and perceived behavioural control (PBC) factors influence consumers’ attitudes towards luxury fashion apparel made in sweatshops. It also examines how these variables influence purchase intention and ultimately the willingness to pay more for luxury fashion apparel not made in sweatshops. Design/methodology/approach – A self-administered questionnaire was designed using established scales. A survey was conducted through the “mall intercept” method. Findings – Underpinned by the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model, attitudes and PBC were found to have an influence on intention to purchase luxury fashion apparel made in sweatshops. The intention to purchase luxury fashion apparel also significantly influences the willingness to pay more for luxury fashion apparel not made in sweatshops. Practical implications – The research findings can be used to formulate strategies for academia, practitioners and, more importantly, policy makers to help curb sweatshop activities. Originality/value – This paper focuses exclusively on luxury fashion apparels made in sweatshops. Status consumption is also added as a potential antecedent towards purchase intention.

scholarly journals Exploring visitors’ experience using strategic experiential modules (SEMs): the case of Zoo Negara, Kuala Lumpur

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghazali Musa ◽  
Izzah Mohammad ◽  
Thinaranjeney Thirumoorthi ◽  
Sedigheh Moghavvemi ◽  
Azilah Kasim
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Marketing Communication ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Managerial Perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of visitors using the strategic experiential modules (SEMs). Design/methodology/approach – In this study, the authors analysed a total of 37 essays written by University of Malaya students who visited the attraction on 23 November 2013. The aim is to explore what constitutes the elements within the SEMs, pertaining to the students’ visit. The results are potentially useful for future Zoo Negara marketing communication initiatives, as well as for the management to remedy the shortfalls which have hindered Zoo Negara from operating as a self-sustaining attraction. Findings – The results confirmed the applicability of all five dimensions of the modules, which include both positive and negative elements. Of the five dimensions, THINK and SENSE were the most frequently expressed. Originality/value – Though this study offers no theoretical contribution, it does demonstrate the applicability of the Schmitt theory on SEMs and the usefulness of such an application from the managerial perspective.

Thematic analysis of short-term renter preferences for housing market in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 825-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pui-Yee Ho ◽  
Sheau-Ting Low ◽  
Siaw-Chui Wee ◽  
Weng-Wai Choong
Keyword(s):  
Housing Market ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Marketing Mix ◽  
Preference Profile ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Product Price ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Right

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a short-term renters’ preference profile for peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation selection in the housing market in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The emergence of P2P accommodation was initiated by the concept of a sharing economy, allowing the peer provider to share personal properties with the peer end-users. As the housing market has become more competitive, understanding the preference profile among short-term renters is advantageous to offer a matching marketing mix to the targeted customers. Design/methodology/approach This study uses qualitative method associated with thematic analysis. A total of 10,509 reviews on Airbnb were gathered from 377 properties in Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory from 2013 to 2017. Thematic analysis assisted by NVivo software was applied to analyse the empirical data. In total, 14 attributes were identified which could be categorised into 5Ps. The concept of 5Ps adopted from modern marketing is commonly used to categorise the strategies in the marketing process. In the current context, 5Ps is used to categorise the preference of the short-term renter in their selection of P2P accommodation including product, price, promotion, process and people. Findings This paper has developed a preference profile for P2P accommodation selection in Malaysia’s housing market. In total, 14 attributes were identified and categorised into the 5Ps of marketing mix. The results showed that the majority of short-term renters were concerned mostly with product (73.2 per cent), followed by people (14.5 per cent), process (10.1 per cent), price (2.0 per cent) and promotion (0.2 per cent). Originality/value This study contributes to existing literature with a novel case in Malaysia’s housing market by identifying the short-term renter’s preference in the P2P accommodation selection in the Malaysian housing market, specifically in Kuala Lumpur. The preference profile provides guidance for property owners and developers in the housing market to offer the right product in enhancing the marketability and rentability of the property.

Responding to open business models

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
Louis-David Benyayer ◽  
Martin Kupp
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
The Right ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Open Business Models

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide guidelines for practitioners in choosing the right response to potential threats by open business models. Design/methodology/approach The study focuses on identifying the dimensions of open business models. It consisted of 32 interviews with experts on open business models complemented by panel discussions with a selection of experts to validate the findings. Findings Five dimensions of open business models are identified: motivation, object, community, action and governance. Based on those dimensions, three responding strategies are proposed. Practical implications This paper offers insights for strategists and entrepreneurs who consider developing open business models or are attacked by competitors or other market players with open business models. Originality/value Complementing previous research, this paper highlights how the five dimensions of open business model can serve as a tool to design appropriate strategies when confronted with new forms of competition.

The perceived role of Islamic medical care practice in hospital: the medical doctor’s perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Khalilur Rahman ◽  
Suhaiza Zailani ◽  
Ghazali Musa
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Service Market ◽  
Private Hospitals ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Development Analysis

Purpose This study aims to investigate the perceived role of the Islamic medical care practice of Muslim doctors in Malaysian Muslim-friendly private hospitals. Design/methodology/approach Data were collection through self-administered questionnaires voluntarily submitted by the respondents. The survey covered selected major Muslim-friendly private hospitals in the country in the states of Kedah, Johor, Penang, Selangor, Kelantan and Kuala Lumpur. The non-probability purposive sampling was used, as the respondents and locations of the survey areas were predetermined. Findings Five dimensions of the Muslim-friendly medical care practice were identified, namely, medical etiquettes, physical examination, proper cleansing process of blood and body fluids, proper handling and treatment of infectious diseases and doctors’ advice to Muslim patients. The findings also indicate that the scale development analysis produced excellent results which can be used for reproducible or repetitive medical care purposes and for integration facts and figures for inclusion into wider medical care policy and practices. Practical implications The results from the study can further develop Islamic medical care practices and enable medical service providers to upgrade their performances to an enviable strategic status. Originality/value Islamic medical care is a new mode of healthcare service market, as there are very few studies on this topic from the perspective of Muslim patients or no obvious facts are known. This study has first explored Muslim doctors’ perceived role in Islamic medical care practice in Malaysian Muslim-friendly private hospitals. This empirical study can immensely contribute to the further development of Islamic medical care practice for Muslim doctors in particular and for the Muslim-friendly hospital service marketing strategy in general.

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