BUKU ABSTRAK - Universiti Putra Malaysia

Ethical Perception: Are Differences between Ethnic Groups Situation Dependent?
Cluster Development Plan Framework
Dr. Ho Jo Ann
Graduate School of Management, University Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
+603-8946 7681; hja@econ.upm.edu.my
Keywords: Culture, cultural values, cultural dimensions, ethical perception, moral awareness, Malaysia
Dr. Hossein Nezakati
Seyed Mahameddin Tabatabaei
Faculty of Economics and Management, University Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
+603-8946 2920; hossein@econ.upm.edu.my
135
Social Sciences
This study was conducted to determine how culture influences ethical perception of managers. Most studies
conducted so far have only stated similarities and differences in ethical perception between cultural or ethnic
groups and little attention has been given to understanding how cultural values influence the ethnic groups’ ethical
perception. Moreover, most empirical research in this area has focused on moral judgment, moral decision-making
and action with limited empirical work in the area of ethical perception. A total of 22 interviews were conducted
and the questionnaire survey yielded 272 managerial responses. Three implications were obtained based on the
findings of the study. The first implication is that differences in ethical perception can exist when one culture
attributes moral significance to something that another culture does not. The results of the study also suggest that
similarities in ethical perception can happen when a situation is viewed as an accepted and institutionalised part
of doing business. Finally, the findings of the study also show that the influence of culture on ethical perception
varied according to the different types of scenarios.
This research tries to propose a conceptual framework regarding to Cluster Development Plan. Today
development frameworks are based on Small and Medium size Enterprises (SME) where both have become the
centre of several countries consideration. In multivarious researches, different models were discussed (1989-
2005). The two important development models are categorised as: development model base on large enterprise
and development model base on strategic cooperation of small and medium size enterprises. In this research, the
two development categories are analysed and focussed on industrial SMEs. The result of research indicates that
industrial structure of SMEs are geographically distributed throughout the countries and then build up together
as Clusters, in which gaining from cluster opportunities and minimising threats. Therefore the main policies of
the countries are aimed at Industrial Clusters. This research categorises Cluster Development Plan Framework
(CDPF) into four progressive stages and consequently proposes a conceptual model for CDPF and compromises
latest findings as a unique framework. This CDPF is based on two major factors; government and competitive
advantages as the external and internal factors respectively. Goals, policies and supporting institutions are main
variables of government factor hence; right institution and innovation are constructing Variables of Competitive
advantages. Consequently each of them has its own subcategories in detail. This conceptual framework should be
tested in different environmental situations to gain the validity of a holistic framework.
Keywords: Small and medium size enterprise (SME), business incubation centers (BICs), industrial clusters, industrial
district