Abstract
This study investigates the strategic embedding of 5S quality management practices within the Sejahtera Ulul Albab paradigm among Malaysian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 12 MSME managers across the food, halal services, and manufacturing sectors, the research reveals that while 5S—Sort (Seiri), Set in Order (Seiton), Shine (Seiso), Standardize (Seiketsu), and Sustain (Shitsuke)—enhances operational discipline and lean outcomes, its integration with Islamic philosophical anchors such as niyyah (intention), amanah (trust), and taqwa (God-consciousness) repositions quality management as a spiritually driven endeavor. The findings demonstrate that ethical leadership, communal purpose, and spiritual accountability significantly amplify the effectiveness, consistency, and sustainability of 5S implementation. The study proposes a conceptual framework that reconceptualizes 5S as a multidimensional resource that fosters both strategic advantage and divine accountability within the Tawhidic worldview. This integrative approach advances theory by bridging operational efficiency with Islamic epistemology and offers practical guidance for value-driven business practices. However, the study is limited to a qualitative exploration within selected sectors. Thus, future research may adopt a mixed-methods design or cross-regional comparison to validate and extend the proposed framework's applicability and scalability.
Keywords
- 5S Search this journal for 5S (opens in a new tab)
- Sejahtera Ulul Albab Search this journal for Sejahtera Ulul Albab (opens in a new tab)
- SMEs Search this journal for SMEs (opens in a new tab)
- Tawhidic Paradigm Search this journal for Tawhidic Paradigm (opens in a new tab)
- Islamic Strategic Management Search this journal for Islamic Strategic Management (opens in a new tab)
- Spirituality Search this journal for Spirituality (opens in a new tab)
- Malaysia Search this journal for Malaysia (opens in a new tab)
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Keywords
- 5S Search this journal for 5S (opens in a new tab)
- Sejahtera Ulul Albab Search this journal for Sejahtera Ulul Albab (opens in a new tab)
- SMEs Search this journal for SMEs (opens in a new tab)
- Tawhidic Paradigm Search this journal for Tawhidic Paradigm (opens in a new tab)
- Islamic Strategic Management Search this journal for Islamic Strategic Management (opens in a new tab)
- Spirituality Search this journal for Spirituality (opens in a new tab)
- Malaysia Search this journal for Malaysia (opens in a new tab)
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Vol. 17 No. 2(I)S (2025)
AI in Audit, Workplace Safety & Digital Consumer Society
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