THE TRANSFER OF TRAINING: CASE STUDY IN THE MALAYSIAN ARMY

Abstract

The impact of training on operational readiness within the Malaysian Army (MA), emphasizing the critical role of training design, self-efficacy, and transformational leadership in enhancing training transfer. Despite the MA's substantial investment of RM21.74 billion in training, the effectiveness of these programs has been questioned, as many trained personnel fail to apply learned skills in their roles. The research highlights the importance of adapting training to rapidly changing military environments and technology through structured courses aimed at equipping officers with necessary skills. This study utilize quantitative method which analysing using SPSS Ver 21.  The findings reveal the strong relationship between self-efficacy and transfer of training (r=0.414**) highlights the importance of self-efficacy in fostering confidence for performance after training. Additionally, training design demonstrates a significant foundational relevance (r=0.328**), while training leadership enhances outcomes (r=0.409**) regardless of the design employed. Transformational leadership is identified as the most influential factor, nurturing supportive environments that promote effective skill application. The study also underscores the need for improved training design, particularly through the application of virtual reality technologies to enhance engagement and effectiveness. As a result, the research emphasizes the necessity of integrating motivational strategies into training programs and aligning with defense policies to improve military readiness, suggesting future studies should focus on interactions between self-efficacy, leadership dynamics, and organizational climate to further understand the factors contributing to successful training outcoms.