bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconciling institutional theory with organizational theories
Authors: de la luz Fernández‐Alles María , Valle‐Cabrera Ramón
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to review and compare traditional and new institutional postulates in order to address some of the criticism that this theory has received.

Design/methodology/approach

Throughout this paper, five interesting paradoxes are presented in management contexts of change, the creation of competitive advantages, and organizational behaviour.

Findings

Light is shed on the integration efforts that seek to combine institutional theory with transaction cost theory, the resource‐based view of the firm, and the resource dependence theory.

Originality/value

The paper reviews the Oliver contribution work done around neoinstitutional theory. The paper offers a different view of organizational change, the creation of competitive advantage, and organizational behaviour.
Critical issues for TQM implementation in higher education
Authors: Sirvanci Mete B.
Published: July 2006

While total quality management has been adopted by many organizations world‐wide, its implementation in non‐profit organizations, such as higher education institutions, presents more challenges and difficulties than those encountered in business organizations. A critical step in TQM implementation is the process of customer identification. In addition to customer identification, there are other issues such as leadership, cultural, and organizational issues that tend to create difficulties for TQM implementation in higher education. These issues along with the role of students from a quality perspective and performance measures for higher education are discussed, and suggestions are made for their resolution.
Corporate social reporting in Irish financial institutions
Authors: Douglas Alex , Doris John , Johnson Brian
Published: July 2006

This paper proposes a four‐state framework for measuring corporate social responsibility reporting and argues that TQM or excellent organisations should be in an advanced state of social responsiveness, and that this should be reflected in their reporting of such activities. A study of six Irish financial institutions is used to demonstrate the extent of social reporting in company annual reports and Web sites with a view to positioning them on the framework. Social reporting in the annual reports is compared with four European “best practice” financial institutions as well as the organisations' Web sites. Analysis shows that Irish banks are well behind the leading European banks with regard to the quality and quantity of social disclosure in their annual reports. It further shows that they disclose a greater volume of social information on their Web sites than in their annual reports. Reasons for such poor performance are attributed to the voluntary nature of social disclosure in Ireland.
Quality management in global firms
Authors: Lagrosen Stefan
Published: July 2006

The purpose of the study reported is to explore the approaches that multinational companies take in order to handle international differences in their management of quality. Qualitative methods for data collection have been used. The empirical data consist of in‐depth and/or focus group interviews at five multinational companies. The study shows that, although the magnitude of the problems raised by international differences is limited, some important implications exist. The differences that have most impact are those of culture, and especially the cultural dimension of power distance. The issue of centralisation versus decentralisation is discussed. The importance of the commitment of top management and having a common value base throughout the company is highlighted. A framework for handling international differences in a multinational company is proposed.
Evaluation of the external transfer of quality management systems of the world's largest corporations
Authors: Karaszewski Robert
Published: July 2006

Many of today's global corporations are more powerful than some European, Asian or African countries. Decisions made in peaceful offices by board members can influence the course of events world‐wide, sometimes to the same extent – but with less hype – as decisions made by politicians. The influence of the world's largest corporations on global business and even politics is unquestionable. The main purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the world's largest corporations also influence the spread and development of quality management systems. Other important issues discussed in this paper are the problem of differentiation of the intensity of diffusion and the identification of channels of QMS transfer.
Congruence between the democratic purposes of schools and school principal training in Australia
Authors: Mulford Bill
Published: July 2006

This paper examines and compares the recent emphases in school education and school leadership training in Australia and the state of Tasmania as they relate to the democratic purposes of schools. It finds a strong emphasis on the democratic purposes of schools and congruence between these purposes and the means of achieving them, in respect of school principal training at the national but not state level. This finding raises a major issue in respect of the ongoing pervasiveness of educational bureaucracies and whether they continue to be the best means of delivering educational outcomes (including principal training) in, and for, a democratic and increasingly knowledge society.
Democratic school leadership in Canada's public school systems: professional value and social ethic
Authors: Begley Paul T. , Zaretsky Lindy
Published: July 2006

Democratic leadership processes are desirable for schools not only because they reflect socially mandated ethical commitments to collective process. They can be professionally justified as a necessary approach to leading schools effectively in the increasingly culturally diverse communities and a world transformed by the effects of technology and the forces of globalization. Rational professional justifications for democratic leadership in schools include the nature of the school leadership role, the social contexts of the communities, as well as an ideological social mandate. A body of existing theory and research is used to illustrate that rational processes prevail as the primary influences on decision‐making by educational leaders. The appropriateness of rationalized democratic processes for schools is demonstrated by discussing the findings of recently completed research on school‐based interactions between school principals and parent advocates engaged in negotiating the educational needs of students with exceptionalities. Parent advocates were found to intentionally use democratic process to promote value confrontations and conflicts as a deliberate strategy aimed at transforming attitudes and practices in school administration specific to special education processes.
Democracy and leadership in the educational system of Cyprus
Authors: Pashiardis Petros
Published: July 2006

Life is lived in an era characterised by complexity and instability. Pedagogical ideals or educational goals are usually determined based on the socio‐political and cultural period in which people find themselves at a specific point in its history. Then, in what ways do people train their principals to be models of and act in line with those democratic values and ideals that aim at fostering good citizens? Furthermore, how do these goal statements fare in relation to the moral purpose of schools and especially focus on the social goals of schools? These and similar issues are dealt with in this paper. More specifically, there is a description of the major restructuring initiatives towards school empowerment and democracy introduced in the Cyprus education system. Further, an attempt is made in order to show how these changes have affected (or not) the education system with respect to personnel management, the power of the centre, democracy and the curriculum, and democracy and inspection.
The role of school leaders in establishing democratic principles in a post‐conflict society
Authors: Tim Goddard J.
Published: July 2006

This paper provides a discussion of the role of school leaders in establishing democratic principles in a post‐conflict society. Drawn primarily from the author's experiences in Kosovo, the paper briefly introduces the historical and contemporary socio‐political context of the region, and then examines the role of school administrators in a post‐war society. The paper concludes with some recommendations intended to assist both the designers and recipients of educational leadership professional development programs in post‐conflict societies.
Creating spaces for the development of democratic school leaders
Authors: Bredeson Paul V.
Published: July 2006

Architecture deals with the creation and definition of space expressed in buildings and other physical structures. Pre‐service preparation programs and on‐going professional development for school leaders similarly are built structures designed to help aspiring and practicing administrators acquire critical knowledge, dispositions, and competencies as democratic educational leaders. Building on earlier work on the architecture of professional development, this paper argues that the pre‐service preparation of school leaders is a particular type of professional development; one that is formalized and routinely delivered in departments of educational administration. Next, current state and national standards documents are reviewed for evidence of explicitly or implicitly expressed democratic principles. The paper ends with a description of how the redesign of administrator preparation and professional development programs in the authors department, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin‐Madison, created spaces for professional learning and community building anchored in democratic principles.
Why small retailers endure in Latin America
Authors: D'Andrea Guillermo , Lopez‐Aleman Belen , Stengel Alejandro
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To understand the drivers behind small‐scale retailers' collective success, even after a decade of sustained growth of the “modern” retail sector in Latin America.

Design/methodology/approach

The study described in this paper was sponsored by the Coca‐Cola Retailing Research Council – Latin America. Consumer research for this study was based both on primary and secondary sources. To understand the drivers behind small‐scale retailers' collective success, standard frameworks were adapted for evaluating their value proposition and business model. Customer‐facing value drivers were examined along with selected ratios from the strategic resource model.

Findings

In spite of being “poor,” emerging consumers have a substantial purchasing power as a group. They work with a very specific set of products, categories and store format needs that distinguish them from other consumers. These distinct needs imply that it is not “just a matter of money and time” for them to change their purchasing patterns over to the “modern trade”. In fact, the evidence shows that smaller scale retailers fit the needs of emerging consumers quite well. Despite perceptions that the small retail sector draws its resilience from informality, we conclude that that the sector can be surprisingly efficient. Furthermore, the retailers exhibit a sustainable business model.

Originality/value

Although a wide variety of studies have been developed around small‐scale retailers, less effort has been devoted to learn about local storekeepers that are actually conducting successful business, especially in reference to less developed countries.
Service failures and customer defection: a closer look at online shopping experiences
Authors: Ahmad Sohel
Published: July 2006

This study attempts to understand certain aspects of the online shopping experience from a consumer’s perspective. In particular, this study investigates the interaction between service failure and online shops’ readiness for service recovery and the resulting impact on customer defection. The findings of the present study suggest that some online shops have severely breached a few fundamental business principles, resulting in lost customers. Specifically, this study finds that failure to institute adequate complaint management and service recovery systems contributed to customer defection. Hence, service recovery and customer retention need to be given due importance during the service design phase, and appropriate management decisions have to be made upfront rather than after service failures occur when it may be too late.
Professional associations in the health industry
Authors: Walsh Anne M. , Borkowski Susan C.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This national study of 540 executives in the health industry was designed to examine organizational factors which influenced participation of male and female executives in their professional associations. Instrumental and expressive factors which influenced association membership were also analyzed by gender to assess preferences for specific membership benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey methodology was used in this study with questionnaires mailed to 1,680 executives in the US resulting in a response rate of 32.1 percent. Dreher and Ash's mentoring scale was used to analyze preference for specific instrumental and expressive benefits.

Findings

Dues posed an organizational barrier to participation in a professional association for female executives. Gender differences also influenced the type of instrumental and expressive benefits desired by executives.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should explore multiple association relationships to assess if there are structural or professional factors which contribute to particular network constellations.

Originality/value

Few studies focused on organizational barriers or key benefits that may affect participation in professional associations.
Organizational practices supporting women and their satisfaction and well‐being
Authors: Burke Ronald J. , Burgess Zena , Fallon Barry
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the relationship of the perceived presence of organizational practices designed to support women's career advancement and their work and extra‐work satisfaction and psychological well‐being.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 98 early career women in Australia using anonymously completed questionnaires. Five organizational practices combined into a composite measure were considered; top management support and intervention, policies and resources, use of gender in human resource management, training and development initiatives and recruiting and external relations efforts.

Findings

Women reporting more organizational practices supportive of women, with higher levels of job and career satisfaction, and indicated fewer psychosomatic symptoms and less emotional exhaustion. Organizational practices were unrelated to intent to quit or extra‐work satisfactions and physical or emotional well‐being.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed to determine if results generalize to women in later career stages.

Practical implications

Guidance for organizations interested in supporting women's career advancement are offered.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates an understanding of the qualities that are part of work environments that are supportive of the career aspirations of women (and men).
Impact of private‐sector university growth on the societies of post‐Communist Europe: a case study from Slovakia
Authors: Collinge Bill
Published: July 2006

This article considers the arguments used in support of private‐sector educational establishments in post‐Communist Europe and compares them with the observations and experiences of an academic librarian working in the field. The article uses as its case study a private‐sector university in Slovakia and addresses the issues of quality and standards in evidence today. Reasons for the rapid growth of private‐sector establishments across the region are initially studied before the frequent arguments used in support of private‐sector enterprises are considered. The article goes on to examine the wider implications of the growth of the private sector for the societies of post‐Communist Europe.
The strategic context of education in America, 2000 to 2020 – part 3
Authors: Pearce Snyder David , Edwards Gregg
Published: July 2006

Summarizes emerging patterns of corporate restructuring and process re‐engineering – describing current responses of marketplace enterprises to ongoing demographic, economic and technologic changes in the business operating environment – and assesses the applicability of those transformational adaptations to educational processes and institutions.
Students as “customers”
Authors: Sax Boria
Published: July 2006

The idea of students as “customers” at institutions of higher learning evokes intense controvery, but it is usually understood simplistically. The word “customer” is derived from the Latin “consuescere” meaning “to become acquainted with”. In marketplaces of the Renaissance it suggested a bond founded on familiarity and trust. Early universities were located near marketplaces, and shared some of their vibrant atmosphere. Today, as well, there is no reason why the relationship between a customer and provider need be either temporary or superficial. New technologies may help to render the relationship of an institution to its students more lasting and more personal.
The emerging threat of Asia's corporate tigers
Authors: Jain Vishrut , Malik Sandeep , Cruickshank Judith
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Every businessperson has repeatedly heard myriad reports and newscasts about the huge market opportunity in Asia. But western business managers will be caught flat‐footed if they do not update their notions of the new competitive capabilities of Asian companies and the rate at which they are evolving.

Design/methodology/approach

Nine conventional notions are presented in this article that are critical for business leaders to change.

Findings

Western businesses must reassess the strengths and weaknesses and update their competitive posture. First they need to jettison outdated conventional wisdom.

Practical implications

Western companies need to start including Asian players and industry clusters in their competitor screening process, if they have not already. They must evaluate how these rivals could encroach on their businesses and develop strategies now to preempt them.

Originality/value

To compete, western companies are learning new capabilities to develop products around consumer preferences and to engineer a cost structure to deliver them profitably at local price points.
Making the case for the added‐value chain
Authors: McPhee Wayne , Wheeler David
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Porter's value chain has been a keystone of strategic analysis. However, because of processes associated with economic globalization: outsourcing, brand marketing and “knowledge economy” phenomena, value drivers have changed dramatically over the last 20 years. The added‐value chain provides an expanded mental model for practitioners and academics to develop and communicate strategies for value creation.

Design/methodology/approach

The expanded set of activities in the added‐value chain was developed based on experience using the value chain in real world situations and analyzing leading business and strategy models that are commonly used by firms today.

Findings

The added‐value chain incorporates new sources of value creation such as the firm's brand, reputation and “social capital” or goodwill in addition to profit margin. The Added‐Value Chain also adds three primary activities.

Practical implications

Managers performing value‐chain analysis need to take into account newly important business drivers.

Originality/value

Expanding the value chain ensures that no potential strategic activity is forgotten and no opportunity for enhancing value is over‐looked.
Fast fashion: a financial snapshot
Authors: Hayes S.G. , Jones Nicola
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish an objective measure for the success of fast fashion to deliver measurable financial improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

A statistical analysis of published financial data has been used to determine if any statistically significant difference exists between the financial performance of retailers split into two groups; fast fashion and non‐fast fashion

Findings

The research shows that no statistically significant difference exists between the financial measures of the two groups. However, some objectivity is given to the claim that reduced inventory contributes to the financial health of a fast fashion retailer.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to published financial data; for some retailers this was not available at all, for others, it was not available for each, and similar, years.

Originality/value

To the authors knowledge, this is the first paper to look objectively at the financial benefits associated with retailing to a fast fashion model.
Breaking the cycle: a community approach to prevention of low birth‐weight babies
Authors: Stark Janet
Published: July 2006

Canada has recognized that the incidence of low birth‐weight babies poses a significant community‐wide health problem with serious societal and medical implications, both now and in the foreseeable future. The focus of this paper is on the direct relationship between low‐income women and low birth‐weight babies. Low‐income is related to low education levels and other behavioral risk factors associated with low birth‐weight babies. Much research and programming has been undertaken in the last 15 years, and some demonstrable improvements have been made. This paper suggests a community‐based approach to the development of programs that can help to make a difference to this ongoing problem.
Managerial learning: changing times for medical laboratory managers: a personal experience
Authors: Vollbrecht Sue , Bowerman Jennifer
Published: July 2006

Sue Vollbrecht worked as a laboratory technician for many years before being promoted to her present position as laboratory manager. She was promoted because of her interest in change management and her desire to have an impact on the future of her organization. This interview has as its foundation a school paper that she wrote as a means of assessing her managerial learning. The interview provides insight into the vast amount of change in the medical laboratory world, and some of the learning experiences that have been instrumental in helping her to develop the skills necessary to manage and successfully work with change. Using key events as pivotal points for reflection, she deduces the basic theories that she considers necessary for successful change management, and then considers them in the light of some of the management literature in the field. Major themes discussed are career development for people interested in working with organizational change, learning at work using an action learning approach, trust building through communication, and working with stakeholders effectively to bring about change.
How to develop knowledge culture in organizations? A multiple case study of large distributed organizations
Authors: Oliver Stan , Reddy Kandadi Kondal
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper seeks to identify various factors affecting knowledge culture in some of the large organizations and suggest realistic strategies for developing knowledge culture.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth case studies were conducted at six large distributed organizations to investigate and assess knowledge management (KM) practices and associated organizational culture. The core data collection is based on semi‐structured interviews with senior managers who play a significant role in KM programs at their respective organizations. A range of internal documents of these organizations has also provided some important inputs for the empirical analysis.

Findings

The study identified ten major factors affecting knowledge culture in organizations. These include leadership, organizational structure, and evangelization, communities of practice, reward systems, time allocation, business processes, recruitment, infrastructure and physical attributes.

Research limitations/implications

Perhaps, the major limitation of this research study is associated with the sample selection. All of the companies participated in this research project, were large‐scale distributed organizations. Therefore, the findings may not be applicable for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, the derived conclusions would be more assertive if they were tested as hypothetical propositions through a consecutive research survey.

Practical implications

This study provides illustrations and rationale for a diverse range of factors influencing the knowledge culture. Some of the findings deviated from established notions in contemporary KM literature, especially in the issues such as organizational structure, leadership and reward systems. The organizational dimensions explored in this study provide some original thoughts for building sustainable knowledge cultures.

Originality/value

The factors described in this paper are based on the existing KM practices at organizations with well‐established KM programs. These can serve as pragmatic guidelines for KM practitioners in developing knowledge culture.
Structuring the underlying relations among the knowledge management outcomes
Authors: Anantatmula Vittal , Kanungo Shivraj
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This study aims to identify a set of criteria to assess the effectiveness of knowledge management (KM) and to understand how these criteria inter‐relate with one another. From a research and practitioner's perspective, the study seeks to study how to expand these criteria to develop measures.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology is based on literature review to determine a list of KM outcomes followed by the Delphi technique and survey questionnaire methods. The findings of the Delphi were used to supplement literature review findings. Both these results were used to develop the survey questionnaire. Survey‐based research, which used a questionnaire targeting knowledge management professionals as respondents, was aimed at establishing criteria for assessing knowledge management success.

Findings

Using the criteria based on survey results, a computer‐assisted model is used to understand the shared underlying organizational framework in which KM operates and to identify how these criteria were linked. These relations should be explored and utilized to improve organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

Some of the limitations of this original research are limited number of experts participating in the study. Also, about 48 percent of the survey respondents represent for‐profit organizations and thus, research results may be biased towards for‐profit organizations. Future research should focus on translating the soft measures of knowledge management into detailed metrics.

Originality/value

This is an academic research paper providing information on the underlying relations among KM outcomes.
Understanding dynamic capabilities through knowledge management
Authors: Paarup Nielsen Anders
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper sets out to integrate research on knowledge management with the dynamic capabilities approach. This paper will add to the understanding of dynamic capabilities by demonstrating that dynamic capabilities can be seen as composed of concrete and well‐known knowledge management activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a literature review focusing on key knowledge management processes and activities as well as the concept of dynamic capabilities, the paper connects these two approaches. The analysis is centered on knowledge management activities which then are compiled into dynamic capabilities.

Findings

In the paper eight knowledge management activities are identified; knowledge creation, acquisition, capture, assembly, sharing, integration, leverage, and exploitation. These activities are assembled into the three dynamic capabilities of knowledge development, knowledge (re)combination, and knowledge use. The dynamic capabilities and the associated knowledge management activities create flows to and from the firm's stock of knowledge and they support the creation and use of organizational capabilities.

Practical implications

The findings in the paper demonstrate that the somewhat elusive concept of dynamic capabilities can be untangled through the use of knowledge management activities. Practicing managers struggling with the operationalization of dynamic capabilities should instead focus on the contributing knowledge management activities in order to operationalize and utilize the concept of dynamic capabilities.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that the existing research on knowledge management can be a key contributor to increasing our understanding of dynamic capabilities. This finding is valuable for both researchers and practitioners.
Performance benchmarks and cost sharing models for B2B supply chain information systems
Authors: Chalasani Suresh , Sounderpandian Jayavel
Published: July 2006

In this paper, we propose a set of standard benchmarks for evaluating B2B supply chain information systems. The supply chain management systems that we focus on communicate between collaborating partners via the Internet using such languages as the extensible markup language. We divide the benchmarks into three distinct categories: benchmarks to study the performance of querying a partner's data, modifying a partner's data, transmitting large amounts of data between partners. We propose a model for estimating the data‐communication and computation times incurred by the B2B information system using the above benchmarks. In addition, we discuss an algorithm for equitable sharing of the costs of a virtual private network by the partners. We present numerical examples to describe an actual application of the above models.
A critique of benchmarking and performance measurement
Authors: Anderson Karen , McAdam Rodney
Published: July 2006

This paper succinctly critiques the benchmarking literature and the performance measurement literature in regards to the novel concept of lead benchmarking as a possible means of achieving increased radical and innovative transformation in organizations. For the purposes of the paper, a working definition of lead benchmarking and performance measurement is: benchmarking and performance measurement, which focuses on analysing forward looking, predictive and future performance comparisons. This critique distinctly highlights that the currency of benchmarking and performance measurement needs a radical and indeed innovative transformation to adhere to the dynamics of the business environment. This critique raises various questions of interest. These issues will be investigated later through further research by conducting rich empirical research, whereby descriptions and explanations will be developed of the what, where, who, how and why of the benchmarking concept and the extent to which organizations carry out lead benchmarking
Benchmarking supply chain collaboration
Authors: Simatupang Togar M. , Sridharan Ramaswami
Published: July 2006

Supply chain collaboration enables firms to achieve better performance. It requires close arrangements of collaborative practices among the participating members. Searching for better practices and ideas that lead to superior performance means that the chain members also need to benchmark their current collaborative practices to other collaborative supply chains. Benchmarking enables them to identify the highest standards of excellence in customer services and processes and implement necessary improvements to match or exceed these standards. This paper, reports a benchmarking study on supply chain collaboration between retailers and suppliers, which incorporates collaborative practices in information sharing, decision synchronisation, and incentive alignment. An empirical study was carried out to benchmark the profile of collaborative practices and operational performance. The study also compared differences in the use of collaborative practices from retailer and supplier perspectives.
Benchmarking concepts in the UK and Germany
Authors: Rohlfer Sylvia
Published: July 2006

This paper analyses what is understood by the “key players” involved in the promotion of benchmarking, within a comparative context looking at Germany and the UK. A content analysis of the key components of benchmarking in the leading texts is undertaken which is then used to examine the position and role of employer organizations, professional consultancies, trade unions and government bodies in the dissemination and implementation of benchmarking at the company level. The paper concludes with a critique of benchmarking. It is argued that the different contexts in which the key players are embedded define their ability to voice scepticism about the conventional presentation of benchmarking as a benign and objective technique.
A benchmarking implementation framework for automotive manufacturing SMEs
Authors: Baba  , Mohd Yusof Sha'ri , Azhari
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for benchmarking implementation in small medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) taking into consideration their characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins with the review on the definition of SME and a comparison of the characteristics of SMEs and large organizations. It presents the need for a framework and its relationship with benchmarking and TQM. This is followed by reviewing the benchmarking implementation frameworks proposed by researchers and discusses these frameworks based on their strengths and weaknesses from SMEs perspective. The frameworks were categorised into two broad types based on the different writer's background and the approach on how they view the benchmarking implementation process.

Findings

The paper suggested a conceptual framework for benchmarking implementation dedicated to the automotive manufacturing SMEs. This framework guides them through from the start to end of the benchmarking process. The framework was validated at six pilot case study companies, which gave useful comments and suggestions regarding the usefulness and applicability within the SMEs context.

Research limitations/implications

The conceptual framework is still in the development stage and research is undertaken to include the pilot study companies suggestions and comments into the final version of the framework.

Practical implications

This guidance and framework provides a useful guide for companies to adopt and adapt before embarking on their benchmarking journey.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified knowledge gap and offers practical help to SMEs starting out a benchmarking implementation effort.
An empirically validated quality management measurement instrument
Authors: Singh Prakash J. , Smith Alan
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To develop a quality management (QM) measurement instrument that has sound psychometric properties and recognizes a key feature of the field, i.e. QM is currently characterized by three competing approaches: standards‐based; prize‐criteria; and, elemental implementation approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The three disparate approaches were analyzed to identify sets of key constructs and associated items. The assembled instrument was empirically validated through a survey of 418 Australian manufacturing organizations. A full set of reliability and validity tests were performed. Wherever applicable, confirmatory approach using structural equation modeling was used.

Findings

The results of psychometric tests suggest that the constructs of the three approaches have good empirical support. In the manner in which the instrument is presented, it is possible to separately measure constructs related to each of the three approaches.

Research limitations/implications

The measurement instrument has been validated with manufacturing organizations from Australia. It is applicability to other industry sectors or country contexts needs to be verified.

Practical implications

Practitioners and consultants can use the measurement instrument for conducting QM benchmarking exercises within and across organizations. Researchers can use the instrument in future studies for, inter alia, theory development in the area.

Originality/value

The measurement instrument overcomes the shortcomings of the existing instruments by explicitly including all three practical approaches to quality management. Also, a rigorous psychometric validation process is adopted that provides credible outcomes.
Complementarities creating substitutes – possible paths towards 3G, WLAN/WiMAX and ad hoc networks
Authors: Martikainen Olli E.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Internet and GSM have become the dominant designs for information and communication technology (ICT) industries in the late 1990s. Internet protocol (IP) is the dominant standard for cost effective networking and new interactive broadband services. GSM (2G) is currently the dominant cellular technology and it is the basis of GSM, GPRS (2.5G) and UMTS (3G), the GSM‐continuum of standards. The marriage of broadband internet and mobile has created open questions on which are the future winning wireless standards. Will mobile internet be based on the GSM‐continuum or on US wireless developments such as WLAN and WiMAX? In longer time‐scale the Mobile Ad‐hoc Network (MANET) which does not use any preinstalled communications infrastructure may also become a cost‐effective challenger to infrastructure based networks. The paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper elaborates these questions with the aim to provide an analytically clarifying conceptualisation of the competitive relationships between 3G, WLAN/WiMAX and the emerging MANET opportunities both in network and application perspectives. By considering the interaction of the possible competitive regimes we analyze the disruptive capabilities of new solutions to become substitutes to the existing ones.

Findings

There are a number of open issues in the WLAN/WiMAX and MANET architectures, which require further work and global standardization. For the while, the integration of the personal applications to the GSM continuum seems to be the most potential approach to import internet to the mobile world. However, there is no winner yet, and the author strongly believes that a new wave of innovations may come around these lines and that these developments will also change the mobile technology and services landscape.

Originality/value

The paper contributes with a systemantic analysis of the competition between 3G, WLAN/WiMAX and ad hoc network technologies. A novelty in the analysis is that it incorporates both network access technologies and applications.
Redesigning the supply chain: reengineering, outsourcing, and relational capabilities
Authors: Rodríguez‐Díaz Manuel , Espino‐Rodríguez Tomás F.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the competitive advantages of the networks of firms forming the supply chain and distribution channels through process integration, outsourcing, and creation of relational capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

A four‐stage methodology is created to redesign the supply chain depending on the creation of relational capabilities: internal analysis to determine the focal company's competence; relational analysis in the outsourcing of activities; process integration; and development of relational capabilities.

Findings

The development of relational capabilities is based on two dimensions: company level of competence in performing activities, and strategic contribution of the activities to competitive advantage. Four cases are analyzed from those two dimensions: high competence/low strategic contribution; low competence/high strategic contribution; low competence/low strategic value; and relational and internal capabilities, where relational capabilities strengthen internal capabilities. Finally, it is established what actions are necessary for the activities analyzed from those dimensions to be a source of competitive advantage by means of relational capabilities created through process integration and outsourcing to highly competent firms.

Practical implications

The development of a short self‐evaluation questionnaire that helps firms implement the methodology and creates the basis for its empirical application by researchers.

Originality/value

The paper studies relational capabilities, an aspect omitted from the internal perspective of the resource and capability theory. It also determines four ways in which relational capabilities influence the strengthening of internal capabilities. The theoretical approach is developed in the redesign of the supply chain.
How appropriate are two established concepts from higher education for solving complex real‐world problems?
Authors: Steiner G. , Laws D.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The main focus of this paper is to discuss appropriate forms of higher education for building up students' competence for working on complex real‐world problems.

Design/methodology/approach

Within this paper the Harvard approach is accurately compared with the ETH approach by discussing theoretical and practical implications as well.

Findings

It is argued that the Harvard case study approach is a sensible approach to bridging the gap between the academic and the practical world, but it has important limits in preparing students to cope with complex real‐world problems. In some important respects, the ETH case study approach goes further by exposing students directly to the multi‐faceted and complex character of real‐world problems.

Practical implications

The ETH approach puts additional demands on students and teachers to bridge the gap between university and society with a high degree of responsibility. Consequently, a combination of both the Harvard and the ETH approach might be interesting.

Originality/value

The comparison of the Harvard case study approach with the ETH case study approach is novel. The discussion of educational together with practical implications provides insight to the peculiarities of each single approach together with an orientation for their implementation within higher education. Guidance is given to universities who are deciding what educational means have to be implemented in order to prepare their students for the task of solving complex real‐world problems in an inter but also transdisciplinary manner.
An investigation into the level and impact of merger activity amongst hospitals in the UK’s National Health Service
Authors: Cereste Marco , Doherty Neil F. , Travers Cheryl J.
Published: July 2006

Since 1990 the National Health Service (NHS) has undergone a sustained period of change. This change has been necessary to prepare the NHS for the task of meeting a demand for services that continues to rise more rapidly than the availability of resources. Anecdotal evidence suggests that one of the most popular ways for trusts to improve their ability to meet demand is through mergers with other trusts. However, little rigorous research has been conducted to assess the extent or effectiveness of this strategy. A research project was, therefore, initiated to better understand the extent and impact of merger activity within the NHS. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to the chief executive, finance director, medical director and human resources director in all the 460 trusts that are currently members of the NHS confederation. In total the survey generated 459 responses out of a possible total of 1,840; an encouraging response rate of 25 per cent. The results of this research provide significant new evidence that “merger mania” has taken hold within the NHS. While 46 per cent of all responding trusts indicated that they had already merged, are actively involved in a merger, proposing to merge or are talking to prospective partners, a further 18.7 per cent of all trusts are forming strategic alliances rather than opting for a full merger. The dominant justification for merging are the beliefs that it will facilitate the reconfiguration of services and ultimately improve patient care. The paper concludes with a discussion of the significance of these results, before making recommendations with regard to their implications for future merger activity within the NHS.
How are Scottish integrated primary care organisations managed?
Authors: Simoens Steven , Scott Anthony
Published: July 2006

In the absence of central guidance on the development of integrated primary care organisations, a diversity of models is emerging. This paper examines the management arrangements of Scottish local health care co‐operatives (LHCCs). A postal questionnaire survey of all 79 LHCCs was conducted. The response rate was 35 per cent. LHCCs set up management bodies and created workgroups. Stakeholder representation was not socially inclusive: attempts to engage patients and local communities were limited and need to be stepped up to increase responsiveness and accountability to local health care users. LHCCs were also vehicles for local ownership and control of health care provision. To facilitate co‐operation among participating practices, LHCCs need to focus on issues of leadership, organisation, and involvement in decision making. Finally, management expenditure per capita was comparable with that of other types of integrated primary care organisations.
Part‐time work and jobsharing in health care: is the NHS a family‐friendly employer?
Authors: Branine Mohamed
Published: July 2006

This paper examines the nature and level of flexible employment in the National Health Service (NHS) by investigating the extent to which part‐time work and job sharing arrangements are used in the provision and delivery of health care. It attempts to analyse the reasons for an increasing number of part‐timers and a very limited number of job sharers in the NHS and to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each pattern of employment. Data collected through the use of questionnaires and interviews from 55 NHS trusts reveal that the use of part‐time work is a tradition that seems to fit well with the cost‐saving measures imposed on the management of the service but at the same time it has led to increasing employee dissatisfaction, and that job sharing arrangements are suitable for many NHS employees since the majority of them are women with a desire to combine family commitments with career prospects but a very limited number of employees have had the opportunity to job share. Therefore it is concluded that to attract and retain the quality of staff needed to ensure high performance standards in the provision and delivery of health care the NHS should accept the diversity that exists within its workforce and take a more proactive approach to promoting a variety of flexible working practices and family‐friendly policies.
Market‐focused management: a model for US academic health centers
Authors: Guo Kristina L.
Published: July 2006

This paper describes managed care, competition and high health care costs and reductions in funding as the major market forces that affect US academic health centers. As academic health centers continue to preserve their missions of providing patient care, educating and training health professionals and conducting research, they are negatively impacted by these market changes, thus, resulting in increased expenses and lowered revenue. A key component to surviving in difficult times is market‐focused management. This paper develops a model to show the path of senior level management teams in their decision making. Through the performance of essential managerial roles, senior level managers are responsible for strategies that result in the long‐term viability and growth of academic health centers.