bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing total quality management
Authors: Radovilsky Zinovy D. , Gotcher J. William , Slattsveen Sverre
Published: July 2002

Describes the results of a survey in manufacturing, distribution and service organizations concerning total quality management (TQM). These results proved that an effective TQM programme should contain consistent training of all employees; significant improvement in communication between departments; and development of the standards to measure and control the cost of quality. Based on the survey results, identifies quantitative relationships between quality improvement characteristics and different internal factors. Statistical regression models developed revealed leading predictors of a successful TQM programme.
Transients’ effects on the reliability of programmable electronics
Authors: Tang H.K. , Lee Brian
Published: July 2002

Programmable electronics are particularly susceptible to transients, a form of electromagnetic interference. The widespread use of programmable electronics in many mass‐produced products, industrial systems and safety‐critical applications is a cause for concern over their reliability. Neglecting transients’ effect in the initial product specification stage increases significantly the possibility of having to redesign a product late in its development cycle, with all its serious consequences. Deals first with the nature of transients and transient faults in programmable electronics, then elaborates on transients’ effects on reliability and discusses the related management issues.
A Bayesian life test sampling plan for non‐repairable products sold under warranty
Authors: Kwon Y.I.
Published: July 2002

Proposes Bayesian life test sampling plan for non‐repairable products with exponential lifetime distribution, which are sold under a warranty policy. It is assumed that the parameter of the lifetime distribution is a random variable varying from lot to lot according to a known prior distribution. Describes constructions of a cost model with three cost components: test cost, accept cost, and reject cost. Presents an algorithm for finding optimal sampling plans which minimize the expected average cost per lot. Describes sensitivity analyses for the parameters for the prior distribution.
Failure mode and effects analysis
Authors: Teng Sheng‐Hsien (Gary) , Ho Shin‐Yann (Michael)
Published: July 2002

Discusses the implementation of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) for both product design and process control. FMEA is implemented in two ways to ensure that the reliability requirements are met for the production of an airbag inflator. Design FMEA is performed to generate a process control plan, visual aids, and a process verification list. Design FMEA and process FMEA are integrated through reliability prediction and supplier PPM reports. The supplier PPM reports contain the information that can be employed to update the probabilities used in design FMEA. The results of reliability predictions are fed back to eliminate the design weakness. Demonstrates the integrated procedure of the FMEA approach and discusses the relationships among useful tools.
The use of the shifting mean heuristic in statistical quality control
Authors: Lewis Colin D.
Published: July 2002

Demonstrates the application of the recently proposed shifting mean heuristic to statistical quality control situations. Proposes the heuristic search procedure primarily as a tool for retrospective (or post mortem) data analysis, retrospectively examining a known data set to establish shifts of process mean, as illustrated in the traditional Manhattan diagram (i.e. a plot of observations with superimposed sub‐process means). However, because the procedure can be operated automatically, it is suggested that where sampling rates are relatively slow it could also be used for online quality monitoring by providing a dynamic Manhattan diagram which changes shape when a newly developed series of observations establishes a shift from a pre‐specified reference level or target value. Briefly reviews other approaches to establishing shifts in process mean, describes the concepts underlying the heuristic search procedure, and reviews the statistical considerations involved. Compares the procedure with other approaches, and provides examples of the heuristic search procedure operating as a tool for retrospective data analysis using three time series kindly provided by the editor which were analysed “blind” by the author. The editor’s comments on the results are appended.
Twin metric control ‐ CUSUM simplified in a Shewhart framework
Authors: Marquardt Donald W.
Published: July 2002

“Twin metric” control preserves the simple, intuitive graphical features of Shewhart control charts, while incorporating the much improved performance of CUSUM. Two metrics are plotted on the twin metric control chart at each sample interval; the Shewhart value and a simplified CUSUM value. The action limits for the two metrics are numerically identical. The name twin metric emphasizes this identity. Twin metric responsiveness, measured in terms of the average run length (ARL) curve, is several times better than Shewhart control, with or without runs rules to supplement the Shewhart chart. Twin metric enables substantially better response to real process shifts and substantially fewer false alarms compared to Shewhart charts. Discusses the conceptual framework, the arithmetic formulas, and the operational aspects, including estimation of the process standard deviation, estimation of the current process average after a twin metric signal, and monitoring process variability using twin metric control. Provides a table of ARLs for six twin metric options. Gives quantitative performance comparisons comparing twin metric to Shewhart and to combined Shewhart‐CUSUM.
The measurement of service quality: a new P‐C‐P attributes model
Authors: Philip George , Hazlett Shirley‐Ann
Published: July 2002

Focuses on one of the most widely used service quality measurement scales, SERVQUAL, and looks at some of the areas of concern which have recently been raised regarding its viability as a comprehensive measurement tool for the service industry as a whole. While acknowledging the significant contribution that this model has made, it is suggested that it does not go far enough ‐ the dimensions of SERVQUAL do not adequately address some of the more critical issues associated with the assessment of individual services. Having carried out citation analyses of both the 1985 and 1988 versions of SERVQUAL, it can be shown that although there is a plethora of published work in the marketing and retail sectors about its applicability, relatively little empirical work has been carried out in other service sectors. Indeed, more than one‐quarter of all published papers where SERVQUAL was a major theme, appear to have severe reservations about this scale. In place of the SERVQUAL scale, a model which takes the form of a hierarchical structure ‐ based on three main levels of attributes ‐ pivotal, core, and peripheral (P‐C‐P) is proposed. This P‐C‐P model has the ability to span any service sector since what is proposed is a skeletal framework within which to consider respective services. The authors are currently in the process of using this model for the empirical analysis of the quality of information which is provided by government bodies to the business community. The results of their empirical study will form the subject matter of the next paper in this series. This is, therefore, largely theoretical in nature with the emphasis on a critical appraisal of the existing models in the service quality arena and it also describes the authors’ own model to encourage discussion and debate among researchers, perhaps allowing them to make further refinements to their proposed model.
Machinery selection ‐ process capability and product reliability dependence
Authors: Murty Akella S.R. , Achutha Naikan V.N.
Published: July 2002

Reliability of a product is highly dependent on the process capability index of the manufacturing process. Discusses a mathematical modelling technique for deriving the relationship between the product reliability strength and the process capability requirement to meet the product reliability strength for different types of external stress/load distributions which the product undergoes in the actual working environment. Considers four cases of external stress distributions: normal, log‐normal, expotential and Weibull. These techniques can be applied effectively in industrial production plants while selecting machines with required process capability to meet the product reliability strength demand.
ISO 9000 among Australian companies: impact of time and reasons for seeking certification on perceptions of benefits received
Authors: Jones Robert , Arndt Guenter , Kustin Richard
Published: July 2002

Utilizes a survey of 272 Australian ISO 9002 quality certified companies to examine two issues: first, the relationship between a company’s initial motivation for seeking certification (QCert) and its perception of the benefits it has received; and, second, the impact of time on perceptions of benefits received. Companies which sought QCert because of an externally‐imposed perception of the necessity to “obtain a certificate” were found to experience fewer beneficial outcomes of QCert, in comparison with companies which sought QCert because of an internally‐driven desire to improve organizational performance. Additionally, no evidence was found that longer‐certified companies experience more benefits than recently‐certified companies, regardless of the initial motivation for seeking QCert. Cautions against the drive towards “forcing” companies to seek QCert as a result of a perception of an external threat. Such a process appears to be counterproductive.
Hong Kong students’ perceptions of structures for total quality management
Authors: Izumi H. , Whitfield R.C.
Published: July 2002

The popularity of TQM in Asia raises the question of how well students who must later work with the concept understand TQM. Investigates changes in undergraduate and postgraduate Hong Kong engineering student perceptions of TQM structure. Compares exploratory factor analysis of questionnaire responses from 165 manufacturing engineering undergraduates with responses from 107 graduate students from electrical engineering and engineering management. Comparison of the factors suggests that students start at an idealistic structural view of TQM and move towards a cultural perspective. Data also suggest that practitioners in South China may not see full implementation of all TQM concepts as appropriate for their environment.
SURGE process ‐ a time‐to‐market approach to reliability improvement
Authors: Donovan John , Murphy Eamonn , Stephenson M.I.
Published: July 2002

States that the time taken to deliver a product to the market determines a company’s success, and that research has shown that a delay of six months leads to 33 per cent of its potential profit being lost. Explores the existing method of assessing new product reliability, namely reliability demonstrating testing, and presents its numerous shortcomings and deficiencies. Analyses the results of performing reliability demonstration testing on eight products which support the viewpoint that it is no longer appropriate. Proposes a SURGE (stress unveiled reliability growth enhancement) process, leading to significant saving in development time and thereby time‐to‐market while providing a more reliable product and process. Places emphasis on the control of all of the development processes, design, manufacturing, and materials procurement and producing prototype units via the intended volume process. Performs monitoring by appropriate stress testing designed to precipitate all potential defects and involves testing beyond design specification. By correcting defects on the product, and ultimately on the processes which produced them, develops more reliable products. Concludes that the results of the SURGE process have led to a reduction in development times of 14 per cent while also reducing the time taken to ramp up to full volume production by 50 per cent.
Expected value and variance of warranty cost of repairable product with two types of warranty
Authors: Young Yun Won
Published: July 2002

Considers the estimation problem of the total warranty cost under two types of warranty. The product (e.g. car) is sold under two types of warranty (mileage and age). The failed product will be minimally repaired by the manufacturer during the preassigned warranty, the length of which is determined by mileage or age, whichever occurs first. Under general distributions, obtains the formula of the expected value and variance of total warranty cost. Analyses special cases of the failure and running behaviours. Includes a numerical example.
Quality function deployment and its use in designing information technology systems
Authors: Tan K.C. , Xie M. , Chia E.
Published: July 2002

Presently, there is much focus on measuring and improving the quality of industrial systems with little attention paid to the quality of information technology (IT) related systems. In this paper, we present a study using the technique quality function deployment (QFD) to design and improve IT systems. QFD is a useful technique and has been applied successfully in traditional hardware product design. We show that it is equally useful for the design of IT‐related systems. In particular, we used QFD to study the human/user interface aspects of several World WideWeb home pages. On‐line surveys were used to obtain rankings of customer voices that are important in QFD. The results show that it is a useful technique that should be more commonly used for IT‐related systems.
Environmental management systems: a new challenge for Greek industry
Authors: Georgiadou Maria , Tsiotras George
Published: July 2002

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implementation of environmental management systems as well as the critical factors for adapting ISO 14001 in Greek industry. The results were compared to a similar research conducted by Arthur D. Little among USA companies, and proved that the Greek companies consider implementation of IS0 14001 as being significant for the company’s success, with the most important factors being improving an organization’s image, reducing cost and improving quality, and showing care of the environment.
Management of quality vis‐à‐vis quality of management in the Asia‐Pacific region: a conceptual analysis
Authors: Rao Korukonda Appa
Published: July 2002

The Asia‐Pacific region today is swept by an unprecedented rate of change, complexity, interconnectedness, and uncertainty. Now perhaps more than at any other time since World War II, the region is becoming acutely aware of its ethnic diversity, its ideological jumble, and its political mélange – all of which increase its vulnerability in the emerging world order. There is also a simultaneous need for recognition of the areas of commonalty and of the potential of the Asia Pacific region for organizing itself into a legitimate counterweight to the two trading communities from the West – the European Community (EC) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Against this background, this article examines some of the common features in quality management for global competitiveness and relates them to themes such as the management practices and metaphysical belief systems of the Asia Pacific region. Implications for the future are discussed.
Contingency rules to control a production process subject to a single assignable cause
Authors: Kim Bowon
Published: July 2002

We present two contingency rules to control a production process subject to a single assignable cause, i.e. the process shifts from in‐control to out‐of‐control state when the single assignable cause occurs. In this paper, we assume a 100 per cent inspection policy as opposed to the sampling concept. However, the first rule we suggest is comparable with the traditional sampling model in that its criterion to intervene in the process is based on the number of defective products. The second rule uses more information than the first does: it triggers intervening in the process when the inter‐arrival time between two consecutive defective products is smaller than an optimally derived cut‐off rate. We first show how the two rules can be derived, and, as a preliminary analysis, propose conditions under which one contingency rule might be more effective than the other.
On the gap between theory and practice of process capability studies
Authors: Deleryd Mats
Published: July 2002

Historically, a theoretical framework has been established to judge whether a process is capable or not. These studies, called process capability studies, have received both positive and negative comments. Both researchers and practitioners have indicated that the concept of process capability studies is often misused in practice. This article aims to identify and quantify this misuse, and when it is severe, try to provide some explanations of its origin. The survey presented is primarily based on questionnaires and carried out among 97 Swedish organisations where process capability studies are used regularly. It shows that there is often a gap between theory and practice concerning process capability studies. The article also provides some possible answers to why the gap exists. It has been found that the gap between theory and practice can be explained by management issues, practical problems, conservative personal attitudes and methodological aspects. Based on the results, some suggestions for successfully implementing and using process capability studies are presented.
Reliability tests to control design quality: a case study
Authors: de Theije Saskia M. , Sander Peter C. , Brombacher Aarnout C.
Published: July 2002

Because of the importance of the product design process, a good control of it is of vital importance. It is shown how design tests can be defined and executed that are able to identify quality problem. Emphasis will be on the early detection of reliability problems. The quality control method itself and the results reached at Philips Electronics Industries‐Consumer Electronics Division (PEI‐CED) in Taiwan will be discussed. First, the organisation of a design process and design reliability evaluation program in general will be considered. Next, it will be explained what opportunities for improvement of reliability control in the design process at PEI‐CED were detected. A risk analysis, aimed at identifying reliability risks and analysing them, will be the basis for the reliability tests that will be elaborated next.
Quality management: a survey on accomplished results
Authors: Neergaard Peter
Published: July 2002

Best practice in quality management has been addressed in a number of publications, but to date, there has been little broad empirical research within the field. This article reports on a study of quality management in 270 Danish enterprises, selected at random at the beginning of 1995. Today, most Danish enterprises work with quality explicitly, and as a result of their efforts, production errors have declined in parallel with customer complaints. However, a number of enterprises lack the capacity to measure directly the benefits realized from quality initiatives. Almost one‐half of the responding enterprises have established an independent quality department, and, correspondingly, these enterprises have derived the highest benefits from their quality efforts. An additional one‐third of the enterprises have become certified, yet these enterprises claim that it has not noticeably affected their competitive power. In general, Danish enterprises do well when it comes to discussing quality issues. In relation to measuring the benefits from their quality efforts, their performance leaves much to be desired. As Danish enterprises have a long‐standing tradition for design and quality work, the results of the survey have wide implications for other organizations faced with the challenge of quality management.
An evaluation of success factors using the AHP to implement ISO 14001‐based EMS
Authors: Chin Kwai‐Sang , Chiu Simon , Rao Tummala V.M.
Published: July 2002

Today’s growing concern in environment awareness forces manufacturers to strive for implementing competitive strategies in environmental management. With the introduction of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard in 1996, many manufacturing companies are facing a decision problem of whether or not to implement the ISO 14001 based EMS. The authors have studied the critical success factors to be considered by the Hong Kong manufacturers in this regard. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology is used in the study to formulate an appropriate model to evaluate success factors and develop strategies to implement ISO 14001 based EMS in Hong Kong manufacturing companies. The model is also used to evaluate the benefits/costs ratios of implementing ISO based EMS and to decide whether or not to implement it. As the results of the model indicated, the ISO 14001 based EMS should be implemented in Hong Kong by manufacturing companies to improve their environmental performance and sustain the competitive position in the global market place, regardless of the considerable costs incurred from its implementation. This is supported by a relatively larger benefits/costs ratio with respect to implementing ISO 14001 based EMS than that of the contrary. This paper reports the findings of the study.
An alternative to the Weibull step‐stress model
Authors: Khamis Imad H. , Higgins James J.
Published: July 2002

An alternative is proposed to the Weibull cumulative exposure model in step‐stress testing, that we call the transformed exponential model. The proposed model comes from a natural transformation of the exponential cumulative exposure model. It is as flexible as the cumulative exposure model for describing data, but its mathematical form makes it easier to obtain parameter estimates and standard errors. Inferential procedures and optimum designs are discussed for two‐step accelerated test plans with known shape parameter.
Quality function deployment in construction design: application in low‐cost housing design
Authors: Abdul‐Rahman Hamzah , Kwan C.L. , Woods Peter C.
Published: July 2002

Quality function deployment (QFD) is a design management tool to enhance the quality aspect of products and services as well as to increase customer satisfaction. This paper describes the concept and technique of QFD as applied to the construction industry with special focus on a low‐cost housing scheme. The benefits of QFD on the aspects of reliability in quality, cost and time for low‐cost housing from the customers’ viewpoint are also presented.
Costs and benefits of ISO 9000 series: a practical study
Authors: Leung Hareton K.N. , Chan Keith C.C. , Lee T.Y.
Published: July 2002

This paper presents the result of a study to identify the costs and benefits of obtaining ISO 9000 certification. Toward this goal, a survey of some 500 ISO 9000 certified companies has been carried out. Among them, more than 65 per cent believe that ISO 9001 certification is worthwhile, and more than 76 per cent believe that the cost of certification is inexpensive. The results indicate that companies which seek certification because of their customers’ request seem to gain less benefit from ISO 9000 certification. We also found that concern for high costs is much less after initial certification. In addition, we discovered that contrary to many people’s expectation, some factors do not have any bearing on whether benefits outweigh costs. These factors include time taken to get certified, number of years since certification, and reason for certification. Besides presenting the results of the survey, we also introduce a new classification scheme based on the company’s view on the “expensiveness” of the certification and the received benefits. There are some differences in responses from companies of different classes.
Integrated Bayesian reliability assessment during equipment development
Authors: Ke Huei‐Yaw , Shen Fu‐Fan
Published: July 2002

With the merit of Bayes’ theorem, this paper proposes an integrated Bayesian approach for reliability assessment during equipment development. By considering the prior information, this approach can provide useful information to use for decision‐making. A numerical example is given to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach. It is believed that the proposed approach would be helpful for the project manager to focus attention on the key problems to resolve them early so as to ensure the greatest probability for project success.
A cognitive model on attitude towards technology adoption
Authors: Kai‐ming Au Alan , Enderwick Peter
Published: July 2002

In this research, the cognitive process, which determined an attitude towards technology adoption, was found to be affected by six beliefs: compatibility; enhanced value; perceived benefits; adaptive experiences; perceived difficulty; and suppliers’ commitment. The study also found that the individual external environmental forces did not significantly influence the formation of a behavioural intention to adopt. Future research to investigate whether and how these external factors influence the subsequent diffusion process may be useful in order to develop a better understanding of the impact of the external environments on innovation diffusion in the industrial market.
A caveat on using single‐item versus multiple‐item scales
Authors: Loo Robert
Published: July 2002

Single‐item measures are quick and easy to use; however, methodologists advocate the use of multiple‐item measures. Recently, this stringent viewpoint has been challenged. Using the classical formula for the correction for attenuation and job satisfaction data, they demonstrated that meaningful reliability estimates can be calculated for single‐item measures. This study examined this approach using “belief in a just world” data from two instruments. The findings provide qualified support for single‐item measures when the underlying constructs are homogeneous, but these findings are not strong enough to challenge the view that multiple‐item measures are needed to measure relatively complex constructs reliably. Practitioners and researchers should be wary of single‐item measures.
Key roles of the leadership landscape
Authors: Sheard A.G. , Kakabadse A.P.
Published: July 2002

A framework is developed, and validated, that provides an insight into the role of leadership in transforming a loose group into an effective team. In this context a loose group is defined as a number of individuals brought together to achieve a task, but with no further development undertaken. An effective team, by contrast, is one in which development of a supportive social structure has occurred, with each individual adapting his behaviour to optimise his personal contribution to the team. Four distinct leadership “key roles” are identified: legitimate, social, task, and macro, which lead to the identification of critical leadership issues that limit the speed with which loose groups transform into effective teams. This in turn enables specific recommendations to be made to assist individuals within a team to identify the key role they occupy, the importance of that key role relative to the others and the behaviours most appropriate to it. In the current research program the organisation studied was a multinational engineering company, engaged in the design, development and manufacture of rotating turbomachinery.
The “what”, “why” and “how” of spirituality in the workplace
Authors: Krishnakumar Sukumarakurup , Neck Christopher P.
Published: July 2002

While the attention to workplace spirituality is growing, there is debate as to what exactly this term “spirituality” means. There seems to be multiple views of workplace spirituality. It could be argued that there are different definitions for the meaning of “spirituality” due to the very strong personal nature of the word itself. We argue that this multiple view of spirituality is a positive thing for organizations if managers attempt to understand differing spiritual views and also encourage all views within an organization. In this paper, we summarize the different perspectives of spirituality, discuss the benefits of encouraging spirituality within organizations, and examine different perspectives of implementing a spirituality‐based culture within firms.
Do Senior Managers Differ in the Public and Private Sector?
Authors: Arroba Tanya , Wedgwood‐Oppenheim Felix
Published: July 2002

Deals with the question of whether senior managers in the public and
private sector differ psychologically. There are many ways in which such
a difference might be measured. Examines one aspect: the predisposition
to adopt particular roles in teams. Compares the results found by
Meredith Belbin from a sample of participants attending management
courses at Henley Staff College with a sample of senior British local
government officers using Belbin′s Team Role questionnaire. The
differences are marked, posing interesting questions about the reasons
for the differences and their consequences. There is clearly need for
further research.
The Role of Personality Testing in Managerial Selection
Authors: Dakin Stephen , Nilakant V. , Jensen Ross
Published: July 2002

Despite widespread evidence of low predictive and construct validity,
personality testing is increasingly being used for the selection of
managers. Notes that selection practices based on personality testing
are not embedded in an explicit theory of performance. Based on
available research evidence it is argued that personality is likely to
play a relatively minor role as a determinant of managerial performance.
Presents results from a small survey of New Zealand recruitment
consultants to show that personality testing is widespread in managerial
selection, and that there is a tendency to overemphasize the importance
of personality as a determinant of performance. This may be one reason
for the ascendancy of personality testing in selection. Makes
suggestions for improving the ways in which such tests should be used in
selecting managers.
Spirituality and Organizational Transformation
Authors: Dehler Gordon E. , Welsh M. Ann
Published: July 2002

Although restructuring may represent an appropriate managerial response to global competitive pressures of the 1990s, initial research indicates that reorganizing efforts such as downsizing and re‐engineering are not improving organizational performance. The thesis is that structural approaches to change represent only part of the solution to a complex dilemma. Management also needs to address the role of emotion, and spirituality in particular, in the change process. Develops the concept of spirituality as a kind of positive emotion that serves as a thread connecting the non‐rational dimensions of human behaviour that are so integral to implementing change. The Porras and Silvers (1991) model, which distinguishes organizational transformation from organizational development as intervention strategies, is extended by incorporating the emotional aspects of critical variables into the organizational transformation approach. Variables include vision, transformational leadership, intrinsic motivation depicting work as play, and organizational alignment. Discusses implications for managing spirituality.
Symbolism in Managerial Decision Making
Authors: Sharon Mason E.
Published: July 2002

Symbolic activity in managerial decision making may be a tool for
manipulation or a means for inspiration and empowerment. In each case
there are assumptions, values, goals, creation of meaning, and a purpose
for symbolic activity that differ. Explores the symbolic dimensions of
three perspectives on decision making; the political, foolishness and
autocommunication. Suggests that the perspectives differ in the
“rational” or “arational” use made of symbolic activity. The absence of
unity of symbol and substance is seen to characterize the more
manipulative uses of symbolic activity while a holistic integration of
the two is consistent with a concern for the welfare and empowerment of
others. The process of this integration is linked to the spiritual
qualities personified in the symbol of the child. Discusses some
specific ways in which organizations engage in symbolic activity which
benefits both the organizations and the participants.
Managerial effectiveness in the NHS: a possible framework for
considering the effectiveness of the clinical director
Authors: Willcocks Stephen
Published: July 2002

Examines managerial effectiveness in the NHS, in particular the
effectiveness of the clinical director. Based on a qualitative study of
an NHS Trust hospital case study, utilizes a social cognitive
perspective to analyse the data and draw conclusions. Uses the data to
suggest a possible framework for examining the effectiveness of
individual directors. The framework may be relevant to other messages,
particularly those in professional service organizations. It may also be
used as a diagnostic tool to assess these managers. The framework is
grounded in the perceptions of the interviewees at the Trust: both
clinical directors and managers.
Realistic job information and salesforce turnover
Authors: Pitt Leyland F. , Ramaseshan B.
Published: July 2002

Little research has been done on the impact of realistic job
information on the salesperson′s decision to terminate a sales position.
Using propensity to leave as a surrogate for salesforce turnover,
presents the results of an investigative study of realistic job
information in sales interviewing. Breaks down the construct of
realistic job information into four dimensions, namely volume; personal
relevance; depth; and accuracy. Finds that salespersons who display a
higher tendency to leave their jobs believed their job preview to have
been less realistic than those who exhibit a propensity to stay in their
positions. Also finds, however, that while relevance, depth and accuracy
of job information are strong predictors of propensity to leave a sales
job, volume of information is not, suggesting that the problem may be
one of interview quality, rather than information quantity.
Joint action learning: a collective collaborative paradigm for the
management of change in unionized organizations
Authors: McAdam John
Published: July 2002

Outlines the building of an action science paradigm which seeks to
synergize essential elements from within the disciplines of learning,
action learning, problem solving, quality of worklife, negotiation,
alternative dispute resolution methodology, team building, organization
development and behavioural science to construct a new process which
engages competing interest groups (in this instance management and
unions) in a collective collaborative process called Joint Action
Learning. Describes an action science pilot project carried out over a
three‐year period in six service sector companies in Ireland, in which
the process employed was designed and intended to have double‐loop and
meta‐learning qualities which provide the potential for ongoing
organizational learning.
Self‐assessment and benchmarking product development in five Irish
firms
Authors: Coughlan Paul , Brady Emer
Published: July 2002

Demonstrates the development of action research skills in a
particular area of organizational life: improving the management of the
product development process. Describes product development as a process,
before introducing self‐assessment and benchmarking as an intervention
oriented towards achieving managerial focus on issues identified as
relevant to improvement.
Leadership in military combat units and business organizations
Authors: Popper Micha
Published: July 2002

Notes that the relationship between leader and led may involve four types of process ‐ transactional processes wherein the leader conducts rewarding motivational transactions with his/her people; projective processes wherein the leader serves as a “screen” for transferential projections to authority figures; attributional processes, in which the leader is the focus of attributions of order, direction and a clear path; and symbolic processes, in which the leader represents and recruits the collective symbolic motives of “worthiness” and doing “worthy things”. Argues that the combat unit is a unique organizational system in which intensive attributional and projective processes take place, processes that are much more intensive than in business organizations. These processes affect expectations with regard to the leadership role, function and images. Discusses the psychological implications of this argu
Team performance: using repertory grid technique to gain a view from the inside
Authors: Senior Barbara
Published: July 2002

Uses Kelly’s personal construct theory and the technique of repertory grid analysis to identify constructs of team performance. These constructs are unique to each team and are derived directly from the team members themselves. Once team members have generated their personal constructs of team performance, they give a rating for their team in comparison with their views of teams they know of as “good teams”, “bad teams,” and those in between, as well as (for contrast) their experience of well‐acted and badly‐acted plays. This method of measuring team performance has advantages over the traditional, all‐purpose questionnaire or checklist in tailoring the concept of team performance uniquely to the team of interest. In addition, the way the results are displayed gives team members a “picture” of their team’s performance. This has proved very useful for feedback of results to the team members and in encouraging discussion on how team performance could be improved.
Peak performance and higher states of consciousness
Authors: Harung Harald S. , Heaton Dennis P. , Graff William W. , Alexander Charles N.
Published: July 2002

Investigates higher stages of human development in some of the world’s most accomplished performers. Indicates that far more frequent experiences of a silent, expanded, restfully alert and non‐attached state of heightened awareness characterize those individuals who display outstanding skill and accomplishment in their action. Interprets these findings in the light of the Vedic Psychology of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, which describes higher states of consciousness in which peak performances are all‐time phenomena rather than extraordinary happenings. There is widespread agreement that only very few individuals reach the highest stages of human development; as a consequence, there is a considerable latent human potential in organizations and society.
Evaluating a development centre
Authors: Leese P.F. , Taylor W.G.K.
Published: July 2002

Aims to explore factors which are thought to relate to the effectiveness of development centre processes. Studies a variety of attitudinal and motivational aspects concerned with attendance at, and benefit from, a development centre. The research was carried out using an instrument which was completed by 60 managers who had attended a development centre organized by a major British company. Hypothesizes a model which links development centre benefits to process validity, pre‐centre factors, and biographical factors. Results show partial support for the model, confirming the strong link between benefits and process validity, but fail to demonstrate the importance of support from a participant’s manager. Factor analysis demonstrates three distinct sets of benefits which have been labelled: personal development; career development; and organizational commitment.
Organizations and the end of the individual?
Authors: Collin Audrey
Published: July 2002

Identifies the traditional western assumptions made about the individual and, from a social constructionist perspective, notes how they derive from their historical and social context. Argues that work organizations have played a significant role in both the western conceptualization and the very formation of the individual. Notes some of the changes now taking place in organizations, and speculates whether they could modify this conceptualization and formation significantly, and, if so, what the implications of the new individual could be for organizations and society.
Transforming the National Health Service
Authors: Mole Veronica , Dawson Sandra , Winstanley Diana , Sherval Jim
Published: July 2002

Claims that, for the 1990s, images of careers are multidimensional and individualistic. Notes that employees are encouraged to take responsibility for their own self‐development, incorporate horizontal as well as vertical moves, and forge careers based on “employability”, i.e. learning, networking and reputation. Bases its arguments on the findings of a study into senior executives in the NHS, and explores the consequences of organizational restructuring for the careers of clinical, general and functional managers. Suggests that organizational and professional barriers exist to undermine the notion of the multidimensional career. Argues that prescriptive approaches to career self‐development need to take account of organizational context and that, to meet the challenges of careers in the 1990s, both the organization and the individual need to become more willing to take risks.
Relationships between dispositional traits and self‐reported job satisfaction and distress
Authors: Chiu Randy K. , Kosinski Frederick A.
Published: July 2002

Numerous studies have been conducted in the West to examine relationships between personality and stress, while other studies have focused on the relationship between dispositional traits and job satisfaction. However, few empirical studies have investigated how these three variables interact among one another in a Chinese context. The focus of this study was to investigate how personality traits relate to self‐reported distress and job satisfaction of employees in the public sector in Hong Kong, nurses and teachers. The results expanded the knowledge on the interactions observed between personality traits and distress and job satisfaction perceived by employees in a Chinese context.
Thought self‐leadership: a self‐regulatory approach to diversity management
Authors: Neck Christopher P. , Smith Wanda J. , Godwin Jeffrey L.
Published: July 2002

Discusses the nature of diversity in the work environment and its impact on performance. Examines how organizations have attempted to create an atmosphere in which diverse groups can flourish. Proposes an alternative form of training to help all employees cope with the challenges of a diverse workplace. Suggests that thought self‐leadership is a process which can assist employees in accomplishing goals of wellbeing and high performance. This self‐regulatory form of leadership is built on the premiss that one’s mind has a powerful influence over not just thoughts, but feelings and actions as well. Concludes that thought self‐leadership can be used as a tool to help all employees cope with an ever‐changing work environment and to focus on the positive aspects of a diverse workforce.
The influence of rank on the job satisfaction of organizational members
Authors: Oshagbemi Titus
Published: July 2002

Investigates the effects of rank on the job satisfaction of UK academics. A questionnaire was designed including several demographic questions such as rank, gender and age. This was administered to 1,102 university teachers. A total of 554 responses were received, giving a response rate of 50.3 per cent. The results indicate that rank has a direct, positive and significant effect on the job satisfaction of university teachers, but not age or gender. Lecturers are least satisfied with their jobs followed by senior lecturers, readers and professors in that order. In addition, the interaction effect between rank and gender on job satisfaction is statistically significant. This means that although gender by itself is not significantly related to job satisfaction, it is significant when compared together with the rank of university teachers. Female academics at higher ranks, namely, senior lecturers, readers and professors, are more satisfied with their jobs than male academics of comparable ranks. Further analyses show that rank by itself and the interaction effect between rank and gender are significantly related to satisfaction with pay, promotions and the physical conditions/working facilities which pertain to UK universities.
Mantra and meanings
Authors: Mary Wilson Elisabeth
Published: July 2002

The word “mantra” is being used increasingly both in general discourse and in business and management literature. As the practice of mantra is an integral part of yoga, starts by briefly discussing the nature of yoga, describing one well known system of yoga, Patanjali’s Astanga or eightfold path. Discusses classical use of mantra in the yoga tradition and compares this to present day usage. Raises the question as to why this word has passed into general usage and is prevalent in management and business and discusses possible reasons. It is hypothesized that this phenomenon could be viewed primarily as a linguistic development, or alternatively as indicative of a move towards spiritual values lacking in modern organizations.
Antecedents of co‐ordination in academic international project research
Authors: Turati Carlo , Usai Alessandro , Ravagnani Roberto
Published: July 2002

Suggests that the intellectual distance among scholars is a cause of difficult co‐ordination during the project. The intellectual distance among scholars is the distance among their cognitive systems, a wide concept including a multi‐level belonging: institutional, disciplinary, paradigmatic, and cultural belonging, as well as social networking, etc. The higher the cumulative intellectual distance within the academic international research projects (AIRP), the higher the co‐ordination needs during the process. Nevertheless, this paper suggests a better acknowledgement of intellectual distance might foster AIRP effectiveness. Assumes that cognitive systems are assessable only indirectly through scholars’ intellectual artefacts, thus introducing a methodology in order to study them. Adopts scholars’ citations as a proxy of their cognitive system, thus testing methodology on two major management journals. Suggests a few actions project champions may adopt in order to abridge intellectual distance within AIRP.
International team effectiveness
Authors: Flory Marja
Published: July 2002

Reports on the author’s experiences as facilitator of an international, academic research team which consisted of members with different cultural backgrounds. Reviews the communication processes and group‐dynamics that occurred within this team, in particular those which seemed to hinder progress. Advises how other teams might approach these same issues and achieve effective team working.
Short‐termism, control, quick‐fix and bottom line: Toward explaining the Western approach to management
Authors: Mamman Aminu , Saffu Kojo
Published: July 2002

Western managers have been criticized for their obsession with profit maximization, concentration on short‐term benefits, control of the work process and hastiness in adopting and abandoning new ideas. Why Western managers manage the way they do has not been addressed adequately in our view. This paper seeks to address this issue by presenting theoretical analysis that attempts to improve our understanding of why managers are preoccupied with pecuniary considerations, myopic decisions, work process control, hasty adoption and quick abandonment of novel ideas. This exploratory paper argues that without considering factors such as the managers’ national culture, the pressure from shareholders and the stock‐market, the objectives of the organization, and the organization as a rational institution, the behaviour of Western managers may not be fully explained and the criticisms may therefore be unjustifiable.