bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A framework for applying six sigma improvement methodology in an academic environment
Authors: Jenicke Lawrence O. , Kumar Anil , Holmes Monica C.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The six sigma methodology has been successfully implemented in many organizations leading to tremendous quality improvements in products manufactured and services delivered. However, academic institutions have lagged other organizations in implementing six sigma. The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges of implementing the methodology in academia and proposes a framework that serves as a guide for implementing six sigma in academic institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Several unique aspects that differentiate an academic environment from a manufacturing setting for six sigma are identified. A three‐tiered framework to organize the six sigma improvement methodology and related academic performance indicators into a hierarchy fitting academic institution governance levels is proposed. Examples of strategic objectives and performance indicators by levels of implementation for the DMAIC process are also provided.

Findings

The findings suggest that the unique structure of an academic institution make it an interesting candidate for implementing six sigma. The three‐tiered framework for six sigma can be used by administrators, faculty, staff and students as an implementation guide.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that significant differences between the environments make implementation in many areas within an academic institution challenging. However, there are limitations to the application of six sigma in an academic organization. The six sigma methodology has been more thoroughly developed and refined in manufacturing environments than in service systems such as in a university.

Practical implications

This paper helps to stimulate thinking about the application of a proven quality management methodology to academic settings where structured formal improvement programs such as six sigma are not commonly found.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is to provide a three‐tiered hierarchical structure for applying six sigma in academic organizations.
The case for quality costing simulation
Authors: Macdonald Freeman James
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate how computer simulation methods can be used to help management make quality‐related decisions on costs and expenditure that reduce failures and eliminate wastage and activities which do not add value to the business.

Design/methodology/approach

Rival quality costing models are reviewed and the benefits of simulating quality costs, considered.

Findings

Contrasting case studies are used to differentiate between macro‐ and micro‐ simulation approaches to quality costing.

Originality/value

The paper confirms the potential that quality cost simulation offers for achieving significant efficiency gains in quality planning applications.
An integrated framework of indices for quality management in education: a faculty perspective
Authors: Sahney Sangeeta , Banwet D.K. , Karunes S.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Education is becoming much more of a “product” with varying customers and stakeholders. There are huge pressures to become more accountable and responsive to customer needs, and educational institutions need to become more efficient, effective and customer‐centric. Quality is fast emerging as a theme that is rapidly spreading within the higher education institutions. However, the emphasis has been essentially an external customer's perspective, i.e. an employer or a student perspective. The internal customer's perspective has generally been ignored. This study aims to examine faculty's, i.e. an internal customer's, perspective about quality systems in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The study undertaken is exploratory and diagnostic in nature, aimed at identifying the set of minimum design characteristics/quality components that would meet the requirements of the faculty. An extensive literature review led to identification of variables that were pilot tested for validity and reliability. The empirical study was conducted across engineering and management institutions in and around Delhi, India, imparting graduate and post‐graduate professional degrees/diplomas with the sample comprising the faculty. Multiple tools and techniques were used to quantitatively and qualitatively arrive at a synthesized and integrated model of quality management in education.

Findings

Based on the analysis of data through quantitative and qualitative tools, the study helped in the identification of quality components, which, if adopted and implemented, could lead to satisfaction of the faculty.

Practical implications

Employee satisfaction is a major driver towards adoption of a customer centric philosophy by any organization and the educational system is no exception. Every organization should consider the requirements of their employees and initiate measures to meet them so as to cultivate employee satisfaction.

Originality/value

While quality management in higher education has been a focus of research all over the world, the vast array of literature illustrates that research has essentially focused on the external customer of the educational system. The study was conducted with the objective of obtaining an internal customers' perspective by focusing on the faculty and proposing an integrated framework for quality management in education.
Quality and continuous improvement in medical device manufacturing
Authors: Brown Alan , Eatock Julie , Dixon Dorian , Meenan Brian J. , Anderson John
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare a range of quality and continuous improvement strategies and to investigate whether there is a best choice of strategy for use within the medical devices sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief literature‐based review of a number of continuous improvement strategies. Comparison of these strategies and a subsequent discussion of the rationale that guides the choice of strategy based on the prevailing conditions. An overview of this process in the context of the medical devices sector is provided.

Findings

Quality and continuous improvement strategies can be differentiated in terms of their cultural or process focus. Moreover, the favoured leadership style of an organisation may play a part in determining which strategies are likely to be most appropriate. From the medical device and healthcare product perspective, regulatory and purchasing considerations will have a role in determining the strategy adopted.

Practical implications

For managers seeking to implement a strategy for continuous improvement, a review of organisational leadership styles may help the decision–making process. For the medical devices sector, in particular, the need to align the strategy adopted with regulatory requirements is perhaps self‐evident. However, only by a detailed understanding of the issues involved in continuous improvement, can all of the attendant benefits be gained.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a link between a given organisation's favoured leadership style and the applicability of a particular continuous improvement strategy. The implications for the medical device and healthcare technologies sector are specifically addressed.
The TQM journey of Hong Kong building contractors: from a self‐assessment perspective
Authors: Lam K.C. , Wang D. , Lam M.C.K.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to explore to what extent the total quality management (TQM) is practised by Hong Kong large‐sized public listed building contractors (PLC) and non‐listed building contractors (NLC), and what management areas need more attention in order to achieve the TQM spirit of continuous improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports the investigation results of the six TQM practices (X1‐X6) by Hong Kong large‐sized building contractors via a self‐assessment questionnaire survey, which is modified from the contents of the self‐assessment questionnaire designed by the Baldrige National Quality Program. Descriptive statistics, one‐way ANOVA, multivariate tests and correlation matrix were employed to analyze the results.

Findings

The survey results show that there is a significant difference in the six TQM practices between the PLC and the NLC through one‐way ANOVA. PLC out‐performed NLC in strategic planning (X2), particularly the practice of development and deployment of strategy. Moreover, strong correlations existed between the TQM practices of X1 (leadership) and X2, X2, and X5 (human resource focus), and X6 (process management) and X5. Therefore, PLC should pay more attention to the management areas of X1, X2, X5, and X6. Furthermore, NLC should enhance and balance their TQM practices as suggested by the tests of between‐subjects effects.

Practical implications

Hong Kong building contractors should pay more attention to the strategic planning, human resources management and process management in order to attain the goal of continuous improvement and thus the business excellence of TQM.

Originality/value

The study shows that there is a significant difference in practising the six TQM (Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award) criteria between PLC and NLC in strategic planning (X2).
TQM implementation elements for manufacturing excellence
Authors: Sharma Monica , Kodali Rambabu
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Total quality management (TQM) is considered a very important factor for the long‐term success of an organization. However, there exist a lot of international quality awards, apart from different versions of national quality awards (NQAs), developed by the governments of many countries based on these well‐established awards. In addition to these awards, there are a plethora of frameworks proposed by various researchers and consultants. Hence, many organizations are not in a position to understand clearly the concept of TQM, in terms of knowing what has to be implemented and what area to focus on. To overcome these issues, this paper attempts to present a list of TQM implementation elements for manufacturing excellence. These elements can be undertaken by any manufacturing organization striving for excellence.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was carried out to provide a brief overview about the 28 models, awards and frameworks given by national, international agencies and individuals. Then a comparative analysis was carried out to identify the list of TQM elements and a framework for TQM implementation elements has been proposed through discussion with experts and domain knowledge.

Findings

The outcome of this research is a framework of TQM implementation elements for sustaining manufacturing excellence obtained from the comparative analysis of various TQM models and national/international quality awards.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed list of TQM elements and its associated framework are highly conceptual and need to be validated through an empirical approach or by a clinical approach utilizing a case study.

Originality/value

The paper identifies the TQM implementation elements which will direct an organization towards manufacturing excellence, as well as ensuring that the elements withstand the test of time, pace of technology, market and customer changes.
TQM practices and quality management performance
Authors: Arumugam Veeri , Ooi Keng‐Boon , Fong Tuck‐Chee
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between total quality management (TQM) practices and quality performance with special emphasis on ISO 9001:2000 certified manufacturing organizations in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data was drawn from 122 ISO 9001:2000 certified manufacturing organizations in Malaysia. The data were analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analyses.

Findings

The findings revealed that TQM practices were found to be partially correlated with quality performance of the Malaysian ISO 9001:2000 certified manufacturing organizations. It is also found that where customer focus and continual improvement were perceived as dominant TQM practices in quality performance.

Research limitations/implications

This research paper was limited by excluding non‐ISO 9001:2000 certified organizations in the selection of manufacturing firms in Malaysia, making this a possibly biased selection, which might not adequately represent the Malaysian perspective on the entire Malaysia's manufacturing industry.

Originality/value

The outcome of the study could provide valuable knowledge to top management of ISO 9001:2000 certified manufacturing organizations to refine their quality management practices and subsequently improve quality performance.
Self‐assessment of TQM practices: a case analysis
Authors: Arumugam V. , Wei Chang Hiaw , Ooi Keng‐Boon , Teh Pei‐Lee
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the current level of TQM practices within a major computer hard disk USA based manufacturing company in Malaysia and to identify improvement opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

Original research using self‐administered questionnaires, distributed to all staff within this organization, is thoroughly reported. The study sample consisted of 299 employees, resulting in a response rate of 66.4 percent. The data were analyzed using descriptive and multiple regression analyses.

Findings

The analysis revealed that the strengths of the company, in its quality management implementation, lie in customer focus and process management. It was also perceived to attain a “good” level of practices in leadership, strategic planning, human resource development and management. On the other hand, supplier relationship and information and analysis both received only moderate scores. This suggested that more effort needs to be focused on improving supplier quality and relationship management and the information distribution system.

Research limitations/implications

The research paper was derived from a single organization; therefore generalization of these findings to other organizations should be applied with care.

Originality/value

The approach and methods outlined may be adopted or used as a guideline in conducting any subsequent surveys in the company or, in a broader sense, they can be referenced by practitioners or researchers engaged in similar research or survey studies.
An initial survey on the use of costs of quality programmes in telecommunications
Authors: Arvaiova Maria , Aspinwall Elaine M. , Walker David S.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an initial survey on the implementation of costs of quality (CoQ) programmes in the UK telecommunications industry and to discuss the findings in the context of sustainable competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

A postal survey was employed in order to investigate the breadth of use of CoQ programmes in the sector. A questionnaire was developed and distributed across a sample of companies with a UK SIC code of “6400 Telecommunications”.

Findings

The survey results revealed little interest in implementing such programmes in the sector. The most frequently cited reasons were: having a costing system that is already capable of monitoring quality costs; and not yet introduced to the concept of CoQ.

Research limitations/implications

The results presented are limited by two factors: the low response rate; and the range of data gathered. Since the majority of the respondents were service providers, the results could be indicative of this type of company only.

Practical implications

The survey findings indicate that training and education in quality management should employ a more focused approach to the introduction of the concept of CoQ tracking.

Originality/value

To the knowledge of the authors the study presented is the first investigation performed to determine the breadth of use of CoQ programmes across the UK telecommunications sector. In addition, a new aspect of researching the capabilities of information systems in processing CoQ data has been identified.
What does GRI‐reporting tell us about corporate sustainability?
Authors: Isaksson Raine , Steimle Ulrich
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss what the business contribution to sustainable development is (or should be) and to propose criteria for assessing corporate sustainability. These criteria are applied for the analysis of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)‐reports of five major cement manufacturers. This will result in a discussion if GRI‐based sustainability reports really contain the information needed for judging corporate sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from a literature review of common definitions and principles, the main criteria of corporate sustainability were developed and a set of evaluation criteria for analyzing sustainability reports was proposed. Definitions and principles from concepts such as eco‐efficiency, triple‐bottom‐line, the natural step and stakeholder value were considered. Using these criteria analysis was made of the GRI‐based sustainability reports of five major cement manufacturers in order to find out to what extent the reports really address the sustainability performance of the companies. The companies were chosen because of their dominant position in the building material supply chain. The building industry has multiple impacts on the environment as well as on the social system. The decisions and actions of the cement manufacturers have influence on the entire supply chain, from raw material suppliers to the end customer.

Findings

The findings lead to the conclusion that the current GRI guidelines are not sufficient to make sustainability reporting for the cement industry relevant and clear. In other words, the guidelines are not sufficient for assuring that a report answers the questions of how sustainable a company is and how quickly it is approaching sustainability. Within the GRI guidelines the needs of the customers are not considered sufficiently. This points at an important area where business excellence ideas can support sustainability reporting. This could be done, for instance, by including the concept of cost of poor quality into sustainability reporting guidelines.

Originality/value

The most common framework for sustainability reporting on an empirical basis was critically analysed. The qualitative study delivers insights into sustainability reporting in an industry with large impacts on global climate change and living conditions.
Exploring process management: are there any widespread models and definitions?
Authors: Palmberg Klara
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Process management has been around for a long time, but unlike that of many other management trends, the interest in process management has remained high. The starting point for the study was the idea that the lack of well‐established conceptual models and definitions of process management play a role in the challenge and difficulty facing organizations when trying to manage their processes on a strategic level. The purpose of the study was to explore whether there really are some existing widespread and common models and definitions for process management in the literature? The aim of this paper is to describe and explore the findings from the study.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured literature review is used to identify contemporary models and definitions for process management.

Findings

There are several descriptions and definitions of process management presented in the literature, but none that seems to be really widespread and well‐established. However, the analysis indicate two different movements: process management for single process improvement; and process management for system management. The results from the literature review are summarized in an aggregated model of existing descriptions of process management. The varying purposes of working with process management demonstrate a diverse need for both movements. Still, the focus of a majority of the identified tools and approaches for process management is to contribute to the more mechanistic movement, the first, of systematically improving single processes.

Originality/value

The paper provides a literature review, the identification of two different movements within process management and presents an aggregated model of existing descriptions of process management. Implications of the findings on process management in organizations are discussed and further research suggested.
TQM: a knowledge enabler?
Authors: Colurcio Maria
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of total quality management (TQM) as a knowledge enabler in the creation and exploitation of organisational knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative investigation adopts a case‐study methodology to analyse the role of TQM in knowledge creation in 21 prominent firms, utilising an investigation framework based on the “socialisation,” “externalisation,” “combination,” and “internalisation” model of knowledge generation.

Findings

TQM is shown to be an effective enabler of knowledge generation. TQM provides policies and tools (such as general involvement of all employees, teamwork, feedback mechanisms, and widespread communication) that are inherently useful as enablers of knowledge creation and dissemination.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should investigate the specific causal nexus between TQM and product innovation.

Practical implications

TQM can be utilised to support an organisation's utilisation of corporate knowledge as a real source of competitive advantage.

Originality/value

Empirical research on knowledge and quality management is scanty. This paper addresses the gap by empirically examining the relationship between TQM and knowledge creation.
The implementation of a quality management system in the not‐for‐profit sector
Authors: White G.R.T. , Samson P. , Rowland‐Jones R. , Thomas A.J.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the rationale for establishing a quality management system (QMS) by obtaining ISO 9001:2000 certification in a not for profit small to medium enterprise (SME) in the UK. The rationale for choosing this approach over others to achieve operational stability and ongoing improvement is explored and an evaluation of its effectiveness undertaken.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is adopted with the paper outlining the process of ISO 9001:2000 implementation in a single not‐for‐profit SME. The paper identifies the process by which the organisation prepares for certification and appraises both the changes required by the organisation and the scope of opportunistic improvements that resulted.

Findings

Through the correct development of the QMS the company was able to generate bottom‐line savings and business performance enhancement. The paper shows that when the QMS is developed as part of a coherent initiative, lasting performance improvements are achieved.

Research limitations/implications

The pursuit of ISO 9001:2000 in a not‐for‐profit company provides an effective framework for similar companies to follow suit. Further analysis of ISO 900:2000 implementation through its application in a range of similar companies is proposed.

Practical implications

The paper concludes that the act of preparation for ISO 9001:2000 in this type and size of organisation constitutes a radical change and proposes that a transitive version of ISO 9001:2000 related standard, scalable for SMEs, would benefit the continued growth of this economic sector.

Originality/value

This study highlights the potential benefits of creating and implementing a QMS in a not‐for‐profit SME through the pursuit of ISO 9001:2000 certification. It shows that the tangible benefits of such an approach alone do not ensure that ISO 9001:2000 remains the preferred quality standard.
Improve constantly and forever
Authors: Knouse Stephen B. , Carson Paula P. , Carson Kerry D. , Heady Ronald B.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of Deming's ideas on the twenty‐first century.

Design/methodology/approach

A ProQuest search of articles is done mentioning “Deming” and “quality” or “legacy” in the title published between 1994 (Deming died in December 1993) and 2006.

Findings

It is found that 136 articles described Deming's legacy. Legacy in five areas are examined: professional accreditation, customer satisfaction, business ethics, human error, and supply‐side management.

Practical implications

Deming's ideas have furthered not only quality management but have also touched areas in the social sciences, such as ethics and organizational relationships.

Originality/value

This paper shows that Deming's ideas continue to flourish in areas that he emphasizes, such as the importance of customer satisfaction and understanding human error, and areas that he did not foresee, such as business ethics and supply‐side management.
Managing students' loyalty to school after graduation through relationship marketing
Authors: Osayawe Ehigie Benjamin , Taylor Megan
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider customer expectation, perceived service performance and customer satisfaction as issues of total quality management (TQM) in relationship marketing, and examines how these relate to students' anticipated loyalty to college after graduation.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a survey research. Participants are 467 college students of 18 years and above, in the USA. Standardized instruments are used for data collection.

Findings

Standard multiple regression analyses results show that customer satisfaction, expectation and perceived service performance jointly predict anticipated loyalty. The predictor variables correlate among themselves. Among seven services studied, academic and recreational/social services are the most important predictors of students' anticipated loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

School administrators should closely assess students' expectations on academic and recreational/social services with the aim of improving school services. This could encourage students' loyalty to the school after graduation. This paper is conducted among undergraduate students only, and from just one institution; these limit the generalizability of the paper.

Practical implications

Customer expectations, perceived service performance and students' satisfaction serve as issues of TQM in school organisations.

Originality/value

Students are customers of school services, and research on TQM could be extended to the school setting.
Value creation in outsourced service provision in public transportation
Authors: Rönnbäck Åsa , Witell Lars
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and describe the perceived value drivers (benefits and sacrifices) in outsourced service provision in public transportation. The authors focus on the suppliers' perception of value creation for customers and value creation in a business‐to‐business relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews are conducted with 26 managers and employees participating in a business‐to‐business relationship concerning what create value following the critical incident technique.

Findings

The results show that perceived benefits and sacrifices are related to the product, the service and the relationship. In addition, there are certain prerequisites in the public transportation system that inhibit value creation, and much value is destroyed in the business relationships before it reaches the passengers.

Research limitations/implications

This paper reveals a need to find new quality strategies for the improvement and assurance of value creation in outsourced service provision. The value drivers identified originate from the suppliers' view.

Practical implications

Managers should acquire knowledge regarding the value they create or destroy, both within their organisation and in their business network, and thus ultimately for their customers. Moreover, drivers that destroy value should be identified, measured, analysed, and managed.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a better understanding of the difficulties in creating value when service provision has been outsourced.
Quality follows quality: add quality to the business and quality will multiply the profits
Authors: Gill Jaspreet
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the common grounds that quality and productivity share. Hence, this paper reflects a mélange of quality and productivity and sets forth the path to profitable outcomes of quality implementations.

Design/methodology/approach

The main approach to the topic is through the basic shop floor understanding of the term quality. The research method used in this paper utilize a range of text books as well as journal paper on quality and total quality management (TQM). Various graphs and figures are very sensibly constructed from the text and well quoted where ever they are inspired from a source. As with the myriad definitions available for quality, this paper starts with the notion of quality as applicable to individuals and hence selected definitions of quality (from quality gurus) have been included. After the basics of TQM have been discussed, the central theme of the paper, i.e. quality and productivity; and its relation is explored. The paper then concludes with a brief account of cost of quality.

Findings

The topic is discussed and analysed liberally throughout the length and breadth. Popular findings from this paper include: quality is as important a determining criteria for small businesses as it is for large business houses. And customer's changing demands and the need for stringent cost management in fluctuating environments make TQM a practice of paramount importance for every enterprise, big or small.

Practical implications

For sustained business, an optimistic company places customers above profits. The kind of companies that exist in the future will solely be determined by the customers. Hence, to make their businesses customer‐centered, the TQM‐able approach will be single‐handedly successful.

Originality/value

The value of this paper lies in the grasp of individuals and businesses alike who want to have a holistic view of functions of quality. This paper bridges the gap between two different paradigms of quality and productivity; how they are seen by small‐ as well as large‐scale businesses and how implementing the quality will results in more production and ultimately profitable as well as sustainable businesses reinforced with efficient use of resources available.
A proposed framework for combining ISO 9001 quality system and quality function deployment
Authors: Cauchick Miguel Paulo A. , Celso Sobreiro Dias José
Published: January 2010

Purpose

ISO 9001 certification assures that a company employs a quality system, which provides trust for the customers but this system does not assure the quality of the products. It is then necessary to apply other methods and tools to achieve the demanded quality. This paper aims to propose a framework for combining ISO 9001 requirements with quality function deployment (QFD).

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical framework is developed followed by an empirical application. The framework consists of three components: quality assurance items, critical operational functions, and requirements of the ISO 9001: 2000 quality management system. The framework is then applied in a company that produces surge arresters.

Findings

Main results indicate that the proposed framework may assist in developing products and prioritising quality assurance items, critical operational functions, and ISO 9001: 2000 requirements. The empirical application provided an effective case of QFD full usage. In addition, the application was useful to the company not only for achieving a better organizational quality structure, but also for recording company knowledge through QFD.

Research limitations/implications

For more extensive empirical validation further replications among other samples are needed for external validation of the findings.

Originality/value

Although QFD is extensively explored in the literature, this paper is one of the few published studies that report and discuss the use of QFD with ISO 9001. In addition, the proposed framework may be useful for practitioners and academics, who deal with the subject of quality.
Total quality management meets human resource management
Authors: Keeble‐Ramsay Diane , Armitage Andrew
Published: January 2010

Purpose

A number of studies and writings have presented ideas about new working practices that might be embraced in the twenty‐first century. Moreover, that, employers would seek to gain their commitment by adopting the high working practices of high performance working (HPW) for organisations to become successful through their strategic approach to the human resource (HR). It is against Watson's model that this paper seeks, in order to gain insights, to explore the perceptions of current HR professionals of their organisations post‐2000.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey design is used for the study to collect data over a four‐week period in February 2006 from 100 HR professionals. Using a seven‐point Likert scale questionnaire, adapted from Watson's model, the study is conducted in two phases. The first initial pilot study that surveys 30 HR professionals and after modification, this is extended to a further 70 HR professionals as Phase 2. The respondents are primarily drawn from organisations in the South East of England and they are employed in both public and private sector large organisations and SMEs.

Findings

The findings show that Watson's model for HPW was inconsistent with the choices selected by the respondents within the survey. Rather than choose descriptors from the model that solely reflect traditional (mechanistic) organisations or high performance organisations (organic), respondents chose descriptors with many combinations to reflect where they perceive their organisation's practices fell, e.g. organic or rigid/bureaucratic.

Practical implications

This paper demonstrates a need for an appreciation of the potential gap between employer's aspirations and employee's perceptions of organisational actions. In so noting, it recognises that the psychological contract depends upon the perceptions of both parties. Whilst the high level commitment sought by employers from employees, through HPW, may rely totally upon these very perceptions of employees (employability contract vs psychological contract). If not, perceptions of the “reality” within the organisation may not reflect rhetoric of, or aspiration towards, HPW. As a result, this research adds to the understanding of the dynamics and results from the management of change towards HPW. Therefore, it provides also early indications to further research needed when considering the importance of investigating such dynamics to successful implementation of HPW.

Originality/value

Whilst these results are early indications into working practices post‐2000, what they suggest is that HR professionals generally perceive a move towards HPW practices being adopted by other organisations, rather than within their own working environment. It appears to be the most compelling feature of the study to date, is that most of the participants do not report their review of the current practices of their company as generally falling towards Watson's HPW model practices.
Changing from a product to a process perspective for service improvements in a manufacturing company
Authors: Cronemyr Peter , Witell Lars
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate service improvements in a manufacturing context.

Design/methodology/approach

Action research at the gas turbine manufacturer Siemens was performed during a five‐year period. In addition, 336 fault reports sent to the service division concerning severity, cost, and occurrence were analyzed.

Findings

When moving from a fire‐fighting culture to a proactive culture, a company needs to change from a product to a process perspective. The benefit of changing from a product to a process perspective is the change in focus from reduction of internal costs to value creation through service delivery.

Practical implications

This paper shows how feedback from dissatisfied customers can be used as a driving factor in process improvements. Based on this knowledge, a company can select the most important Six Sigma projects to improve their service processes. The change from a product to a process perspective shows that traditionally the severity of almost 50 percent of all faults is underestimated.

Originality/value

The paper provides a number of fruitful insights on how to work with service improvements in manufacturing companies.
Quality management practices in the US homebuilding industry
Authors: Leonard Denis
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Limited research has been conducted on quality management practices in the US homebuilding industry. The purpose of this paper is to establish which practices are actually applied, to what extent and to discuss how quality management can be best advanced in the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review is conducted on the application of quality in the construction and US homebuilding industry, followed by the analysis of 22 case studies of US homebuilders to provide details of quality implementation.

Findings

While quality management continues to expand and be adopted by industries globally, its application in the homebuilding industry is limited and immature. While quality management systems and quality award criteria are making an impact, the key focus is still being heavily placed on inspection processes, with limited use of structured and advanced quality approaches. Senior managers still see quality as a peripheral issue and are not convinced of its value. There is a need for leaders in the industry to embrace quality and to adopt consistent company‐wide systematic and strategic‐based approaches.

Originality/value

Limited research has been conducted into the application of quality management in the homebuilding industry. This study of 22 leading homebuilders provides insights into the actual practices of quality management. Recommendations are provided as a guide for future direction for quality in the industry.
A facility programming information framework
Authors: PERKINSON GREGORY M. , SANVIDO VICTOR E. , GROBLER FRANCOIS
Published: January 2010

This paper presents a conceptual framework to store, manage and retrieve facility programming information called a Facility Programming Product Model (FPPM). The FPPM represents an ‘open’ information framework that members of the facility team (owner, planner, designer, constructor and operator) can utilize to satisfy their individual information needs as providers or users of the facility. The FPPM is a systematized approach to creating, organizing, and presenting facility programming information. The framework allows the owner's representative to review the programming product (the programme) for completeness by establishing a structure designed to access programming criteria at varying levels of abstraction, during any phase of the building life cycle. The result is a programme which can be used as a tool to assist decision making and to evaluate objectively performance criteria during the life of a project.
Precontractual investigation and risk aversion
Authors: BRÖCHNER JAN
Published: January 2010

This paper presents an analytical framework for determining efficient levels and durations of precontractual investigation. Economic efficiency in the allocation of investigation tasks between client and tenderer is shown to depend on how closely related the technologies of investigation and construction are. Moreover, risk aversion and the interest rate affect the efficient allocation. The framework is also used as a basis for an investment analysis of the balance between client's investigation efforts and expected claims in the future. Finally, the framework is used to show how the optimal length of the investigation period can be derived from the expected cash flow associated with a project over its total life cycle, from inception to demolition. Results indicate the economic potential of tailoring risk sharing in construction procurement, according to the type of construction project and the attitudes to risk among client and contractors.
Construction technology development: role of an appropriate policy
Authors: OFORI GEORGE
Published: January 2010

Construction industries in developing countries face many problems. One of these is the low level of their technological development. This paper considers how a national technology policy can help improve the situation. After a brief discussion of technology and its development, construction technology development is considered. The nature of, and potential benefits from, technology policies are discussed. Ghana's experience and that of other countries in construction technology development are outlined. Courses of action for achieving progress are then indicated.
Design and build: a survey of architects' views
Authors: AKINTOYE AKINTOLA , FITZGERALD EAMON
Published: January 2010

Design and build has increased in its use for construction procurement in recent times. However, its performance as a procurement method has been widely criticized by professionals in the construction industry. This paper reports a survey of 40 architects, using a structured questionnaire to investigate the performance of contractor‐led design and build in project procurement. Although 20% of architects' private sector workload (and 8% of public sector) is derived from D&B, they perceive this procurement type to involve sacrificing product quality and design innovation. Where clients insist on a choice of D&B, architects generally prefer the use of either novation D&B or develop and construct, rather than ‘traditional’ D&B.
EDI's role as an enabler for electronic commerce and information integration
Authors: MOLAD CLARISSE , EDWARD BACK W.
Published: January 2010

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a form of electronic communication designed to permit trading partners (customers and suppliers), in two or more organizations, to exchange business transaction data in electronic, structured formats. Unique to EDI, the electronic transmission of the transaction information can be processed directly by the applications within the receiving computer systems. The transmission of data in machine readable form eliminates the need for manual intervention in the data entry or data manipulation process. EDI is a tool for the electronic transmission and integration of information interorganizationally. A growing number of leading edge engineering and construction companies from around the world are implementing EDI applications to improve operational efficiency, enhance information quality, and achieve reductions in processing time of project critical information. EDI facilitates electronic commerce and is particularly useful in international construction endeavours. This paper provides an overview of EDI, discusses EDI applications in engineering and construction (E & C), outlines the status of international EDI standards development as it relates specifically to the E & C industry, and summarizes corporate benefits commonly attributable to EDI implementation.
Examination of the eclectic paradigm as applied to international contracting ‐ with emphasis on the internalization dimension
Authors: ABDUL‐AZIZ ABDUL‐RASHID
Published: January 2010

Seymour's application of the eclectic paradigm to the international construction industry is examined. As with other theories on multinational enterprise, the paradigm was conceived by Dunning to explain the phenomenon of foreign direct investment in the manufacturing sector. In retaining it to explain international involvement of construction companies, certain conventional economic reasoning was modified. It is the contention of this paper that Seymour's conceptualization is incongruent with the peculiarities of international contracting. Neither does it reflect the extensive debate on the suitability of well‐grounded economic thoughts to international services. In the course of preparing this paper, it was found that a few government and international agencies have had to confront the difficulties of applying the existing theoretical framework to the services sector. Refinements are proposed here to make Seymour's theoretical construct more robust as a tool for future research, simply by referring to direct observations and materials which were at his disposal.
Improved business results through benchmarking
Authors: MERROW EDWARD W. , CROKER WILLIAM H.
Published: January 2010

Chevron has successfully used benchmarking to improve the performance of our project management system.
The NEC and the culture of the industry: some early findings regarding possible sources of resistance to change
Authors: ROOKE JOHN , SEYMOUR DAVID
Published: January 2010

This paper describes some current research into the impact of the New Engineering Contract (NEC) on the culture of the industry. The intention is to explain the purpose of this research, describe the methodology used and report on some early findings. In the early sections, the authors outline the thinking behind the research and some of the difficulties involved and briefly consider the limitations of a conventional approach and compare it with an outline of the authors' own. They then look at the analysis of data, with reference to some findings of this and a previous study. In doing so, the authors focus on some cultural patterns which may be resistant to the changes the NEC is intended to promote and they go on to discuss some of the ways in which culture is transmitted between individuals, since, if the NEC is to be successful, it will involve changes in these patterns. In the final section, the authors discuss some implications for the future of the NEC.
Perspectives on artificial intelligence in the construction industry
Authors: ANDERSEN TOM , GAARSLEV AXEL
Published: January 2010

Based on the expectation of artificial intelligence (Al) the authors established in 1988 an umbrella for research in this area in the construction industry, named the Expert Systems Lab. This paper describes 14 research projects produced since then. For each project a short description is given and the stage and value rating given by industry is reported. It will be seen that the projects generally have been rated very attractive by industry. On the other hand, it is also reported that none of the systems have been implemented in real life. This depressing observation is the main motivation for the paper and possible reasons for the lack of implementation are examined. It is concluded that stand‐alone systems as normally produced are out of harmony with industry, and main emphasis for Al should on the contrary be focused on problems concerning integration, knowledge and information management.
Buildability assessment and the development of an automated design aid for managing the transfer of construction process knowledge
Authors: MOORE DAVID
Published: January 2010

The cause of construction problems is suggested as being the lack of industry cohesion. This can only be addressed successfully by design professionals and construction professionals working more closely together, i.e. considering buildability. Buildability is a problem of managing the transfer of appropriate knowledge about the construction process to the design process worker. It is not solely about the technicalities of the construction process. It is suggested that no buildability strategy which seeks to impose predetermined construction solutions will be readily accepted by design professionals. The development of a design buildability strategy which transfers construction process knowledge in such a manner as to be seen as an adviser on simplification, would not be seen by design professionals as a convergent approach to buildability. Such a strategy would represent just one of a range of strategies to achieving overall project buildability.