bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Six sigma: from a goal‐theoretic perspective to shared‐vision development
Authors: Gutiérrez Gutiérrez Leopoldo J. , Lloréns‐Montes F.J. , Bustinza Sánchez Óscar F. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend understanding of the success of the six sigma quality management initiative by investigating the effects of six sigma teamwork and statistical process control (SPC) on organizational‐shared vision.Design/methodology/approachThe information used comes from a larger study, the data for which were collected from a random sample of 237 European firms. Of these 237 organizations, 58 have implemented six sigma. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe main findings show that six sigma teamwork and SPC positively affect the development of organizational‐shared vision. A positive but not significant influence is also observed between shared vision and organizational performance.Research limitations/implicationsPositive effects found in this study should be investigated further employing a larger sample of six sigma firms and including other variables such as organizational learning. Further, the effects of these variables on performance should be measured with real results from firms to test possible direct and indirect influence on performance.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study offer a justification of six sigma implementation in firms. This study provides the authors with an in‐depth understanding of some structural elements that characterize the six sigma methodology, enabling the authors to provide an explanation for its success.Originality/valueThere is little empirical research on the positive effects of six sigma implementation and even less that explains the success of six sigma initiatives. This paper contributes to filling this gap. It also contributes to emerging literature on how the development of shared vision affects organizational performance.
Lean manufacturing, non‐financial performance measures, and financial performance
Authors: Fullerton Rosemary R. , Wempe William F. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how utilization of non‐financial manufacturing performance (NFMP) measures impacts the lean manufacturing/financial performance relationship.Design/methodology/approachA structural equation model (SEM) is estimated using data provided by 121 US manufacturing executives. In addition to examining direct effects, the study examines whether NFMP measurement mediates or moderates the lean manufacturing/financial performance relationship.FindingsThe results provide substantial evidence that utilization of NFMP measures mediates the relationship between lean manufacturing and financial performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's findings regarding NFMP measurement suggest that the mixed results of prior studies of the lean manufacturing/financial performance relationship may be due in part to a failure to account for NFMP measurement. Limitations of the study are the non‐random sample and its small sample size, relative to the SEM estimated.Practical implicationsManagers who implement lean manufacturing without utilizing supportive NFMP measures may experience disappointing financial results.Originality/valueThis is the first known study that adopts a SEM framework to examine: how NFMP measurement affects the relationship between lean production and profitability; the direct relationship between NFMP measurement and firm performance; and the impact of lean manufacturing on externally audited, objective measures of firm performance.
Supplier development with benchmarking as part of a comprehensive supplier risk management framework
Authors: Matook Sabine , Lasch Rainer , Tamaschke Rick 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to present and empirically support a theoretically sound, operational, and easy‐to‐implement supplier risk management framework that focuses on supplier development using a benchmarking approach.Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops a five stage framework for supplier risk management, entailing supplier risk identification, assessment of supplier risks, reporting and decision of supplier risks, supplier risk management responses, and supplier risk performance outcomes, that builds on the conceptual approach of Ritchie and Bridley and the approach of the Association of Insurance and Risk Managers (AIRMIC). The operation of the framework is illustrated in a single case study of a UK firm.FindingsThe paper contributes to research in operations management and particularly in risk management in the specific field of supplier risk management. The study presents details of one of the later stages of the risk framework (i.e. management responses stage) and enhances understanding of how the development of suppliers can be conducted so as to create a viable supplier base.Research limitations/implicationsAs an analytical method, the use of factor analysis generally requires metric scaled data, but ordinal‐scaled data were applied to it. Therefore, two‐factor solution with non‐metric multidimensional scaling was confirmed. In addition, the operation of supplier risk framework is demonstrated within one firm only. Further case studies are therefore needed to strengthen the research findings.Practical implicationsManagers can use the supplier risk management framework to develop firm‐specific risk management programs, and to create management responses that influence and improve their relationships with suppliers. The framework is fully operational, easy to implement; and facilitates proactive supplier risk management, rather than reactive crisis management.Originality/valueThe study goes beyond the conceptual discussion of supplier risk management, and demonstrates the activities a firm can undertake in response to supplier risk ratings and assessments.
The effect of autocorrelated observations on a GWMA control chart performance
Authors: Sheu Shey‐Huei , Lu Shin‐Li 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to monitor small shifts in the process mean and/or variance for which observational data meet significant autocorrelation.Design/methodology/approachA generally weighted moving average (GWMA) control chart for monitoring a process is introduced in which the observations can be modelled as a first‐order autoregressive process with a random error. Using simulation, the average run lengths (ARLs) of control schemes are compared.FindingsThe results showed that the GWMA control chart of observations requires less time to detect small shifts in the process mean and/or variance than the EWMA control chart.Originality/valueThe paper presents a useful discussion of a method that enables the detecting ability of the EWMA control chart to be enhanced and shows that when the observations are drawn from an AR(1) process with random error, the EWMA control chart is far more useful than the Shewhart control chart in detecting small shifts. The GWMA control chart of observations is shown to be superior to the EWMA control chart in detecting small shifts in the process mean and variance. The GWMA control chart of observations requires less time to detect small process mean and/or variance shifts as the level of autocorrelation declines. However, the GWMA and EWMA control charts of observations perform poorly for large shifts.
The impact of “soft” and “hard” TQM elements on quality management results
Authors: Fotopoulos Christos B. , Psomas Evangelos L. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between “soft” and “hard” TQM elements and quality management results.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical data were drawn from 370 Greek companies using the questionnaire method. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to examine constructs' reliability and validity, while the relationships between them were examined through Structural Equation Modelling.FindingsThe study proved that quality improvement and the consolidation of the company's market position are influenced mainly by adopting “soft” TQM elements and secondarily “hard” TQM elements.Research limitations/implicationsThe fact that the study was based on quality managers' perceptions and the participation of companies from all sectors creates limitations, but also future research orientations.Practical implicationsTo achieve benefits and obtain a competitive advantage, which is of major importance for the sustainability of a company, quality design, control and improvement tools are not enough and the adoption of a TQM culture is primarily required.Originality/valueThe study describes in a reliable and valid way a model which consists of “soft” and “hard” TQM elements and quality management results.
Competitive strategy, TQM practice, and continuous improvement of international project management
Authors: Jung Joo Y. , Jian Wang Yong , Wu Sibin 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between competitive strategy, total quality management (TQM), and continuous improvement of international project management (CIIPM).Design/methodology/approachBased on a literature review, a theoretical model and five hypotheses are developed. A cross‐sectional data set collected from 268 international project managers based in four countries is used to test the theoretical model.FindingsThe results from the statistical analysis suggest that competitive strategy does not directly influence the CIIPM performance, but it influences through the mediation of TQM practices. The results also suggest that “human resource‐based” TQM elements have stronger influence toward CIIPM performance than “technology‐based” TQM elements.Research limitations/implicationsThe study used four TQM variables, which originated from the MBNQA (1995) framework. Although the four variables are robust and sufficiently represent the TQM dimension, the multi‐dimensional nature of TQM practice can be investigated further. Further, the study only utilized a single variable of CIIPM in investigating international project management performance. As future TQM and international project management practices go through evolutions, additional elements may be incorporated into the three‐domain contingency model.Practical implicationsThe study results suggest that the TQM elements fully mediate the relationship between competitive strategy and CIIPM. This implies that organizations need an innovative management methodology, such as the TQM practice, in order to achieve competitive strategy materializing towards international project management performance. Further, the findings suggest that it is the soft TQM elements (i.e. top management's leadership, compensation, training and empowerment) that impact the CIIPM more significantly.Originality/valueAlthough numerous classical studies are reported in various contexts involving competitive strategy, TQM practice, and project management performance, no existing study focuses on how these three domains are linked together.
Reliability estimation in Maxwell distribution with Type‐II censored data
Authors: Krishna Hare , Malik Manish 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper seeks to focus on the study and estimation of reliability characteristics of Maxwell distribution under Type‐II censoring scheme.Design/methodology/approachMaximum likelihood estimation and Bayes estimation methods have been used for the estimation of reliability characteristics. Monte‐Carlo simulation is used to compare the efficiency of the estimates developed by these estimation methods.FindingsWith prior information on the parameter of Maxwell distribution, Bayes estimation provides better estimates of reliability characteristics; otherwise Maximum likelihood estimation is good enough to use for reliability practitioners.Practical implicationsWhen items are costly, Type‐II censoring scheme can be used to save the cost of the experiment and the discussed methods provide the means to estimate the reliability characteristics of the proposed lifetime model under this scheme.Originality/valueThe study is useful for researchers and practitioners in reliability theory and also for scientists in physics and chemistry, where Maxwell distribution is widely used.
The aging workforce: perceptions of career ending
Authors: Buyens Dirk , Van Dijk Hans , Dewilde Thomas , De Vos Ans 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this study is two‐fold. The first is to relate the negative image of older workers to stereotype threat and to propose that effective retention management should start by replacing this negative image. The second is to assess the needs, perceptions and preferences of older workers regarding their career‐ending.Design/methodology/approachA total of 266 employer questionnaires and 1,290 older worker questionnaires identified the employers' perceptions of older workers and the career‐ending needs and preferences of older workers.FindingsThe results provide indirect support for the hypothesis that the negative image of older workers forms a self‐fulfilling prophecy due to the mechanisms of stereotype threat. Furthermore, the results indicate that job involvement plays a crucial role in the preference for retirement or to keep on working.Research limitations/implicationsStereotype threat promises to be very important when it comes to career‐ending measures for older workers. However, the empirical design of the study limits the possibility of drawing direct inferences about the effects of stereotype threat on older workers.Practical implicationsMeasures and policies aimed at prolonging the participation of older workers at the labor market should be tailored to the specific needs, perceptions and preferences of older workers.Originality/valueThe concept of stereotype threat has never been connected with the perceptions of older workers. Further, the assessment of the needs, perceptions and preferences related to the career‐ending of older workers has never before been examined in a European study.
Emotional labour and strain in “front‐line” service employees
Authors: Kinman Gail 
Published: January 2009

PurposeResearch suggests that “front‐line” service jobs typically require emotional labour owing to the high levels of interpersonal interaction inherent in such work. Although emotional labour can be performed face‐to‐face (in person) or voice‐to‐voice (on the telephone), little is known about whether the type of emotional demands and the relationships with strain outcomes differ according to mode of delivery. The purpose of this paper is to research these issues.Design/methodology/approachRelationships are assessed between three dimensions of emotional labour (emotional display rules, and the faking and suppression of emotions) and strain outcomes (psychological distress, work‐life conflict and job satisfaction) in a sample of 124‐cabin crew (face‐to‐face interaction) and 122 telesales agents (voice‐to‐voice interaction). The emotional labour dimensions that are significant predictors of strain outcomes for both groups are examined by multiple regression.FindingsNo significant differences were observed between groups in mean levels of emotional labour variables. A greater proportion of variance in all types of strain was explained by the emotional labour components for participants who interact with customers face‐to‐face but these differences did not reach statistical significance. The emotional labour dimensions that predicted each strain outcome varied according to mode of delivery.Practical implicationsWays by which service sector organisations might counteract the potentially negative effects of performing emotional labour are discussed.Originality/valueThe study provides some initial evidence that the impact of mode of delivery in emotion work is worthy of further investigation.
Managers generating meaning for pay
Authors: Salimäki Aino , Hakonen Anu , Heneman Robert L. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe aim of this study is to find out whether managers can facilitate employee understanding of the pay system through a goal‐setting process. The paper draws from Thierry's largely untested Reflection Theory to study employee pay satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachBased on the theory, it is posited that managerial goal setting improves employee pay satisfaction through increased employee knowledge and perceived meanings of pay. The hypotheses are tested with survey data from one municipal health care organization.FindingsThe results of the study show that both knowledge and meanings of pay mediate the effects of goal setting on pay satisfaction. The paper finds support for the somewhat distinguishable roles of instrumental and symbolic meanings of pay. The regression analyses show that the former fully mediates the effect of pay level and the latter fully mediates the effect of goal setting on pay satisfaction. Even though the analyses do not provide evidence that common method variance would explain the results, it remains a potential issue.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research is needed to establish the dimensionality of meanings – positive as well as negative – a pay system can convey, and to explore the degree to which they can be managed.Practical implicationsThe results of the study suggest that organizations can promote their ROI of pay systems by paying attention to the employees' interpretations of messages conveyed by the pay system implementation process. More specifically, the results demonstrate that managers can contribute to employee pay satisfaction via a goal‐setting process that informs employees about the functions of the pay system and use the system to give feedback on the job.Originality/valueThe study provides a unique but preliminary test for Reflection Theory.
Successful industrial service pricing
Authors: Indounas Kostis 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the way industrial service firms price the services they render in the market, with particular emphasis on the pricing practices of pricing‐competent firms.Design/methodology/approachIn order to achieve the study's research objectives, data were collected through a mail survey from 129 transportation and 48 information technology companies. Moreover, 20 in‐depth personal interviews were conducted in the initial phase of the research.FindingsThe study found that pricing‐competent firms have developed a “holistic” and multi‐faceted pricing approach, paying attention to both company‐ and market‐related pricing objectives, methods, policies, and information.Research limitations/implicationsThese findings underline the multidimensionality that characterizes pricing decisions, necessitating a systematic approach triggered by the thorough examination of both company‐ and market‐related characteristics. The significance of these findings notwithstanding, the narrow context of the study does limit generalization of its findings to other service sectors and national contexts.Originality/valueThe paper constitutes the first attempt to examine empirically the concept of pricing performance in an industrial service context.
Elements of salesperson control: an organization theory perspective
Authors: Lopez Tará , McMillan‐Capehart Amy 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an argument for the importance of organizational culture and organizational socialization as controls for business‐to‐business salespeople.Design/methodology/approachOrganization theory suggests that social forms of control can be an effective influence on salesperson activities and behaviors. Based on organization theory, the paper presents a typology of social control combinations and offers propositions to guide future research.FindingsIt is suggested that different combinations of organizational culture and socialization moderate the relationship between person‐organization fit and relevant outcomes such that, under various social control environments, creativity is greater, salesperson performance is higher, and salespeople are less likely to leave the firm and will experience greater job satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThe primary limitation is that it is conceptual in nature. Despite this, arguments presented herein support that socialization activities set the stage for salespeople's attitudes, behaviors, and performance, while organizational culture can reinforce or undermine the firm's socialization efforts. This provides the necessary foundation for future empirical research applying organizational theory to salesperson control.Practical implicationsSalespeople remain the driving force for revenue generation for many business‐to‐business firms. Sales managers are challenged with the task of directing salespeople to meet organizational objectives. However, based on organizational theory, traditional control methods may be less effective because of the unique characteristics of the business‐to‐business sales position. The research suggests that the organizational culture and the socialization tactics used by the sales manager can be tools that sales managers can use to control and direct the activities of salespeople.Originality/valuePrevious research has focused predominantly on outcome‐ and behavior‐based controls for business‐to‐business salespeople and has largely overlooked the potential influence of social controls such as organizational culture and organizational socialization. This research fills that gap.
Developing, testing and applying instruments for measuring rising dependency‐acuity's impact on ward staffing and quality
Authors: Smith Sue , Casey Ann , Hurst Keith , Fenton Katherine , Scholefield Hilary 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to explains how relatively simple nurse staffing formulas from “best practice” ward dependency‐acuity data can be used for nursing workforce planning and development.Design/methodology/approachThe paper combines literature, detailed ward surveys, workshop and expert group/stakeholder information to generate and test care levels/nurse multipliers for setting ward establishments.FindingsThe paper finds that professional‐judgement based ward staffing can be abandoned, while complex acuity‐quality, timed‐task and regression‐based nurse staffing algorithms for setting ward establishments may be unnecessary since the new multipliers, underpinned by robust validity and reliability testing, seem to be remarkably accurate nurse‐staffing determiners at a fraction of the cost.Research limitations/implicationsAs care levels and multipliers stand they are suitable only for UK National Health Service acute wards. Primary care, mental health, learning disability and other specialist group care levels and multipliers need developing.Practical implicationsUsers, at a minimum, can adopt care level data and multiplier staffing recommendations for benchmarking purposes. Ultimately, the algorithms can be used to: adjust ward establishments according to workload; or set staffing for new, inpatient services.Originality/valueThe paper offers a simple system for assessing patients' nursing needs and setting ward staffing accordingly.