bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A conceptual framework of antecedents of information search in exporting
Authors: Yeoh Poh‐Lin 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThe most commonly used segmentation approach to understand information acquisition behavior in the exporting context is to group individuals/firms on a variety of demographic and psychographic variables. This paper argues that while psychographic and demographic segmentation provide descriptive information about who are likely to engage in information search, they are insufficient to provide insights into why individuals search.Design/methodology/approachDrawing upon the applied psychology literature, an integrative framework using the key constructs of motivation and cognitive ability is developed that conceptualizes the influences of and outcomes from information acquisition.Practical implicationsBy studying information acquisition within the context of the interactions between motivation and ability, normative insights can be gained on the likelihood of management's active participation in information search. The author develops a typology for the nature of information acquisition to explain the behaviors of user firms with respect to government‐sponsored export programs/services.Originality/valueThis paper attempts to make two contributions to the export behavior literature: by setting the stage for a more multi‐disciplinary analytical and deliberate approach to export information acquisition with respect to identifying relevant variables as antecedents to motivation and cognitive ability to search, and developing a conceptual framework for addressing their relationship to export performance; and advancing research propositions that facilitate empirical testing of these relationships in future research.
The fallout from French nuclear testing in the South Pacific
Authors: Ettenson Richard , Gabrielle Klein Jill 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThe frequency and sophistication of consumer boycotts continue to increase from already high levels. Surprisingly, only limited research in marketing has investigated this topic. The purpose of this paper is to provide a strategic analysis of an actual consumer protest with implications for better managerial decisions.Design/methodology/approachThe animosity model of consumer purchase behavior was employed in two longitudinal studies to investigate an ongoing marketplace protest – Australian consumers' boycott of French products. Study 1 was carried out while France was engaged in nuclear testing in the South Pacific. Study 2 was carried out 1 year after the resolution of the conflict.FindingsResults from Study 1 show that Australian consumers' animosity toward France was negatively related to their willingness to purchase French products. Consistent with a key prediction from the animosity model, this effect was independent of evaluations of French product quality. The findings from Study 2 show that, a year after the cessation of nuclear testing, Australian consumers continue to have strong negative affect toward France, which in turn, had negative marketplace consequences for French products.Originality/valueWhile the results from Study 1 show that consumer anger over nuclear testing did not necessarily lead to the denigration of the quality of French goods, the second study indicates that, beyond the duration of the official protest, there may be repercussions for products associated with the offending party. Accordingly, managers should consider implementing communications programs which, over time, effectively reinforce the quality of their products in the minds of protesting consumers.
Quality audits: their status, prowess and future focus
Authors: Rajendran M. , Devadasan S.R. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeTo explore the current status, prowess, and future of quality audits, which would help both researchers and practitioners to adopt quality‐auditing practice for achieving the objectives of continuous quality improvement (CQI) models like total quality management (TQM).Design/methodology/approachThe literature on quality audits was collected from the Emerald‐insight library. The most appropriate papers dealing with quality‐auditing practice and its closely related topics were excavated. These papers were classified into six categories and their contributions with inferences drawn have been presented.FindingsQuality audits are not only meant for checking the systems for their compliance with quality system (QS) standards, they can also be used for exercising CQI and reaching the benchmarks of TQM. The conclusive finding is that identification of a legitimate quality audit standard and its financial accounting system shall be the future focus of research in this arena.Research limitations/implicationsIn comparison to the volume of QS certifications that have taken place throughout the world, the number of papers on quality audits and its closely related topics excavated through literature mining exercises was less. This may aberrate the findings and inferences of literature mining on quality audits.Practical implicationsThe findings and inferences drawn by conducting the literature mining on quality‐auditing will be useful to the practitioners for orienting quality audits toward achieving the goals of models like TQM. This will ensure the cost effectiveness of quality audits and reaping larger benefits out of them.Originality/valueThis paper shows a future focus of research which would help the researchers working in TQM arena to work in this direction in consultation with practitioners. This would witness the development of performance measurement metrics and financial accounting systems pertaining to the conduct of quality audits.
Interactive organizational commitment and hardiness in public accountants' turnover
Authors: Law Daniel W. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThe overall purpose of the study is to build upon and add to a turnover model for public accounting. This study examines two components of organizational commitment, affective and continuance, and attempts to reconcile mixed results found in prior studies. An interaction of the two components and the personality trait of hardiness are explored.Design/methodology/approachOne hundred and twenty‐eight public accountants from three firms participated in the study by completing self‐report questionnaires. Established scales for the variables of interest were employed, and OLS regression was used to test hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicate that affective commitment is the most salient component of commitment in predicting turnover, but an interaction of continuance and affective commitment is also significant. The results also indicate that hardiness is a significant personality variable in predicting turnover.Research limitations/implicationsGeneralizability of results may be limited as participation was limited to three firms. Theoretical implications include establishing the relative saliency of the commitment components to turnover in public accountants and building the turnover model by adding a commitment interaction and personality hardiness.Practical implicationsManagement of public accounting firms can better focus on strategy to emotionally attach individuals to a firm and prevent undesirable turnover. To better assist recruiters in hiring, firms can incorporate hardiness into its pre‐hire fit assessment to gauge compatibility.Originality/valueIn addition to clarifying results from prior studies, this paper introduces interactive commitment and personality hardiness to a model of public accounting turnover.
Implementing integration of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 for construction
Authors: Zeng S.X. , Tian P. , Shi Jonathan J. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThe aim of this study is to evaluate implementation of an integrated management system (IMS) based ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards for construction firms.Design/methodology/approachSupported by a structured questionnaire survey, this paper examines several related issues in the implementation of IMS in construction firms in China. The researchers interviewed the auditors of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards and senior managers of ten construction firms. The structured questionnaires were sent to 300 construction firms in China. Among them, 68 completed questionnaires were received.FindingsThe findings reveal that a majority of the firms support an integration of the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. “Similarity” and “compatibility” between the two standards are considered as the main reasons for pursuing such an integration. The benefits resulted from the integration include “avoidance duplication of procedures”, “reduced conflict of procedures”, and “reduced requirements for resources”. The research also finds that organizations need technical guidance and support from certifying bodies to complete the integration.Practical implicationsProposes some useful suggestion for the contractors which are implementing (or will implement) both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.Originality/valueIt provides a possible solution by IMS with combining ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 for the contractors which are implementing (or will implement) both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. The IMS could help the contractors to overcome the challenges faced by them and achieve continual improvement.
E‐commerce impact: emerging technology – electronic auditing
Authors: Shaikh Junaid M. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeWe expect an explosive application of these technologies to take place when they become mature and may further assist auditors in improving the quality of their work. How to use some of the computer‐assisted auditing techniques (CAATs) more effectively with the emerging information technologies.Design/methodology/approachConstructed an infrastructure with the support of emerging technologies. Electronic auditing (EA) framework–prepared and used with information technology, these examples are object‐oriented distributed middlewares, internet security technologies, and intelligent agents.FindingsHow a CPA may conveniently audit the loan account of a bank with EA framework. Demonstration/application.Research limitations/implicationsAuditors will have to design one specialized audit software for each auditee's electronic data processing (EDP) system if the EDP system uses proprietary file formats or different operating systems. The EA has some limitations. This approach depends on distributed middlewares standards, i.e. CORBA, DCOM, or Java RMI, to enable the interconnections of the auditor's GASI, auditee's EDP systems.Practical implicationsThis system emulates EDP applications in the banking industry and is based on the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) architecture industrial standard.Originality/valueHow auditor could effectively apply existing CAATs with the support of the modern information technologies such as object‐oriented distributed middleware, internet security technologies, and intelligent agents. Furthermore, this article proposes a new auditing approach that we call EA. Application in banking and financial institution for auditing banks loan account.
Individual learning and organization culture in learning organizations
Authors: Akin Aksu A. , Özdemir Bahattin 
Published: May 2005

PurposeTo investigate nine organizational dimensions that enable individual learning in hotel establishments and to note interests of tourism professionals to the learning of organizations subject.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire technique was used for the sample of 129 staff working in three different five‐star hotels in Antalya. For data evaluation, SPSS program was used.FindingsAccording to the findings, the highest pure value and variance explanation rated dimension was that of behavior of superiors. This result shows the importance and role of superiors in hotel establishments. In addition to this, the majority of the sampled staff engaged in teamworking and made dialogue with colleagues, but with some considerable occurrence; sampled staff rarely had training and rewards.Research limitations/implicationsThe results are limited within the sampled staff working in three different five‐star hotels, so the results cannot be generalized, but the scale in the study can be used in other researches.Originality/valueThis study can be evaluated as useful information and guidance for tourism industry professionals regarding learning of organizations.
The origins and development of quality initiatives in American business
Authors: Goldman Henry H. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeSeeks to examine the origins and development of quality initiatives in US business.Design/methodology/approachReviews and discusses the literature and history pertaining to quality initiatives in US business, with particular reference to the reconstruction of Japanese industry following the Second World War.FindingsThe real beginnings of “quality initiatives” in the USA came after W. Edwards Deming, Joseph Juran, and others returned from Japan in the late 1950s. These men and their colleagues had answered a call from the US Government to assist in the reconstruction of Japanese industry following the Second World War. Their techniques and methodologies had raised the industrial output of Japan to heights not previously envisioned.Originality/valueExamines current quality initiatives in a fresh light by reviewing their origins and history.
Using machine learning to support quality management
Authors: Tsironis Loukas , Bilalis Nikos , Moustakis Vassilis 
Published: May 2005

PurposeTo demonstrate the applicability of machine‐learning tools in quality management.Design/methodology/approachTwo popular machine‐learning approaches, decision tree induction and association rules mining, were applied on a set of 960 production case records. The accuracy of results was investigated using randomized experimentation and comprehensibility of rules was assessed by experts in the field.FindingsBoth machine‐learning approaches exhibited very good accuracy of results (average error was about 9 percent); however, association rules mining outperformed decision tree induction in comprehensibility and correctness of learned rules.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed methodology is limited with respect to case representation. Production cases are described via attribute‐value sets and the relation between attribute values cannot be determined by the selected machine‐learning methods.Practical implicationsResults demonstrate that machine‐learning techniques may be effectively used to enhance quality management procedures and modeling of cause‐effect relationships, associated with faulty products.Originality/valueThe article proposes a general methodology on how to use machine‐learning techniques to support quality management. The application of the technique in ISDN modem manufacturing demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed general methodology.
Strategic manufacturing benchmarking
Authors: Meybodi Mohammad Z. 
Published: May 2005

Purpose of this paperThe purpose of the article is to improve the effectiveness of benchmarking by detecting and reconciling possible inconsistencies in manufacturing strategy process and identifying benchmarking areas that are critical to organizational success.Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops the following five propositions and uses survey data to test the propositions: P1, organizational goals and objectives are consistent with core competencies; P2, organizational goals and objectives are consistent with competitive priorities; P3, organizational competitive priorities are consistent with core competencies; P4, manufacturing performance objectives are consistent with organizational competitive priorities; P5, manufacturing action plans are consistent with manufacturing performance objectives.FindingsThe article shows evidence of misalignments, inconsistencies and lack of consensus at the organizational level, as well as within the specific manufacturing area.Originality/valueLack of proactive strategy to develop organizational core competencies, over‐emphasis on cost reduction objectives, and under‐emphasis on critical objectives such as changing manufacturing organization culture, improving inter‐functional communication, improving employee morale, and improving supplier relationship are the primary areas of misalignment. Successful resolution of these inconsistencies is essential before committing resources to external benchmarking.
Best practices of selected Greek organizations on their road to business excellence
Authors: Vouzas Fotis K. , Gotzamani Katerina D. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeTo theoretically investigate and empirically test the current status of best practices in selected Greek industrial organizations on the road to business excellence through the European Quality Award (EQA). Also to examine the extent to which Greek organizations link their efforts towards business excellence with the existing quality assurance systems and particularly with the new ISO 9000:2000 series of standards.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from ten selected Greek organizations that were judged as representative. They are all recipients of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) award for commitment to excellence and they are all either certified, or under certification, by the new ISO 9001:2000 quality standard. The data gathering was carried out through extensive and in‐depth interviews with multiple informants.FindingsBesides the “good stories” of the EQA model implementation, the study also revealed a number of problematic areas such as: increased bureaucracy; lack of flexibility in the design and implementation of the model; low utilization of employees’ skills and knowledge; and low utilization of the award as a marketing tool and as a means of penetrating new markets.Research limitations/implicationsThis is the first step towards an understanding of the current status of best practices in selected Greek industrial organizations on the road to business excellence through the EQA. There is a need to evaluate these organizations by measuring their business performance and the degree of EQA implementation in the future.Practical implicationsThe approach used by Greek organizations to EQA poses a great challenge to the authors since, in recent years, the move towards a more strategic approach to total quality through the EFQM model has been questioned in the literature.Originality/valueProvides a reliable and objective depiction of the current level of best practices in Greece, through examination and analysis of other relevant studies, and includes the various approaches, practices and perceptions recorded so far in the literature – some of them based on empirical data and some deriving from rhetoric and a “good stories” or “how things ought to be” perspective.
Management effects on quality‐policy implementation
Authors: London Calvin 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThis paper aims to review the levels of management commitment and involvement in four small (fewer than 500 employees) pharmaceutical companies and the nature and extent of structured programs for policy implementation.Design/methodology/approachIn each of the companies, the comparative success of policy implementation was assessed by the extent of management commitment to the process. Assessments were based on the review of 40 attributes of a four‐part implementation cycle. A lack of a structured process, lack of support and involvement of management and the degree to which management was subsequently involved in the overall implementation were commonly observed problems. The degree of management involvement was a prominent factor in the overall success of the policy implementation.FindingsQuality policies play an important role in the understanding of a company's operational principles and practices. The most successful policy implementation in the companies studied relied on policies being drafted internally with the cooperation of not only the nominated quality management but also the supporting non‐quality management functions. The use of a structured and predetermined implementation plan that is shared across all sectors of the company and the development of supporting systems to monitor progress were also observed to benefit employee involvement and effective policies.Originality/valueThe study of these companies and their comparative abilities to follow a structured process for quality system policies provides valuable guidance for quality practitioners facing similar processes of change within their own organizations. A structured process for implementing policies is also provided.
Does soft TQM predict employees’ attitudes?
Authors: Keng Boon Ooi , Arumugam V. , Seng Hwa Teo 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThis study seeks to investigate the effects of soft total quality management (TQM) on employees’ attitudes within a large Malaysian semiconductor organization. Despite extensive research on “soft” TQM practices, there has not been much research this area. Therefore, the proposed model was developed with the intention of examining this relationship.Design/methodology/approachOriginal research using self‐completed questionnaires, distributed to all staff within this organization, is thoroughly reported. The study sample consisted of 230 employees, resulting in a response rate of 76.6 percent. Data were analyzed by the latest version of SPSS, employing correlation and multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe results revealed that employees' perceptions of soft TQM significantly relate to employees’ attitudes with those perceiving a greater degree of awareness of soft TQM exhibiting more positive reactions towards job involvement, career satisfaction and organizational commitment. It is also found that, where teamwork was a dominant soft TQM practice, strong associations with employees’ attitudes existed. This analysis gives new insight into “soft” TQM concepts and, furthermore, the results of the multiple regression analysis confirmed that all variables were significantly related to perceptions of soft TQM practices and thus implementing TQM does pay off. The results also support the proposed model based on the empirically validated soft TQM instruments, which are reliable and valid.Originality/valueThe significance of this study would enable top management to strategize their goal alignments, which would eventually help promote mutual understanding between the management and employees and thus yielding significant results on employees’ attitudes. The conclusions, limitations and implications of the study are also extensively discussed.