title: ISO 9000 maintenance in service organisations: tales from two companies

authors: Wahid, Roslina Ab

subjects: ISO 9000 series

abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to investigate and to highlight the way the quality system is being managed and the outcomes in terms of changes and improvements obtained by the two companies as a result of its maintenance approach. By studying how ISO 9000 is being maintained in the service organisations, it provides useful insights into the unique ways quality systems are managed and the aspects that are important to successful and effective maintenance of ISO 9000 quality system.
Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach as described by Eisenhardt and Yin, is used for this study. A total of 30 face-to-face interviews were conducted over a period of 13 weeks with top management, middle management, lower management in charge of operations and quality, and the management representative responsible for the implementation of ISO 9000 in the organisation. To support the findings of the interviews, 300 questionnaires were distributed to employees of both companies. ISO 9000 and quality documents were also reviewed as part of the data gathering process for the study.
Findings – Based on the interview results, there are similarities and differences in how the two case companies maintain their ISO 9000 in terms of how they view and manage the aspects that are closely associated with ISO 9000 maintenance. It was found that the company with higher top management commitment and better internal communication has better-motivated employees. Regardless of the length of time being certified to ISO 9000, the firm which incorporates a higher level of human resource aspects such as reward, recognition and empowerment into its quality system experiences higher employee enthusiasm and commitment to the maintenance of the quality system which resulted in better employee participation and involvement compared to the one that did not.
Originality/value – This paper makes a contribution to the body of knowledge in the field of quality management systems during the maintenance phase where such work is still limited, especially in the service sector.

text: ISO 9000 maintenance in service organisations: tales from two companies Purpose – This paper aims to investigate and to highlight the way the quality system is being managed and the outcomes in terms of changes and improvements obtained by the two companies as a result of its maintenance approach. By studying how ISO 9000 is being maintained in the service organisations, it provides useful insights into the unique ways quality systems are managed and the aspects that are important to successful and effective maintenance of ISO 9000 quality system.
Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach as described by Eisenhardt and Yin, is used for this study. A total of 30 face-to-face interviews were conducted over a period of 13 weeks with top management, middle management, lower management in charge of operations and quality, and the management representative responsible for the implementation of ISO 9000 in the organisation. To support the findings of the interviews, 300 questionnaires were distributed to employees of both companies. ISO 9000 and quality documents were also reviewed as part of the data gathering process for the study.
Findings – Based on the interview results, there are similarities and differences in how the two case companies maintain their ISO 9000 in terms of how they view and manage the aspects that are closely associated with ISO 9000 maintenance. It was found that the company with higher top management commitment and better internal communication has better-motivated employees. Regardless of the length of time being certified to ISO 9000, the firm which incorporates a higher level of human resource aspects such as reward, recognition and empowerment into its quality system experiences higher employee enthusiasm and commitment to the maintenance of the quality system which resulted in better employee participation and involvement compared to the one that did not.
Originality/value – This paper makes a contribution to the body of knowledge in the field of quality management systems during the maintenance phase where such work is still limited, especially in the service sector.

year: 2011

title: Design and implementation of an AC voltage regulator based on series power semiconductor array

authors: Vandy, Francis

abstract: This thesis describes the use of an array of power semiconductors (series transistor array) and a buck-boost transformer in the design and implementation of a single phase AC voltage regulator. The power semiconductor array was used to act as variable impedance across the bridge points of a rectifier. The input point of the bridge rectifier was also connected directly to the primary winding of the buck-boost transformer. A closed loop circuit was designed using an RMS/DC converter chip, with complete electrical isolation between the low voltage control circuits and the power circuits. The major advantages of this technique are: fast response to RMS voltage fluctuation; waveform fidelity; light weight; and reduced size compared to that of a servo-driven AC voltage regulator such as the PS10 Smart Power Station, which was used in this project as a benchmark for the AC voltage regulator using the power semiconductor array. The device used for testing the performances of both AC voltage regulators was the NoiseKen VDS-2002 Voltage Dip and Swell Simulator. This simulator was used to perform voltage dip, swell, interruption, and variation tests in a manner fully compliant with IEC 61000 – 4 – 11.

text: Design and implementation of an AC voltage regulator based on series power semiconductor array This thesis describes the use of an array of power semiconductors (series transistor array) and a buck-boost transformer in the design and implementation of a single phase AC voltage regulator. The power semiconductor array was used to act as variable impedance across the bridge points of a rectifier. The input point of the bridge rectifier was also connected directly to the primary winding of the buck-boost transformer. A closed loop circuit was designed using an RMS/DC converter chip, with complete electrical isolation between the low voltage control circuits and the power circuits. The major advantages of this technique are: fast response to RMS voltage fluctuation; waveform fidelity; light weight; and reduced size compared to that of a servo-driven AC voltage regulator such as the PS10 Smart Power Station, which was used in this project as a benchmark for the AC voltage regulator using the power semiconductor array. The device used for testing the performances of both AC voltage regulators was the NoiseKen VDS-2002 Voltage Dip and Swell Simulator. This simulator was used to perform voltage dip, swell, interruption, and variation tests in a manner fully compliant with IEC 61000 – 4 – 11.

year: 2014

title: Māori Migration: The Social Consequences

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Maori

abstract: A team led by Bernard Guerin is looking at the family and community impacts from contemporary forms of migration in a 6-year project Strangers in Town: Enhancing Family and Community in a More Diverse New Zealand Society, funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. One large part of this research looks at Māori migration, headed by Linda Waimarie Nikora.
Since the research on the 'urban drift' of the 1950s and 1960s, little has been done to research the effects of Māori migration. Our aim is to draw together the researchers and research results and to conduct our own research to fill in the gaps. We also work with others on the 6-year project who are looking at the population statistics of Māori migration, especially Trans-Tasman migrations.

text: Māori Migration: The Social Consequences A team led by Bernard Guerin is looking at the family and community impacts from contemporary forms of migration in a 6-year project Strangers in Town: Enhancing Family and Community in a More Diverse New Zealand Society, funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. One large part of this research looks at Māori migration, headed by Linda Waimarie Nikora.
Since the research on the 'urban drift' of the 1950s and 1960s, little has been done to research the effects of Māori migration. Our aim is to draw together the researchers and research results and to conduct our own research to fill in the gaps. We also work with others on the 6-year project who are looking at the population statistics of Māori migration, especially Trans-Tasman migrations.

year: 2004-11-01