Source: https://saascs.com/about-us
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 05:51:13+00:00

Document:
Sower and Associates began offering management consulting services in 1990 operating also as Sower, Duffy, and Associates. Sower & Associates has experience assisting clients in businesses as diverse as: oil & gas, retail, food service, injection molding, industrial coatings, plywood manufacturing, hospitals, county government, package delivery, insurance, industrial machinery, and universities.
Services provided include: cost management model creation, cost model training, strategic sourcing project execution and training, logistical design, statistical process control training and implementation, training in approaches to problem solving, training and assistance in continuous quality improvement and total quality management programs, evaluation of customer satisfaction, innovation management, change management, and curriculum design.
Sower and Associates has respected thought leaders in supply chain and operations with many books and journal/magazine articles published, as well as a multitude of presentations at conferences and meetings to its credit (see listing below and the "Content for Download" tab for more information).
Sower, C. (2017). “Cost Management – Using Projected Cost Models to Negotiate & Maintain Competitive Pricing.” Scheduled for presentation at Richmond Events’ Logistics & Supply Chain Forum, Miami, FL, June 5.
Sower, C. (2017). “Supply Chain Cost Management – Projected Cost Modeling to Increase and Maintain Cost Savings Achieved.” Scheduled for presentation at SCOPE Supply Chain Conference, Atlanta, GA, March 20.
Sower, V. & F. Fair (2017) “Insightful Quality: Beyond Continuous Incremental Improvement.” Invited presentation to ASQ Section 619, Spokane, WA, February 23.
Sower, V. & F. Fair (2015) “Insightful Quality: Beyond Continuous Incremental Improvement.” Presented at the 2015 Houston Regional Quality Conference in Houston, TX. November 13.
Quarles, N. R., & Noman, F. M. (2016, June). Classic Rockers: Transition Processing and Internal Controls in SAP for AIS. AIS Educators Conference, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2016). Teaching the Concepts and Demonstrating Business Process Integration - The Flya Kite Fully Integrated Case. SAP Academic Conference Americas 2016, San Diego, California.
Daigle, R. J., Quarles, N. R., & Noman, F. M. (2016, February). Using SAP to Teach the Concepts and Application of Internal Controls in Business Processes – The Classic Rockers Case. SAP Academic Conference Americas 2016, San Diego, California.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2016, February). Using SAP Client Configuration to Teach Business Process Management - The Quazi Computers Case. SAP Academic Conference Americas 2016, San Diego, California.
Zelbst, P, K. Green, & V. Sower. “Where are the Gaps?” Invited presentation at the Johnson Space Center Connect RFID Event, HTC, Houston, TX, 26 June 2014.
Daigle, R. J., Quarles, N. R., & Noman, F. M. (2014). Using SAP in AIS to Teach Transaction Processing and Internal Control. AIS Educators Conference, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Sower, V. “Continuous Quality Improvement, Six Sigma, and Insightful Quality.” Invited presentation to the Houston Chapter of the Project Management Institute, The Woodlands, TX, 19 Sep. 2013.
Sower, C. “Logistics Strategy for Upstream Operators and Service Providers.” Invited presentation at the Global Procurement and Supply Chain Management for the Oil and Gas Industry Conference by IFMR, A Marcus Evans Company. Houston, TX, June 2013.
Sower, V. “Research in Healthcare.” Invited presentation at the Huntsville Health Science Symposium, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, 26 April 2013.
Sower,V. & F. Fair. “Insightful Quality: Beyond Continuous Improvement.” Invited presentation to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Sam Houston State University, 15 Feb. 2013.
Daigle, R. J., Noman, F. M., & Quarles, N. R. (2012). Classic Rockers -- An Introduction to Business and Transaction Processing and Internal Control Concepts in SAP for the AIS Course. Accounting Information Systems Educator Conference, Estes Park, Colorado.
Simmons, A., & V. Sower. (2012). “Leadership Sagacity and its Relationship with Individual Creative Performance and Innovation.” Presented at the 2012 meeting of the Southwest Academy of Management in New Orleans, LA, March 1.
Sower, C. & V. Sower. “Cost-Modeling Applications in the Decision-Making Process: A Service Outsourcing Example.” Presented at the 97th Annual International Institute of Supply Management Conference. Baltimore, MD, May 2012.
Zelbst, P., K. Green, V. Sower, & R. Abshire. (2012). "Impact of RFID and Information Sharing on JIT, TQM, and Operational Performance.” Presented at the 2012 meeting of the Decision Sciences Institute Southwest Region in New Orleans, LA, March 1 and included in the proceedings on pp. 101-109.
Daigle, R. J., Noman, F.M., & Quarles, R. (2011, June). Using a SAP Case to Teach Business and Transaction Processing and Imbedded Control. Accounting Information Systems Educator Conference, Ft. Collins, Colorado.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2010, February). Quazi Computers and RF Clothing Configuration Cases. SAP Curriculum Congress - 2010, San Diego, California.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2009). Quazi Computers Configuration Case. SAP Curriculum Congress - 2009, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Sower, V. & C. Sower. "Getting Industry-Specific Cost Models to Work for You."​ Presented at the 94th Annual International Institute of Supply Management Conference. Charlotte, NC, May, 2009.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2009). Using a SAP Case to Teach Business Processes and Transaction Processing - PP and SD. AIS Educators Conference, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2008, July). Workshop: Flya Kite Case - processing business transactions through logistics and support processes in SAP. SAP University Alliance Workshop - University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2008, June). Using a SAP Case to Teach Business Processes and Transaction Processing. AIS Educators Conference, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2008, February). Flya Kite Case: Processing Transactions Through Logistics and Support Processing. SAP Curriculum Congress - 2008, Atlanta, Georgia.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2007, July). HiHo YoYo Company Case. SAP University Alliance Workshop - University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2007, June). Hands-On Introduction to SAP Processing. Accounting Information Systems Educator Conference, Estes Park, Colorado.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2007, March). SAP Cases in the Classroom - Quazi Computers and RF Clothing. SAP Curriculum Congress - 2007, Vancouver, Canada.
Sower, V. “Problem Solving for Managers.” A 4-hour seminar conducted for the management team of CCSI, Conroe, Texas, 22 March 2006.
Sower, V. “Change Management.” A 2-hour seminar conducted for the managers and supervisors of Huntsville Memorial Hospital, Huntsville, Texas, 14 June 2002.
Sower, V. “Customer Service/Service Quality.” A 3-hour seminar conducted for the Sam Houston State University Graduate School of Community Bank Management, Huntsville, Texas, 3 June 1999.
Sower, V. & R. Eglsaer. “Time and Stress Management in a Continuous Quality Improvement Environment.” A 4-hour seminar conducted jointly with Dr. Richard Eglsaer for the managers and supervisors of Huntsville Memorial Hospital, Huntsville, Texas, 13 February 1998.
Sower, V. “Leadership and Continuous Quality Improvement.” A 1.5-hour seminar for the department heads of Huntsville Memorial Hospital, Huntsville, Texas, 4 April 1997.
Sower, V. "SPC Seminar for Top Management." An 8‑hour seminar for EGC Micromet, Inc., Houston, Texas, 12 and 13 September 1991.
Sower, V. "SPC Steering Committee Seminar." An 8‑hour seminar for EGC Micromet, Inc., Houston, Texas, 13 and 19 September 1991.
Sower, V. "Overview of TQM." A 1‑hour presentation for TNT Skypak International Express, Huntsville, Texas, 21 January 1991.
Sower, V. "SPC in the Injection Molding Industry." An 8‑hour training program in SPC for middle managers and machine operators for EGC Micromet, Inc., Houston, Texas, 9 November 1990.
Sower, V. "SPC in the Plastic Extrusion Industry." A 6-month SPC training program/SPC implementation project for Tandy Wire, Fort Worth, Texas, 1989.
Sower, V., & F. Fair. (2017). I Move My Own Cheese!: A Business Fable About Championing Change. Milwaukee, WI: ASQ Quality Press--ISBN: 978-0-87389-946-8.
Zelbst, P., & V. Sower. (2016). RFID for the Operations and Supply Chain Professional, Second Edition. New York: Business Expert Press—ISBN-13: 978-1-63157-463-4.
Sower, V. (2014). Statistical Process Control for Managers, New York: Business Expert Press—ISBN 978-1-60649-846-0.
Zelbst, P., & V. Sower. (2012). RFID for the Operations and Supply Chain Professional. New York: Business Expert Press—ISBN 978-1-60649-268-0.
Sower, V. & C. Sower. (2011). Better Business Decisions Using Cost Modeling: For Procurement, Operations, and Supply Professionals. New York: Business Expert Press—ISBN 978-1-60649-266-6.
Sower, V. (2011). Essentials of Quality with Cases and Experiential Exercises. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.—ISBN 978-0-470-50959-3.
Sower, V., J. Duffy, & G. Kohers. (2008). Benchmarking for Hospitals: Achieving Best-In-Class Performance Without Having to Reinvent the Wheel. Milwaukee, WI: American Society for Quality--Quality Press—ISBN 978-0-87389-722-8.
Sower, V., M. Savoie, & S. Renick. (1999). An Introduction to Quality Management and Engineering, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall —ISBN 0-13-936841-8.
Sower, V., J. Motwani, & M. Savoie. (1995). Classic Readings in Operations Management, Ft. Worth, TX: Dryden Press—ISBN 0-534-51085-X.
Sower, V. (1979). Time Study for the Small Business. A small business assistance manual published by Auburn University—ASIN B0006XJZ2K.
Sower, V., P. Zelbst. “The Inter-relationships between TQM and Supply Chain Management Strategy.” Accepted for publication in APICS Magazine.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2016). Teaching the Concepts and Demonstrating Business Process Integration - The Flya Kite Fully Integrated Case. SAP Academic Conference Americas 2016, SAP University Alliance.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2016). Using SAP Client Configuration to Teach Business Process Management - The Quazi Computers Case. SAP Academic Conference Americas 2016.
Sower, V., K. Green, & P. Zelbst. (2016). “Dead or Alive: Testing a Fundamental Quality Concept’s Validity and Vitality.” Quality Progress, 49(7), 36-40.
Wirth, S., J. Kavanaugh, & V. Sower. (2014). “Radial Bearing Team: A Manufacturing Group's Transformation to Self-Directed Work Teams.” Case Research Journal 34(2).
Zelbst, P., K. Green, V. Sower, & R. Abshire. (2014). "Impact of RFID and Information Sharing on JIT, TQM, and Operational Performance.” Management Research Review 37(11), 970-989.
Sower, V., & F. Fair. (2012). “Book Overview: Insightful Quality: Beyond Continuous Improvement.” The Quality Management Forum 38(3), 18.
Sower, V., & C. Sower. (2012). “Cost Modeling for Better Business Decisions.” Inside Supply Management 23(9), Nov./Dec., 26-29. (Invited by Mary Siegfried).
Sower, V., P. Zelbst, & Q. Gu. (2012). “The Usage of Benchmarking to Improve Supply Management Performance.” Production and Inventory Management Journal 48(1), 6-14.
Simmons, A., & V. Sower. (2012). “Leadership Sagacity and its Relationship with Individual Creative Performance and Innovation.” European Journal of Innovation Management 15(3), 298-309.
Zelbst, P., K. Green, V. Sower, & P. Reyes. (2012). “The Impact of RFID Utilization on Manufacturing Effectiveness and Efficiency.” International Journal of Operations & Production Management 32(3), 329-350.
Sower, V., J. Duffy, & G. Kohers. (2011). “Addressing High Nurse Turnover at Bronson Methodist Hospital.” ASQ Healthcare Update, 31 May.
Sower, V., J. Duffy, & G. Kohers. (2011). “Achieving Zero Percent Antibiotic Administration Rate Errors and Elimination of Surgical Sentinel Events at Columbus Children’s Hospital.” ASQ Healthcare Update, 5 May.
Zelbst, P., K. Green, V. Sower, & R. Abshire. (2011). “Impact of RFID Technology Utilization on Organizational Agility.” Journal of Computer Information Systems 52(1), 24-33.
Zelbst, P., K. Green, & V. Sower. (2010). “Impact of RFID Technology Utilization on Operational Performance.” Management Research Review 33(10), 994-1004.
Zelbst, P., K. Green, V. Sower, & G. Baker. (2010). “RFID Utilization and Information Sharing: The Impact on Supply Chain Performance.” Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing 25(8), 582-589.
Zelbst, P., G. Frazier, & V. Sower. (2010). “A Cluster Concentration Typology for Making Location Decisions.” Industrial Management & Data Systems 110(6), 883-907.
Zelbst, P., K. Green, R. Abshire, & V. Sower. (2010). “Relationships among Marketing Orientation, JIT, TQM, and Agility.” Industrial Management & Data Systems 110(5), 637-658.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2009). Using a SAP Case to Teach Business Processes and Transaction Processing - PP and SD. AIS Educators Conference.
Zelbst, P., K. Green, V. Sower, & P. Reyes. (2009). “The Impact of Supply Chain Linkages on Supply Chain Performance.” Industrial Management & Data Systems 109(5), 665-682.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2008). SAP Case to Teach Business Processes and Transaction Processing. AIS Educators Conference, AIS Educators Association.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2008). Flya Kite Case: Processing Transactions Through Logistics and Support Processes in SAP. SAP Curriculum Congress - 2008.
Zelbst, P., V. Sower, & K. Green. (2008). “An Experiential Approach to Develop an Understanding of RFID Technology.” International Journal of Management in Education 2(4), 419-431.
Sower, V., J. Duffy, & G. Kohers. (2008). “Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children: Ferrari’s Formula One Handovers and Handovers from Surgery to Intensive Care.” ASQ Healthcare Update, July.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2007). SAP Cases in the Classroom - Quazi Computers and RF Clothing. SAP Curriculum Congress - 2007, SAP University Alliance.
Sower, V. “Benchmarking in Hospitals: When You Need More than a Scorecard.” (2007). Quality Progress 40(8), August, 58-60.
Sower, V., R. Quarles, & E. Broussard. (2007). “Cost of Quality Usage and Its Relationship to Quality System Maturity.” International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management 24(2), 121-140.
Quarles, N. R. & Noman, F. M. (2006). Business Process Integration at Sam Houston State University. SAP Curriculum Congress - 2006, SAP University Alliance.
Motwani, J., and V. Sower. (2006). “Guest Editorial—Benchmarking in Services.” Benchmarking – An International Journal, vol. 13, no. 3, 229-231.
Sower, V., & J. Sower. (2004-2005). “Moderator Variables in Cultural Values and Business Ethics Research: Important to External Validity.” Southwest Business and Economics Journal 13, 1-18.
Sower, V., & F. Fair. (2005). “There is More to Quality than Continuous Improvement: Listening to Plato.” Quality Management Journal 12(1), 8-20.
Sower, V., & R. Abshire. (2003). "Successful Implementation of Advanced Manufacturing Technology: A Cross Sectional Study." International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology 16(1), 12-20. (Actually published in June 2002).
Motwani, J., V. Sower, & D. Mirchandani. (2001). “User Perception of the Benefits of Implementing an ERP System: A Case Study.” Journal of International Information Management 10(2), Fall, 1-12. (Actually published in Dec. 2002).
Sower, V., J. Duffy, W. Kilbourne, G. Kohers, & P. Jones. (2001). “The Dimensions of Service Quality for Hospitals: Development of the KQCAH Scale.” Health Care Management Review 26(2), Spring, 47-59.
Sower, V., R. Abshire, & N. Shankman. (1998). “A Cross-Cultural Study of the Ethical Orientations of Senior-Level Business Students.” Teaching Business Ethics 1(4), 379-397.
Michael, R., V. Sower, & J. Motwani. (1997). “A Comprehensive Model for Implementing Total Quality Management in Higher Education.” Benchmarking for Quality Management & Technology 4(2), 104-120.
Sower, V. (1997). "A Table-Top Flexible Manufacturing Cell for Use in the Production/Operations Management Classroom." Journal of Management Education 21(2), May, 200-208.
Brashier, L., V. Sower, J. Motwani, & M. Savoie. (1996). "Implementation of TQM/CQI in the Health-Care Industry: A Comprehensive Model." Benchmarking for Quality Management & Technology 3(2), 31-50.
Motwani, J., V. Sower, & L. Brashier. (1996). "Implementing TQM in the Healthcare Sector: Current Efforts and Future Research Directions." Health Care Management Review 21(1), Winter, 73-82. Reprinted in Stupak, R., & P. Leitner (ed.). Handbook of Public Quality Management. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2001, 687-696.
Sower, V. (1996). “Coming up with a Good Idea is Often the Easiest Part of the Improvement Process.” SHSU Across-the-University Writing Program Newsletter, Vol. 15, December 1996, 6-8.
Sower, V., J. Motwani, & M. Savoie. (1994). "Delta Charts for Short Run SPC." International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management 11(6), 50-56.
Sower, V., M. Savoie, & J. Motwani. (1993). "The Use of Simulation for Determining Optimum Levels of Buffer Inventories in a JIT Environment: A New Perspective on Implementation of JIT." International Journal of Management and Systems 9(3), September‑December, 287‑299.
Motwani, J.G., V. Sower, & M.E. Rosenfeldt. (1993). "Adapting Deming's Philosophy: An Evaluative Model." Industrial Management & Data Systems 93(8), 3-7.
Sower, V., J. Motwani, & M. Savoie. (1993). "Are Acceptance Sampling and Statistical Process Control Complementary or Incompatible?" Quality Progress 26(9), September, 85‑89. Also reprinted in Dowdey, D., B. Jones, & K. Pannell, TR5: To Research, To Read, To Reason, To Write, To Report. An Introduction to Research Writing (1998), Simon & Schuster, 515-516.
Sower, V. (1993). "The Effects of SPC Implementation on the Plastics Molding Industry in Texas." Production and Inventory Management Journal 34(1), First Quarter, 41‑45.
Sower, V., & C. Bimmerle. (1991). "Statistical Process Control: A Prerequisite for MRP and JIT." NAPM Materials Management Group Newsletter, vol. 6, no. 2, March, 3‑6.
Sower, V., & P. Foster. (1990). "Implementing and Evaluating Advanced Technologies: A Case Study." Production and Inventory Management Journal 31(4), Fourth Quarter, 44‑48.
Copyright © 2018 Sower & Associates, LLC - All Rights Reserved.

References: V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V.