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Article
Publication date: 30 September 2014

Mona Taghavi, Kaveh Bakhtiyari, Hamed Taghavi, Vahhab Olyaee Attar and Aini Hussain

This research work aims to investigate the recent status of the information and communication technology (ICT) services industry in Iran. It proposes a systemic applicable…

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Abstract

Purpose

This research work aims to investigate the recent status of the information and communication technology (ICT) services industry in Iran. It proposes a systemic applicable approach at policymaking level and appropriate strategic planning steps to enlighten developing countries toward achieving their target objectives of an information society.

Design/methodology/approach

Largely based on existing literature and usage statistics in ICT services, global technology trends and results from a survey to obtain consistent and up-to-date information about current issues of ICT services in the public and private sectors in Iran.

Findings

This study elaborates on all issues, points and best practices relevant to the ICT services industry in Iran which is addressed by recommending some documented policies.

Research limitations/implications

Majority of the experts who attended the workshop and responded to the questionnaire were service consumers rather than service providers.

Practical implications

This paper discusses some of the implications for the development of this ICT services strategy and provides policy recommendations.

Social implications

To enhance the information society with the most advanced ICT services for accelerating human development.

Originality/value

This study provides a government refining process policy to address the common gaps in the ICT services industry in these developing countries and emphasizes a formidable policy foundation before implementing and monitoring of the Flagship ICT projects.

Details

Journal of Science & Technology Policy Management, vol. 5 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4620

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Article
Publication date: 5 July 2013

Dimitrios Kafetzopoulos, Katerina Gotzamani and Evangelos Psomas

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the effective implementation of both ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 systems on the competitive performance of certified food…

3210

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the effective implementation of both ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 systems on the competitive performance of certified food manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was used for quantitative data collection. All items were measured on a seven‐point modified Likert scale. The data were analysed statistically by means of Statistical Package for Social Scientists. Factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted to test the research hypotheses. Both validity and reliability of the measures were checked in order to reduce the measurement error.

Findings

The results show a positive and significant relationship between the combined effective implementation of ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 standards and competitive performance of certified food companies, explaining a significant proportion of variance in their performance.

Practical implications

The results of this study help managers of food companies realize that both the effective implementation of the quality management and quality safety systems ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 lead to increased competitive performance for certified companies. Thus, the paper may motivate the non‐certified food companies to effectively adopt the principles and conform to the requirements of these standards, leading to enhanced manufacturing capabilities and competitive performance.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the influence of quality and food safety management systems on the competitive performance of the certified food manufacturing companies. It reveals the value of the combined effective implementation of ISO 22000 and ISO 9001:2000 systems, proving that, when effectively implemented, they have a favourable effect on companies' performance.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 20 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

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Article
Publication date: 21 September 2010

K. Parand, Mehdi Dehghan and A. Taghavi

The purpose of this paper is to propose a Tau method for solving nonlinear Blasius equation which is a partial differential equation on a flat plate.

480

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a Tau method for solving nonlinear Blasius equation which is a partial differential equation on a flat plate.

Design/methodology/approach

The operational matrices of derivative and product of modified generalized Laguerre functions are presented. These matrices together with the Tau method are then utilized to reduce the solution of the Blasius equation to the solution of a system of nonlinear equations.

Findings

The paper presents the comparison of this work with some well‐known results and shows that the present solution is highly accurate.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates solving of the nonlinear Blasius equation with an efficient method.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 20 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

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Article
Publication date: 9 October 2009

David Gadenne and Bishnu Sharma

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key “hard” and “soft” quality management factors used by Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their association with…

4170

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key “hard” and “soft” quality management factors used by Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their association with organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire was constructed for this research using Powell's quality management framework. The respondents were required to indicate their degree of implementation of quality management practices and to rate their TQM performance in relation to overall performance, return on assets, market share and customer satisfaction.

Findings

The study found that improved overall performance appears to be favourably influenced by a combination of “hard” TQM factors such as benchmarking and quality measurement, continuous improvement, and efficiency improvement; and the “soft” TQM factors consisting of top management philosophy and supplier support, employee training and increased interaction with employees and customers. Furthermore, the TQM factors of employee training, efficiency improvement, and employee and customer involvement would appear to be important in maintaining customer satisfaction, whilst employee and customer involvement also appeared to be important in maintaining a competitive edge in terms of return on assets.

Originality/value

The findings show that it is necessary to focus on a combination of soft or behavioural aspects and the hard “systems‐oriented” aspects of QM to achieve an improvement in overall performance, and that to maintain customer satisfaction and return on assets it is just as important to focus on employee involvement and training, as it is to have a customer focus.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 26 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Publication date: 9 November 2023

Dany Adi Saputra and Doddy Setiawan

This study examines the role of industry competition, market capitalization, and debt levels in the relationship between profitability and firm value (FV). The sample included…

Abstract

This study examines the role of industry competition, market capitalization, and debt levels in the relationship between profitability and firm value (FV). The sample included companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in the manufacturing sector in 2017–2019. This study provides empirical evidence that the high level of industrial competition (IC), low level of market capitalization (market value of equity, MVE), and high levels of debt (debt-to-assets ratio, DAR) weaken the effect of profitability as measured by return on assets (ROA) on FV as measured by Tobin’s Q. Profitability is not even related to FV for firms facing high industry competition. In addition, profitability only has a marginal positive relationship with FV for firms with relatively small market capitalizations. These findings suggest that the relationship between profitability and FV is not monotonous but is influenced by the level of industry competence, market capitalization, and debt.

Details

Macroeconomic Risk and Growth in the Southeast Asian Countries: Insight from Indonesia
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83797-043-8

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Article
Publication date: 13 March 2017

Anabela Soares, Ebrahim Soltani and Ying-Ying Liao

The extant literature highlights the notable lack of a consensus among operations and supply chain management scholars regarding the theoretical underpinnings and associated…

5204

Abstract

Purpose

The extant literature highlights the notable lack of a consensus among operations and supply chain management scholars regarding the theoretical underpinnings and associated empirical evidence for the performance impact of supply chain quality management (SCQM) practices on quality. The purpose of this paper is to redress this imbalance in the literature through empirical examination of the relationship between SCQM practices and quality performance outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

In accordance with the research aim, a quantitative approach was adopted, and a multi-item scale Web-based survey was designed to collect primary data. A total number of 325 questionnaires were collected from a sample of UK-based manufacturing companies. Factor analysis, internal consistency and multivariate regressions were used to validate the multi-item scale and test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings confirm the proposed hypotheses and reveal statistically significant results for the performance impact of SCQM practices on quality at an aggregate level. However, the results of the individual level analysis of SCQM practices appear to vary from practice to practice. Of various SCQM practices, customer focus with the highest beta value (i.e. ß = 0.303; t-value = 6.120; p = 0.000) was found to have the greatest impact on quality performance.

Practical implications

The findings encourage managers to place high priority on both inter-firm and intra-firm relationships as prerequisites for achieving superior quality performance. The propositions and the results of the study provide managers with some guidelines about effective management of upstream, midstream and downstream supply chain networks and awareness of the potential synergies arising from the combined effects of SCQM practices that could bring about desired quality performance outcomes across the entire supply chain network.

Originality/value

Real and sustainable quality performance often requires an equal focus on both intra- and inter-firm relationships among supply chain partners. Therefore, effective management of quality across the entire supply chain is deemed essential if a firm is to smoothly supply high-quality products and services to customers. But little research has been devoted to understanding conceptual underpinnings of SCQM as well as empirical support and validation for the conceptualisation and measurement of SCQM practices. Based on the insights gained from social network theory, this paper makes an attempt to address this gap and examine the impact of SCQM practices on quality performance.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 22 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

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Article
Publication date: 22 October 2024

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

14

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

This paper identified that dynamic capabilities can improve aspects such as resilience and flexibility which are critical for business success, especially for startups.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Details

Strategic Direction, vol. 40 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0258-0543

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 31 August 2012

Paulo Sampaio, Pedro Saraiva and Ana Monteiro

Despite all the studies carried out in order to analyze the impact of quality management systems' implementation and certification on companies' financial performance, conclusions…

2458

Abstract

Purpose

Despite all the studies carried out in order to analyze the impact of quality management systems' implementation and certification on companies' financial performance, conclusions reached so far have a contradictory nature. Some authors conclude that there is a positive relationship between ISO 9001 certification and companies' financial improvement, while others do not find evidence to support such a relationship. The purpose of this paper is to present the main results derived from a research project developed in order to analyze the economical impact of quality management system implementation and certification on companies' performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the results obtained from studying the economic impact of quality management systems, based on the adoption of a case study methodology. The authors' goal was to reconstruct the companies' financial history with the aim of identifying the benefits and costs directly related to their quality management systems. The analyzed time period ranged from the year when the company decided to implement its quality management system up to the present.

Findings

Results show that it is not unanimous that certified companies would be less profitable if they had not implemented their quality management systems.

Originality/value

This paper tries to be an important contribution to the worldwide research related to the quality management systems' impact on companies' financial performance.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 29 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Article
Publication date: 3 July 2009

Evangelos L. Psomas and Christos V. Fotopoulos

The purpose of this paper is to review and classify the main findings of the studies undertaken on ISO 9001:2000 certified companies and to present future research proposals.

1697

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and classify the main findings of the studies undertaken on ISO 9001:2000 certified companies and to present future research proposals.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review is carried out focusing on research papers published in academic literature. Both, the most recently published papers as well as those concerned only with the 2000 version of the ISO 9001 standard are chosen. The findings from the research papers are classified according to the issues examined.

Findings

The many studies undertaken regarding the ISO 9001:2000 implementation show that although there are signs that the initial results are not so positive, the general conclusion is that the standard has positive impact on the company's operational as well as business performance and on the company's effort to move towards total quality management. However, many research proposals have been expressed in order to fully determine the long‐term results as well as to specify a valid model containing the fundamental quality management practices which can effectively drive a company to business excellence.

Practical implications

Having in mind that the ISO 9001:2000 is getting to its end and a new revised standard is being given birth (ISO 9001:2008); the paper reveals that the research agenda is still full of topics that have to be considered in order to fully understand the standard's implications. Hence, given the findings from the researches carried out until now and the modifications made to the requirements of the new standard, this paper gives directions for effective transition to the revised standard as well as for future research studies.

Originality/value

Reviewing the literature, it is observed that many research papers regarding the ISO 9001:2000 standard have already been published. This paper classifies the research findings and points out future research proposals in order to fully explore the quality management discipline.

Details

International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-669X

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Article
Publication date: 29 November 2018

Andreas P. Kakouris and Eleni Sfakianaki

The purpose of this paper is to explore the association between ISO 9000 certification and business performance for small-to-medium enterprises in the food and beverage (F&B…

1188

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the association between ISO 9000 certification and business performance for small-to-medium enterprises in the food and beverage (F&B) industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employed a qualitative approach based on case studies to investigate in depth how companies perceive ISO 9001. More specifically, four enterprises were examined, and a total of 26 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with top and middle managers from the companies. Questions were validated by experts and through pilot interviews. In total, 45 documents of a broad range related to the quality management system were examined. Personal observation and non-structured consultation with personnel were also used to evaluate the possible impacts and livelihood outcomes.

Findings

Research findings showed that the certified companies in the F&B industry gain a number of both internal and external benefits, including: quality awareness, increased productivity, increased personnel participation and efficiency, improved image and penetration into new markets. Regarding the financial benefits of certification, the findings are not as convincing, as one company reported no financial benefits, and the rest reported that financial benefits are indirect and intangible. Conclusively, it can be said that SMEs that wish to pursue certification should certainly expect benefits.

Practical implications

Although many studies have concentrated on analyzing the impact of the implementation of ISO 9001 certification, there is still a clear need for research in specific sectors. Practicing managers and researchers will be able to examine findings in order to evaluate benefits and weaknesses from certification, thereby identifying and acting before and after certification.

Originality/value

Although the F&B industry has shown a great preference for the ISO 9000 standard and has adopted it extensively, scant empirical evidence has been recorded on the subject. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the benefits for implementing the ISO 9001 certification and to the analysis of its application to the ever-important F&B industry in Greece, a country whose economy is particularly supported by SMEs and has been severely hit by the economic crisis. Researchers will therefore further their knowledge, understand benefits but also acknowledge weaknesses.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 35 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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