A comparative analysis of the validity of business excellence models (BEMs) has rarely been empirically pursued. In addition to their similarities, BEMs exhibit differences in…
Abstract
Purpose
A comparative analysis of the validity of business excellence models (BEMs) has rarely been empirically pursued. In addition to their similarities, BEMs exhibit differences in terms of their criteria, relations and emphasis, and some researchers have claimed that it is because these models tend to represent underlying cultural, economic, or social dynamics, as well as global best practices. Based on three such BEMs (the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) model, the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model and the King Abdul Aziz Quality Award (KAQA) model), this paper introduces a four-phase study to analyse these models comparatively.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper: (1) conceptually delineates the distinctive natures of and differences between the three models; (2) develops a comprehensive measurement model based on the content of these models; (3) reviews the relevant literature on BEMs; (4) discusses the motivation behind this comparative approach and (5) introduces a four-phase study to comparatively analyse these models.
Findings
A comprehensive measurement model and three structural models are developed, but empirical tests have not been performed. This developed approach is introduced here as a first step in the advancement of our understanding of BEMs and their underlying theory.
Originality/value
The range of variability and complexity of BEMs—i.e. a holistic and comparative empirical view of BEMs—have not so far been fully considered, and findings in this domain tend to be inclusive, while some of the underlying relations of these models have not been investigated. This paper contributes to filling these research gaps.
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Masood Badri, Mugheer Alkhaili, Hamad Aldhaheri, Guang Yang, Muna Albahar, Saad Yaageib and Asma Alrashdi
This research aims to investigate the negative aspects of digital transformation (DT) impacting various segments of society in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, one of the seven Emirates…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to investigate the negative aspects of digital transformation (DT) impacting various segments of society in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, one of the seven Emirates comprising the United Arab Emirates. Specifically, it focuses on perceptions of participants to well-being: social connections and activities, physical health, mental health, the impact on the younger generation, and security/cybercrime.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data from the 3rd Abu Dhabi Quality of Life Survey, which is an annual large-scale survey, this study employs analysis of variance and regression analysis to explore the associations between the perceived negative impact of DT and various well-being indicators.
Findings
The study reveals that the perceived negative impact of digital transformation on the younger generation is of the highest concern, followed by concerns about mental health and social relationships. Results also show significant variations among different demographic categories. Among the perceived negative impacts, mental health, social trust, and happiness emerge as the most affected well-being indicators.
Originality/value
The originality and value of this study lie in its large social survey sample of over 80,000 participants. The findings suggest that the negative effects of DT are not uniformly experienced across different segments of the population. The study highlights the need for further research on the adverse effects of DT and recommends that policymakers develop targeted strategies to address the specific needs of different community segments, particularly vulnerable groups. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of adaptive policies for younger age groups to prepare them for a digital future.
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María J. Oltra and M. Luisa Flor
This paper seeks to examine empirically from a contingency perspective the influence of business strategy on the relationship between operations strategy and business results.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to examine empirically from a contingency perspective the influence of business strategy on the relationship between operations strategy and business results.
Design/methodology/approach
Analysis is carried out on a sample of 76 Spanish ceramic tile firms. Data on strategies are gathered by means of a postal survey addressed to operations managers and information on firms' results is drawn from secondary sources. Operations strategy is represented by competitive priorities and business strategy is based on Miles and Snow's typology. Relationships are modelled in regression equations including interaction terms in order to test for the existence of a moderating effect.
Findings
Existence of a moderating effect of business strategy on the relationship between operations strategy and firms' results is demonstrated. Specifically, in defender firms, the cost and quality priorities influence positively, whereas priorities of delivery and flexibility have a negative effect. No influence of operations strategy on firms' results is observed in analyser or prospector firms.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations of this research include the reduced number of organisations investigated and the fact that all companies belong to a single industry. Also, the fact that strategy variables are based on self‐reporting measures identified by a single respondent.
Practical implications
Practitioners must bear in mind the coherence between operations strategy and business strategy. In this work, details of business and operations strategy fits are given.
Originality/value
The fit between operations strategy and business strategy is studied by focusing on the moderating role of business strategy.
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Jean Claude Ah‐Teck and Karen Starr
This article aims to report the findings of a research project exploring Mauritian principals’ receptivity to the main tenets inherent in Total Quality Management (TQM). The…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to report the findings of a research project exploring Mauritian principals’ receptivity to the main tenets inherent in Total Quality Management (TQM). The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) framework (aligned with, and an outcome of, the TQM movement) provides a set of criteria for organizational quality assessment and improvement in the business, healthcare and education sectors. Given the imperative to improve the quality of schools in Mauritius, this study was designed to investigate the usefulness of the widely accepted MBNQA framework in the Mauritian context.
Design/methodology/approach
A nationwide questionnaire survey of school principals explored the nature and strength of the Baldrige theory of relationships between leadership, systems and processes of primary and secondary schools and the ensuing outcomes. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted.
Findings
The findings indicate that Mauritian school leaders play a critical role in influencing school outcomes directly and indirectly through the inner workings of the schooling system.
Research limitations/implications
The research relied on principals’ views as the unique source of data about school leadership. The perspectives of the other stakeholders within schools, including teachers, students and parents, should also count and would offer a richer description of leadership reality in Mauritian schools.
Originality/value
This is the first ever study assessing empirically the notion of “quality” in primary and secondary schools in Mauritius at the national level. It contributes new perspectives about leadership for school improvement.
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Adriana Morales Rodríguez, Joan‐Lluís Capelleras and Víctor M. Gimenez Garcia
The purpose of this paper is to identify the nature and factors that influence student evaluation of the teaching performance of university teachers by integrating two areas of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the nature and factors that influence student evaluation of the teaching performance of university teachers by integrating two areas of research: services marketing and higher education.
Design/methodology/approach
A set of hypotheses were developed taking into consideration customer (student), employee (teacher) and service (course) characteristics. They were then tested using data from 952 courses for a three‐year period and employing different multivariate techniques.
Findings
Students basically evaluate the expertise, attitude and behavior of teachers. The results also indicate that this evaluation is a complex phenomenon that depends on factors related to teacher, student and course profiles.
Research limitations/implications
Given the nature of the data used here, future studies should extend the scope of research to other institutions, examine quality from an objective standpoint and include teachers’ perceptions and the outcomes of their research activity.
Practical implications
Based on the results of this paper, the authors recommend the following: to permit teachers to teach the same courses repeatedly, allowing them to consolidate their practice; to provide training in teaching techniques and ethics; to pay particular attention to those students who move to another degree program; and to maintain an appropriate class size.
Originality/value
This study integrates two areas of research and proposes a wide range of service quality determinants in the context of higher education, including several factors that had not been previously considered.
Propósito
Este trabajo identifica la naturaleza y los factores que influyen en las valoraciones que realizan los alumnos sobre el desempeño docente del profesorado universitario, integrando para ello dos áreas de investigación: marketing de servicios y educación superior.
Diseño/Metodología/Enfoque
Se desarrolla un conjunto de hipótesis considerando las características del cliente (alumno), el empleado (profesor) y el servicio (curso). Se contrastan con los datos de 952 cursos durante un período de tres años utilizando distintas técnicas multivariantes.
Resultados
Los alumnos evalúan principalmente la pericia así como la actitud y comportamiento del profesorado. Los resultados también indican que esta evaluación es un fenómeno complejo que depende de factores relacionados con el perfil del profesor, del alumno y del curso.
Limitaciones
de la investigación/ImplicacionesConsiderando la naturaleza de los datos utilizados, futuras investigaciones deberían ampliar el ámbito de estudio a otras instituciones, analizar la calidad objetiva e incorporar las percepciones del profesor y los resultados de su actividad investigadora.
Implicaciones prácticas
Se recomienda facilitar la consolidación del profesor en sus cursos; proporcionar capacitación en técnicas didácticas y ética; prestar especial atención a los alumnos que realizan cambios de carrera; y mantener un tamaño adecuado de los grupos.
Originalidad/valor
Este estudio integra dos áreas de investigación y propone un amplio rango de factores determinantes de la calidad en la actividad docente del profesorado universitario, incluyendo algunos que hasta el momento no habían sido contemplados.
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Christodoulos Nikou and Socrates J. Moschuris
Supplier selection for defence procurement is a crucial function of a Ministry of Defence. The Ministry spends huge amounts of money each year to procure a vast array of…
Abstract
Supplier selection for defence procurement is a crucial function of a Ministry of Defence. The Ministry spends huge amounts of money each year to procure a vast array of equipment, goods and services. The ongoing financial crisis demands less subjective and more cost-saving methods for selecting a supplier. The approach advocated in this article integrates Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with Goal Programming (GP) in order to combine conflicting criteria to select the best suppliers and allocate optimum order quantities among them. This paper presents a model close to real-world situations. Findings demonstrate that cost savings is a feasible result along with a viable combination of conflicting criteria in the suppliers' selection area.
Arzu Karaman Akgul, Sitki Gozlu and Ekrem Tatoglu
The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the causal links among operations strategy (OS), environmental dynamism (ED) and firm performance (FP) within the context of a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the causal links among operations strategy (OS), environmental dynamism (ED) and firm performance (FP) within the context of a key emerging economy, Turkey.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on a structured questionnaire, data for the study was collected from a sample of 211 firms that are listed in the database of the Turkey’s largest 1,000 manufacturing firms. The research framework was tested using partial least squares method, which is a variance-based structural equation modeling approach.
Findings
The results indicate that ED is positively and significantly related to OS dimensions. ED is also found to have a strong and positive influence on FP. Some strong support has also been found regarding the effect of OS on FP.
Research limitations/implications
The study’s narrow focus on Turkish companies precludes the generalization of findings to other emerging countries as well as other sectors that may benefit from OS. Also, the collection of data from a single respondent in each firm might be a cause for possible response bias.
Practical implications
This study provides managers with a useful tool for evaluating the efficiency of their OS relative to their competitors in dynamic business environments. Moreover, the findings of this study are envisaged to aid company managers in their endeavors to craft and execute successful strategies where appropriate environmental considerations and new operations capabilities should be incorporated to their broader strategic plans.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this study stems from its examination of the causal links among OS, ED and FP within the context of a key emerging economy, Turkey.
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Mauro Sciarelli, Mohamed Hani Gheith and Mario Tani
This paper aims to investigate the effects of quality management practices (QMPs) on innovation in higher education (HE), and how organizational innovation (OI) may influence…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the effects of quality management practices (QMPs) on innovation in higher education (HE), and how organizational innovation (OI) may influence technical innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
The hypotheses were tested with partial least squares structural equation modeling on a sample of 449 valid responses by faculty members in Naples (Italy) public universities.
Findings
The findings support the interdependent relationships between QMPs and their positive impact on innovation. It was found that some QMPs impact on innovation through people and process management, and that OI predicts the technical one.
Practical implications
Directors should recognize the differences between QMPs to implement effective quality management (QM) strategy. Furthermore, they should combine technical and OIs.
Originality/value
Despite the existence of several studies on QM and innovation in manufacturing and services, there are only a few in HE. Based on a multi-dimensional QM approach, this paper investigates the different effects each QMP has on both the other QMPs and innovation in HE.
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The purpose of this paper is to assess the implications of organizational knowledge, source of information and functional orientation, resource-based view of the manufacturing and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the implications of organizational knowledge, source of information and functional orientation, resource-based view of the manufacturing and global orientation, on manufacturing practices which include advanced manufacturing strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study approach has been used to assess the implications of advanced manufacturing strategies on firm performance.
Findings
This paper provides a framework for managers to: assess competitive priorities of the industry; identify order winners for the industry; identify key decision areas or practices for improvements; and to assess the role of implications of organizational knowledge on the manufacturing practices.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations are as follows: the issue of organizational knowledge and learning is assessed from manufacturing view point only; plants located all over India are considered for study; and considers plants employing different manufacturing systems and products.
Practical implications
Saturated with the conventional manufacturing technologies, a growing number of small- and medium-scale industries began to explore advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs). Investment in AMTs remains a promising but potentially risky venture. This paper helps the small- and medium-scale industries to adopt viable AMTs and business performance strategies and then provides guidelines for enhancing their competitiveness.
Social implications
This paper may help all the stakeholders of small- and medium-scale industry.
Originality/value
This paper is based on one of the few studies conducted to assess the implications of advanced manufacturing strategies on firm performance in Indian scenario.
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Waqas Khalid and Zaza Nadja Lee Herbert-Hansen
This paper aims to investigate the application of unsupervised machine learning in the international location decision (ILD). This paper addresses the need for a fast…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the application of unsupervised machine learning in the international location decision (ILD). This paper addresses the need for a fast, quantitative and dynamic location decision framework.
Design/methodology/approach
Unsupervised machine learning technique, i.e. k-means clustering, is used to carry out the analysis. In total, 24 different indicators of 94 countries, categorized into five groups, have been used in the analysis. After the clustering, the clusters have been compared and scored to select the feasible countries.
Findings
A new framework is developed based on k-means clustering that can be used in ILD. This method provides a quantitative output without personal subjectivity. The indicators can be easily added or extracted based on the preferences of the decision-makers. Hence, it was found out that the unsupervised machine learning, i.e. k-means clustering, is a fast and flexible decision support framework that can be used in ILD.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations include the generality of selected indicators and clustering algorithm used. The use of other methods and parameters may lead to alternate results.
Originality/value
The framework developed through the research intends to assist the decision-makers in deciding on the facility locations. The framework can be used in international and national domains. It provides a quantitative, fast and flexible way to shortlist the potential locations. Other methods can also be used to further decide on the specific location.