Bilal Saeed, R. Tasmin, Ayyaz Mahmood and Aamer Hafeez
Considering the relevance of operational excellence as a business strategy, organizations are striving to improve themselves by adopting best practices and universally accepted…
Abstract
Purpose
Considering the relevance of operational excellence as a business strategy, organizations are striving to improve themselves by adopting best practices and universally accepted principles through the process of continuous improvement, and these principles should be embedded in the culture of an organization. Organizations pursue to align themselves by continuously improving their processes by adopting scientifically proven techniques and cultural transformation throughout the organization. However, there is a lack of scientific instruments for the assessment of operational excellence. The objective of this study is to develop a scale for the assessment of practices of operational excellence principles in the organizations. Further reliability and validity of the developed scale are measured by testing the relationship between Human Resource Practices (HRP) and Operational Excellence (OE).
Design/methodology/approach
This study comprises quantitative design through exploratory and confirmatory studies and also includes qualitative analysis to develop a scale for the assessment of Operational Excellence (OE). Interviews from industry experts have been conducted to identify the major components for which organizations are striving for OE. Previous literature and excellence models, especially principles of the Shingo Operational Excellence Model (SOEM), have been reviewed and considered to finalize the scale items. Data were collected in two stages from both Telecommunication subsectors (Cellular Mobile Operators and Fixed Local Loop Operators) of Pakistan through the cross-sectional survey. In the first stage, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on the sample of 611 respondents from both Cellular Mobile and Fixed Local Loop operators of Pakistan. In the second stage, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on the sample of 423 respondents from the Fixed local loop operators. EFA was conducted by using SPSS version 23 to finalize the OE scale, and for confirmatory factor analysis, PLS-SEM using Smart PLS was used to confirm the reliability and validity of the OE Scale.
Findings
The results of EFA reveal that OE is a multidimensional construct with three dimensions and 23 items. The dimensions of the developed OE Scale explored in this study are cultural enablers (CE), continuous process improvement (CPI) and enterprise alignment (EA). The confirmatory factor analysis of OE confirmed the scale dimensionality, reliability and validity along with the hypothesis testing to measure the impact of antecedent variable HRP on OE.
Research limitations/implications
Organizations pursue to improve and align their operational processes but usually unable to confirm the implementation of their desired objectives. Based on the developed OE scale, managers may assess the implementation of OE principles in their organizations. This research has been conducted in the telecommunication sector of Pakistan only, and the developed instrument needs to be further tested in other organizations.
Practical implications
The instrument developed in this study will help both researchers and practitioners to assess the principles of operational excellence in their organizations and enable them to design the strategies for improving organizational performance.
Social implications
The results of this study will create awareness about the principles of operational excellence. The developed OE instrument will assist in identifying the gaps in organizational norms and values from the perspective of paying respect to every individual inside and outside the organization. OE instrument will be further helpful in the identification and assurance of health, safety, protection of the environment and community issues.
Originality/value
This study provides a reliable and validated scale for the scientific area of operation management and helps managers with the assessment of operational excellence in their organizations. This newly developed scale is also valid to test and use in different studies and industries by researchers and practitioners.
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Eman E. Elsharkawy, Neveen A. El-Nisr, Nahed M. Wahba and Walaa M. Elsherif
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the restoration effect of camel's milk against methoxychlor induced liver toxicity.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the restoration effect of camel's milk against methoxychlor induced liver toxicity.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study was carried out to investigate the restoration effect of camel's milk against methoxychlor induced liver toxicity.
Findings
Methoxychlor (MXC) caused a significant increase in serum transaminases (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase) and alkaline phosphatase, while MXC induced a significant reduction in total protein and albumin levels. MXC significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation and markedly enhanced glutathione in liver homogenate. Pathological damages as degeneration and coagulative necrosis of hepatocytes were established in liver. Newly formed bile ducteules denotes neoplastic changes in the portal tract with abnormal mitotic pattern were associated with the long-term exposure.
Originality/value
The present study concluded that camel milk treatment may play a protective role against methoxychlor-induced liver damage in rats.
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Purpose: Green consumerism is on the rise in the 21st century, impelling businesses to prioritise environmental awareness and expand eco-products to keep up with the growing…
Abstract
Purpose: Green consumerism is on the rise in the 21st century, impelling businesses to prioritise environmental awareness and expand eco-products to keep up with the growing demand. This research examines how social media (SM) and moral obligations (MO) affect consumer views and their propensity to make eco-friendly choices.
Methodology: Data were gathered from 508 participants using an adaptive questionnaire. The proposed model was tested using ‘structural equation modelling’.
Findings: The results show that electronic word-of-mouth (EWOM) and the intent to acquire green goods favourably impact consumer behaviour. MO positively influences attitudes and intentions to make green purchases (GPI), with attitudes acting as a mediator between MO and GPI.
Implications: This research is of utmost importance for marketers wanting to enhance their SM communication strategies to influence consumers’ opinions of green products and raise the possibility that they would make environmentally conscious purchases.