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Article
Publication date: 1 June 2003

Anders P. Fundin and Bo L.S. Bergman

In today’s increasingly competitive market, it is important both to delight and to avoid disappointing the customers. Thus, it is of value to have a systematic process for…

7064

Abstract

In today’s increasingly competitive market, it is important both to delight and to avoid disappointing the customers. Thus, it is of value to have a systematic process for obtaining feedback from the customers, not only as a basis for corrective action relating to current products, but also as vital input to the new product development process. How can we meet our present and future customers’ expectations, if we do not have a feedback process that handles available information? This study investigates how this feedback process functions, and it seeks potential improvement. Three organizations are studied, and data are collected through interviews and personal observation. The case studies are conducted as a collaborative project with three Swedish manufacturing companies and the Department of Total Quality Management at Chalmers University of Technology.

Details

Measuring Business Excellence, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-3047

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Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 June 2003

Doug Hensler and Rick Edgeman

234

Abstract

Details

Measuring Business Excellence, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-3047

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 26 September 2024

Bo Bergman, Bengt Klefsjö and Lars Sörqvist

The aim of this paper is to investigate the development of the quality movement in Sweden since the mid-20th century. The authors are convinced that a summary of the Swedish…

349

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate the development of the quality movement in Sweden since the mid-20th century. The authors are convinced that a summary of the Swedish quality journey so far will offer important lessons for further quality improvements in Sweden and elsewhere.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study how the quality movement has been included in the industrial agenda and how it has been adopted in student curricula and in research. The authors have a focus on how business leaders have learnt, adopted, adapted and innovated with respect to quality development. often in collaboration with academia.

Findings

Although the quality movement has fit well with the Swedish culture and that successful corporate leaders have successfully used the specific cultural characteristics there is still a lot to be learnt with respect to the public sector, where the ideas from the quality movement have problem to overcome institutional barriers.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to the Swedish context.

Practical implications

There is a serious need to revitalize the public sector by getting leaders and politicians to understand the need for systematic quality improvement.

Social implications

If future Swedish achievements with respect to healthcare and other social welfare elements are to once again become world-class, the public sector needs to be open-minded and collaborate with the industrial sector and academia to find cost-effective strategies for making quality improvements. However, the private sector must also be alert not to be overtaken by some highly active Asian countries.

Originality/value

Swedish large companies have been very successful in applying quality leadership – however, in the public sector, this has not been the case. Suggestions for improvement are made.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 15 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

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Article
Publication date: 5 October 2018

Feiyan Guo, Fang Zou, Jian Hua Liu, Bo Zhao and Zhongqi Wang

Coordination feature (CF) is the information carrier in dimension and shape transfer process in aircraft manufacturing. The change of its geometric size, shape, position or other…

167

Abstract

Purpose

Coordination feature (CF) is the information carrier in dimension and shape transfer process in aircraft manufacturing. The change of its geometric size, shape, position or other attributes would affect the consistency of accumulated errors between two or more assemblies. To identify these “key characteristics” that have a close relationship with the assembly precision, a comprehensive method was developed under digital manufacturing environment, which was based on importance calculation. The multi-hierarchy and multi-station assembly process of aircraft products were also taken into consideration.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the interaction and evaluation relationship between components at different manufacturing stages was decomposed with a hierarchical net. Second, to meet coordination accuracy requirements, with the integrated application of Taguchi quality loss function, accuracy principal and error correction coefficient H, the quality loss between target features and candidate features at adjacent assembly hierarchies were calculated, which was based on their precision variation. Third, the influence degree and affected degree of the features were calculated with DEMATEL (decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory) method, and the concepts of centrality degree index and cause degree index were proposed for calculating the complete importance degree to eventually identify the CFs.

Findings

Based on the proposed methodology, CFs, affecting the skin profile and the flush coordination accuracy, were successfully identified at different assembly hierarchies to a certain type of wing flap component.

Originality/value

Benefit results for the engineering application showed that the deviation of skin profile was more accurate than before, and the tolerance was also closer to the centerline of required assembly precision range. Moreover, the stability in the assembly process was increased by 26.9 per cent, which could bring a higher assembly quality and an enhancement on aircraft’s flight performance.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 38 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1985

The most significant event for the School has been the announcement of the creation of the National Centre for Management Research and Development. The Centre is due to open in…

199

Abstract

The most significant event for the School has been the announcement of the creation of the National Centre for Management Research and Development. The Centre is due to open in 1986 and will provide research facilities for up to 20 major projects designed to improve the competitiveness of Canadian business practices.

Details

Management Research News, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0140-9174

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Book part
Publication date: 5 November 1992

Hanna-Leena Mdnnisto, Juha Tarkka and Alpo Willman

Abstract

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Economic Modeling in the Nordic Countries
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-859-9

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Article
Publication date: 10 July 2023

Anas Ali Al-Qudah and Asma Houcine

The purpose of the study is to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of new sustainability reporting (SDG) and external assurance (EXTA) practices. This study also…

1191

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of new sustainability reporting (SDG) and external assurance (EXTA) practices. This study also examines the relationship between sustainability reporting activity and corporate economic performance for a sample of 99 companies in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries that addressed SDGs in their sustainability reports published in 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a two-stage analysis, this study examines how firms’ characteristics and corporate governance variables affect SDG and economic performance, as well as the firm’s decision to adopt EXTA statements for a sample of companies in that addressed SDGs in their sustainability reports published in 2019. The authors collected data from the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) Sustainability Disclosure database and the Bureau van Dijk for Orbis database.

Findings

The results show that the variables firm size, profitability, big 4 auditors and government ownership significantly affect SDG and economic performance. The results also reveal that firms operating in the manufacturing sector are positively correlated with SDG and the firm’s decision to adopt EXTA statements. Furthermore, the results indicate that board independence positively affects SDGs and EXTA.

Research limitations/implications

The results can be particularly relevant and timely in helping large GCC companies promote their engagement to sustainable development practices by adopting more sustainable long-term strategies and policies. The findings could also guide managers in the strategic direction to identify firms’ characteristics and corporate governance features essential to promote sustainability reporting, an increasingly important performance indicator for investors and to enhance their confidence in the capital market. The results may also have practical implications to policymakers and other regulators in GCC countries to define effective frameworks that promote sustainable development reports and the use of EXTA.

Originality/value

The results make significant contributions by providing new insights to the existing literature on sustainability reporting in emerging markets by examining a unique perspective on the influence of firms’ characteristics and corporate governance features on the adoption of new sustainability reporting practices. The authors further add to the previous literature on the relationship between a firm’s economic performance and sustainable reporting by providing evidence from large companies in GCC countries, which might benefit from the adoption of multiple conceptual lenses, in this case, legitimacy and stakeholder theories. Lastly, through the empirical findings, this study provides economic validity to the 2018 joint initiative of the GRI and the United Nations Global Compact to strengthen corporate actions to achieve the United Nations SDGs.

Details

Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, vol. 22 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1985-2517

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Book part
Publication date: 21 September 2017

Ngoc Lan Thi Dang

This chapter explores the influences of Vietnamese culture coupled with national policies on gender equality on academic women’s advancement into senior leadership positions.

Abstract

Purpose

This chapter explores the influences of Vietnamese culture coupled with national policies on gender equality on academic women’s advancement into senior leadership positions.

Methodology/approach

In-depth interviews with 20 mid-level women leaders and five top-level leaders were conducted at four different higher education institutions in the Mekong Delta (MD) in southern Vietnam. In addition, document analysis and participant observations contributed to the overall analysis, which allowed for the cross-check of data from multiple sources to investigate the participants’ understanding, perception, conceptualization, and interpretation of their experiences of advancing in their careers.

Findings

Findings show that there is a large gap between the policies and gender practices. Gender equality does not exist in reality, regardless of tremendous efforts from the Vietnamese government and policy makers to ensure it in all spheres of life. Additionally, patriarchal hierarchy remains dominant in the institutional administrative system, and Vietnamese Confucian ideology continues to confine and adversely affect both men’s and women’s perceptions of women’s social roles, status, and forms of social participation. Nevertheless, academic women still develop professionally and find their own ways to advance to a few key leadership positions at their institutions.

Research limitations

The sample of this study is limited to academic women in the MD in Vietnam. Future research should include more women and universities and colleges, from not only the southern part but also other regions of Vietnam. Further, international and comparative studies should be conducted to see differences in experiences of academic women from several Southeast Asian countries as they move up their career ladder.

Originality/value

Because there have not been any empirical studies about women and leadership in academia in the MD, this study serves as a resource and foundation for improving gender policies and practices as well as future research on this topic and gender issues of colleges and universities in Vietnam.

Details

Discourses on Gender and Sexual Inequality
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-197-3

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 January 2025

Francesco Petrucci, Francesco Mutignani and Jose Novais Santos

This study aims to explore how the business incubation industry (BII) is dealing with the emerging challenges posed by the on-going transition toward an environmentally…

175

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore how the business incubation industry (BII) is dealing with the emerging challenges posed by the on-going transition toward an environmentally sustainable economy, from a business network perspective. Despite scholars and policymakers agreeing to emphasize the crucial role of the BII as a support sector for sustainability-driven new business development, it still needs to be determined how incubation organizations are dealing with the emerging priorities of sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relies on a qualitative interpretivist approach based on the data collected from 17 in-depth interviews with key informants from the BII of Emilia Romagna region, Italy. An industrial marketing and purchasing (IMP) analytical approach has been adopted to explore sustainability-driven changes in Incubation network contexts and dynamics.

Findings

This study shows that BII is increasingly exposed to the emergence of sustainability as a driving force in the development of new ventures. Main finding concerns the classification of incubation organizations in two macro groups, namely, local scouts and trendy scouts, according to their business incubation strategy and their approach to sustainability.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the IMP literature on the topic of sustainability by providing a filtered view through the eyes of incubators that are aware of the opportunities and obstacles to the development of new sustainable business models, resources and processes. Furthermore, this study lays the groundwork for analyzing the incubator ecosystem from an industrial perspective, highlighting the network of relationships used to support start-ups in their development.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

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Article
Publication date: 2 October 2019

Heping He, Yanni Liu and Zhimin Zhou

With the rapid development of social media in the past few years, some dark aspects of usage have appeared, e.g., Weibo addiction. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to…

575

Abstract

Purpose

With the rapid development of social media in the past few years, some dark aspects of usage have appeared, e.g., Weibo addiction. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to address the question of how Weibo keeps users hooked.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes the netnography method to explore the symptoms of Weibo addiction and how it is formed.

Findings

First, some Weibo users have typical symptoms of addictive behavior, such as withdrawal, loss of control and general living problems; second, narcissism plays an important role in the process of Weibo addiction and has a stronger effect on content generation than content consumption; third, some users use Weibo as a means to alleviate anxiety, but they can then become more anxious owing to addiction; and fourth, the effect of comments has two sides – on the one hand, comments are one kind of feedback to posts, satisfying posters’ social needs, while on the other hand, a storytelling system consists of one post and its comments, upon which some Weibo users become more dependent.

Research limitations/implications

This research is only a preliminary, exploratory study. Therefore, care should be taken when interpreting these findings.

Practical implications

This study should help social media service providers and users to pay attention to the risk of social media addiction. Social media service providers should take social responsibility, design more user-oriented guidelines for marketing ethics and launch more responsible marketing activities. Users should enhance self-control and better balance social media use and offline real life.

Originality/value

Netnography has not been widely used as an addictive behavior research technique. This study is further bolstered because it has also noticed the difference of addiction mechanisms between addictive micro-bloggers and their followers.

Details

Journal of Contemporary Marketing Science, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-7480

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