The purpose of this study is to investigate whether hiring a high-quality auditor (i.e. industry specialist) depends on corporate governance indicators after controlling a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether hiring a high-quality auditor (i.e. industry specialist) depends on corporate governance indicators after controlling a different level of agency conflicts (ACs).
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses logistic regressions on 12,449 firm-year samples of Taiwanese public companies from 1998 to 2011 by grouping the samples into three categories (i.e. low, medium and high AC).
Findings
The results show that the corporate governance indicators can explain the decision of auditor selection only in low and medium AC groups, which suggest that there may be a complementary relationship between external (i.e. auditors) and internal governance when the ACs are mild.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the ongoing debate between the complementary and substitutable effects. When the internal ACs are controlled, the internal governance and auditor selection are complemented.
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Chinho Lin, Chu‐hua Kuei and Kang‐Wei Chai
The aim of this paper is threefold: first, to examine the content of supply chain quality management (SCQM); second, to identify the structure of SCQM; and third, to show ways for…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is threefold: first, to examine the content of supply chain quality management (SCQM); second, to identify the structure of SCQM; and third, to show ways for finding improvement opportunities and organizing individual institution's resources/actions into collective performance outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
To meet the goals of this work, the paper uses abductive reasoning and two qualitative methods: content analysis and formal concept analysis (FCA). Primary data were collected from both original design manufacturers (ODMs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Taiwan.
Findings
According to the qualitative empirical study, modern enterprises need to pay immediate attention to the following two pathways: a compliance approach and a voluntary approach. For the former, three strategic content variables are identified: training programs, ISO, and supplier quality audit programs. As for initiating a voluntary effort, modern lead firms need to instill “motivation” into a supply chain quality system.
Practical implications
The findings based on the abductive model reveal numerous strategic and tactical enablers, key sequences to move firms from their current situation to their preferred one, and critical opportunities for supply chain‐wide quality system designs.
Originality/value
This study will be of great value to supply chain policy makers, supply chain operators, and decision makers in lead firms in a supply chain setting and their channel partners. The proactive use of the authors' proposed research procedure is indispensable to effective supply chain quality planning.
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Christian N. Madu and Chu‐hua Kuei
Presents a new approach to adjust system availability levels which isbased on the integration of total quality management principles withmathematical models for system…
Abstract
Presents a new approach to adjust system availability levels which is based on the integration of total quality management principles with mathematical models for system availability. It is shown here that system availability levels can be improved and operating costs reduced if teams are used to evaluate and modify the operations of a system. The technique used here encourages continuous improvement and evaluation of systems, and demonstrates how coherent and consistent team judgements may be reached. A real case study that involves six engineers from a worldwide manufacturer of business computer systems is used to illustrate the application of the approach.
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T. Ramayah, Nusrah Samat and May‐Chiun Lo
This study seeks to examine the relationship between market orientation, service quality, and their impact towards organizational performance.
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to examine the relationship between market orientation, service quality, and their impact towards organizational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 175 sets of structured questionnaires were distributed to managers of 175 service organizations in the northern region of Malaysia, and only 57.71 percent of it, which is 101, was returned.
Findings
The results show that market orientation has a significant effect on organizational performance and service quality. Also, service quality has a significant effect on organizational performance. Interestingly, this study found that service quality partially mediates the relationship between market orientation and organizational performance.
Research limitations/implications
In order to be more generalized to the service industry, a wider sample with multiple responses from different individuals and management levels can be used for any future study. The same study can also be done by including other mediating or even moderating variables.
Practical implications
There is still a shortage of research studying the impact of service quality as a mediator on the relationship between market orientation and organizational performance. Thus, this study contributes a significant knowledge to the service industry.
Originality/value
This study adds to the literature by bridging the gap and showing the importance of market orientation in service organizations. It also provides some theoretical contributions to the development of market orientation in relation to service quality and organizational performance.
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Rodney McAdam and Joan Henderson
The aim of this paper is to investigate the future of total quality management (TQM) by determining the scope and depth of the influencing or driving factors that will shape the…
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to investigate the future of total quality management (TQM) by determining the scope and depth of the influencing or driving factors that will shape the body of knowledge, known as TQM, into the future. The rapid rate of change in global and niche markets has increased pressure on organisations to become more competitive. TQM is not immune from such changes. Rather, TQM theory and practice must continually adapt to be in the vanguard of such change and potential future changes. The research to determine the influencing/driving factors for the future of TQM involved a panoptic literature review and an inductive grounded theory approach using multiple case studies. Overall, the research indicates that both the mechanistic and organismic aspects of TQM will continue into the future, along with the continual representative development of initiatives to meet current and future organisational change. Furthermore, the TQM discourse will remain a challenging research area for both academics and practitioners.
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Chin-Chun Hsu, Keah-Choon Tan and Suhaiza Hanim Mohamad Zailani
Global outsourcing shifts manufacturing jobs to emerging countries, which provides new opportunities for improving their economic development. The authors develop and test a…
Abstract
Purpose
Global outsourcing shifts manufacturing jobs to emerging countries, which provides new opportunities for improving their economic development. The authors develop and test a theoretical model to predict first, how sustainable supply chain initiatives might influence reverse logistics outcomes and second, the impact of eco-reputation and eco-innovation orientation strategies on the deployment of sustainable supply chain initiatives. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed new model of antecedents and outcomes of sustainable supply chain initiatives underwent a rigorous empirical test through structural equation modeling with samples from an emerging market.
Findings
The results show that firms that implement sustainable supply chain initiatives can realize positive reverse logistics outcomes; the study also provides new insights into eco-innovation and eco-reputation strategic orientations as theoretically important antecedents of sustainable supply chain initiatives.
Research limitations/implications
Though the authors identify three components of sustainable supply chain initiatives, other components could exist, and ongoing research should investigate them.
Practical implications
The findings have important implications for managers in emerging markets seeking to initiate ecologically friendly business practices. The authors offer strong evidence of the benefits obtained from reverse logistics in sustainable supply chain initiatives. Policy makers and firms attempting to nurture sustainable supply chain initiatives should not overlook the important role of eco-reputation and eco-innovation strategic orientations, which the results identify as important enablers.
Originality/value
This study offers evidence of the critical role of eco-reputation and eco-innovation strategic orientations in deploying sustainable supply chain initiative programs, as well as of their mutual effects. This study also offers empirical evidence that implementing sustainable supply chain initiatives leads to reverse logistics, creating value, and a new source of competitive advantages.