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Article
Publication date: 1 October 2000

Germaine H. Saad and Samia Siha

Addresses quality management issues of both conceptual and practical significance. The contribution is twofold: first, conceptual issues and critical relationships which have been…

3992

Abstract

Addresses quality management issues of both conceptual and practical significance. The contribution is twofold: first, conceptual issues and critical relationships which have been overlooked in the current literature are discussed, as well as their policy implications. Second, a contingency approach for managing quality is proposed to guide implementation, and to help reduce the deviations between the desired and the actual outcomes of quality programs. The contingency model developed provides a basis for advancing both theory and practice.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 20 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

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Article
Publication date: 1 November 2001

Germaine H. Saad

Addresses the question of how to assure effective performance evaluation of a public service strategic unit. Both descriptive and prescriptive approaches are discussed. Based on…

7704

Abstract

Addresses the question of how to assure effective performance evaluation of a public service strategic unit. Both descriptive and prescriptive approaches are discussed. Based on this analysis a practical model for performance evaluation is developed. The model proposed comprises key drivers of performance, including internal and external factors, as well as both quantitative and qualitative factors, simultaneously. The model has been designed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and tested using the Expert Choice Software. The testing results show that the evaluation outcomes differ as a function of the criteria used, the weight assigned, and the meaning given to each criterion. Using the same criteria with a different weighting scheme results in different outcomes for the same performance. This counter‐intuitive finding has important implications for management practice.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 101 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

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Article
Publication date: 7 November 2008

Samia M. Siha and Germaine H. Saad

The purpose of this paper is to survey and analyze current process improvement (PI) approaches, their empirical results reported in the literature, and develop accordingly a…

7943

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to survey and analyze current process improvement (PI) approaches, their empirical results reported in the literature, and develop accordingly a conceptual framework and implementation guidelines.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review of the popular business database to search for case studies and empirical research on PI methods was conducted. The empirical evidence on success and failure factors were inferred and tabulated. Based on synthesis of the lessons learned from this empirical evidence along with concepts drawn from economics, and operations management, a conceptual framework is developed.

Findings

It was found that the framework would serve as a diagnostic tool for identification of, and recovering from root causes of problems and inefficiencies faced in business environments. The framework proposed synthesizes and extends earlier PI tools and basic approaches used for mitigating disruptions faced in operations practice. The framework design consists of three main phases: Specify; Analyze; and Monitor closely. Accordingly, it is denoted by SAM.

Practical implications

Decision makers can be altered to both the success factors and causes of failure of different PI approaches, and a framework is provided along with implementation guidelines that help assure practical effectiveness of PI efforts. The guidelines provided for practicing managers comprise two categories: specific; tool‐based, and general; system‐based.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is two fold: first, empirical evidence on the drivers of success and failure of four main PI approaches, were synthesized. These include: six sigma, benchmarking, reengineering and process mapping. Second, based on this empirical evidence, a conceptual framework that guides both the choice and implementation of business process improvement programs is developed. The proposed framework and its implementation guidelines help assure actual effectiveness of PI practice.

Details

Business Process Management Journal, vol. 14 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-7154

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