Kay C. Tan, Mei F. Wong, Teena Mehta and Hsien H. Khoo
After the successful launch of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) and European Quality Award (EQA), the governing authorities of many other countries have begun…
Abstract
After the successful launch of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) and European Quality Award (EQA), the governing authorities of many other countries have begun establishing their own national quality award (NQA) programs. Most NQA models are based on the MBNQA and EQA. Other NQA models choose to be unique. This paper compiles differences in the modeling of 53 NQAs found around the world. From the compilation is derived a set of recommended guidelines for the establishment and further development of NQAs. The guidelines include suggestions for either starting up or enhancing existing NQA programs in both developed and developing countries.
Details
Keywords
Japanese and US organizations, in their strivings to achieve organizational and quality excellence, differ significantly in various aspects of management and work culture…
Abstract
Japanese and US organizations, in their strivings to achieve organizational and quality excellence, differ significantly in various aspects of management and work culture. Spiritual teachings, such as Shintoism and Buddhism, have shaped the Japanese people’s concept of human relations and management philosophy. The West, on the other hand, highly advocates freedom and creative thinking, and has created competitiveness through fostering a culture of entrepreneurship. The US Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the Japanese Deming Prize, and the Japan Quality Award, contain in their frameworks several total quality management (TQM) concepts, including: leadership and social responsibilities, strategies and plans, customer focus/relations, human resource development, information management, processes, quality, suppliers, and overall results. This article compares the distinctive differences and overlapping concepts between the US and Japanese approach to TQM, with regard to the countries’ quality award frameworks and criteria.
Details
Keywords
In India, religious beliefs and social values play an important role in the workforce’s perception of work, learning, and human relation. These factors affect how total quality…
Abstract
In India, religious beliefs and social values play an important role in the workforce’s perception of work, learning, and human relation. These factors affect how total quality (TQ) should be implemented. This paper attempts to provide insights on what management needs to know about the culture‐related values of India’s workforce. The Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Award (RGNQA) is taken as India’s approach to TQ excellence. The approaches suggested for some of the RGNQA criteria are: leaders should hold authority with kindness; there should be careful/calculated planning and ethical practices; consider cultural background for human resource management, team building, and employee training; consider Gandhi’s teachings and selfless service to customers provide security and rewards; and promote harmony and respect for nature.
Details
Keywords
Compared to the rest of the world, quality management in Russia is still in its infancy. Unless an appropriate quality culture is developed to support and sustain quality…
Abstract
Compared to the rest of the world, quality management in Russia is still in its infancy. Unless an appropriate quality culture is developed to support and sustain quality management practices, it would be ineffective to introduce quality management systems into Russia. In this article, several critical success factors are identified to promote the effectiveness of quality training and management in Russian organizations.
Details
Keywords
Qimi Jiang, Chun‐Hsien Chen and Li Pheng Khoo
Research effort to integrate an analysis module of inductive field into an eddy current NDT system to realise a hybrid technique, which is capable of automatically analysing the…
Abstract
Research effort to integrate an analysis module of inductive field into an eddy current NDT system to realise a hybrid technique, which is capable of automatically analysing the inductive field so as to set up the optimum parameters for the system, has not been well addressed. This paper describes the work that leads to the realization of such a hybrid technique. First, two finite element models are described. Next, an analytical algorithm based on these models is proposed. By integrating the algorithm into an eddy current NDT system, a smart hybrid technique can be realized. This is beneficial in setting up relevant parameters such as the working frequencies and the detection distance. Thus, the test precision can be improved. Taking a cylindrical inductive sensor as an example, some calculation results are provided to illustrate the analysis of the inductive field produced in an eddy current NDT system.
Details
Keywords
Gangyan Xu, Chun-Hsien Chen, Fan Li and Xuan Qiu
Considering the varied and dynamic workload of vessel traffic service (VTS) operators, design an adaptive rotating shift solution to prevent them from getting tired while ensuring…
Abstract
Purpose
Considering the varied and dynamic workload of vessel traffic service (VTS) operators, design an adaptive rotating shift solution to prevent them from getting tired while ensuring continuous high-quality services and finally guarantee a benign maritime traffic environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The problem of rotating shift in VTS and its influencing factors are analyzed first, then the framework of automatic identification system (AIS) data analytics is proposed, as well as the data model to extract spatial–temporal information. Besides, K-means-based anomaly detection method is adjusted to generate anomaly-free data, with which the traffic trend analysis and prediction are made. Based on this knowledge, strategies and methods for adaptive rotating shift design are worked out.
Findings
In VTS, vessel number and speed are identified as two most crucial factors influencing operators' workload. Based on the two factors, the proposed data model is verified to be effective on reducing data size and improving data processing efficiency. Besides, the K-means-based anomaly detection method could provide stable results, and the work shift pattern planning algorithm could efficiently generate acceptable solutions based on maritime traffic information.
Originality/value
This is a pioneer work on utilizing maritime traffic data to facilitate the operation management in VTS, which provides a new direction to improve their daily management. Besides, a systematic data-driven solution for adaptive rotating shift is proposed, including knowledge discovery method and decision-making algorithm for adaptive rotating shift design. The technical framework is flexible and can be extended for managing other activities in VTS or adapted in diverse fields.
Details
Keywords
Rapid urbanisation coupled with the increasing impacts from climate change adds numerous challenges to cities and countries. This renders difficulties for devising urban…
Abstract
Rapid urbanisation coupled with the increasing impacts from climate change adds numerous challenges to cities and countries. This renders difficulties for devising urban governance models that are resilient, safe and inclusive while preserving what is left of the environment. The issue of regenerating green spaces, while mitigating climate change, with an aim to increase sustainability has been the subject of numerous research studies, but there has been no country that has managed to achieve high levels of commitment and success than that of Singapore. This chapter reviews the approach of Singapore and shares insights on the techniques and key projects that have contributed to the uplifting of its liveability levels.
Details
Keywords
Kuo-Ning Liu and Clark Hu
The purpose is to understand the importance of brand experience in the Taiwan hotel branding process; also, this study is to investigate the moderating effect of brand experience…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose is to understand the importance of brand experience in the Taiwan hotel branding process; also, this study is to investigate the moderating effect of brand experience on the relationship between brand positioning and non-financial brand performance in Taiwan upscale hotels, focusing on mainland Chinese tourists.
Design/methodology/approach
The structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was used to conduct questionnaire analysis. This study examined data collected from Chinese tourists who stayed at Taiwan upscale hotels.
Findings
The brand experience of an upscale hotel brand can affect its brand image, product attributes, brand loyalty and customer satisfaction. By investigating the moderating effect of brand experience, the study revealed the brand image perceptions of hotel guests with a positive brand experience to significantly influence non-financial brand performance. The product attribute perceptions of hotel guests with a more positive brand experience were also found to have a more significant effect on nonfinancial brand performance.
Originality/value
In the highly competitive hotel industry, the application of brand experience to marketing practice has drawn much industry attention. There is a strong possibility that upscale hotel companies will eventually find value in adopting the measurement instruments and suggestions presented here to assess and guide their marketing practices.
Details
Keywords
Diego Valentinetti and Michele A. Rea
This study is motivated by the rising regulatory demand for new digital solutions enabling searchable and comparable sustainability corporate information. It aims at uncovering…
Abstract
Purpose
This study is motivated by the rising regulatory demand for new digital solutions enabling searchable and comparable sustainability corporate information. It aims at uncovering the antecedents of the technological major benefits highlighted by the ongoing scientific debate on the digitalization processes implemented by firms. Therefore, this paper focuses on the factors related to the emergence of digital accounting, reporting and disclosure of sustainability corporate information.
Design/methodology/approach
Following the Technology-Organization-Environment framework, the authors review and classify the factors identified by current academic literature that may enable or constraint the use of digital solutions for collecting, reporting and disclosing corporate non-financial information. A total of 86 sources were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science and reviewed following a systematic approach.
Findings
Results show an increasing interest in the digitalization of corporate sustainability accounting and reporting and highlight some related drivers with a predominance of technological and environmental enablers (e.g. compatibility, stakeholders pressure) along with organizational constraints (e.g. need for technical and training programmes) influencing the ongoing adoption of new technologies for both internal and inter-organizational purposes.
Research limitations/implications
The authors provide several research directions for enhancing the academic interest in corporate accounting digitalization.
Practical implications
This paper offers practical contributions to regulators and companies concerning the challenges they should face in applying new technologies for non-financial reporting purposes.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic literature review on the enablers and constraints of digitalization of sustainability accounting, reporting and disclosure.