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Article
Publication date: 1 August 2001

A.S. Nookabadi and J.E. Middle

The objective of an effective quality assurance system should be to assist a company to satisfy customer needs and expectations while, at the same time, helping to protect the…

1746

Abstract

The objective of an effective quality assurance system should be to assist a company to satisfy customer needs and expectations while, at the same time, helping to protect the company’s interests, ultimately “bottom line” profit. Customer demands and expectations, however, tend to be changeable and manufacturing companies have to be flexible so that they can respond to these changes and continuously satisfy customer demands. Therefore a quality assurance system, as a sub‐system of the manufacturing system, must also be designed to cope with these issues of change. A knowledge‐based decision system having appropriate decision criteria and rules to recommend modules of a quality assurance system appropriate to specific company profiles will therefore be a valuable tool for executives and managers of manufacturing businesses. This paper summarises the results of a study conducted on more than 500 UK companies. The main results are in the form of an algorithm that can be used in the formulation of the knowledge‐based decision system.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 18 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Article
Publication date: 27 September 2022

Lauren S. Simon, Emily S. Corwin, Jacqueline Tilton and Denise Breaux Soignet

Negotiation is important for career success. Therefore, this study draws from social expectancy and self-regulation theories to develop a model proposing that social class…

443

Abstract

Purpose

Negotiation is important for career success. Therefore, this study draws from social expectancy and self-regulation theories to develop a model proposing that social class background (SCB) influences the ease with which achievement striving translates into propensity to negotiate. Specifically, the authors examine how SCB moderates the relationship between achievement striving and negotiation propensity via a key mediator—status-based identity uncertainty—reflective of one's (un)certainty about their societal standing.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data across three surveys over a four-week period from 460 participants. The authors assessed negotiation propensity by asking participants to rank-order behavioral reactions, representative of different degrees of negotiation engagement, in response to three scenarios.

Findings

The positive effects of achievement striving on negotiation propensity are attenuated for individuals with lower SCBs, in part, because achievement-oriented individuals with lower SCBs experience a heightened sense of status-based identity uncertainty. Although achievement striving is an asset for initiating negotiations, it appears to disproportionately benefit those with higher SCBs.

Originality/value

Individuals higher in achievement striving and with lower SCBs may approach the negotiation process differently than those with higher SCBs. This dynamic serves as another mechanism through which cumulative (dis)advantage processes in career success may occur over time.

Details

Journal of Managerial Psychology, vol. 37 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-3946

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Article
Publication date: 23 May 2019

Jake David Hoskins and Ryan Leick

This study aims to investigate a sharing economy context, where vacation rental units that are owned and operated by individuals throughout the world are rented out through a…

559

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate a sharing economy context, where vacation rental units that are owned and operated by individuals throughout the world are rented out through a common website: vrbo.com. It is posited that gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, a common indicator of the level of economic development of a nation, will impact the likelihood that prospective travelers will choose to book accommodations in the sharing economy channel (vs traditional hotels). The role of online customer reviews in this process is investigated as well, building upon a significant body of extant research which shows their level of customer decision influence.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical analysis is conducted using data from the website Vacation Rentals By Owner on 1,940 rental listings across 97 countries.

Findings

GDP per capita serves as risk deterrent to prospective travelers, making the sharing economy an acceptable alternative to traditional hotels for the average traveler. It is also found that the total number of online customer reviews (OCR volume) is a signal of popularity to prospective travelers, while the average star rating of those online customer reviews (OCR valence) is instead a signal of accommodation quality.

Originality/value

This study adds to a growing agenda of research investigating the effect of online customer reviews on consumer decisions, with a particularly focus on the burgeoning sharing economy. The findings help to explain when the sharing economy may serve as a stronger disruptive threat to incumbent offerings. It also provides the following key insights for managers: sharing economy rental units in developed nations are more successful in driving booking activity, managers should look to promote volume of online customer reviews and positive online customer reviews are particularly influential for sharing economy rental booking rates in less developed nations.

Details

Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7122

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2006

A.S. Nookabadi and J.E. Middle

As one of the major goals in modern industry, quality assurance concerns the whole life cycle of both product and process covering all quality‐based functions. It is also clear…

3823

Abstract

Purpose

As one of the major goals in modern industry, quality assurance concerns the whole life cycle of both product and process covering all quality‐based functions. It is also clear that, in order to design and manufacture the right products for customers, there is a strong need for an information system to support all the quality‐based functions from the pre‐production stage through to post‐production. Despite the research studies on integrated quality systems (IQS) in recent years, there remains no model for the implementation of IQS. This study aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

In considering quality assurance as a system within an organisation which itself has other sub‐systems, and referring to the definitions of integration, it is clear that the concept of integration can be applied to this area. The objective of integrated quality assurance information system is to integrate all phases from initial identification to final realisation of requirements and customer expectations in order to achieve maximum effectiveness and full customer quality satisfaction.

Findings

In this paper a schematic model of those essential quality‐based functions that need to take place within any design‐to‐order manufacturing environment are presented. The model collects, distributes, co‐ordinates and analyses information and data throughout all the sub‐sections. To validate the model a prototype test has also been carried out.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to provide information and model on all the quality‐based functions from the pre‐production through to post‐production stage.

Details

The TQM Magazine, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-478X

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Article
Publication date: 6 June 2023

Wei Sheng, Zhiyong Niu and Xiaoyan Zhou

The purpose of this paper is to explore the determinants of entrepreneurs’ subjective social status perception (SSP) on firm international behaviors based on the upper echelons…

179

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the determinants of entrepreneurs’ subjective social status perception (SSP) on firm international behaviors based on the upper echelons theory and social class theory.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypotheses, the authors studied a large sample of 10,823 small- and medium-sized private Chinese enterprises from 2006 to 2014.

Findings

The results showed that entrepreneurs with higher status perception prefer international activity and firms have higher export intensity and intention. In addition, the social capital of entrepreneurs and institutional environment amplifies the positive relationship between SSP and international behavior.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to research on the upper echelon of management and extends our understanding of how managerial social characteristics influence international strategic decision-making. Besides, it also contributes to the emerging stream of social status research in international expansion studies and expand researchers’ limited understanding of the effects of social status in business settings.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. 18 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 24 August 2019

Ola Ashraf Kubbara

This paper aims at a qualitative investigation and analysis of the complicated situation of the four German Political Foundations (GPFs) – Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Konrad…

1680

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims at a qualitative investigation and analysis of the complicated situation of the four German Political Foundations (GPFs) – Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Friedrich Naumann Foundation and Hanns Seidel Foundation – as actors of democracy assistance in Egypt post 25 January 2011 revolution. It explores the relation between the restrictive political circumstances and the weakness and potential failure of the GPFs while considering their internal structural and operative misconducts as intervening variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher uses the qualitative research method and its interpretive practices of data collection. The backbone of this study are the field visits and extensive interviews with the resident representatives of the GPFs in Egypt, and the representatives of the international departments of their headquarters in Germany. These interviews were complemented by further interviews with members of related organizations in Germany, as well as Egyptian professors, diplomats and experts on Egypt and the broader Middle East. The interviewing method is semi-structured in nature and audio-recorded. In Germany, interviews and information were gathered throughout a four-month field-research stay in Germany.

Findings

The paper concludes that the restrictive regime and political limitations were determining variables undermining the success of the GPFs in the area of democracy assistance in Egypt post 2011 revolution, while the GPFs’ own operative malfunctions and lack of adaptation to the political reality post 2011 were contributing factors in the process.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to security concerns and trust issues, many interviewees were reluctant to give information openly and freely; also requesting complete anonymity in the study. Some information and documents were denied to the researcher out of security concerns.

Originality/value

The added value of this paper lies in the qualitative research, investigations and personalized views on the functions and situation of the GPFs as international actors of democracy assistance in Egypt post 25 January 2011 revolution, considering the restrictive political landscape in which they exist. The study can assist scholars and researchers who explore the processes of democratization during transitional periods and the harsh grip of restrictive regime.

Details

Review of Economics and Political Science, vol. 8 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2356-9980

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Article
Publication date: 27 January 2012

Mauri Kantola and Juha Kettunen

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework combining the approaches of the innovation pedagogy, strategic planning of higher education and the research, development and

1740

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework combining the approaches of the innovation pedagogy, strategic planning of higher education and the research, development and innovation (RDI) in order to support the export of higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The export of education can be included in the framework by taking the innovation pedagogy as a starting point – an approach developed for the universities of applied sciences with the emphasis of efficient leaning in projects and the institution's external impact. Strategic management defines strategic objectives, which take into account the European education policy and the regional and international demand for higher education. The empirical part of the paper is based on the study of the Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) focusing on the networked applied research and development activities and the combination of the education and the RDI activities using learning in the projects approaches.

Findings

The building of the strategic partnerships seems to be one of the main instruments of the export process and to use the support of the external broker organization outside of the universities. The advantages of the student learning in the RDI projects are: the drop‐out rates can be decreased, the length of study can be shortened, the transfer of knowledge can be increased, the supervision of students can be increased, the experience of students from projects increases the employment opportunities and the integrated model of innovation pedagogy can be exported to other countries.

Originality/value

The framework presented in the paper could be developed towards mechanisms of sharing the knowledge concerning different global learning ecosystems.

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Article
Publication date: 28 September 2012

Juha Kettunen

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the maintenance of the process‐based quality assurance system in a higher education institution.

3519

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the maintenance of the process‐based quality assurance system in a higher education institution.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces the process management as the essential element of quality assurance in higher education and discusses the external quality audit of the quality assurance agency, extends the study to the quality management between the external audits and presents the procedure of internal quality audits. Finally, the results of the study are discussed and summarised. Action research methodology was adopted in this study. The paper shows that the process‐based quality assurance system makes the organisation responsive, agile and enables the achievement of strategic objectives.

Findings

The audit group must first evaluate the necessary improvements in the process. If no improvements are found, the quality deviations must be reported. The audit helps the institution take corrective actions to amend the process descriptions or maintain the processes.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the necessary processes of a higher education institution can be systematically described and audited.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 24 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

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Article
Publication date: 21 February 2020

Sophie Hennekam, Sarah Richard and François Grima

This exploratory qualitative study examines both the impact of mental health conditions on self-perceived job performance and how individuals with mental health conditions cope…

3181

Abstract

Purpose

This exploratory qualitative study examines both the impact of mental health conditions on self-perceived job performance and how individuals with mental health conditions cope with their conditions at work.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 257 responses to a qualitative questionnaire and 17 in-depth interviews with individuals with mental health conditions are analyzed.

Findings

The findings show that mental health conditions can negatively impact self-perceived job performance in the form of lower quality of one's work, slower pace, and more mistakes. In addition, the findings reveal coping strategies that positively and negatively affect one’s performance at work. Strategies that negatively influence one’s performance include substance abuse and self-harm, suppressing and hiding one's symptoms, and forcing oneself to continue to work when feeling unwell. Coping strategies that tend to positively affect their performance include accepting one's condition and taking time off, medication and counseling, mindfulness activities, transparent communication, humor, and a compensation strategy.

Originality/value

A growing number of individuals struggle with mental health conditions at work, impacting both organizations and employees. However, little is known about the influence of mental health conditions on one's performance at work, how individuals cope with their mental health conditions at work, and what effect those coping strategies have on organization-relevant outcomes.

Details

Employee Relations: The International Journal, vol. 42 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

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Book part
Publication date: 9 September 2024

Reham ElMorally

Abstract

Details

Recovering Women's Voices: Islam, Citizenship, and Patriarchy in Egypt
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83608-249-1

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