In this article, the total quality programme in the Spanish health‐care system (1986‐1992) and the subsequent quality improvement steps that have led to definition and…
Abstract
In this article, the total quality programme in the Spanish health‐care system (1986‐1992) and the subsequent quality improvement steps that have led to definition and implementation of such an integrated framework, seeking a quality management system and patient safety, are discussed.
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Ulises Ruiz, José Simón, Pedro Molina, J. Jimenez and J. Grandal
Defining quality of healthcare and determining how to improve organisational performance in developed countries is still an unresolved issue among healthcare professionals…
Abstract
Defining quality of healthcare and determining how to improve organisational performance in developed countries is still an unresolved issue among healthcare professionals. However, given that it is an important area of responsibility and accountability it is no longer acceptable to view the issue as discretionary. An increasingly acceptable operative option for achieving continuous improvement and excellence seems to be the self‐assessment of an organisation, based on the principles of knowledge management and total quality management (TQM). This article provides an explanation of a two‐level self‐assessment approach for implementing TQM within the Spanish healthcare system. The first level integrates a client‐centred approach using classical healthcare accreditation criteria along with ISO 9000 standards, the aim being to establish quality assurance systems in the whole organisation. The second level uses the European Foundation for Quality Management Excellence Model as a road map for self‐assessment and continuous improvement towards excellence.
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The purpose of this study is to develop a decomposed model to inspect the effect of knowledge management practices (knowledge sharing culture [KSC], knowledge-based human resource…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a decomposed model to inspect the effect of knowledge management practices (knowledge sharing culture [KSC], knowledge-based human resource management [KHRM], strategy and leadership [S&L], information and communication technology [ICT] on organizational performance [OP]) by using the four balanced scorecard outcomes (BSC) (learning and growth [L&G], internal process [IP] perspective, customer satisfaction [CS] perspective and financial performance [FP]).
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology included development of a research model based on comprehensive literature review followed by survey of knowledge-intensive organizations. A sample of 277 employees was obtained and structured equation modeling analysis using SPSS AMOS was conducted to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The study shows that KSC and KHRM have a highly significant effect on all the four aspects of OP; S&L positively and significantly affects only L&G and IP but does not have any significant effect on the other two, i.e. CS and FP, while ICT practices did not affect any of the measures significantly.
Research limitations/implications
The data are limited to 277 middle and senior level managers of Indian firms, which may be a limiting factor for generalizability.
Originality/value
The proposed model uncovers the dynamics of individual relationships between KM practices and measures of performance (proposed by BSC) in comparison to existing models which have mainly focused on the overall effect.
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Daniel Palacios Marqués and Fernando José Garrigós Simón
This research proposes to study the connection between knowledge management practices and firm performance.
Abstract
Purpose
This research proposes to study the connection between knowledge management practices and firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Theoretical relations are tested through an empirical study carried out on 222 Spanish firms in the biotechnology and telecommunications industries.
Findings
This paper shows how the firms that adopt knowledge management practices obtain better results than their competitors.
Research limitations/implications
The subject of principles has not been considered a dimension of knowledge management. New avenues of inquiry are opened considering this dimension.
Practical implications
It determines practices that have a positive incidence on firm performance.
Originality/value
The conceptualization of knowledge management practices represents a theoretical innovation. This scale can be used in other knowledge‐intensive industries. The paper concludes that these practices have a positive incidence on firm performance.
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This paper aims to explore knowledge management (KM) literature to understand the relationships among different KM practices and organizational performance (OP) in terms of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore knowledge management (KM) literature to understand the relationships among different KM practices and organizational performance (OP) in terms of the four balanced scorecard (BSC) outcomes, i.e. learning and growth, internal process, customer satisfaction and financial performance, as a measure of OP.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review of peer-reviewed journal articles has been carried out of theoretical and empirical articles to understand the linkages between KM practices and OP, accessed mainly through sources, such as ProQuest, EBSCO host, Google Scholar and other e-databases. Measures of OP have also been extracted from the literature and grouped under the four BSC outcomes to gauge the gravity of the effect. An integrated conceptual framework helps to explore the relationship between the said variables.
Findings
This study provides a conceptual model of the effect of various KM practices on different aspects of OP measured through BSC. It contributes to organizations by helping them understand the importance of integration of the KM efforts to obtain desirable results. It will, for the first time, put the entire organization in perspective and help managers draw a bigger picture to understand the overall effect of KM practices.
Research limitations/implications
First, the KM practices shortlisted for this research are extensive but the list may not be exhaustive. Second, the model is not empirically proved. Findings of the study would help in creating a roadmap to enhance performance by a successful implementation of KM practices.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to KM literature by adding the fact that KM practices not only affect learning and growth perspective of an organization but also have far-reaching effects on OP in terms of customer service perspective, internal process perspective and financial perspective.
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Daniel Palacios‐Marqués and Fernando José Garrigós‐Simón
This paper specifies how to construct and validate an intellectual capital (IC) measurement scale on the basis of management perceptions. In order to construct the scales, a…
Abstract
This paper specifies how to construct and validate an intellectual capital (IC) measurement scale on the basis of management perceptions. In order to construct the scales, a process based on the works of Churchill and DeVellis, complemented by the Delphi technique and structural equations models was used. The use of this methodology was illustrated in an empirical study carried out in the biotechnology and telecommunication sectors. As a result, a validated instrument for IC research is obtained in view of the faithful and rigorous measurement of its key construct.
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Muhammad Kashif Imran, Muhammad Ilyas, Usman Aslam and Tehreem Fatima
In current era, firms are facing difficulties in aligning their capabilities with the hallmarks of the knowledge-intensive economy. Notwithstanding the fact that employees’…
Abstract
Purpose
In current era, firms are facing difficulties in aligning their capabilities with the hallmarks of the knowledge-intensive economy. Notwithstanding the fact that employees’ creativity ensures competitive advantage through innovation, firms are unable to reap the required level of performance. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the linkage among knowledge processes, employee creativity and firm performance. Moreover, the current quantitative study measures the moderating effect of a knowledge-intensive culture on knowledge processes and employee creativity.
Design/methodology/approach
Surveys were conducted in eight services sector organizations operating in southern Punjab, Pakistan, and responses were obtained from 197 employees selected at random. To test the exposition using an empirical data analysis approach, three core hypotheses are drawn, and to test these hypotheses, multiple regression analyses, Preacher and Hayes (2004) mediation analysis and Aguinis (2004) guidelines were applied on 197 responses.
Findings
The results explain that knowledge processes have a positive impact on firm performance and employee creativity partially mediates their stated relationship. Moreover, a knowledge-intensive culture has a strengthening effect on the relationship between knowledge processes and employee creativity. In-depth investigation outlines that knowledge acquisition, sharing and application are more influencing processes to enhance firm performance. Furthermore, knowledge conversion and protection do not hold significant relevance with firm performance but are supportive elements for other processes.
Research limitations/implications
In order to have a sustained performance, firms have to initiate steps to promote employees’ creativity by deploying an optimal mix of knowledge processes and flourish a knowledge-intensive culture in routine organizational life. Moreover, knowledge processes are important to promote creative behavior in employees that will lead to incessant innovation and firm performance.
Originality/value
This study gives meaningful thoughts to unexplored areas in the field of knowledge management. First, the indirect effect of knowledge processes on firm performance through employees’ creativity. Second, the importance of knowledge processes to enhance employees’ creativity in the presence of a knowledge-intensive culture. This study gets together the dynamic constructs in the field of knowledge management, such as knowledge-intensive culture and employee creativity, and describes the linkage between knowledge processes and firm performance.
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The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical factors that impact knowledge sharing (KS) and their importance in technology-intensive service organizations in the United…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical factors that impact knowledge sharing (KS) and their importance in technology-intensive service organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Design/methodology/approach
An extensive literature review was conducted to identify the critical factors for KS in technology-intensive organizations. Then, an analytical hierarchical process (AHP) was applied to prioritize the primary criteria and sub-criteria. This study consists of nine primary criteria and 34 sub-criteria that are relevant to KS in technology-intensive organizations.
Findings
The results show that organizational leadership (OL) is the most important factor that impacts KS in technology-intensive organizations, which is followed by organizational culture (OC), organizational strategy (OSY), corporate performance (CP), organizational process (OP), employee engagement (EE) and organizational structure (OST). According to the results, the least impactful factor is human resource management (HRM).
Research limitations/implications
Because the results in this study were only obtained from service organizations, future studies can include manufacturing organizations from different countries and additional success factors. Future studies could also use structural equational modelling methodology for better understanding the relations among these critical factors for KS.
Originality value
This paper is one of the first in the UAE to examine the broad range of critical success factors for KS in technology-intensive organizations.
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E‐Teaching as the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education is of growing importance for educational theory and practice. Many universities and other…
Abstract
E‐Teaching as the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education is of growing importance for educational theory and practice. Many universities and other higher education institutions use ICT to support teaching. However, there are contradicting opinions about the value and outcome of e‐teaching. This paper starts with a review of the literature on e‐teaching and uses this as a basis for distilling success factors for e‐teaching. It then discusses the case study of an e‐voting system used for giving student feedback and marking student presentations. The case study is critically discussed in the light of the success factors developed earlier. The conclusion is that e‐teaching, in order to be successful, should be embedded in the organisational and individual teaching philosophy.