Clinton O. Longenecker and Joseph A. Scazzero
Notes the spread of organizational efforts at continuous improvement using a total quality management (TQM) strategy throughout the global marketplace, and that the factors and…
Abstract
Notes the spread of organizational efforts at continuous improvement using a total quality management (TQM) strategy throughout the global marketplace, and that the factors and practices which lead to quality improvement are indeed well documented. Points out that, while most organizations which start TQM efforts are motivated to succeed, they are frequently exposed to the factors which may cause their TQM efforts to struggle or even fail. Details research in which 137 managers from practising TQM organizations were asked to assess their perceptions of TQM on a host of critical issues associated with long‐term continuous improvement, and were asked to identify specific reasons why quality problems still existed in their organizations. Finds that these managers believe that TQM efforts improve quality, yet they also described a host of problems which can plague organizations well advanced in the TQM process. Maintains that an understanding of these problems can provide needed help for companies involved in long‐term continuous improvement efforts.
Clinton O. Longenecker and Joseph A. Scazzero
Most quality professionals recommend a core set of attributes as the nucleus of any quality improvement process. These attributes include: (1) clarifying job expectations; (2…
Abstract
Most quality professionals recommend a core set of attributes as the nucleus of any quality improvement process. These attributes include: (1) clarifying job expectations; (2) setting quality standards; (3) measuring quality improvement; (4) effective super‐vision; (5) listening by management; (6) feedback by management; and (7) effective training. Based on a survey of employees at a medium‐sized manufacturing firm in the United States, it was found that management philosophy and actions can undermine even a proven total quality management (TQM) programme. For the many firms which hire outside consultants to set up a TQM programme, makes recommendations to management to ensure its successful implementation.
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Clinton O. Longenecker and Joseph A. Scazzero
At two different warehousing/distribution facilities of the same organization, workers were surveyed about their experiences with the company’s TQM program. The facilities were…
Abstract
At two different warehousing/distribution facilities of the same organization, workers were surveyed about their experiences with the company’s TQM program. The facilities were nearly identical with respect to infrastructure, technology, and systems but only one was considered a success from a quality perspective. The survey indicated that the successful facility exhibited greater attention to the human aspects of the quality process than the unsuccessful facility, for example, a greater degree of management support for TQM, communication and teamwork between managers and workers, effective supervision, effective corrective action procedures, and follow‐up of quality problems. While this study was limited in scope to two operations within the same organization, lessons for the successful implementation of service quality can be drawn from this case study.
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Clinton O. Longenecker, Sam Beard and Joseph A. Scazzero
The purpose of this paper is to explore the workforce benefits associated with formal corporate volunteer initiatives.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the workforce benefits associated with formal corporate volunteer initiatives.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was administered to 26 corporations with formal volunteer programs. A sample of approximately 500 respondents provided the descriptive data described in this manuscript.
Findings
The descriptive findings of this research provide a top ten list of workforce benefits associated with formal volunteer initiatives. Benefits include personal and professional development, enhanced workforce camaraderie and teamwork, improved organizational pride, reduction in work‐related stress, and improved work‐life balance.
Research limitations/implications
The employees came from a convenience, targeted sample of 26 companies that already had formal volunteer programs in place.
Practical implications
These findings make a strong case for organizations to increase and expand their corporate volunteer strategies.
Social implications
The implications of this study make a strong business case for organizations to expand their volunteer initiatives that also create positive social benefits for their stakeholders.
Originality/value
This research is filling in a research gap in the area of corporate social responsibility from the perspective of the individual employees that are engaged in these activities.
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Clinton O. Longenecker, Joseph A. Scazzero and Timothy T. Stansfield
Describes a field experiment conducted in a US automotive partsmanufacturing plant to explore the impact of team goal setting, feedbackand problem‐solving activities on product…
Abstract
Describes a field experiment conducted in a US automotive parts manufacturing plant to explore the impact of team goal setting, feedback and problem‐solving activities on product defect rates. Two manufacturing cells were randomly selected, with one cell serving as the treatment group and the other as the control group. The treatment group employed a team defect‐reduction goal‐setting approach, received daily performance feedback, and developed a group problem‐solving mechanism as part of the experimental treatment. The control group was physically isolated from the treatment group and performed their work under the organization’s traditional operating structure. The treatment group achieved a statistically significant reduction in product defect rates compared to the control group over the 15‐month period of this study. Discusses the implications of this study and suggests that a combination of team goal setting, feedback and problem‐solving practices can improve product quality and can be used as a starting point for an overall quality improvement effort.
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Karen J. Fryer, Jiju Antony and Alex Douglas
To determine the critical success factors (CSFs) for continuous improvement projects in the public sector.
Abstract
Purpose
To determine the critical success factors (CSFs) for continuous improvement projects in the public sector.
Design/methodology/approach
Theoretical paper based on a literature review.
Findings
It would appear that there are factors that are important in manufacturing organisations that do not figure in service/public sector organisations and vice versa.
Research limitations/implications
As few papers were identified, further research must be carried out into the CSFs to see if the differences between manufacturing, service and public sector organisations are substantiated.
Practical implications
This work identifies aspects that must be in place for the successful implementation of a continuous improvement project and should be used by those wishing to initiate a project within their organisation.
Originality/value
This paper highlights the similarities and differences between manufacturing, service and public sector organisations.
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Pilar Mosquera and Maria Eduarda Soares
Work overload has become a relevant issue in the Information Technology (IT) industry, with negative effects for individuals and organizations alike. This study aims to analyse…
Abstract
Purpose
Work overload has become a relevant issue in the Information Technology (IT) industry, with negative effects for individuals and organizations alike. This study aims to analyse the role of personal resources in a broad model regarding the effects of work overload on performance and well-being for the particular case of IT professionals. Considering the specificities of the IT industry, three personal resources were included in this study: one stable personality variable (conscientiousness) and two more malleable variables (work-life balance and psychological detachment).
Design/methodology/approach
To test the model, the authors use a sample of 144 IT Portuguese professionals. The authors collected data through an online questionnaire shared in social networks and IT social network communities. The authors use partial least squares (PLS) for data analysis.
Findings
The results show that work overload negatively impacts on employees’ life satisfaction, psychological detachment, work-life balance and task performance. Conscientiousness is positively related with two positive outcomes: task performance and life satisfaction. Work-life balance has a mediating effect in the relationship between work overload and life satisfaction.
Practical implications
These findings emphasize the need to promote conscientiousness in IT professionals, as well as reduce workload and promote family-friendly working environments to foster work-life balance and life satisfaction.
Originality/value
By testing this model, the authors aim to contribute to the current knowledge on the role of personal resources in the Job Demands-Resources model, which is still unclear and under-researched.
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Enrique Bigné‐Alcañiz, Carla Ruiz‐Mafé, Joaquín Aldás‐Manzano and Silvia Sanz‐Blas
The paper's purpose is to analyse the influence of online shopping information dependency and innovativeness on the acceptance of internet shopping.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper's purpose is to analyse the influence of online shopping information dependency and innovativeness on the acceptance of internet shopping.
Design/methodology/approach
The impact of online shopping information dependency, domain‐specific innovativeness and technology acceptance model (TAM) variables on future shopping intention has been tested through structural equation modelling techniques. The sample consisted of 465 Spanish consumers who had never purchased online.
Findings
Data analysis shows that consumer innovativeness and online shopping information dependency have a direct and positive influence on future online shopping intention and that the basic TAM hypotheses are fulfilled. Online shopping information dependency can be increased with interfaces that are easier to use, but only if perceived usefulness remains high. Consumer innovativeness positively influences internet exposure and the ease‐of‐use perception of the shopping medium, referred to throughout this paper as “shopping channel”.
Practical implications
This research enables companies to know which aspects of their communication strategies to highlight in order to get non‐purchasing web users to participate in e‐shopping. Perceived ease of use and online shopping information dependency has a significant influence on shoppers' willingness to purchase online. This shows that web content and design are key tools in the increase of future online purchasing. It is also recommended that managers target some of their advertising campaigns to the more innovative users.
Originality/value
There are still too few studies that analyse the effects of innovativeness and online shopping information dependency on non‐purchasing web users' behaviour. This work aims to combine the influence of online shopping information dependency, innovativeness and the traditional TAM in order to construct an improved model for internet shopping acceptance. It will use an integrated model to do so.