Search results

1 – 10 of 40
Per page
102050
Citations:
Loading...
Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 August 2003

Clara Martínez Fuentes, Francisco Balbastre Benavent, M.A. Escribá Moreno, T.F. González Cruz and M. Pardo del Val

Many organisations use the ISO 9000 series as a reference framework to establish their quality assurance system. In doing so, most of them overlook the process of interpreting and…

1524

Abstract

Many organisations use the ISO 9000 series as a reference framework to establish their quality assurance system. In doing so, most of them overlook the process of interpreting and adapting these standards to their own characteristics and capabilities. As a result, there is a misunderstanding with respect to the objectives of the standards. The correct implementation of the ISO 9000 series requires a preliminary analysis that facilitates the adaptation of them to the particular circumstances of a company. Therefore, this paper pays attention to the relationship existing between ISO 9000 implementation and the use of strategic diagnosis tools. The employment of such tools could be studied as an important facilitator for the ISO 9000 implementation process. However, this is not the aim of this research. Instead, the aim is threefold. First, the article analyses the use of strategic diagnosis tools by ISO 9000‐certified companies before and after the implementation process. Second, it examines how aspects relative to the management of processes, the organisational structure, and the relationship with suppliers and customers, are going to determine the quality approach resulting from the ISO 9000 implementation. Finally, the paper aims to analyse the influence of the development of strategic diagnosis activities, prior to the implementation, on the quality approach adopted by firms.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 20 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 22 August 2008

Andrew Shawn Creed, Ambika Zutshi and Donald James Swanson

The purpose of this paper is to document the progress made in a specified period and the experience of managers and staff in sustaining the high performance team approach in a

1643

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to document the progress made in a specified period and the experience of managers and staff in sustaining the high performance team approach in a plastics factory.

Design/methodology/approach

Single‐case analysis was conducted on data collected through semi‐structured interviews and site observations made with two managers and one team of six in a multinational plastics manufacturer (Visy) headquartered in Australia.

Findings

Based on the authors' experiences and literature review a successful high performance team requires clear targets and efficiency standards, communication, rules of behaviour, continual input of facts and feedback, and last but not least – recognition of successes.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on observations and interviews conducted in one part of a multinational organization in Australia. No follow‐up interviews could be undertaken to track the progress.

Originality/value

No other similar study had been undertaken in this organisation documenting the experiences of a quality improvement team and its interactions with managers. The findings have practical implications for industrial and other kinds of organisations engaged in implementing quality improvements through enhanced teamwork.

Details

Team Performance Management: An International Journal, vol. 14 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-7592

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 13 June 2016

Aviv Kidron, Shay S. Tzafrir and Ilan Meshoulam

This study aims to reveal the necessary human resource management (HRM) teamwork processes for achieving HRM integration.

1727

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to reveal the necessary human resource management (HRM) teamwork processes for achieving HRM integration.

Design/methodology/approach

A research survey was carried out among 233 HRM professionals from 29 HRM teams.

Findings

The findings revealed significant correlation between formal HRM aspects of HRM teams (HRM goals and strategy, formal communication and formalization) and informal HRM aspects (perceived proximity and trust). Another significant correlation was found between trust and HRM integration. Also, trust fully mediated the relationship between informal communication and centralization, on the one hand, and HRM integration, on the other.

Originality/value

The study contributed to the understanding of formal and informal aspects of HRM team (HRMT) processes.

Details

Team Performance Management, vol. 22 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-7592

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 5 July 2021

Emanuela Conti and Andrea Chiarini

This paper aims to investigate the phases of new product development within the design-driven innovation (DDI) process, the role of designers and collaborators in the process and…

7209

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the phases of new product development within the design-driven innovation (DDI) process, the role of designers and collaborators in the process and how this process relates to some quality principles.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative approach using Gioia methodology. In particular, four Italian manufacturing companies in the home appliances and furniture industry were selected, and data mainly collected through direct interviews were analysed through content analysis.

Findings

The new product development related to DDI includes the following phases: the company brief, the designer research, the concept of the designer, the design, legal protection, prototyping, production and the market launch. Designers play a strategic role in the above phases of DDI, but other actors also cooperate and some quality principles affect positively on the process. This study proposes a model for a DDI process in the home appliances and furniture sector.

Research limitations/implications

Although this exploratory study was conducted on only four companies, it advances the DDI research in relation to new product development.

Practical implications

This study makes recommendations to entrepreneurs and managers on how to innovate successfully and to effectively manage designers and collaborators to ensure competition.

Social implications

This analysis highlights that design-based innovation contributes to improving the quality of life of consumers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first qualitative study to examine the phases of new product development in DDI process, the actors involved and relationship to quality principles for the Italian home appliances and furniture sector.

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 June 2005

Frederic Marimon Viadiu and Eduard Cristóbal Fransi

This article aims to analyse the process of introducing the ISO 9000 quality standard with the help of an external consultancy company. The main objectives are to investigate…

1690

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to analyse the process of introducing the ISO 9000 quality standard with the help of an external consultancy company. The main objectives are to investigate: whether there were any basic differences in the way that companies behaved when implementing a quality system based on ISO 9000; and how the quality of the consultant can be measured.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology involved an empirical study of a sample of companies that obtained their ISO 9000 certifications in the years 1997, 1998, and 1999. All of these companies were based in Catalonia (Spain). The results were subjected to various statistical treatments to determine the segmentation of the market. Subsequent factor analysis determined the main factors that configured the quality of the consultancy services provided.

Findings

Three types of company behaviour when faced with the task of obtaining certification are identified. The companies that obtain the greatest benefits from the project are those that regard certification as just one more step towards total quality management. In contrast, companies that are sceptical about ISO 9000 are more likely to have negative perceptions of the consultant's work. The analysis also assesses the quality of the service provided by consultants. Finally, the paper finds that the quality of the service can be appreciated in terms of three factors. The factor that is best regarded by companies is referred to here as “human quality”, whereas the least regarded is “scheduling”.

Practical implications

The paper contributes a series of recommendations for consultants and companies looking to contract the services of specialised consultants in ISO 9000.

Originality/value

The article provides a tool to measure the service quality to the consultancy firms in order to improve its performance. On the other hand, it has been found that two out of the three dimensions related with this service were not found in the academic literature.

Details

Managing Service Quality: An International Journal, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-4529

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 April 2004

Angel R. Martínez‐Lorente and Micaela Martínez‐Costa

After analysing a sample of 442 of the Spanish biggest manufacturing companies, some evidence about the influence of total quality management (TQM) on the companies’ operating…

3679

Abstract

After analysing a sample of 442 of the Spanish biggest manufacturing companies, some evidence about the influence of total quality management (TQM) on the companies’ operating performance has been obtained. However, companies applying TQM together with the ISO 9000 standards did not show positive results. This fact leads to the consideration that, despite the beliefs about ISO 9000 as a good first step in the way of implementing TQM, once implemented, some of the ISO 9000 principles are contradictory with TQM philosophy. These not congruent systems applied together would drive the company to obtain less benefits than the use of only one of them. The study concludes that when ISO 9000 and TQM are applied simultaneously, the resultant benefits to the company are not better than those experienced if either system were applied in isolation.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 30 May 2018

Wassim J. Aloulou

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to family firm and entrepreneurship literature by providing an examination of how family involvement in management (FIM) moderates the…

679

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to family firm and entrepreneurship literature by providing an examination of how family involvement in management (FIM) moderates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO)’s dimensions and family firm performance (FFP).

Design/methodology/approach

Through a survey study, the research was developed using a sample of 175 family firms in Saudi Arabia to test the proposed hypotheses using hierarchical linear regression.

Findings

The findings revealed a strong positive and significant linkage of proactiveness and FIM with FFP, but, no significant relationship between innovativeness and risk-taking with FFP. However, when FIM contingencies were hypothesized, a new significant influence from the interaction between risk-taking and FIM on FFP was found.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation lies in the fact that it is not possible to claim generalization of findings to family firms in other emerging or transitional countries as the research is focused on Saudi family firms. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in order to produce new knowledge on EO of family firms and to help these firms not consider FIM as an impediment to the development of resources and capabilities necessary to the promotion of entrepreneurial activities within their operations.

Originality/value

There is a contribution to the literature on EO by showing that EO construct and its dimensions have great generality within family firms in a transitional context.

Details

Journal of Family Business Management, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-6238

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 November 2000

Clara Martínez Fuentes, Francisco Balbastre Benavent, M. Angeles Escribá Moreno, Tomás González Cruz and Manuela Pardo del Val

Examines the literature relating to the implementation of quality assurance systems and then uses a questionnaire to a number of organisations and consultants to compare…

2167

Abstract

Examines the literature relating to the implementation of quality assurance systems and then uses a questionnaire to a number of organisations and consultants to compare “practice” with “theory”. Analyses the implementation process for quality assurance systems designed to meet the requirements of the ISO 9000 standard to identify the role of the different “actors” to find out which factors facilitate the implementation or make it more difficult. Suggests that the primary motivation for introducing ISO 9000 systems is to improve image and reputation rather than processes.

Details

Work Study, vol. 49 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0043-8022

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 July 2006

M. Angeles EscribaMoreno and M. Teresa Canet‐Giner

The main goal of the work presented here is the study and comparative analysis of the changes that take place in the structure of organizations when managers decide to establish…

3056

Abstract

Purpose

The main goal of the work presented here is the study and comparative analysis of the changes that take place in the structure of organizations when managers decide to establish work teams in the context of quality management. It can be observed that team characteristics change and adapt to evolving management programs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors selected a qualitative research method, in particular the case study methodology. The comparative analysis of organizational changes was analyzed in three different business units that had implanted advanced quality management programs using work teams.

Findings

There is a relationship between the quality management approach and the degree of integration of the teams into the organizational structure; when the quality approach is an advanced TQM approach, teams are more integrated into the organizational structure. Results show that a reduction of hierarchical levels in the organizational structures favors the integration of work teams and vice versa. It also facilitates effective development of the teams.

Practical implications

As a result of the findings, supervision should be reduced and a great deal of autonomy and resources should be assigned to teams. In any case, the existence of linkage positions (a leader or facilitator that forms a part of the team) makes the required supervision easier and more flexible.

Originality/value

The paper shows that significant organizational changes requiring different uses of design variables can be obtained with the simultaneous establishment of TQM programs and work teams. The paper is relevant to managers attempting to use teams as an effective asset for obtaining the competitive advantage of their firms.

Details

Team Performance Management: An International Journal, vol. 12 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-7592

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 June 2004

Gyöngyi Kovács

Digital asset management as a technology for handling electronic material is used in different contexts for various technical purposes. Explores the effects of this technology on…

4734

Abstract

Digital asset management as a technology for handling electronic material is used in different contexts for various technical purposes. Explores the effects of this technology on the marketing supply chain, being a new application area of digital asset management solutions. A conceptual framework is provided to describe marketing processes in the world of information technology and marketing communication logistics. Based on a literature review, possible benefits of digital asset management in this setting are presented. Anticipated benefits are evaluated in an indicative case study. The description of marketing supply chains leads to new insights for supply chain management.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

1 – 10 of 40
Per page
102050