Nadeem Kureshi, Faheem Qureshi and Ali Sajid
The purpose of this paper is to assess the current quality management practices of service sector SMEs in Pakistan, and to provide an insight for policy development for SMEs.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the current quality management practices of service sector SMEs in Pakistan, and to provide an insight for policy development for SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
A focused investigation of 100 SMEs in northern Pakistan was conducted through focused interviews and e‐mail survey. The survey is based on a list of 19 quality management techniques selected through Delphi research.
Findings
A significant gap is reported between the knowledge of quality management techniques and their usage by SME entrepreneurs. The results show strong usage of CRM related techniques while low usage of suppliers' development related and statistically extensive techniques. Significant correlation is found between the usage of TQM and other quality management techniques, particularly six sigma and 5S.
Practical implications
The results offer insight into quality management practices in Pakistani SMEs which represent the broader South Asian business culture that is host to a huge share of outsourcing from developed economies. Besides being of huge value to policy makers in the country, the results are useful for firms in developed economies that outsource their businesses to developing economies in South Asia.
Originality/value
The paper provides an insight into the quality management practices of Pakistani SMEs.
Details
Keywords
Shahid Mahmood, Syed M. Ahmed, Kamalesh Panthi and Nadeem Ishaque Kureshi
The purpose of this paper is to examine how effectively the cost appraisal system proposed measures the cost of poor quality (COPQ) in a construction project. The paper first…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how effectively the cost appraisal system proposed measures the cost of poor quality (COPQ) in a construction project. The paper first formulates how COPQ can be measured and later clarifies the relationship between COPQ, labor productivity, and profitability.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to measure COPQ, the researchers prepared data entry forms for recording COPQ items on a daily basis and formulated the cost contribution of lost material, lost man-hours, lost machinery hours, and lost overhead on the overall COPQ for the project. The proposed method was then applied in a case study.
Findings
The results showed that, for the 60-days study period, COPQ decreased by about 24 percent while labor productivity and profitability increased by about 17 and 11 percent, respectively, after the implementation of COPQ measuring system. This study further supports the use of the COPQ system in construction projects as a mechanism to facilitate continuous improvement.
Originality/value
COPQ is a major cost that is often ignored in construction projects due to the difficulty of measuring it. This paper presents a COPQ measuring and recording system capable of identifying COPQ. The implementation of the system is shown to increase productivity and profitability as demonstrated by the project used for the case study.
Details
Keywords
Muhammad Safdar, Nadeem Siddique, Ayesha Gulzar, Haisim Yasin and Muhammad Ajmal Khan
ChatGPT is a new development in this technological era. This artificial intelligence-based tool responds to individuals’ queries and produces the requested content within seconds…
Abstract
Purpose
ChatGPT is a new development in this technological era. This artificial intelligence-based tool responds to individuals’ queries and produces the requested content within seconds. Therefore, it is becoming popular among academics, the research community and library professionals. This study aims to test (through personal interaction with the tool) the authenticity of the ChatGPT’s produced records. Another objective of the research is to check the relevance between the individuals’ queries and the tool’s results. The research also intends to identify the challenges in retrieving information through ChatGPT.
Design/methodology/approach
The five researchers from different countries and organizations experienced ChatGPT by asking questions on more than 70 subjects. The responses were recorded in Notepad and converted into MS Excel and MS Access to standardize and analyze the data. The investigators consulted 11 reputed databases/sources, including Web of Science and Scopus, to assess the authenticity of the data retrieved through ChatGPT.
Findings
The findings confirmed that over 90% of results produced by ChatGPT were fake (the information did not exist in the literature). Similarly, the study sheds light on the discrepancies, such as irrelevant and incomplete information in the data generated by ChatGPT.
Originality/value
This is a unique study that shares the findings based on the different regions’ researchers’ personal experiences with ChatGPT. The researchers covered different subject areas (above 70) while asking questions to ChatGPT. The paper shares implications for researchers, students, faculty members, academic/research organizations and policymakers.