Nathalie Fabbe-Costes, Christine Roussat, Margaret Taylor and Andrew Taylor
The purpose of this paper is to explore the empirical reality of environmental scanning (ES) practices in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) contexts. In particular it…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the empirical reality of environmental scanning (ES) practices in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) contexts. In particular it tests a conceptual framework proposed in 2011 by Fabbe-Costes et al.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical data for this research were obtained from 45 semi-structured interviews with key informants, combined with a discussion of the main results with a focus group of supply chain experts. These data are compared with the literature and brought to bear on the framework.
Findings
The research finds both breadth and depth in the scope of sustainability scanning practices of the respondent group and provides evidence of multi-level scanning, with all respondents describing scanning activity at the societal level. It further demonstrates the adoption of multiple and diverse scanning targets at all levels in the conceptual framework. The articulation and ranking of scanning targets for SSCM at all levels informs the development of priorities for practice. The paper also makes some observations about the boundaries of the scanning process.
Practical implications
The results provide managers with concrete guidance about what to scan in sustainable supply chain contexts. The validated framework can serve as a practical tool to assist managers with the organization and prioritization of their ES activities.
Originality/value
The paper is among the first to address the role of ES in sustainable supply chain contexts. It highlights the need for a multi-level framework for such scanning activities and opens up a debate about their implementation.
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Andrew Taylor and Frances Hill
Examines the applicability of total quality management (TQM) toeducation and summarizes its underlying theory and principles. Discussesthe relationship between quality assurance…
Abstract
Examines the applicability of total quality management (TQM) to education and summarizes its underlying theory and principles. Discusses the relationship between quality assurance and total quality management with reference to ISO 9000. Aligns educational institutions with a service organization model and outlines the resultant implications for the development of a TQM initiative. These issues include the expansion of the internal supplier/customer concept, a greater focus on the marketplace, the identification of customers, the pursuit of continuous improvement and the strengthening of feedback linkages from the environment. Mentions potential problems with the adoption of such service sector models in the context of scholarship, individuality and the team ethos, and the commercial quality terminology of “zero defects” and “right first time” thinking. Concludes that educational institutions are likely to reap significant benefits from an appropriate implementation of TQM, provided that there is considerable planning, management commitment, culture change and a long‐term perspective which goes beyond the next AGM.
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Frances M. Hill and W. Andrew Taylor
The article examines the emerging paradigm of totalquality management and summarises its underlyingtheory and principles. The relationship betweenquality assurance and total…
Abstract
The article examines the emerging paradigm of total quality management and summarises its underlying theory and principles. The relationship between quality assurance and total quality management is discussed with reference to ISO 9000. Higher education institutions are aligned with a service organisation model and the resultant implications for the development of a TQM culture are outlined. These issues include the emphasis on a team ethos, a greater focus on the marketplace, the identification of customers, the pursuit of continuous improvement and the strengthening of feedback linkages from the environment. Potential problems with the adoption of such service sector models are mentioned in the context of scholarship and the commercial quality terminology of “zero defects” and “right first time” thinking.
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Andrew Taylor and Frances M. Hill
Examines the emerging paradigm of total quality management andsummarizes its implications for higher education. Rather thanprescribing a set of generic implementation steps…
Abstract
Examines the emerging paradigm of total quality management and summarizes its implications for higher education. Rather than prescribing a set of generic implementation steps, suggests that there are other, more significant, factors to be considered related to the timing of the initiative rather than where it should begin. Discusses four necessary issues: the removal of abstraction from the concept of quality in higher education; organization‐wide understanding of the customer; the importance of assessing the current quality level; and the need for strategic quality planning. Also cites classical organizational facets such as structure, culture, human resource management and leadership as being among the determinants of TQM success – concentration on these key matters attenuates the importance of the method of implementation. Argues that to disregard these harbingers of success is to risk long‐term damage to the organization and considerably reduce the likelihood of sustained and self‐generating organizational improvement.