Search results

Presents a series of articles on each of the following topics: digital strategy in the next millennium (Digital strategy – a model for the millennium; Searching for the next competitive edge; The technology link; Value web management opportunities; clash of the Titans: communications companies battle for new ground; and a guide through the maze); retailing and distribution in the digital era (The business case for electronic commerce; superdistribution spells major changes; VF Corp. sews up software operation; IBM seeks to harness digital revolution; Egghead’s bold move to a Web‐based strategy; achieving successful Internet banking; and enterprising uses for IT); and the changing shape of the aviation industry (boom times ahead for air cargo; United Airlines flies high through employee ownership; Asian practices to West at Cathay Pacific; and Ryannair strips to the bone).

Examines a modern approach to competitiveness and describes current phenomena which have altered the principles which underlie competitive success. Discusses the meaning and implications of several key competitive principles including market‐driven strategies, time‐based competition, global competition, competition based on core competences and learning. Emphasizes the significant role of benchmarking and presents a model that positions benchmarking as a strategic tool for modern competitiveness.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the various contributions made by Gurus who have impacted significantly on the theory and practice of total quality management (TQM) over the past 100 years.

The paper uses the solid foundation created by the various thoughts, concepts, principles and methods contributed by specifically considered individuals.

The methodology makes the case for the legacy that TQM has created and in particular, its unique additions to theory building.

A unique examination of a century of TQM Gurus.

Presents evidence from a survey conducted in four industrial sectors (health care, public, service and manufacturing), in order to: ascertain the level of understanding, usage and also the degree of effectiveness of the business process re‐engineering (BPR) concept in all the sectors concerned; and check the degree of compatibility and synergy between BPR and other concepts such as total quality management (TQM), self‐assessment and benchmarking, in providing an integrated approach to effective management. In total, 65 responses were obtained, giving a response rate of 13 per cent across the four sectors concerned. Discusses some of the key findings which emerged from the study and some conclusions and implications.

As healthcare reform takes shape, many challenges face hospital pharmacists. An opportunity exists to combine the principles of patient‐focused care and pharmaceutical care to redesign the role of pharmacy. To achieve this objective, pharmacy departments should adopt business concepts such as process re‐engineering. Process re‐engineering is a change management tool which aims to produce dramatic improvement in performance measures by re‐designing the process. The goal of restructuring is to increase the amount of time pharmacists spend providing pharmaceutical care to patients. The pharmaceutical care concept is a method of delivering pharmaceutical care services that match individual patient needs with the services provided. This article describes many hospital pharmacy department transitions to a patient focused care environment by adopting the patient focused care concept and the process re‐engineering to improve the quality of patient care through systems improvement.