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Job posting counts (JPCs) are emerging as indicators of employment dynamics, yet their validity requires assessment. This study evaluates the effectiveness of big-data–based JPCs compared to the traditional survey–based unemployment rate in capturing labor market transitions in the United States. Using the Current Population Survey, our comparison focuses on their ability to predict individuals' transitions between employment and unemployment. We explore not only monthly national JPCs but also four additional versions that measure labor demand at various granularities. Our findings suggest comparable predictive power for JPCs and the unemployment rate, with each capturing different aspects of the variation in these transitions. Coefficients for both metrics remain statistically significant when considered together. Notably, the unemployment rate's correlation with transitions changes signs when adding year fixed effects, a phenomenon not observed for JPCs. Among more granular levels of JPCs, the most refined measure – those by state, occupation, and industry – exhibits the strongest predictive capabilities. Furthermore, our main results remain robust when applying alternative JPC measures (total unique and total JPCs).

The purpose of this paper is to explore changes occurring in the human resource (HR) function and human resource management (HRM) practices due to the implementation of total quality management (TQM) in Sri Lanka.

Quality managers and HR managers from 77 export‐based firms with ISO 9001 certification that have implemented a formal TQM programme, running for at least three years, participated in the survey. Factor analysis, correlation and regression were used for the data analysis.

It was found that firms introduce process improvement initiatives within the HR department by upgrading the role of the HR function, and by redesigning HRM practices of performance management, competence development and career planning, rewards and recognition, recruitment and selection, HR planning, and satisfaction and well‐being to bring those in line with TQM requirements.

Although QM literature is extensive, it is difficult to find studies that investigated to what extent TQM practices have been adopted by export‐driven organisations in developing economies and what are the changes occurring in the HR function and HRM practices due to TQM initiatives. Understanding these is important to the development of QM theory in the international context. It is expected that the paper's findings will be able to establish baseline data to stimulate further research in this area.

Posits that advocates of quality function deployment (QFD) claim that it leads to better product designs, lower product costs, and shorter development times. Presents a study which aims to learn if organizations that apply QFD to product development achieve these benefits. Data from a survey of 80 QFD projects undertaken by 40 firms are used to examine these critical relationships. When leaders from these project teams were asked to compare results from product development efforts without QFD to results with QFD, they claimed that product designs and customer satisfaction improved significantly with QFD. Product costs and time‐to‐market showed only modest improvements. Benefits in time and costs may increase as QFD teams get better training and more experience. Describes the development and costing of a model of QFD implementation issues, product development outcomes, and customer satisfaction. Concludes that QFD’s implementation issues, specifically the organizational dimensions, have a significant impact on product design outcomes and resource consumption.

This discussion of buying motor carrier services in a deregulated environment identifies the key factors influencing supplier choice.

For central banks who study the use of cash, acceptance of card payments is an important factor. Surveys to measure levels of card acceptance and the costs of payments can be complicated and expensive. In this paper, we exploit a novel data set from Hungary to see the effect of stratified random sampling on estimates of payment card acceptance and usage. Using the Online Cashier Registry, a database linking the universe of merchant cash registers in Hungary, we create merchant and transaction level data sets. We compare county (geographic), industry and store size stratifications to simulate the usual stratification criteria for merchant surveys and see the effect on estimates of card acceptance for different sample sizes. Further, we estimate logistic regression models of card acceptance/usage to see how stratification biases estimates of key determinants of card acceptance/usage.

Information security is an essential element in all business activities. The damage to businesses from information security breaches has become pervasive. The scope of information security has widened as information has become a critical supply chain asset, making it more important to protect the organization’s data. Today’s global supply chains rely upon the speedy and robust dissemination of information among supply chain partners. Hence, processing of accurate supply chain information is quintessential to ensure the robustness and performance of supply chains. An effective information security management (ISM) is deemed to ensure the robustness of supply chains. The purpose of the paper is to examine the impact of information security initiatives on supply chain robustness and performance.

Based on extant literature, a research model was developed and validated using a questionnaire survey instrument administered among information systems/information technology managers. Data collected were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Further, to test the hypotheses and to fit the theoretical model, Structural equation modeling techniques were used.

Results of this study indicated that information security initiatives are positively associated with supply chain robustness and performance. These initiatives are likely to enhance the robustness and performance of the supply chains.

With the advancements in internet technologies and capabilities as well as considering the dynamic environment of supply chains, this study is relevant in terms of the capability that an organization needs to acquire with regards to ISM. Benefiting from the resource dependency theory, information security initiatives could be considered as a critical resource having an influence on the internal and external environment of supply chains.

Total quality management is imperative for new industrializing countries in order to achieve international competitiveness and economic growth. An empirical research was conducted in three new industrialized countries (India, China, and Mexico) to assess the practices in the human resource development dimension of quality management. Our findings reveal that companies in these countries score high on quality concepts, training in work related skills, and continuous quality awareness building. It was also found that in all three countries, the level of training in basic and advanced statistical techniques is low, and that the effectiveness of employee involvement and the level of employee participation is low. Our findings have important implications to improve the level of human resource development practices and internal quality performance for companies in these countries.

Examines Just‐in‐Time (JIT) from its evolution as a Japanese concept through to a review of its philosophy and implementation. Cites several techniques of implementation. Includes a review of the early work of various researchers and practitioners. Concludes that JIT is a very effective manufacturing philosophy which is universal in nature encompassing all aspects of manufacturing. Suggests a few deficiencies in current literature.

The purpose of this exploratory study is to survey quality management practices in two industrial sectors in the state of Kuwait. It aims to provide reliable and valid constructs for measuring quality management practices and to test the effect of type of industry and plant size on the implementation level.

A questionnaire was administered, with the help of the Kuwaiti Public Authority for Industry (PAFI), to a stratified sample of 105 Kuwaiti plants. Confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency tests were used to verify scales validity and reliability. The two independent samples t‐test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were utilised to investigate the statistical effects of type of industry and plant size respectively.

The results revealed four reliable and valid constructs: customer focus, total quality management (TQM) human practices, process quality resource, and quality measurements. While type of industry showed no significant effect on the level of implementation of the four quality management constructs, plant size was a determinant factor of the implementation of customer focus and process quality practices.

The study is the first quality management survey in Kuwait. No valid or reliable TQM scales were developed before in such rigorous methodology. The study contributes to the unresolved issue of the size effect, especially when considering plant rather than company size. The need for governmental support, especially for small plants, in quality management implementation was reinforced.

To appreciate the link of marketing strategy in terms of a brand launch, implementation and sustainability for business growth; to appreciate the complexity of consumer behavior in the purchase and usage journey of consumers for condoms; to analyze the nature of competition for the entry of a differentiated new brand; to analyze points-of-parity and points-of differentiation for uniquely positioning a new brand in the condom category; and to examine, analyze and evaluate strategic options for the next stage of growth. To make choices from the options.

Vishal Vyas, General Manager Marketing, TTK Protective Devices Limited (TTKPDL), had been a part of the exciting journey of launching SKORE, their new brand of condoms. In 2010, the company found itself in a rather unusual circumstance when it lost its rights to the most successful condom brands in the country. However, they had with them their sales and marketing expertise, a good team and a strong and loyal network of retailers. TTKPDL decided to enter the rather crowded Indian condom market and launch a new brand, SKORE. As a product category, condoms were particularly complex, socially, as well as in attitude toward their purchase and usage. SKORE went on to optimally using marketing strategy and gaining a strong foothold by capturing market share from strong players with a differentiated positioning of a brand that was youthful and quirky. By 2017 after having steadily grown the brand, Vyas was now looking for the next level of growth in a market, which not only appeared to be stagnating but also one where competitive activity was increasing. He was considering different options for SKORE’s growth. For TTKPDL, the strategic choice may be between expanding to new markets and new segments of consumers or capturing more of their currently defined target group or both. If they wanted to do something different, should they also look at expanding their product portfolio? Vyas needed to decide on the next move.

This case can be used in the core MBA Marketing Management course or core marketing course in the executive education program to highlight the important link of marketing strategy to business strategy. It can also find a place in marketing strategy and consumer behavior courses. It clearly demonstrates the launch and implementation of a new brand in a cluttered market of a sensitive product category and considers strategic options for further growth. The case is designed to help students appreciate consumer behavior for a sensitive product category and the entry of a new brand with five strong brands leading the market. It guides students toward looking at different options for the next level of growth and making recommendations.

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

CSS 8: Marketing.