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An empirical investigation of the Portuguese crystal industry focused on the current strategies of the 12 firms in the industry that produce 98 percent of the industry’s output. The chief executive officers in each firm completed the survey instrument. The research discovered that the two groups of firms with positive returns on equity pursued a cost leadership strategy based on efficiency of production and cost leadership strategy based on production innovation.

This study examined the differences among 76 American project managers and 36 of their Arab counterparts with regard to their perceptions of factors contributing to effective project management. After reviewing the relevant literature, a conceptual framework was derived. Seven research hypotheses were formulated and tested. The results of this study tended to underscore the significance of cultural differences among these two groups of project managers.

Examines the cultural and business realities of the Arab world. Presents a framework which incorporates cultural variables and their influence on business, in two similar yet distinct Arab subcultures. Discusses business strategies with cultural dimensions within the context of the framework.

Offers a rare insight into the dynamics, realities and potential of the Iranian business community. Uses a sample of 40 Iranian executives to empirically study the impact of the economic constraints and the values of executives on the performance of Iranian business organisations. Emphasizes the implications of this study to Iranian business organisations and their current and potential trading partners during this period of proposed economic change in Iran.

The new realities of the healthcare marketplace are forcing healthcare decision makers to implement innovative operational philosophies, techniques, and tools that were proven in other industries to enhance the effectiveness of their organization. This study examines the acceptance and effectiveness of these philosophies, techniques, and tools in a hospital operational setting. The impact of implementation on operational and strategic outcomes is examined for 108 hospitals. Overall, the results of this study appear to indicate that certain quality improvement philosophies, techniques, and tools have been successful when applied in a hospital operational setting.

The objective of this study is to shed some light on quality improvement practices of for‐profit and not‐for‐profit hospitals

The scope and effectiveness of several quality improvement efforts are studied for a sample of 110 hospitals. Factor analysis was utilized to analyze the data collected.

The results of this study tended to suggest that for‐profit and not‐for‐profit hospitals were more similar than different with the regard to the effective utilization of quality improvement initiatives, thus underscoring the utility of quality improvement efforts despite differences in operating characteristics, strategies and operating constraints.

The sample used in this study is limited. Thus, the results should be interpreted accordingly.

This study offers decision‐makers in healthcare operational settings empirical evidence of the operational and strategic effectiveness of different quality improvement efforts, thus justifying investments related to the initiation and implementation of such quality improvement efforts.

This study represents an important step toward understanding the effective implementation of quality improvement initiatives in different operational settings.

States that management faces a dilemma when it rightly desires to create and maintain a drug‐free work environment. Addresses the need to test employees to ensure a safe and productive workplace while ensuring that the testing procedures are neither demeaning to employees or viewed as an invasion of privacy. Recommends the establishment of a five‐step process. States that asking and answering the right questions before setting policy in this sensitive human resources area is essential. The framework presented is designed to assist management in planning for the development of a drug testing programme, responsive to the needs of the organization and its employees.

Examines the relationship between business strategy, organizational performance and manufacturing techniques and practices among 130 US companies. The research supports the notion that innovative strategies, which stress customer orientation and differentiation through the careful manipulation of the operating systems to achieve higher levels of quality, flexibility and dependability, form the basis for strategic success.

Certified public accountants (CPAs) must advise their clients about potential environmental problems and solutions. Only by doing this can the long‐term survival and profitability of many clients be ensured. Reports on a survey of 940 CPA firms which identified their inconsistent attitudes to timing of disclosure, measurement issues and income statement presentation. Inconsistent practices are mainly owing to lack of authoritative support in the area. Recommends future actions and suggests the CPA should be aware of three critical issues that can adversely affect clients′ operations: valuation of the business, acquisition and divestiture and access to capital. Discusses the CPA′s role as external adviser.

It is clear that dramatic changes are taking place in the way health care organizations are being managed. Health care executives are having to make the transition from managing with a “pass the cost along to the consumer” perspective to one of extreme competitive pressure to reduce costs while maintaining appropriate levels of quality. Reports the results of a survey of 135 American hospitals′ executives. Uses factor analysis to uncover four distinct strategies being operationalized. Classifies hospitals′ strategies as: strategic analysers, externally focused and offensively proactive; quality providers, internally‐focused and defensive reactors; price negotiators, externally‐focused and offensively reactive; or cost efficiency providers, internally focused and defensively proactive.