Editorial

Citation

Radnor, Z. and Heap, J. (2009), "Editorial", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 58 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijppm.2009.07958caa.001

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Volume 58, Issue 3

When discussing performance management, there are often issues about a balance between productivity and quality … the question is whether an organisation can improve both at the same time … or whether improving one has a negative effect on the other. Without entering into any meaningful discussion, it is worth an observation on a recent flight on a budget airline. Clearly they have got productivity right – otherwise they could not deliver service on at the prices they charge – but on this recent experience, they seem to think the threshold for acceptable quality is rather low.

The research papers in this issue deal with both productivity and quality. The first paper by Hailesilasie considers the determinants of employee performance for individuals working in the Ethiopian public sector. For the journal we are encouraging papers from around the world and are particularly keen on understanding the productivity and performance management regimes taking place in all economies. In the research carried out in Ethiopia Hailesilasie found that many organisations were engaging in Business Process Re-engineering – an approach many Western companies implemented in the 1980s. We can only hope that some of the lessons regarding BPR and its implementation have been considered in Ethiopia allowing them to benefit from improved performance in their processes and outcomes. The research presents findings that reflect a dynamic nature of employees’ performance dependent on a number of factors which need to be taken into account when considering implementing performance related pay as well as BPR.

In the second paper we move to another economy – the Middle East – where Salaheldin has considered the success factors for Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation in Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar. The success factors were considered at both operational and organisational level leading to the finding that for SMEs in Qatar it is important to give the strategic factors a central role in implementing TQM. Much of the TQM research that has taken place in Western organisations have also reached the same finding but this paper gives an interesting view regarding the context of SMEs, the geographic location and also the focus on performance as a driver rather than just an outcome.

Both co-editors have home networks. Not sophisticated ones, but networks on which we can share files and other resources. Like computers more generally, networking seems to be a “black art”. You can set up a network (and we have) but making it work and keeping it working demands regular chanting and the making of sacrifices to the networking deities. We keep hearing that the consumer electronics companies are going to bring out their own peer-to-peer networking (avoiding the need for computers). Bring it on, we say. Anything that makes technology simpler is good for productivity.

Although sometimes simpler technology does not necessarily mean less confusion … or higher performance.. implementing or throwing technology at a bad system can often make it worst (just only quicker)! For example, one large airport when they implemented bar coding not only lost more bags and packages quicker but also delayed planes (and passengers) as they could not keep up with the productivity target. Understand the process and system first before throwing technology at it. At the end of the day technology, like performance measurement and management systems, are only a tool!

Two of the reflective practice papers (by Kumar, and by Antony) address the topic of Six Sigma – one in a manufacturing context, one as the basis of a discussion amongst leading academics. The third (by Castle) is an update of “lean” information management in healthcare. The advantage of papers such as these is that they allow us to see the links between theory and practice with the benefit of the analysis and understanding of the authors involved in that practice.

And while we reflect on quality … consumer choice is good. Right? Well, in principle yes…but the choice has to be between attractive options. We notice that Sky (the primary UK provider of satellite TV) coverage of soccer has foregone the option of allowing us to listen to two inarticulate fans commenting on the match on an alternative sound channel. Sometimes, we just want a basic, high quality service professionally delivered. All sorts of options can be offered to us – but it does not mean they should be!

Zoe Radnor, John Heap