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1 – 10 of over 58000Addresses the standardization of the measurements and the labels for concepts commonly used in the study of work organizations. As a reference handbook and research tool, seeks to…
Abstract
Addresses the standardization of the measurements and the labels for concepts commonly used in the study of work organizations. As a reference handbook and research tool, seeks to improve measurement in the study of work organizations and to facilitate the teaching of introductory courses in this subject. Focuses solely on work organizations, that is, social systems in which members work for money. Defines measurement and distinguishes four levels: nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio. Selects specific measures on the basis of quality, diversity, simplicity and availability and evaluates each measure for its validity and reliability. Employs a set of 38 concepts ‐ ranging from “absenteeism” to “turnover” as the handbook’s frame of reference. Concludes by reviewing organizational measurement over the past 30 years and recommending future measurement reseach.
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Kongkiti Phusavat, Pornthep Anussornnitisarn, Supattra Sujitwanit and Pekka Kess
The purpose of this paper is to identify the specific circumstances which require productivity information. It aims to help support the promotion of productivity for manufacturing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the specific circumstances which require productivity information. It aims to help support the promotion of productivity for manufacturing firms belonging to the Federation of Thai Industries or FTI.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is based on survey data collected from FTI‐based manufacturing firms. There are five profiles: industrial type; size; years operating in business; ownership; and targeted customer to be studied in a pair‐wise circumstance. There are 40 companies that participated in this study. The statistical analyses include general linear mode with ANOVA. Altogether, there are a total of 138 circumstances (pair‐wise profiles) under study.
Findings
In general, productivity information is important as indicated from most circumstances – the must‐measure and require‐to‐measure circumstances. The findings also indicate that there is no specific prediction for particular circumstances (e.g. the larger‐size firms with longer years operating in business need productivity information than the smaller ones).
Practical implications
The results show that there is no need for the FTI to single out specific groups to focus on productivity‐measurement efforts. The study helps gain better understanding into the issues regarding when‐to‐measure productivity. It is generally known that there are a few measurement techniques that are communicated to the FTI firms on a regular basis such as multi‐factor productivity measurement and value‐added productivity measurement – what to measure. In addition, their applications are primarily at the organizational and production levels – where‐to‐measure. The process to deploy these measurement techniques is well known and documented – how‐to‐measure.
Originality/value
The findings support the use of both financial and non‐financial information to ensure an effective management process (i.e. measurement, analysis, and improvement).
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The primary objective of this paper is to explore how the companies in Turkey plan, manage, carry out and improve their logistics processes and, thus, provide a preliminary…
Abstract
The primary objective of this paper is to explore how the companies in Turkey plan, manage, carry out and improve their logistics processes and, thus, provide a preliminary analysis to explore the current status of logistics in Turkey. For this purpose, a structured‐disguised survey was conducted with the top 250 firms of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. The aims were: to specify the organizational, financial and managerial significance of logistics activities; to articulate the sourcing/ purchasing feature, customer service and order processing, to understand the changes in the number of suppliers and customers and to identify the features of activities and tools aimed to improve the quality/productivity in these systems; and to investigate the impact of the general characteristics on the first and second subcriteria for each firm.
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Dotun Adebanjo, Robin Mann, Musli Mohammad and Salleh Ahmad Bareduan
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the activities of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO). The study identifies the various roles and activities of the APO and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the activities of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO). The study identifies the various roles and activities of the APO and evaluates how well it performs in these roles. The study also investigates the impacts of the APO on the productivity initiatives of National Productivity Organisations (NPOs) in 16 Asian countries. These productivity initiatives are important in enhancing productivity performance and national competitiveness in the countries of interest.
Design/methodology/approach
The study collects data from stakeholders in the NPOs in 16 countries. A Likert-scale questionnaire was used to collect data from two types of respondents – NPO CEOs and NPO professional/technical staff. Data were analysed by comparing the responses across the participating countries.
Findings
The result shows that there was general satisfaction with the mission, vision and strategic direction of the APO. With respect to the operational performance of the organisation, the study showed that there were some differences in perception of the performance of the APO although the overall perception was positive.
Practical implications
The study provides insights into the top management of the APO with regards to deciding on the future direction of the organisation and, in particular, the ways in which it understands and supports the varied requirements of the different NPOs.
Originality/value
Organisations such as the APO dedicate significant resources into supporting NPOs, and by extension productivity-related commercial operations, in several countries. It is important to understand how these services are perceived and experienced in these countries, and a definitive study to examine this has not previously been carried out.
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Roger W. Schmenner, Rho and Boo Ho
For the plant manager there are many suggested remedies forincreased plant productivity. Detailed survey data from 555 factories,principally in the US, Europe and Korea, are used…
Abstract
For the plant manager there are many suggested remedies for increased plant productivity. Detailed survey data from 555 factories, principally in the US, Europe and Korea, are used to examine the factors that contribute to productivity. Regression analysis is employed with five distinct measures of productivity and productivity gain and the results indicate a number of key variables are responsible. Many similarities are reported across the three samples analysed, but three factors stand out: improved flow of materials; investment in new technology; and human resource initiatives.
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Kaisu Laitinen, Mika Luhtala, Maiju Örmä and Kalle Vaismaa
Insufficient productivity development in the global and Finnish infrastructure sectors indicates that there are challenges in genuinely achieving the goals of resource efficiency…
Abstract
Purpose
Insufficient productivity development in the global and Finnish infrastructure sectors indicates that there are challenges in genuinely achieving the goals of resource efficiency and digitalization. This study adapts the approach of capability maturity model integration (CMMI) for examining the capabilities for productivity development that reveal the enablers of improving productivity in the infrastructure sector.
Design/methodology/approach
Civil engineering in Finland was selected as the study area, and a qualitative research approach was adopted. A novel maturity model was constructed deductively through a three-step analytical process. Previous research literature was adapted to form a framework with maturity levels and key process areas (KPAs). KPA attributes and their maturity criteria were formed through a thematic analysis of interview data from 12 semi-structured group interviews. Finally, validation and refinement of the model were performed with an expert panel.
Findings
This paper provides a novel maturity model for examining and enhancing the infrastructure sector’s maturity in productivity development. The model brings into discussion the current business logics, relevance of lifecycle-thinking, binding targets and outcomes of limited activities in the surrounding infrastructure system.
Originality/value
This paper provides a new approach for pursuing productivity development in the infrastructure sector by constructing a maturity model that adapts the concepts of CMMI and change management. The model and findings benefit all actors in the sector and provide an understanding of the required elements and means to achieve a more sustainable built environment and effective operations.
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Compares and contrasts the competitive priorities (manufacturing capabilities) of high‐ and low‐productivity firms, from the perspective of the cumulative model for manufacturing…
Abstract
Compares and contrasts the competitive priorities (manufacturing capabilities) of high‐ and low‐productivity firms, from the perspective of the cumulative model for manufacturing competitiveness by using various statistical tests. Contends that the analysis of 561 firms worldwide demonstrates clearly differences in manufacturing strategy between the two productivity subsets, one of which is that better performing firms are the more likely to address multiple capabilities simultaneously; another is that these firms appear to have the more clearly defined competitive strategies. The high‐productivity firms are thus more supportive than are the low‐productivity firms of the cumulative model. Also discusses other findings.
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Harm‐Jan Steenhuis and Erik J. de Bruijn
Operations managers need to consider where to manufacture, or outsource, their manufacturing activities. A factor in location choice is productivity differences at different…
Abstract
Purpose
Operations managers need to consider where to manufacture, or outsource, their manufacturing activities. A factor in location choice is productivity differences at different locations. This study aims to focus on determining productivity at the shopfloor level since this is the place where the differences in productivity ultimately affect the international competition position.
Design/methodology/approach
Causes for international differences in productivity for an essentially equal production technology, with an essentially equal level of shopfloor skills are determined from case analysis.
Findings
It was found that working conditions, degree of centralization, the national attitude towards time, and the motivation of the workforce influence productivity.
Practical implications
Productivity is dependent on factors that are connected with the external environment. Consequently, companies can not assume that productivity levels will be the same when moving to another country.
Originality/value
The paper illustrates factors, some outside of the company's control, that affect productivity and therefore the cost of international production.
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Saleh Mollahaliloglu, Sahin Kavuncubasi, Fikriye Yilmaz, Mustafa Z. Younis, Fatih Simsek, Mustafa Kostak, Selami Yildirim and Emeka Nwagwu
Turkish Ministry of Health (MoH) has Health Transformation Program (HTP). The purpose of this program has been to modify the structure of the current system in order to enhance…
Abstract
Purpose
Turkish Ministry of Health (MoH) has Health Transformation Program (HTP). The purpose of this program has been to modify the structure of the current system in order to enhance health system productivity, quality, and access in the Turkish health system. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
To measure the productivity, a data envelopment analysis-based Malmquist index approach was employed.
Findings
Results showed that the overall HTP have had a considerable positive impact on the productivity of general hospitals.
Research limitations/implications
The limitation is the availability of some data that might not be collected or reported to the MoH in Turkey.
Practical implications
This research’s findings will have an impact on reforming the health care system in Turkey to be competitive and efficient as possible.
Social implications
The research will have implication on reducing cost and provide value to the Turkish population.
Originality/value
This is one of the very few articles that targeted the efficiency of hospital system in Turkey.
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Meri Indri Hapsari, Amin Hanif Mahmud, Sri Herianingrum, R. Moh Qudsi Fauzy, Siti Ngayesah Ab. Hamid, Arka Prabaswara and Lina Mawaddatul Masfiyah
The purpose of this study is to analyse, firstly, whether education, financial inclusion, financial literacy and financial planning can be antecedents that affect Islamic welfare…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyse, firstly, whether education, financial inclusion, financial literacy and financial planning can be antecedents that affect Islamic welfare and, secondly, whether productivity can be a mediator to improve Islamic welfare.
Design/methodology/approach
This study involved quantitative research using data obtained from a survey. The respondents were 538 Muslim families in East Java, Indonesia. Structural equation modelling was used for the analysis.
Findings
This study tested 13 hypotheses, of which 10 were accepted. The accepted hypotheses refer to the effects of financial literacy on productivity, financial inclusion on productivity, financial planning on productivity, financial planning on Islamic welfare, education on Islamic welfare, productivity on Islamic welfare, financial literacy and productivity on Islamic welfare, financial inclusion and productivity on Islamic welfare and financial planning and productivity on Islamic welfare, as well as the effects of financial inclusion on Islamic welfare. Meanwhile, three hypotheses were not accepted; they refer to the effects of financial literacy on Islamic welfare, the effect of education on productivity, as well as the impact of education and productivity on Islamic welfare.
Research limitations/implications
The study was conducted only with respondents living in East Java, so the results depict the condition of Muslim families’ welfare in East Java.
Originality/value
Research into the antecedents of Islamic welfare has received little academic attention, so this study explores how education, financial inclusion, financial literacy, financial planning and productivity could affect Islamic welfare among Muslim families.
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