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Article
Publication date: 5 May 2015

Levente Szász, Krisztina Demeter and Harry Boer

The purpose of this paper is to seek remedy to two major flaws of the production competence literature, which concern: the way the production competence construct is…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to seek remedy to two major flaws of the production competence literature, which concern: the way the production competence construct is operationalized and the way its effects on performance are measured.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes to measure production competence as the two-dimensional operational level construct it actually is, and to use Slack’s (1994) importance-performance matrix to study its business level performance effects. The three hypotheses developed are tested using a subsample of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey database, which includes 465 manufacturing companies from 21 countries.

Findings

The study offers additional empirical support for production competence theory. Going beyond supporting existing theory, the results give more detailed insight by indicating that low operational performance on even one important competitive factor leads to lower business performance (order-losing effect); excessive investment in increasing operational performance on any less important competitive factor does not necessarily lead to higher business performance.

Practical implications

Using a large empirical dataset, the study shows that the importance-performance matrix is a useful tool for decision makers to assess and improve their company’s manufacturing strategy: it indicates how to prioritize between improvement efforts to positively contribute to business performance.

Originality/value

The paper offers a novel approach to operationalize production competence. The importance-performance analysis approach adopted in this study avoids the two major drawbacks of previous production competence studies and offers an appropriate method to assess the impact of production competence on business performance.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 26 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 August 2021

Kofi Agyekum, Elorm Emil Koku Akli-Nartey, Augustine Senanu Kukah and Amma Kyewaa Agyekum

The excellence in design and greater efficiencies (EDGE) certification system has seen a gradual adoption worldwide, with Ghana having six out of its eight certified green…

Abstract

Purpose

The excellence in design and greater efficiencies (EDGE) certification system has seen a gradual adoption worldwide, with Ghana having six out of its eight certified green buildings bearing an EDGE certification. However, little is known about occupants’ satisfaction with the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of EDGE-certified buildings. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the satisfaction of occupants with the IEQ of an EDGE-certified building in Ghana by identifying their perceived performance of the indoor environment relative to their perceived importance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted to evaluate the performance of 12 IEQ parameters with the occupants of an EDGE-certified office building. The survey results were evaluated using a gap analysis and both traditional and alternative Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) matrices.

Findings

The findings revealed that noise level, temperature, cleanliness, sound privacy, air quality and humidity were IEQs that required the highest priority for improvement. Daylight and artificial lighting showed no appreciable performance gap. Space layout was adequately satisfied, whereas space size was overly satisfied. Visual privacy and outdoor view were found to require low priority of improvement.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the state-of-the-art of the IEQ of green buildings. It pioneers the research that seeks to examine the IEQ of EDGE-certified buildings. The gap analysis and the IPA were effective in prioritizing the IEQs for improvement action and provided a practical research framework that helped researchers examine the performance of green buildings, thereby giving valuable feedback to policymakers and building owners.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 41 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 September 2011

Daniel I. Prajogo and Peggy McDermott

This paper aims to examine the ten competitive dimensions of service in terms of relative importance and contribution to business performance, using the Importance‐Performance

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the ten competitive dimensions of service in terms of relative importance and contribution to business performance, using the Importance‐Performance Analysis (IPA) matrix.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data for this study was drawn from 190 managers of Australian service organisations, with primary responsibilities related to day‐to‐day corporate operations. The targeted service organisations encompassed various sectors, including: transportation, communications, banking, insurance, health care, education, wholesale, retail, and professional services.

Findings

Based on the four quadrants of the IPA matrix, the results suggest that customer retention and productivity need to be maintained, while innovation and speed may receive a lower priority. Brand image and cost‐effectiveness fall into the areas which need improvement, while quality by conformance and delivery are identified as “potential overkillers”. Furthermore, this paper tests the difference between high‐ and low‐performing firms and shows that low‐performing firms generally place a similar level of importance on the ten competitive dimensions as high‐performing ones, yet are not successful in converting what is important into performance.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to strategic management in service organisations by mapping the level of importance of the ten competitive dimensions of service against their effectiveness in improving business performance.

Practical implications

The findings could help firms identify the competitive dimensions within their organisation that are effectively‐resourced, under‐resourced, or over‐resourced and provide guidance for, “fighting the good fight”.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to knowledge by identifying the competitive priorities held by service firms and their effectiveness in improving business performance.

Details

Managing Service Quality: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-4529

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1991

Siew Meng Leong and Chin Tiong Tan

It is well‐accepted that effective strategy is founded on continuous and diagnostic monitoring of one's competitive position. Evidence revealing the skills and resources affording…

Abstract

It is well‐accepted that effective strategy is founded on continuous and diagnostic monitoring of one's competitive position. Evidence revealing the skills and resources affording the greatest leverage on future cost and differentiation advantages is particularly critical. Businesses that succeed are those which develop distinctive competences and manage for lowest delivered cost or differentiation through superior customer value.

Details

Asia Pacific International Journal of Marketing, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-7517

Article
Publication date: 21 February 2019

R. Deepa and Rupashree Baral

Based on attribute research in marketing, importance-performance analysis (IPA) provides a useful analogy to examine employer branding concepts. The purpose of this paper is to…

1004

Abstract

Purpose

Based on attribute research in marketing, importance-performance analysis (IPA) provides a useful analogy to examine employer branding concepts. The purpose of this paper is to use IPA to evaluate employees’ perceptions of important employer value proposition (EVP) attributes and their corresponding psychological contract fulfillment scores. IPA is applied to 40 EVP attributes and their corresponding EVP dimensions – “Economic Value”, “Development Value”, “Social Value”, “Work Value” and “Employer Reputation.” Further, the paper examines the difference between highly engaged and less engaged employees in their relationship to importance and fulfillment of the five EVP dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were drawn from information technology-business process management employees (n=520) in India through a questionnaire survey. The IPA matrix was used to plot the importance and fulfillment scores. Independent samples t-test was used to assess the difference between high and low engagement scores.

Findings

The results indicate that several EVP attributes fall within the “Concentrate Here” quadrant that requires more focus. With respect to EVP dimensions, social value needs focus; economic value received “Low Priority”; and work value and employer reputation are identified as “Potential Overkill.” The findings also suggest that, organizations should engage employees across all dimensions, by both prioritizing and fulfilling their obligations promptly.

Practical implications

The study highlights the need for HR practitioners and academicians to draw insights from attribute research in marketing to effectively devise the employer branding strategy of individual organizations.

Originality/value

This paper is the first of its kind to apply IPA to EVP attributes, which contributes to the growing literature on employer branding.

Details

Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2051-6614

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2021

Elia Oey and Jason Lim

All industry has been facing tremendous pressure since the beginning of 2020 owing to COVID-19 crisis, including real estate construction. The research is a case study…

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Abstract

Purpose

All industry has been facing tremendous pressure since the beginning of 2020 owing to COVID-19 crisis, including real estate construction. The research is a case study investigating challenges and action plans faced by stakeholders (developers/consultants/contractors) in real estate construction in some major cities in Indonesia. This study aims to identify and prioritize on action plans related to real estate construction stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The study gathered challenges and action plans by distributing open questionnaire to expert to get insights in their own verbatim. Data reduction was then performed to get high-level challenges and high-level action plans. High-level action plans were then analyzed using proposed Eisenhower-simultaneous importance performance analysis (SIPA) matrix which help prioritize high-level action plans. Correlation matrix was also constructed to gain insight on relation between action plans to challenges and to three main LEAN elements (Muda, Mura and Muri). Alternative ranking method using “sum-product to 3M” approach was also performed to give complementary insights.

Findings

Ten action plans fall under category “Act now and become COVID-19 champion company.” One falls under category “prepare and invest now to gain competitive advantage,” one falls under category “external collaboration now to survive,” one falls under category “external collaboration for potential efficiency,” whereas the remaining six action plans fall under category “let-it-go” or “do-nothing.”

Research limitations/implications

The study gathered only 48 and 64 respondents in its first and second questionnaires. Despite small number, the respondents are experts in their own field, and their valuable insights and responses off-set the limited number of participants. The study gives insightful action plans that can be taken by stakeholders in real-estate construction in Indonesia’s major cities analyzed by proposed Eisenhower-SIPA matrix.

Originality/value

The novelty of the research lies in the insights from industry experts in dealing with current COVID-19 pandemic in real-estate construction in Indonesia. Added value is also given through the use of Eisenhower-SIPA matrix.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 February 2014

Shahadat Khan and Shams Rahman

Using a sample of executing agency executives, donor agency executives and supplying organisation executives, this study aims to identify the critical criteria for the assessment…

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Abstract

Purpose

Using a sample of executing agency executives, donor agency executives and supplying organisation executives, this study aims to identify the critical criteria for the assessment of suppliers in foreign-aid funded procurement in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

An instrument with 32-seven-point (1 – rarely, 7 – mostly) Likert-scaled items was employed to gather data on the level of importance assigned by both buyers and suppliers on each supplier assessment criterion. The importance-performance matrix analysis was conducted to assess the gap in expectations between buyers and suppliers and to organise the assessment criteria into four categories such as “low priority”, “possible killer”, “concentrate here”, and “keep up the good work”.

Findings

The results indicate that, to provide better service, suppliers must assign tasks to the knowledgeable sales personnel, provide better warranties with well-known branded products, and ensure a reliable level of quality. The supplier organisations should implement a high calibre management system that allows prompt responses to enquiries and the provision of services without buyers having to follow up.

Practical implications

With careful considerations, the methodology and results of the study could be adapted to design supplier assessment procedure in other developing countries.

Originality/value

This research employs a simple and practical method which purchasing executives will find easy to apply and interpret the findings.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 January 2023

An Thi Hoai Le and Monty Sutrisna

This paper reports the developments of a project cost control system (PCCS) for construction projects to (1) measure its current level of cost control maturity, (2) examine the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper reports the developments of a project cost control system (PCCS) for construction projects to (1) measure its current level of cost control maturity, (2) examine the relationships between elements within PCCS processes and (3) identify improvement areas.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a mixed approach of descriptive analysis and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to measure the current maturity level of PCCS and evaluate the relationships between elements within PCSS to identify improvement areas. Further importance-performance matrix analysis (IPMA) of priority constructs was conducted to improve a target construct and identify the most important areas of specific actions at indicator levels. The results of IPMA revealed the contrast that has the greatest importance on the performance of others so that the recommendations can be made accordingly. Data collected in New Zealand were used to develop the research model.

Findings

This study develops structural and measurement models with the constructs including pre-control, in-control and post-control processes, enablers and their proposed interrelationships. Then, data from survey of 184 experienced project cost control team members reveal that post-control has the lowest maturity or weakest areas in the PCCS. Data analysis facilitated by PLS-SEM confirmed that all the constructs in the structural model have positive and significant relationships with each other and suggested that systematic cost analysis reports, communication, skills and experience, defining roles and responsibilities, and top management's support should be the highest priority for improving the PCCS in a more effective manner.

Originality/value

This study presents one of the earliest attempts to develop and test an integrated model that links sub-processes in PCCS and their enablers. Secondly, this research adds to the construction project management literature by empirically verifying the roles of enablers in enhancing maturity level of PCCS.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2016

Nachiappan Subramanian, Angappa Gunasekaran, Thanos Papadopoulos and Pie Nie

Firms within industrial clusters are subject to challenges such as globalization, limited resources, volatility of international markets and financial instabilities. 4th party…

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Abstract

Purpose

Firms within industrial clusters are subject to challenges such as globalization, limited resources, volatility of international markets and financial instabilities. 4th party logistics (4PL) service providers are supporting individual firms to overcome such challenges by using collaborative operational capabilities from within an industrial cluster to their enhance competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to focus on China and proposes a collaborative operational capabilities framework to illustrate the role of 4PL in industrial cluster competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows an extensive literature review and structured interviews in two types of clusters, drawing on resource-based view and importance-performance matrix analysis.

Findings

The paper proposes six elements (that is, synergy of logistics, expansion of industrial chain, financial ability, creativity and innovation ability, cooperation of companies and flexibility of supply chain) that comprise collaborative operational capabilities, and highlights the role of “creativity and innovation ability” and “supply chain flexibility” in the use of 4PL for industrial cluster competitiveness in Chinese context.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focusses on China and hence it could also be tested in the developed countries’ context with the support of large-scale empirical data to investigate further its usefulness and to identify other constraints.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the 4PL literature in that it proposes a framework that extrapolates the importance of 4PL in industrial cluster competitiveness in China.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 116 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 July 2017

Anestis Fotiadis and Metin Kozak

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the perception of service quality among various demographic and behavioural visitor segments within the theme park…

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the perception of service quality among various demographic and behavioural visitor segments within the theme park tourism market.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire which was distributed to 655 theme park visitors. Different groups of visitors were identified through the use of cluster analysis based on the evaluation of both demographic variables and a number of behavioural factors associated with their characteristics in terms of “time and cost” allocations for visits to a theme park.

Findings

The findings confirm that differences in demographic characteristics significantly affect perceptions of visitors as demonstrated in the way they are likely to evaluate importance and performance factors in a theme park’s delivery of services. In contrast, behavioural segmentation in terms of time allocation and associated expenditure is unlikely to produce significant differences in the visitors’ perceptions of the level of service provided.

Originality/value

Although there are many studies related to visitors’ perceived service quality, none of them use the same methodology as applied in this study of theme park industry. The research results reveal important implications for the theme park industry because of this new understanding of the segmentation differences for visitor-perceived service quality. By directing attention of management to these differences, improvements in service quality perceptions can more readily be achieved.

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