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1 – 10 of 988This paper is the second from a series of three, addressing human resource practices using best practice examples. The analysis covered is based on the experiences of…
Abstract
This paper is the second from a series of three, addressing human resource practices using best practice examples. The analysis covered is based on the experiences of organizations that have won the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) in the USA. The sub‐criteria covered in this benchmarking comparative analysis covers the following areas: human resource planning and management; employee involvement; employee education and training; employee performance and recognition; employee wellbeing and satisfaction. The paper concludes by reflecting on the likely implications for health‐care professionals working in the human resource field.
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Tim C. Hasenpusch and Sabine Baumann
The fast-changing, highly competitive and technology-driven business environment forces established firms to continually search for new business opportunities and innovative…
Abstract
The fast-changing, highly competitive and technology-driven business environment forces established firms to continually search for new business opportunities and innovative ideas. In reaction, corporations such as Google, Microsoft, Cisco and Bertelsmann have launched new corporate venture capital (CVC) units or have intensified existing CVC activities. This chapter examines the structure, patterns and investment focus of telecommunication, IT, consumer electronics and media & entertainment firms’ CVC investments by conducting a data-mining project based on the Thomson Reuters Private Equity database. The data-mining project reveals the increasing importance of CVC activities as a strategic development tool to address the requirements of the increasing costs, speed and complexity of a technology-driven industry since the bursting of the Internet bubble. Therefore, following chapter is one of the first CVC studies to describe and compare CVC investments of the last CVC wave across industry sectors.
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Joel D. Wisner and Stan G. Eakins
Since 1987, 17 businesses have won the US Baldrige Quality Award,established to promote awareness of quality management among USbusinesses. Assesses the financial and competitive…
Abstract
Since 1987, 17 businesses have won the US Baldrige Quality Award, established to promote awareness of quality management among US businesses. Assesses the financial and competitive performances of these 17 companies. Previous research with respect to the quality‐performance relationship has shown a positive relationship between quality improvement and financial or market share performance. Finds that while substantial improvements in operations performance characteristics among Baldrige Award winners have coincided with the implementation of quality improvement programmes, these improvements have not always resulted in financial success. Firms should therefore view quality improvement programmes as a method for building a strong competitive foundation, not as a panacea guaranteed to result in economic health.
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Todd R. David and Oni A. Holley
Recent SEC actions, including its first settlement of an enforcement case, provide specific guidance and some surprising points of emphasis concerning the implementation of…
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Recent SEC actions, including its first settlement of an enforcement case, provide specific guidance and some surprising points of emphasis concerning the implementation of Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure). Although there is nothing inherently unlawful about one‐on‐one meetings with securities analysts or institutional investors, the SEC’s actions demonstrate the risks associated with one‐on‐one meetings, particularly with sell‐side analysts for public companies and potentially for the analysts themselves. Executives and analysts alike could benefit from consulting with counsel about the best ways to perform the valuable function of discussing a company’s business without violating Regulation FD. Several measures should be considered, including, among others, a review of prior filings, education about what types of information is normally considered material, and a predetermined view about areas that will be “out of bounds” to questions.
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The improvement of the quality of design and the reduction of failure related cost is seen as a crucial competitive requirement for UK manufacturing industry. To achieve these…
Abstract
The improvement of the quality of design and the reduction of failure related cost is seen as a crucial competitive requirement for UK manufacturing industry. To achieve these goals, industry must adopt current methods in support of design for quality (DFQ) for analysing potential problems and predicting quality, and integrate these effectively with the appropriate stages of their new product development process. The utilisation and success rate of these techniques in UK companies is, however, relatively low compared to those in countries such as the USA and Japan. In this paper, the fundamental concepts and key areas of opportunity in design improvement using the main DFQ support techniques are reviewed and a framework for their application and integration is presented to support concurrent product development. The typical experiences and problems concerning the application and implementation of techniques are discussed and areas where new research should be directed are touched on so that DFQ techniques may better enhance industrial practice in the achievement of high quality products.
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Spurred by globalization, the maturation of consumer markets, the greater number of products and marketing messages in every market, the accelerating advance of technology, and…
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Spurred by globalization, the maturation of consumer markets, the greater number of products and marketing messages in every market, the accelerating advance of technology, and the shortening of product life cycles, today's business environment is increasingly complex. It's become, in the words of H. Igor Ansoff, a professor at the United States International University in San Diego, “highly turbulent.”
Organisations increasingly reduce enterprise costs via cost cutting measures of downsizing/layoffs as a short-term strategy. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the…
Abstract
Purpose
Organisations increasingly reduce enterprise costs via cost cutting measures of downsizing/layoffs as a short-term strategy. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the scenario of downsizing in the Indian IT/ITES sector and also identify enablers to develop and engage talent in downsized firms.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a general review.
Findings
Despite higher growth rates in the recent years, the IT/ITES sector faces an uncertain future due to economic recession, which has changed the business scenario across the globe. Organisations need to resuscitate employees’ confidence and self-efficacy through psychosocial support mechanisms like professional guidance by an emotionally intelligent leader, capacity-building measures, and continuous learning opportunities. They should prepare scheduled reviews by taking into account individual needs, learning styles, and current work priorities. Provisions for adequate pay, fringe benefits, job security, and healthy working conditions can further enhance morale and motivation of survivors.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature of downsizing in the Indian context. Moreover, it emphasises on the significant roles of communication policies, knowledge sharing, and learning in rebuilding the psychological contract of employees.
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L.R. Lichtenberg, M. Sleiman and M.J. Harry
During the past few years, statistical process control and experiment design concepts have taken a prominent place within the industry. The use of such tools within the Motorola…
Abstract
During the past few years, statistical process control and experiment design concepts have taken a prominent place within the industry. The use of such tools within the Motorola, GEG manufacturing environment, has grown to the point where reflow and wave solder process development and optimisation has significantly benefited. The ability to evaluate statistically and model various known and unknown phenomena has provided GEG's manufacturing technology with a series of very powerful tools to aid in process control and development. The primary purpose of this paper is to present the various approaches used by GEG to implement the previously mentioned statistical tools, with respect to the development of infra‐red (I‐R) reflow solder processes and enhancement of certain quality characteristics associated with wave soldered printed wiring boards (PWBs). Beyond specific GEG applications, the paper discusses the role of statistically designed experiments and process control methods as a vehicle for providing answers to complex manufacturing problems. In addition, a discussion of the mathematical and graphical methods underlying the interpretation of quantitative data is presented. Perhaps the most important benefit derived from the use of statistics to solve manufacturing and quality problems is related to decision making. When experiments are conducted to isolate unwanted sources of process and product variation, decisions must be made to determine whether or not certain experimental effects are important. Through the application of statistics, the researcher can ascertain the mathematical probability associated with the random chance occurrence of various experimental effects. With this knowledge, the researcher can make decisions with known degrees of risk and confidence. Without such knowledge, an organisation might possibly expend valuable resources and derive no direct benefit. Ultimately, the principal reason for applying statistical methods and procedures is to increase quality and yield, while simultaneously reducing costs.