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1 – 10 of over 169000Evangelos Psomas, Fotis Vouzas and Dimitrios Kafetzopoulos
The purpose of the paper is to examine the binary character of total quality management (TQM) in food companies and to determine the impact of the two aspects of TQM – the “soft”…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to examine the binary character of total quality management (TQM) in food companies and to determine the impact of the two aspects of TQM – the “soft” and “hard” – on the quality management benefits.
Design/methodology/approach
A research project was carried out in 90 Greek food companies, using the questionnaire method. Two measurement models have been formulated. The first model includes the TQM philosophical elements and quality tools/techniques, while the second model includes the quality management benefits. Exploratory factor analyses are applied to extract the latent factors. The factors that significantly influence the quality management benefits are determined through multiple linear regression analyses.
Findings
The analysis of the models confirms the binary character of TQM (the “soft” and “hard” TQM elements) in food companies and the existence of internal and external quality management benefits. The “soft” TQM elements have a significant direct impact on quality improvement, employee benefits and customer satisfaction. However, the impact of the “hard” TQM elements on the above quality management benefits is not direct but indirect, through their significant correlation with the “soft” TQM elements. Finally, quality improvement is also a significant factor that directly influences employee benefits, customer satisfaction and business performance.
Research limitations/implications
The small size of the sample of the responding food companies, the diversity of these companies and the subjective character of the data collected are limitations that suggest future research recommendations.
Practical implications
Food companies should realize the leading role of the “soft” aspect of TQM and the supporting role of the “hard” aspect in maximizing the quality management benefits and as a consequence in withstanding the current economic downturn.
Originality/value
Focusing on “quality-oriented” food companies that have ample experience in quality and food safety management systems, the present study reveals a significant direct impact of the “soft” TQM elements and an indirect impact of the “hard” TQM elements on the quality management benefits.
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Martin Jaeger and Desmond Adair
The purpose of this paper is to identify the perception of total quality management (TQM) benefits, practices and obstacles in Kuwaiti industrial organizations certified against…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the perception of total quality management (TQM) benefits, practices and obstacles in Kuwaiti industrial organizations certified against ISO 9001:2000 (or later) and following a TQM approach. A discrepancy in perception between project managers (PMs) and quality management representatives (QMRs) of organizations in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries has already been identified (Jaeger and Adair, 2013), and this study compares the perception of these two groups in more depth.
Design/methodology/approach
Extensive representatives of both groups have been individually interviewed, a classification system for TQM benefits, practices and obstacles has been developed, and interview responses have been analyzed against this classification system.
Findings
It emerges that all responses matched one of the benefits, obstacles and practices of the classification system. Comparing the total group of PMs with the total group of QMRs, it was found that both groups agree on their perception of the most important practice (i.e. an implemented management system) and, the biggest obstacle (i.e. lack of employee involvement). However, they disagree on their perception of the most important TQM benefit (i.e. PMs prefer quality of products and services, and QMRs prefer productivity).
Originality/value
The results of the total groups and sub-groups give new insights regarding the different perceptions of PMs and QMRs. Also, the results enable practitioners of these two functions to discuss the differences and align their perceptions. This should increase the effectiveness of the TQM approach in their organizations. Finally, the results allow management consultants to focus on areas with high potential for improvements.
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Leticia Santos and Carmen Escanciano
The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an exploratory study carried out on a sample of certified companies that operate in Spain, with the aim of obtaining…
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an exploratory study carried out on a sample of certified companies that operate in Spain, with the aim of obtaining empirical evidence on the benefits of the implantation of standardised quality systems. This study delves into the theoretical implications of a growing field of research that attempts to combine total quality management, its synergy with market orientation and the certification’s consequences. The empirical evidence obtained enables us to affirm that the benefits attained by companies as a result of ISO certification are basically linked to an improvement in internal efficiency. This points to the need for evolution towards more complex systems where total quality management may find its place together with the market orientation philosophy.
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Bertha Viviana Ruales Guzmán and Oscar Fernando Castellanos Domínguez
This study aims to address two objectives: to analyse how the benefits of quality management (QM) are perceived on specific productivity indicators of the Colombian dairy industry…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to address two objectives: to analyse how the benefits of quality management (QM) are perceived on specific productivity indicators of the Colombian dairy industry and to analyse the degree of QM implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used was a multiple case study and involved four companies in the Colombian dairy industry. The study variables were 32 QM practices and 7 productivity indicators. Data collection instruments were in-depth interviews and checklists.
Findings
Findings revealed that all productivity indicators exhibit changes after QM implementation. In addition, cases approaching ISO 9001 have the highest number of practices implemented, as well as evidence of control of all productivity indicators, which allows them to perceive greater benefits.
Originality/value
This research generates novel findings that contribute to the consolidation of theory by analysing changes in specific productivity indicators of the dairy industry after the QM implementation. At the same time, it provides valuable and useful information for managers, practitioners and policymakers.
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Bozena Poksinska, Jens Jörn Dahlgaard and Marc Antoni
It seems today to be an indisputable fact that ISO 9000 is a powerful instrument, which cannot be disregarded. It is, far and away, the most influential initiative that grew from…
Abstract
It seems today to be an indisputable fact that ISO 9000 is a powerful instrument, which cannot be disregarded. It is, far and away, the most influential initiative that grew from the quality movement of the late 1980s. This paper contains an evaluation of results from a survey on ISO 9000 certified companies and aims to present some aspects of the current state of the standard in Swedish industry. This study is focused on motives for implementation, perceived benefits and key implementation factors. The predominant reasons identified for seeking certification were the desire to improve corporate image and quality. Like many previous studies this study underlines the need for management commitment and participation. The very important conclusion drawn from this survey is that the motivation for certification may influence the performance of ISO 9000. The overall benefits which the companies gain from the standard showed dependence on the motivation which initiated the drive for the certification.
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Xingxi Li, Su Wu and Huiming Liu
Quality awards are widely considered symbols of successful quality management. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the effects of the China Quality Award (CQA) on…
Abstract
Purpose
Quality awards are widely considered symbols of successful quality management. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the effects of the China Quality Award (CQA) on firms' performance. The study further explores how the benefits due to CQA are affected by contextual factors.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the data of CQA winners from 2001 to 2016, the event study method is applied to analyze the abnormal performance of winners. Furthermore, multiple regression models are proposed to evaluate the effects of contextual factors on the relationship between the award and profitability.
Findings
The findings show that CQA has positive impacts on profitability and fixed asset efficiency but not on labor productivity. Besides, state-owned firms and firms with high innovation intensity obtain more profitability benefits than others.
Originality/value
This is the first study to explain the relationship between quality awards and firm performance from a theoretical perspective, providing new insights into the quality management and performance literature. Furthermore, this study deepens the understanding of the relationship between quality awards and performance and reveals new implications. Some of the contextual factors examined, such as innovation intensity, are considered for the first time in quality award research.
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Vasileios Ismyrlis and Odysseas Moschidis
The purpose of this paper is to examine the benefits of ISO 9001 certification and the association between them, the level of implementation of the critical success factors (CSFs…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the benefits of ISO 9001 certification and the association between them, the level of implementation of the critical success factors (CSFs) required for the appropriate functioning of the quality management system in ISO 9001:2008 certified companies and between other demographic variables.
Design/methodology/approach
A research project was carried out in Greek companies from all business sectors using the questionnaire technique. The selected companies implement a quality management system in accordance with the ISO 9001:2008 standard. Correspondence analysis, a methodology from the field of multidimensional statistics, was used to identify significant differences between the effects on performance and other variables such as the implementation level of CSFs relating to the quality management system and years of certification.
Findings
External benefits seem to be more important than internal benefits. The least important benefits were mostly business results, such as profits, costs and market share. Differences were detected between the level of performance and certain demographic variables such as the use of International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) alone, size and years of certification. The certified companies have generally benefited from ISO implementation.
Research limitations/implications
The study was based on the perceptions (subjective data) of only one quality manager/representative from each company. The motives for ISO certification, which can seriously affect the benefits derived, were not examined.
Practical implications
The measures presented here can be used by certified companies to evaluate performance (financial or not) related to ISO 9001 certification and to discover those factors that contribute to the better exploitation of the ISO 9001:2008 standard.
Originality/value
This paper aims to evaluate performance since the implementation of the ISO 9001:2008 standard in Greek companies, which are confronting a tough economic environment and to analyse this data with a methodology from the multidimensional field, with the complementary use of some special tables of coincidence.
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Evangelos L. Psomas and Carmen Jaca
– The purpose of the paper is to explore the impact of total quality management (TQM) factors on performance dimensions of service companies.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to explore the impact of total quality management (TQM) factors on performance dimensions of service companies.
Design/methodology/approach
A research project was designed in the Spanish services sector. Companies that had already participated in activities with regard to business excellence were randomly selected and approached through a structured questionnaire, yielding a sample of 151 responding companies. By analyzing TQM implementation and company performance through the exploratory factor analysis, specific TQM factors and performance dimensions are extracted. The TQM factors that significantly influence the performance dimensions are determined through multiple linear regression analyses.
Findings
According to the findings, the factors describing TQM implementation in service companies concern quality practices of top management, employee quality management, process management, employee knowledge and education and customer focus. Similarly, the performance dimensions revealed concern financial performance, operational performance, customer satisfaction and product/service quality performance. The TQM factors concerning customers, employees and top management significantly affect the performance dimensions.
Research limitations/implications
The subjective data were collected from quality managers of a small-sized sample of companies operating in a European Union country and belonging to different services sub-sectors. Based on these limitations, future research studies are recommended.
Practical implications
By focussing on specific TQM factors, a service company can improve its performance dimensions. In doing so, it can lay the foundations not only to survive but to be competitive in the current global scenario that is characterized by an economic downturn.
Originality/value
This paper describes a reliable TQM model that can be implemented in the services sector and a means by which a service company can improve its performance.
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This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of the Journal of Management in Medicine is split into six sections covering abstracts under the following headings: General Management;…
Abstract
This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of the Journal of Management in Medicine is split into six sections covering abstracts under the following headings: General Management; Personnel and Training; Quality in Health Care; Health Care Marketing; Financial Management; Information Technology.
While the literature has examined various motives and benefits of quality management frameworks, it is limited with respect to marketing related motives and benefits. More…
Abstract
Purpose
While the literature has examined various motives and benefits of quality management frameworks, it is limited with respect to marketing related motives and benefits. More specifically, previous research has not considered empirically the relationship between marketing motives and benefits of quality award models. To address this, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between perceived marketing related motives and benefits and to analyze the influence of the sources of marketing motivations that lead companies to adopt this global standard for its perceived benefits in an Arab context.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative study to examine the relationships between the proposed motives and benefits using structural equation modeling was carried out.
Findings
The findings reinforce the view of marketing motives as a dynamic construct, which has an influence on quality awards model implementations. Also, the marketing related and performance drivers to implement the quality award model have a degree of influence on the benefits that is significantly higher than external related ones.
Research limitations/implications
The main implication of this study is that marketing has a role to play in shaping an organizations “excellence” journey. It is yet another strategy to attract customers while striving for higher performance. Therefore, the motives for pursuing excellence should embed marketing related factors as well. The results will also enable aspiring organizations to refine their improvement methods, encouraging them to prioritize on their marketing motives and build on their excellence portfolios.
Originality/value
The paper proposes an empirically tested conceptual framework that examines vital issues concerning the internalization of the total quality management approach through award models, thus, providing valuable outcomes for decision-makers through business excellence frameworks.
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