Diagnosing the service quality of perishable-food logistics: temperature-sensitive milk delivery

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei-Ju Wu ◽  
Liang-Tay Lin ◽  
Chi-Chang Huang
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Stakeholder Theory ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Business Analytics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Delivery Times ◽  
Logistics Quality

PurposeHigh-quality cold-chain logistics are key to effectively managing the quality of temperature-sensitive foods. Hence, this study investigates the service quality of such logistics, using a real-life case of temperature-sensitive milk delivery.Design/methodology/approachThis study focuses on developing business analytics for quality control in cold-chain perishable-food logistics, grounded in normal accident theory and stakeholder theory, and tests them using real-world data.FindingsThe empirical business-analytics results indicate that cargo locations, logistics status and delivery times are the essential factors that influence the quality of temperature-sensitive milk.Research limitations/implicationsThis study confirms that a combination of normal accident theory and stakeholder theory can be usefully applied to the development of strategies for managing perishable-food logistics. As such, its proposed business analytics provide a fresh foundation for research on logistics quality management.Practical implicationsThe balance between efficiency and service quality in a logistics system should be assessed carefully, and logistics companies should collaborate with their stakeholders and can help to mitigate potential cold-chain risks.Originality/valueThis pioneering analytical study explores the essential quality issues that confront cold chains and demonstrates how to extract vital insights from temperature-sensitive food logistics monitoring data. As such, it represents a noteworthy contribution to the field of logistics quality management.

The influence of quality management on organization performance: service quality and product characteristics as a medium

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-403
Author(s):  
Sumardi Sumardi ◽  
Adji Achmad Rinaldo Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Management System ◽  
Quality Management System ◽  
Service Performance ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Product Characteristics ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe effect of the quality management system on service performance. The mediating effect of service quality on the influence of the quality management system on service performance. The mediating effect of product characteristics on the influence of the quality management system on service performance.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis unit of this research were the service organizations/fields presented by each of the experts working in the consulting companies/business entities of construction planners that have Grade 4 qualification and have been the members of Inkindo registered since 2016 and located in the territory of Indonesia. The sample target were the organizations/fields of the consulting companies represented by the permanent experts or skilled manpower working accordingly with the field of construction planning services. This becomes important, considering that the position of experts is crucial to the success and quality of the management of construction planner consulting services. Determination of the use of the sample was based on the rule of thumb in SEM, which amounted to 10 × 20 indicators or 200 respondents.FindingsThere is significant influence between the variables of the quality management system to service quality and company performance, but there is no significant effect on product characteristics. The analysis also showed that mediating effects to service quality or characteristics of the product were not found on the influence of the quality management system to company performance.Originality/valueThe quality management system focuses on earning users’ satisfaction by applying basic principles to the management of good companies. The scope of a broad management system not only revolves around the quality of products making the quality management system very well applied in various types of companies or organizations, but it can also be applied to organizing-related services to customers.

ISO 9001 and the public service: an investigation of the effect of the QMS on the quality of public service organizations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Armando López-Lemus
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Public Services ◽  
The State ◽  
Iso 9001 ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the influence exerted by a quality management system (QMS) under ISO 9001: 2015 on the quality of public services organizations in Mexico. Design/methodology/approach The methodological design was quantitative, explanatory, observational and transversal, for which a sample of 461 public servants from the state of Guanajuato, Mexico was obtained. To test the hypotheses, a structural equation model (SEM) was developed through the statistical software Amos v.21. For the analysis of the data, software SPSS v.21 was used. Regarding the goodness and adjustment indices of the SEM (χ2 = 720.09, df = 320, CFI = 0.933, TLI = 0.926 and RMSEA = 0.05) which, therefore, proved to be acceptable. Findings According to the results obtained through the SEM model, the QMS under ISO 9001: 2015 is positively and significantly influenced tangible aspects (β1 = 0.79, p < 0.01), reliability (β2 = 0.90, p < 0.01), related to response quality (β3 = 0.93, p < 0.01), guarantees (β4 = 0.91, p < 0.01) and empathy (β5 = 0.88, p < 0.01) of the quality related to public services in Mexico. The study’s key contribution is that it discovered that implementing a QMS in accordance with the ISO 9001: 2015 standard has an impact on the quality of public services, with the most influential quality of response. Similarly, the assurance and dependability of service quality turned out to be important in providing public service quality. Research limitations/implications In this paper, the QMS was only evaluated as a variable that intervenes in the process of obtaining quality in public service under the ISO 9001 standard in its 2015 version. In this regard, the results’ trustworthiness is limited to the extent that the findings may be generalized in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico’s public service. As a result, the scientific community is left primarily focused on service quality to promote new future research. Practical implications The ISO 9001: 2015 standard’s QMS is one of the tools for success in both the commercial and government sectors. However, there are practical limitations, which focus on the time during which managers exercise their vision in the public sector: first, the dynamics that managers play in public policy; second, the length of time they have served in public office; and third, the interest of directors of public institutions to improve the quality of service provided by the government. Other practical consequences concern organizational culture and identity, public servant commitment, senior management or secretaries of government, as well as work and training. Originality/value The findings of this paper are important and valuable because they foster knowledge generation in the public sector through the ISO 9000 quality area. A model that permits the adoption and implementation of a QMS based on the ISO 9001: 2015 standard in public organizations that seek to provide quality in their services offered to the user is also presented to the literature. Similarly, the paper is important because there is currently insufficient research focusing on the variables examined in the context of public service in Mexico.

Service journey quality: conceptualization, measurement and customer outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Elina Jaakkola ◽  
Harri Terho
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Customer Loyalty ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Critical Determinant ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe quality of the customer journey has become a critical determinant of successful service delivery in contemporary business. Extant journey research focuses on the customer path to purchase, but pays less attention to the touchpoints related to service delivery and consumption that are key for understanding customer experiences in service-intensive contexts. The purpose of this study is to conceptualize service journey quality (SJQ), develop measures for the construct and study its key outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a discovery-oriented research approach to conceptualize SJQ by synthesizing theory and field-based insights from customer focus group discussions. Next, using consumer survey data (N = 278) from the financial services context, the authors develop measures for the SJQ. Finally, based on an additional survey dataset (N = 239), the authors test the nomological validity and predictive relevance of the SJQ.FindingsSJQ comprises of three dimensions: (1) journey seamlessness, (2) journey personalization and (3) journey coherence. This study demonstrates that SJQ is a critical driver of service quality and customer loyalty in contemporary business. This study finds that the loyalty link is partially mediated through service quality, indicating that SJQ explains loyalty above and beyond service quality.Research limitations/implicationsSince service quality only partially mediates the link between service journey quality and customer loyalty, future studies should examine alternative mediators, such as customer experience, for a more comprehensive understanding of the performance effects.Practical implicationsThe study offers concrete tools for service managers who wish to understand and develop the quality of service journeys.Originality/valueThis study advances the service journey concept, demonstrates that the quality of the service journey is a critical driver of customer performance and provides rigorous journey constructs for future service research.

THE QUALITY OF HOTEL PERFORMANCE (The Effectiveness and Efficiency)

1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 145-160
Author(s):  
Ivanka Avelini Holjevac ◽  
Ana Marija Vrtodušić
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Quality Management Systems ◽  
Customer Care ◽  
Hotel Performance ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency

Service quality has been a major preoccupation of the hospitality industry throughout the 1980s and the early 1990s. Quality management systems have been clearly identified as a means of increasing the professionalism and social competence of staff, while developments such as customer care programs and quality teams have produced notable improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency. Starting from the main economic goal of making profit in each enterprise, it is necessary to measure and to evaluate effectiveness and efficiency. The aim of this paper is to emphasize the importance and necessity of measuring two aspects of the quality of business success: effectiveness (hotel market success) and efficiency (hotel economy). The paper defines effectiveness and efficiency as well as key ratios for measuring and evaluating those two aspects of quality of business success.

Identifying the gaps between customer expectations and perceptions on service quality dimensions of Islamic banks in Malaysia

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafikul Islam ◽  
Selim Ahmed ◽  
Dzuljastri Abdul Razak
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Islamic Banking ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Expectations ◽  
Banking Service ◽  
Significant Difference

Purpose – This paper aims to identify the gaps and differences between customer expectations and perceptions on service quality of Islamic banks in Malaysia based on six dimensions of service quality, namely, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, tangibles and Islamic Shari’ah compliance. Design/methodology/approach – This study surveyed 179 customers who have first-hand experience with Islamic banking services in Malaysia. The research data were analysed using reliability analysis, independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Findings – The results indicated that customers’ perceptions failed to meet their expectations on the service quality of Islamic banks in Malaysia. The results also indicated that those customers (respondents) aged below 30 years have higher expectations on empathy from the Islamic banking service compared to other age groups. However, there is no significant difference between customer expectations and perceptions of Islamic banking service quality based on educational background and occupation. Research limitations/implications – This research focused solely on Islamic banks in Malaysia and thus the results might not be applicable for other conventional banks. Originality/value – The findings are expected to provide guidelines for enhancing the satisfaction level of clients of the Islamic banking system in Malaysia and other countries.

The effect of employee ability, hospital’s ethic and leadership on job satisfaction through employee commitment

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ria Mardiana Yusuf
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Employee Commitment ◽  
Type A ◽  
Survey Instrument ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to confirm the direct and indirect effect of employee ability, perceived ethic, and leadership and leadership to service quality through employee commitment. Design/methodology/approach A survey instrument is using to collect the data and to measure the effect of employee ability, perceived ethic, and leadership directly to the quality of inpatient health care services was developed. This study also used the self-perception, leadership evaluation and customer evaluation questionnaires. The effects among variables were also analysed by using the structural equation modelling method. Findings The results of the analysis show that the survey instrument was reliable and valid; the implementation of hospital ethic was more emphasised on the nurses (as a front liners); the study proved that there is a direct and indirect effect among variables of employee ability, hospital’s ethic, and leadership to the service quality through the employee commitment; the direct effect of employee commitment variables against the service quality was significantly negative. Research limitations/implications Analyses are developed within the context of a government single hospital of Type A. According to the time sequence of study, this field of study research considered for purpose only (one time study), and was not conducted for experimental study. Originality/value This paper’s main contribution is to propose and empirically test a set of constructs that complement the effect of employee ability, hospital’s perceived ethic, leadership on the service quality of inpatient health care through the employee commitment direct and indirectly in the Type A hospital.

Risk quantification in cold chain management: a federated learning-enabled multi-criteria decision-making methodology

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Lau ◽  
Yung Po Tsang ◽  
Dilupa Nakandala ◽  
Carman K.M. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Handling Time ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Pairwise Comparisons ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Multi Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type

PurposeIn the cold supply chain (SC), effective risk management is regarded as an essential component to address the risky and uncertain SC environment in handling time- and temperature-sensitive products. However, existing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches greatly rely on expert opinions for pairwise comparisons. Despite the fact that machine learning models can be customised to conduct pairwise comparisons, it is difficult for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to intelligently measure the ratings between risk criteria without sufficiently large datasets. Therefore, this paper aims at developing an enterprise-wide solution to identify and assess cold chain risks.Design/methodology/approachA novel federated learning (FL)-enabled multi-criteria risk evaluation system (FMRES) is proposed, which integrates FL and the best–worst method (BWM) to measure firm-level cold chain risks under the suggested risk hierarchical structure. The factors of technologies and equipment, operations, external environment, and personnel and organisation are considered. Furthermore, a case analysis of an e-grocery SC in Australia is conducted to examine the feasibility of the proposed approach.FindingsThroughout this study, it is found that embedding the FL mechanism into the MCDM process is effective in acquiring knowledge of pairwise comparisons from experts. A trusted federation in a cold chain network is therefore formulated to identify and assess cold SC risks in a systematic manner.Originality/valueA novel hybridisation between horizontal FL and MCDM process is explored, which enhances the autonomy of the MCDM approaches to evaluate cold chain risks under the structured hierarchy.

Evaluating the total quality and its role in measuring consumer satisfaction with e-healthcare services using the 5Qs model: a structure equation modeling approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prachi Verma ◽  
Satinder Kumar ◽  
Sanjeev K. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Perceptions

PurposeThis article initially aims to explore the factors of every quality construct of the 5Qs model of service quality and, second, identify the significant factors affecting the total quality of e-healthcare services and its association with consumer satisfaction using a multidimensional hierarchical 5Qs model of e-healthcare service quality.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire-oriented research was performed at three public hospitals of Punjab and Chandigarh. In total, 53 variables were covered in all quality constructs for data collection from the designated public hospitals. The respondents who agreed to have knowledge regarding e-Healthcare services and were availing these services were included in the study. The analysis comprised structural equation modeling technique using AMOS 21.FindingsThe outcomes suggest that the 5Qs model is more comprehensive and can be used to evaluate service quality perceptions using e-Healthcare services. The research identified 11 sub-dimensions for the five quality constructs of the 5Qs model, representing total quality, which is primary to consumer satisfaction. “Overall objectivity” and “technical objectivity” defined the quality of object. The quality of process of e-Healthcare services was characterized by “functionality,” “timeliness” and “responsiveness.” Quality of infrastructure was defined by “technical infrastructure,” “physical infrastructure,” “manpower skills” and “organizational infrastructure.” “Manner of interaction” and “timely interaction” defined the quality of interaction. The atmosphere was represented by only one factor. The results also suggest that quality of infrastructure, quality of interaction and quality of atmosphere play the most significant role in total quality leading to consumer satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretical implications: The multidimensional hierarchical model will help the researchers study the e-Healthcare service quality in a more organized manner, and the outcomes of this study can be linked with that of future studies for more generalized application in other public hospitals. The sub-dimensions of each quality construct of the 5Qs model can be applied in private hospitals, and the hierarchical model can be tested in different industries to measure service quality perceptions of the consumerPractical implicationsThe outcomes of the study can be applied in various public sector hospitals to redesign the e-Healthcare services based on consumers' perception for better consumer satisfaction and quality services. This paper identifies the role of each quality construct in e-Healthcare services for improvement in the total quality, which in turn will lead to higher satisfaction for the consumers.Originality/valueIn this study, the original 5Qs model has been used for the first time in a new instrument to understand better and design quality e-Healthcare services. The paper explores the sub-factors of each quality construct and its significance in measuring the total quality.

The impact of leadership churn on quality management in Australian hospitals

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 809-820
Author(s):  
Sandra Leggat ◽  
Cathy Balding
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Quality System ◽  
Board Members ◽  
Governing Board ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between frequent turnover (churn) of the chief executive officer (CEO), quality manager and members of the governing board with the management of quality in eight Australian hospitals. Design/methodology/approach A mixed method three-year longitudinal study was conducted using validated quality system scales, quality indicators and focus groups involving over 800 board members, managers and clinical staff. Findings There were unexpected high levels of both governance and management churn over the three years. Churn among CEOs and quality managers was negatively associated with compliance in aspects of the quality system used to plan, monitor and improve quality of care. There was no relationship with the quality of care indicators. Staff identified lack of vision and changing priorities with high levels of churn, which they described as confusing and demotivating. There was no relationship with quality processes or quality indicators detected for churn among governing board members. Practical implications Governing boards must recognise the risks associated with management change and minimise these risks with robust clinical governance processes. Originality/value This research is the first that we are aware of that identifies the impact of frequent leadership turnover in the health sector on quality management.

The correlation analysis between the service quality of intelligent library and the behavioral intention of users

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Chen ◽  
Chien-wen Shen
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
User Behavior ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Service Innovation ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Service Mode

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of innovative service mode of intelligent library on improving the service quality and a series of impacts on user behavior. With the rapid development of information technology, internet of things has become an important carrier of people’s “intelligent life”. The emergence of intelligent library will no longer be limited by space; it is affecting people’s lives and work imperceptibly. This new service mode was studied here, and the relationship between the service quality of intelligent library and users’ behavior was analyzed from the perspective of user acceptance and use behavior of intelligent library. Moreover, this study explores how to optimize the service quality to let users accept this technology and service mode and thus realize the original idea. Design/methodology/approach Through 800 questionnaires issued to the users in the Zhejiang Provincial AI Library, the authors obtained the study data. Among the received questionnaires, 676 copies are valid, and 124 responses are either incomplete or not answered, and so, the efficient rate is 84.5 per cent. Findings There is a significantly positive correlation between service innovation and service quality. There is a significantly positive correlation between service quality and behavioral intention. There is a significantly positive correlation between service innovation and behavioral intention. Originality/value From the point of view of innovative service, this paper analyzes the effect of innovative service mode of intelligent library on improving the service quality and a series of impacts on user behavior. This study confirms that intelligent library is a relatively new service innovation. Users’ curiosity and exploration will make them access some relevant information. As a result, a reasonably innovative service is an important factor in users’ acceptance behavior.

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