Quality management practices in SMEs: a comparative study between India and Namibia

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1499-1516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayon Chakraborty ◽  
Michael Mutingi ◽  
Abhishek Vashishth
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Status ◽  
Developed Nations

Purpose Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have now become an important part of economy for not only developed nations but also for emerging economies. Irrespective of the benefits that can be derived, SMEs in emerging economies still lack the will to implement quality management (QM) practices. Using a comparative study, the purpose of this paper is to understand the status of QM practices in SMEs of emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach A survey-based approach was adopted to understand the established QM practices in the SMEs. A survey instrument was designed by reviewing the literature on QM initiatives in SMEs. A sample of 270 SMEs across Southern India and 189 SMEs in Namibia was selected through stratified random sampling technique. Findings The overall response rate was 19.52 percent for India and 26.46 percent for Namibia, respectively. There were similarities and differences in responses from SMEs in both countries. Similarities are in terms of limited implementation of QM practices, and also less use of tools and techniques. Reasons for not implementing include unknown to the authors, and the high cost of training. Differences emerged in the type of market (Indian SMEs catering to one major customer), CSFs and business performance indicators. It was interesting to find that management commitment and involvement do not have a major influence as CSF for SMEs in both the countries. Originality/value The research is the first attempt in bringing a comparative study about QM practices in SMEs from developing countries. The insights will help emerging economies to develop policies for education and training, and thus facilitate implementation of QM practices in SMEs.

Lean production practices and bundles: a comparative analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saumyaranjan Sahoo ◽  
Sudhir Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Total Quality Management ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Lean Production ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Total Productive Maintenance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lean Practices

PurposeTotal productive maintenance and total quality management are two lean manufacturing initiatives that are used by manufacturing plant managers to improve operations capabilities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of standalone lean practices and lean bundles on manufacturing business performance.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach was used. The survey data were drawn from 160 manufacturing organizations in India. The respondent companies were grouped on the basis of the duration of lean production in operation and then classified based on the profile of their operations strategy. The approach, based on comparative assessment between standalone lean practices and lean bundles, has been directed toward justification of lean bundles for its support to competitive manufacturing in the context of the Indian manufacturing sector.FindingsThe paper establishes the long-term effects of lean bundles in significantly improving manufacturing business performance as compared to standalone lean practices. Further findings of the study revealed the significance of the duration of lean production in operation in achieving higher levels of manufacturing business performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is cross-sectional in nature. It would be interesting to test the analytical framework adopted for this study for more industries and in different countries. The use of subjective measures in survey questionnaire is also another limitation of the study.Practical implicationsThis study offers clear implications for practitioners, proving that they should give higher emphasis on the implementation of lean bundles using total productive maintenance and total quality management practices together, to prioritize their product, production and business strategies, to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.Originality/valueThis paper empirically examines and evaluates the effect of lean practices and bundles in the context of medium- and large-sized manufacturing industries in India. Besides, there are very few studies that comparatively assess the differences in performance contribution of various lean operational strategies considering duration of implementation of lean. Also, the theoretical contribution of the study establishes the essence of integrating total productive management and total quality management for attaining world class manufacturing is of high value.

Using asset-based criterion to implement quality management philosophy in service operations to enhance business performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 2195-2211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Mehra
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Retail Banking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Philosophy ◽  
Quality Management Practices ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the impact of successfully assessing basic resources of an organization, such as technology and human resources, needed to enhance performance of service businesses through the use of quality management ideals. Effective coordination of these two types of organizational assets is shown to impact both the design and the implementation of quality management practices, which than leads to enhanced organizational performance.Design/methodology/approachRetail banking firms were surveyed for this study to analyze empirical data related to technology and people-based assets. Results were corroborated on the basis of in-depth interviews with several banking managers to provide real-world verification of the findings.FindingsThis study identifies the significance of key assets in a banking service environment that can help the implementation of quality management philosophy. Paper discusses how managers can focus on the development of key assets as well as the use of these assets in the design of quality management processes to enhance business performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis research focused on a specific sector of the service industry, the banking sector. Relatively small size of the study sample may have impacted the outcome of research applicability on a wide spectrum of businesses. Also, constantly changing financial regulations could not be incorporated in the study. On the positive side, strong managerial feedback provides guidance toward adopting the study results, and lays the foundation for future research suggesting an additional focus on corporate responsibility and sustainability issues while managing quality.Originality/valueAs today’s rapidly evolving society pushes people out of service encounters, replacing them with efficient and cost-saving technology, roles of both the people and the technology in an organization must be fully understood. This paper shows that, despite the exponential growth of technological innovation, both people and technology are critical to enhancing organizational performance through successful adoption of quality management practices.

An exploration of quality management practices in the manufacturing industry of Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sisay Addis
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Middle Level ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Total quality management (TQM) has long been viewed as a strategy to attain business excellence. However, it is relatively a new concept in the context of emerging economies. Particularly, this is far beyond the reality in the context of African countries, in general. The purpose of this paper is to study the current state of TQM implementation in the manufacturing industry of Ethiopia (MIE). The study also focuses on several comparisons, between large and medium companies, and ISO and non-ISO companies with regard to the adoption of TQM practices. Design/methodology/approach The study draws on top- and middle-level managers from sample companies. Data were collected using a structured survey questionnaire. After testing scale reliability and validity, descriptive and factor analysis were used for the data analysis. Findings The findings, in general, indicated that Ethiopian manufacturers have implemented TQM at a moderate level (grand mean value of 2.86 on 0–5 scale). It is revealed that ISO companies are significantly adopted TQM practices than non-ISO companies, whereas no difference was found between large and medium companies. Originality/value Given the importance of understanding TQM and paucity of research on the topic in Ethiopia, the study provides practical insights and groundwork that can guide practitioners to understand the drivers of TQM in the region. Particularly, the study is useful to plan corrective actions on practices that are likely to obstruct TQM implementation in the MIE. Moreover, the study adds to the empirical literature that may yield important insights on TQM for under-researched emerging economies, particularly for the eastern part of Africa, where nations share similar cross-cultural norms, economic, social and ethnic settings.

Exploring the role of organizational learning activities in the quality management context

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 380-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seok-young Oh ◽  
K. Peter Kuchinke
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Process Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Outcomes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between three quality management (QM) practices, leadership, people focus, and process management practices and organizational learning (OL) activities and business performance in Korean manufacturing businesses. Design/methodology/approach The study draws on 204 responses to a survey of Korean manufacturing companies listed on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index to test nine hypotheses with structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings The results from SEM show that leadership practices have a significant effect on people focus and process management practices, and that the three QM practices jointly influence OL. However, leadership, people focus, and process management practices do not have direct associations with business performance, but rather show statistically influence only via OL activities. The findings verify that OL has a mediating role in QM practices and business performance as a crucial resource that determines a firm’s competitive advantage. Originality/value An important implication of this study’s findings for managers or QM professionals is that learning takes place at multiple levels and is a crucial resource that determines a firm’s competitive advantage, bridging quality and business outcomes.

Total quality management practices in aquaculture companies: a case from Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 624-647
Author(s):  
Kwame Owusu Kwateng ◽  
Justice Eric Darko
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Total Quality Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Aquaculture Industry ◽  
Awareness Level

Purpose Studies on managers’ awareness level of total quality management (TQM) in the aquaculture industry in Ghana are scarce, if existing at all. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the awareness level of managers in Ghana’s aquaculture industry about TQM practices and how it is applied in their operations. Design/methodology/approach In this study, simple random sampling technique was used to select 52 respondents from aquaculture companies in Ghana. The respondents were managers and supervisors who have better understanding of organizational operations and quality management issues. Managers and supervisors considered for the study include quality managers, operational/production managers, supervisors, and also top managers. Findings The findings from the study depict that respondents’ awareness level about TQM practices and concepts in the aquaculture industry are acceptable and they agree to the fact that TQM is a way of guaranteeing high-quality products and services. The institutions’ main areas of concentration are management leadership, continuous process management, and improvement. Again, the companies’ culture depicts more of a control measure than a prophylactic treatment. Practical implications The outcome of this paper will help in comprehending the TQM awareness in the aquaculture industry in Ghana. It will also highlight major areas that managers and supervisors in the industry need education on, in other to enhance their quality skills. Originality/value This research is among the first ever known attempts to assess the awareness of TQM concepts and practices in the aquaculture industry in Ghana. It will help improve the quality practices in the industry.

Quality certification and firm performance. The mediation of human capital

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Miguel Gallego ◽  
Luis H. Gutiérrez Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Policy Reform ◽  
Iso 9001 ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Standards ◽  
Quality Infrastructure

PurposeThis paper investigates the impact of adopting quality management standards like ISO9001 on a firm's performance and the mediator role of human capabilities within firms in this relationship. The article analyses this mediator effect in the context of an emerging economy that set a policy reform aimed at increase ISO adoption and with a large share of informal labour markets.Design/methodology/approachThis study implements a quantitative approach, applying a Difference in Differences-DiD model with a Propensity Score Matching on fixed effect panel data analysis of a sample of certified and non-certified firms using firm-level data obtained from the national statistics office of Colombia. This methodology allows having comparable groups before the policy implementation. It reduces differences in observable characteristics and controls for parallel trends in primary outcomes before the policy reform.FindingsThe research findings suggest that after Colombian policy reform of the quality system (2006), firms that adopted ISO 9001 certification increased innovation (5.2%), labour productivity (4.6%), sales (5.7%) and wages (4.9%). Furthermore, it shows that the share of permanent workers is an essential mediator in adopting quality programs. Adopters firms with a large percentage of temporary workers weaken their initial investment in quality infrastructure.Research limitations/implicationsThis research does not consider one key aspect. This is the lack of information about the organizational culture inside Colombian organizations that is related to a successful implementation of Quality Management standards like ISO 9001. However, it does not affect the conclusion about the mediation effect of human capital in the relationship between ISO 9001 and firm performance.Practical implicationsThe study covered all the Colombian manufacturing firms with ten or more employees. It provides critical insight for managers to value implementing ISO 9001 certification and appropriately put attention to enhancing their firms' human capital in emerging economies. Also, a policy implication of the paper is that governmental efforts to strengthen quality infrastructure in emerging economies should also include steps to increase a firm's investment in human capital.Originality/valueThis study provides further support for government policies to strengthen firms' incentives to adopt modern management practices. The strong effects of implementing these management practices on sales, productivity and innovation have been identified. Furthermore, the investments in quality infrastructure must be accompanied by investment in human capital and workforce stability.

Supply chain and total quality management framework design for business performance-case study evidence

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 905-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Sharma ◽  
Sachin Modgil
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Total Quality Management ◽  
Product Life Cycle ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Exploitation And Exploration ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the importance of integration of supply chain management practices with total quality management (TQM) practices to augment business performance. The objective of paper is to focus on the two important dimensions, namely, supply chain and TQM of an organization with special reference to the concepts: exploration and exploitation. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 20 variables have been identified (independent variables) which impact business performance (dependent variable). Variables have been extracted into four categories with a combination of two orientations, i.e., exploitation and exploration, with respect to quality management and supply chain practices. Findings – Configurationally four different combinations concerning supply chain and TQM were identified in which an enterprise can operate. This is supported with the four different case studies. Practical implications – This study leads to some interesting practical implications for practicing managers as it offers a framework in which the supply chain and TQM practices can be implemented with respect to an organizational structure (mechanistic or organic structure), environmental conditions (uncertain environment and rapidly changing product life cycle) and identification of customer orientations (whether customer is price sensitive or customer makes buying decision on account of trust or relation to the product). Originality/value – The concept of supply chain exploitation and supply chain exploration with different orientations of quality management is not studied comprehensively before. This paper provides a background for establishing a framework of strategies for supply chain and quality practices, with respect to the exploitation and exploration scenario.

The impact of quality management practices on knowledge management processes: a study of a social security corporation in Jordan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ata Al Shraah ◽  
Ayman Abu-Rumman ◽  
Faisal Al Madi ◽  
Fawwaz Ali Farhan Alhammad ◽  
Ayah Ahmad AlJboor
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Social Security ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Management Practices ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
General Director

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the impact of total quality practices on knowledge management (KM) processes across a Social Security Corporation (SSC) in Jordan and explore the best approach to improve KM processes using quality management.Design/methodology/approachThis study followed a quantitative methodology: a conceptual model was developed based on an extensive review of the related literature; an online survey was developed and distributed using the SSC's intranet; and 384 surveys were completed and used in the statistical analysis. The two-stage approach of structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze and interpret the data, and was used to validate the conceptual model of this research.FindingsBased on the statistical analysis it was found that six out of seven independent factors relating to quality management practices were confirmed to have a significant impact on the knowledge management processes (KMPs). Building upon the findings an agenda for improving KM processes using quality management is proposed.Originality/valueThis study was conducted in one organization namely the SSC because it is the largest public service organization in Jordan and offers compulsory services. The inclusion of other public organizations and companies may reflect different findings. Future research may collect data from other service industries to get a more comprehensive perspective from developing countries such as Jordan. Moreover, the population of this study included only the General Director, General Director Assistants, and Administrative Managers. Front-line employees were excluded from the data collection because the study was conducted solely from a managerial perspective.

Accountability in the financial management practices of school principals

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agrippa Madoda Dwangu ◽  
Vimbi Petrus Mahlangu
Keyword(s):  
Financial Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
School Principals ◽  
School Principal ◽  
Department Of Education ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Status

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to investigate the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms employed in financial management practices of school principals in the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Education. The strengths and weaknesses of the systems and mechanisms of the processes to hold school principals accountable are explored in detail in this study. The argument that this article seeks to advance is that accountability of the school principal to the school governing body (SGB) does not yield the best results in terms of efficiency. It creates a loose arrangement in terms of which the school principal takes part in financial mismanagement in schools.Design/methodology/approachData collection was made through semi-structured interviews whose purpose was to draw experiences from SGBs, particularly the finance committees who are in fact the sub-committees of the SGBs; as well as literature review. The finance committee is made up of the chairperson of the SGB, the secretary of the SGB, the treasurer of the SGB, and the financial officer who is a clerk responsible for the keeping and the management of financial records of the school. The process started with semi-structured interviews, then transcribing, coding, developing themes, making meaning of the themes and subsequently developing a principle.FindingsMechanisms employed by schools and the Department of Education to hold principals accountable for their financial management practices fail to make them fully accountable and effectively face the consequences of acts on their part that are illegal and unlawful. The mechanisms need a great deal of overhauling. The argument that this article seeks to advance is that this account of the school principal to the SGB does not yield the best results in terms of efficiency. It creates a loose arrangement in terms of which the school principal easily gets away with a crime when financial mismanagement occurs in the school.Research limitations/implicationsParticipants could possibly not be comfortable and willing, to tell the truth as it is. Participants might have the fear that telling the truth could land them in trouble with the law. Whilst participants were assured by the researchers of their anonymity and the confidentiality of the information given by them, there was no guarantee that the fear of being exposed would subdue completely. There was also a possibility that some participants would not be willing to say the truth as it is for fear of being victimised by other participants for exposing the status quo in their schools.Practical implicationsThe findings and recommendations from this study may be used by the Department of Basic Education as a source of information for policymakers and stakeholders to understand the effectiveness of their mechanisms to ensure the accountability of school principals on issues of financial management. On the basis of this study, policymakers will then be able to revisit their policies for the purpose of strengthening them. The principal is therefore responsible for the day-to-day administration and management of school funds because of this mandatory delegation. However, when things go wrong, it is the SGB that is held liable.Social implicationsSchool principals hold dual accountability in terms of which they are accountable to the employer only in so far as their professional responsibilities are concerned on financial management in the first instance. They are by no means accounting officers in schools. In the second instance, they are fully accountable to the SGB for issues relating to financial management. Section 16A of SASA lists the functions and responsibilities for which the principal as an employee of the Department of Basic Education, and in his official capacity as contemplated in Sections 23(1) and 24(1) (j) of the same Act, is accountable to the head of department (HOD).Originality/valueThe study provides a theoretical and empirical contribution to the existing literature on the effectiveness of the mechanisms employed to ensure the accountability of school principals in their financial management practices in schools. It offers practical recommendations putting in place mechanisms that effectively hold school principals wholly accountable for their financial management practices in schools. Most of the time, it is easy for the principal to get away with a crime even in instances where he or she is called upon to account for alleged financial mismanagement.

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