Towards excellence in managing the public-sector project cycle: a TQM context

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos F. Gomes ◽  
Michael H. Small ◽  
Mahmoud M. Yasin
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Planning Stage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Implementation Stages

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the management of public-sector projects in Portugal paying particular attention to the extent to which total quality management (TQM) principles are being utilized in such projects. Design/methodology/approach Based on an extensive review of the literature, nine propositions are advanced about the interrelationships among seven factors that were identified, in a previous study, as having some influence on the management process in the planning and implementation of public-sector projects in Portugal. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate these propositions using data obtained from 211 respondents to a survey of project managers from municipalities across Portugal. Findings The results of the structural equation model indicate that the TQM components working in tandem with project-management-specific variables provide a systematic means of managing the planning and implementation stages of projects, with technical items being critical in the planning stage and softer management items becoming important in the implementation stage. Research limitations/implications Readers should be careful not to generalize the findings in a global context or for private sector projects. However, researchers are encouraged to extend this study by including other planning and implementation variables with a view to discerning what particular characteristics of a project make it more amenable to TQM solutions. Practical implications The findings are presented to show how the key components of TQM, customer focus, employee involvement and continuous involvement, can be applied during the planning and implementation stages of projects. Originality/value The sample size of 211 is representative of the underlying population of project managers in municipalities across Portugal and is comparatively large in relation to other empirical project management studies from Portugal, lending credence to the generalizability of these finding to public-sector projects in Portugal.

Researchers’ awareness about plagiarism and impact of plagiarism detection tools – does awareness effect the actions towards preventing plagiarism?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sk. Mamun Mostofa ◽  
Mashiat Tabassum ◽  
S.M. Zabed Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Plagiarism Detection ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reported Study ◽  
Chi Square Test

Purpose This paper aims to analyse researchers’ awareness about plagiarism and impact of plagiarism detection tools on the actions that they take to prevent plagiarism. It also employs a structural model that examines whether awareness of plagiarism and anti-plagiarism tools have any significant effect on the actions taken by the researchers to avoid plagiarism. Design/methodology/approach A survey questionnaire was distributed to researchers at a large public university in Bangladesh. The survey accumulated 184 valid responses. Descriptive statistics were obtained to assess researchers’ awareness about plagiarism and impact of plagiarism detection tools and the actions taken by them. The reasons that may cause plagiarism were also identified. The awareness of the availability of the anti-plagiarism software that was being used by the university and its actual use by the researchers was gathered through the survey. Non-parametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were conducted to investigate the differences in awareness levels and actions in terms of gender, age, discipline and current level of research. The chi-square test was carried out to examine the relationship between awareness about the availability of the anti-plagiarism software and its use by the researchers. Finally, the survey data were analysed using structural equation modeling to examine the effects of awareness of plagiarism and anti-plagiarism software on the actions taken by the researchers. Findings The study revealed that the level of awareness regarding plagiarism and impact of plagiarism detection software is generally high among the researchers. There are some significant differences between researchers’ demographic and personal characteristics and their awareness levels and actions with regard to plagiarism. The findings indicate that almost three-quarters of the researchers were aware about the anti-plagiarism tool that is being used, whereas more than half of the researchers indicated that they used the software to assess their works. The results of the structural equation model do not show a good fit, although there is strong statistical evidence that awareness about plagiarism and anti-plagiarism software has significantly impacted researchers’ actions towards preventing plagiarism. Originality/value There is no reported study on researchers’ awareness of plagiarism and its affiliated issues in Bangladesh. The findings of this study will not only provide useful insights regarding awareness about plagiarism but also assist university authorities to formulate relevant policy and take necessary actions against plagiarism in higher education institutions.

Fraud prevention initiatives in the Nigerian public sector

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 527-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabiu Abdullahi ◽  
Noorhayati Mansor
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Fraud Triangle ◽  
Fraud Prevention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Government ◽  
Triangle Theory

Purpose Detecting and preventing fraud are challenging and risky tasks, especially in a fast developing economy such as Nigeria. The efforts become crucial in the government sectors, as they involve public’s trust and resources. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between the fraud incidence and the elements of fraud triangle theory (FTT) with the aim of combating current fraud outrages in the Nigerian public sector. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted and 302 questionnaires were distributed to the staff of the departments of accounting, internal auditing and investigation of ten selected ministries, departments and agencies of Kano State, Nigeria. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data. Findings The study reveals a significant relationship between three elements of FTT and fraud incidences in the Nigerian public sectors (p-value < 0.001 for pressure and opportunity and p-value = 0.024 for rationalization). Practical implications The findings of the study are useful for forensic accountants and the Nigerian anti-graft bodies to enhance existing control mechanisms in fraud prevention initiatives. The research also contributes to bridge the gap in academic theory and empirical study related to FTT. Social implications Fraud scandals can cause public’s frustration, damage the reputation and integrity of the ruling government and result in negative image of the public sector. Originality/value Accordingly, the study suggests a salary scale reform (SSR) in the Nigerian public sector and improvement in fringe benefits to increase employees’ standard of living. The study concludes with recommendations to enhance fraud awareness and training programs to the government employees.

Investigating the adoption of social media in the construction industry: empirical evidence from project teams in China

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guofeng Ma ◽  
Shan Jiang ◽  
Jianyao Jia
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Project Teams ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Content Type

PurposeA lack of reliable and effective communication tools poses major barriers impeding the performance of construction projects consisting of diverse participants. Although some construction project teams (CPTs) begin to apply social media (SM) as an available approach for project management the entire mechanism of SM adoption in this specific context remains understudied. Therefore, this study aims to adopt a CPT's lens to investigate the critical antecedents and associated effects underlying SM adoption in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachBased on the technology–organization–environment (TOE) theory, a conceptual model was proposed and tested by empirical data collected from 159 CPTs in China. Structural equation modeling technique was employed for data analysis.FindingsThe results demonstrate that all the five extracted TOE-based antecedents including two technological factors (i.e. compatibility and expected cost), one organizational factor (i.e. top management support) and two environmental factors (i.e. project partner collaboration and project fit) are crucial to the adoption of SM in CPTs. Besides, SM acceptance is found to mediate the relationships between organizational and environmental factors and SM use. Moreover, SM use significantly predicts the communication effectiveness of CPTs.Research limitations/implicationsA questionnaire study based on cross-sectional data from China may only unveil the logic of SM adoption in the context of Chinese construction industry within a shorter time interval. It is recommended that future research could develop longitudinal studies among various construction practitioners in different countries to further specify and generalize the current findings.Originality/valueThis paper provides a comprehensive understanding of SM adoption in the construction industry by exploring the preadoption antecedents and postadoption effects from the perspective of project teams. The empirical findings advance the current web-based project management literature and afford new insights for construction practitioners into better managing SM application to reap its full capabilities in projects.

A structural equation model for big data adoption in the healthcare supply chain

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dindayal Agrawal ◽  
Jitender Madaan
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Data Governance ◽  
Social Perspective ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the barriers to the implementation of big data (BD) in the healthcare supply chain (HSC).Design/methodology/approachFirst, the barriers concerning BD adoption in the HSC were found by conducting a detailed literature survey and with the expert's opinion. Then the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to categorize the barriers. The obtained results are verified using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis gives the path diagram representing the interrelationship between latent variables and observed variables.FindingsThe segregation of 13 barriers into three categories, namely “data governance perspective,” “technological and expertise perspective,” and “organizational and social perspective,” is performed using EFA. Three hypotheses are tested, and all are accepted. It can be concluded that the “data governance perspective” is positively related to “technological and expertise perspective” and “organizational and social perspective” factors. Also, the “technological and expertise perspective” is positively related to “organizational and social perspective.”Research limitations/implicationsIn literature, very few studies have been performed on finding the barriers to BD adoption in the HSC. The systematic methodology and statistical verification applied in this study empowers the healthcare organizations and policymakers in further decision-making.Originality/valueThis paper is first of its kind to adopt an approach to classify barriers to BD implementation in the HSC into three distinct perspectives.

scholarly journals The Effect of Quality Management and Big Data Management on Customer Satisfaction in Korea’s Public Sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 5474
Author(s):  
Gye-Soo Kim
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Total Quality Management ◽  
Data Management ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Total Quality

Data-driven decision making is needed in uncertain situations. Total quality management is the source of quality management activities and customer satisfaction. This study is related to the investigation into the application of total quality management based on big data management on the public sector in Korea. We developed a research model for total quality management, and investigated the role of moderating big data management between total quality management leadership and quality management. Moreover, this study has examined the relationships between the practices of the total quality management and using big data, including customer needs and wants. The research model is developed and tested to fit it is with the SEM (Structural Equation Model) analysis using data 250 samples in Korea’s public sector. The survey was conducted between 1 August and 30 August 2019. The results are as follow: Total quality leadership has significantly impacted total quality management. Customer satisfaction was found to be significantly affected by total quality management activities. In addition, the level of big data management has the moderation effect between total quality leadership and total quality management in Korea public sectors. It is necessary to systematically manage data management in a situation where the demand for improvement of public service is gradually increasing online in public sector.

Linking transformational leadership and “multi-dimensions” of project success

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umer Zaman ◽  
Shahid Nawaz ◽  
Sidra Tariq ◽  
Asad Afzal Humayoun
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Transformational leadership, flexibility and visibility improves project responsiveness to highly unpredictable and impactful events referred as the ‘black swans’ in mega projects (Bloch et al., 2012; Raziq et al., 2018; Zailani et al., 2016). However, these concepts have never been empirically tested in a single framework to determine their significant impact on multi-dimensional project success. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interactional effects of project flexibility and project visibility on the relationship between transformational leadership and “multi-dimensions” of project success including meeting design goals; impact on customers and benefits to project-based organization. Design/methodology/approach Empirical data derived from cross-sectional survey of 160 project managers from telecom intensive companies in Pakistan were used to test the conceptual framework developed from recent literature. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) provided detailed analysis of the measurement and structural model. The most recent reflective–formative PLS-SEM approach for higher-order constructs has been introduced. Findings The results indicate that project managers’ transformational leadership (β = 0.348, p < 0.01), project flexibility (β = 0.221, p < 0.01) and project visibility (β = 0.366, p < 0.01) are positively related with the multi-dimensional project success (second-order formative) construct. Interestingly, the relationship between transformational leadership and project success is influenced by significantly negative moderations established through project flexibility (β = −0.100, p < 0.01) and project visibility (β = −0.093, p < 0.05). Research limitations/implications This study in the telecom sector examined the interactional effects of risk mitigating strategies (i.e. project flexibility and project visibility) on the relationship between transformational leadership and multi-dimensional project success. This study creates a basis for future investigations extending to various project types and relevant to different industries especially those involving higher-order (formative) assessments of project success. Practical implications The study findings assist project leaders to meet their escalating commitments in achieving project success from a multi-dimensional standpoint. Additionally, this study underscores a renewed perspective of transformational leadership and project outcomes. Despite prevailing understanding developed through prior research, transformational leadership may become less favorable for project success in conditions of increased flexibility and visibility in projects. Originality/value Earlier studies have overlooked the multi-dimensional nature of project success (second-order formative) construct, despite several attempts to examine the interplay between transformational leadership and project success. Based on the knowledge gap and non-existence of empirical evidence, the authors introduced and empirically tested the moderating role of project flexibility and project visibility in the relationship between transformational leadership and multi-dimensional project success.

Who is attracted and why? How agile project management influences employee's attraction and commitment

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Koch ◽  
Carsten C. Schermuly
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Psychological Empowerment ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Agile Project Management ◽  
Indirect Relationship ◽  
Work Structure

PurposeIn times of market volatility and uncertainty, finding effective strategies to attract and retain individuals continues to be a challenge for organizations. Based on the psychological empowerment process (Spreitzer, 1996), this paper strives to examine if the application of agile project management could serve as such a strategy.Design/methodology/approachIn two independent studies, the authors used an experiment with students as potential applicants (N = 121) and a field study with employees (N = 229) to test the predictive quality of agile project management for attracting individuals toward the organization.FindingsUsing structural equation modeling, the authors identified an indirect relationship between agile project management and attraction toward the organization via psychological empowerment. The authors found this relationship for potential applicants as well as employees. Furthermore, individuals high in sensation seeking are found to be more attracted toward organizations that apply agile project management than individuals low in sensation seeking.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings contribute to the empowerment literature by establishing agile project management as a work structure that fosters feelings of psychological empowerment.Practical implicationsTaken together, these results suggest that agile project management can attract individuals who seek novel, complex and intense sensations. Where applicable, organizations may highlight their practice of agile project management methodologies as part of their employer brand to attract future specialists for agile projects.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to integrate the research streams on agile project management and attraction toward the organization using quantitative data.

Improvement of individual performance in the public sector

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaela Palma ◽  
Alessandro Hinna ◽  
Gianluigi Mangia
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reported Data

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore whether a pro-social motivation called user orientation (UO), which aims at helping specific others, may affect performance of public sector employees in addition to public service motivation (PSM), and whether any personal, and/or contextual factors affect this relationship (age, tenure, role, and context). Design/methodology/approach Utilizing cross-sectional survey data obtained from 618 Italian public teachers, PLS-structural equation modeling is used to investigate the relationship between PSM, UO, and performance, along with the moderating effects of individual/contextual factors. Findings Findings show positive relationships between the two levers (PSM/UO) and individual performance (IP), depending on job and organizational tenure, role, and the social environment of the areas the schools are located in. Research limitations/implications There might be problems related to causal inference and common method variance, due to the use of the cross-sectional self-reported data. Practical implications Managers should be aware of the crucial role UO and PSM play in order to improve IP in contexts where there is direct contact with the service beneficiaries. Originality/value The paper contributes to a clearer understanding of which motives are involved in the process that leads public service employees to enhance their performance.

The effects of employer SNS motioning on employee perceived privacy violation, procedural justice, and leave intention

2018 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. 1153-1169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung-Yue Suen
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Procedural Justice ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Intent To Leave ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Initial Examination ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a model to understand how and when employees’ perceived privacy violations and procedural injustice interact to predict intent to leave in the context of the use of social networking sites (SNSs) monitoring. Design/methodology/approach This study was conducted in a field setting of Facebook to frame the hypotheses in a structural equation model with partial least squares-structural equation modeling. Variables were measured empirically by administering questionnaires to full-time employed Facebook users who had experienced SNS monitoring. Findings The results showed that when an employee believed that he/she had more ability to control his/her SNS information, he/she was less likely to perceive that his/her privacy had been invaded; and when an employee believed that the transparency of the SNS data collection process was higher, he or she was more likely to perceive procedural justice in SNS monitoring. Research limitations/implications This research draws attention to the importance of intent to leave in the absence of perceived procedural justice under SNS monitoring, and the partial mediation of the perception of justice or injustice by perceived privacy violations. Practical implications For employers, the author recommends that employers come to know how to conduct SNS monitoring and data collection with limited risk of employee loss. Social implications For employees, the author suggests that SNS users learn how to control their SNS information and make sure to check their privacy settings on the SNS that they use frequently. Originality/value This study provided an initial examination and bridged the gap between employer use of SNS monitoring and employee reactions by opening a mediating and moderating black box that has rarely been assessed.

An empirical study to investigate the effects of critical factors on TQM implementation in the garment industry in Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 1209-1232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subrata Talapatra ◽  
Md. Kutub Uddin ◽  
Jiju Antony ◽  
Shivam Gupta ◽  
Elizabeth A. Cudney
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Phone Calls

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that enable total quality management (TQM) implementation in the readymade garment (RMG) sector of Bangladesh. More specifically, the present study is a supplement of the previous call from research to investigate the TQM-enabling factors from a broader aspect of organizational change. Design/methodology/approach This study was conducted through an online survey, followed by phone calls. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey with 256 respondents of the Bangladeshi RMG sector. The TQM-enabling factors were divided into five distinct groups, based on strategic or overall changes required within an organization for TQM implementation. A theoretical research model was created to investigate the contingency of various TQM-enabling factors. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to confirm the factor that enabled TQM implementation in the RMG sector of Bangladesh. Findings The main finding of this study shows that structural, strategic, contextual and human resource-enabling factors are significant to TQM implementation in the Bangladeshi RMG sector. Research limitations/implications This study has been completed in single time frame. Therefore, consideration of the time factor is completely ignored in this research. Furthermore, understanding of TQM-enabling factors in this research relied on quantitative findings only. Also, this study was limited to one industry and one geographic region. However, this study could determine whether data triangulation will provide a good perception on enabling factors and the methodology can be extended to other industries and regions. Practical implications This study provides a research methodology for other manufacturing industries that are planning to implement TQM in their organization. This research will contribute to the existing literature by examining the contingency of various TQM-enabling factors in the context of the Bangladeshi RMG sector, and it, therefore, provides direction to increase the success rate of TQM implementation. Furthermore, the research methodology can be used in other studies for variation of contextual variables such as size of the industry, developed or underdeveloped country and manufacturing or service industry. Originality/value The methodology used in this study can lead the way for other industries in the RMG sector that implements TQM in their organization. Also, this research further contributes to the existing literature by investigating the contingency of various TQM enabling factors in the context of the Bangladeshi RMG sector and developing associated strategies to raise success rate of TQM implementation.

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