Isomorphism and organizational performance: evidence from quality management in higher education

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Ansmann ◽  
Markus Seyfried
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Organizational Development ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Public Higher Education ◽  
Organizational Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Question

Purpose Quality management has become an integral part of management reforms in public sector organizations. Drawing on a new institutionalist perspective, this study aims to investigate the relation of management reforms and organizational performance in the context of higher education. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyse the interaction between isomorphic conformity in quality management adoption, organizational learning and quality improvement and, in so doing, address the central theoretical question of what effects isomorphic conformity has on organizational performance. Empirically, the study draws on survey data from quality managers at public higher education institutions in Germany. Methodically, it applies confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Findings The results suggest that mimetic isomorphism is surprisingly compatible with processes of organizational learning, and thus, does not inevitably compromise organizational development. Originality/value By presenting these findings, the authors contribute to the controversial theoretical debate concerning the effects of isomorphism and to the ongoing discussion regarding the organizational impact of quality management in higher education.

The relationship between soft and hard quality management practices, innovation and organizational performance in higher education

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1349-1372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Sciarelli ◽  
Mohamed Hani Gheith ◽  
Mario Tani
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Practices ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis study aims to empirically investigate the effects of both soft and hard quality management (QM) on innovation and organizational performance. It also examines the mediating role of hard QM, administrative innovation and technical innovation on the relationship between soft QM and organizational performance in higher education (HE).Design/methodology/approachThe approach of this study is quantitative. The data used to test the hypotheses were obtained through online questionnaire sent to the academic staff of public universities in Naples (Italy). The hypothesized relationships are tested with data collected from 356 respondents by using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results show that quality practices improve innovation and organizational performance, while innovation positively impacts organizational performance. The findings also indicate that soft QM affects organizational performance directly and indirectly through hard QM. Hard QM and innovation show a partial sequential mediating effect on soft QM-performance relationshipPractical implicationsIn order to implement quality management properly in HE, directors need to recognize the different roles that soft and hard QM can have on innovation and organizational performance. It is important that higher education institutions (HEIs) allocate resources to establish both types of QM practices to achieve the effectiveness of the whole QM system.Originality/valueDespite the existence of numerous studies on the relationship between QM, innovation and organizational performance in manufacturing and services, studies conducted in higher education are still few. This is one of the earliest studies that adopt the multidimensional approach of QM in HE which could help directors understand the interdependencies and different roles of soft and hard quality practices.

Factors influencing innovation performance in higher education institutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercy Asaa Asiedu ◽  
Hod Anyigba ◽  
Kwame Simpe Ofori ◽  
George Oppong Appiagyei Ampong ◽  
John Agyekum Addae
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Management Capabilities ◽  
Management Capabilities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between transformational leadership, knowledge management capabilities, organizational learning and innovation performance in the context of higher education institutions. Design/methodology/approach Using a survey research design, data was collected from 219 respondents comprising faculty and administrative staff from two public and five private universities in Ghana. The data were analysed by using the partial least squares approach to structural equation modelling with the use of Smart PLS software. Findings The results revealed that transformational leadership significantly predicts knowledge management capabilities and organizational learning and also has a positive effect on innovation performance. Originality/value Although some studies have covered the theoretical and empirical analyses of links between transformational leadership, innovation performance and some knowledge management capabilities, this study examines the direct links between transformational leadership and knowledge management capabilities, on one hand, and transformational leadership and organizational learning on the other, as well as their overall effect on innovation performance, which has been less discussed in literature, particularly in the tertiary educational sector and in the Ghanaian context.

Organizational learning capability, innovation and organizational performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud M. Migdadi
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Learning Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Practices

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a comprehensive, delineated and integrated conceptual model which includes organizational learning capability, innovation and organizational performance (OP). Then, an empirical investigation is undertaken to test the relationships among the proposed study model variables. Design/methodology/approach In total, 274 questionnaires were completed and returned. Statistical techniques employed included confirmatory factor analysis to examine the validity of the measurement model, and structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses. Findings The findings of this study suggest that OLC influences innovation and innovation affects OP. Finally, the results show that OLC affects OP indirectly through innovation (mediator). Research limitations/implications Future research should pay more attention to the influence of different mixture (variables) of influences on innovation and also examine other consequences of introducing innovation in organizations. In addition, more empirical papers supporting (or rejecting) the results in different contexts would be welcomed, especially longitudinal studies. Practical implications The results of this study help managers to ascertain the managerial practices that can be employed as well as determine the level of effort and resources necessary to enhance OLC. Additionally, managers should shed additional light on the innovation’s positive implications for OP. Originality/value This study focuses on the conceptualization of OLC and effects of these capabilities on innovation. It conceptualizes innovation as a multidimensional construct and tests its relationship with OP. Finally, the relationship between learning capability and OP, although implied, needs to be addressed empirically in the research literature, an objective that this study tries to achieve.

scholarly journals Are altruistic leaders worthy? The role of organizational learning capability

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fermín Mallén ◽  
Ricardo Chiva ◽  
Joaquín Alegre ◽  
Jacob Guinot
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Leader Behaviors ◽  
Learning Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between altruistic leader behaviors, organizational learning capability and organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach – The sampling frame consists of several databases or listings of business that consider people as a key element of the organization and are considered by their employees to be good firms to work for or organizational environments where human resources management has high priority (n=251). The authors use structural equation modeling to test if the relationship between altruistic leader behaviors and organizational performance is mediated by organizational learning capability. Findings – Results suggest that organizational learning capability fully mediates between altruistic leader behaviors and organizational performance. Thus, organizational learning capability plays a key role in explaining how altruistic leader behaviors affect organizational performance, essentially because it facilitates the creation of a creative, participatory and dialogue-based environment that promotes organizational learning. Research limitations/implications – The database used in the study is very heterogeneous. Future research might delimit the database by organization size or sector. Qualitative studies may also improve our understanding of the relationships studied and enable other concepts to be included. Practical implications – This study provides evidence of the positive relationship between altruistic leaders and performance. However, recruiting and fomenting altruistic leaders is not sufficient on its own to improve performance, and should be accompanied by implementing other facilitating factors of organizational learning such as dialogue or experimentation. Originality/value – In recent years some studies have linked leadership with organizational learning. However, this is one of the first studies to concentrate on altruistic leader behaviors as such, a concept that has received scant mention in the literature despite its importance in a number of leadership styles, and its relevance today as an alternative to the egotistic leader. The authors offer empirical evidence of the role of altruistic leader behavior as an antecedent of organizational learning capability and subjective measures of performance.

scholarly journals The mediating role of total quality management between the entrepreneurial orientation and the organizational performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Saleh Al-Dhaafri ◽  
Abdullah Kaid Al-Swidi ◽  
Rushami Zien Bin Yusoff
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Total Quality Management ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the joint effect of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and total quality management (TQM) on the organizational performance. In addition, this study aimed to examine the ability of TQM to transmit the effect of EO on the organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach – To examine the hypothesized model of the study, the survey questionnaire research design was employed. The data were collected from Dubai police department. The total number of questionnaires distributed was 320 out of which only 111 usable questionnaires were returned. The structural equation modeling partial least squares approach was used. Findings – The statistical results confirmed the effect of EO and TQM on the organizational performance. In addition, TQM was found to partially mediate the effect of EO on organizational performance. Practical implications – Further details and valuable implications of this study were discussed throughout the study. The results of this study have many practical implications. The results will help managers to make the proper decisions when deciding to implement TQM in their organizations. TQM can help managers with strong EO to achieve maximum performance in organizations and to remain competitive in the market. Originality/value – This study is a rare and unique empirical study that examines the effect of EO on TQM and the mediating effect of TQM on the EO-performance relationship.

The effect of organizational learning and Web 2.0 on innovation

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (9) ◽  
pp. 2060-2072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shouzhen Zeng ◽  
Joaquin Gonzalez ◽  
Clemente Lobato
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Sustainable Competitive Advantage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Managers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationships between Web 2.0 adoption, innovation, organizational learning and organizational performance in the hotel industry. Design/methodology/approach – A sample of four and five-star hotels provides the data. The fieldwork took place between February and June 2013. The questionnaire was sent to top managers of Chinese hospitality firms that provide their e-mail addresses on the main Chinese tourism web pages. The final sample comprises 278 hotels. This percentage of responses yields a sample error of 6.9 per cent for a 95 per cent confidence level. The authors followed a two-step approach for structural equation modelling, using EQS 5.7 software to conduct the tests. Findings – Results suggest that competitive advantage in the hotel industry requires firm strategies focusing on Web 2.0, innovation capacity and organizational learning. This finding contributes to the strategic management field by offering an explanation of the differences in firm performance within a particular industry. Therefore, the findings mark an important contribution to the literature, introducing a new variable that mediates the relationship between Web 2.0 and firm performance. Originality/value – The results hold that Web 2.0 adoption is crucial for enhancing innovativeness, which is a fundamental source of sustainable competitive advantage. In addition, organizational learning also has a positive effect on innovativeness. Innovation, which is the essence of competitive advantage, is a key concept for firms nowadays.

Strategic factors and significance of organizational innovation and organizational learning in organizational performance

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahadur Ali Soomro ◽  
Shahnawaz Mangi ◽  
Naimatullah Shah
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Organizational Innovation ◽  
Shared Vision ◽  
Organizational Capabilities ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Factors ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe study investigates the experience and significance of strategic factors in organizational innovation (OI) and organizational learning (OL). The study also examines the impact of OI and OL on organizational performance.Design/methodology/approachThe study takes a quantitative approach, with cross-sectional data collected to achieve its purpose. The respondents are CEOs of different organizations. The data collection tool, a survey questionnaire, is applied to a random sample. In total, data from 360 usable cases are analyzed to infer the results.FindingsAfter employing structural equation modeling (SEM), the study findings reveal the positive and significant impact of strategic factors on OI and OL, with these factors comprising personal mastery, transformational leadership, a shared vision, proactivity, and the environment. Furthermore, OI and OL have a positive and significant impact on organizational performance.Practical implicationsThe study's findings may reinforce knowledge of the different strategic factors/capabilities needed to attain a satisfactory level of organizational capabilities and, consequently, may increase organizational performance and encourage entrepreneurship. An investigation of these factors may impart benefits to an organization, such as becoming more innovative or providing a boost to learning. Managers of organizations may generate circumstances to make it easier to achieve the growth of these strategic factors/capabilities.Originality/valueThe study's findings may help to develop a better understanding of strategic factors, OI, OL, and organizational performance, particularly in a developing country context.

A sustainable e-service quality model

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 414-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gjoko Stamenkov ◽  
Zamir Dika
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Quality Management System ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Quality Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Republic

Purpose – Providing high service quality is a necessary but insufficient criterion for success. Service quality must be sustained longitudinally. The purpose of this paper is to propose a sustainable e-service quality model by presenting results from a mixed-method study conducted in the Republic of Macedonia’s banking industry. Sustainable e-service quality is the ability to deliver services continually with sustainable high quality, and the ability to manage and maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty. The authors scrutinized sustainable quality from an e-services perspective. Design/methodology/approach – Based on interview data, a theoretical model is developed. The model is examined empirically using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. As a sample, the authors chose one bank, with internal, e-services customers as a unit of analysis. Findings – Results support a sustainable e-service quality model, confirming that it captures the effect of the internal domain (i.e. quality management system, business/ICT alignment, ICT capabilities, ICT service climate, and e-service quality), and predicts the external domain (satisfaction and loyalty). Research limitations/implications – This study was conducted in one bank that is among the best in the country. This limitation implies a need for validation across varying contexts, markets, and countries. Practical implications – Practitioners can deploy the model as a diagnostic tool for organizational root-cause analysis of reduced performance and decreased customer satisfaction. The model answers a question regarding unfulfilled expectations of many companies that implement quality management systems: Why did the system fail to improve organizational performance or service quality? Originality/value – The result of this research is a sustainable e-service quality model. The model highlights relationships among factors, and provides a research foundation for elaboration in other contexts.

Employee involvement in decision-making: the more the better?

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 768-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaowen Tian ◽  
Xiaoxuan Zhai
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Employee Involvement ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Collective Learning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to relate participative decision-making (PDM) to organizational learning, and examine the impact of PDM on organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach The paper integrates the resource-based theory with organizational learning theory to develop a framework, and distinguishes PDM in which decisions are jointly made by employees and managers from employee decision-making (EDM) in which decisions are completely in the hands of employees. The paper incorporates an augmented Cobb–Douglass production function into a structural equation model to estimate the performance impact of PDM and EDM. Findings The paper tests the framework against firm-level data form China, and finds that PDM provides an opportunity for collective learning, and has a positive relationship with productivity-based profit gains; the positive relationship is stronger in firms whose management has greater accumulated knowledge and experience; EDM fails to provide an opportunity for collective learning, and has a negative relationship with productivity-based profit gains. Originality/value Prior research focused on the role of PDM in enhancing the motivation and performance of individual employees, considered the degree of employee involvement as a continuum with the highest being decision-making “completely in the hands of employees,” and concluded that the more involved are employees in decision-making the better. This paper relates PDM to organizational performance, and challenges this conventional view from an organizational learning perspective.

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