Patterns of Internal Communication in the Implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) at Manufacturing Organisations

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-444
Author(s):  
Sharina Samsudin ◽  
◽  
Che Azlan Taib ◽  
Hanissah A. Razak ◽  
Rushami Zein Yusoff ◽  
...  

Organisations need to perform, productivity needs to be improved and organisations’ activities need to be more effective, especially after the world economic crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, the need for quality improvements is crucial in both manufacturing and service sectors. The main purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of internal communication patterns in TQM implementation in Malaysia's manufacturing organisations. This is a multiple case study done using qualitative in-depth interview technique of data collections with 14 informants representing five large manufacturing organisations. Open-ended questions in semi-structured interviews enabled informants to describe their answers based on themes. The study has been carried out in manufacturing organisations originating from three different continents; two Malaysian local organisations, two eastern and one western organizations, and all of them located in Malaysia. In selecting the informants, the study adopts a judgment type of purposive sampling techniques. Results show that the most preferable and reliable communication medium between superiors and subordinates is still face-to-face meetings, although we are in the era of technology and IR4.0. Meanwhile, telephones are popular among the administration staff. The preferable form of communication between internal-operational is formal, without denying that informal form ofl communication is also important. Keywords: Internal communication, organizational communication, multiple case study, systematic process analysis, TQM.

Sains Insani ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syamhanim Ismail ◽  
Mimi Mohaffyza Mohamad ◽  
Nur Sofurah Mohd Faiz

Pembelajaran Berasaskan Kerja (PBK) merupakan suatu kaedah pembelajaran yang menggabungkan dua medium pembelajaran iaitu pembelajaran teori di institusi pendidikan dan pengaplikasian amali di industri. Melalui penggabungan dua medium pembelajaran ini dapat memberi pendedahan dan pengalaman industri yang relevan mengikut bidang pengajian yang dapat merapatkan jurang ketidaksepadanan di antara kehendak industri dan graduan yang dihasilkan oleh politeknik. Kajian ini dijalankan bertujuan untuk penerokaan pengalaman kebolehpasaran pelajar politeknik dalam tiga program perintis yang menggunakan kaedah PBK iaitu dalam program Diploma Lanjutan Rangkaian, Ijazah Sarjana Muda Teknologi Pengurusan Fasiliti dengan kepujian dan Ijazah Sarjana Muda Teknologi Kejuruteraan Elektronik (Perubatan) dengan kepujian Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif kajian kes pelbagai. Penyelidik menggunakan kaedah temubual secara mendalam dan bersemuka dengan peserta kajian berpandukan protokol separa berstruktur terhadap tiga orang peserta kajian daripada politeknik. Hasil temubual yang telah diperolehi telah di transkrip dan dianalisis secara tematik. Dapatan kajian telah menunjukkan hasil daripada penerokaan pengalaman peserta kajian, penyelidik telah mendapati bahawa ketiga-tiga program telah menunjukkan kebolehpasaran siswazah yang tinggi dimana hampir kesemua siswazah telah mendapat pekerjaan dalam tempoh enam bulan selepas tamat pengajian. Dapatan ini diharapkan dapat memberi implikasi dengan lebih banyak program pendidikan menggunakan kaedah PBK diperkenalkan kerana ianya dapat membantu siswazah untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan selepas tamat pengajian.   Work-Based Learning (WBL) is a learning methodology that combined two workplaces: educational institutions for theoretical learing and industries.for the practical. The combination of these two learning mediums can give the exposure and experience according to the field of study that can bridge the gap and mismatch between the needs of the industry and graduates produced by polytechnics. The aim of this research is to explore the experience of polytechnic graduate employability via three pilot programmes that apply WBL methods; which are the Networking Advanced Diploma, Bachelor of Facility Management with Honours and Bachelor of Computer Engineering Technology (Medical) with Honours.. This study employed a multiple case study of qualitative approach. The data collections in the field study were conducted using in-depth, face-to-face interviews and semi-structured protocol with the three participants from polytechnics. The results of the interviews have been transcribed and analyzed thematically. The findings showed that all the three programs have shown high graduate employability by almost all the graduates have been hired as a worker within six months after the graduation. Based on the results of this study, hopefully more educational programs will using the WBL method because it can help graduates to get a job after the graduation. Keywords: Work-Based Learning; polytechnic; graduate employability; graduates


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1622
Author(s):  
Camila Fagundes ◽  
Dusan Schreiber ◽  
Moema Pereira Nunes ◽  
Maria Eduarda Fernandes

Concern with the adequate use of natural resources has increased the relevance of products certifications in the wood supply chain, especially in companies established in Brazil, the cradle of one of the largest forest reserves. This study investigates the perception of companies on the potential and concrete benefits resulting from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. To achieve this, a multiple case study was carried out with data triangulation through semi-structured interviews, documentary research and non-participant observation. Four FSC certified industries established in Brazil were analyzed. The results showed that of the four companies participating in the study, only one did not achieve the desired economic benefits, whereas all organizations accomplished the advantages of the other areas of sustainability, both the social and environmental.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 1272-1288
Author(s):  
Raquel Engelman ◽  
Bruna Lamb Mentz ◽  
Bruna Carolina Pospichil ◽  
Cristine Hermann Nodari ◽  
Dusan Schreiber

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to analyze relations between the structural capital and the creativity in the jewelry sector.Design/methodology/approach – The method is multiple case study of 15 enterprises that develop jewelry design in the South and Southeast region of Brazil through semi structured interviews and self-filled questionnaires.Findings – The main results of the research were the perception of the strong influence of structural capital on the creative process of jewelry design, both positively and negatively.Research limitations/implications – The research limitation is the difficulty of generalization of the results obtained in the research, even being a study of multiple case, the answers were obtained only in the South and Southeast region of the country.Originality/value – As study’s main contributions we suggest that the internal structure eases the creative process in the ateliers, since the designers search to act in environments where they feel comfortable and provide the essential technologies that help them in both researches about tendencies and the development of the creative process.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh Hale ◽  
Emile Vollenhoven ◽  
Lisa Caiman ◽  
Alice Dryselius ◽  
Yvette Buttery

Background/AimsMany people with intellectual disability fall frequently. Understanding fall prevention intervention characteristics will assist efficacy trials to target appropriate people. An exploration of two exercise-based fall prevention interventions is reported, focusing on viability and acceptability.MethodsA multiple case study of adults with intellectual disability completing either the group Otago Exercise Programme or the Prevention of Falls for Adults with Intellectual Disability intervention was performed. Integrated data sources were used: semi-structured interviews with participants and support workers, observations, attendance/adherence, falls, adverse events and balance measures.ResultsIn total, seven adults with varying intellectual disability levels participated. Overall, three themes enabled understanding of suitability of people to each intervention: suitability of the exercises; role of the environment; and benefits to participants.ConclusionsEducating adults with intellectual disability and their support workers of the importance of regular exercise is key to participation. Both programmes required high levels of support and prioritisation to ensure exercises occurred and were carried out safely.


Author(s):  
Marwa Mallouli Ben Zouitina ◽  
Zouhour Smaoui Hachicha

This chapter aims to explore the impact of social networking sites (SNS) usage on individual work performance (IP). A literature review revealed contrasting results. A multiple-case study on 15 employees from eight Tunisian firms has been conducted to highlight the SNS effects on IP in the specific context of democratic transition. Data have been collected by semi-structured interviews and coded using the Nvivo 10 software. The analysis shows that, depending on the level of SNS usage, three types of effect are identified on IP at work: positive, negative, or null. This result invites researcher to consider the usage intensity when analyzing SNS effects on IP. Understanding the different types of SNS usage by actors and their effects on IP could help managers to take appropriate decisions to take profit from this usage. This research suggests also that organizational policy moderates the relationship between SNS usage and IP.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 252
Author(s):  
Yifan Zhong ◽  
Jiuhua Cherrie Zhu ◽  
Mingqiong Mike Zhang

Expatriate management has evolved through the practices of developed economy multinational enterprises (DMNEs), with the aim of improving expatriate adaptability, cross-cultural adjustment, and performance. However, most of these studies focus on expatriates from developed countries and try to help DMNEs instead of emerging market MNEs (EMNEs). In a turbulent global economy, how EMNEs manage their expatriates when conducting business through their outward foreign direct investment (FDI) is understudied. This empirical study aims to address this research gap by utilising a qualitative approach and a multiple case study. It has conducted semi-structured interviews with expatriates, executives, and middle managers of Chinese MNEs in 2014. It contributes as one of the few to systematically examine expatriate related issues in the context of EMNEs with first-hand empirical evidence. The findings show that EMNEs are leapfrogging with their internationalisation and hence their expatriate policies are often ad hoc without systematic planning. Moreover, this study has contributed to practice, especially to EMNEs, regarding the way they need to improve their expatriate policies and practices.


2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 251-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Kamulegeya ◽  
Raymond Mugwanya ◽  
Regina Hebig

Abstract Context: Software measurement is crucial to stay competitive and deliver quality software products. Problem: While much research has been done on measurement in large companies in developed countries, there is limited research on measurement in start-ups. So far there are no studies on whether these results apply to nascent ecosystems, such as those in East Africa. Goal: The aim of this study is to understand the use and perceived benefits of measurement in software start-ups in East Africa. Method: We performed a multi-case study on 19 software start-ups in hubs in Uganda and Kenya, through conducting semi-structured interviews. We transcribed and analyzed them using the content analysis technique. Results: We identified that start-ups are using a number of business and product-oriented metrics. Furthermore, we found no evidence on the use of design-oriented metrics. Nonetheless, start-ups have considerable expectations on the benefits of measuring. Finally, metrics found in this study partially differ from metrics used in start-ups in developed countries. Conclusion: There is a need to create a more inclusive characterization for measurement as early start-ups in East Africa cannot yet be represented with known models.


2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-333
Author(s):  
Brittany N. Budzan ◽  
K. Jessica Van Vliet

Separation and divorce are common occurrences in the Western world. Given that a transition out of a marriage can increase psychological distress in the members of the couple as well as in their children, preventive interventions are crucial for avoiding serious ruptures and for increasing relationship strength and resilience. A potential option for clinicians is to use interventions designed to increase self-compassion. This multiple-case study explored the influence of a self-compassion intervention on conflict within romantic relationships. Three women completed a self-compassion training CD, six sets of online questions, and two semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to construct detailed accounts of each participant’s experience. Participants perceived that self-compassion helped them to de-escalate conflict, increase self-awareness and self-acceptance, and facilitate perspective taking. This study may help inform future relationship interventions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-287
Author(s):  
Maned Mhlongo ◽  
Patrick Ngulube

This paper is part of a larger qualitative multiple case study that sought to explore the integration of indigenous knowledge in public libraries in South Africa. The paper draws from semi-structured interviews with selected heads of provincial library services in South Africa to determine the extent to which public libraries provide targeted resources to enhance access to IK. Results reveal that that there are no targeted resources to facilitate access to IK. Concerted efforts to facilitate access by increasing the number of libraries were noted. Notwithstanding these efforts, there seems to be a paucity of IK, which has implication for inclusive services. It is recommended that libraries look beyond enabling access to the Internet but also explore how they can further optimise ICT usage as a way of facilitating access to IK through capturing, organising and disseminating knowledge of indigenous communities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Francesca Maria Cesaroni ◽  
Gail Denisse Chamochumbi Diaz ◽  
Annalisa Sentuti

Several empirical investigations indicate that family firms are more innovative under the founding generation’s leadership and become less innovative in later stages, while others state the opposite. Within this debate, limited attention has been devoted to understanding how intra-family succession might be an opportunity to maintain or improve family firms’ innovativeness. This paper aims to explore how family firms’ innovativeness may evolve from the first to the second generation and understand which conditions may favour or hamper this change. A qualitative approach based on a multiple case study was adopted, conducting seven face-to-face semi-structured interviews with founders and successors that formed the basis of four case studies. The results reveal four different dynamics that characterise how a first-generation family firm’s innovation capacities are or are not passed on to the second generation: decline, transformation, consolidation and preservation. Findings also show that these dynamics depend on the founders and successors’ approaches towards innovation. To better depict differences between them, we propose a typology of founders (lone innovator, collaborative innovator and orchestrator innovator) and successors (prodigal son, game changer, talent scout, faithful disciple) and explain how they influence the evolution of innovation from the founder generation to the next.


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