Quality Management Theory Research Articles

Towards a contingency theory perspective of quality management in enabling strategic alignment

The aim of this paper is to explore the role of Quality Management (QM) theory and practice using a contingency theory perspective. The study is grounded in the role of QM in improving strategic alignment within Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) using Contingency Theory rather than adopting best practice approaches. An inductive theory building research methodology was used involving multiple case analyses of five SMEs, involving repeat interviews (n=45), focus groups (n=5) and document analysis. From the findings, it was found that Contingency Variables (strategy, culture, lifecycle and customer focus) and their respective typologies were found to interact with QM practices in helping to shape strategic alignment between the SMEs and their environments. This shaping process based on contingency approaches occurred in a manner unique to each SME and their respective environments rather than in an overarching best practice manner.

The epistemological basis for quality management

Researchers have observed that Quality Management (QM) is often inconsistently implemented in practice because of a lack of understanding of the main QM concepts. This article uses a multi-paradigm analysis involving systemic, pragmatic, and constructivist perspectives to show that the QM theory can be grounded in an epistemological framework based on the integration of these three paradigms. We propose and provide a solid and unifying epistemological basis to help better understand QM on a theoretical level as well as to facilitate its implementation.

Integration of Six Sigma to traditional quality management theory: an empirical study on organisational performance

This paper integrates Six Sigma (SS) practices into traditional quality management (QM) theory by investigating its relation to traditional QM practices as well as its direct effect on organisational performance. This research used Path Analysis, a special case of SEM, through which the research hypotheses were evaluated. The paper uses survey data collected from US textile and apparel industry members. As an important contribution to previous literature, the results suggest that overall performance appears to be favourably and directly influenced by successful implementation of both SS and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Therefore, SS practices are concluded to directly impact organisational performance rather than being complementary to traditional QM practices. Considering the social and technical (soft and hard) dimensions of QM, our study has found a significant path to SS from process management (PM), but not from other soft aspects. This showed that textile and apparel companies’ SS applications are dominated by hard quality practices, but they have not been yet widely linked with social dimensions such as CRM or Employee Relationship Management (ERM). Results also indicate that ERM has a direct impact on PM and CRM, and Top Management has direct positive links to CRM and ERM.

MANAJEMEN MUTU PERGURUAN TINGGI AGAMA ISLAM SWASTA

This paper is intended to describe the Possibility to apply quality management in Private Islamic University (PTAIS) in Indonesia. The method used to analysed this is content analysis. The theory used is the theory of total quality management (TQM) which is adapted with PTAIS institutional conditions. The findings showed that The strategy to develop the quality of Private islamic Universities should be, at least: 1) directed to The development of academic quality based on internaitonal standard, so that the academic and social needs for national and regional scale is automatically able to be met, 2) supported by a good academic atmosphere so that attempts to improve the academic quality can be run more quickly and effectively; 3) the primary support to the internationalization of Islamic education which is more humane; and establish broad international academic networking to support the human resources quality which is more superior, innovative, and productive.

Two quality evolutions: Industry vs. health care

Paper explains evolution of Global Quality Management Theory through changes of different quality management approaches in time and compares it to the evolution of Quality Management in Healthcare. Authors relied on already existing information and data sources published in scientific journals to define evolution paths and conduct their comparison to identify gaps and recommend improvements in Healthcare Quality Management. Additionally, four major activities that could improve healthcare quality management emerged from analysis, such as: mechanism for constant and systematic tracing errors, managing quality of supportive processes, control of outsource organizations and application of IT for quality assurance.

Structural Modeling of Quality Management Practices to Achieve Business Results

The study aims to explore a positive relationship between quality management practices, quality performance and profitability of the firm. First critical quality management practices were identified and classified into categories. Then, a structural model linking these practices, quality performance and profitability factors was proposed and empirically tested. The empirical data were obtained from a questionnaire-based survey of 152 Indian manufacturing companies. After the data collection, the scales were purified, validated, tested for reliability and unidimentionality of scales. The model proves to have a direct effect and positive relationship between quality management practices, quality performance and profitability of the firm. The structural model proposed and tested in this study can by used by researchers for developing quality management theory. This model may offer a flow chart to practitioners for effective quality management implementation. This study is a comprehensive review of the literature to develop factors of critical quality management practices and profitability, and unlike most previous studies, the proposed model is the first to illustrate the significance and direct positive impact of quality management practices on quality performance and profitability in an organization.

What Matters For Assuring Radio Program Quality

Radio broadcasting is one of the most widespread electronic mass media. The competition among incumbent radio stations grows drastically due to the market change and environmental evolution. Managing program quality becomes a critical issue to a radio station to sharpen its competitive advantages. Quality management of radio programs is intertwined with complicated factors. In order to identify the primary factors affecting radio program quality as well as explore the impact level these factors bring, this study adopts modified Delphi method, which is based on total quality management theory to develop the questionnaire. According to the outcomes of the pilot test, the factors can be categorized into four dimensions: operation, coordination, structure and improvement. The coordination dimension comprises four sub-dimensions while the rest respectively comprise two sub-dimensions. Each sub-dimension includes six to nineteen indicators for measuring radio program quality. In total, there are 71 indicators. The quantitative data of the pilot test, which mean 5.0, mode 5.0, standard deviation 0 and quartile deviation 0, indicates that the questionnaire just suits this study based on three pilot experts’ input. However, four indicators should be phraseological modified according to the qualitative responses of the pilot experts.

Managing port-related supply chain disruptions (PSCDs): a management model and empirical evidence

ABSTRACTIn the contemporary port business environment, port resilience is of paramount importance for supply chain continuity. A result of the increased integration of ports into supply chains is ports’ potential to supply chain disruptions. This paper introduces a PSCD management model that incorporates the application of risk management, business continuity management, and quality management theories with the purpose of increasing port resilience such that supply chain continuity is enhanced. To validate this model, primary data were collected from samples of port operators and port authorities and analyzed using structural equation modeling with AMOS 22.0. The results indicate that managing PSCD using the management model contributes positively to the identification of internal and external opportunities and through that to port’s resilience of internal operations. This, in turn, positively influences port’s financial health and market reputation. The management model has several managerial and academic implications as it offers meaningful insights on policy development as well as theory building.

Learning from criticisms of quality management

Purpose – This paper aims at summing up the main criticisms concerning quality management (QM) in order to address them through objective arguments or extant research. Since its diffusion in the Occident in the 70s, QM gained as much approvals as criticisms. Therefore, with 40 years distance, it seems useful to sum up the main criticisms addressed to QM, to present a synthesis of the answers provided by researchers to these criticisms and to propose extant research when it appears that some criticisms have not received yet the adequate response. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on a literature review. Findings – This paper comes up with a list of the main criticisms addressed to QM. Then, main causes of criticisms are identified: ignorance of QM, confusion concerning QM definitions and theory and misuse of QM by senior managers. At last, QM organizational solutions are proposed which answer most expressed criticisms. Extant research tracks are considered for those relevant criticisms which have not been sufficiently addressed until now. Research limitations/implications – Further research will look into depicting a survey conducted among QM professionals concerning QM criticisms in their organization and confronting them to these academic results. Originality/value – This paper actualizes and completes Giroux and Landry’s (1998) article which dealt extensively with QM criticisms. Professionals will find in this paper answers to most criticisms against QM and a better understanding of the present limits of this discipline. Researchers will be provided with a state of the art concerning this sensitive topic, allowing them to go deeper in the fields that require special attention.

Developing and validating critical success factors of TQM implementation in MSMEs of Punjab in India

Manufacturing organisations are facing challenges due to growing competition to sustain themselves. Enhancing their quality and also quality of the products is absolutely essential to sustain growth. From an extensive review of the literature in the field of total quality management (TQM), eight critical success factors (top management commitment, customer focus, process management, continuous improvement, supplier quality management, employee participation, training, teamwork) and four outcome factors (customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, internal quality result, external quality results) of TQM implementation were identified. A questionnaire survey instrument was developed, reliability and validity of the questionnaire were tested. Data from 118 micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) related to manufacturing sector was analysed using structural equation modelling. Structure equation modelling was used to examine hypothesis. It was concluded finally that the many critical success factors of TQM are significantly related with outcome factors of TQM. Researchers will be able to use this instrument for developing quality management theory. Industrial practitioners will be able to use this instrument to evaluate their TQM implementation.

Sistem Pengurusan Kualiti Menurut Perspektif Islam MS 1900 di Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Malaysia: Suatu Cabaran Masa Kini

Malaysia has been the forefront for successfully introducing a standard for Islamic Quality Management Systems (IQMS) for the first time in the world in 2005. The standard is known GJAT | DECEMBER 2014 | VOL 4 ISSUE 2 | 100 ISSN : 2232-0474 | E-ISSN : 2232-0482 www.gjat.my This journal is a member of and subscribes to the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) as the MS 1900:2005 (Quality Management Systems Requirements from Islamic Perspective). This study aims to explore the challenges in the implementation of MS 1900 in Malaysia’s Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) which involve public HEI and private HEI. This is a qualitative study in which semistructured interview was employed as a main data collection method, and it was triangulated with data collected from documents and observations. Purposive sampling technique was use to select all the interviewees actively involved in MS 1900 implementation in the respective HEI. NVivo version 10 was utilised to facilitate data analysis processes, in order to identify and develop codes and themes in relation with the subject investigated. The study found that there are differences between the challenges faced by the both HEIs in terms of their priority. Research findings at public HEI indicated that the challenge starts with aspects related to employee attitudes, heavy work load, lack of training and challenges pertaining human aspect. Meanwhile, the challenge at private HEI are related with the aspects of the heavy work load, training, humanitarian, monitoring, finance, and the individual’s own attitude. This study is one of the pioneer studies on the implementation of MS 1900 in Malaysia; therefore the research findings are a significant contribution in the development of Islamic quality management knowledge and theory.

Testing the dimensionality of the quality management construct

Numerous empirical studies have conceptualised quality management (QM) as either a multidimensional or unidimensional construct. While few prior studies tested some aspects of the assumed dimensional structure of the construct, no study has been found to have tested the construct's dimensionality using alternative factor analysis models. To gain a better insight into dimensional properties of the QM construct, this paper tests its dimensionality using three confirmatory factor analysis models (oblique factor model, higher-order factor model, and one-factor model) on a subset of data collected in a larger study that investigated the effects of QM on competitive advantage using a sample of 288 hotel managers in Egypt. The results of the three tests indicate that the QM construct is multidimensional. While this study contributes to advancing the QM theory and practice, further studies are needed to investigate the dimensional properties of the construct in greater depth. The results of this study may therefore stimulate research in this area and encourage the much needed debate on the dimensionality of the QM construct.

Discussion and Realization on Quality Control Methods of Power Steam Turbine-Generator Unit Installation

Based on the practical experience of turbine unit installation, combined with the project quality management theory, analyzed the impact factors of turbine installation quality, explored the quality control content, and formed a more perfect of quality control methods system ultimately. The application of the methods in the SDIC Power Plant team turbine unit installation achieved the good results, and it became the reference for the same or related industry.

Security at the source: securing today’s critical supply chain networks

This paper focuses on the re-engineering of supply chain security processes of an international organization with global operations. This research project is based on a multimethod field study designed to evaluate, over a 12 month period, the implementation of a new security concept downstream of the central warehouse. During a 12 month field study, it was found that after new processes were in place, the organization was able to achieve substantial benefits, including increased velocity, enhanced security, and lower security costs. This research introduces the new concept of security at the source, which defines security as a fundamental criterion of quality; it borrows from quality management theory to implement a new perspective on supply chain security; and it offers a new avenue for researchers to further study this concept as a cost-effective solution to secure supply chains. The results of this research outline new processes for industries requiring enhanced security in their shipments due to the vulnerability of high-profile targets, such as high risers and transport systems, to terrorist or criminal activity.

Explaining the mediating role of service quality between quality management enablers and students' satisfaction in higher education institutes: the perception of managers

Students could be considered the real customers of higher education institutes (HEIs). This idea is especially correct in private HEIs, because students usually pay for education as a service in such institutes. The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) is a world-class quality management model that represents total quality management (TQM) theory, and it has been widely applied by HEIs. The EFQM model indicates that customers' satisfaction is one of the main organisational results directly achieved through five quality management enablers. In contrast to this idea, there is much evidence showing that customers' satisfaction can be achieved only if the attempts of the organisation in quality management lead to enabling the institute to provide high service quality for their customers; then, competitive and high-quality services could produce customers' satisfaction. Despite the significant role of service quality between quality management enablers and customers' satisfaction, this concept is neglected in quality management models, e.g. the EFQM model. The current study tries to fill this gap through explaining this mediating role of service quality in HEIs. A model, including 11 hypotheses, is presented to illustrate the influences of five EFQM enablers on service quality in HEIs that finally ends in achieving good students' satisfaction. Data were collected from 146 Iranian private HEIs through a structured questionnaire; results approved all hypotheses. Findings showed that service quality should be included as a mediating element in the quality management framework between quality enablers and students' satisfaction. This could provide sufficient knowledge and insight for HEIs to find out how they could increase the level of service quality through quality enablers and how they could satisfy their students through the appropriate quality of services.

Theoretical Research on New Method of Highway Engineering Quality Supervision and Management-Comprehensive Six Sigma Quality Management

This is based on the evaluation of the management quality theory, by integrating the related theory; we present a comprehensive Six Sigma quality management theory for highway engineering quality supervision and management. This theory uses the total quality management theory to realize the full responsibility of the main participation, and it uses Six Sigma quality management theory to guide the various stages and key processes of quality management, and it uses fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to achieve the evaluation of the entire project and the various processes. This essay provides the working program which uses this theory and the corresponding quality management content.

College Female Students’ Physical Health Evaluation Index Correlation Research Based on the PDCA Cycle Model

With internet and computer abundantly available, most of college female students become “indoor woman”, immerse into network environment and ignore outdoor activities as well as physical exercise. The above phenomenon is the main factors that cause college female student’s physique drop. College female student self-good health is education department main control aspect .In order to get clear understanding of college female students group physical conditions, college would carry out physical health test to students every year. Based on learning some related quality management theory and the PDCA management model, this paper makes use of the principle component analysis to conduct discussion on China's college female students’ physique health test management mechanism design so as to further perfect current procedure of China's college female students’ physique health test work, improve the quality of management work, improve the college female students’ physique and truly reach the target for the college female students’ overall development.

Managing Port-Related Supply Chain Disruptions: A Conceptual Paper

The increased importance of ports makes them a vulnerable node as a port-related disruption can generate domino effect on a network of supply chains. The vulnerability of ports thus needs to be addressed to ensure the functionality of ports and enhance supply chain resilience.This paper synthesizes the current literature into a management model that seeks to target operational deficiencies at ports. The management model is operationalized in three tiers, from the top management level to the front-line employees, with characteristics from risk management, business continuity management and quality management theories. The proposed model serves as a universal guide in assisting port management in managing port-related disruptions and seeks to reduce the occurrences of port-related supply chain disruption threats.

Service quality management and ecosystem theory

This paper proposes an alternative perspective on service quality management (SQM) based on the ecosystem of complex and dynamic service environments. First, the ways in which systems thinking and core principles of Quality Management evolved are analysed in order to understand the past, present and the future. Then, by analysing the theories, models and applications of SQM systems and business ecosystems, the paper proposes a framework model for a service ecosystem. The proposed service ecosystem is based on value co-creation that can be utilised to manage service quality and to increase innovability. Through two case studies, the differences between the traditional approach to SQM and the application of ecosystem theory to SQM are compared and reflected. The case studies indicate that ecosystem theory can be used to manage service quality and to achieve success in value co-creation through new innovative practices.

Interpretation and Modeling of Quality of Education

In clause the special attention is directed on value of the formulation of basic conceptual representations and the methodological tools allowing adequately interpreting and modeling quality of education. It is a question of a choice of a vector of conceptualization of the theory and practice of quality management of education in the following direction: from consecutive conceptualization of a phenomenon of the quality uniting the most different values and meanings (including paradigms, forms, structures, education levels) to systematic creation of tools of a control system by quality of education.