Purpose: The 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...

Total quality management (TQM) has been acclaimed as an organizational philosophy to enhance global competitiveness. Will TQM continue to be a management philosophy of the future in same shape, size, and design? This paper, through literature search and using field experts, identifies the future...

Many articles have appeared which detail the improvements appearing in manufacturing firms subsequent to JIT implementation. Some firms have attributed the complete financial turnaround of their company to the philosophy. However, this assumes that no other variables contributed to the...

In today′s competitive global economy, every business can benefit from managing its operations in a cost‐efficient manner. Managing materials should be no exception and the effect of inflation on ordering policies for purchased materials and supplies should be carefully analysed. It is very...

The close linkage between competitive strategy and functional strategic activities is asserted to be a precondition to the achievement of optimal business performance. This study explores how the relationship between (and among) operations, marketing, and competitive strategies affects...

Outlines increasing US concern over the inadequacy of traditional cost‐based performance measures in helping manufacturing businesses to achieve excellence in operations and reproduces a case from Tatikonda and Tatikonda (1993) to illustrate the problem. Summarizes some ideas on costing for...

Defines cost management as “a set of techniques and methods for controlling and improving a company’s activities and processes, its products and services” to achieve continuous improvement and deal with global competition; with commitment from top management and worker involvement. Offers...

Total quality has been acclaimed as an organizational philosophy to enhance global competitiveness. However, changing paradigms in global business operations require that quality concepts like TQM be revised to reflect the changing nature of global competitiveness. This paper, using the existing...