1,522,500 research outputs found

    The Impact of Software Development Process on Information Systems Success: A Theoretical Perspective Integrating Customer Satisfaction, Technical and Organizational Issues

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    Total Quality Management (TQM) principles emphasize the use of customer satisfaction as a measure of quality. This paper shows how customer satisfaction can be managed during the systems development process to ensure software quality when technical quality and a fit between organizational needs and systems capabilities are present. To that end, we present a model for managing the customer satisfaction aspect of developing quality software. This model is based on the TQM philosophy for both service and production operations

    Towards an Integration of the Lean Enterprise System, Total Quality Management, Six Sigma and Related Enterprise Process Improvement Methods

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    The lean enterprise system, total quality management, six sigma, theory of constraints, agile manufacturing, and business process reengineering have been introduced as universally applicable best methods to improve the performance of enterprise operations through continuous process improvement and systemic planned enterprise change. Generally speaking, they represent practice-based, rather than theory-grounded, methods with common roots in manufacturing. Most of the literature on them is descriptive and prescriptive, aimed largely at a practitioner audience. Despite certain differences among them, they potentially complement each other in important ways. The lean enterprise system, total quality management and six sigma, in particular, are tightly interconnected as highly complementary approaches and can be brought together to define a first-approximation “core” integrated management system, with the lean enterprise system serving as the central organizing framework. Specific elements of the other approaches can be selectively incorporated into the “core” enterprise system to enrich its effectiveness. Concrete theoretical and computational developments in the future through an interdisciplinary research agenda centered on the design and development of networked enterprises as complex adaptive socio-technical systems, as well as the creation of a readily accessible observatory of evidence-based management practices, would represent important steps forward

    Modelling the Impact of Environmental and Organizational Determinants on Green Supply Chain Innovation and Performance

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    Both customers and suppliers are becoming increasingly concerned about environmental issues in modern food chains. A firm’s decision to implement green supply chain management is based on the social objectives of the firm and its management, its desire to pursue corporate social responsibility, its relationships with channel partners, and environmental determinants such as government legislation. The speed at which green supply chain management is implemented within an organization depends on its agility and its ability to facilitate innovation. Innovation may take the form of new product development or new process development, including the introduction of environmental management systems and total quality management in both production and purchasing. This article presents a conceptual model to explain how the various theoretical constructs are related and how innovation effects green supply chain management and performance

    Main criteria for models of excellence in health care

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    Business excellence models have a long history of development of sixty years. Today, the business excellence model can be essentially classified as world’s most famous models/awards for excellence (Japanese, American and European), the most popular national models of excellence (the Australian, British, German, French), as well as models of excellence companies (Siemens, Philips, Toyota). In the world today there are about 120 models of excellence. The best way to improve quality of health organizations that have systems of quality management is by application of the concept of total quality (TQM). This approach ensures the improvement of overall performance of health organizations, primarily the internal organization including management, resources, processes and human resources, health services and performance of business results. The market requires high quality products and services to improve the quality of life, or TQM excellence models in all areas of social subjects operations. It is a process that never ends, and knowing the nature of man who was never satisfied with achieved, that is main driving force for social development. We are witnesses today that some countries are introducing awards to organizations which succeeded in implementation of TQM and models of excellence for quality achievement. The development of a model of business excellence (BE) for dental health care is the main subject of the current study. The aim of this study is to present and analyze the existing criteria for product excellence and based on that, to define criteria for models of excellence for dental health care in Serbia

    Design of launch systems using continuous improvement process

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    The purpose of this paper is to identify a systematic process for improving ground operations for future launch systems. This approach is based on the Total Quality Management (TQM) continuous improvement process. While the continuous improvement process is normally identified with making incremental changes to an existing system, it can be used on new systems if they use past experience as a knowledge base. In the case of the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), the Space Shuttle operations provide many lessons. The TQM methodology used for this paper will be borrowed from the United States Air Force 'Quality Air Force' Program. There is a general overview of the continuous improvement process, with concentration on the formulation phase. During this phase critical analyses are conducted to determine the strategy and goals for the remaining development process. These analyses include analyzing the mission from the customers point of view, developing an operations concept for the future, assessing current capabilities and determining the gap to be closed between current capabilities and future needs and requirements. A brief analyses of the RLV, relative to the Space Shuttle, will be used to illustrate the concept. Using the continuous improvement design concept has many advantages. These include a customer oriented process which will develop a more marketable product and a better integration of operations and systems during the design phase. But, the use of TQM techniques will require changes, including more discipline in the design process and more emphasis on data gathering for operational systems. The benefits will far outweigh the additional effort

    Development of a framework for total quality management principles in the construction companies with special reference to the construction companies in the state of Qatar

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    PhDAn increased demand of quality in the construction industry has been a major cause of finding new systems and developing frameworks that are fit for purpose. Construction companies around the world are trying to increase their productivity and index of quality and they are developing new methodologies through research and development. Though innovation is, never completely good or bad and it is not easy to analyse the net effect. Theories and empirical research on materials, technology and innovation have been produced more than 100 years. In this, the framework for management and innovations of processes in construction industry has attracted the most interest, while other areas, such as the combination of technologies, construction companies‟ life cycles in Qatar and regulatory process have also been researched in detail. This research work has identified and addresses the important issues related to the implantation of Total Quality Management (TQM) in the construction sector in the State of Qatar. The main aim of the study is to develop and present to the construction companies in Qatar a new model that could not only improve the understanding of Total Quality Management (TQM) within their sector, but also help in developing the processes, procedures and operations by employing TQM framework in all sections of a company. Therefore, this thesis suggests a model based on existing and new quality management framework in Construction industry in Qatar. Furthermore, this thesis is a combination of the collected knowledge in different research traditions, and of observed studies of the Qatar Construction industry. The aim is to give a complete picture of the materials, technology, regulatory process and innovation and to provide a theoretical model, which can be used for existing and new management framework that may be implemented in the industry that has been referred as “client” in this study. This study examined one of the largest construction companies in Qatar as a case study to identify the current status and to highlight current barriers faced by construction companies in the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy. European Foundation Quality Management (EFQM) elements, identified through the iii TQM concept in the literature review, are used as a data collection framework while both the qualitative and quantitative methodologies are used to measure the level of perceptions among employees of the “client” construction company towards those elements. Moreover, the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) are reviewed based on previous studies in the literature review. The findings of this thesis suggest that TQM can be successfully implemented among Qatar‟s construction companies. The conclusions and recommendations are drawn from the best practice of TQM implementation as a guideline for the client construction company to consider in adopting the TQM philosophy. Furthermore, a framework has been suggested for the Client recommending the actions the Client should take to establish and implement a TQM framework, which will increase productivity, stream line the processes and improves the quality of the services and the products offered by the client

    Application Of A Decision Support System For The SustainablePlanning Of Rio Pojuca Basin (Bahia, Brazil) Water Resources

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    The paper presents the structure and the application of a Decision Support System (DSS) to Pojuca River watershed placed in the Northeast Region of Brazil (Bahia State). It is composed of surface-water quality models (total phosphorus, BOD, dissolved oxygen concentration and thermo-tolerant coliform bacteria pollution). A model evaluates the riverine microhabitat applying autochthonous fish species habitat suitability indexes (water depth, velocity, substrate and dissolved oxygen) valuated by local ichthyologists. Surface-water quality and microhabitat models are based on a hydrologic and hydraulic model. Models have been calibrated and validated using discharge and water quality measurements collected during a 1.5-year period of monitoring. Output data are available on a spreadsheet and ready to be spatially analyzed in a GIS software. We show how DSS can help the decision-making process to achieve the sustainable development of the basin, considering population growth, economic activities, climate change, management of sewage and wastewater treatment systems. The DSS is also applied to a challenging scenario: the building of an in series reservoir for supplying the Capital (Salvador) of drinking water. The experience has been characterized also by a large involvement of local specialists, with the aim to emphasize the existing qualifications and to consider local culture

    The development of an integrated system for the management of pharmaceutical and surgical consumable products across a group of private hospitals : innovation report

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    Continued pressure to reduce costs and manage healthcare delivery in risk-based reimbursement environments, has, internationally, resulted in hospitals adopting different methods to manage pharmaceutical and surgical consumable products. An initial review of systems of management of these products showed that the trend is to manage them separately. Pharmaceutical products are managed using dedicated resources and structures in each hospital, which may be difficult to establish and sustain in smaller, non-academic hospitals. Amongst other factors, the absence of a classification system and a lack of utilisation information hindered the development of management systems for surgical consumable products. In addition, traditional materials management processes applied to these products, often do not adequately address the impact that these products have on clinical care. In this study, the decision was made to develop an integrated system for both pharmaceutical and surgical consumable products and to adopt a systems approach in which all hospitals in the group were included as a single system. The study was multi-methodological with the design being contextual and qualitative and the research strategy, exploratory and descriptive. A multi-phased, action research approach was used, comprising of three (3) cycles, two (2) in which the integrated system was developed and enhanced and a third in which it was independently tested in 19 newly acquired hospitals. The result of the three (3) cycles was an implemented integrated system across 43 acute-care hospitals in the group comprising six (6) processes namely: a product selection process, information technology (IT) support system, a hospital implementation process, measurement and management tools, pharmacy capability and a supplier strategy and interface process. These processes included several key unique features, such as one (1) product selection team for all hospitals, a surgical classification system based on functional therapeutic uses, a single IT system and utilisation review capability for all products, extending the role of pharmacy departments in hospitals to include the management of surgical consumable products and an integrated quality assessment process for both types of products. By the end of the three (3) cycles (September 1999), the product selection process covered 66,5% of value of product spend, the percentage reduction in the number of products used was 68% and the value of products purchased that complied with specified products and suppliers was 90%. Ongoing and further application showed that the integrated system could be sustained in existing hospitals, applied to a further four (4) newly acquired hospitals and expanded to include specialised pharmaceutical and surgical consumable products in cardiac catheterisation laboratories. By September 2003, the total spend on pharmaceutical and surgical consumable products had reached R1,7 billion. The product selection process covered 67,6% of total spend, the compliance value reached 95% and there were additional financial improvements realised. Following a further literature review, limitations and improvements to the approach were identified and further adaptations were added as concepts in the graphic representation of system. One (1) of these was to show the integrated system as an open system. The second adaptation highlighted the systems-based input-process-outcomes feedback concept that is critical to continuous improvement of the system. In the final progression, a systems approach to strategic planning and management was incorporated in order to provide a structured approach for adapting to the rapid and ongoing changes in healthcare and aligning the system of management of pharmaceutical and surgical consumables to the overall business strategy. Overall, this research study succeeded in bringing new perspectives and an innovative approach to the management of pharmaceutical and surgical consumable products by developing and implementing an integrated system for both products, establishing essential processes with key unique features and tools, and the application of a systems thinking approach. Four (4) areas of further research are suggested, namely testing the integrated system in other contexts, improved methods of measurement of quality of care, extension to other areas of healthcare and use of the systems approach in other areas of the business

    Management development in the networked library

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    Information technology has transformed library and information services. Distinctive features of the electronic library include the shift towards self-service modes of delivery, with distributed access to networked resources, and a focus on the end user and tailored provision to meet particular client needs. Implicit in this model is a switch from print-based materials to new multimedia sources. The role of information specialists is changing from searcher/information provider to facilitator, adviser, or consultant in information management. User education trends reflect these developments with the integration of information skills instruction into the teaching/learning process associated with project work and specific assignments. The impact of the convergence of computing and telecommunications technologies extends beyond information systems and service strategies. New patterns of service require new styles of provision, necessitating new imperatives for staff development and training, as well as a review of organizational structures that may no longer be relevant. Management styles are changing alongside service developments, typically featuring flatter, more flexible structures; wider participation in policy-making and decision-taking; the use of task forces to review and develop services; devolved financial responsibility and improved planning and performance measurement. Total Quality Management is a philosophy ideally suited to the library of the future

    A systematic review of the measurement properties of patient reported outcome measures used for adults with an ankle fracture

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    Background Ankle fractures are painful and debilitating injuries that pose a significant burden to society and healthcare systems. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are commonly used outcome measures in clinical trials of interventions for ankle fracture but there is little evidence on their validity and reliability. This systematic review aims to identify and appraise evidence for the measurement properties of ankle specific PROMs used in adults with an ankle fracture using Consensus Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instrument (COSMIN) methodology. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL online databases for evidence of measurement properties of ankle specific PROMs. Articles were included if they assessed or described the development of the PROM in adults with ankle fracture. Articles were ineligible if they used the PROM to assess the measurement properties of another instrument. Abstracts without full articles and conference proceedings were ineligible, as were articles that adapted the PROM under evaluation without any formal justification of the changes as part of a cross-cultural validation or translation process. Two reviewers completed the screening. To assess methodological quality we used COSMIN risk of bias checklist and summarised evidence using COSMIN quality criteria and a modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Two reviewers assessed the methodological quality and extracted the data for a sample of articles. Results The searches returned a total of 377 articles. From these, six articles were included after application of eligibility criteria. These articles evaluated three PROMs: A-FORM, OMAS and AAOS. The A-FORM had evidence of a robust development process within the patient population, however lacks post-formulation testing. The OMAS showed sufficient levels of reliability, internal consistency and construct validity. The AAOS showed low quality evidence of sufficient construct validity. Conclusions There is insufficient evidence to support the recommendation of a particular PROM for use in adult ankle fracture research based on COSMIN methodology. Further validation of these outcome measures is required in order to ensure PROMs used in this area are sufficiently valid and reliable to assess treatment effects. This would enable high quality, evidenced-based management of adults with ankle fracture
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