TECHNOLOGY’S IMPACT ON WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION BRANCH OPERATIONS

The primary role of a warehouse is to decouple supply from demand, minimize cost, maintain a high degree of inventory control, and assure customer service. To these ends, organizational capabilities, technology, and business practices will determine an operation’s effectiveness. This research investigated the impact of technology and warehousing practices on key performance indicators for wholesale distribution branch operations. An on-line questionnaire gathered objective data from distribution branches on types of technologies utilized, warehouse best practices employed, and inventory control or customer service metrics used to monitor performance. Correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, analysis of variance, and stepwise regression were utilized to determine the impact of the individual technologies, as well as interactions between technology and practices. A salient insight of this research was that technology adoption alone did not produce a discernible difference in performance, and appeared to require industry best practices to generate improvements. Also, when information technology was adopted, there seemed to be approximately one year of implementation required before positive operational results materialized and/or stabilized. The research pointed to warehouse management systems as the predominant information and communication technology (ICT) for discernible differences in inventory related performance, with improved performance realized when combined with ABC inventory stock analysis and/or physical inventory practices. The use of automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technologies did not show any effect on inventory or customer service metrics, indicating that they are a support tool rather than an impact technology. Neither ICT nor AIDC technologies demonstrated a predictive value for inventory accuracy or on-time shipping performance. Predictive models were created for fill rate and inventory accuracy, but the veracity of the models is somewhat limited by the sample size and study population

An Empirical Study of the Impact of IT Intensity and Organizational Absorptive Capacity on Customer Relationship Management Performance

In recent years, e-Business has emerged as a mainstream business practice. Engaged in highlycompetitive Internet -enabled markets, many business organizations have turned to customer relationship management (CRM), a computer -based information system that allows them to gain greater insight into their customers’ needs, to gain a competitive advantage. Consequently, CRM has risen to become a key ebusiness issue. Yet, many critical organizational factors underlie the success and performance of CRM. This study examines the impact of information technology (IT) intensity and organizational absorptive cap acity on CRM practices and performance, and presents a research model. Data collected through a survey of Taiwan financial service institutions suggest that CRM practices mediate the effects of IT intensity and organizational absorptive capacity on CRM performance

Geopolymer lightweight bricks manufactured from fly ash and foaming agent

This paper deals with the development of lightweight geopolymer bricks by using foaming agent and fly ash. The mix parameters analysed through a laboratory experiment with fix ratio of sodium silicate/sodium hydroxide solution mass ratio 2.5, fly ash/alkaline activator solution mass ratio 2.0, foaming agent/paste mass ratio 1:2 and molarity of sodium hydroxide solution used was 12M. Different curing temperature (Room Temperature, 60, 80) and foaming agent/water mass ratio (1:10 and 1:20) were studied. Compressive strength, density analysis, and water absorption has been investigated. The results show that the foamed geopolymer bricks with a lower foam/water mass ratio (1:10)and high curing temperature (80°C) leading to a better properties. Mixtures with a low density of around 1420 kg/m3 and a compressive strength of around 10 MPa were achieved

Hubungan Pengurusan Kualiti Menyeluruh Dengan Tahap Pemindahan Teknologi : Suatu Kajian Empirikal Mengikut Perspektif Penyelidik Universiti

Total Quality Management (TQM) practices have been positively associated with organizational performance particularly for business-oriented organization in the manufacturing and service sectors. While TQM as a successful managerial strategy is generally accepted in commercial organizations, its role in public sector especially in higher education institution is still controversial. Only a few empirical studies exist to support the implementation of TQM in higher education institution. Besides, previous studies have shown that the TQM practices adapted in higher education institution are predominantly in administrative areas and teaching activities only. Accordingly it is too hard to find any TQM literatures focusing and discussing on the issues of research and development (R&D) management in higher education setting. Therefore there is a big gap in the TQM literature that has to be filled and a new framework of TQM is called for,along with the modification of the TQM practices for a unique culture of research. In addition, having a good practice of research management in higher education institution is really critical since it will affects the research performance such as the level of technology transfer. Looking at the current phenomenon of technology transfer in higher education institution, there is a need and the justification for doing a research is to understand how TQM practices in R&D management would explain the level of technology transfer. This study is able to prove that there is a positive impact of TQM practices on the level of technology transfer. There are seven constructs in measuring TQM practices i.e. leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, data and information management, people management, process and system management, and partnership and resources. While the indicators of technology transfer are ranging from publication, seminar, consultation,invention disclosure, patenting, licensing, royalties and spin-off company. This study used academic researchers from four research universities as the unit of analysis and had employed stratified sampling technique in the data collection procedure. The instrument used in the data collection process is a set of questionnaire which recorded a high response rate. The instrument had been validated using certain procedure such as expert opinion assessment, pilot test and factor analysis. It also has a higher degree of reliability.The factor analysis was carried out and Hierarchical Multiple Regression analysis that takes into account the personal factor was used to test the main hypothesis of the study.The analyses revealed that there are some modifications on the original construct of TQM and there is a positive significant relationship between TQM practices and level of technology transfer. In conclusion the findings of the study have contributed to the enhancement of understanding on the subject matter and more importantly it also contribute to the development and affirmation of theories in the field of quality management

Impact of CRM adoption on organizational performance: Moderating role of technological turbulence

Purpose Customer relationship management (CRM) is instrumental to attain and sustain organizational competitive advantage. Innovation in terms of CRM adoption is the key to gain competitive advantage, and being innovative is dependent on how well organizations know about changing demands of customers and their changing ways to gain access to the market. There is hence a need to develop ongoing empirical insights from diverse management perspectives into the effect of CRM adoption on organizational performance. In this context, the purpose of this study is to develop empirical insights in relation to the moderation of technological turbulence in the banking sector. Design/methodology/approach Primary data were collected and analyzed from 277 CRM staff-members of the banking sector in Pakistan to test a conceptual model. Frequencies of demographics are calculated with correlation and regression analyses using SPSS. The correlation analysis was performed to identify the direction that exists between the dependent and independent variables, and the regression analysis was performed to study the strength/intensity of the independent variable over the dependent variable. Moderating regression analysis was performed to find the moderation effect of technological turbulence on CRM adoption and organizational performance. Findings The CRM adoption has a critical positive impact on organizational performance in the settings of business-to-customer (B2C) perspective in the banking sector. Moreover, the results uncover that improved client satisfaction through CRM adoption prompts better organizational performance in the B2C organization. The authors also have found that technological turbulence has a negative guiding impact on the association linking with CRM adoption, as well as organizational performance. Research limitations/implications The conceptual model that is proposed in this study and supported by empirical insights offers researchers to develop future research studies on the moderating role of technological turbulence to analyze the influence of CRM adoption on organizational performance. Practical implications The empirical insights of this study are valuable for the professionals in the banking sector and other B2C organizations to enrich their organizational performance through CRM adoption while considering the moderating role of technological turbulence. Originality/value Based on an empirical study, in support of an original conceptual model, the insights of this paper contribute to the extant literature in the CRM, bank marketing and management, service management, B2C marketing and the emerging economy knowledge streams

Integrasi realiti terimbuh (AR) dalam aktiviti mewarna

Mewarna merupakan salah satu kaedah pembelajaran yang digunakan untuk meningkatkan kemahiaran psikomotor dan kreativiti kanak-kanak. Namun begitu, kandungan yang disediakan di dalam buku mewarna adalah bersifat statik dan tidak menyediakan elemen-elemen dinamik seperti interaktiviti. Kanak-kanak mudah merasa bosan kerana tiada interaksi dua hala yang berlaku antara mereka dan karakter ketika proses mewarna dilakukan. Sebagai penambahbaikan terhadap permasalahan tersebut, satu aplikasi mewarna yang dinamakan Dr Bubble Coloring AR dibangunkan. Aplikasi ini menggunakan teknik realiti terimbuh (AR) yang diintegrasikan ke dalam aplikasi mewarna. Imej yang diwarnakan menjadi penanda untuk diimbas oleh peranti mudah alih lalu dipaparkan secara maya dalam bentuk tiga dimensi (3D). Aplikasi ini menyediakan bebutang interaksi bagi membolehkan pengguna berinteraksi dengan karakter serta mengesan objek yang diwarnakan di dalam buku mewarna. Secara keseluruhan, 75% responden sangat bersetuju aplikasi ini menarik dan menyeronokkan, manakala 84% responden sangat bersetuju keseluruhan aplikasi ini berfungsi dengan baik dan sempurna

An evaluation of total quality management practices on business performance of the Nigerian telecommunications sector: a case study of MTN Nigeria Limited

This study examines the effects of The Total Quality Management practices on Business Performance of the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector. A review of literatures on TQM shows that no study has been carried out on its application in the Nigerian Telecommunication sector hence the need for this research. To assess the situation One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were administered to customers of MTN Limited within the Lagos environ. These customers were randomly selected from five (5) different MTN customer care centres within the five divisions of Lagos State. These divisions include Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Badagry. Thirty (30) questionnaires were administered at each centre. Fifty (50) questionnaires were also administered to employees of MTN and a total of twenty (20) questionnaires were administered to top management in the same organizations. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Our finding revealed that 90.7% of the changes that occurred in employees’ satisfaction could be traced to the policy and commitment of top management. It also shows that 69.4% of the changes in customer satisfaction could be attributed to continuous training in quality. The study recommended among other things the training of telecommunications personnel on Total Quality Management practices and the adoption of alternative renewable sources of energy like solar to address their energy problems

A conceptual model for global multi-channel customer management

Previous Global CRM research has recommended that scholars reassess all of CRM systems in global environment (Ward 2005; Ramaseshan et al., 2006). Channel management is one CRM systems component much influenced by the behaviour of customers in relation to the implementation and use of channel management CRM component. The consumers’ behaviours, preferences, perceptions and expectations are crucial for the implementation and use of channel management. Customers’ contact with the organization’s multi-channels can occur at several touch points through out customer lifecycle. Customers’ behaviours may be differentiated according to the individual or micro level, but it might also differ at an ecological or macro level of analysis. A conceptual model has been developed to analyze customers’ behaviours at a macro level and customers channel choices, through out the customer lifecycle

IT process architectures for enterprises development: A survey from a maturity model perspective

During the last years much has been published about IT governance. Close to the success of many governance efforts are the business frameworks, quality models, and technology standards that help enterprises improve processes, customer service, quality of products, and control. In this paper we i) survey existing frameworks, namely ITIL, ASL and BiSL, ii) find relations with the IT Governance framework CobiT to determine if the maturity model of CobiT can be used by ITIL, ASL and BiSL, and (iii) provide an integrated vista of IT processes viewed from a maturity model perspective. This perspective can help us understand the importance of maturity models for increasing the efficiency of IT processes for enterprises development and business-IT alignment

Investigating different strategies for increasing sales and customer base

The study primarily discusses about the different strategies that the management of the company can implement in order to boost their customer base and net sales. The main aim of the research is to evaluate different strategies for increasing sales and customer base. A qualitative method was taken for this research, and data was collected with the help of primary and secondary methods. In the primary method, a semi-structured interview was conducted on the organisation’s premises with the store manager and other staff members. The secondary data was collected from books and the internet. The study has an emphasised focus on laying down several goals and objectives that the study plans to achieve. In this study, the researcher has tried to formulate the latest data and information about the company in order to provide the management with the latest insights about customer preferences and techniques that can be used for improving their decision-making process. The study has laid down processes and procedures that were followed in order to prepare the entire study. The key findings of the research are to introduce the new product, give some rewards points and add some more options for customers. The foremost recommendations for the organisation will be to improve communication with their customers, and to use PayWave service and wi-fi facility. Moreover, they should use social media and other platforms to advertise their products and add more features and varieties to the existing product to attract the attention of customers