Importance Level of Success Criteria in Management Consulting Operations: Th e Turkish Case

The purpose of this study is to determine the importance level of success criteria in management consulting operations in Turkey. A survey instrument was developed and posted on the Internet in order to reach as more respondents as possible for the study. A Likert scale of 10 was chosen to explain precisely the differences between the criteria. Eighty responses were returned. It should be stated that the respondents of the survey were all Turkish consultants. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted for the four main categories and their criteria. On the basis of a literature search, it was found reasonable to classify the success criteria for management consulting operations into four basic categories such as human resources, competitiveness, customer relations, and processes and methods. The study presents the ratings of four basic categories and their criteria, which essentially affect the success of consulting fi rms. The results of the research will serve consulting companies as guidelines to pinpoint improvement areas in their consultancy operations. The responses received from the consultants can be considered reliable and satisfactory. In addition, the important point that this study has revealed is the interest and willingness of the consultants for further studies

Importance Level of Success Criteria in Management Consulting Operations: Th e Turkish Case

The purpose of this study is to determine the importance level of success criteria in management consulting operations in Turkey. A survey instrument was developed and posted on the Internet in order to reach as more respondents as possible for the study. A Likert scale of 10 was chosen to explain precisely the differences between the criteria. Eighty responses were returned. It should be stated that the respondents of<br />the survey were all Turkish consultants. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted for the four main categories and their criteria. On the basis of a literature search, it was found reasonable to classify the success criteria for management consulting operations into four basic categories such as human resources, competitiveness, customer relations, and processes and methods. The study presents the ratings of four basic categories and their criteria, which essentially affect the success of consulting fi rms. The results of the research will serve consulting companies as guidelines to pinpoint improvement areas in their consultancy operations. The responses received<br />from the consultants can be considered reliable and satisfactory. In addition, the important point that this study has revealed is the interest and willingness of the consultants for further studies

Turkish ASSIST : measuring university students’ approaches to learning statistics

Evidence-based decision making has become one of the most valuable tools for any profession with the ease of accessing vast amounts of data due to developments in computing and data storage facilities. This is especially important for future generations in management positions. Undoubtedly statistics play an important role in enabling managers to base their decisions on valid available evidence, but if students do not acquire the skills to understand and evaluate them during courses in statistics, their ability to utilise this evidence may be limited. In this study we investigated the learning approaches of students in statistics who are studying towards a management science or management engineering degree in six Turkish universities using Turkish Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (TASSIST) which is translated from English to Turkish. This paper presents an exploratory factor analysis for the validation of Turkish ASSIST.6 page(s

Similarities and differences of learning approaches of student in statistics and mathematics : a case study from Turkey

Mathematics has been the language of science. In many degree programs such as business and engineering, there is at least one or more Mathematics unit(s). Similarly, with the increased emphasis on data analysis, statistics finds its place in many degree programs too. Mathematics and statistics departments around the world are offering, usually, first year mathematics and/or statistics units to their students. It is common to hear from academics that students are not engaged in such service units. In this study, we investigated students’ learning approaches in statistics and mathematics units and identified the similarities and differences between two groups. The results of this study might shed light into curriculum development for such statistics and mathematics units and enable students to choose deeper learning approaches

Measuring university students' approaches to learning statistics : an invariance study

The aim of the current study was to provide evidence that an abbreviated version of the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) was invariant across different languages and educational contexts in measuring university students' learning approaches to statistics. Data were collected on samples of university students attending undergraduate introductory statistics courses in five countries (Argentina, Italy, Australia, Turkey, and Vietnam). Using factor analysis, we confirmed the three-factor (Deep, Surface, and Strategic approach) model holds across the five samples, and we provided evidence of configural and measurement invariance. The current version of the ASSIST for statistics learners is a suitable scale for researchers and teachers working in the field of statistics education and represents promising tool for multinational studies on approaches to learning statistics.13 page(s

Unlocking the relationships between strategic planning, leadership and technology transfer competence:the mediating role of strategic quality management

Abstract Purpose: This study aims to investigate the relationships between firms’ strategic planning (SP), leadership and technology transfer competence (TTC) by specifically incorporating the mediating role of strategic quality management (SQM). Design/methodology/approach: This study performs structural equation modeling using AMOS on survey data collected from 200 Turkish firms operating in multiple industries and sectors. Findings: This study finds that leadership in Turkish firms operating in multiple sectors is positively associated with SQM. This study further finds that SQM positively influences Turkish firms’ TTC and mediates the roles of SP and leadership in TTC. Research limitations/implications: A key research implication from this study relates to the mediating role of SQM in TTC in an emerging economy context. This study highlights that SP and leadership can play an essential role in TTC through the mediating mechanism of SQM. Consequently, SQM emerges as a crucial linking pin in conveying the impact of quality management practices on technology transfer in emerging markets. Practical implications: An essential managerial implication of this study relates to the critical roles of leadership, SP and SQM in TTC. For the managers of firms operating in a relatively uncertain emerging context such as Turkey, it is essential to adopt a supportive and empowering leadership style, where open communication and innovative activities are viewed positively and SQM is adopted holistically. Also, SP should be streamlined throughout the firm and followed by SQM to support TTC. Originality/value: This paper links the technology (and knowledge) management and the strategy and leadership literature streams by focusing on the mechanisms of technology transfer and delving into the linkages between SQM, leadership, SP and TTC. It specifically presents SP and leadership as precursors to SQM in their joint influence on TTC. Accordingly, this research bridges technology, strategy and leadership research and provides a broader picture of technology transfer that encompasses the joint role of different processes in firms’ TTC