Quality management in heavy duty manufacturing industry: TQM vs. Six Sigma

‘Is TQM a management fad?’ This question has been extensively documented in the quality management literature; and will be tackled in this research though a critical literature review on the area. ‘TQM versus Six-Sigma’ debate, which has also been a fundamental challenge in this research filed, is addressed by a thematic and chronological review on the peer papers. To evaluate this challenge in practice, a primary research in heavy duty machinery production industry have been conducted using a case-study on, J C Bamford Excavators Ltd (JCB), the largest European construction machinery producer. The result highlights that TQM is a natural foundation to build up Six-Sigma upon; and not surprisingly the quality yield in a TQM approach complemented by Six-sigma is far higher and more stable than when TQM with no Six-Sigma focus is being put in place; thus presenting the overall finding that TQM and Six Sigma are compliments, not substitutes. The study will be concluded with an overview on quality management approaches in the heavy duty manufacturing industry to highlight the way forward for the industry

Flexible Working and Performance: A Systematic Review of the Evidence for a Business Case

Interest in the outcomes of flexible working arrangements dates from the mid 1970s, when researchers attempted to assess the impact of flexitime on worker performance. This paper reviews the literature on the link between flexible working arrangements and performance related outcomes. Taken together, the evidence fails to demonstrate a business case for the use of flexible working arrangements. This paper attempts to explain the findings by analysing the theoretical and methodological perspectives adopted, as well as the measurements and designs used. In doing so, gaps in this vast and disparate literature are identified and a research agenda is developed

Is job insecurity changing the psychological contract?

The paper examines young adults’ perspectives on and experiences of job insecurity, including both objective insecurity and perceived uncertainty, as they emerged in a series of focus groups and interviews. It discusses young adults’ changing notions of security and career, effects of insecurity and uncertainty on planning future work and non work lives for people with different levels of occupational skills and qualifications, the gendered effects of insecurity and the impact of insecure employment on attitudes to employers. The impact of perceptions and experiences of job insecurity on young men and women’s expectations of work are considered in terms of a changing psychological contract

Absentecism

SIGLELD:1997.2644(IPM-BIB--3). / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Practical participation and involvement Volume 1: communication in practice

SIGLELD:81/21061(Practical). / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Practical participation and involvement 3: The individual and the job

15.00SIGLELD:82/15278(practical). / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Practical participation and involvement. V. 5 Pay and benefits

SIGLELD:83/08597(Practical) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Personnel policies and new technology

SIGLELD:82/11483(Personnel). / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Pensions: involving the members A review and assessment of current practice

SIGLELD:83/16812(Pensions) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo