Quality Management Practices and Internal Knowledge Transfer Relationship: Empirical Study of Manufacturing Companies in Jordan

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between quality management practices (QMP)  and internal knowledge transfer in Jordanian Manufacturing Companies. It surveyed 230 employees by means of a questionnaire. Statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple regressions, were employed. To confirm the suitability of data collection instrument, a Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test, Cronbach’s Alpha and factor analysis were used. The result of the study showed a positive significant relationship between QMP and IKT. The current study results showed that the main hypothesis was rejected and the alternative was accepted which states that the QMP variables (teamwork, empowering and process control) affect IKT. The results also indicated that involving employees in processes control and using different methods to ensure quality were having highest effect on IKT. Followed by working as a team during performing a task or activity, finally employee empowerment was having the lowest effect on IKT, though it was having positive and significant effect on IKT. The use of one industrial area study design may limit its generalisability to other areas. The data is also limited to Jordanian organizations; therefore, generalizing results of Jordanian setting to other countries may be questionable. Extending the analyses to other settings represent future research opportunities, which can be done by the following ways: Further testing with larger samples within same industry is important, and including other industries will help mitigate the issue of generalizing conclusions on other organizations and industries. Moreover, further empirical researches involving data collection over diverse countries especially Arab countries are needed. The research results might help both academics and practitioners. The data suggest that a similar set of QMP indicators could be developed for other organizations and industries whether government, public or private, profitable or non-profitable organizations. QMP should be taken into serious consideration when formulating the Jordanian Manufacturing Companies strategy. Key Words: Quality Management Practices (QMP), Internal Knowledge Transfer(IKT), Jordanian Manufacturing Companies

The Impact of Structural Capital on Business Performance in Jordanian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Companies

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of Structural Capital (SC) on Jordanian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (JPM) Companies’ Business Performance (BP). It surveyed 132 managers by means of a questionnaire. Statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple regressions, stepwise regression, were employed. To confirm the suitability of data collection instrument, a Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test, Cronbach’s Alpha and factor analysis were used. The result of the study showed a positive significant relationship between SC and JMP Companies’ BP. It indicated that SC performance can clearly explain productivity and profitability more than market valuation. Furthermore, the result showed that the respondents believed that S&P and R&D variables positively and directly affect the JPM Companies’ BP, while the IPRs variable does not (negative) affect the JPM Companies’ BP. The use of a single industry study design limits its generalisability to other industries. Extending the analyses to other industries represent future research opportunities. The research results might help both academics and practitioners. The data suggest that a similar set of SC indicators could be developed for other organizations and industries whether government, public or private, profitable or non-profitable organizations. SC should be taken into serious consideration when formulating the JPM Companies’ strategy. The current research may be considered as initiative study that highlights the effect of SC on JPM Companies’ BP in Jordan. It could also be an initiative study that divided SC into three variables and focuses on the role of each variable on Companies’ BP. Keywords: Structural Capital (SC), Jordanian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (JPM) Organizations, Business Performance (BP)

The Effect of Supply Chain Responsiveness on Competitive Advantage: A Field Study of Manufacturing Companies in Jordan

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of supply chain responsiveness on competitive advantage in Jordanian Manufacturing Companies. It surveyed 269 responses by means of a questionnaire. Statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple regressions, were employed. To confirm the suitability of data collection instrument, a Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test, Cronbach’s Alpha and factor analysis were used. The research findings supported the hypotheses that (SCR) positively impacts (CA) of companies.. The current study results showed that the main hypothesis was rejected and the alternative was accepted which states that the supply chain responsiveness variables (Operations System Responsiveness (OSR), Logistics Process Responsiveness (LPR) and Supplier Network Responsiveness (SNR) affect competitive advantage. The results also indicated that higher level of operations system responsiveness creates higher level of competitive advantage for companies, collectively based on low price, high delivery dependability, high product innovation, and low time to market. Also, it was uncovered that higher level of supplier network responsiveness creates higher level of competitive advantage for a company, collectively based low price and high delivery dependability. This study has some important implications for practitioners. This study provides suitable recommendations on the scope for improvement based on current levels of various specific impact supply chain responsiveness and its dimensions. Also the study provides suitable recommendations on the scope for improvement based on current levels of various predominant supply chain responsiveness criteria that directly impact competitive advantage of a company, so as to make the organizations more competitive. Keywords: Supply Chain Responsiveness (SCR), Competitive Advantage (CA), Jordanian Manufacturing Companies (JMC).