Barbara Igel

The impact of total quality management on innovation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between total quality management (TQM) practices and innovation performance in the Vietnamese industry context.Design/methodology/approach – The method of confirmatory factor analysis was applied to refine TQM and innovation scales for empirical analysis in Vietnam. The structural equation modelling method was applied to test the theoretical models.Findings – This study confirms the results of previous studies that considered TQM as a set of practices. It confirms that TQM – considered as a set of practices – has a positive impact on the firms innovativeness. It discovers that not all TQM practices enhance firm innovativeness. Only leadership and people management, process and strategic management, and open organization showed a positive impact on the firms innovation performance.Research limitations/implications – The sample was not random. Future research should select different random samples to allow for more generalization of th...

The impact of total quality management on supply chain management and firm's supply performance

This research investigates the relationships among total quality management practices (TQMP), supply chain management practices (SCMP) and firms supply performance (FSP) in the automotive industry in Thailand. The measurement instruments for SCMP, TQMP and FSP were developed based on an extensive literature review and verified by experts, pilot test and various statistical techniques to ensure reliability and validity in structural equation modeling constructs. The hypothesized model was tested through a path analysis. Qualitative case studies of two large first-tier automotive suppliers were conducted to obtain more in-depth information. We found that the set of SCMP, TQMP and FSP measures are reliable and valid for Thailands automotive industry. TQMP not only has a significant direct positive impact on SCMP and on FSP but also a significant indirect positive impact on FSP through SCMP.

Total quality management and supply chain management: similarities and differences

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively review, contrast and compare the differences and similarities between total quality management (TQM) and supply chain management (SCM).Design/methodology/approach – An extensive overview of the core concepts of TQM and SCM are examined from the literature and are then compared to explore how the philosophical perspectives, goals, evolution, and integration of these concepts could be further developed.Findings – TQM and SCM have different starting points and primary goals, which can complicate an integrated implementation. However, they have evolved in similar ways to reach the same ultimate goal: customer satisfaction. TQM emphasizes internal (employee) participation and SCM focuses on external (business partners) partnerships but there is a need to emphasize both internal and external partnerships to further strengthen the emphasis on “total” TQM and the entire supply chain in SCM.Originality/value – This paper is one of the first to discuss compa...

The factors of making the first successful customer reference to leverage the business of start-up software company — multiple case study in Thai software industry

Abstract The first customer is the first reference. The first reference is especially important for start-up companies that plan to deliver complex software and hardware products. The first successful reference usually means further business. However, often new technology companies face different kinds of problems with their first customer relationship. Thus, it makes sense to study the success factors in more depth. Nine Thai start-up software companies have been investigated to gain a more profound understanding of this phenomenon. The literature review partly explains the state-of-the-art of the subject including the current partnership theory and reviews the leader user design methodology and the technology models. There are some shortcomings in current theories, because they do not take into account special situations of the new technology start-up company. Based on the nine case studies a model has been developed that takes into account some of the aspects needed to create a successful business with help of the first references. The model indicates the importance of the commitment of the first reference customer to the business of the technology start-up company. The business success of the first customer reference depends in many cases not just on technology knowledge but also on existing social contacts. The research is new in this recently industrialized country.

Strategies for service and market development of entrepreneurial software designing firms

Based on a review of the literature of new technology-based firms, this study developed a strategic management framework for service and market development of entrepreneurial software firms (ESFs) by integrating business with technology strategies. Testing the strategic management framework in a pilot sample in Malaysia showed that vulnerability, market uncertainty, rapid technological change and development, and lack of resources, especially human resources, were constraining the growth and development of these software firms. The study found that for their product development, the Malaysian ESFs lacked a clear strategic focus on developing technological superiority, and accessing multiple sources of technology. Strategies critical for software market development that need to be improved were the speed to market entry, linkage with large customers, and development of appropriate distribution channels. Long term policy, top management commitment, responsiveness to change, and creation of an innovation accepting, entrepreneurship accommodating culture were found to be important facilitators for innovating new software.

A new model of strategic thinking competency

Purpose – This paper seeks to present new insights into strategic thinking, proposing a model of strategic thinking competency.Design/methodology/approach – To find new knowledge, the research applies the Straussian grounded theory research method using multiple sources and techniques of data inquiry: in‐depth interviews, observations, literature review, and related published documents. The sample cases are business leaders of leading high growth companies in their respective markets, representing eleven different industries in Thailand.Findings – Among many new knowledge, the study found seven characteristics of strategic thinking that impacts strategy formulation, strategic actions, and business performance: conceptual thinking ability, visionary thinking, analytical thinking ability, synthesizing ability, objectivity, creativity, and learning ability. This set of abilities and skilled are termed “strategic thinking competency”.Research limitations/implications – In‐depth interview data inquiry method h...

Acculturation of local new product development team members in MNC subsidiaries in Thailand

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the phenomenon of acculturation in new product development (NPD) teams in a multicultural working environment. This paper provides recommendations for multinational companies (MNCs) in dealing with problems among team members from different cultures.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through 24 in‐depth interviews with local middle‐level managers (e.g. R&D, marketing managers) and expatriates working on NPD projects in MNC subsidiaries located in Thailand. A qualitative method was employed to explore and attain insightful information about the acculturation of local NPD members when working with expatriates.Findings – Results show that local NPD team members may acculturate themselves to foreign work culture when they have regular contact with expatriates during the product development process. The acculturation may also affect the team performance and the relationship among team members. Cultural training programs for local NPD team members...

Managing the product development of China's SPC switch industry as an example of CoPS

Abstract Chinas stored program control (SPC) switch industry has developed very quickly in recent years. Innovation activities, both by adopting foreign-developed technologies and domestic RD improve product and service quality; build marketing and service capability; emphasize horizontal management style and empower product champions and project leaders; and increase collaboration with external network partners to integrate their resources.

Managing knowledge in new product and service development: a new management approach for innovative research organisations

In developing countries, academic research units are regarded as the main agents that create new knowledge for innovation in commercial products and services. This paper presents a research framework for analysing the role of Knowledge Management (KM) in improving and sustaining research activities in those units that led to important product or service innovation in the local market. KM practices used effectively in the product or service innovation process are illustrated with the case study of a very successful R&D laboratory at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand. Findings indicate that: • KM practices are embedded in the innovation process and thus, have a strong impact on the success of research projects.

The Individual's Perceived Environment as an Antecedent of Academic Entrepreneurship: Multiple Case Studies of Thai University Researchers

This study investigates the individual researchers perceived environment as a pre-condition of entrepreneurship within the university. Our objective is to identify the micro-level antecedents that shape a university researchers decision about whether to embark on an entrepreneurial venture. We conducted a series of both entrepreneurial and non-entrepreneurial case studies through in-depth interviews with six university researchers. The comparative case data generated inclusive descriptions of the social conditions surrounding the researchers and their individual characteristics as criteria for explaining their decisions on whether to become entrepreneurs. Our findings add to the macro-perspectives typically discussed, and advance knowledge of the entrepreneurial university by incorporating the individuals perceived environment as a micro-level condition for academic entrepreneurship. Drawing on the context of Thailands emerging economy, in which social inequality exists alongside growth, our findings shed light on the university researchers entrepreneurial role as a leader for social change through the commercialisation of science and technology research.