Delvin Grant

Quality management applied to higher education

In the last decade, many universities and American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) have increased their interest in applying principles of quality management to higher education. There is general agreement on the tools of quality management, however, there is limited discussion and no universally agreed upon model of quality management. We propose a model of quality management that has three components: quality of design, quality of conformance and quality of performance. The model is applied to Rochester Institute of Technologys College of Business. It provides a framework to identify research, teaching and operational improvement opportunities.

A wider view of business process reengineering

Technology alone does not enable organizational change.

A report on the use of action research to evaluate a manufacturing information systems development methodology in a company

Abstract. The paper reports on an action research study that evaluated the usefulness of a Manufacturing Information Systems (MIS) development methodology at a manufacturing technology company. The evaluation process is based upon a five‐stage action research method. The ISD methodology, in conjunction with the action research method, was used to solve five technical and organizational problems identified in the Engineering Release Function of the company. Results of the study include reduction in cycle time, work‐in‐process and rework.

Quality management in US higher education

The paper uses a quality management framework to analyze quality management approaches that have been implemented in institutions of higher education in the USA. The framework is comprised of three parameters, which are quality of design, quality of conformance and quality of performance. It turned out that only one of the nine articles that were examined dealt explicitly with quality of performance issues.

Enterprise modeling for CIM information systems architectures: an object-oriented approach

Abstract Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) information systems have become extremely important to the global competitiveness of most manufacturing firms. And although much has been written about CIM development and implementation many problems still plague practitioners. For example, lack of integration, islands of automation, sub-optimization of resources, and the inability to migrate to future technology are a few types of problems. Further, few methodologies have been developed that systematically address these issues. In this paper, we outline an Object-Oriented approach to modeling manufacturing enterprises. The approach offers a procedure and techniques for defining CIM information systems architectures which could serve as blueprints for CIM development and implementation in manufacturing enterprises.

Modeling for CIM information systems architecture definition: an information engineering case study

Abstract Many fundamental problems exist in the development and implementation of computer-integrated manufacturing information systems: for example, lack of integration, islands of automation, sub-optimization of resources, inability to migrate to future technology. Moreover, few methodologies have been developed for dealing with these issues. In this paper we outline an information engineering approach to plan, design and implement this class information systems, which addresses many of the fundamental problems.

Understanding the influence of integration on ERP performance

This research investigates the influence of five levels of ERP integration on ERP performance in different user-friendly interface groups. The five levels are system-specification, Island of Technology, organizational, socio-organizational, and global integration. We conducted an empirical study that involved 102 ERP professionals, 52 of whom showed low demand for user-friendly interface design while the others showed high demand. The results suggest that system-specification and organizational integration significantly influence ERP performance in the low demanding user-friendly interface group, while system-specification and socio-organizational integration significantly influence ERP performance in the high demanding user-friendly group. The research model explains 50 and 46% respectively of ERP performance in each group.

Using Fuzzy Cognitive Maps to Assess MIS Organizational Change Impact

Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCM) are used as decision aids to better assess how change in one part of a company affects other parts of it. An organizational model, consisting of a fifteen-cell matrix, is used to discuss how a change in one area of a company affects other areas. FCM were used to analyze the interactions and impact of the changes. The analysis suggested that the initial decision would not yield the expected results so intervention measures were undertaken to reengineer existing relationships between specific areas of the company. In the absence of this analysis and intervention, the outcome would have been less favorable.

A Comparative Analysis of Quality Management in US and International Universities

The paper compares the implementation of quality management programmes of higher education in US and international academic institutions. The comparison is based on the use of formal quality models such as ISO 9000 and Malcolm Baldrige Criteria, Quality-of- Design, Quality-of-Conformance, and Quality-of-Performance. An interesting outcome was the absence of Quality-of-Performance among US universities.

Analysis of e-business models in real estate

We use Canvas Application Framework to analyze e-business models of Realestate.yahoo.com, Yahoo.com, Redfin.com, Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Zillow.com, and Craigslist.com. We investigate the similarities and differences among e-business models and how e-business model differentiation affects company success. We looked at which business model components, such as distribution channels, business partnerships, attracting customers, revenue streams, etc., are important. We further investigate whether the web-advertising, brokerage, virtual value-chain, or the diversified internet business model is used by each company, and which ones are more successful. We discover similarities and differences among e-business models. Differences include the use of revenue streams for generating revenue, the extent of partnerships, and the role they play in a company’s success.