Eerikki Mäki

Does the implementation of total quality management (TQM) change the wellbeing and work‐related attitudes of health care personnel?: Study of a TQM prize‐winning surgical clinic

Explores the quasi‐experimental study and the impact of the implementation of TQM on well‐being and work‐related perceptions among hospital staff. The survey was carried out before and after the implementation of TQM in a surgical clinic and at the same time in two non‐TQM surgical clinics which served as the control group. The results revealed that an economically feasible TQM implementation may not necessarily alter the wellbeing (in terms of job satisfaction, work motivation, and organizational commitment) and work‐related perceptions (including goal and process clarity, openness of communication, extent of participation and innovativeness, and degree of autonomy) of the staff. However, problems in commitment to TQM emerged among the physicians.

Building and nurturing partner relationship in collaborative product development

The aim of the study is to understand the underlying success factors of building a long-term, mutually beneficial collaborative product development relationship in a strongly market-driven and complex technology area. The research considers the challenges of developing strategic partnerships. This paper discusses the preliminary results of one case study conducted in a multi-case research project of leading collaboration in networked business. The research material of the study consists of interviews and other documented material of a new product development collaboration relationship between a Western and an Asian company. The focus is on peoples experiences and perceptions on collaboration from the viewpoints of communication, knowledge sharing, trust and learning in multicultural relationship. The results show that successful relationship building requires clearly defined objectives for the collaboration, strong management commitment on both sides, transparency in processes and strong emphasis on direct communication relations and genuine willingness of mutual learning.

Transformational challenges of a collaborative relationship in a context of a complex demand-supply chain

The aim of the study was to investigate social dynamics and transformational needs of a collaborative relationship in a context of a complex demand-supply chain. The paper discusses the results of one case study that was a part of a multi-case research project about the challenges of developing and leading collaboration in networked business. The research material consisted mainly of qualitative interviews of one client-supplier relationship. The focus of the inquiry was on peoples experiences on collaboration from the viewpoints of communication, problem solving, trust, learning, and developmental needs in the relationship. The results indicate that many risks and strengths of the relationship were linked to the social interaction between the partners. Transformational needs of the relationship were connected to mutual strategic discussions, holistic reviewing of the delivery process, cross disciplinary sense making, and relationship building between the counterparts. In a complex and dynamic demand-supply context successful collaboration requires careful and active nurturing of the relationship.