Milan Delić

Exploring the impact of quality management and application of information technologies on organisational performance – the case of Serbia and the wider region

This study examines the impact of quality management and application of information technologies (IT) on organisational performance in transitional economies. Many studies involving these organisational aspects are carried out in the regions with developed capitalism. However, little is known about the nature of their effects in transitional conditions. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire on a sample of 160 organisations. The research model was empirically tested and found to be valid and reliable. The relationships between the dimensions of quality management, IT and organisational performance are examined using structural equation modelling. The findings of this study do not support the theoretical assumptions related to the direct effect of IT application on organisational performance. The mediating role of quality management is crucial for overcoming the shortcomings of IT application. Thus, it could be argued that the combined effect of quality management and IT application is determined and influenced by the market ‘climate’. The research results can be used as guidelines for the implementation of an integrated approach in the application of quality management in the IT context. In particular, managers should consider the application of quality management techniques for the improvement of IT quality.

Fostering learning organisation in transitional economy – the role of authentic leadership and employee affective commitment

Purpose The aim of this study is to examine how and in what way authentic leadership and affective employee commitment foster the learning organisation in the context of transitional market conditions. Acting as role factors, their relationships with the learning organisation were examined simultaneously, at leadership and employee level. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted on a sample of 500 employees from various industries of Serbian transitional economy. For the research purposes, structural equation modeling (SEM) methodology was used. Findings The findings reveal that authentic leadership and employee commitment both play an important role. Specifically, authentic leadership directly and indirectly affects the learning organisation. The indirect effect is partially mediated by the employee affective commitment. Research limitations/implications The focus of this study is limited to the role of authentic leadership in fostering the learning organisation. Apart from leadership and employee commitment, it might be assumed that other variables have the potential to play a role in fostering the learning organisation as well. Originality value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has focused on authentic leadership and employee commitment as an “enabling-mechanism” in fostering learning organisations in the context of transitional economies. Consequently, this paper provides theoretical and practical implications on how and in what way they impact a learning organisation by empirically studying them in the context of transitional market conditions.