Nihal Jayamaha

Empirical validity of Baldrige criteria: New Zealand evidence

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically assess the validity of Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence (CPE) for New Zealand organisations and to identify methodological gaps.Design/methodology/approach – By means of data collected from a sample of 91 New Zealand organisations, through a self‐assessment instrument (as a proxy for the CPE) a structural equation model was studied using the partial least squares method. The measurement validity of the CPE as well as the implied causal relationships in the CPE framework was tested. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to gain additional insights.Findings – The measurement validity of the CPE was established; of the 13 implied causal relationships in the CPE framework, 11 were statistically significant, which compared favourably with past studies. The results endorse some salient features of quality management: reliance on measurement, analysis, and knowledge management; the involvement of people; and the role of leadership in setting direct...

Empirical analysis of the Baldrige Criteria as both an organisational performance measure and a theoretical model

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test empirically two key measurement perspectives – measurements in the context of a theoretical model that predicts/explains results, and measurements in the context of generating an overall score on performance excellence – of the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence (BCPE) using data from Australasian Business Excellence Award applicants.Design/methodology/approach – Two theoretical models corresponding to each measurement perspective were tested using data (n=118) from the applicants for the New Zealand Businesses Excellence Award (based on the BCPE). The partial least squares method was used to test the validity of the measurement items of the BCPE. Qualitative data were also collected from applicants for the Australian Business Excellence Award.Findings – Most of the measurement items showed low levels of measurement validity under both measurement perspectives; the main reason for this was considered to be due to the design of the BCPE as it is a hi...

Testing a theoretical model underlying the ‘Toyota Way’ – an empirical study involving a large global sample of Toyota facilities

In this paper, we empirically test the theoretical model underlying the Toyota Way (TW), based on data obtained from Toyota’s logistics, sales and marketing functions across 27 countries. TW is the result of Toyota attempting to codify its culture to the global community. Using structural equation modelling techniques we show that the TW-associated measures challenge, kaizen, genchi genbutsu, respect and teamwork do adequately operationally define the TW; the first three measures corresponding to the construct ‘process improvement’ and the final two measures corresponding to the construct ‘people development’. Empirically, people development is found to have no direct effect on how the TW is deployed across a business unit. However, people development is found to be indirectly related to TW deployment through the mediating effect of process improvement. Our study provides quantitative evidence that while the intangible aspects of the TW (modelled as people development) may not directly relate to the results, they are an integral component of a complete implementation of the TW and related ‘Lean’ systems. By logical extension, this provides support for adoption of a holistic and long-term strategy, integrating soft and hard elements, by those organisations attempting to implement and sustain Toyota-style systems.

Comparative analysis of Taguchi's crossed array approach vs combined array approach to robust parameter design: A study based on apparel industry

This research compares Taguchis crossed array approach with the combined array approach (an alternative proposed by statisticians) using an experiment designed to optimize the sewing conditions to minimize the variability of a high end womens garment. The optimum settings given by the two approaches were similar, although the combined array approach provided more information about the process with a slightly better parameter setting. The findings imply that the benefit an apparel organization gets in conducting a statistically sophisticated analysis needs to be carefully weighed against the statistical simplicity Taguchis crossed array approach offers in robust parameter designs.

The effect of contextual factors on quality improvement success in a lean-driven New Zealand healthcare environment

This paper aims to theorise and test a causal model of predominantly lean-driven quality improvement (QI) in the context of health-care clinical microsystems, examining the effects contextual factors in this setting have on improvement activity.,QI practitioners at a New Zealand District Health Board were surveyed on a range of contextual factors hypothesised to influence improvement outcomes. Survey responses were analysed via partial least squares path modelling to test the causal model that was designed to be consistent with the “model for understanding success in quality” (MUSIQ) model (Kaplan et al., 2012) adopted in health-care QI.,Defined variables for teamwork, respect for people, lean actions and negative motivating factors all demonstrated significant effects. These findings support the representation of the microsystem layer within the MUSIQ model. The final model predicted and explained perceived success well (adjusted R2 = 0.58).,The sample was a non-probability sample and the sample size was small (n = 105), although power analysis indicated that we exceeded the minimum sample size (97 cases). Even though health-care processes have universality, this study was conducted in only one district in New Zealand.,The results support highly functional teamwork as the critical contextual factor in health-care QI outcomes and suggest lean-driven process improvement can be a valid mediating mechanism. The key recommendation for practitioners is to increase focus on human resource capability when initiating and supporting QI.,The originality is testing the robustness of the MUSIQ model specifically in a lean environment, which provides the context for QI. The paper provides a more detailed specification of contextual factors acting as exogenous variables that moderate the cause (lean actions) and the effect (perceived success).

Cashmere Industry: Value Chains and Sustainability

As one of the luxurious fibres, cashmere is a fine natural fibre extracted from the underbelly of a unique goat primarily found in Asia. Cashmere fibre is used to make a variety of fashion and luxury woollen products such as scarves, shawls, pullovers and cardigans. Similar to fine wine or cheeses, it can be argued that the inherent value of cashmere to the consumer relates to both the properties of the product itself (softness, fineness), and the traditions and practices associated with its production. India is the traditional hub of cashmere products for centuries, and the handmade Indian cashmere products are unmatched in artisan expertise, range, design, appearance and quality. In the last few decades, due to technological advancements in manufacturing practices, the automation of cashmere manufacturing is fast replacing the centuries-old traditional practices. As a result of these changes, the industry in India is currently facing sustainability issues. This research aims to determine how, and to what extent, automation is impacting traditional cashmere manufacturing processes and how these practices can be integrated for sustainability. To achieve this, we intend to explore cashmere luxury value chains and study the impact of automation on the value generation stages of these chains. This study will be carried out in the context of traditional craft industry making transition to the global, consumer age. Finally, based on the research aim, propositions are presented to address and integrate these aspects for future research. Through this work, a contribution to the body of knowledge surrounding cashmere industry is expected.

Acceptance of Taguchi's Quality Philosophy and Practice by Lean practitioners in apparel manufacturing

We hypothesise that the customer value concept embedded in Lean manufacturing and loss to society concept embedded in Taguchis Quality Philosophy and Practice (TQPP) jointly explain manufacturing performance, through the mediating effect of Continuous Improvement (CI). Using structural equation modelling, we tested our model by collecting survey data (n = 318) from apparel manufacturing factories that are mature in Lean implementation. Our model was found to be a good fit to data (e.g. Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = .047) and this implied that our hypothesised theoretical model stays in contention. In addition, statistically significant structural regression coefficients implied that the Lean Manufacturing System explains manufacturing performance through CI while TQPP explains manufacturing performance only through its direct effect. We suggest possible practical reasons for these results as well as future research directions to further develop our theory.

Validating the balanced scorecard framework for nonprofit organisations: an empirical study involving Australasian healthcare

In this paper, we theorise and empirically validate the nonprofit version of the balanced scorecard (BSC) using Australasian nonprofit healthcare organisations (NPHOs) as the sampling frame. We used 232 valid responses (collected via a questionnaire that captures the conceptual domain of the 9 constructs of our model) to test our hypotheses using partial-least-squares-based structural equation modelling (PLSBSEM). Our study brings clarity to the nonprofit BSC as we explain how organisational Mission drives the Strategy (which in turn drives the system) to achieve the stakeholder (Client, People, and the Donors) outcomes, en route the application of our mixed method research to generate rich data to plug other gaps in the BSC, such as omission of people (as a key stakeholder group) and inadequate explication of the financial perspective, in a nonprofit context. Our hypotheses (which are ground in the literature) were supported by the data and we discussed the implications of the findings from a theoretical and practical standpoint to guide future research. Our study is the first to undertake the development of a PM framework specific to Australasian NPHOs (to a level that it can be readily used by the practitioners).Our findings are analytically generalisable across NPHOs in the UK and other similar regions/countries.

Operationalising performance measurement dimensions for the Australasian nonprofit healthcare sector

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a performance measurement (PM) framework for Australasian nonprofit organisations (NPOs) involved in healthcare, and operational descriptions for each PM dimension within this framework. Design/methodology/approach Literature relating to the balanced scorecard and other PM frameworks was examined to develop an initial conceptual model, and this model was substantially improved by collecting qualitative data from nine Australian and New Zealand healthcare NPOs using a case study approach. Findings The study identifies nine causally related PM dimensions: mission, strategy, organisational capabilities, infrastructure and people development (people and information), financial health, processes, and stakeholder satisfaction (clients, people, and donors). The study also recognised that “Mission” and “Strategy” should be PM dimensions and that healthcare NPOs should focus on satisfying its people, not only donors and clients. Additionally, 41 operational descriptions are developed for each of these dimensions and can enable detailed PM items to be derived by organisations. Originality/value The study is the first study that has been undertaken to develop a PM framework for the Australasian NPOs to a level that it can be readily used by the practitioners (following customisation to their own specific context). The developed model also serves as a basis for future quantitative academic research aimed at testing and empirical validation of the conceptual model.

THE IMPACT OF ICT USAGE ON COLLABORATIVE PRODUCT INNOVATION PERFORMANCE

Manufacturers are increasingly adopting collaborative product development (CPD) to achieve competitive advantage through joint synergies in introducing new products. Partners involved in CPD may be external such as suppliers and customers or internal cross-functional teams. As the number of dispersed partners increases, substantial rises in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) are evidenced in firms. Since most ICT implementations cost significantly to firms, uncovering a detailed picture of the effect of ICT usage on CPD performance would be immensely useful. Drawing on the relational resource-based view (RRBV), this study explores ICT impact on CPD performance comprising project performance and collaboration performance. Data collected from 244 collaborative product innovation projects were used. The study reveals positive direct and indirect impact of overall ICT usage on new product quality, commercial success, and time performance, through collaboration performance. The observed impact of three ICT usage aspects (frequency, proficiency, and intensity) and individual ICT types significantly contribute to extant literature while providing useful implications to product development practitioners.