T. S. Raghunathan

A framework for international quality management research: Development and validation of a measurement instrument

This paper reports the results of a study aimed at conceptualizing and developing valid measurements for key dimensions of quality management in the international context. The quality management framework is conceptualized in terms of 13 dimensions. Subsequently, operational indicators for the 13 dimensions are developed in terms of managerial perceptions. Data were collected from five countries: the US, India, China, Mexico and Taiwan. The sample was split into two random sets. Using structural equation modeling the constructs were tested and refined using the first set and were revalidated using the second set. The results of the study indicate that the operational measures developed here largely satisfy the criteria for unidimensionality, convergent, discriminant and predictive validity in all five countries. This study makes a contribution to the measurement stream of international quality management by providing a set of valid and reliable operational measures. These measures are expected to help res...

Research Report---A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the User Information Satisfaction Instrument

The structure and dimensionality of the user information satisfaction UIS construct is an important theoretical issue that has received considerable attention. Building upon the work of Bailey and Pearson Bailey, J. E., S. W. Pearson. 1983. Development of a tool for measuring and analyzing computer user satisfaction. Management Sci.295, May 530--545., Ives et al. Ives, B., M. Olson, J. J. Baroudi. 1983. The measure of user information satisfaction. Comm. ACM2610, October 785--793. conduct an exploratory factor analysis and recommend a 13-item instrument two indicators per item for measuring user information satisfaction. Ives et al. also contend that UIS is comprised of three component measures information product, EDP staff and services, and user knowledge or involvement. In a replication using exploratory techniques, Baroudi and Orlikowski Baroudi, J. J., W. J. Orlikowski. 1988. A short-form measure of user information satisfaction: A psychometric evaluation and notes on use. J. Management Inform. Systems44, Spring 44--59. confirm the three factor structure and support the diagnostic utility of the three factor model. Other researchers have suggested a need for caution in using the UIS instrument as a single measure of user satisfaction; they contend that the instruments three components measure quite different dimensions whose antecedents and consequences should be studied separately. The acceptance of UIS as a standardized instrument requires confirmation that it explains and measures the user information satisfaction construct and its components. Based on a sample of 224 respondents, this research uses confirmatory factor analysis LISREL to test alternative models of underlying factor structure and assess the reliability and validity of factors and items. The results provide support for a revised UIS model with four first-order factors and one second-order higher-order factor. To cross-validate these results, the authors reexamine two data sets, including the original Baroudi and Orlikowski data, to assess the revised UIS model. The results show that the revised model provides better model-data fit in all three data sets. Thus, the evidence supports the use of: 1 the 13-item instrument as a measure of an overall UIS; and 2 four component factors for explaining the UIS construct.

The Meaning and Measurement of User Satisfaction: A Multigroup Invariance Analysis of the End-User Computing Satisfaction Instrument

Although user satisfaction is widely used by researchers and practitioners to evaluate information system success, important issues related to its meaning and measurement across population subgroups have not been adequately resolved. To be most useful in decision-making, instruments like end-user computing satisfaction (EUCS), which are designed to evaluate system success, should be robust. That is, they should enable comparisons by providing equivalent measurement across diverse samples that represent the variety of conditions or population subgroups present in organizations. Using a sample of 1,166 responses, the EUCS instrument is tested for measurement invariance across four dimensions--respondent positions, types of application, hardware platforms, and modes of development. While the results suggest that the meaning of user satisfaction is context sensitive and differs across population subgroups, the 12 measurement items are invariant across all four dimensions. The 12-item summed scale enables researchers or practitioners to compare EUCS scores across the instruments originally intended universe of applicability.

Relationship of the rank of information systems executive to the organizational role and planning dimensions of information systems

Abstract:The organizational rank of the senior Information Systems (is) officer has been suggested to influence the effectiveness of the organizational is effort. As is continues to gain increasing recognition as a key organizational system, a study of the various factors that contribute to its effectiveness should be particularly useful. This research explores the relationship between the reporting level of the senior is executive and two specific aspects of is, namely, is organizational role and is planning. The analysis is based on the responses of is executives to a survey instrument. Results support the existence of significant linkages between the rank of the is executive and the IS aspects addressed in the study. This suggests that the reporting level of the IS executive may be a key variable that management should focus on in efforts to increase the effectiveness of their information systems.

A comparative study of quality practices: USA, China and India

Seeks to compare the quality management practices in three different countries: USA, India and China. For this research various constructs representing quality management practices and quality results were conceptualized. A questionnaire survey instrument was developed, pre‐tested and the final version of the questionnaire incorporated the results of pre‐testing. The final questionnaire was used to collect data in the USA, India, and China. Analysis of variance was used to analyse the data. Reports the statistical summaries and the results of ANOVA. The ANOVA results point to statistically significant differences among the three countries with respect to quality practices.

A comparative study of quality practices and results in India, China and Mexico

Abstract In this paper we compare quality management practices in three different countries: India, China and Mexico. Various constructs representing quality management practices and quality results were conceptualized. Using a questionnaire survey instrument, data was collected in India, China, and Mexico. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to analyze the data. The MANOVA results point to statistically significant differences with respect to quality practices among these countries. Top management support turned out to be a very significant factor affecting all quality practices while information and analysis as well quality assurance practices were affected by length of quality experience in organizations.

Dimensionality of the Strategic Grid Framework: the Construct and its Measurement

The recent dramatic impact of information technology (IT) on organizational performance has necessitated appropriate strategies for managing this organizational resource. IT im- pacts firms in different ways, and management needs a clear and systematic understanding of both the current and future relevance and impact of its IT before selecting management tools and approaches. The strategic grid framework, developed for the purpose of helping man- agement gain this understanding, is one of the most highly recognized and quoted conceptual frameworks in information systems literature. Despite such recognition, valid operational measures of this construct are not available for use in empirical research studies. The research reported in this paper is an attempt to develop and validate operational measures for the dimensions of the strategic grid, with the understanding that the availability of such measures will promote future empirical studies. Data for this study consist of the responses of 231 IS executives to a survey instrument. Operational models of the grid dimensions are specified and the measurement properties of the models are assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) within the LISREL framework. Measures resulting from the analysis are shown to meet the requirements of rigorous tests of measurement properties. The CFA results also show that the current portfolio dimension of the strategic grid is unidimensional, while the future port- folio dimension has three factors: management support, differentiation, and enhancement.

Information systems planning and effectiveness: An empirical analysis

The relationship between information systems (IS) planning and IS planning effectiveness has been an important issue discussed in the literature. Most prior studies in this area have been conceptual; the few empirical studies which have addressed this issue have used rather simple conceptualizations of the notion of planning. This present research study is an attempt to propose and test an empirical model of IS planning effectiveness. The study identifies and uses five distinct dimensions of planning systems which are generally believed to influence IS planning effectiveness. Planning effectiveness is also conceptualized as a multi-faceted construct and a set of multiple objectives are used for assessing planning effectiveness. Data for the study consist of responses by a random sample of IS executives to a questionnaire survey. Results indicate that the effectiveness of IS planning systems vary significantly along four of the five dimensions and suggest that the attention given to these dimensions can influence the effectiveness of planning systems.

A regional study of quality management infrastructure practices in USA and Mexico

Presents the results of a study on quality management infrastructure practices and quality performance in manufacturing companies located in the North and Central regions of Mexico and the US Midwest region. Seven quality management infrastructure practices – top management support, strategic quality planning, quality information availability, employee training, supplier quality, customer focus, and quality citizenship – were assessed and compared. The research covered 372 manufacturing companies in both countries. Our findings show significant differences between the three regions. Companies located in the North region of Mexico exhibit significantly better levels of quality management infrastructure practices than companies located in the US Midwest and Central Mexico regions. Implications for decision‐makers for location, outsourcing, and joint ventures are discussed.

Quality function deployment’s impact on product development

Posits that advocates of quality function deployment (QFD) claim that it leads to better product designs, lower product costs, and shorter development times. Presents a study which aims to learn if organizations that apply QFD to product development achieve these benefits. Data from a survey of 80 QFD projects undertaken by 40 firms are used to examine these critical relationships. When leaders from these project teams were asked to compare results from product development efforts without QFD to results with QFD, they claimed that product designs and customer satisfaction improved significantly with QFD. Product costs and time‐to‐market showed only modest improvements. Benefits in time and costs may increase as QFD teams get better training and more experience. Describes the development and costing of a model of QFD implementation issues, product development outcomes, and customer satisfaction. Concludes that QFD’s implementation issues, specifically the organizational dimensions, have a significant impact on product design outcomes and resource consumption.