Tian Ye-zhuang

Empirical Analysis of the Effects of Supplier Selection and Integration on Customer Satisfaction and Business Performance

There has been an increased focus on supplier selection and integration in the field of international operation management in recent years, which are the core of supply strategies. Based on the database of International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) 2003, an empirical study is carried out to examine whether different supplier selection criteria and integration mechanisms can improve customer satisfaction (CS) and business performance (BP). The data analysis shows that supplier selection based on performance and collaboration have direct or indirect positive effects on CS and BP; the effect of supplier selection based on unit price on CS and BP is not statistically significant; information sharing and system coupling, as the major mechanisms of supplier integration, have positive effect on CS and BP significantly. The findings of this research have theoretical and practical implications for enterprises to choose and adjust supply selection criteria and supply integration practice

Continuous Improvement Practices in Asian Developing Countries A Comparative Analysis between Chinese & Pakistani Manufacturing Industry

Pakistan and China both on industrial grounds have been engaged in following International Quality Standards to improve their products and services quality for their survival on both international and local trade. Both are neighbor developing countries and are struggling with the same aim of bringing continuous improvement in their processes and techniques. This paper is a comparative analysis of the continuous improvement practices/techniques carried out in manufacturing sector of these two countries. Here results have been derived from ISO 9001:2000 certified companies only. The sample size consists of 50 Pakistani and 45 Chinese companies of all levels. Questionnaire being used was identical. The prominent aspects being studied over here include difference of degree of practices of continuous improvement, motivational factors, barriers in successful implementation, and utilization of TQM tools. The results here would be helpful in knowing the trend and approaches of these two industries particularly ISO certified companies towards deployment of TQM.

Execution of Continuous Improvement Practices in Spanish and Pakistani Industry: A Comparative Analysis

The consistent rise in fame of TQM since last two decades has established a profound impact on business strategies today. Businesses are depending on continuous improvement (CI) and total quality management (TQM) as a means by which they can maintain a competitive edge. Spanish and Pakistani industries both have been engaged in continuous improvement practices with different implementation strategies and outcomes. In experience and deployment of CI practices, Spanish industry has surely outclassed Pakistani industry. This paper analyzes the outcomes and comparisons of continuous improvement practices carried out in Spanish and Pakistani manufacturing firms. The results come from an empirical study carried out on a sample size of 105 Spanish and 50 Pakistani ISO 9000:2000 certified companies. Same results of questionnaires being part of a Global study used in Spain and Pakistan industry (survey 2004, 2005 respectively) have been followed. Aspects studied here include difference of degree of execution of continuous improvement practices, motivational factors, internal and external barriers towards successful implementation and usage of problem finding and solving TQM tools between these two industries. Finally some conclusions and recommendations about continuous improvement practices, especially oriented to Pakistani SMEs are presented

The Empirical Study on the Impact of Advanced Manufacturing Technology on Organizational Structure and Human Resources Management

Abstract: This paper is a literature based effort on the impact of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) on human resource management (HRM) and organizational structure (OS). In this regard an empirical study is performed on this relationship on the basis of the database of international manufacturing strategy survey (IMSS). It is observed that most factors of OS and HRM are significantly related to the application of AMT. However, it indicated that the relationships are not weighted at the same degree and significance. A conclusion can be drawn that both of them should be developed in a certain balance by the comparative analysis between the enterprises with high performance and those with low performance. Finally, this paper proposes a conceptual framework for the collaborative development among AMT, employees and organization.

Comparing quality management practices in Hong Kong-owned and Japan-owned manufacturing firms in Mainland China

Abstract This paper reports the research that compares quality management practices of Hong Kong-owned (HK sample) and Japanese-owned manufacturing companies (JP sample) in mainland China. The comparison is based on the USMBQA framework and a questionnaire survey. It is found that, although all in mainland China, Japan-owned manufacturing firms implement quality management to a greater extent than their Hong Kong counterparts. It is also found that in the Japanese sample, three quality categories directly contribute to business result, while in the HK sample, only one category directly contributes to business results. In both JK and JP samples, customer focus is found to be directly related to business results. The result is supported by a few previous studies. However, it is rarely pointed out that this finding is different to the general principle of the latest US Quality Award framework where a human-resources focus directly contributes to business results while a customer-focus does not. The result will trigger future research on the validity of quality award models, especially in countries other than the USA.

Research on stability of industrial technology innovation strategic alliance based on knowledge transfer

The industrial technology innovation strategic alliance is a middle organization made up of two or more technological innovation organizations to enhance their technology innovation ability and competitiveness through mutual support and cooperation in the industry. The common and consistent goal of the alliance is the industry technology advancement. The research on the alliance stability always is one of emphasis research problems which theory researchers and practitioners pay special attention to. In this paper, the author divides the knowledge input into the independent technology innovation knowledge input and the union technology innovation knowledge input from the perspective of the knowledge transfer, and establishes the member benefit function model based on knowledge transfer. On this basis, this paper probes into the alliance stability condition, which will helpful to solve the alliance instability. These research results may provide the theoretical basis and reference value for these enterprises which will prepare to establish or already establish the alliance and seek further development.

ISO Certification: The Trend and Scope from Pakistani Industry's Perspective

This paper discusses the Trend and Scope of ISO Certification from Pakistani Industrys perspective from both literature and survey based evidence. Pakistani Industry is a novice in the trend towards quality certifications acquisition and its deployment of quality management practices. At current stage organizations mostly engaged in International trade are acquiring and deploying these practices in their organizations as a prerequisite from their foreign buyers and for their survival in international competition. In this paper an overview of ISO certification and its history in Pakistan, Triggers for ISO certification acquisition in Pakistani Industry, Government policies towards certification acquisition, ISO certification bodies and their supervisory bodies currently operating in Pakistan, certification acquisition trend in Pakistan industry sector wise and a past and current survey based comparison regarding deployment of TQM practices in these ISO accredited organizations has been discussed. Some humble recommendations have also been proposed to enhance current performance levels

An empirical study on the impact of organizational memory on organizational performance in manufacturing companies

Knowledge is the important asset in organizations. Effective knowledge management plays a crucial role in organizational development. Organizational memory (OM) integrates all kinds of organizational knowledge. It is regarded as the central prerequisite for IT support of knowledge management. The paper analyzes the knowledge structure of OM in manufacturing company from internal and external sources of organizational knowledge. OM in manufacturing company is composed of four types, that is, managerial OM, technical OM, cultural OM and marketing OM. These four types of OM components enhance organizational development jointly. Based on the data from international manufacturing strategy survey (IMSS), factor analysis is used to test the classification of OM and organizational performance (OP), canonical correlation analysis is conducted on the impact of OM components on OP in manufacturing companies. The results from structural equation modeling suggest that OM is a dynamic factor, OM formed in different time has different impact on OP.

An Empirical Analysis on Relationships of Manufacturing Practices and Manufacturing Capabilities

This paper, based on resource-based view, defines that manufacturing capability is the combination of knowledge, skills and implementation of business strategy in manufacturing process. With the adoption of the database IMSS 2003, the empirical study investigates how different practices improve what kind of manufacturing capability and surveys its differences between China and Germany, which meets the requirements of development of Chinese manufacturing enterprises

The ENPV Model Based on Option Theory in IT Investments

Businesses are increasingly relying on information technology (IT) to conduct core business processes. Investments in IT project and IT capabilities enable enterprises to develop competitive advantage. Following the approach to irreversible investments the opportunity of adopting a new uncertain technology can be viewed as representing a real option to the firm. This paper discusses the implications and characteristics of IT investments, then analyzes that the real option is appropriate for evaluating uncertain IT investments. Then we develop a framework which views IT investment opportunities as real options that evaluating the investment value and continually being exercised to achieve both short and long term returns on investment. It is also discussed that the expanded NPV (ENPV) model including the traditional NPV of expected cash flow and the option value of operating and strategic flexibility is an alternative approach that is easier to implement for IT investments in the real world