Tsung-Hsien Kuo

The effect of corporate culture and total quality management on construction project performance in Taiwan

The new market expansion in the real estate market has resulted in the flourishing development of construction companies in Taiwan. Thus, the question of how construction companies may establish external alliances, gain tangible and intangible support and deliver satisfactory project outcomes needs to be answered, and is consequently worth exploring. This study aims to examine the relationship between corporate culture (CC), total quality management (TQM) and project performance (PP) in construction firms where project-based assignments and high-priced contracts are involved. Data collected from 30 construction firms located in northern and central Taiwan (N = 371) were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results confirm that both CC and TQM generate positive and direct influence on PP. In particular, the effect of CC is amplified on PP through the implementation of TQM. Managerial implications are proposed and research limitations are discussed.

Enabling innovative ability: knowledge sharing as a mediator

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships among job satisfaction, workplace friendship, knowledge sharing and service innovation. Design/methodology/approach – This is an empirical study that targets electronic information engineers at the science parts located in Taipei, Hsinchu and Tainan (n=851), utilizing a survey questionnaire as the data collection instrument to test the relationship among the four dimensions. Findings – The results indicated that: first, both job satisfaction and workplace friendship have demonstrated a significant effect on service innovation; second, knowledge sharing significantly moderates the effect of job satisfaction and workplace friendship on service innovation. Originality/value – The present study adds value by examining the moderating effect of knowledge sharing. The results can contribute to the strategic planning of human resource development in order to enhance the capability of service innovation in the technological industry.

The factors influencing employees' attitudes in high‐tech environment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to look at factors which result in improved attitudinal outcome (AO) through the proposal and empirical validation of a theoretical model. The model incorporates four major self‐perceived dimensions: personality traits (PTs), job characteristics (JCs), transformational leadership behaviors (LBs), and AOs.Design/methodology/approach – This is a quantitative research using a survey questionnaire as data collecting instrument. Data collected from ten technological companies located in the Neihu Science Park in Taiwan (n=221) were analyzed using structural equation modeling.Findings – Results reveal that both personal traits and JCs have positive yet insignificant effects on AOs. However, both factors significantly and indirectly influence AOs via transformational LBs.Originality/value – This proposed model provides an overall framework which indicates how both intrinsic and extrinsic factors can affect the perception of LBs, which consequently plays a critical role in i...

Practice makes better? A study of meditation learners in a classroom environment

The study investigates the effect of length of meditation history on various factors, namely learning motivation, learning outcome and classroom climate. Data were collected from working adult learners (n = 450) attending meditation classes in two large cities in Taiwan. The investigation categorized learners based on meditation experience, namely <1 year, 1–3 years, 4–6 years, 7–10 years and >10 years. The study investigated how experience affects learners in their perception of motivation, learning outcome and classroom climate, using one‐way ANOVA and post‐hoc analysis. Results showed a non‐linear ordered response—longer meditation experience does not in all cases increase benefits gained from meditation. A follow‐up group discussion with learners identified learning fatigue as a possible factor for the non‐linear results. In addition, through canonical correlation analysis, the study also showed that learning motivation and classroom climate is strongly correlated with learning outcome. The paper concludes with a discussion of results.

The warranty policy under fuzzy environment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a model that captures the fuzzy events is proposed to find the optimal periods of warranty policies. The model considers repair and replacement actions in the warranty period.Design/methodology/approach – The study transforms the reliability of a traditional set to a fuzzy reliability set that models a problem. The optimality of the model is explored with classical optimal theory. Also, a numerical example is presented to describe how to find an optimal warranty policy.Findings – The study proves that the optimality of a warranty model can be used to find the optimal warranty policy in a fuzzy environment.Originality/value – The model is useful for firms in deciding what the maintenance strategy and warranty period should be in a fuzzy environment.