Victor Jesús García Morales

Learning during the quality management process: Antecedents and effects in service firms

Purpose – The goal of this research is to provide a model of how service firms respond to their environment by developing both different quality management (QM) practices and organizational learning.Design/methodology/approach – We review the different contributions to the study of the relationship between organizational learning and quality. Based on prior research, we propose a series of hypotheses concerning the influence in service firms of QM practices on organizational learning and the influence of the degree of implementation of the practices. Finally, we tested these hypotheses empirically using a sample of 127 service firms operating in the European Union.Findings – The results of the investigation reveal first, a strong relationship exists among organizational learning and QM practices. Second, we verified that the relations between different QM practices and between QM practices and organizational learning are stronger in service firms with a high degree of implementation of these practices. Fi...

Knowledge creation and flexibility of distribution of information

– The purpose of this paper is to increase knowledge about the four modes of knowledge conversion (SECI model: Socialization, Externalization, Combination, Internalization) and their impact on flexibility of distribution of information and performance., – Based on a survey of 284 Spanish firms, the paper performs an empirical analysis using structural equation modelling., – The results of the research confirm that the four modes of knowledge conversion have positive direct and indirect influences on the flexibility of distribution of information in the organization and therefore improve the companys performance., – The structural equation model provides useful information for managers and researchers concerning how knowledge creation enhances flexibility and performance of the organization. Through better processes and tools for updating the organizations concepts or methods, flexibility programs, cross functional and self‐directed teams, autonomy, participation, cooperation and coordination in the firm improve the flow of information and performance and reduce uncertainty in changing environments., – The paper illustrates the effects of the four modes of knowledge creation on flexibility of distribution of information and demonstrates that these four modes of knowledge creation affect flexibility of distribution of information positively, thereby improving organizational performance.Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to increase knowledge about the four modes of knowledge conversion (SECI model: Socialization, Externalization, Combination, Internalization) and their impact on flexibility of distribution of information and performance. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a survey of 284 Spanish firms, the paper performs an empirical analysis using structural equation modelling. Findings – The results of the research confirm that the four modes of knowledge conversion have positive direct and indirect influences on the flexibility of distribution of information in the organization and therefore improve the company’s performance. Practical implications – The structural equation model provides useful information for managers and researchers concerning how knowledge creation enhances flexibility and performance of the organization. Through better processes and tools for updating the organization’s concepts or methods, flexibility programs, cross functional and self-directed teams, autonomy, participation, cooperation and coordination in the firm improve the flow of information and performance and reduce uncertainty in changing environments. Originality/value – The paper illustrates the effects of the four modes of knowledge creation on flexibility of distribution of information and demonstrates that these four modes of knowledge creation affect flexibility of distribution of information positively, thereby improving organizational performance.

Improving Organisational Performance Through Reverse Logistics

Reverse logistics involves several activities that, based on decisions on how to implement and use them, seriously affect and impact the performance of an organisation. This paper analyses how different activities of reverse logistics could affect costs, and thus the performance of the organisation. The study is based on a survey of companies of the Spanish market and applies a structural model. The analysis provides evidence that: (1) based on the type of an activity, reverse logistics has different cost; therefore, it is important to select the most appropriate combination and implementation of reverse logistics activities. (2) Reverse logistics activities affect reverse logistics cost, and thus it decisively determines organisational performance. A number of implications and contributions stems from the discussion and conclusions of the study.Abstract Reverse logistics involves several activities that, based on decisions on how to implement and use them, seriously affect and impact the performance of an organisation. This paper analyses how different activities of reverse logistics could affect costs, and thus the performance of the organisation. The study is based on a survey of companies of the Spanish market and applies a structural model. The analysis provides evidence that: (1) based on the type of an activity, reverse logistics has different cost; therefore, it is important to select the most appropriate combination and implementation of reverse logistics activities. (2) Reverse logistics activities affect reverse logistics cost, and thus it decisively determines organisational performance. A number of implications and contributions stems from the discussion and conclusions of the study.

Flexibilidad estratégica en entornos hipercompetitivos: una visión basada en los recursos financieros de la Empresa

RESUMEN El propósito de esta investigación consiste en desarrollar una aproximación analítica que considere cómo los determinantes y antecedentes de la flexibilidad estratégica, específicamente las dotaciones de recursos finanacieros, condicionan el cambio estratégico deseado en las organizaciones y su desempeño organizacional. También analizamos la problemática que sugiere la medición de la flexibilidad estratégica en términos de ajuste. Para ello, este estudio realiza un amplio examen de carácter transnacional, en el marco de la Unión Europeas empleando datos de 417 empresas. Los resultados muestran que las dotaciones de recursos financieros y la flexibilidad estratégica puede ser un factor crítico dentro del proceso de cambio estratégico, lo que le puede llevar a influir el deseo de abordar un cambio estratégico o en el más específico ajuste estratégico.