Supply chain management, supply performance and total quality management

Contextual factors on Toyota Way and Agile Manufacturing: an empirical investigation

This research aims to examine the differences across selected contextual factors on the Toyota Way (TW), agile manufacturing (AM) and their sub-elements. These factors include firm size, nationality of firms, production approaches, IATF 16949 - an international quality management certification in the automotive industry, supplier tiers in supply chains, export levels, and import levels. A survey instrument was developed based on literature, then verified by experts and statistical techniques. ANOVA and independent samples t-test were used to explore the differences across contextual factors of 216 automotive part manufacturers on TW, AM, and their elements. It revealed that there were significant differences across firm size, nationality of firms, and export levels on overall TW, AM and most sub-elements. Insignificant differences across production approaches and IATF 16949 on overall TW, AM and their sub-elements were found. Firms with different contextual factors require different levels of TW, AM and sub-elements. Managers should apply TW and AM elements at suitable levels in accordance with their organizational contexts.This is one of the first studies to empirically investigate the differences across the contextual factors on TW, AM and sub-elements in the same paper from a socio-technical perspective. This study can be used as a basis for further research on integrative practices between lean and agile (leagile) manufacturing.

Influence of governance instruments on supply chain quality: a qualitative investigation in the dairy industry

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the formal (i.e. contracts, standards, processes, and structure) and informal (i.e. social structure, norms, information sharing, and value system and culture) governance instruments used in supply networks and their influence on quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is qualitative-exploratory in nature, involving semi-structured interviews with 20 managers from three essential layers in the dairy industry's supply chain: companies that supply essential inputs to milk producers; milk producers; and milk cooperatives.

Findings

Analysis of the generated data show that formal governance instruments have a strong and/or weak influence on products' and operations' quality in the dairy industry context; informal instruments have a strong and/or weak influence on quality, as a counterpart to formal instruments; and the integration of verified governance instruments positively influences the quality of products and operations.

Practical implications

This paper offers several managerial and practical implications. The first is to encourage suppliers of primary inputs and milk producers to invest in the formal structure, primarily in formal contracts with each other. The second implication suggests the relevance of creating different training and qualification courses with members from all organizational levels. Third, there is a need for cooperatives, encompassing all industries, to consider several informal instruments, complementary to contracts and standards currently used for processes.

Originality/value

Governance instruments can lead to desired supply chain outcomes, including those related to quality. Although previous supply chain studies have investigated the relationship between governance instruments and the supply chain, and quality management and the supply chain, studies on governance instruments' influence on supply chain quality are limited.

The Effect of Lean Manufacturing on a Supply Chain Relationship and Performance

This study aims to explore the impact of lean manufacturing (LM) or transaction-based supply chain management (SCM) on a supply chain relationship (SCR) and supply performance (SP) in manufacturing industries in Thailand. The measurement instruments for LM, SCR, and SP were developed from comprehensive literature reviews, verified by experts, and statistical techniques to assure reliability and validity. The hypothesized model was tested with path analysis of structural equation modeling. It was found that the set of LM, SCR, and SP frameworks were reliable and valid for Thai manufacturing industries. LM had not only a direct effect on the SCR and SP but also an indirect effect on the SP through the SCR. The SCR also had a direct impact on the SP. This paper presents insights into the debate concerning the impact of transaction-based SCM on relationship-based SCM and SP.

Performance measurement for supply chain management and quality management integration

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for performance measurement (PM) for the integration of supply chain management (SCM) and quality management (QM).

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review on SCM and QM was conducted to develop key performance measures related to six areas of integration between QM and SCM: leadership; continuous improvement and innovation; sustainability performance; stakeholders; information system; and management and strategic planning.

Findings

Supported by the literature concerning to supply chain quality management (SCQM) integration, a set of nine propositions about performance measures, that contribute to the integration of SCQM, were developed.

Originality/value

This study contributes to QM practices within a supply chain environment from an integrated perspective. Additionally, the propositions have significant implications from both managerial and theoretical perspectives. This study also extends the concept of supply chain quality integration by focusing on key aspects of PM that may help to improve the overall performance of the supply chain.

Effects of ethical leadership and formal control systems on employee opportunistic behavior in China

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how ethical leadership and formal control systems influence employee opportunistic behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data collected from Chinese employees (N=430), the authors conducted regression analysis to test hypothesized relationships between ethical leadership and formal control systems and employee opportunistic behavior. Both direct effects and an interaction effect were tested.

Findings

The authors found that both ethical leadership and formal control systems individually play significant roles in reducing employee opportunistic behavior. In addition, the results indicate that ethical leadership and formal control systems function as complements to jointly constrain employee opportunistic behaviors.

Originality/value

This study contributes to an understanding of the relationship between supervisors and followers in China by demonstrating the effects of ethical leadership and formal control systems on employee opportunistic behaviors, including an interesting interaction effect.

Adopting total quality management to enhance service delivery in medical records

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which total quality management (TQM) initiatives can improve the quality of services delivery at the medical records unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) to help meet the expectations and aspirations of patients and customers of the hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopted the survey strategy as its research design. The total study population consisted of 114 medical records staff of the KBTH. Questionnaires and personal observations were employed as the data collection instruments. The study recorded a response rate of 98 per cent. Data gathered from respondents were analysed in qualitative terms.

Findings

The overall finding of this study was that, although the medical records department of the KBTH had a fair degree of understanding on the benefits of TQM to records management service delivery, the exiting values for TQM did not meet the framework of good TQM practice, principles and standards.

Research limitations/implications

Even though the subjects for the study were from the biggest hospital in Ghana, the findings of this study may not be generalised to the whole country.

Practical implications

The study has demonstrated the need for the medical records department of the KBTH to have and develop good TQM standards to improve the quality of services to patients and varied customers of the hospital.

Originality/value

The literature reviewed indicated that this study is a maiden attempt to examine how TQM initiatives including sensitivity, customer satisfaction, commitment of top management, team work, effective leadership and participatory management, people development and effective and open communication can improve the quality of medical records service delivery at the KBTH in Ghana.