Aneta Bobenič Hintošová, Michaela Bruothová, I. Vasková
Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to examine the impact of inward and outward foreign direct investment on innovation performance of the Visegrad and Baltic countries. Methodology/Approach: The study follows an open-system approach to consider the determinants of national innovation performance, taking into account both inward and outward FDI. We use two-step analysis that combines panel data regression analysis with the design of two FDI – innovation performance matrixes. Findings: The results of the study provide evidence that only outward foreign direct investment of domestic firms contributes significantly to the innovation performance of these countries and that this effect is more visible in the case of the Visegrad countries. Research Limitation/Implication: The limitations of the study are associated in particular with the selection of SII as a measure of national innovation performance. The use of this indicator is also related to the relatively short period of availability of consistent data, especially in connection with changes in the methodology of SII calculation. Originality/Value of paper: The policy implications of the paper suggest the need for stronger support of domestic bearers of cross-border capital movements in an attempt to boost national innovation performance.
{"title":"Does Foreign Direct Investment Boost Innovation? The Case of the Visegrad and Baltic Countries","authors":"Aneta Bobenič Hintošová, Michaela Bruothová, I. Vasková","doi":"10.12776/qip.v24i3.1519","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v24i3.1519","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to examine the impact of inward and outward foreign direct investment on innovation performance of the Visegrad and Baltic countries. Methodology/Approach: The study follows an open-system approach to consider the determinants of national innovation performance, taking into account both inward and outward FDI. We use two-step analysis that combines panel data regression analysis with the design of two FDI – innovation performance matrixes. Findings: The results of the study provide evidence that only outward foreign direct investment of domestic firms contributes significantly to the innovation performance of these countries and that this effect is more visible in the case of the Visegrad countries. Research Limitation/Implication: The limitations of the study are associated in particular with the selection of SII as a measure of national innovation performance. The use of this indicator is also related to the relatively short period of availability of consistent data, especially in connection with changes in the methodology of SII calculation. Originality/Value of paper: The policy implications of the paper suggest the need for stronger support of domestic bearers of cross-border capital movements in an attempt to boost national innovation performance.","PeriodicalId":44057,"journal":{"name":"Quality Innovation Prosperity-Kvalita Inovacia Prosperita","volume":"44 1","pages":"106-121"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80925546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
N. Alqershi, M. Diah, Aryani Binti Ahmed Latiffi, W. Ahmad
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of human capital on the relation between the strategic innovation and competitive advantage of SMEs in Yemen. Methodology/Approach: The PLS-SEM analysis is performed to test the hypotheses by using data collected from 238 SMEs in Yemen. The results support the hypotheses. Findings: The results of the PLS-SEM analysis are as follows: strategic innovation had a significant effects on SMEs’ competitive advantage; also human capital had a significant effects on SMEs’ competitive advantage; human capital mediated the effect of strategic innovation on competitive advantage; and strategic innovation had a positive and significant effect on human capital. Research Limitation/Implication: The population of the study was limited to manufacturing SMEs, so the results cannot be generalized to other types of industry such as services, whose structure and vision differ from those of manufacturing companies. Originality/Value of paper: The paper is one of the first to highlight human capital as a mediator between strategic innovation and competitive advantage of manufacturing SMEs in Yemen and the Middle East, describing a single study applied in the context of a developing country.
{"title":"Strategic Innovation and Competitive Advantage of Manufacturing SMEs: The Mediating Role of Human Capital","authors":"N. Alqershi, M. Diah, Aryani Binti Ahmed Latiffi, W. Ahmad","doi":"10.12776/qip.v24i3.1493","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v24i3.1493","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of human capital on the relation between the strategic innovation and competitive advantage of SMEs in Yemen. Methodology/Approach: The PLS-SEM analysis is performed to test the hypotheses by using data collected from 238 SMEs in Yemen. The results support the hypotheses. Findings: The results of the PLS-SEM analysis are as follows: strategic innovation had a significant effects on SMEs’ competitive advantage; also human capital had a significant effects on SMEs’ competitive advantage; human capital mediated the effect of strategic innovation on competitive advantage; and strategic innovation had a positive and significant effect on human capital. Research Limitation/Implication: The population of the study was limited to manufacturing SMEs, so the results cannot be generalized to other types of industry such as services, whose structure and vision differ from those of manufacturing companies. Originality/Value of paper: The paper is one of the first to highlight human capital as a mediator between strategic innovation and competitive advantage of manufacturing SMEs in Yemen and the Middle East, describing a single study applied in the context of a developing country.","PeriodicalId":44057,"journal":{"name":"Quality Innovation Prosperity-Kvalita Inovacia Prosperita","volume":"47 1","pages":"70-89"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79933462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose: This paper aims to present the results of the study focused on the assessment of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) maturity level and adoption level of Quality 4.0 (Q4.0) intelligent technologies in organisations operating in the automotive industry in Slovakia (OEMs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers). The results serves as inputs for identification of learning and development needs. Methodology/Approach: The background of the study was a literature review and quantitative research. The I4.0 maturity model published by PwC (2016) was used in the study, while dimension elements were adjusted to the specifics of the automotive industry. Findings: Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers are in the early stages of I4.0 maturity and adoption of Q4.0 intelligent technologies. OEMs achieve the level of horizontal collaborators in most of the dimensions. Q4.0 intelligent technologies are mostly adopted at an average level. Further development of OEMs to achieve the level of digital champions requires new disruptive business models and a fully integrated partner ecosystem. Research Limitation/Implication: The research is limited by the sample size and target levels of particular dimensions, related elements and Q4.0 intelligent technologies, which were not examined. Originality/Value of paper: The results bring more in-depth insight into the current state of I4.0 maturity and Q4.0 technology adoption level of the automotive organisations in Slovakia. There is no evidence of the study examining holistically the I4.0 maturity and Q4.0 technologies in the automotive.
{"title":"Learning Needs Determination for Industry 4.0 Maturity Development in Automotive Organisations in Slovakia","authors":"Andrea Sütőová, L. Soos, Ferdinand Kóča","doi":"10.12776/qip.v24i3.1521","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v24i3.1521","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: This paper aims to present the results of the study focused on the assessment of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) maturity level and adoption level of Quality 4.0 (Q4.0) intelligent technologies in organisations operating in the automotive industry in Slovakia (OEMs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers). The results serves as inputs for identification of learning and development needs. Methodology/Approach: The background of the study was a literature review and quantitative research. The I4.0 maturity model published by PwC (2016) was used in the study, while dimension elements were adjusted to the specifics of the automotive industry. Findings: Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers are in the early stages of I4.0 maturity and adoption of Q4.0 intelligent technologies. OEMs achieve the level of horizontal collaborators in most of the dimensions. Q4.0 intelligent technologies are mostly adopted at an average level. Further development of OEMs to achieve the level of digital champions requires new disruptive business models and a fully integrated partner ecosystem. Research Limitation/Implication: The research is limited by the sample size and target levels of particular dimensions, related elements and Q4.0 intelligent technologies, which were not examined. Originality/Value of paper: The results bring more in-depth insight into the current state of I4.0 maturity and Q4.0 technology adoption level of the automotive organisations in Slovakia. There is no evidence of the study examining holistically the I4.0 maturity and Q4.0 technologies in the automotive.","PeriodicalId":44057,"journal":{"name":"Quality Innovation Prosperity-Kvalita Inovacia Prosperita","volume":"45 7 1","pages":"122-139"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88718522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose: The aim of this paper is to show whether and how Polish managers working in the Kaizen/Lean environment, benefit from the knowledge gained during their professional work to develop competences in their personal lives and improve personal productivity. Do they transfer the knowledge gained about lean systems into their private lives and what are the benefits for them? Methodology/Approach: To answer the research questions raised, the authoress conducted a literature review and a qualitative research – multiple-case studies. As part of the qualitative study, five in-depth interviews were made. Findings: The literature review and the qualitative research carried out allowed to formulate conclusions, including, i.a., the following: managers transform the knowledge acquired during the training conducted as part of their professional work into their private lives; it is possible to distinguish a number of principles and instruments of the studied concepts that are applied to support the process of developing personal professional and non-professional competences. Research Limitation/implication: Subjectivity of the analysis, owing to the application of a qualitative approach in the studies. Originality/Value of paper: The literature review points to a small number of scientific publications connected with the implementation of the Kaizen approach and Lean Management principles and instruments in the process of developing personal competences and improving personal productivity. This publication is the first approach to creating a Personal Kaizen Toolbox.
{"title":"How Managers in Poland Use the Principles and Instruments of the Kaizen Philosophy in Their Personal Lives – The Personal Kaizen Approach","authors":"I. Burka","doi":"10.12776/qip.v24i2.1396","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v24i2.1396","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The aim of this paper is to show whether and how Polish managers working in the Kaizen/Lean environment, benefit from the knowledge gained during their professional work to develop competences in their personal lives and improve personal productivity. Do they transfer the knowledge gained about lean systems into their private lives and what are the benefits for them? Methodology/Approach: To answer the research questions raised, the authoress conducted a literature review and a qualitative research – multiple-case studies. As part of the qualitative study, five in-depth interviews were made. Findings: The literature review and the qualitative research carried out allowed to formulate conclusions, including, i.a., the following: managers transform the knowledge acquired during the training conducted as part of their professional work into their private lives; it is possible to distinguish a number of principles and instruments of the studied concepts that are applied to support the process of developing personal professional and non-professional competences. Research Limitation/implication: Subjectivity of the analysis, owing to the application of a qualitative approach in the studies. Originality/Value of paper: The literature review points to a small number of scientific publications connected with the implementation of the Kaizen approach and Lean Management principles and instruments in the process of developing personal competences and improving personal productivity. This publication is the first approach to creating a Personal Kaizen Toolbox.","PeriodicalId":44057,"journal":{"name":"Quality Innovation Prosperity-Kvalita Inovacia Prosperita","volume":"16 1","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90431860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose: Condition-based maintenance requires an accurate detection of unknown yet-to-have-occurred anomalies and the establishment of anomaly detection procedure for sensor data is urgently needed. Sensor data are noisy, and a conventional analysis cannot always be conducted appropriately. An anomaly detection procedure for noisy data was therefore developed. Methodology/Approach: In a conventional Mahalanobis–Taguchi method, appropriate anomaly detection is difficult with noisy data. Herein, the following is applied: 1) estimation of a statistical model considering noise, 2) its application to anomaly detection, and 3) development of a corresponding analysis framework. Findings: Engineers can conduct anomaly detection through the measurement and accumulation, analysis, and feedback of data. Especially, the two-step estimation of the statistical model in the analysis stage helps because it bridges technical knowledge and advanced anomaly detection. Research Limitation/implication: A novel data-utilisation design regarding the acquired quality is provided. Sensor-collected big data are generally noisy. By contrast, data targeted through conventional statistical quality control are small but the noise is controlled. Thus various findings for quality acquisition can be obtained. A framework for data analysis using big and small data is provided. Originality/Value of paper: The proposed statistical anomaly detection procedure for noisy data will improve of the feasibility of new services such as condition-based maintenance of equipment using sensor data.
{"title":"Anomaly Detection for Noisy Data with the Mahalanobis–Taguchi System","authors":"Masato Ohkubo, Yasushi Nagata","doi":"10.12776/qip.v24i2.1441","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v24i2.1441","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: Condition-based maintenance requires an accurate detection of unknown yet-to-have-occurred anomalies and the establishment of anomaly detection procedure for sensor data is urgently needed. Sensor data are noisy, and a conventional analysis cannot always be conducted appropriately. An anomaly detection procedure for noisy data was therefore developed. Methodology/Approach: In a conventional Mahalanobis–Taguchi method, appropriate anomaly detection is difficult with noisy data. Herein, the following is applied: 1) estimation of a statistical model considering noise, 2) its application to anomaly detection, and 3) development of a corresponding analysis framework. Findings: Engineers can conduct anomaly detection through the measurement and accumulation, analysis, and feedback of data. Especially, the two-step estimation of the statistical model in the analysis stage helps because it bridges technical knowledge and advanced anomaly detection. Research Limitation/implication: A novel data-utilisation design regarding the acquired quality is provided. Sensor-collected big data are generally noisy. By contrast, data targeted through conventional statistical quality control are small but the noise is controlled. Thus various findings for quality acquisition can be obtained. A framework for data analysis using big and small data is provided. Originality/Value of paper: The proposed statistical anomaly detection procedure for noisy data will improve of the feasibility of new services such as condition-based maintenance of equipment using sensor data.","PeriodicalId":44057,"journal":{"name":"Quality Innovation Prosperity-Kvalita Inovacia Prosperita","volume":"23 1","pages":"75-92"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76045852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose: In recent years, the increasing popularity of e-commerce has become a driving force behind the development of courier service both in Poland and worldwide. In order to face growing competition on courier market and meet clients’ expectations, one of the crucial strategic goal of courier operators is to provide high quality service. The aim of the article is to identify and classify the key factors which determine the perception of courier service quality by customers shopping online. Methodology/Approach: The first part of paper is focused on the literature review concerning the determinants of courier service quality from customers’ perspective. Next, a survey method was used to collect data among customers using courier service while shopping online in Poland. Finally, the exploratory factor analysis was used to indicate the key dimensions and factors effecting the courier service quality perceived by customers. Findings: The article presents the complex review of literature concerning determinants of courier service and the original scale, which can be used to measure courier service quality. The results of author’s empirical research indicated that, the key dimensions effecting courier service quality from the customers point of view were: Reliability, Visual Identification, Service Complexity, Relational Capital, Social Responsibility, Responsiveness, Technical Quality. Research Limitation/implication: As the reseach aim was to develop the scale of courier service quality, in future research the CFA method (Confirmatory Factor Analysis) should be used to verify the scale. The main limitation of this research concerned a perspective of one stakeholder participating in the process of courier service – e-clients. The further research would be focused on identification of determinants of courier service quality in opinion of online shops and courier companies and development of models resenting the relations between them. Originality/Value of paper: This paper presents the original research that provides new knowledge about determinants of courier service quality in e-commerce. The literature analysis has shown that the previous research were often fragmentary and situational, but also did not take into account the specificity of e-commerce branch.
{"title":"Determinants of Courier Service Quality in e-Commerce from Customers’ Perspective","authors":"Aleksandra Gulc","doi":"10.12776/qip.v24i2.1438","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v24i2.1438","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: In recent years, the increasing popularity of e-commerce has become a driving force behind the development of courier service both in Poland and worldwide. In order to face growing competition on courier market and meet clients’ expectations, one of the crucial strategic goal of courier operators is to provide high quality service. The aim of the article is to identify and classify the key factors which determine the perception of courier service quality by customers shopping online. Methodology/Approach: The first part of paper is focused on the literature review concerning the determinants of courier service quality from customers’ perspective. Next, a survey method was used to collect data among customers using courier service while shopping online in Poland. Finally, the exploratory factor analysis was used to indicate the key dimensions and factors effecting the courier service quality perceived by customers. Findings: The article presents the complex review of literature concerning determinants of courier service and the original scale, which can be used to measure courier service quality. The results of author’s empirical research indicated that, the key dimensions effecting courier service quality from the customers point of view were: Reliability, Visual Identification, Service Complexity, Relational Capital, Social Responsibility, Responsiveness, Technical Quality. Research Limitation/implication: As the reseach aim was to develop the scale of courier service quality, in future research the CFA method (Confirmatory Factor Analysis) should be used to verify the scale. The main limitation of this research concerned a perspective of one stakeholder participating in the process of courier service – e-clients. The further research would be focused on identification of determinants of courier service quality in opinion of online shops and courier companies and development of models resenting the relations between them. Originality/Value of paper: This paper presents the original research that provides new knowledge about determinants of courier service quality in e-commerce. The literature analysis has shown that the previous research were often fragmentary and situational, but also did not take into account the specificity of e-commerce branch.","PeriodicalId":44057,"journal":{"name":"Quality Innovation Prosperity-Kvalita Inovacia Prosperita","volume":"93 1","pages":"137-152"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83873252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Mårtensson, Pernilla Ingelsson, Ingela Bäckström
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the process of co-creating a dialogue model that aims to increase citizen value in a municipality organisation. In addition, the purpose is to present the results from the development process and to evaluate the chosen dialogue model. Methodology/Approach: A dialogue model was developed through a co-creation process with a series of workshops, discussions and interactive tasks. The whole process was carried out in three steps. In the first step, the success factors of a constructive dialogue based on citizen value were identified. In the second step, several dialogue models were developed, tested and evaluated, and one dialogue model was chosen. In the third step, the chosen dialogue model was evaluated. Findings: An evaluation of a real-life use of the dialogue model supports the finding that the process delivers a dialogue model that enables the required prerequisites for constructive dialogues: for example, the opportunity to prepare, to create structured and transparent documentation, and to enable a holistic view of the dialogue model. A co-creation that involved co-workers contributed to developing a dialogue model that could be adapted to the co-workers’ own context. Research Limitation/implication: This study is conducted in a single organization, hence no generalizable conclusions can be made. Originality/Value of paper: Using a co-creative process when developing and realising a dialogue model enhances the possibility of adapting the model to an organisation’s specific context.
{"title":"Co-creation as a Success Factor in the Development of Constructive Customer-Focused Dialogues","authors":"A. Mårtensson, Pernilla Ingelsson, Ingela Bäckström","doi":"10.12776/qip.v24i2.1442","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v24i2.1442","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the process of co-creating a dialogue model that aims to increase citizen value in a municipality organisation. In addition, the purpose is to present the results from the development process and to evaluate the chosen dialogue model. Methodology/Approach: A dialogue model was developed through a co-creation process with a series of workshops, discussions and interactive tasks. The whole process was carried out in three steps. In the first step, the success factors of a constructive dialogue based on citizen value were identified. In the second step, several dialogue models were developed, tested and evaluated, and one dialogue model was chosen. In the third step, the chosen dialogue model was evaluated. Findings: An evaluation of a real-life use of the dialogue model supports the finding that the process delivers a dialogue model that enables the required prerequisites for constructive dialogues: for example, the opportunity to prepare, to create structured and transparent documentation, and to enable a holistic view of the dialogue model. A co-creation that involved co-workers contributed to developing a dialogue model that could be adapted to the co-workers’ own context. Research Limitation/implication: This study is conducted in a single organization, hence no generalizable conclusions can be made. Originality/Value of paper: Using a co-creative process when developing and realising a dialogue model enhances the possibility of adapting the model to an organisation’s specific context.","PeriodicalId":44057,"journal":{"name":"Quality Innovation Prosperity-Kvalita Inovacia Prosperita","volume":"2 1","pages":"153-169"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85414815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose: The main aim of this paper is to introduce the development and the application of a fuzzy rating scale in measuring customer satisfaction which are to be demonstrated through a healthcare example in order to illustrate how the proposed methodology is able to enhance the reliability of traditional Likert scale-based evaluations. Methodology/Approach: The proposed methodology is built on fuzzy sets the membership function of which is composed of two sigmoid functions by applying Dombi’s conjunction operator. The possible ‘values’ of the linguistic variable expressing customer satisfaction are to be expressed by these functions which can also be linked to the level of organizational performance allowing the illustration of the mainly nonlinear relationship between the provided and perceived service performance. Findings: The application of the proposed fuzzy rating scale confirms its ability to reflect the unambiguity of human ratings as well as the context-dependency of ratings resulting in a more precise representation of human judgements. Research Limitation/implication: The presented methodology may be viewed as a viable approach in any kind of service quality evaluations where Likert-type scales are traditionally applied to handle its weaknesses. Originality/Value of paper: The proposed methodology is not only able to reflect the satisfaction of customers and the organizational performance simultaneously, but the expectations of customers related to the desired level of performance can also be incorporated into the establishment of the scale yielding to more reliably supported managerial decisions.
{"title":"Are the ‘Illnesses’ of Traditional Likert Scales Treatable?","authors":"Z. Tóth, G. Árva, R. Dénes","doi":"10.12776/qip.v24i2.1439","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v24i2.1439","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The main aim of this paper is to introduce the development and the application of a fuzzy rating scale in measuring customer satisfaction which are to be demonstrated through a healthcare example in order to illustrate how the proposed methodology is able to enhance the reliability of traditional Likert scale-based evaluations. Methodology/Approach: The proposed methodology is built on fuzzy sets the membership function of which is composed of two sigmoid functions by applying Dombi’s conjunction operator. The possible ‘values’ of the linguistic variable expressing customer satisfaction are to be expressed by these functions which can also be linked to the level of organizational performance allowing the illustration of the mainly nonlinear relationship between the provided and perceived service performance. Findings: The application of the proposed fuzzy rating scale confirms its ability to reflect the unambiguity of human ratings as well as the context-dependency of ratings resulting in a more precise representation of human judgements. Research Limitation/implication: The presented methodology may be viewed as a viable approach in any kind of service quality evaluations where Likert-type scales are traditionally applied to handle its weaknesses. Originality/Value of paper: The proposed methodology is not only able to reflect the satisfaction of customers and the organizational performance simultaneously, but the expectations of customers related to the desired level of performance can also be incorporated into the establishment of the scale yielding to more reliably supported managerial decisions.","PeriodicalId":44057,"journal":{"name":"Quality Innovation Prosperity-Kvalita Inovacia Prosperita","volume":"38 1","pages":"120-136"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83804047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose: This document describes a continuous improvement process assessment system (CIPAS). A continuous improvement process (CIP) was developed to progress through the levels of continuous improvement (CI) defined by Bessant, Caffyn and Gallagher (2001), and the CIPAS was developed to measure this evolution. The CIP and the CIPAS were tested in a mature industrial small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) cooperative company (Basque Country, Spain) that works in the capital goods sector. Methodology/Approach: The study was developed according to an ‘action research’ strategy (Coughlan and Coghlan, 2002) over a period of two years. The action research team includes the authors and managers of several areas of the studied company. Findings: The assessment identified critical elements and related routines for the effective execution of the CIP in this company. In addition, the evaluation system allowed for a visualisation of the company’s CI maturity level progression. Research Limitation/implication: The assessment system was designed in an ad hoc manner for this CIP and this industrial company, but it may be possible to adapt these to other types of companies by using the steps followed and indicators defined as an example. Originality/Value of paper: The CIPAS is used to identify the key CI elements, to measure the evolution of CI routines, and to identify a CI maturity level of the company in which the CIP is applied. It can be applied to any type of company and serves to define future actions for its evolution.
{"title":"Framework to Evaluate Continuous Improvement Process Efficacy: A Case Study of a Capital Goods Company","authors":"Gorka Unzueta, A. Esnaola, J. Eguren","doi":"10.12776/qip.v24i2.1436","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v24i2.1436","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: This document describes a continuous improvement process assessment system (CIPAS). A continuous improvement process (CIP) was developed to progress through the levels of continuous improvement (CI) defined by Bessant, Caffyn and Gallagher (2001), and the CIPAS was developed to measure this evolution. The CIP and the CIPAS were tested in a mature industrial small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) cooperative company (Basque Country, Spain) that works in the capital goods sector. Methodology/Approach: The study was developed according to an ‘action research’ strategy (Coughlan and Coghlan, 2002) over a period of two years. The action research team includes the authors and managers of several areas of the studied company. Findings: The assessment identified critical elements and related routines for the effective execution of the CIP in this company. In addition, the evaluation system allowed for a visualisation of the company’s CI maturity level progression. Research Limitation/implication: The assessment system was designed in an ad hoc manner for this CIP and this industrial company, but it may be possible to adapt these to other types of companies by using the steps followed and indicators defined as an example. Originality/Value of paper: The CIPAS is used to identify the key CI elements, to measure the evolution of CI routines, and to identify a CI maturity level of the company in which the CIP is applied. It can be applied to any type of company and serves to define future actions for its evolution.","PeriodicalId":44057,"journal":{"name":"Quality Innovation Prosperity-Kvalita Inovacia Prosperita","volume":"62 6 1","pages":"93-119"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87740206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose: The aim of this paper is to describe another possibility of portfolio creation using the minimum spanning tree method. The research contributes to the existing body of knowledge with using and subsequently developing a new approach based on graph theory, which is suitable for an individual investor who wants to create an investment portfolio. Methodology/Approach: The analyzed data is divided into two (disjoint) sets – a training and a testing set. Portfolio comparisons were carried out during the test period, which always followed immediately after the training period and had a length of one year. For the sake of objectivity of the comparison, all proposed portfolios always consist of ten shares of equal weight. Findings: Based on the results from the analysis, we can see that our proposed method offers (on average) the best appreciation of the invested resources and also the least risky investment in terms of relative variability, what could be considered as very attractive from an individual investor’s point of view. Research Limitation/implication: In our paper, we did not consider any fees related to the purchase and holding of financial instruments in the portfolio. For periods with extreme market returns (sharp increase or decrease), the use of Pearson’s correlation coefficient is not appropriate. Originality/Value of paper: The main practical benefit of the research is that it presents and offers an interesting and practical investment strategy for an individual investor who wants to take an active approach to investment.
{"title":"New Approach to Portfolio Creation Using the Minimum Spanning Tree Theory and Its Robust Evaluation","authors":"Jakub Danko, Vincent Šoltés, Tomáš Bindzár","doi":"10.12776/qip.v24i2.1450","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v24i2.1450","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The aim of this paper is to describe another possibility of portfolio creation using the minimum spanning tree method. The research contributes to the existing body of knowledge with using and subsequently developing a new approach based on graph theory, which is suitable for an individual investor who wants to create an investment portfolio. Methodology/Approach: The analyzed data is divided into two (disjoint) sets – a training and a testing set. Portfolio comparisons were carried out during the test period, which always followed immediately after the training period and had a length of one year. For the sake of objectivity of the comparison, all proposed portfolios always consist of ten shares of equal weight. Findings: Based on the results from the analysis, we can see that our proposed method offers (on average) the best appreciation of the invested resources and also the least risky investment in terms of relative variability, what could be considered as very attractive from an individual investor’s point of view. Research Limitation/implication: In our paper, we did not consider any fees related to the purchase and holding of financial instruments in the portfolio. For periods with extreme market returns (sharp increase or decrease), the use of Pearson’s correlation coefficient is not appropriate. Originality/Value of paper: The main practical benefit of the research is that it presents and offers an interesting and practical investment strategy for an individual investor who wants to take an active approach to investment.","PeriodicalId":44057,"journal":{"name":"Quality Innovation Prosperity-Kvalita Inovacia Prosperita","volume":"14 1","pages":"22-33"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90632767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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