Despite the pervasiveness of Six Sigma program implementations, there is increasing concern about implementation failures. One reason many Six Sigma programs fail is because an implementation model on how to effectively guide the implementation of these programs is lacking. Using a successful...

While lean programmes continue to be implemented in many companies, there is a rising concern regarding the failures of these programmes. Many of them fail because we do not know how to implement them. Using the experience with a lean programme in an aircraft maintenance and repair operation,...

The article focuses on financial statement fraud based on cases wherein the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sanctioned auditors for their association with fraudulent financial statements. All of the cases involved public companies, most of which engaged ill fraudulent financial...

The article compares the traditionally balanced and just-in-time lines of production. Over the years, many companies have implemented the just-in-time (JIT) philosophy to assist them in competing on the basis of speed and agility. JIT production lines utilize capacity slack to assist in...

The article presents results of a computer simulation experiment which investigated the use of protective capacity as a means to reduce production cycle times and inventory holdings for a production line. In the 1980s, quality was the primary focus for competition in many businesses. Many...

Partner compensation plans in large accounting firms tend to emphasize either local office profits or worldwide firm profits ("small-pool" or "large-pool" firms, respectively) (Trompeter 1994). Some have expressed concern over possible impairment of auditor independence when a small-pool...

This paper examines the relations between three board characteristics (independence, diligence, and expertise) and Big 6 audit fees for Fortune 1000 companies. To protect its reputation capital, avoid legal liability, and promote shareholder interests, a more independent, diligent, and expert...

We examine changes in internal auditing during the time of the Enron and WorldCom disasters and the related legislative and media focus on internal control and corporate governance. Data gathered from 271 mid-sized US public companies reveal that internal audit budgets, staffing levels, meetings...

This study examines whether client satisfaction can help explain cross-sectional variation in Big 6 audit fees paid by Fortune 1000 clients. After controlling for other factors related to audit fees (including audit quality attributes), client satisfaction with the audit team is positively...