White‐collar productivity measurement can be improved, according to results from group sessions conducted with 39 executives, managers and academics which elicited a list of eleven useful areas for measurement. There are three types of ways in which the measurements can be used:...

The cost of materials has often been neglected by managers faced with the problem of reducing manufacturing costs. However, as direct labour, the classical cost reduction target, is reduced by automation the task of reducing materials cost has become much more urgent. As a result of this...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how product modularity (PM) is related to mass customization (MC) capability and plant competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach – The paper tests hypothesized relationships using structural equation modeling with an international...

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the impact of internal coordination capability on supplier involvement. Design/methodology/approach – Hypothesized relationships are tested using confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical linear regression models. Findings – It was found that...

Although research in the area of sustainable supply management (SSM) has evolved over the past few decades, knowledge about the processes of emergence and innovation of SSM practices within organizations is surprisingly limited. These innovation processes are, however, important because of the...

Management literature discusses that the behavioral traits of employees can play an important role in the success of total quality management (TQM). However, little empirical research exists in this regard. Using an international dataset, the present study investigates: the impact of quality...

Purpose – This study aims to investigate how firms should customize quality practices to obtain or maintain quality advantage with the development of quality culture. The paper seeks to adopt March's learning framework and to differentiate quality management practices into two bundles:...

An existing effective system of productivity measurement is desirable if productivity improvement initiatives are to take place. Yet amongst white collar workers, productivity measurement tends to be ill‐defined and often non‐existent. This article outlines a framework within which managers...