Purpose of this paper: To illuminate the managerial significance of life patterns and to assist development of qualitative methodology. Design/methodology/approach: The theoretical proposition of a Manager Quad (MQ) is empirically examined. Interview data from 16 managers are analysed using an...

This paper starts from the premise advanced by Jurgens (2003) that there are discernible national models of production rather than a convergence of production systems. This paper examines the nature and impact of Japanese idea of continuous improvement on 14 automobile components companies in...

The study aims to address the lack of empirical research into how industry factors influence the adoption of internet-enabled business practices (IBP) in large organisations. Using 2002 data from 281 Australian firms approximately 21.9% could be classified as 'brick and mortar' and while the...

There is widespread agreement that adequate, appropriate training of quality managers is essential to the development and implementation of effective quality management systems. What form this training should take is problematic given the complexities of the quality managers' roles and the...

The impact of deregulation on dispersion of earnings in Victoria has been acknowledged in the findings of the recent task force enquiry into Industrial Relations in Victoria. This paper argues that the link between hours worked and rates of pay has played a significant, and understated, role in...

This paper discusses effective demand, the rate of profit and the profound contribution of Michal Kalecki to our understanding of capitalist economies. It argues that the Kaleckian position on the causal link between investment spending and profit and between the rate of profit and the stability...

This paper examines the experience of two similar but contrasting firms in the Australian automotive parts industry in their attempts to adopt continuous improvement during the 1990's. The firms are similar in having devolved responsibility for quality checking to employees, having adopted...

"e;Strategy is when you run out of ammunition but keep firing anyway"e; Anonymous The main purpose of this study was to analyse what strategies small and medium businesses actually adopt when confronted with a major crisis such as a fire, flood or similar catastrophe, and determine what factors...