Research method:critique analysis - Book Report/Review Example

Research Method: Critique Analysis [Type the document sub Ahmed Alkuwaiti [Type the company Alkuwaiti Introduction 'A framework for TQM to achieve business excellence' is an article in the journal of total quality management and business excellence. The article provides an analysis of the important characteristics of the TQM philosophy by giving a clear comparison between the work scopes of ten well known authors in the related field. In addition, a well elaborated frame work is generated and plays a fundamental role in clustering the recognized TQM enablers under the renowned operations management dimensions of organisation, people and technology. Having reviewed the article, the paper focuses on providing a critique analysis of the article with regard to the most appropriate research methods. Additionally, the paper will give a comprehensive conclusion in relation to the overall view of the article. It is worth noting that this article has been written by three well-known authors namely; Hafeez, Malak and Abdelmeguid. These scholars come from well-known higher learning institutions namely: Bradford University, Sheffield and Hallan, and Al-Azhar University. They have involved in publishing academic articles that contribute immensely on varying business concepts, which include among others business management, dynamics and human resource management, business communication practices and methods of evaluating organizations. Their researches in these articles primarily centre on business practises that can promote correct business ethics, for success in business. Examples of articles written by these authors are outsourcing non-core assets and competencies, evaluating organisation core competencies, evaluating e-business capability model and knowledge management in a virtual community of practice employing discourse analysis (New York University, 2009, para.1-12). However, they are greatly oriented in carrying out research studies on strategic management which on the overall, improve the general performance of an organisation. For instance, they have done a study on the various management systems employed in organizations. As a result of the study, a number of organizations have adopted and incorporated the provided recommendations into their systems. Content The article has been written in context of quality management, a phenomenon that has taken a new twist in most of the world's organizations. Majority of organizations are gearing up for better and workable management strategies that would come up with better quality of products and services, while at the same time incorporating the employees and satisfy the needs of the stakeholders. In addition to this, the article has been written with an aim of enlightening management teams that continually use management strategies that are passed by time. It is obvious there is need for better and workable management skills. It is for these reasons that the authors have thought of writing this article with special reference to total quality management. It examines the problems facing organisations in implementing total quality management (TQM) practises into their daily running of business. It further examines how companies misinterpret the simple total management practises; hence end up implementing policies that lay more emphasis on quantitative measures than qualitative measures. The research involves manufacturing organisations (both public and private) affected by ineffective implementation of TQM practises. It addresses both financial and non-financial related elements in relation to management systems, employees and service delivery. In addition, the research compares technologies and tools, organisation systems, and people relationships effects on the overall process of TQM. The research uses a survey questionnaire among leading European organisations in manufacturing, public and service delivery. The researches collected views from 100 organisations via phone and email and from 40 organisations via questionnaires (Hafeez, Malak, and Abdelmeguid, 2006, p. 1214-1225). In general terms, the content of the article discusses more about Top Quality Management. The article gives a comparative analysis of the important characteristics of total quality management practises. The article generally views Total Quality Management as a process as well as disciplines coordinated to ensure that organizations meet customers' requirements. It compares views on elements of TQM from of ten well-known authors in total quality management field. The elements compared are people, organisation, and technologies and tools. Tools compared by the research are single loop learning, continuous improvement, learning cycle, data management, action learning and problem solving. Systems basics analyzed in this research are performance management, culture, communication, shared vision and communications. Lastly, essentials of people compared in the report are training and education, empowerment, training and education, and team learning. It uses a structure that combines TQM practises in relation to technology organisation and people. The article clearly brings out the relationship between TQM parties and measures, majority of European companies employ. It links quality practises and outcomes using scorecard forms of financial and non-financial policies applied by these companies. For instance, the financial aspect is being measured in relation to profits, market share, and rates of productivity among others. Additionally, non-financial aspect of TQM is being measured with regards to customer satisfaction, reliability as well as skill development (Hafeez, Malak, and Abdelmeguid, 2006, p.1214-1217). The research uses sample surveys to discover how European countries have implemented the TQM measures and their effectiveness. Survey outcomes show the differences measures adopted by different companies and how effectively the measures have achieved the desired outcomes. The content clearly brings out the scope of the TQM problem although the report does not clearly discuss the severity of the problem. As Samuel and Suganthi, suggest for researchers to identify possible impacts of poor TQM practises, they have to determine the nature of damage such practises cost the company. They further add, past data must be used in order for correct conclusions to be drawn on the real impact of certain practises, which the report does not use (2004, p. 195). The main purpose of the article is to enlighten the corporate world on better management skills. The article uses both qualitative and quantitative research techniques that play a central role in any business research undertaking. The various concepts of TQM examined in the research opens new fields for research. For example, the research opens many questions on the impacts of performance and non-performance measures on the general management practise. Hence, eliciting need for critical analysis and evaluation of these elements by future researchers. In addition, the research findings empower the academia, hence creating a more challenging environment for additions in their works on total quality management. This article is of great importance mainly because; it gives significant details related to the concept of TQM. The concepts explored on findings on what total quality management practises encompasses clearly manifests the importance of embracing the practises by organisations. To enhance creativity and success in organisational management, managers have to embrace practises that emphasise competition, flexibility and efficiency, which the article addresses. Although the article tries to examine the relationship existing between TQM practises and performance, the report lays less emphasis of the impacts of TQM measures adopted by organisations. In addition, it does not consider the common impacts of TQM implementation methodologies on the overall company outcomes. As Ingle (2000, pp.423-430), notes any researches on TQM must address analyse the impacts of such implementation measures on all organisations. To determine why different organisations have adopted specific TQM measures, it is important as Choi (1995, pp. 609-620) suggests, to analyse the management and decision making style adopted by such companies. This article fails to account of the impact of such practises on different companies decisions on TQM measures and implementation procedures. The article has used a relatively easy to read, comprehensible scholarly language. Syntax and semantics has been carefully selected to suit the audience. In addition, the structure of English the article uses blends the whole concept of TQM hence, making it easy for readers to understand. As Trochim (2006, Para. 1-2) argues, research language should link all facts of the topic because it facilitate understanding of concepts under investigation. The methodology used is a survey (using questionnaires, phone and interview). To some extent the methodology achieves the desired outcomes but it suffers or otherwise misses some important features of surveys. Although the article states the factors that the researchers used to pick organisations, it does not explain why the research focused on such organisations. The survey methods used in this article does not explain whom the researchers interviewed and why. The survey methodology has not given clear feedback from the employees. Researchers should classify the responses obtained under the three elements of TQM. In addition, researchers should select research methods during problem definition stage. This article's literature review primarily centres on what other authors have contributed concerning TQM. It does not have any quantitative findings on the impact of such measures from companies that have adopted TQM strategies. Researchers must clearly illustrate the topic or problem under study using empirical evidences or concrete research findings on the subject under debate. Literature review must evaluate and briefly discuss early findings on the topic. This article gives a good overview of the TQM concept but it fails to illustrate the objective of the study. To improve this articles literature review previous research findings on the impacts of TQM measures on organisations should be included. The coupling of these research findings and available literature on TQM will form a firm basis for introduction of problem under investigation. In addition, the review should include impacts of all TQM elements on the overall performance of organisations. The consumers' responses should also be included in the review because they are the most affected by organisation's practises. In conclusion, it is worth noting that the article has generally shed light on total quality management, and most importantly on how to implement its tools and elements. Other than this, the article has shown practicality of TQM by analysing a sample of organizations that have implemented this management process. However, the article could have been more informative if the research considered organisations that did not have such TQM measures. This makes the research findings to be biased hence inconclusive. Nonetheless, recommendations in these research findings are fundamental because, they give direction on measures that organisations should adapt to ensure TQM. The questions answered by the research serves as the main platform for further discussions on how best TQM can be implemented and meet its set objectives. References Brewer, 2005. Formulating Research problems. (Accessed 2 November 2009) Choi, T., 1995. Conceptualising continuous improvement: implications for organisational change. Omega, 23(6), pp. 607-624. Hafeez, K., Malak, N., Abdelmeguid, H., 2006. A framework for TQM to achieve business excellence. Total quality management, 17(9), 1213-1219. Ingle, S., 2000. An empirical investigation of approaches to new work practises. Total quality management magazine, 12(6), pp. 422-431. Kurtus, R., 2001. Total quality management. (Accessed 2 November 2009) New York University. 2009. Professor Khalid Hafeez publications. (Accessed 2 November 2009) Richard, 2009. How to write a good literature review for research papers. (Accessed 2 November 2009) Samuel, A., and Suganthi, L., 2004. Total quality management. India: Prentice-Hall, pp.195-197. Trochim, W. K., 2006. Five big words. Research methods knowledge base. Available from: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/naturres.php. (Accessed 2 November 2009). Walliman, N. R., 2005. A step by step guide for the first time researcher. New castle: Sage publications. Read More