International Journal of Business Excellence 

About: International Journal of Business Excellence is an academic journal published by Inderscience Publishers. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Computer science & Supply chain. It has an ISSN identifier of 1756-0047. Over the lifetime, 673 publications have been published receiving 3535 citations.

Barriers to innovation faced by manufacturing firms in Portugal: how to overcome it for fostering business excellence?

Abstract: This paper aims to identify the barriers to innovation that influence the innovation capability of Portuguese manufacturing firms. The literature review about innovation makes use of two reference approaches: (1)the systemic and (2) the networks and interorganisational relationships. The database is obtained through the Community Innovation Survey II (CIS II) conducted by the Statistical Office of the European Communities (EUROSTAT). Furthermore, from the results, several public policies are proposed in order to overcome the restraining factors of the entrepreneurial innovative capability and to promote business excellence at the firm level, especially alternative financing sources, incentives for innovation activities and open innovation networks.

Crisis management for SMEs: insights from a multiple-case study

Abstract: Research in crisis management involves a variety of perspectives, including crisis impacts, strategic vision and leadership, contingency planning and technical capabilities. However, crisis management mechanisms of small and medium enterprise (SMEs) were rarely investigated for sound theory building and practical guidance for management. The aim of this paper is to explore mechanisms by which SMEs use to manage crisis. This paper presents a general crisis management model that represents crisis management processes in terms of detection, occurrence, recovery and resolution. To validate and refine this model, a multiple-case study is designed to investigate five SMEs’ actual crisis management practices. The case study results show that SMEs, in spite of their resources constraints and relatively weak market positions, display resilient market responsiveness. This paper further suggests that effective crisis management of SMEs involve proactive business mindsets for sustainable growth and continuous expansions.

Conceptualisation of Sustainable Green Lean Six Sigma: an empirical analysis

Abstract: Strategies Sustainable Green, Green, Lean and Six Sigma are being increasingly referred to in literature on social; environmental; economical; wastage reduction; and quality concerns. Combinations/mergers of these strategies may be looked at as relatively new research area totalling individual benefits of each strategy, which needs to be explored. This present study is an attempt towards fulfilling this requirement. Combinations of various methodologies have been adopted: literature review; interviews; workshops: brainstorming sessions; questionnaire based survey; and statistical analysis. Recent contributions in the area of mergers of various strategies: sustainable green; green; lean; and Six Sigma have been highlighted. Conceptual framework has been presented on mergers of these strategies. Important enablers, barriers and performance measures have been identified. Ratings have been assigned to the critical success factors (CSFs) relevant to ‘Sustainable Green Lean Six Sigma’ (SGLS) based upon empirical study and analysis of eighty nine duly completed responses.

Does mobile marketing affect customer loyalty in Jordan

Abstract: This study aimed to identify the impact of mobile marketing on the customer's loyalty in Jordan. The dimensions of mobile marketing were interactivity, personalisation, localisation, and convenience. The study population consisted of the customers shopping through mobile in Jordan; samples of 403 customers were taken. Their responses were investigated using a questionnaire designed for this purpose. The results were collected, inputted into the computer and the hypotheses were tested, using the SPSS program. The study results showed a statistically significant effect of mobile marketing (interactivity, personalisation, and convenience) on customers' loyalty, and there is a statistically insignificant effect of localisation on customers' loyalty. Based on the results, the researchers came up with some recommendations related to the fields of mobile content design, sharing information, benefit from the experiences, and solving customers problems.

An integration of BSC and AHP for sustainable growth of manufacturing industries

Abstract: Manufacturing industries are intense pressure to determine way to increase profit and sustain in the rapidly changing competitive market. Penetration of global market has forced industries to deliver what customers wants, and even further, what will delight them. Industries realise that delivering cost effective and high-quality products to customers in a timely manner is crucial for their today’s survival. Hence, industries seek a process that helps to organise, simplify, and expedite decision making process more accurate. Balanced scorecard is a strategic management tool to decide the criterion of critical success factors for industries growth. Analytic hierarchical process helps for evaluating various criteria to determine the best among the factors. This study is aimed to integrate BSC and AHP for a sustainable growth of manufacturing industries.