This study uses information obtained from the advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) literature to develop a conceptual framework that seeks to illustrate the impact of the management information systems (MIS) department on the different facets of AMT adoption. A detailed survey instrument was administered to a cross-section of manufacturing firms in the USA to collect the data required to test five hypotheses relating to the efficacy of this framework. The results of this study indicate that the proposed framework is particularly useful in explaining the role of MIS departments in firms that are attempting to integrate advanced process and information technologies. This finding and other results of this study and their Implications are discussed.

The growth in the global tourism market place presents many countries with great opportunities to capitalize on their natural competitive advantages. However, achieving the economic potential of global tourism remains elusive for many countries, despite their natural advantages. In this context, Portugal is a case in point. The Portuguese tourism industry is facing some serious challenges that are limiting its potential. This study offers Portuguese tourism industry leaders practical insights into the characteristics of the Portuguese tourism industry in the context of the challenges and opportunities of the global tourism market place. Understanding the dynamics and characteristics of this critical industry in a global context is a crucial first step toward formulating a tourism strategy that capitalizes on the growth of the global tourism market and the natural advantage that Portugal enjoys in this important market.

The lack of practical methodologies to guide and integrate the strategic and operational organizational efforts toward a systematic e-business strategy is hindering the effective use of the e-business model. This paper offers a Baldrige-based rapid assessment implementation methodology (RAIM) approach toward integrating the different facets of e-business.

Quality of life is an important yet often unmeasured variable in assessing places to live. Maintaining and promoting a high quality of life is critical for communities striving to sustain and expand their current economic bases. This study presents a format for measuring quality of life and an adaptation of the importance-performance analytical technique for evaluating results. Using results from a quality of life survey, the study demonstrates how policy implications may be suggested from the analysis.

The gap between higher learning practices and business expectations in terms of preparing engineering, technology, and business students is significant. This paper offers an innovative approach toward narrowing that gap. The approach offered stresses an open system orientation and partnerships between business and education. This approach was utilized successfully, resulting in win-win outcomes for both business and higher education. The results of a mini-case study are presented and their implications are discussed.

Higher Education is confronted with the challenge of providing new and improved methods for delivering experiential learning opportunities for engineering undergraduate students. Our current article suggests coaching points based on two decades of capstone projects that have successfully promoted economic development in the region we serve, while simultaneously creating integrative opportunities for MBA and MS Engineering Technology Graduates to demonstrate mastery of the subject matter. Recently we extended our alliance to a crossdisciplinary partnership between the College of Business and Technology and the College of Education. Our cross-disciplinary graduate student team addressed a highly nonlinear technology-education-business issue in a political scenario and recommended mutually beneficial solution paths. During the 2015 Annual ASEE Conference, a glaring need was revealed for enhanced experiential learning methodologies, and following a review of relevant literature, recent results of our applied research have identified a gap that can be closed. This gap is particularly acute at the graduate level where experiential learning is often critical in demonstrating mastery of the subject matter. Further research is necessary to refine the needs in engineering at the undergraduate level. However, it is anticipated that mutually beneficial strategic alliances will contribute to improved learning outcomes for undergraduate engineering students as well.

Using a sample of 229 Portuguese manufacturing organisations, this study examines the mediating role of innovation on the relationship between strategy and performance. Data was collected using questionnaire and a SEM was used to examine the relationships among strategy orientations, innovation and performance. In this study three strategy orientations found in previous studies were used: 1) marketing differentiation; 2) product innovation differentiation; 3) production and service efficiency. A set of hypotheses was tested, the results of which provided some insight into the importance of innovation as a mediator of a firm's performance. The results show a hierarchical sequence in the dissemination of innovation within a firm, beginning with innovative internal and external organisational practices. From a practical perspective, managers should be aware of the importance of innovation as an integral part of competitiveness because the success of any strategic orientation is very much contingent on such innovative capacity.

Purpose: Given the increasing emphasis on performance measurement and improvement, the purpose of this paper is to examine the current views of manufacturing executives on key aspects of performance measures. Specifically, this research focuses on current practices related to extent of use, predictive value and availability of information for 63 performance measures. Design/methodology/approach: This study was survey based. The research instrument used to collect the data was constructed based on the literature. Several statistical analysis procedures including regression analysis, cluster analysis and gap analysis are utilized to accomplish the objective of this study. Findings: The results are compared to findings obtained from a previous study, conducted five years ago, to assess any potential changes with regard to the issues studied. The comparison of the findings from both studies revealed some similarities and significant differences attributed to the changing environment. Research limitations/implications: The focus of this study was Portuguese manufacturing organizations. It is quite possible that the findings may or may not hold in a global context. Since this study was survey based, it had all the limitations of survey-based research. Practical implications: Despite some limitations, this study provides practicing managers with useful information regarding performance measures and measurement practices. It has significant and direct implications to organizational performance information systems. Originality/value: This paper represents an important step toward refining the theory and practice of performance measurement in manufacturing organizational operational context.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to propose a systematic approach to measuring, tracking, monitoring and continuously improving service efficiency, availability and quality in hospitality operational settings. Design/methodology/approach - The proposed measure of service operational effectiveness (SOE) consists of three indicators. They include the availability indicator, the quality indicator, and the efficiency indicator. Findings - The paper finds that the proposed operational performance approach based on the SOE is consistent with the themes of performance measures and measurement reported in the literature. Research limitations/implications - In this paper, the proposed service operational effectiveness approach represents a serious attempt at quantifying the key facets of service effectiveness in hospitality operational settings. The validation of this performance assessment and measurement approach is worthy of future research. Practical implications - The paper sees that the approach advocated by the SOE has operational and strategic relevance to decision-makers of hospitality organizations. Field interviews with hospitality operating managers in different operating base cultures confirmed this. Originality/value - This paper presents a practical, systematic approach to the problem of enhancing service operational effectiveness in hospitality organizations. Relevant implementation issues associated with the proposed approach are also addressed. Interviews with operational managers representing different types and sizes of hospitality organizations in different operational cultures were utilized to provide initial validation of the proposed approach and to shed some light on relevant practical implementation issues.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to study the environmental and competitive factors in the service organizations and second, to investigate the extent of effective implementation of quality improvement initiatives in different operational settings. Design/methodology/approach - In this paper factor analysis is used to determine the underlying factors associated with the changes in the competitive environment. Proportional measures are used to study the implementation of quality improvement initiatives. Findings - The paper finds that quality improvement initiatives are not implemented uniformly by all the service industries. Organizations implementing quality improvement initiatives face varying degrees of effectiveness. Positive operational and strategic outcomes have been observed by organizations implementing the quality improvement initiatives. Practical implications - The results of this paper show that implementation of different types of quality improvement initiatives has a positive impact on operational and strategic aspects of service organizations. Originality/value - The empirical investigation in this paper shows the practical and theoretical value of issues related to the performance of service organizations.