This study examines the strategic and operational outcomes of effective implementation of quality improvement initiatives in different service operational environments. Using a sample of 354 service organisations, this study utilises a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach to investigate the effectiveness of quality improvement initiatives. The results show clear strategic and operational benefits of effective implementation of quality improvement initiatives. The study concludes that the quality improvement efforts of service organisations should be viewed from a system-wide perspective. This systematic orientation leads to benefits which are not always achievable based on a piece-meal implementation orientation.

Baigiamojo magistro darbo tikslas suformuluotas taip: nustačius veiksmus, lemiančius UAB „Marškinėlis“ paslaugų kokybę, pateikti jos gerinimo sprendimus. Teorinėje šio darbo dalyje yra analizuojama paslaugų kokybės samprata, praktinė reikšmė bei jos vertinimo modeliai, svarba ir galimybės; pateikiamos vadybos autorių siūlomos paslaugų kokybės gerinimo perspektyvos. Analitinėje baigiamojo darbo dalyje analizuojama reklamos paslaugas teikianti įmonė UAB „Marškinėlis“ ir pateikiami tyrimo rezultatai, atlikto dviem etapais: interviu su UAB „Marškinėlis“ įmonės direktore ir anketiniu empiriniu tyrimu: tiriant įmonės klientų paslaugų kokybės vertinimą. Remiantis gautais rezultatais pateikiami pasiūlymai įmonės paslaugų kokybei gerinti. Praktinėje darbo dalyje pateikiami konkretūs pasiūlymai, padėsiantys pagerinti UAB „Marškinėlis“ paslaugų kokybę, pavyzdžiui procesinio požiūrio į veiklas vykdymas, kokybės užtikrinimo modelis, klientų aptarnavimo standarto įdiegimas. / The aim of the final Master work is determined as follows: after identification of factors implementing service quality of JSC “Marskinelis”, to provide the solutions for its improvement. In the theoretical part of the paper work the conception of service quality, practical value and models of assessment, importance and opportunities are analyzed. Perspectives for improving service quality provided by authors of management field are presented. In the analytical part of the paper work, advertising service company JSC “Marskinelis” is analyzed. The results of the research are presented and analyzed in two stages: interview with headmaster of JSC “Marskinelis” and empirical questionnaire research. Questionnaire research was provided to get the assessment of service quality by company’s clients. There were presented the proposals of service quality improvement based on results of research. In the projecting part of the paper work the alternative and particular problems’ solving solutions are supplied which help to improve service quality of company JSC “Marskinelis”. The examples of proposal are process approach of operations, model of quality assurance, and standard of customer service installation.

The study identifies how different stakeholders perceive service quality improvement initiatives in public higher education institutions in Ethiopia. For this purpose, a mixed research methodology was employed. Furthermore, secondary data were collected from a variety of literature and primary data were collected from academic staff and final year students at public higher education institutions using the SERVQUAL scale and through focus group interviews. The collected data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The research findings indicated that all dimensions of the service quality improvement initiatives were perceived by academic staff and studentsto be verypoor. The reasons for these poor or low perceptions were: the high expectationsof the stakeholders, the government’s intention to expand, lack of adequate knowledge regarding the implementation of the BPR process, the lack of motivation by service providers, poor management and the lack of good governance by the universities, inexperienced workers, non-empowered and task specific frontline employees, the low quality of the infrastructure, non-value adding hierarchical structures and approval systems, ethical problems with some service providers, the high staff turnoverand the lack of experienced staff. In addition, at all new universities, construction is underway and as a result,there are problems such as the poor state of the dormitories, classes,bathrooms, recreation areas, lounges, TV rooms, sport fields and internet connectivity, while the libraries are not well stocked with books and periodicals either. This study has recommended that the institutions should have standardised instruments that can be used to measure the status of service quality improvement and deliveryperiodically and to identify the areas that have the highest perceived performance gap scores in order to redeploy some of the resources. It also needs to be pointed out that the service providers lack sufficient knowledge and skillsconcerning the implementation of BPR, thus training is recommended in this regard.It is further recommended that for effective implementation of the BPR process, the importance of the provision of different guiding documents, continuous monitoring of activities and top management support should be kept in mind. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Educational Management)

The study identifies how different stakeholders perceive service quality improvement initiatives in public higher education institutions in Ethiopia. For this purpose, a mixed research methodology was employed. Furthermore, secondary data were collected from a variety of literature and primary data were collected from academic staff and final year students at public higher education institutions using the SERVQUAL scale and through focus group interviews. The collected data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The research findings indicated that all dimensions of the service quality improvement initiatives were perceived by academic staff and studentsto be verypoor. The reasons for these poor or low perceptions were: the high expectationsof the stakeholders, the government’s intention to expand, lack of adequate knowledge regarding the implementation of the BPR process, the lack of motivation by service providers, poor management and the lack of good governance by the universities, inexperienced workers, non-empowered and task specific frontline employees, the low quality of the infrastructure, non-value adding hierarchical structures and approval systems, ethical problems with some service providers, the high staff turnoverand the lack of experienced staff. In addition, at all new universities, construction is underway and as a result,there are problems such as the poor state of the dormitories, classes,bathrooms, recreation areas, lounges, TV rooms, sport fields and internet connectivity, while the libraries are not well stocked with books and periodicals either. This study has recommended that the institutions should have standardised instruments that can be used to measure the status of service quality improvement and deliveryperiodically and to identify the areas that have the highest perceived performance gap scores in order to redeploy some of the resources. It also needs to be pointed out that the service providers lack sufficient knowledge and skillsconcerning the implementation of BPR, thus training is recommended in this regard.It is further recommended that for effective implementation of the BPR process, the importance of the provision of different guiding documents, continuous monitoring of activities and top management support should be kept in mind. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Educational Management)