Lee, Sik-Fun (1998) The use of Chinese philosophies to assist achievement of world-class business excellence. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The use of total quality management philosophies and business management strategies
are an effort to approach quality process and business improvement as a systematic
process. Its human resource theme describes how the organisation involves its
employees in the quality and business management improvement effort by educating
them about problem-solving tools, techniques and strategies. It also allows them to
obtain the knowledge and skills they need to perform their jobs better. The technology
and systems theme of TQM advocates the use of state-of-the-art technology that is
available and economically feasible to achieve the desired goals. It also helps make use
of the best business strategy practices to achieve business success.
The original theme of the research project was to develop a knowledge-based expert
system that would help in the achievement of a world-class business excellence
performance through continuous process improvement. The system so developed
would make use of the knowledge of the system providing recommendations to its
users as to what quality management remedial actions; quality strategic plans or
business management strategies should be taken. The user's quality or specific
management problems were initially identified. The system would assist users to
achieve continuous improvement to world-class business performance level by using
different quality management tools and techniques, gurus' philosophies and different
business management strategies.
Development of an expert system for achieving world-class business performance
through continuous process improvement requires a better knowledge base and
incorporating the Chinese philosophies for Eastern culture countries will be
advantageous. The gap in knowledge set the scene for the direction of the research
project. The gap in current thinking is:
• The lack of integration of Chinese philosophies into organisational development
towards world-class business excellence
• The lack of understanding how Chinese values or thinking can assist achievement
of world-class business excellence.
There are a number of major objectives in this research project:
• Review the philosophies of the quality gurus, total quality management principles
and detailed elements of the ISO 9000 quality management system,
• Review the quality management improvement tools, in particular the Quality
Function Deployment (QFD) methodology for quality management and business
strategic planning.
• Understand the meaning of world-class business excellence by reviewing the
quality awards, in particular the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and The
European Quality Award models.
• Understand the philosophy of Chinese philosopher Confucius and how this relates
to quality management strategy and the economic influences.
• Understand the philosophy of Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu's The Art of War and
The Thirty-six Strategies, and how these relate to business management strategies.
• Substantiate the Eastern gurus' philosophies and hypotheses in business
management and strategic planning by surveys and analyses.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Total quality management -- Chinese influences, Industrial management -- Chinese influences, Strategic planning -- Chinese influences, Philosophy, Chinese
Official Date:	January 1998
Dates:	Date Event January 1998 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	School of Engineering
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Roberts, Paul A. B. ; Bhattacharyya, Kumar, 1940- ; Lau, W. S.
Extent:	2 v.
Language:	eng

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