The Practice of Quality Management presents the results of eleven ground-breaking research projects in quality management. It is the first collection of research papers by academics in this area. The projects are empirical studies on total quality management that suggest new ways to think about quality. The objective of the research found in this book is to develop theory and to assist practice. Thus, this volume is of interest to both academic researchers and practising managers. The chapters fall into four categories: `Performance', `Understanding TQM', `Organizations', and `Using TQM'. All of the chapters show that there are many different applications and research issues associated with quality. The chapters on `Understanding TQM' suggest that it is possible to develop and test theories of quality. The chapters on `Performance' demonstrate that studies of the operational and financial effect of quality can yield positive results. Many thinkers on quality consider that organizational impacts of quality are the most important drivers of the quality process. The chapters on `Organizations' present evidence on how quality programs affect human resource management, and organizational structure. Finally, the chapters on `Using TQM' present several studies of applications of quality management.

In this book, the author attacks these and other pressing issues facing today's academic librarians. Her trailbrazing strategies centre on keeping the customer's point of view in focus at all times to help you to integrate technology to meet today's student and faculty needs.

Despite the fact that vast engineering networks are the foundations of modern society, the services that technology companies provide over them have been a relatively neglected area of study. As a result, marketing in some technology businesses has been depressingly tactical and inconsistent. Marketers with little experience, and even less professional training, run around presenting PowerPoint decks to each other, chasing after the latest fad and throwing erratic, changing activities at the market each quarter. Many work on the unchallenged assumption that markets are fast changing and that customers only want the lowest prices. Yet this industry has liberated human imagination in the internet and convinced the world that they must have a PC and a mobile phone. Now, as a result of profound, relentless, global forces, some of the leading firms and greatest minds in it are at last turning their attention to service. With the advent of ‘cloud computing’ and radical changes in the engineering of some utilities, the marketing of services that are based on a technical infrastructure is about to become as important and sophisticated as in, say, consumer products. This book explores their story and experience. “I really enjoyed the book From Products to Services by Mr Laurie Young. Encouraged by it, Haier accelerated its changeover from a traditional product-driven to a more customer-centric company. This new book Marketing Technology as a Service is another major contribution to technology companies for the cultivation of service needs worldwide.” – Mr Zhang Ruimin, CEO and Chairman, Haier Group, Beijing “Young and Burgess describe a shift in mindset and pragmatic techniques that are quite doable – Rae Sedel, MD, Global Technology Practice, Russell Reynolds Associates. “This book provides practical and insightful advice on how to use services to turn technology into value add solutions for real people – Rudy Provoost, CEO, Philips Lighting “Business leaders in India have been remarkably successful at offering technology based services like outsourcing across the world. Currently worth $60 billion, they intend to reach $300 billion by 2020. To succeed, the Indian business community must offer new value propositions and adapt to emerging trends, like cloud computing. Burgess and Young have put together the first comprehensive and practical guide for business leaders to meet their challenges of exponential growth.” – Dr Mukesh Aghi, Chairman and CEO, Steria (India)

Treating animals just as any healer would treat human beings, Allen Schoen has become one of America’s most celebrated veterinarians. Kindred Spirits shares the transformative power of his remarkable methods, explores how alternative healing is revolutionizing his profession, and, in the tradition of James Herriot, shares heartwarming stories of animals and their caretakers who have deeply enriched each other’s lives. Through moving scenes–such as an ailing German shepherd who fights to stay alive so he can assist and comfort his ailing human companion–Schoen details the ways in which the human-animal bond can provide a wellspring of love and support, and outlines his own special prescription for improving the care we give our animals through adopting simple healing practices at home. A remarkable new synthesis of science and spirit, Kindred Spirits at last reveals the many ways our animal friends can help us lead happier, healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Outlines simple, counterintuitive approaches to raising happy, healthy, and successful children through parental demonstrations of respectful examples and child-directed activities that facilitate early independence and problem-solving skills.

DIVTranslations of texts by important Latin American women playwrights, and performance artists, together with essays about their work./div

Most guides to puppetry assume elaborate set-ups. With library staffing and budgets stretched thin and other curricular commitments for teachers, few have the time or resources to develop full-blown puppet performances. Frey provides a puppet alternative to enrich story times, book talks and other library events for children of all ages.