Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the interactions among different enablers of total quality management (TQM) and its outcome variables in service sector specific to Indian domestic airline industry. No study has been done regarding the implementation of TQM in Indian domestic aviation sector. To fill this gap interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) based quality framework model has been developed to understand the mutual interactions among the variables and to identify the driving and dependence power of these variables. Design/methodology/approach -An ISM and TISM based approach have been used to study and analyze the interactions between identified variables. Findings -In this research work, a total of 14 variables have been identified based on extensive literature review, brainstorming and experts opining from the Indian airline industry and academia. The result showed that top management commitment, training, continuous improvement, benchmarking, employee involvement and commitment have strong driving power and weak dependence power and are at the lowest level in hierarchy in the ISM and TISM model, while the outcome variables of TQM have low driving power but have high dependence power. Practical implications -Top management must stress on variables having strong driving power for efficient implementation of TQM. By implementation of TISM model in the Indian airline industry, organizations would become more productive, competitive and would eventually become more profitable. Originality/value -In this research work, ISM and TISM based quality framework structural model have been proposed for Indian domestic aviation industry which is a new effort in the area of TQM implementation in this sector.

This paper is an outcome of the empirical research, funded by UNDP Philippines and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), done to establish and implement a metric of corporate environmental indicators for SMEs in the Philippines. SMEs have always played a vital role in the creation of goods and services in the country. It is therefore imperative that SMEs adhere to safe environment practices so that the greening of industries in this region is consummate. In this research we have considered SMEs operating in the food and beverage, furniture, fashion accessories, hotel and restaurant, automotive parts and electroplating sectors. The metric adopted in this research follows the framework given by the Federal Environmental Ministry in Bonn and the Federal Environmental Agency in Berlin.The empirical approach develops an exploratory analysis and a structural equation model to bring out statistically significant linkages between five latent constructs: environment management indicators, environment performance indicators, environmental performance, business performance and competitiveness. The research hopes to urge SMEs to implement this metric with confidence given that this would not only enhance their environmental performance but also lead to superior business performance and enhanced competitiveness.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to measure competitive service quality (SQ) performances of domestic full service airlines in India by providing a framework based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP), in order to benchmark their SQ thus, enhancing competitiveness and gaining competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach – The present study has used the AHP methodology to benchmark the SQ of airlines in India. Subsequently, competitive SQ gap analysis is performed to evaluate and compare strength and weakness of focal firm (Airline “B”) against its competitors. Findings – In this research work, total of 23 SQ attributes and five dimensions have been identified based on extensive literature review, focus group brainstorming and experts opinion from the Indian airline industry. The study reveals that air travelers rate assurance as the most important criteria and safety as the most important sub criteria followed by on time performance, performing the services right, the first time and remedial process for delayed or missing baggage. Furthermore, based on AHP methodology, the result shows that Airline “A” has emerged as a market leader and is considered as a benchmark airline. Practical implications – This framework will help airline management and policy makers to identify area of service improvements and identify SQ gaps with respect to the benchmark airline. This will help in formulating suitable competitive strategies for SQ improvements, thus gaining competitive advantage. Originality/value – In this research work, AHP-based SQ framework have been applied in Indian domestic aviation industry for competitive SQ benchmarking which is a novel contribution, thus widening the existing knowledge base in aviation SQ literature.

No abstract

Contemporary research on start-up firms primarily focuses on business ecosystem and assessing its contribution into the mainstream business economies. Research featuring investments in information technology (IT) and market-oriented IT (MOIT) competence to facilitate the flow of firm innovativeness (FI) across multisectoral start-ups is yet to be identified. Further, the role of innovation orientation (IO)-enabled firm innovativeness (FI) on sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) needs further exploration in the light of customer orientation (CO) of the enterprise. It is partially because the underlying mechanism remains largely unexplored in the context of rippling start-ups. In the current research, we conceptualized and tested a model that examines the role of MOIT competence and knowledge sharing mechanism (KSM) on FI and SCA, in the light of Resource Advantage (R-A) theory and SD logic (SDL) framework. This model also proposes and establishes IO as an important enabler for firm’s competitive advantage. Using a sample of 267 start-up ventures registered under Start-up India Programme (DIPP, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India), we tested above-mentioned relationship using SPSS AMOS 22. Results show that MOIT competence is an important enabler for FI and in turn SCA of the firm. CO strongly moderates the role of IO on firm’s competitive advantage.