TQM and labour productivity in Jordanian industrial companies

Reports on research to determine the degree of application of total quality management (TQM) philosophy and practices in industrial corporations in Jordan. Uses primary and secondary empirical data to examine the link between TQM and labour productivity. Survey responses were classified into two groups: high-TQM implementation and low-TQM implementation. Found that mean labour productivity measurements for high-TQM companies were significantly higher than for low-TQM companies over the period 1993-1998. Also, mean growth rates of labour productivity measurements for companies with high-level TQM were higher than for those with low-level TQM during this period. Regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant positive relationship between TQM and labour productivity.

Industrial biotechnology for the production of proteins/enzymes for a sustainable future

Worldwide emergence of Industrial biotechnology (IB) is providing opportunities to produce enzymes/proteins with variety of industrial/therapeutic applications. In transitioning the Australian economy towards a sustainable future, Federal government identified the development of IB pathway which would ensure increased productivity, enhanced sustainability, health, safety and reduced environmental footprint. The presentation will revolve around specific stories that drives Deakin University newest technology platform which applies biology and fermentation in an integrated way to play a crucial role in developing cost-effective technologies for the development of molecules that can benefit pharmaceutical and food industry in regional Victoria and Australia in general. The talk will also highlight specific examples where new products like recombinant rhamnosidase (an enzyme used for the production of flavonoids with health benefits) and ribosome inactivating proteins (detected in medicinal plants which possess RNA N- glycosidase activity that depurinates the major rRNA, thus damaging ribosome in an irreversible manner and arresting protein synthesis) would be made available through bioprocessing.

Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) : a promising candidate for industrial biotechnology

The ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) from plants possess RNA N- glycosidase activity that depurinates the major rRNA, thus damaging ribosomes in an irreversible manner and arresting protein synthesis. RIPs are presently classified as rRNA N-glycosidase in the enzyme nomenclature (EC 3.2.2.22) and do exhibit other enzymatic activities such as ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease activities. RIPs have been shown to manifest anti-tumor, anti-viral and anti-microbial activities. RIPs are detected in some medicinal plants but the yields are insufficient to warrant their availability to conduct clinical trials thus limiting its therapeutic potential. Here, an approach based on "bioprocess development" shall be discussed that may enhance the yield of RIPs. It is anticipated; with the involvement of “Industrial biotechnology” the eventual availability of RIPs in large quantities shall be accomplished.

Multi-market industrial organizational economic models for the internationalization process by small and medium enterprise construction design service firms

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are critical to strategic initiatives in an economy; however, their contribution to foreign trade is not as significant. SMEs are one of the principal driving forces in economic development. One of the greatest challenges is the internationalization process for longevity rather than seeing the process as initial market entry. The internationalization process research has typically involved four key constructs: market selection, decision to enter, entry modes and factors affecting entry modes. Past research has focused on large manufacturing firms. The export of architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) firms has undergone growth, yet there is still significant opportunity for further growth. The majority of AEC firms are SMEs. Notwithstanding assistance provided through international trade missions, organized export firm support networks and information packages by a burgeoning number of government agencies, there are still perceived barriers to market entry and long-term economic sustainability for SMEs. There are a number of problems faced by SMEs acting in foreign trade. This investigation explores the successful initial internationalization process constructs and identifies unique project-oriented sector characteristics. The study identified similarities and differences between two firms that have been exporting to various localities, including Eastern Europe, Africa, Middle East, UK, Asia and South America, for more than two decades. The similarities and differences were identified within eight major constructs: purpose, firm type, market image and design philosophy, entry mode strategy, institutional arrangement, factors affecting mode of entry, market selection and firm strategy in relation to project selection. The primary reasons for internationalization were associated with the firms' motivations related to growth and financial viability. This article discusses the various internationalization processes and strategies intrinsic to each case study and establishes a detailed set of empirical observations from which to develop further a grounded theoretical model of reflexive capability for the internationalization process. This study contributes to the body of knowledge around the SME AEC design service firm's internationalization process, as a dynamic, evolving and continuously adaptable construct for project-based sectors.

Trade and industrial policy in developing countries : what scope for interfaces between agent-based models and computable-general equilibrium models

How best to assess trade and industrial policy in developing countries is a controversial question that unlocks a host of modelling complexities. Large computable general-equilibrium (CGE) models dominate many economic policy debates, but recent developments in the field have demonstrated that it is by no means clear that they give reliable results to questions of how trade reforms affect the poor. Over the last decade or so, a new approach to modelling complex systems has emerged using agent-based models (ABMs). This paper explores the question of whether ABMs are useful for economic policy-makers seeking to quantitatively model the effects of trade and industrial policies and whether constructive interfaces could be developed between CGE models and ABMs. The paper argues that in developing economic policy, ABMs can and should be used in conjunction with CGE models and that there is much to be gained from a greater understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different modelling approaches, and what domains are most appropriate for their use. It concludes with some reflections on the reasons for the success of CGE approaches and ways in which ABMs could be made more widely understood and used among economists.

'Murderous coppers': police, industrial disputes and the 1929 Rothbury shootings

Norman Brown, a coalminer engaged in picketing the Rothbury colliery, was shot dead by police in 1929. The Rothbury incident and the police suppression which followed became part of both union folklore and the personal legend of one police officer, William John MacKay, later New South Wales Police Commissioner. This article probes beneath the layers of myth that surround Rothbury and argues that the initial tragedy was largely the result of police incompetence, and that MacKay’s association with the shooting is deeply ironic. The more measured police actions that followed the shootings were Mackay’s responsibility, however, and they had damaging long-term consequences.

Managing industrial world heritage sites : preservation, presentation and sustainability

This thesis uses case study methodology to explore how the concept of sustainable development is being applied at industrial World Heritage sites. The thesis proposes a model of sustainable heritage management that is relevant to industrial heritage sites, as well as to other complex heritage sites, including historic urban landscapes.

Industrial wastewater minimization

Industrial pollution emitted to the environment has created a drastic damage to the environment. Natural purification processes such as dilution and dispersion are not applicable due to the enormous amounts of discharged wastes, as they exceed the assimilative capacity of the local environment. Concern about the environment by the general public has forced governments to establish effluent standards for industrial wastes and emissions. Increasing numbers of industries each year has exerted pressure on the environment compelling regulators to further tighten the standards. This has led to modification and improvement in the existing end-of-pipe treatment facilities resulting in higher investment as well as operation and maintenance cost, whereas in recent years, implementation of proactive methods of waste minimization is gaining much attention within industrial sectors. Various waste minimization techniques such as improved housekeeping, change in process technology, change in product, change in input materials, recycling of chemical and raw materials, and recovery of byproducts are discussed in detail. A number of successful examples discussed in this paper indicate that substantial benefits can be gained by implementing waste minimization programs.