Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Brian J. Galli Author-X-Name-First: Brian J. Author-X-Name-Last: Galli Title: Relating human resource management to 'The Goal' by Eli Goldratt Abstract: In recent years, the business industry changes had caused a reassessment of human resource management (HRM) positions and structures. In the past, human resources (HR) was centralised. However, with the consistent organisational culture changes, HR is becoming decentralised and its operations integrated other departments. Today, HRM is an integral part of business processes similar other departments (finance, accounting, and so forth). However, with regards to specialised areas, like compensation and recruitment, HR remains centralised. Analysis of 'The Goal' by Goldratt demonstrates its relation to HRM. This paper discusses and assesses the implications of HRM on a company's operations. It explains how HRM is related to the theory of constraints (TOC) and how both concepts help to achieve the company's true goal. Journal: Int. J. of Qualitative Research in Services Pages: 93-106 Issue: 2 Volume: 3 Year: 2019 Keywords: theory of constraints; TOC; human resource management; HRM; process; critical chain; process improvement; mapping; project management; work flow. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103759 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijqrs:v:3:y:2019:i:2:p:93-106 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Oladotun Ayoade Author-X-Name-First: Oladotun Author-X-Name-Last: Ayoade Author-Name: Vian Ahmed Author-X-Name-First: Vian Author-X-Name-Last: Ahmed Title: An assessment of industry position on shared equity housing model development in the UK Abstract: This paper investigated affordable housing problems and how they impact the development of shared equity housing models (SEHM) with emphasis on the community land trust (CLT). The methodological approach identified and tackled inherent industry sources of barriers to community land trust shared equity housing models (CLT SEHM) development through literature reviews and the text analysis of semi-structured interview responses from key stakeholders. Findings indicated that industry sources of barriers to CLT development occur within crucial bilateral dimensions impacting its capabilities as an adoptable model for major housing providers, and for local practitioners in well-defined communes for localised housing. This study opens a further debate on the downsides of the current housing delivery arrangement, and the need for an improved capacity for innovation through more sustainable alternatives/policies - particularly in a sector dominated by tested mainstream options, however with performance and affordability inconsistencies - in UK housing development. Journal: Int. J. of Qualitative Research in Services Pages: 107-124 Issue: 2 Volume: 3 Year: 2019 Keywords: housing; affordable housing; industry; shared equity housing models; SEHM; community land trust; CLT; UK. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103760 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijqrs:v:3:y:2019:i:2:p:107-124 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Abhisek Dutta Author-X-Name-First: Abhisek Author-X-Name-Last: Dutta Author-Name: Pranav Ranjan Author-X-Name-First: Pranav Author-X-Name-Last: Ranjan Title: A qualitative study on understanding the trustworthiness of online reputation management Abstract: The paper aims at understanding the customers' mindset towards online reviews posted on the website regarding products. In-depth interview technique was used to collect data from informants to perform thematic analysis to find emerging themes. These themes helped to identify those variables which impact the trustworthiness of reviews like review search, content, saturation, reciprocity and untrustworthiness. The findings of this paper shall help practitioners in the field of digital marketing and online shopping to view into the mindset of customers, who read these reviews to arrive at purchase decisions. A better understanding of what people feel about these reviews may enable companies to identify the lacunae in reviewing activities. Journal: Int. J. of Qualitative Research in Services Pages: 125-140 Issue: 2 Volume: 3 Year: 2019 Keywords: trustworthiness; online reviews; qualitative research; depth interview; trust in reviews; website product reviews. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103764 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijqrs:v:3:y:2019:i:2:p:125-140 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Shaker A. Aladwan Author-X-Name-First: Shaker A. Author-X-Name-Last: Aladwan Title: Roles played by frontline employees in the delivery of governmental services: qualitative evidence from the public sector of Jordan Abstract: This research aims to explore the roles played by government service employees in the provision of services to the public. Interviews of a total of 30 employees were undertaken. It has been interesting to note that the research findings showed that service employees working within the Jordanian public sector played four different roles, i.e., complementary (32%), collaborator (41%), enabler (46%) and mediator (54%) (MECC). There has been both a theoretical and practical change to the role of employees within the service sector within the last 20 years. Previous research, however, has been insufficiently integrated and there was a need for a framework with internal consistency so that the roles of frontline service employees working within the context of governmental services could be understood. The implications of findings have are to show a shift in the function of public sector employees in terms of values such as freedom, participation and collaboration. Journal: Int. J. of Qualitative Research in Services Pages: 141-157 Issue: 2 Volume: 3 Year: 2019 Keywords: government services; public sector organisations; frontline employees' roles; qualitative approach; Jordan. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103766 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijqrs:v:3:y:2019:i:2:p:141-157 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Michael Guiry Author-X-Name-First: Michael Author-X-Name-Last: Guiry Title: Medical tourism in Japan: an examination of Japan's international hospitals' online communication Abstract: This study examines the online information about Japanese hospitals, designated Japan international hospitals by the Japanese government, provided at JAPAN Hospital Search, a government portal site, and the hospital websites in order to explore how these hospitals are presented online and attempt to appeal to the perceived needs of prospective medical tourists. The content of 39 hospital websites are analysed across five dimensions: hospital information and facilities, admissions and medical services, interactive online services, external activities, and technical items. Results show differences in the extent to which the hospitals convey information across the five dimensions. Additionally, the findings reveal inconsistencies between the hospital information presented at JAPAN Hospital Search and the hospital websites. Recommendations for improving the online communication about the hospitals are discussed, and suggestions for future research are proposed. The study serves as a starting point for further research on the online communication about Japan international hospitals as Japan strives to grow its medical tourism industry. Journal: Int. J. of Qualitative Research in Services Pages: 158-187 Issue: 2 Volume: 3 Year: 2019 Keywords: medical tourism; Japan international hospitals; online communication; JAPAN Hospital Search; hospital websites; content analysis; medical tourists; medical care; healthcare; health tourism. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103767 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijqrs:v:3:y:2019:i:2:p:158-187