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Article
Publication date: 14 June 2018

Omneya Kandil and Rasha Abd El Aziz

There is a great deal of concern among the Egyptian economy that small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) potentials are not fully used although they dominate it and…

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Abstract

Purpose

There is a great deal of concern among the Egyptian economy that small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) potentials are not fully used although they dominate it and contribute to its success. The question is what challenges are preventing those SMEs from performing efficiently. This research aims to focus on examining the issues regarding the supply chain of Egyptian SMEs, exploring the areas that need improvement and assessing the impact of technology in enhancing their performance and whether they afford applying it.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, semi-structured interviews were conducted at 14 Egyptian SMEs. Then, the business process at six of the fourteen SMEs was observed. After that, a representative sampling was applied and a company was chosen as a representative case company. Moreover, the selected company’s documents were analyzed to capture the full image of the current supply chain performance in Egyptian SMEs. Finally, the Six Sigma DMAIC approach was used to assess the effectiveness of the current supply chain and identify the problems faced and how to deal with these deficiencies.

Findings

The current process of the supply chain was analyzed and the result shows the obstacles and constrains facing SMEs in Egypt. Despite the clear benefits of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, Egyptian SMEs still do not use it to solve their problems due to its high cost and their low budgets. However, the investigation concludes that SMEs in particular can benefit from the RFID technology and will be able to pay back the cost of the system applied after a certain period of time that is measured by calculating the breakeven point of having the RFID system against the current situation. As a result, improvements were realized and recommended for the organization.

Originality/value

This research develops a model that suits SMEs in the Egyptian market. The use of a case study approach with a quality measurement tool, namely, the Six Sigma DMAIC approach, especially after surveying several SMEs, and observing the business process at some of them, makes this a thorough investigation which proves that even SMEs can use the RFID technology despite its high cost that hinders its utilization. Thus, this research helps decision-makers in Egyptian SMEs make better informed decisions and guides them to when will they be able to pay back the cost of the system applied.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 January 2024

Omneya Kandil, Rafael Rosillo, Rasha Abd El Aziz and David De La Fuente

The Internet of things (IoT), an emerging research field, offers solutions to several problems and may result in a paradigm shift in various areas, including education. However…

Abstract

Purpose

The Internet of things (IoT), an emerging research field, offers solutions to several problems and may result in a paradigm shift in various areas, including education. However, this approach has been under-utilised. Therefore, this research investigates and highlights the primary factors that influence the impact of the IoT on education and reveals the current state of academic research to manage higher education (HE) resources effectively and efficiently.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 35 academic papers were collected and analysed to understand the current situation and assess the readiness of HE to adopt IoT. A literature review is a well-established method for developing knowledge and interpreting issues under consideration. This study systematically analysed the various research methodologies used to adopt IoT, summarising the content of the studies and highlighting the main factors that may affect IoT adoption in HE.

Findings

The authors examined 95 papers; 35 were investigated and analysed. The literature review and analysis of academic papers revealed the factors influencing the adoption of IoT technology in HE.

Originality/value

By examining the evidence, this study contributes to understanding the context and supplements existing research. It conducts a systematic literature review to assess the impact of the IoT on the educational process, proposes future research directions and presents findings that aid the efficient management of HE resources.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 October 2013

Rasha Abd El Aziz and Rasha Fady

The purpose of this paper is to examine how to achieve business improvement using clear organisational goals and well-communicated vision, together with a powerful process…

2527

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how to achieve business improvement using clear organisational goals and well-communicated vision, together with a powerful process modelling technique and an analysis of the adopted e-business development stages.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing both business process modelling and improvement complement and reinforce one another. Among different business process modelling techniques, Ould's Riva method was selected to analyse the business processes and to improve the CRM business process in Incom Egypt. In order to get a deeper insight, seven-key decision makers at the case study organisation have been interviewed. E-business development stages have also been elaborated and analysed in the case study. This case study approach enables the researchers to get a complete picture of the problem.

Findings

It was found that Incom Egypt aimed to automate their business processes to solve these problems but they failed. Main reasons behind its failure are their unstructured business processes and employees resistance to improvements. Setting clear goals that follow the organisation's mission and vision can direct managers towards better decision making. Therefore, identification of business processes should be among the first steps to understand business structure, where inefficiencies in current activities could be detected, adjusted and improved. Improvements could then follow e-business development stages using Earl's technique.

Originality/value

The primary value of this paper is that business process improvement does not depend on one technique, but rather lies in the combination of process modelling, and e-business development together, which in turn helps decision makers successfully set up effective organisational plans via clarifying business processes. The improved system will provide a roadmap for organisations to make the proper transition to e-business.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. 26 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2013

Miran Ismail Hussien and Rasha Abd El Aziz

The main subject of the research is to study the internet banking quality dimensions that affect customer satisfaction from the consumer and provider perspectives. This bridges…

4883

Abstract

Purpose

The main subject of the research is to study the internet banking quality dimensions that affect customer satisfaction from the consumer and provider perspectives. This bridges the gap between theory and practice which is part from contributing to the body of knowledge, thus improve the service quality dimensions to attain better quality of life. The aim of this study is to investigate how do users perceive e-banking quality dimensions in terms of their importance; how do decision makers in banks perceive and provide e-banking quality dimensions; whether each quality dimension directly affect users satisfaction of the service.

Design/methodology/approach

Structured questionnaires were randomly distributed over 300 bank clients, 133 valid questionnaires were returned. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS. Two key decision makers at the were interviewed to get the broader picture, where data were interpretively analyzed.

Findings

Results were integrated allowing authors to show that service quality has significant effect on customer satisfaction. bank could be considered a success story that provides a guide line for decision makers in banks that are less fortunate in providing high service quality, thus help them better address their customers’ needs.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this paper is that the research was conducted at one bank and thus a more comprehensive study, involving other banks in the industry could enable research generalize results.

Originality/value

This paper provides a valuable stakeholder analysis regarding e-banking service quality dimensions as viewed and ranked by service providers and users.

Content available
Article
Publication date: 14 October 2013

Zahir Irani and Muhammad Kamal

202

Abstract

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. 26 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 18 February 2021

Jitesh Thakkar and S. Vinodh

665

Abstract

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 19 March 2019

Rasha Ismail, Fadi Safieddine and Ashraf Jaradat

The setting up of e-university has been slow-going. Much of e-university slow progress has been attributed to poor business models, branding, disruptive technologies, lack of…

4188

Abstract

Purpose

The setting up of e-university has been slow-going. Much of e-university slow progress has been attributed to poor business models, branding, disruptive technologies, lack of organisational structure that accommodates such challenges, and failure to integrate a blended approach. One of the stumbling blocks, among many, is the handling of evaluation process. E-university models do not provide much automation compared to the original brick-and-mortar classroom model of delivery. The underlining technologies may not have been supportive; however, the conditions are changing, and more evaluation tools are becoming available for academics. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper identifies the extent of current online evaluation processes. In this process, the team reviews the case study of a UK E-University using Adobe Connect learning model that mirrors much of the physical processes as well as online exams and evaluation tools. Using the Riva model, the paper compares the physical with the online evaluation processes for e-universities to identify differences in these processes to evaluate the benefits of e-learning. As a result, the models can help us to identify the processes where improvements can take place for automating the process and evaluate the impact of this change.

Findings

The paper concludes that this process can be significantly shortened and provide a fairer outcome but there remain some challenges for e-university processes to overcome.

Originality/value

This paper examines the vital quality assurance processes in academia as more universities move towards process automation, blended or e-university business models. Using the case study of Arden University online distance learning, the paper demonstrates, through modelling and analysis that the process of online automation of the evaluation process is achieved with significant efficiency.

Details

Business Process Management Journal, vol. 25 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-7154

Keywords

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