Quality management systems and value creation
International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences
ISSN: 1756-669X
Article publication date: 16 October 2009
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of a quality management system (QMS) for the assurance and improvement of value in an inter‐organizational business relationship. The study is carried out in the public transportation industry where service provision has been outsourced.
Design/methodology/approach
In‐depth interviews are conducted with 26 participants from two organizations involved in an inter‐organizational business relationship. From the interview material, the authors identified the drivers that create value for the inter‐organizational business relationship and for the customers of public transportation. All value drivers are categorized according to the central areas in a QMS.
Findings
The results show that internal processes and management responsibility are central areas where value is destroyed. Since service provision has been outsourced, this means that the intended value is never experienced by the customer.
Research limitations/implications
The identified value creators and destroyers originate from the suppliers' view and focus on how the different suppliers create value for customers.
Practical implications
Managers should acquire knowledge about the value they create or destroy and focus on improving the value‐creation processes. The QMS can be used to assure and improve value creation in an inter‐organizational business relationship.
Originality/value
The research sheds light on the difficulties and possibilities in value creation where service provision has been outsourced.
Keywords
Citation
Rönnbäck, Å., Witell, L. and Enquist, B. (2009), "Quality management systems and value creation", International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 241-254. https://doi.org/10.1108/17566690911004186
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited