Purpose - The advent of social media is dramatically changing the way marketing communication is conducted. This paper reports a study regarding the use of social media in the wellness industry. This industry is competitive and utterly dependent on creating mutually beneficial relationships with customers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of social media marketing in the wellness industry. Design/methodology/approach - Qualitative methods have been used. In-depth interviews have been carried out with marketing communication professionals in seven leading Swedish spa-hotels. The data from the interviews were analysed utilising the constant comparative method from the grounded theory approach. Findings - Dimensions describing the activities, challenges and results of social media in the hotels have been defined. The findings are related to service quality theory, in particular the service dominant logic of marketing (SDL), and a comprehensive framework is proposed. Research limitations/implications - The findings should be useful for the scientific understanding of the effects of social media in marketing. The study is based entirely on qualitative data. Practical implications - The results of the study should be useful for managers trying to market their offers effectively through social media. Originality/value - The connections between social media and the SDL has not previously been studied in the wellness industry and such studies in other industries are rare. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Employee health is becoming increasingly focused as lacking health cause unnecessary costs while better health has been related to higher quality and performance. This paper reports a study in the wellness sector. As this industry has health as its business mission, it might be reasonable to assume that it is populated by health conscious individuals. The purpose has been to investigate health creating dimensions in the wellness industry. Seven leading Swedish SPA-hotels have been studied using a novel methodology based on the quality café-method. This method has the ‘world café-method’ at its basis but has been developed by inclusion of quality management methods. Quality cafés focusing on health creating aspects have been carried out at the seven hotels with staff from different departments as participants. The resulting data were analysed with the constant comparative method from the grounded theory approach. As a result four dimensions of employee health have been defined. In the paper, the dimensions are described and related to theories of quality management and health promotion. The findings should be valuable for the theoretical understanding of health creating factors in the wellness industry as well as for managers striving to improve the health status of their employees.

This paper reports a study into the usefulness of a method called the Quality Café. The method is based on the World Café method which has been supplemented with the quality management tool,

affinity diagrams. The purpose of this paper is to investigate The Quality Cafe as a method for organisational learning and quality development. The paper is based on theory from quality management and organisational learning. A framework depicting quality man-agement as a system of components of different profundity is presented. In the study the possibility of integrating more profound aspects in one of the superficial tools, the affinity diagram, is assessed. A case study has been carried out in which a Quality Café was performed in a Swedish SPA-hotel. The results have been as-sessed for their usefulness for the company as well as for research. It is found that the method was useful in both regards in this specific case which indicates its us-ability. Nevertheless further research is needed to assess the general usefulness of the method.

In this paper research leading to quality management success is examined, elaborated, and highlighted in a new profound way by focusing on the most fundamental aspect of the human dimension, the brain. The purpose is to examine the relationship between brain functioning and quality management success. In this examination, the role of core values, profound organizational learning and values of quality management are explained.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper builds on a conceptual review of research in the areas of quality management success, values of quality management, core values and neurophysiology with focus on brain integration. 

Findings

The relation of core values with brain functioning is described based on previous research. A framework with logical steps from brain integration, via core values, quality management values and quality management practices to quality management success is developed.

Research limitations/implications

The paper adds to the understanding of the role brain integration has for success in quality management efforts. A limitation is that it only builds on previous research.

Practical implications

The findings provide a deeper understanding of quality management success and should thus be valuable for quality managers and leaders striving for excellence for their organisations.

Originality/value

The importance and crucial role of brain integration for quality management success has not been elaborated in the literature of quality management before.

Keywords

Quality management, brain integration, core values, organisational learning, quality management success, culture, quality management values, decision-making

The purpose of the study presented in this paper is to explore the relationship between entrepreneurial learning, innovation and quality management in the wellness industry. The theoretical framework is based on theories from quality management, organisational learning and entrepreneurship. An empirical study involving seven spa-hotels has been carried out. In-depth interviews were conducted with managers of the companies. The results indicate that innovation in the sector is closely connected to branding and that quality management largely consists of quality control of existing services. Thus, the connection between quality management and innovation is weak. Nevertheless, a network exists that might have a possibility of evolving into a learning network.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to shed light upon the connections between quality management, employee health and organisational learning in a school setting. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on a quantitative survey. Items measuring health status and values of quality management were included in a questionnaire addressed to teachers in a random sample of 20 schools. The items were checked for reliability with Cronbach's alpha tests and the correlation was measured with Pearson's correlation test. Findings: The Cronbach's alpha tests showed that the reliability of all the indices measured was sufficient. Moreover, correlations were found between all the indices of quality management values and the health index. This indicates that the health status of the school employees is related to the level of adoption of the quality management values. A framework depicting the findings from an organisational learning perspective is proposed. Research limitations/implications: The study strengthens the knowledge of the connections between quality management and health. The study was carried out in Sweden and the possibilities for generalising the findings to other countries are not certain. In addition, the relevance of the study for other organisations than schools remains unproven. A discussion regarding the possibilities of generalising the findings is included. Practical implications: The findings and the proposed framework are helpful for improving school quality and employee health in schools. Social implications: Improved school quality is important for society as a whole. Originality/value: Previous research has indicated links between quality management and health in industrial manufacturing. This is the first study to explore this link in the school sector. Furthermore, the connections to organisational learning represent a novel approach. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

In this paper, the concept of trust is elaborated upon and compared with the traditional values of quality management. Trust is approached from the areas of relationship marketing and organisational learning where it is a frequent element. The purpose is to create a framework of trust based on previous research, particularly in the areas of relationship marketing and organisational learning, and to analyse whether trust should be regarded as a core value of quality management. Properties of the concept of trust in quality management, relationship marketing and organisational learning are described. Concerning trust as a quality value, it is found that dissimilarities with the current values make it an unsuitable candidate for inclusion in this group. However, examination of the underlying components of the current values of quality management is encouraged with the conviction that trust will prove to be an important element in this endeavour. A tentative framework based on the two dimensions of aspects of trust and components of the relationshipis proposed. This framework broadens the view of trust and its implications for quality management. The proposed framework should be helpful for managers in providing a more structured view of the different aspects of trust in business relationships.