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.

The purpose for this paper is to explore social media marketing from the perspective of

entrepreneurial learning. The theoretical basis consists of contributions from the fields of

organisational learning and entrepreneurship. An empirical study involving ten companies

has been carried out. The data were analysed with methods inspired by grounded theory.

Categories describing the companies' social media presence from an entrepreneurial

learning perspective are provided. Thus, the paper presents a novel way of studying social

media activities which should contribute to the theoretical fields of organisational learning

and entrepreneurship as well as to the understanding of social media marketing. For

practitioners, the findings provide additional knowledge that should be useful for their

own social media activities. 

The purpose for this paper is to explore social media marketing from the perspective of

entrepreneurial learning. The theoretical basis consists of contributions from the fields of

organisational learning and entrepreneurship. An empirical study involving ten companies

has been carried out. The data were analysed with methods inspired by grounded theory.

Categories describing the companies’ social media presence from an entrepreneurial

learning perspective are provided. Thus, the paper presents a novel way of studying social

media activities which should contribute to the theoretical fields of organisational learning

and entrepreneurship as well as to the understanding of social media marketing. For

practitioners, the findings provide additional knowledge that should be useful for their

own social media activities.

The purpose for this paper is to explore social media marketing from

the perspective of entrepreneurial learning. The theoretical basis consists of

contributions from the fields of organisational learning and entrepreneurship.

An empirical study involving ten companies has been carried out. The

data were analysed with methods inspired by grounded theory. Categories

describing the companies’ social media presence from an entrepreneurial

learning perspective are provided. The value of using organisational learning as

a framework for social media marketing is shown. Thus, the paper presents a

novel way of studying social media activities which should contribute to the

theoretical fields of organisational learning and entrepreneurship as well as to

the understanding of social media marketing. For practitioners, the findings

provide additional knowledge that should be useful for their own social media

activities.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to study the fundamentals of quality management, to examine the deeper layers of quality management and propose a tentative framework of its profound foundations. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is conceptual, reviewing the quality management literature and connecting it with contributions from service management, organisational consciousness studies and eastern philosophy. Findings - A model of quality management consisting of the levels of techniques, models and values has been the starting point. From this basis, an elaborated framework of the foundations of quality management, including different aspects of the values, functions and activity elements, has been developed. Originality/value - Current approaches to quality management might be too superficial, which could be the cause of many implementation failures. In this paper, a deeper understanding is sought. A novel framework has been proposed that can provide a basis for further research into the profound nature of quality management. Further, implications that should be useful for managers are discussed. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to shed light upon the connections between quality management, employee health and organisational learning. As we wanted to focus on the learning aspect, we chose to carry out the study in organisations for which learning and knowledge is the main activity. Therefore, the school sector was considered a suitable object for study. Methodology/approach The study is based on a quantitative survey using a structured questionnaire. Items measuring health status and prominent values of quality management developed from previous research were included in the questionnaire. The teachers in a random sample of 20 schools in the province of Västra Götaland in south-western Sweden received the questionnaires. The number of completed and returned questionnaires was 229. The items were checked for reliability with Cronbach’s Alpha tests and the correlation was measured with Pearson’s correlation test. Findings The Conbach’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 studied quality management values. In order to ground the findings in a relevant theoretical setting they were related to the theories of organisational learning. A framework depicting the findings from an organisational learning perspective has been developed. Research limitation/implications The findings of this research strengthen the knowledge of the connections between quality management and health. The framework combining health implications of quality management with organisational learning constitutes a useful vantage point for further research. As health promotion is closely related to pedagogical issues, this should be a promising area for future research. 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. Accordingly, more research in this direction in other countries and different sectors should be welcome Originality/Value of paper Previous research has indicated links between quality management values and employee health. However, this has mainly been studied in an industrial manufacturing setting and no studies have been directed towards the school sector. Consequently, the findings of this research study are valuable for the general understanding of the relationship between quality management and health. Furthermore, the connections to organisational learning represent a novel approach which could build bridges between quality management and health promotion leading to a more holistic understanding of quality and health in organisations. For managers, the findings are useful as guiding lights in their quests towards higher quality and better employee health.

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.

Oavsett vilka förändringar man vill göra i en organisation måste dess medlemmar lära sig någonting nytt. Alltför ofta går emellertid förbättringsinsatser om intet därför att man inte har förmått åstadkomma ett verkligt lärande. Med ett djupgående lärande kan organisationer i stället lyckas med att uppnå sina mål avseende kvalitet, arbetsmiljö och ekonomisk framgång – samtidigt som deras medlemmar trivs och är delaktiga.

Lärande i och för det nya arbetslivet täcker in väsentliga infallsvinklar på vuxnas lärande inom organisationer och vänder sig till studenter, forskare och alla som arbetar med någon form av personalansvar. Läs mer om boken på studentlitteratur.se

Purpose - The objective is to re-visit and up-date a seminal framework of marketing schools. Design/methodology/approach - The authors provide a conceptual description and positioning of old, modern and recent marketing schools. Findings - Recent developments in marketing - such as services marketing, industrial marketing and relationship marketing - do not fit into the seminal framework of marketing schools. Research limitations/implications - The authors have limited the discussion to the human practice of marketing and the academic discipline of marketing. In addition, the authors' focus is on marketing as part of business. Practical implications - The up-dated framework of marketing schools may assist practitioners to understand the current status of marketing by connecting to the past, and the future by revealing unexplored areas of the marketing discipline. Originality/value - The up-dated framework of marketing schools builds on and extends the seminal framework in question to incorporate the recent developments in marketing. In extension, it reveals a white spot in the research of the marketing discipline - a field of further research that may focus on a combination of economic and relational dimensions of marketing.

This paper aims to review schools and frameworks of marketing knowledge in order to propose future directions of marketing knowledge. The authors also provide a brief retrospective view of the marketing discipline. Reflecting over the origin, evolution and current status, the authors have come to distinguish three cornerstones of marketing knowledge namely objective, process and subjective. On this basis, five potential steps in the development of marketing knowledge are identified. The paper draws attention to the areas: the entrance of marketers, the levels of marketing knowledge, the introduction of self-actualisation marketing, the effect of time and complexity on marketing knowledge, and the need for syntheses and generalisations of marketing knowledge. A framework for enriching the field of marketing with these five interrelated paths of development is proposed. Finally, it provides a model of proposition to future marketing knowledge.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine and discuss the effects of quality management in the health care sector and the general effects of quality management on the health of the employees. Design/methodology/approach - The empirical basis consists of three case studies in one industrial manufacturing company and two hospitals. The empirical data have been gathered with both qualitative and quantitative methods. Findings - The twofold value of quality management, of preventing disease by supporting more rewarding working conditions as well as improving the treatment of disease by increasing the effectiveness of health care organisations is indicated. Leadership commitment was found to be the most crucial common prerequisite for successful quality management implementation and for creating a healthy work environment. In addition, continuous improvements and participation of everybody were found to have importance for well functioning quality management as well as for health. Research limitations/implications - The paper provides additional understanding of the influence of quality management on health and a model is presented. A limitation is that the factors studied are fairly broad and for further research it will be useful to go deeper into the mechanics of them. Practical implications - The three factors, leadership commitment, participation of everybody, and continuous improvements, have been shown to be vital contributors for health and managers should make every effort to implement them. Originality/value - The double effect of quality management on health has not been studied before and knowledge of the factors contributing to it is valuable. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

The first purpose of this study was to verify the relationship betweenworkplace health and quality management, particularly the values 'leadership commitment' and 'participation of everybody' whose importance previous research has pointed to. The second purpose of the study was to examine the constituents and mechanics of the relationships between health and those values. A case study was carried out in a Swedish manufacturing company using data triangulation in the form of in-depth interviews and focus-group interviews on three levels.

The findings show that the perceptions of the quality management values were significantly correlated with the employees' perception of their health. This finding substantiates earlier studies indicating a relationship between quality and health. Important dimensions of 'leadership commitment' and 'participation of everybody', regarding health, were identified and described in models. The paper provides additional understanding of the connection between quality management and health, particularly regarding the role of leadership. 

This paper presents a study of learning, entrepreneurship and service quality in the health and fitness sector. The purpose is to outline the theoretical framework and to propose a methodological approach for the study. The theoretical basis for the project lies in the field of service dominant logic of marketing. One aim is to develop this field by integrating knowledge from organisational learning, entrepreneurship and quality management. Theories from those fields are presented and their relevance is discussed. On this basis, a methodology for an empirical study is proposed.

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.

The fitness industry is expanding in most parts of the world. Nevertheless, the amount of

research regarding this industry has thus far been relatively limited. In previous research,

quality dimensions for fitness companies have been explored and a tentative framework has

been proposed. The purpose for the present study is to examine the framework and quantify

its components. A survey has been conducted. A questionnaire based on previous research

was developed and delivered by telephone to 86 fitness centres of which 67 agreed to

participate, giving a response rate of 78%. The items of the quality dimensions in the studied

framework were analysed with Cronbach's Alpha and were found to be statistically reliable.

The underlying structure of the enablers in the framework was examined with explorative

factor analysis resulting in five underlying enablers. Moreover, the impact of the enablers on

the profitability of the centres was measured. The results should be interesting for managers in

this sector as well as for the advancement of service quality theory. 

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.

Purpose – In this study, the effects of the different models and tools of quality management are examined. The purpose is to identify differences in the effects generated by different qualitymanagement models and tools.

Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was mailed to 500 Swedish quality professionals. The questions concerned their companies’ adoption of the values of TQM, the use of the models and tools of TQM and the effects they notice. Correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were carried out.

Findings – The findings show that there is statistical correlation between the adoption of the values of TQM and successful quality management. The usefulness of the Swedish Quality Award, the European Quality Award and ISO 9000 as well as several of the quality management tools is also indicated. Regarding ISO 9000 specific effects have been found.

Research limitations/implications – A limitation of the study is that the financial outcomes of the quality management practices are not measured but only the managers’ perceptions of effects produced. The implication for further research is an increased knowledge of the different effects of the quality management practices and the significance of the values, particularly three values that were included in the multiple regression models.

Practical implications – The specific findings on the effects of ISO 9000 are useful for managers when implementing the standard. The results of the study also indicate the importance of emphasising the values for successful quality management.

Originality/value – This study has provided more detailed knowledge of the effects of the differentquality management practices, particularly of ISO 9000.

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.

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.

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 for the study is to explore relationship marketing in the health and fitness sector with a special focus on trust. A qualitative study involving 15 health and fitness companies has been carried out. Important aspects of trust have been defined and a framework depicting the role of trust has been developed.