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PurposeThe primary objective of the paper is to present the role and meaning of fear in organizations implementing TQM. The author's intention is to identify the causes of fear in the TQM components as well as the main types of fear, their causes, consequences and methods of reduction.Design/methodology/approachThe main research method applied is a systematic review of the literature on the subject. The applied systematic review procedure takes into consideration the indicated research objective, the selection of the basic literature and publications, the presentation of the publication database and content analysis. The author also makes use of his own observations ensuing from his acting in the capacity of a TQM consultant and a juror of the Polish Quality Award.FindingsThe paper presents the causes of fear in the TQM components, the main types of fear and its consequences. The limited possibilities of eliminating fear are also indicated. Fear appears when, for various reasons, TQM is improperly implemented and maintained, but also when resources are allocated incorrectly (e.g. a wrong selection of quality team members), and it is included in social processes (e.g. in the quality team forming process). It appears when only structural empowerment rather than mental empowerment is applied, when there exist contradictory expectations with regard to empowerment, in case of excessive and/or “have to” commitment in particular employees, and when too much emphasis is placed on commitment.Research limitations/implicationsThe reflections included in the paper may become useful for quality management practitioners, as such knowledge allows them to avoid mistakes which are the cause of fear, that is an emotion making quality improvement difficult. The paper does not present the manifestations and sources of fear in all TQM components, and they are certainly included in a broadly understood quality culture. Nevertheless, the gathered and arranged knowledge can be the source of further research.Originality/valueBeing the result of the studies of the literature on the subject, this paper is one of few publications discussing in a detailed manner one of the principles of effective quality management formulated by E. Deming, namely “driving fear out”.

Background One of key current social trends is the increasing number of single people. It has multiple implications as single individuals often live and behave differently than those living in relationships. Marital status and socioeconomic status may also be significant quality of life factors for single persons. The aim of this study is to identify relationships between quality of life and selected indicators of socioeconomic status in single and married respondents from the Wrocław metropolitan area in Poland. Methods 4460 respondents took part in the study (1828 single, 2632 married). The study was cross-sectional based on a diagnostic survey. Data was gathered on respondents’ sex, age, education, marital status, occupational status and financial situation as well as their quality of life and perceived health condition. Frequencies (f) and relative frequencies (rf) of categories of dependent and independent variables were determined. The chi-squared test (χ 2 ) and odds ratio (OR) statistics were applied. The level of statistical significance was set at α = .05. Results A stochastic dependence (p ≤ .05) between marital status and perceived health condition and quality of life in the social domain was found among the respondents. Male sex, higher education, being an entrepreneur, college student or white-collar worker, and good financial status were associated with the highest assessments of quality of life and perceived health condition. The directions of quality of life modifications determined by socioeconomic status were similar in single and married urban respondents; however, the strength of these modifications was greater in the latter. Conclusions It is recommended to target respondents with public health programs aimed at lifestyle improvement, tailored to the needs of single and married individuals. Public policies directed at improving education and material situation of respondents are also worth considering, as they may be essential for modeling their quality of life. In addition, research on quality of life should be continued, which is particularly relevant in a pandemic situation.

The topic of cultural heritage is the subject of many interdisciplinary studies. So far, these studies have focused on the issues of classifying particular types of heritage, their functions and benefits, components and determinants. However, relatively less attention was paid to the dimension of a methodical approach to education and rebuilding cultural identity through heritage. Meanwhile, generational changes, especially in the dimension of knowledge perception, indicate such a need. The aim of this article is to present the perspective of using open innovations in the transfer of cultural heritage used in shaping cultural identity and education. Our review and conceptual article is an attempt to draw attention to the problem of changes in the perception of cultural heritage by generations born in the era of the digital revolution and the need to take these changes into account in heritage education. Taking these conditions into account allowed the authors to develop a model for generating open innovation in the outside-in process and then to develop a model for making it available through the inside-out process. The role of education in this process was also emphasized.

The article addresses the issue of the level of trust in the Catholic clergy in Poland among the youngest adult Catholics. The authors formulate their conclusions on the basis of a literature review and their own extensive research conducted among young adult Catholics born after 1995 (Generation Z). The research focused on the level of trust assessed with regard to the hierarchical division of the clergy in the Catholic Church as well as scandals involving priests exposed in recent years. The performed analyses took into account the level of religious commitment of young Catholics and their attitudes towards the role of the hierarchical Church in solving their problems. The research results indicate a significant level of trust in the Pope, a slightly lower level of trust in parish priests, and a very low level of trust in bishops and the institution of the Catholic Church in general. The decisive majority of those following religious observances and declaring compliance with the moral principles in line with Church teachings maintain trust in the institution of the Church. The final conclusions point to the need to manage the trust of the faithful as beneficiaries and clients of religious organisations such as the Church.

Cultural heritage tourism is a multidimensional tourist activity because, apart from the advantages associated with practicing tourist activity, it is particularly associated with cognitive motives when it comes to practicing it, and even with discovering cultural identity. Such an activity has a specific value in relation to the adopted perspective. Researchers often attempt to determine the value that a tourism-related product has for the customer (tourist). Sometimes, it is defined as the value captured by the entity providing the tourism product. However, it is extremely rare for research to assess the social value of tourism. The aim of this work is to identify issues that can be used in measuring the social value resulting from cultural heritage made available in the form of a tourist product. The authors review the literature on cultural heritage and cultural identity, and then use a particular methodology to develop a tool for assessing social value. To develop their own research tool, the authors use the results of research conducted in 2021/2022 among managers of 70 cultural heritage tourism facilities in Europe. As a result, a tool was created that includes six statements that can contribute to the assessment of the social value resulting from the provision of material cultural heritage in the form of a tourist product. The reliability of the tool was estimated at 0.69 and its standardized rating at 0.71. The social value of cultural heritage, in the opinion of experts, achieved an average rating of 4.06 (on a scale from 1 to 5), with the 6-item version of the tool attaining an average rating of 4.10. Taking into account the usefulness of the proposed solutions, remember that the paper reflects only the European vision, which is one of many possible views.

The implementation and smooth functioning of e-administration depends on many technical and organizational factors but also on psychosocial factors, including the sense of fear. In this paper, the authors treat fear as a subjective and perceptible sense of threat. They recognize that employees may express various concerns. Previous research has shown that employees may be afraid of losing their jobs as a result of implementing e-administration. The introduction of technology brings with it the threat of dehumanization. There are also numerous concerns that the development of modern technologies will not ensure adequate economic growth because it will be too slow. This paper discusses issues related to the fear of the changes taking place in the present, in particular those related to the introduction of modern technologies, as well as problems related to the possibility of reducing unethical behavior. The research has been carried out in local administration offices using a qualitative research procedure. The results of the research indicate the existence of relationships between the quality of e-administration and fears or threats experienced or perceived by employees. If e-administration does not simplify work and does not reduce employees' workload, the only fears are employees' fear of change and their inability to master new information technologies. The data obtained allow management practitioners to overcome barriers related to the implementation of e-administration.

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to show the ways of setting quality objectives, their attributes and the conditions under which they can perform a motivational function.Design/methodology/approachCollecting relevant data, the authors used the results of previous research and theoretical assumptions concerning quality objectives. Subsequently, they carried out a survey and exemplification research based on participatory observations, document content analysis and interviews.FindingsGoals are set mainly by top management, but the communication process itself is insufficient; the needs of system users are not taken into account. In the opinion of the employees, quality objectives are measurable and objective, although not very ambitious. For quality objectives to fulfil a motivational function, they should be objective and measurable. Also, the allocation of tasks among employees needs to be fair. Furthermore, quality objectives have to play a greater role in remuneration systems.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first publications on the role and function of quality objectives. Its advantage is that it defines the conditions under which such objectives can have a motivational effect and encourage employees to pursue the improvement of their products and services.

This paper focuses on the application of machine learning in the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) process for analyzing failure modes and effects using data modeling. FMEA is a recognized methodology used to detect and assess potential problems in products and processes before they occur. The main objective was to develop a neural network model that could predict potential failure modes and their effects, using a specially prepared anonymised table derived from industrial DFMEA records. Utilizing machine learning in the context of FMEA opens new perspectives in terms of accuracy, objectivity, and efficiency of analysis, while reducing subjectivity and the time required for the traditional FMEA analysis approach. The proposed neural network model performs calculations and analyses, enabling a deeper understanding of the patterns in the data and their potential applications in the industry.

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to identify factors moderating the process of managing environmental objectives and to develop potential behavioural scenarios related to this process.Design/methodology/approachThe main research method used by the authors was a systematic literature review. The applied procedure was consistent with the general methodology of conducting research and the methodology of research in management sciences. The conducted literature review was supplemented with an analysis of grey literature.FindingsA number of factors influence the process of managing environmental objectives. Legal factors can stimulate the introduction of pro-environmental measures. The lack of universal legal regulations encourages unethical actions. The ethical values deserve special attention. If their level is high, then even the factors embedded in the environment that foster unethical behaviours are of little importance. In this sense, the performed literature review confirms the theory proposed by Locke. Managerial factors, including remuneration for the achievement of environmental objectives, may be the reason for weakening the process of minimising the negative impact on the environment.Originality/valueOn the basis of the conducted research and various theories of objectives, the authors formulated practical managerial recommendations aimed at reducing the number of errors in the process of setting environmental objectives.