Quality management approaches in Irish organisations

Managing quality in industrial companies: The empirical study of quality management systems in the Czech Republic

Since monitoring, managing, sustaining and improving the quality are is so important to the competitiveness of the company, it is advisable to use a variety of Quality Management tools (QMTs) and techniques, in addition to comprehensive Quality Management Systems (QMSs). The main aim of this research study is to explore the connection between Quality Management System (QMS) and selected Quality Management tools (QMTs) in industrial companies in the Czech Republic. This study summarizes the results of the online questionnaire survey between April 2017 and July 2017. The final sample consisted of answers from 200 companies. It has been found that 46% of surveyed companies monitor and evaluate quality of their business processes. Furthermore, it has been found that 59% of surveyed companies are ISO 9001 certified. Larger companies tend to monitor and evaluate quality of their business processes and to have ISO 9001 certification. The relationships between the use of Quality Management tools (QMTs), monitoring and quality assessment of business processes (MQABP) and ISO 9001 certification have been found based on the Pearson's Chi-square Test of Independence, the Fisher's Exact Test of Independence and the Column Proportions Z-Test.

A Study of Quality Tools and Techniques for Smart Manufacturing in Industry 4.0 in Malaysia

This chapter explores the key factors for selecting quality tools and techniques in industrial revolution 4.0, particularly in the smart manufacturing context. What are the factors determining which quality tools and techniques are more applicable in specific circumstances related to quality performance in Industrial Revolution 4.0? To answer this question, authors employ a multiple case study and an in-depth literature review as the research design approach. Two key data collection methods (qualitative methods) are used: (1) Primary data from face-to-face interviews with Toyo Memory Technology and Intel Malaysia (2) Secondary data from previous studies. This review, coupled with the case study analysis, leads to the identification of the real implementation of quality tools and techniques in the industries. The chapter can enhance the reader understanding of Industrial Revolution 4.0 and quality management practices as well as highlight opportunities for further research.

Optimisation of bottling process using “hard” total quality management elements

Purpose

There is growing evidence of a knowledge gap in the association of maintenance with production activities in bottling plants. Indeed, insights into how to jointly optimise these activities are not clear. In this paper, two optimisation models, Taguchi schemes and response surface methodology are proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

Borrowing from the “hard” total quality management elements in optimisation and prioritisation literature, two new models were developed based on factor, level and orthogonal array selection, signal-to-noise ratio, analysis of variance and optimal parametric settings as Taguchi–ABC and Taguchi–Pareto. An additional model of response surface methodology was created with analysis on regression, main effects, residual plots and surface plots.

Findings

The Taguchi S/N ratio table ranked planned maintenance as the highest. The Taguchi–Pareto shows the optimal parametric setting as A4B4C1 (28 h of production, 30.56 shifts and 37 h of planned maintenance). Taguchi ABC reveals that the planned maintenance and number of shifts will influence the outcome of production greatly. The surface regression table reveals that the production hours worked decrease at a value of planned maintenance with a decrease in the number of shifts.

Originality/value

This is the first time that joint optimisation for bottling plant will be approached using Taguchi–ABC and Taguchi–Pareto. It is also the first time that response surface will be applied to optimise a unique platform of the bottling process plant.

A Study of Quality Tools and Techniques for Smart Manufacturing in Industry 4.0 in Malaysia

This chapter explores the key factors for selecting quality tools and techniques in industrial revolution 4.0, particularly in the smart manufacturing context. What are the factors determining which quality tools and techniques are more applicable in specific circumstances related to quality performance in Industrial Revolution 4.0? To answer this question, authors employ a multiple case study and an in-depth literature review as the research design approach. Two key data collection methods (qualitative methods) are used: (1) Primary data from face-to-face interviews with Toyo Memory Technology and Intel Malaysia (2) Secondary data from previous studies. This review, coupled with the case study analysis, leads to the identification of the real implementation of quality tools and techniques in the industries. The chapter can enhance the reader understanding of Industrial Revolution 4.0 and quality management practices as well as highlight opportunities for further research.

Quality management benefits through the “soft” and “hard” aspect of TQM in food companies

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to examine the binary character of total quality management (TQM) in food companies and to determine the impact of the two aspects of TQM – the “soft” and “hard” – on the quality management benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

– A research project was carried out in 90 Greek food companies, using the questionnaire method. Two measurement models have been formulated. The first model includes the TQM philosophical elements and quality tools/techniques, while the second model includes the quality management benefits. Exploratory factor analyses are applied to extract the latent factors. The factors that significantly influence the quality management benefits are determined through multiple linear regression analyses.

Findings

– The analysis of the models confirms the binary character of TQM (the “soft” and “hard” TQM elements) in food companies and the existence of internal and external quality management benefits. The “soft” TQM elements have a significant direct impact on quality improvement, employee benefits and customer satisfaction. However, the impact of the “hard” TQM elements on the above quality management benefits is not direct but indirect, through their significant correlation with the “soft” TQM elements. Finally, quality improvement is also a significant factor that directly influences employee benefits, customer satisfaction and business performance.

Research limitations/implications

– The small size of the sample of the responding food companies, the diversity of these companies and the subjective character of the data collected are limitations that suggest future research recommendations.

Practical implications

– Food companies should realize the leading role of the “soft” aspect of TQM and the supporting role of the “hard” aspect in maximizing the quality management benefits and as a consequence in withstanding the current economic downturn.

Originality/value

– Focusing on “quality-oriented” food companies that have ample experience in quality and food safety management systems, the present study reveals a significant direct impact of the “soft” TQM elements and an indirect impact of the “hard” TQM elements on the quality management benefits.