Quality management in the global brewing industry

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to stimulate interest in the use of quality management methods and tools and to provide a basis and direction for further improvement in the global brewing industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology that is followed in the paper is based on the study of quality management tools and best practices in global brewing companies.

Findings

From all evidence found by this research, the conclusion is that quality management can dramatically improve certain operations and reduce cost or increase profit as well. All of the global brewing companies examined in this paper have their quality policies and each one of them uses what fits best to its business profile.

Research limitations/implications

This study refers to some of the largest brewing companies in the world. Future research could be addressed toward the analysis of other smaller brewing companies, which are characterized by the concepts of quality management.

Practical implications

The analysis of quality management in the global brewing industry may cause the interest of other brewing companies and other stakeholders affected by this industry. Quality tools can be very useful for dealing with problems and improving procedures in a brewery. Furthermore, the extension of this work with detailed references to these tools could produce a quality guide for brewing companies.

Originality/value

The value of this paper lies in the identification and presentation of tools and quality policies which have been successfully developed by global brewing companies and may as well be implemented by others.

Citation

Vrellas, C.G. and Tsiotras, G. (2015), "Quality management in the global brewing industry", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 42-52. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-07-2013-0120