To identify QFD best practices and understand factors that contribute to successful QFD application.
Abstract
Purpose
To identify QFD best practices and understand factors that contribute to successful QFD application.
Design/methodology/approach
A field research study is presented that summarises the use of QFD in a number of companies operating in Brazil. The paper reports multiple case studies conducted in organizations that have already achieved maturity in QFD implementation.
Findings
The study identified areas of QFD best practice such as the development of matrices and voice of customers, interaction with other organizational practices (e.g. TQC system and other methods and techniques), and less traditional QFD applications (concept definition, strategic planning, and developing a global product). The study also identifies QFD implementation success factors related to organizational characteristics (e.g. management support for QFD and cross‐functional involvement in QFD project), data sources (e.g. existing data sources and QFD‐driven data sources), and QFD tools and techniques such as use of advanced phases of quality deployment (e.g. development of different matrices, comprehensive QFD, integration of analytical techniques and QFD).
Practical implications
A useful source to be used by organizations that have been implementing QFD for product development or for those that plan to employ the method.
Originality/value
The paper offers practical and applied information on QFD implementation while identifying areas of best practice within a variety of situations. It will be useful for both academics and practitioners.
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Manju Saroha, Dixit Garg and Sunil Luthra
Circular supply chain management (CSCM) is proving to be a strong contributor towards sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to analyse the circular practices in…
Abstract
Purpose
Circular supply chain management (CSCM) is proving to be a strong contributor towards sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to analyse the circular practices in CSCM implementation towards sustainability in the Indian auto sector; these practices are at the initial stage in a developing economy.
Design/methodology/approach
In this research work, a framework has been developed to enrich understanding of various CSCM practices for sustainability. To develop a causal framework, a Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (F-DEMATEL) methodology has been adopted.
Findings
The results produce 32 practices with cause and effect groups and their importance/priorities. Based on F-DEMATEL, these 32 practices are grouped into cause and effect groups based on R + C and R − C values.
Research limitations/implications
The findings will help managers and decision-makers to gain a deeper understanding of the practices and their nature; the governmental and financial practices are identified as the most critical factors that need more attention. The results will help strategy makers to plan accordingly.
Originality/value
This research has identified and analysed 32 basic practices and their interrelationships to achieve sustainability in CSCM.
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Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes, Fred Visnevskis, Vikas Kumar and Jiju Antony
The paper aims to present a review and comparison of the Russian Federation Government Quality Award (RFGQA) with the three major business excellence models, Malcolm Baldrige…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to present a review and comparison of the Russian Federation Government Quality Award (RFGQA) with the three major business excellence models, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA), European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Award and Deming Prize.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper briefly reviews the RFGQA through a desk-top research method. Then, it adapts the comparative approach used in a similar study by Vokurka et al. (2000). Thus, the comparative analysis consisted in contrasting two characteristics of the RFGQA with those of the MBNQA, EFQM Award and Deming Prize, namely, award descriptors (i.e. objectives and criteria) and emphasis placed on excellence criteria (i.e. weighting). The study also includes a mapping assessment to explore up to what extent the RFGQA addresses the criteria of the major models.
Findings
Although the RFGQA was designed based on the concept and structure of the EFQM model, the results of the study indicate that there are still differences among them, especially in terms of internal business processes. RFGQA finds more differences with the MBNQA and Deming Prize excellence models than with the EFQM.
Practical implications
This research would benefit organisations and managers in Russia, as they will be able to acquire a deeper knowledge on the RFGQA. This may facilitate its awareness and implementation.
Originality/value
The paper expands the current knowledge in the area of quality management and models for business excellence, as it is among the very first investigations to have studied the RFGQA model.
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Olga Maria Formigoni Carvalho Walter and Edson Pacheco Paladini
This paper aims to investigate Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in the Brazilian context, seeking to identify its main characteristics and opportunities for future research.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in the Brazilian context, seeking to identify its main characteristics and opportunities for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
This study focuses on a literature review in the area of production engineering and operations management, where 104 relevant scientific publications were identified.
Findings
The results show that the most important critical success factor for integrating LSS in Brazil is top management support and commitment. LSS integration occurs predominantly in large industrial companies, being incipient in small and medium-sized enterprises. In general, there is no structured way of applying LSS. A standard framework for LSS is still lacking.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to a sample that only comprises Brazilian scientific studies.
Practical implications
Professionals and practitioners can understand the evolution of LSS through practical applications and the main LSS tools used in both the industrial and services sectors. It also points out the critical success factor for the implementation of LSS. The study highlights several roadmaps for LSS implementation adopted by large and modern Brazilian automotive industries based on a robust technological base. This study also contributes to expanding the evidence base of LSS application, both in Brazil and in other countries.
Originality/value
Some suggestions are proposed to clarify the structure and complexity of integrated implementation of LP and SS as well as expand the LSS application in small and medium-sized enterprises. This study is the first to discuss the current situation of LSS in Brazil and provide suggestions to expand LSS in the country. Comparisons of Brazilian LSS literature review with researches of others countries are also presented.
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Eduardo Guilherme Satolo, Laiz Eritiemi de Souza Hiraga, Gustavo Antiqueira Goes and Wagner Luiz Lourenzani
This paper aims to conduct case studies in companies of different branches of the agribusiness sector to analyze the degree of adherence to lean production system, considering the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to conduct case studies in companies of different branches of the agribusiness sector to analyze the degree of adherence to lean production system, considering the use of techniques and tools, and how the specificities of the agribusiness system work.
Design/methodology/approach
By contributing to the refinement of the theory, multiple type case studies were conducted in eight agribusiness units from different branches by applying structured interviews, on-site visits and document analysis. The comparative analysis of the cases occurred focusing on the degree of adherence to lean production system; use of techniques and tools; and influence of the specificities of agribusiness systems.
Findings
The adoption of lean production system occurs as an improvement mechanism of organizational performance. However, it is necessary to advance in the formalization of the actions, which need to encourage the creation of new leaders who spread the organizational philosophy. When comparing the degree of adherence to lean production with the use of techniques and tools, it was observed that there is no direct relationship, indicating that each organization should select only the techniques and tools that will improve their own organizational performance. At last, the specific characteristics of seasonality of consumption, quality and health surveillance and sociological aspects of the food have high influence on surveyed agribusiness systems, and its effects can be minimized by the techniques and tools associated with lean production system.
Research limitations/implications
The analysis is valid for the universe investigated due to the specific characteristic of the case study.
Originality/value
The literature regarding the lean production philosophy is vast; however, the agribusiness segment, one of the major sectors of the global economy, features a large gap in literature. This study is one of the first original papers to report this reality.
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Jeff Guinot, John W. Sinn, M. Affan Badar and Jeffrey M. Ulmer
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility of including the cost consequence of failure in the a priori risk assessment methodology known as failure mode and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility of including the cost consequence of failure in the a priori risk assessment methodology known as failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA).
Design/methodology/approach
A model of the standard costs that are incurred when an electronic control module in an automotive application fails in service was developed. These costs were related to the Design FMEA ranking of the level of severity of the failure mode and the probability of its occurrence. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to establish the average costs expected for each level of severity at each level of occurrence. The results were aggregated using fuzzy utility sets into a nine-point ordinal scale of cost consequence. The criterion validity of this scale was assessed with warranty cost data derived from a case study.
Findings
It was found that the model slightly underestimated the warranty costs that accrued, but the fit could be improved with adjustments dictated by actual usage conditions.
Research limitations/implications
Cost data used in the simulations were derived from government and academic surveys, analyses, and estimates of the manufacturing cost structure; and nominal costs for various quality issues experienced by Tier 2 automotive electronics supplier. Specificity is lacking. The sample size and the type of the failure modes used to validate the model are constrained by the number and type of products which have had demonstrable performance concerns over the past three years, with cost data available to the authors. The power of the validation is limited. The validation is considered a screening assessment.
Practical implications
This work relates the characterization of risk with its potential cost and develops a scaling instrument to allow the incorporation of cost consequence into an FMEA.
Originality/value
A ranking scale was developed that related severity and occurrence rank scores to a cost consequence rank that keys to a cost of quality figure (given as percent of sales) that would accompany a realization of the failure mode.
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This paper aims to show the main results of an implementation of a tool developed to assess the integrated elements originated from lean manufacturing and Six Sigma, based on…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to show the main results of an implementation of a tool developed to assess the integrated elements originated from lean manufacturing and Six Sigma, based on Programa Nacional da Qualidade – Brazilian National Quality Program (PNQ).
Design/methodology/approach
This is an applied and qualitative research, which used basic qualitative studies and descriptive techniques as research strategies. A five-point Likert scale was used for the evaluation of the elements and constructs. The instrument was applied in one manufacturing company located in the Southern region of Brazil.
Findings
The application of the instrument showed that the use of an instrument like that can be useful in the management of elements and constructs of companies that have the lean manufacturing and Six Sigma implemented. In the case of this company, among the nine constructs, three of them need more attention: strategy, culture and customer.
Research limitations/implications
Because it is a research by means of a case study, the results cannot be generalized and should be applied in other organizations. Thus, their results could be further explored and discussed.
Practical implications
The results point out relevant aspects related to the evaluation of integrated elements of Lean Sigma and the importance of a tool to manage them in order to reduce costs and others resources.
Originality/value
As the application of Lean Sigma is relatively recent and there are little data published about its utilization in a developing country, it is important to expand knowledge on this subject.
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Arash Shahin and Ensiyeh Bakhshi
The purpose of this research is to propose a new model for the integration of concurrent function deployment (CFD) and parameter (P) diagram in order to prioritize innovation…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to propose a new model for the integration of concurrent function deployment (CFD) and parameter (P) diagram in order to prioritize innovation factors.
Design/methodology/approach
Each of the approaches of CFD and P diagram and their features has been demonstrated and according to their common features, an integrated model has been designed in two phases. It has been examined in Sepahan Industrial Group, of which the major product is API gas pipeline network demanded by Isfahan Province Gas Organization. A questionnaire has been designed and delivered to four major units of Isfahan Province Gas Organization.
Findings
“Hydrostatic test” and “number of close end branch pipes” with the average values of 4.78 and 3.31 have been found as the first and last priorities of importance to customers, respectively. The output of the first phase includes “equipments” as the first priority of control factors, and “changing market or customers wants” as the first priority of noise factors. The results of the second phase show that “fault‐free product” and “successful innovation outcomes” are, respectively, recognized as first priorities of response factors. Finally, “successful innovation outcomes” has been determined as the first priority of response factors.
Research limitations/implications
The matrixes of the two phases could become larger if the number of factors in the P diagram increases, and therefore, filling and analyzing the matrixes might become time consuming and difficult.
Originality/value
The proposed integrated model can be effective for almost all organizations that aim to meet the dynamic needs of markets and customers and intend to incorporate innovation in their products and services. By the new approach, determination and prioritization of innovation factors can be done based on customers' viewpoint, while in the traditional approaches this was done only from the viewpoint of engineers and designers.
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Paulo Augusto Cauchick Miguel and José Antonio Carnevalli
This paper continues the analysis of the data collected in a survey of quality function deployment (QFD) carried out in Brazil, and deepens the study by carrying out interviews at…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper continues the analysis of the data collected in a survey of quality function deployment (QFD) carried out in Brazil, and deepens the study by carrying out interviews at some of the companies which participated in the survey to identify best practices on QFD application.
Design/methodology/approach
To analyze the data collected in a survey of QFD and interviews, eight exemplary criteria based on the QFD literature were considered. The paper then presents and discusses best practices in QFD application.
Findings
The results of analyzing the interviews showed that there were exemplary aspects in the use of the method and the key points in the QFD implementation that should be considered were related to: support from upper management, carrying out training, creating the team, frequency and length of meetings, and creating a conceptual model, among other aspects.
Research limitations/implications
It is important to stress that the importance of some of these exemplary aspects varies with the type of company and the product developed with QFD, and could be less important for other products and industries.
Practical implications
The results showed that there were key points in the QFD implementation that should be considered depending on type of company and the product.
Originality/value
The key points in the QFD implementation identified in this paper may be useful to QFD users and academics.