Angélica Muffato Reis, Elisa Verna, Lino Costa, Sérgio Dinis Sousa and Maurizio Galetto
This study bridges the gap in quality control strategies for high-volume production by balancing the cost and effectiveness of inspection strategies. Using the cost of quality…
Abstract
Purpose
This study bridges the gap in quality control strategies for high-volume production by balancing the cost and effectiveness of inspection strategies. Using the cost of quality (CoQ) to manage cost and external failures (EF) to gauge effectiveness, this research introduces an innovative inspection strategy chart that serves as a decision-making tool for optimizing inspection processes.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a scenario-based framework designed to support strategic decision-making in inspection processes by integrating empirical data analysis with inspection strategy charts. This approach allows for a dynamic assessment and visualization of the relationship between CoQ and EF, facilitating more informed decision-making in quality management. Notably, it contrasts the traditional models with a novel approach that more accurately captures the uncertainty and correlation among key quality indicators, showcasing its potential for more refined decision-making in quality management.
Findings
Application of the framework illustrates its effectiveness in offering a nuanced understanding of the cost implications and effectiveness of various quality control strategies. This facilitates enhanced strategic decision-making, optimizing inspection processes and reducing external failures in high-volume production settings.
Research limitations/implications
The study focuses on a single industry case study, limiting the generalizability of findings across different high-volume production contexts. Future research could explore the framework’s applicability in other sectors and refine the model based on additional empirical data.
Originality/value
The research introduces a versatile framework that navigates the unique challenges of high-volume manufacturing environments. Diverging from models optimized for low-volume settings, this approach provides a valuable tool for adapting inspection strategies to complex production demands, marking a significant contribution to quality management and control literature.
Details
Keywords
Isabel Silva Lopes, Sérgio Dinis Sousa and Eusébio Nunes
The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology to represent the uncertainty generated in performance measures (PMs) during the operational step or “use step” of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology to represent the uncertainty generated in performance measures (PMs) during the operational step or “use step” of the performance measurement process (PMP). The different steps of the methodology are described and exemplified through an application example.
Design/methodology/approach
An index that reflects the level of uncertainty originated by the factors and the strength of their inter-relationships is developed through the use of graph theory. A graph is developed considering all sources or factors of uncertainty that may be present in this process. Based on the graph, the methodology includes the use of a matrix and the determination of the associated permanent function which is used for determining the uncertainty index.
Findings
During the development of the methodology, it was found that the use of a scale that includes zero for assigning values of the elements of the matrix is not appropriate when using graph theory and permanent function calculation, since in this case the permanent function is insensible to changes in some matrix elements.
Originality/value
This paper identifies all the sources that can affect the quality of performance measurement values during the operational step of the PMP and proposes a method to characterize the strength of this uncertainty. Beyond alerting decision makers to the level of uncertainty associated with a PM, it also allows defining appropriate actions to improve PMs’ quality.
Details
Keywords
João Cláudio Soares, Anabela Pereira Tereso and Sérgio Dinis Sousa
This paper proposes a decision support model that can be used to help decide the destination of defective products, for mass production industries. The objective of this model is…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper proposes a decision support model that can be used to help decide the destination of defective products, for mass production industries. The objective of this model is to reduce the cost of the defect, and consequently reduce the total quality costs.
Design/methodology/approach
The decision model was developed based on the theory of quality costs and decision-making models, considering the practical aspects of reality through data collection, observation and experience in Industrial Pole of Manaus (Brazil) industries. A decision model adjusted to reality assists in the construction of the decision process, indicating the facts, data collection and the planning of the actions to choose the best alternative.
Findings
The specific contributions of this research are: (1) define a sequential structure of actions, effects and costs associated with defective items; (2) allow a comprehensive approach to failure costs, including various elements of lost opportunity costs; (3) minimize failure costs, and consequently reduce total quality costs, without necessarily investing in prevention and assessment; (4) describe the use and application of the built theory; (5) identify the quality cost elements most representative in existence of defective items; and (6) identify improvement points in the management of possible future defective items.
Originality/value
Much of the work of implementation of quality cost models do not emphasize the analysis of the destination of defective items. Also, there are no studies that use decision models with identification, accounting and evaluation of effects and criteria of quality, productivity and cost to define the destination of manufacture defective items.
Details
Keywords
Renato Araujo, June Marques Fernandes, Luciana Paula Reis and Martin Beaulieu
This study aims to identify supply chain (SC) management practices applied to purchasing capable of improving the resilience of the health-care SC and mitigating the effects of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify supply chain (SC) management practices applied to purchasing capable of improving the resilience of the health-care SC and mitigating the effects of material and service disruption during pandemics.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach adopted is qualitative and is based on a systematic literature review from the ScienceDirect, Emerald, Wiley and Web of Science databases. After selecting 705 documents, filters are applied, and 52 articles present problems faced by purchasing the health-care SC during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Findings
This article suggests five propositions of resilient practices that can increase purchasing resilience in the face of pandemics such as COVID-19. The proposed practices are collaboration, flexibility, visibility, agility and information sharing, which suggest a sequence for the adoption of management practices based on the number of occurrences and importance found in the analysed studies.
Research limitations/implications
This study does not find robust empirical evidence that could categorically state that the results can be replicated in organisations in general. Thus, as a continuation of research, more studies should use an empirical methodology and case analysis to organise different branches. As the human factor was decisive for the results observed in the literature, future research should dedicate part of the studies to the psychological area of professionals. Actions to combat the pandemic were implemented, impacting positively and negatively on the results obtained. Future research on combat actions could indicate which ones should be avoided.
Practical implications
As a result, disruptions are expected to be reduced, and consequently, the resilience of the SC will increase. Accordingly, purchasing processes and procedures can be redefined to positively influence the resilience of the health-care SC. Resilience is related to maintaining the flow of supply, as well as systems and actions aimed at mitigating the effects of disruptions in the hospital’s core business.
Social implications
Health systems need to respond to society’s needs even in the face of global crises, such as the one faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The overload in hospitals and the exponential demand for specific medicines and services in the fight against the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic require enormous coordination in procurement by the purchasing sector. This planning aims to ensure that the care provided by health services maintains the flow of value that serves hospitalised patients.
Originality/value
This study introduces a new approach to the recurrent problem of disruption of the health-care SC during a pandemic using a combination of five important management practices. This proves useful for mitigating disruptions and their effects on the health-care SC.