Multicriteria model for selecting TQM consultancy and certification services

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1736-1750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Tavares de Aquino ◽  
Renata Maciel de Melo

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish the need and the importance of adopting a structured model to support the decisions by using a multicriteria focus to guide drawing up a methodological framework. In addition, this study considers the maturity level of the organization, and the importance of continuous improvement after implementing ISO 9001. Design/methodology/approach This study presents a scientific technical foundation of the qualifying and selection criteria of the consultancy and Accredited Certification Body (ACB) by using ISO standards, and the guidance document CB25, which is related to quality. Finally, a numeric application with realistic data is undertaken using the PROMETHEE II method, and the GAIA plan. Findings The development of this study provides a new insight into the importance for selecting consultancy, and certification services in order to implement quality management systems within organizations. Research limitations/implications The current study is limited to the quality management services. If necessary to apply the same model to other areas, it is necessary looking for documents and regulations of this field. In addition, this model is focussed on a model for small or medium companies, which are still trying to achieve a higher position in the sector, and do not have experts in quality management. Originality/value The differential of this study is the foundation of the criteria for the proposed model. Other studies choose these criteria without any scientific basis. On the other hand, this study goes over many documents.

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco José Fernández Cruz ◽  
Inmaculada Egido Gálvez ◽  
Rafael Carballo Santaolalla

Purpose Quality management systems are being used more frequently in educational institutions, although their application has generated a certain amount of disagreement among education experts, who have at times questioned their suitability and usefulness for improving schools. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this discussion by providing additional knowledge on the effects in educational institutions of implementing quality management systems. Specifically, this study investigates teachers’ and managers’ perception of the impact that quality management systems have on one essential dimension of schools, the teaching–learning processes, with impact being understood as sustained medium- and long-term organisational change. Design/methodology/approach The responses were analysed and classified into a set of sub-dimensions linked to quality management processes in a total of 29 Spanish primary and secondary education schools that have used such systems for at least three years. Findings The results showed that, according to the respondents, the following sub-dimensions were improving as a result of implementing quality management plans: teaching and learning processes, the analysis of student results, tutoring, consideration of attitudes and values and assessment processes. Conversely, quality management systems did not seem to have a clear impact on the teaching methodologies used by teachers or on family involvement in student learning. In fact, the perceived impact in these sub-dimensions varied among teachers of public and private schools as well as when comparing different regional autonomous communities. Originality/value As the main objective of a school is to guarantee student learning, one of the essential purposes of school quality assurance systems is to perform all the activities aimed at ensuring high levels of student performance.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debby Willar ◽  
Vaughan Coffey ◽  
Bambang Trigunarsyah

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementation of quality management systems (QMSs) of Grade 7 (G-7) Indonesian construction companies. This includes the initial motives that have driven the development of QMSs, barriers to effective QMS implementation, the current practice and integration of QMS-ISO 9001 principles and elements, and the performance of contractors implementing such QMSs. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted involving 403 respondents (Quality Management Representatives, Managers, and Project and Site Engineers) from 77 G-7 as well as ISO 9001 certified Indonesian construction companies. Findings – The main motive for G-7 contractors in establishing and implementing ISO 9001 based QMSs are identified as being to effectively and efficiently control project activities. Respondents apparently do not often experience problems related to QMS implementation. However, issues of management attitude and purpose are identified as barriers that may affect effective QMS implementation. The study highlights the ISO 9001 principles and elements that still require to be more critically applied by G-7 contractors in order to fully implement and improve their current QMS effectiveness. The findings also suggest that, although certified, many G-7 contractors have not yet achieved a satisfactory level of performance to be truly competitive in global markets outside Indonesia. Originality/value – To date, only limited research has been conducted into the application of ISO 9001 in the Indonesian construction industry. The research findings reinforced the value of pursuing more effective QMS implementation. They also support current attempts to introduce ISO 9001 QMSs to a much wider base of Indonesian construction companies, particularly small and medium sized contractors and builders.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mehrabioun Mohammadi ◽  
Ali Jalali ◽  
Arezoo Hasani

PurposeThis manuscript concentrates on addressing the success and failure factors to satisfy the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need when facing challenges during the implementation of the quality management systems (QMSs) such as lack of both the financial and human resources and inadequate technical knowledge of quality management and employee indifference.Design/methodology/approachThis research employs a mixed-method research approach in three different steps. First, based on interviews and a review of previous research, a list of critical factors influencing the success and failure of QMS implementation in SMEs is provided. After conducting the interview and extracting the results, a quantitative questionnaire is recruited as a complementary tool to demonstrate the accuracy of the literature review and interview findings and to increase the validity and reliability of the data. By applying the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) method, the factors affecting the failure and success of QMS implementation are identified separately. In the third step, a focus group meeting is used to name the factors and identify the relationships among them. The relationships among the factors are also shown using the concept map. Finally, after conducting the focus group meeting, several key issues have been extracted from practice and literature to realize the critical success and failure factors.FindingsThe current study reveals that the factors supporting the SMEs during the implementation of the QMSs may be classified into nine groups. Of these, six factors are related to critical success factors (CSFs), and three factors are related to critical failure factors (CFFs).Originality/valueThere have been several studies developed and conducted to address the success factors supporting the QMSs in SMEs. However, the scope of these studies has only been set on either qualitative or quantitative approaches. Hence, the proposed method presented in this essay, which is, in turn, a new contribution, attempts to use a combined approach based on both the semistructured interviews and survey methods. The results of this study can be used as a reference by scholars and practitioners to identify the relevant issues of QMSs and their application in SMEs.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lalit Bhagat ◽  
Gunjan Goyal ◽  
Dinesh C.S. Bisht ◽  
Mangey Ram ◽  
Yigit Kazancoglu

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a better method for quality management to maintain an essential level of quality in different fields like product quality, service quality, air quality, etc.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, a hybrid adaptive time-variant fuzzy time series (FTS) model with genetic algorithm (GA) has been applied to predict the air pollution index. Fuzzification of data is optimized by GAs. Heuristic value selection algorithm is used for selecting the window size. Two algorithms are proposed for forecasting. First algorithm is used in training phase to compute forecasted values according to the heuristic value selection algorithm. Thus, obtained sequence of heuristics is used for second algorithm in which forecasted values are selected with the help of defined rules.FindingsThe proposed model is able to predict AQI more accurately when an appropriate heuristic value is chosen for the FTS model. It is tested and evaluated on real time air pollution data of two popular tourism cities of India. In the experimental results, it is observed that the proposed model performs better than the existing models.Practical implicationsThe management and prediction of air quality have become essential in our day-to-day life because air quality affects not only the health of human beings but also the health of monuments. This research predicts the air quality index (AQI) of a place.Originality/valueThe proposed method is an improved version of the adaptive time-variant FTS model. Further, a nature-inspired algorithm has been integrated for the selection and optimization of fuzzy intervals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-175
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Dinas ◽  
Eleftherios Vavoulidis ◽  
Georgios Chrysostomos Pratilas ◽  
Alexandros Basonidis ◽  
Anastasios Liberis ◽  
...  

Purpose Today, quality management systems (QMS) are a promising candidate for the improvement of healthcare services. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the opinions/attitudes of gynecology healthcare professionals toward quality and quality management in healthcare facilities (HFs) in Greece. Design/methodology/approach An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was distributed to healthcare professionals, asking for opinions on quality objectives associated with the everyday workflow in HFs (e.g. management of patients, resources, etc.) and on QMS. The study was conducted in Hippokration Hospital of Thessaloniki, including 187 participants. Statistical assessment and analysis of the questionnaires were carried out. Findings Although 87.5 percent recognized the importance of potential QMS implementation and accreditation, over 50 percent believed that it would lead rather to increased workload and bureaucracy than to any considerable quality improvement. More than 60 percent were completely unaware of the implementation of quality objectives such as quality handbook, quality policy, audit meetings and accreditation status in their HFs. This unawareness was also reported in terms of patient, data, human and general resources management. Finally, awareness over medical malpractice and positive attitude toward official reporting were detected. Originality/value Most respondents acknowledged the significance of quality, QMS implementation and accreditation in Greek hospitals. However, there was a critical gap in knowledge about quality management objectives/processes that could be possibly resolved by expert teams and well-organized educational programs aiming to educate personnel regarding the various quality objectives in Greek HFs.


2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying-Chin Ho ◽  
Liang-Chen Fan

Purpose – The purpose of this study is threefold. First, the authors will confirm the existence and the intensity of the latent “genius loci” within quality management systems. Second, the authors will confirm the extent of the genius loci with environmental sustainability. Finally, the authors will try to understand whether a quality management system's performance can be affected by its genius loci, and whether a quality management system's environmental sustainability performance can be affected by the extent of environmental sustainability in its genius loci. Design/methodology/approach – The extent of the genius loci in quality management systems and the genius loci with environmental sustainability are tested through higher-order confirmatory factor analysis. Findings – The findings of this study are as follows. First, genius loci partially exist in quality management systems. Second, the genius loci with the environmental sustainability concept also exist partially in certain respects. There is a lack of recognition and actions on environmental sustainability activities in organizations. The lack of recognition and actions leads to the unsatisfactory performance of quality management systems in environmental sustainability. As a result, business goals with environmental sustainability aspects cannot be fully supported and achieved. Originality/value – The results of this study can help small- and medium-sized OEM and ODM computer accessories companies in Taiwan and Southern China to understand the level of genius loci within their quality management systems and the extent that genius loci are linked with environmental sustainability. This understanding can be beneficial to them in achieving successful quality management systems with environmental sustainability.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 216-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic approach to conduct a diagnosis of the current status of a company’s quality management systems (QMS) and business processes. Design/methodology/approach The approach proposed is based upon the assessment of the maturity level of a company’s QMS, for which a “maturity diagnostic instrument” is also proposed, a self-assessment exercise using a business excellence model and a first-party quality audit. Findings The integration of a QMS’ maturity assessment, a self-assessment exercise and a quality audit may provide a more thorough evaluation of various company’s systems and operations. This paper provides organisations, and their managers, with a systematic approach to help them understand better the current performance of their QMSs and business processes. Originality/value This paper’s main contribution consists in the proposal of a novel approach for organisation to measure and understand the status of their QMS and business processes. Subsequently, better management decisions to improve a company’s operations can be taken.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meryem Uluskan ◽  
Jeffrey A. Joines ◽  
A. Blanton Godfrey

Purpose – This study aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the role of the quality management (QM) systems in international suppliers (e.g. ISO, Total Quality Management, Lean and Six Sigma) on outsourcing decisions of buyer companies with regard to reshoring activities. Design/methodology/approach – By the means of a comprehensive survey data collected within USA textile and apparel industry, the authors identify four quality factors and compare these factors for international and domestic suppliers by the means of linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and consequently define a reshore vector. Next, the most-effective QM system within international suppliers is analyzed by the means of a new application based on LDA. Findings – The results reveal that international suppliers perform worse for all quality factors compared to domestic USA suppliers, which may leave the door open for reshoring activities. Furthermore, it is shown that Lean and Six Sigma within international suppliers lead to superior levels of quality because they are aligned along the most opposite directions against reshore vector. Therefore, it is claimed that Lean and Six Sigma within the international suppliers can inhibit reshoring activities of US companies. Practical implications – The willingness of US textile companies to assist their international suppliers and the challenges on this subject are discussed on the basis that supplier development (or quality management) programs can be strong alternatives to reshoring activities. Originality/value – QM systems in suppliers are analyzed with a new method within a new context based on reshore phenomenon, which provides an essential point of view for academic and industrial environments.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. 1467-1484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoltán Krajcsák

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to create a theoretical framework that shows how the specialties of the organizational culture relate to the success of quality management systems’ (QMSs) application. In addition to these variables, the dependent variables of employees’ self-evaluation and some dimensions of commitment are also analyzed. Design/methodology/approach Unsuccessful organizational implementations of ISO 9000, total quality management (TQM) and Six Sigma are presented in case studies. These conclusions are utilized to retrieve individual and organizational barriers to the variables considered in each culture. Findings The characteristics of adhocracy determine self-efficacy and professional commitment. Through high levels of these variables, Six Sigma can be suggested for adhocracies. The clan culture is characterized by a high level of affective commitment and self-esteem, which support the TQM together with the internal focus dimension of the culture. The market culture is characterized by a high level of continuance commitment and neuroticism, which support ISO 9000 standards together with the control dimension of the culture. Research limitations/implications The limitation of the findings comes from the small sample size. The model presented is partly based on case studies; therefore, further research studies need to support or refute it. Practical implications In the practical use of the results, QMSs can be selected more targeted, reducing the risk of failing quality improvement strategies. Social implications Increasing and aligning quality and commitment in organizations supports the strengthening of individual and social well-being. Originality/value The study attempts to determine the most appropriate QMSs for organizational cultures in a complex way by analyzing the relationships between multiple organizational and individual variables.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1490-1507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manjot Singh Bhatia ◽  
Anjali Awasthi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between implementation of quality management systems (QMS) and business performance, through mediating factors (operating performance, information quality, product quality, design performance, environmental performance and competitive priorities). Most of the published literature examines the direct impact of implementation of QMS on business performance, and on some of the above stated factors. However, the impact of implementation of QMS on business performance, through these mediating factors has not received much attention. Accordingly, the authors develop a theoretical framework depicting impact of implementation of QMS on business performance through the above stated factors. Design/methodology/approach The paper proposes several hypotheses linking implementation of QMS, mediating factors and business performance. The hypothesized model is empirically tested using data collected from 120 professionals working in quality engineering/management in India and North America. The collected data are analyzed with the aid of structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. Findings Information quality and design performance have emerged as the important factors in the research. Information quality directly effects design performance, operating performance and environmental performance. The model indicates that besides a well-designed product, managers need to focus on the operating performance to improve overall product quality. Empirical evidence is found regarding direct and indirect effect of implementation of QMS on above stated mediating factors and on business performance. Originality/value The research fills a gap in the literature by considering several mediating factors that aid in improving business performance with implementation of QMS.


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