Project Materials

ROLE OF PURCHASING IN QUALITY DETERMINATION (PQD) IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The term “total quality determination” arose in the United States in the mid to late 1950s (Hutchims, 1992). The term was first used in an article by Dr. A. V. Flegenbawn and then again in his “total quality determination Engineering and Management” (1961). The concept of total quality determination, as understood by American gurns, originated in mass production and Taylorism.

Taylor style management was at its peak in the United States at the time, and even behavioural scientists did not criticise it. Quality determination as a science can be traced back to the early days of mass production, particularly at Ford Motor Company.

Today’s total quality differs significantly from what its American pioneers envisioned. Quality systems have evolved considerably in recent years. Over the last two decades, quality determination has replaced or augmented simple inspection efforts.

Quality assurance has evolved and improved over time, and the most forward-thinking businesses are currently moving towards Quality determination. This is the outcome of:

a. Organisations recognise that adhering to the standards of a specific quality system is not always a guarantee against creating and delivering non-conforming products to customers.

A quality assurance system does not inherently foster a continuous improvement approach to quality. It may simply signify that a purchasing organisation has procedures in place.

b. Major customers have rigorous quality criteria.

c. Loss of market share to competitors.

d. Increased communication with employees from Japanese companies.

e. Case studies that focus on how companies have implemented PQD and the benefits of doing so.

f. Teaching internationally known quality exports such as Deming, Feigenbaum, Taguchi, Juran Crosby, and Shingeo. (Dale, Plunkett, 1990).

Total quality is a relatively new idea among managers, hence its application is limited. The singular idea of quality, control, or management is more common in modern management, although its definition varies.

Literature dealing with the notion of complete quality continues to be created as a result of the widespread interest in PQD and business process improvement.

As a result, there is a vast body of literature on the subject and its varied aspects. Continuous cost reduction, productivity, and quality improvement have proven critical for purchasing organisations to remain in business.

It is practically impossible to ignore how quality has evolved into the most essential competitive weapon; many businesses have realised that quality determination is the way to manage for the future.

However, quality determination has a broader applicability than only ensuring the quality of products or services. It is a method of managing business processes that ensures total customer satisfaction at all stages. (lerit, 1994) because purchasing organisations must shift from gratifying to deligiting their customers.

Organisations delight customers by continuously meeting their needs and establishing a reputation for excellence (Oakland, 1993). To achieve this goal, all members of the purchasing organisation must collaborate on a company-wide basis to increase quality.

To achieve this level of perfection, everyone at every interaction must work together. Changing customers’ lifelong behaviours and purchasing organisations’ preconceptions is difficult.

Experience has shown that just throwing money and training at a problem will not result in meaningful changes in behaviours or attitudes; something more is necessary. Dale and Plunkett (1990).