Abj. Adams et Bg. Dale, The use of quality management tools and techniques: a study in plastic injection moulding manufacture, P I MEC E B, 215(6), 2001, pp. 847-855
Citations number
16
Categorie Soggetti
Engineering Management /General
Journal title
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART B-JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING MANUFACTURE
There is considerable available information on the application and use of i
ndividual quality management tools and techniques, but empirical evidence i
s lacking. This paper reports a study that has examined how four companies
have implemented tools and techniques and explored the relationship between
the use of tools and techniques and the level of total quality management
(TQM) adoption. The four companies studied were part of a single holding co
mpany involved in the production of plastic injection mouldings, mainly for
original equipment manufacturers; they had been involved with TQM for diff
ering lengths of time. Among the main findings was the lack of a relationsh
ip between commitment to TQM and the tools and techniques employed, and the
tools and techniques in use did not seem to relate to the companies' exper
ience with TQM. It was also found that senior management commitment, educat
ion and training, teamwork and employee involvement have had a major impact
on the level of TQM adoption.