The fourth industrial revolution, Industry 4.0, presents organizations with new opportunities to improve operational effectiveness and productivity through the incorporation of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things. The success of Industry 4.0 depends on the quality function, and Quality 4.0 refers to the digitalization of quality work within this context. However, research on Quality 4.0 is still in its early stages, and more conceptual and empirical studies are necessary to better understand its requirements and develop standardized measurement models.
This blog post explores the concept of Quality 4.0, which involves integrating people, processes, tools, methodologies, and technologies to improve and control quality. The study proposes a measurement instrument to measure Quality 4.0 and identifies 12 axes of Quality 4.0, such as customer focus, quality management system, compliance, and data-driven decision making. The paper highlights the importance of blending traditional quality concepts with analytical thinking and data-driven approaches. It emphasizes that technology is not the only solution to address the challenges posed by Quality 4.0.
The development and validation of the measurement scale for Quality 4.0 is discussed in detail, with various statistics used to assess the fit of the model. The study employed both ex ante and ex-post approaches to minimize common method variance (CMV) and ensure the reliability and validity of the results. The paper discusses different approaches to addressing CMV in research, including procedural remedies, statistical remedies, and design remedies. It is essential to acknowledge the potential for CMV in research and take appropriate measures to minimize its impact on the findings.
The importance of strategic leadership and quality culture in successful quality initiatives is also highlighted in this blog post. Organizations must have top management commitment and a carefully constructed cultural environment to achieve performance excellence. The use of advanced analytics is emphasized as a crucial tool for generating new insights to enhance decision-making. Quality 4.0 offers new opportunities for improving operational performance and productivity through the symbiotic relationship between humans and machines. Practitioners can use the Quality 4.0 Index to evaluate their organization's maturity level with respect to each axis and target improvement efforts accordingly.
In conclusion, Quality 4.0 is a multidimensional construct that includes both traditional quality factors and technological factors. The study developed a standardized instrument to measure the level of Quality 4.0 implementation and found that the different axes of Quality 4.0 are fundamental for organizational excellence. The paper provides insights for researchers and practitioners to understand the dimensions of Quality 4.0 and its impact on organizational performance, agility, and sustainability. Quality 4.0 offers intriguing prospects to authenticate the veracity of Joseph Juran's prophesy of the twenty-first century as the "Century of Quality."
Authors
Sureshchandar, G. S. (2023). Quality 4.0–a measurement model using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 40(1), 280-303. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-06-2021-0172