Quality management has been a crucial aspect of ensuring enterprise efficiency, performance, and improved business models for many years. However, with the emergence of advanced technologies such as cyber-physical systems, internet of things (IoT), and cloud computing, the concept of Quality 4.0 has been introduced. Quality 4.0 is the integration of traditional quality management practices with these advanced technologies to take quality management to a whole new level.
While Quality 4.0 presents a promising future for organizations, there is a lack of evidence of successful implementation and no universally accepted framework for its implementation. Therefore, the authors of the paper propose research questions to understand the motivations and barriers for implementing Quality 4.0 and assess the factors for organizational readiness.
One of the key factors for organizational readiness assessment is top management support. The vision and strategy for the organization should be aligned with the vision and strategy for Quality 4.0. Additionally, employees should have a large repertoire of skill sets to facilitate the performance of Quality 4.0 throughout the organization.
Another essential factor for readiness assessment is the availability and quality of data. Quality 4.0 relies heavily on data, and organizations need to ensure that they have the necessary data infrastructure to support it. This includes data collection, storage, and analysis capabilities. The quality of data is also important, as inaccurate or incomplete data can lead to faulty decision-making. Therefore, organizations need to assess the availability and quality of their data infrastructure to determine their readiness for Quality 4.0.
Organizational culture is also an important factor for readiness assessment. Quality 4.0 requires a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation. Organizations need to assess whether their culture is conducive to implementing Quality 4.0. This includes factors such as employee engagement, communication, and leadership styles.
Furthermore, the paper highlights the importance of effective supplier management for implementing Quality 4.0 in large manufacturing and service sectors. With the emergence of Quality 4.0, supplier management becomes even more critical as it requires collaboration and integration of suppliers into the digital supply chain. Quality 4.0 technologies such as IoT, RFID, and machine learning algorithms enable real-time monitoring of supplier performance and quality of materials. This leads to improved supplier relationships, better decision-making, and ultimately, better quality products and services.
The authors of the paper also conducted an online survey with 50 senior quality professionals who had at least five years of experience in their roles. The survey results showed that reliable and accurate data, big data-driven quality management, improved customer satisfaction, and increased productivity were the main motivating factors for implementing Quality 4.0. However, high initial costs, lack of resources, lack of implementation knowledge, unclear ROI, and resistance to change were identified as the main barriers to implementation.
To overcome these barriers, the authors suggest a strategic approach that involves leadership, training, reward systems, organizational culture, customer-centricity, and supplier management. It is essential to have a readiness plan that considers all of these factors to ensure successful implementation of Quality 4.0 initiatives.
In conclusion, the concept of Quality 4.0 presents enormous potential for organizations to achieve enterprise efficiency, performance, and improved business models. However, its successful implementation requires careful assessment of organizational readiness, which involves various factors such as top management support, alignment with vision and strategy, data infrastructure, and organizational culture. Effective supplier management is also critical for implementing Quality 4.0 in large manufacturing and service sectors. With the right approach, organizations can overcome the barriers to implementation and reap the benefits of Quality 4.0. Future research can explore the relationship between Quality 4.0 and business performance and compare motivations and barriers across different countries and sectors.
Authors
Sony, M., Antony, J., Douglas, J. A., & McDermott, O. (2021). Motivations, barriers and readiness factors for Quality 4.0 implementation: an exploratory study. The TQM Journal, 33(6), 1502-1515. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-11-2020-0272