Title: A formal definition of operation quality of factors: a focus on data and information

Authors: Zbigniew J. Gackowski

Addresses: Department of Computer Information Systems, College of Business Administration, California State University Stanislaus, 801 W Monte Vista Avenue, Turlock, CA 95382, USA

Abstract: This paper presents a formal definition of the operation quality of factors that play a significant role in operations. The focus is on factors of symbolic nature, such as data, information, and rules of reasoning and/or proceeding. The definition includes a philosophical perspective of quality, communications, decision-making, implementing, and acting, which are always affected by explicit or implicit purposes. Purpose and circumstances pervade all aspects of quality assessment. The emphasis is on routine operations and assessment of quality from the operations-management perspective. Strategic management of operations requires a different perspective and a separate inquiry.

Keywords: operation quality; operations factors; factors of substance; symbolic nature; data quality; information quality; knowledge; taxonomy; quality requirements; communications; decision making; quality assessment; operations management; strategic management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIQ.2007.014611

International Journal of Information Quality, 2007 Vol.1 No.2, pp.225 - 249

Published online: 18 Jul 2007 *

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