Title: Total quality control through value stream mapping: a case study of small medium enterprises

Authors: Maurizio Bevilacqua; Filippo Emanuele Ciarapica; Davide D'Ettorre; Giovanni Mazzuto; Claudia Paciarotti

Addresses: DIISM, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy ' DIISM, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy ' DIISM, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy ' DIISM, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy ' DIISM, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy

Abstract: This paper investigates a new methodology with which to analyse the concept of total quality control (TQC) through the use of a value stream map (VSM). The objective of this study is to analyse the conditions for carrying out inlet quality control activities on a supplied product, to create values and competitive advantages in the procurement process. This study has been conducted with a small and medium enterprise (SME) that produces hydro-massage bathtubs, showers, and spas and that commercialises bathroom furniture. The results show that the use of VSM to achieve TQC enables a complete vision of the process and provides important technical and economic information. The proposed methodology facilitates and supports the decisional actions in the control process and the type of control needed to execute the process, in a way that ensures product conformity.

Keywords: TQC; total quality control; lean thinking; VSM; value stream mapping; SCM; supply chain management; inventory control; JIT; just in time; defects analysis; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; product conformity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISM.2014.064361

International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, 2014 Vol.9 No.1/2, pp.94 - 109

Received: 28 Jul 2013
Accepted: 27 Mar 2014

Published online: 19 Aug 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article