Title: Review of continuous quality improvement methodology - enablers, exertion, benefits for SMEs

Authors: J.A. Doshi; Darshak A. Desai

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, R.K. College of Engineering, Bhavnagar Highway, Kasturbadham, Rajkot - 360020, Gujarat, India; Automobile Department, Indus Institute of Technology and Engineering, Ahmedabad - 382115, Gujarat, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, G.H. Patel College of Engineering and Technology, Bakrol Road, Vallabh Vidyanagar - 388120, Anand, Gujarat, India

Abstract: The SMEs are often the suppliers of the larger companies, particularly in automobile sector; hence the changes in the large companies affect the SMEs. On one side automobile industry is growing and on other side sales are decreasing. OEMs are now making mandatory to implement QI tools and techniques especially automotive core tools through ISO/TS 16949 certification for their suppliers. The aim of this paper is to review the enablers, exertions, benefits and existing research on CQI with special emphasis on automobile sector SMEs. The methodology uses extensive review of literature through reputed publications - journals, conference proceedings, research thesis, etc. This paper provides an overview of CQI drives, its enablers, and exertions, how it evolved into sophisticated methodologies and benefits used in organisations especially in SMEs. It should be of value to practitioners of CQI programmes and to academics who are interested in how CQI has evolved, and where it is today.

Keywords: continuous quality improvement; CQI; automotive core tools; small and medium-sized enterprises; automotive SMEs; automobile industry; continuous improvement; literature review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJQI.2014.066357

International Journal of Quality and Innovation, 2014 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.245 - 255

Published online: 23 Dec 2014 *

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