Title: Where do we stand in cost of quality awareness? - Pakistan's case

Authors: Sheheryar Mohsin Qureshi; Sadia Majeed; Rameez Khalid

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan ' Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan ' Department of Management, Institute of Business Administration, Main Campus, University Road, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract: Quality management (QM) techniques have emerged as effective tools for organisations to satisfy their customers and achieve competitiveness. Cost of quality (COQ) is regarded as an important QM technique which measures the cost incurred in achieving better and improved product or service quality. This paper intends to contribute in the area of empirical study on quality costing by providing analysis of understanding and performance of the Pakistani industry (manufacturing and service sectors) in the context of practicing the basic principles of quality, QM and especially the effective implementation of COQ programme awareness. Findings of the study manifest that majority of the respondent firms have well implemented QM practices. Evidence also suggests that implementation of COQ programme helps enhance overall competitive position of the firm. However, due to lack of necessary understanding and relevant training on COQ, majority of the firms do not formally report COQ.

Keywords: quality awareness; cost of quality; COQ; quality costing; quality management systems; QMS; Pakistan; manufacturing industry; service sector; services.

DOI: 10.1504/IJQET.2014.066989

International Journal of Quality Engineering and Technology, 2014 Vol.4 No.4, pp.273 - 289

Received: 04 Apr 2014
Accepted: 07 May 2014

Published online: 29 Jan 2015 *

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