Title: Outcomes from an exploratory study of quality methods utilisation in Brazilian companies

Authors: Gabriela Winck Jacques; Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes; Ming K. Lim; Vikas Kumar

Addresses: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília-DF, Brazil; School of Technology, The University of Derby, Markeaton Campus, Derby, DE22 3AW, UK ' Centre for Supply Chain Improvement, The University of Derby, Kedleston Road Campus, Derby, DE22 1GB, UK ' Centre for Supply Chain Improvement, The University of Derby, Kedleston Road Campus, Derby, DE22 1GB, UK ' Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Ln, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, BS16 1QY, UK

Abstract: This paper presents an initial study that investigates the degree of adoption of quality methods in Brazil. The research is based on an exploratory survey validated and distributed among a number of Brazilian organisations operating in a wide range of industries. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study shows that many Brazilian companies are now adopting quality methods as a strategy to be globally competitive, with ISO standards being their first choice. The study also presents evidence of which methods have been more widely implemented, their importance, the results obtained, and the barriers faced during their implementation. Reasons for not using them were also investigated. The paper also identifies some key factors to successfully deploy quality improvement approaches in Brazil. This study offers academics, researchers and practitioners interested in the area of quality with some initial evidence of the adoption and development of quality methods in a fast developing country like Brazil.

Keywords: Brazil; quality methods adoption; ISO standards; total quality management; TQM; six sigma; statistical process control; SPC; business excellence models; BEMs; developing countries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJQET.2014.066993

International Journal of Quality Engineering and Technology, 2014 Vol.4 No.4, pp.315 - 333

Received: 26 Apr 2014
Accepted: 17 Jun 2014

Published online: 29 Jan 2015 *

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