Title: Quality management in the logistics function: a study of the Greek industry

Authors: Katerina Gotzamani, Fotis Vouzas, Pantelis Longinidis

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, University of Macedonia, P.O. Box 1591, 54006, Thessaloniki, Greece. ' Department of Business Administration, University of Macedonia, P.O. Box 1591, 54006, Thessaloniki, Greece. ' Department of Business Administration, University of Macedonia, P.O. Box 1591, 54006, Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract: This paper presents the results of an exploratory survey investigating the status of quality management practices in the logistics function in the Greek industry. This is the first paper to provide information regarding quality management performance in the growing and challenging area of logistics in the Greek industry. The survey instrument contains information about the forces that encourage or discourage managers to implement quality initiatives in the logistics function, the quality methods and techniques that are currently in use, their overall satisfaction with the current level of quality management in logistics and their perceptions regarding the critical success factors for effective quality management in logistics. The findings of this survey are compared with related findings from similar surveys in other countries in order to generalise upon the results and draw meaningful conclusions. The logistics quality performance status generated by this exploratory study could be used by logistics managers as a benchmark tool or roadmap for future quality improvements.

Keywords: total quality management; TQM; quality performance; business excellence; logistics; survey; Greece; quality improvement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2009.022725

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2009 Vol.2 No.2, pp.194 - 218

Published online: 25 Jan 2009 *

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