Title: A practical quality management system implementation framework for small-sized companies

Authors: Manish Avinash Sawant; Om Prakash Yadav; Connie Rokke

Addresses: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA ' Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA ' Advance Technology, John Deere Electronic Solutions, Fargo, ND 58102, USA

Abstract: An effective quality management system is critical for having a smooth and efficient supply chain system. Establishing and maintaining quality systems is more challenging for smaller companies compared to larger organisations. This paper presents a cost effective and do-it-yourself approach to design and implement a quality management system for smaller organisations. It proposes a quality system implementation framework for small-medium sized companies to enable their transition from a no-quality system to having a more effective quality system. The study also proposes an effective continuous improvement and system maintenance plan after implementing the quality system. The proposed framework is validated using a case study of a small door manufacturing company. The findings of this study reveal several setbacks during quality management implementation and suggest means to overcome them. Benefits and results achieved by implementation of proposed framework will be useful for quality practitioners, quality managers, consultants, and engineers, especially in small companies.

Keywords: quality management system; QMS; implementation framework; small-sized; ISO 9001; continuous improvement; maintenance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIE.2018.091188

International Journal of Intelligent Enterprise, 2018 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.173 - 193

Received: 04 Jan 2017
Accepted: 15 Aug 2017
Published online: 15 Apr 2018 *

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