International Journal of Quality Engineering and Technology (8 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Competency and Strategy parameters selection based on Fuzzy based modeling for Indian Automobile Industries  
  by Chandan Deep Singh 
  Abstract: The automobile manufacturing units need to create their own core competencies in order to survive in the fiercely competitive market. A core competency is an internal capability that is critical to the success of business. It should provide organizations with significant performance enhancements and should fulfill three attributes: it should offer customer advantages, it should be difficult for competitors to replicate and it should find applications wide variety of products and markets. This paper presents fuzzy based modeling for competency and strategy parameters.
  Keywords: Manufacturing Competency; Strategic Success; Fuzzy Logic; Modeling; MATLAB.
  
  
• Quality Insight: Umbrella Theory for Innovation: A Systems Framework for Quality Engineering and Technology  
  by Adedeji Badiru 
  Abstract: Innovation is presently the hottest topic in business, industry, academia, and the government. In response to a prevailing priority of business and industry to drive innovation, this paper introduces a research study on the development of a theory of innovation from the perspective of how people work and collaborate in the pursuit of innovation within the defense acquisition framework. The focus of innovation ranges from the acquisition of technology products, services, operational processes as well as workforce talent. This justifies using a systems framework for the methodology development in this paper. The Umbrella Theory of Innovation developed in this paper is transmittable to innovation pursuits in diverse operational environments in business, industry, government, the military, and academia.
  Keywords: Driving Innovation; Umbrella Theory; Systems thinking; Systems Framework; Workforce Development; DEJI Model.
  
  
• INCREASING THE LIFETIME OF WIND TURBINE BLADES BY CBM IN A DUSTY REGION  
  by Ahmida REZIG, Ahmed YOUSFI, Sylvain FREOUR, Frédéric JACQUEMIN, Samuel BRANCHU 
  Abstract: The maintenance and shutdown costs of a wind turbine blade have a direct impact on the total production and can represent a loss of as much as 25 % of the energy generated. Establishing appropriate condition-based maintenance (CBM) which involves monitoring system becomes a major need for wind turbines located in a dusty region. CBM will considerably reduce the costs and the number of maintenance interventions, knowing that in a dusty region the blades are submitted to erosive wear which contributes to the modification of the aerodynamic shape of the leading edge and hence reduce the performance of the wind turbine. This paper shows that before implementing a CBM system it is necessary to understand the different mechanisms of erosive wear. The experiments carried out show that the installation of this system is very effective in detecting any degradation caused by erosive wear on the surface of a blade during its service.
  Keywords: Erosive wear; leading edge; CBM; PV film.
  
  
• PERFORMANCE EVALUATION IN A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF CANAAN-CITY HOUSING ESTATE, OTA, NIGERIA  
  by Solomon Oyebisi, Chukwueloka Okeke, Tolulope Alayande, John Oluwafemi 
  Abstract: Project performance has always been affected by many factors across its lifecycle due to the increasing intricacy and flexibility of construction project. This study evaluated the performance in a construction project with emphasis on Canaan city Housing Estate (CHE) by conceiving a set of International Standards and Project Management Institute on performance measures. The researchers employed the instrument of main data collection such as quantitative research strategy and questionnaire survey to show the practicability of the cardinal performance indicators (CPIs) with a Five-Point Likert Scale for entreating information from the project actors involved in the execution of the projects with regard to their perceptions on 50 performance associated features, grouped into ten cardinal categories. The findings showed that the Cronbachs alpha of the data was 0.8942 indicating that the index of instrument reliability was consistent and reliable. Moreover, the empirical finding revealed that performance evaluation in a construction project has gone beyond the traditional approach of quality, time and cost. Finally, the Dunnett and Hsu multiple levels of agreement and correlations measured the same construct. Thus, this study would assist the construction participants in enhancing the project performance and take necessary steps towards efficient evaluation and satisfactory delivery of a construction project.
  Keywords: performance evaluation; health and safety; construction project; environmental impact; cardinal performance indicators; risk management; project participants; client representatives; consultants; contractors.
  
  
• Application of Total Quality Management in Leather Industry Development Institute  
  by Abduletif Habib Hebo 
  Abstract: The issues related to quality have received more attention in all sectors since years back. Improvement tools, like total quality management, have become prevalent terms in the discussions around quality issues. The intention of this paper is to study Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation in leather industry development institute (LIDI), and more specifically, to see if the integration of TQM with other tools and techniques could significantly improve the service level of the institute and the satisfaction of the customers. The paper specifically highlighted that the role of senior managers in TQM implementation were minimal due lack of TQM awareness and system integration. To improve this, a phase-based TQM framework has been developed and interpreted comprehensively including implementation strategies, possible improvements and integrations. Due to this, the institute was expected to be passionate with regard to TQM and continuous improvement.
  Keywords: total quality management; quality service; leather industry.
  
  
• SPC Techniques Using M/M/1 Queuing Model  
  by Amin Shaka Aunali, Biagio Simonetti, D. Venkatesan 
  Abstract: In a manufacturing process, no two products can be exact, and this is due to many factors. These variations need to be monitored and controlled through the use of Statistical Process Control (SPC). When these variations are small, and the effects of these variations are barely noticeable, we say the process is in control. Otherwise, effects caused by these variations leads the process to out of control. rnItems enter the system and wait on a line for measurements; they are measured by following a queue discipline. Such a queue is then characterized according to service time, number of quality inspector, and waiting space. A good process control will also protect the product in the sense that the lots produced at permissible levels of quality will have a good chance to be in control.rnQueue discipline and queuing processes were introduced in this paper. These queues maintain a control in the regular interval. Among the factors that can be controlled include; the arrival process, control process and number of manufacturers, number of system places and number of lots to be entering and then leaving the system after control. rnThe main objective of this paper is to introduce a control chart using [M/M/1] queuing discipline in order to study the production system and monitor the same.
  Keywords: Statistical Process Control; Queuing disciplines.
  
  
• Generalized probabilistic ranking competition model with quality inspection technique  
  by C. Sreerag, M.N. Srinivas, A. V. S. N. Murty 
  Abstract: The world of competition is not only constrained to the discrete cases but also envisages finite and infinite continuous cases of ranks of competitors in a generalized competition. The more applicable and general modelling is possible only through including single ranked competitors as well as the frequency of different ranks or positions. In this article, we propose a mathematical model which deals competition with ranks or positions with various frequency distributions applicable to quality inspection systems. The current article includes the equilibrium positions and failure gates in competitions for a single factor ranking system and discusses the multi-level competition which is more relevant in practical environment. The outcome probability of best, least and intermediate positions are analysed for discrete frequency model with finite ranks and also for continues frequency model with infinite ranks. The article likewise facilitates the feasibility of the model for implementation as a probabilistic inspection technique. The same technique is helpful to ascertain the quality of inspection units in a long term production cycle.
  Keywords: competition; probabilistic modelling; equilibrium positions; continues frequency model; inspection technique.
  
  
• Managing Asymmetric Information Effects in Decision Making: Task Complexity-Based Model  
  by Belkacem Athamena, Zina Houhamdi, Ghaleb El Refae 
  Abstract: This paper proposes a formal model to manage the impact of asymmetric information in decision making by using principal-agent problems in which an agent (who has incomplete information) must decide to perform or not perform a task on behalf of the principal. After performing a complex (simple) task, the agent underrates (overrates) his competence. As a consequence of underestimation, a competent agent may decide to stop performing the task henceforth. The agent infers his competence from his productivity on a performed task. However, the productivity depends on both the agents competence and the task complexity. To avoid this situation, the company appoints a mentor (fully informed superior agent) who can determine the task complexity and assess the agents competence. Accordingly, the mentor matches the task complexity perfectly with the agents competence. In cases where the mentor and the junior have different preferences, the mentor may not confess all information to the agent. Nevertheless, the mentor desires the agent to fulfill the task. This paper proposes a solution for all of these situations by using a mathematical model. The model assesses the agents competence based on his productivity and the mentors appraisal and assists the agent in making the right decision.
  Keywords: Asymmetric information; Adverse selection; Principal-agent problem; Self-appraisal.