Assessing the impact of requirements review on quality outcomes

Studies demonstrate that differences in how product development organizations and product realization organizations interpret requirements can lead to poor‐quality outcomes. Other research shows that in comparison to communicating requirements inside an organization, communicating requirements in buyer‐supplier relationships can be more difficult and has been identified as a source of rework, poor quality, and increased costs. The Raytheon Company identified misaligned requirements interpretation between the company and its suppliers as a source of program performance inefficiency and therefore instituted a collaborative requirements review process between the company and its critical suppliers. This study examines the impact of these requirements reviews on quality outcomes and demonstrates that these reviews result in positive quality outcomes. In addition, correlation analysis shows a relationship between conducting the requirements reviews and a reduction in failure modes that are characterized by high detection and remediation effort. Considered broadly, our methodology can be applied to other program performance improvement efforts to test their impact on quality outcomes and to reveal related failure modes.     

基于损失成本理论的供应商持续改进评价

利用质量成本理论中的损失成本理论，将供应商所导致的损失成本作为评价供应商绩效的标准。通过ABC分析，发现了供应商和供应商主要问题之所在，对供应商自身以及供应商之间作了比较评价，以促使供应商的持续改进。     

Integrated analysis of the performance of TQM tools and techniques: a case study in the Taiwanese motor industry

Most studies of total quality management (TQM) have focused on the managerial aspects and associated success factors of TQM programmes, whereas relatively few studies have examined the appropriateness and performance of the large number of available tools and techniques that actually implement TQM practices. To assist in determining the best strategy for improving the performance of TQM tools and techniques, the present study integrates a modified importance–performance matrix with elements of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) to provide a comprehensive methodology for assessing and improving the performance of TQM tools and techniques in the Taiwanese motor industry. The methodology presented here can be applied in a variety of industries, including the Taiwanese motor industry, to enable efficient utilisation of TQM tools and techniques and thus improve quality, reduce costs and shorten cycle times.     

Two-phase selection framework that considers production costs of suppliers and quality requirements of buyers

Buyers are faced with selecting the optimal supplier, while suppliers are left to consider production costs. In this study, we developed a two-phase selection framework that allows buyers to evaluate the performance of suppliers while taking production costs into account for value maximisation. This scheme is a win-win solution capable of promoting long-term relationships between buyers and suppliers. Under the assumption of normality, the first phase involves constructing a new Six Sigma quality capability analysis chart (SSQCAC) which takes production costs into account. The objective is to evaluate all potential suppliers using the 100?×?(1–α)% upper confidence limit (UCL) of an integrated Six Sigma quality index (SSQI) Q_PIh when dealing with products with smaller-the-better (STB), larger-the-better (LTB), or nominal-the-best (NTB) quality characteristics. According to interval estimation theory, this method can have a significant impact on the consumption of resources; i.e. the production costs of the supplier can be decreased by reducing the production quality to below that required by the buyer. The proposed method also filters out unsuitable suppliers in order to simplify the decision problem and reduce computational demands and operational risks/costs without compromising the quality of the final product. In the second phase, a detailed analysis is conducted using Euclidean distance measure to select the optimal supplier from among the remaining candidates. We conducted a real-world case study to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed method. We also conducted comparisons with existing methods to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method and its managerial implications. Suggestions for future study are also provided.     

军品包装供应商评价指标体系和方法研究

目的 为了实现快速响应、可靠高效的装备（器材）和物资保障,提高军事物流整体质量,对军品包装供应商进行科学管理。方法 构建军品包装供应商的筛选模型,确立评价指标体系,提出一种集历史、现状和未来为一体的新的综合评价方法,并进行算例验证。结果 通过采用科学的评价方法,对军品包装供应商进行综合评价和遴选,解决了军品包装产品筹措和采购环节由于供应商引起的不确定性问题,使军品包装产品质量得到了有效保证。结论 建立军品包装供应商选择和评价体系,是加强供应商管理的重要基础,也是现代军事物流的重要内容,对推动军品包装发展有重要意义。     

The impact of total quality management on supply chain management and firm's supply performance

This research investigates the relationships among total quality management practices (TQMP), supply chain management practices (SCMP) and firm's supply performance (FSP) in the automotive industry in Thailand. The measurement instruments for SCMP, TQMP and FSP were developed based on an extensive literature review and verified by experts, pilot test and various statistical techniques to ensure reliability and validity in structural equation modeling constructs. The hypothesized model was tested through a path analysis. Qualitative case studies of two large first-tier automotive suppliers were conducted to obtain more in-depth information. We found that the set of SCMP, TQMP and FSP measures are reliable and valid for Thailand's automotive industry. TQMP not only has a significant direct positive impact on SCMP and on FSP but also a significant indirect positive impact on FSP through SCMP.     

Multiple comparisons with the best for supplier selection with linear profiles

In some manufacturing processes, the quality of a process or product is characterised by a linear profile. Comparing the process yield of multiple suppliers with linear profiles is an important task in supplier evaluation. In this study, we consider linear profiles with two-sided specifications and present the multiple comparisons with the best method based on the process yield index to select the best supplier. A subset contains the best supplier determined from the confidence interval of the difference between the process yield indices of the unknown best supplier and all of the suppliers. A simulation study is used to conduct the statistical power analysis. The results confirm that the larger the number of levels or the number of profiles, the larger the power of test. The simulation results indicate that our proposed method can effectively identify the best supplier. Two real examples are used to illustrate the applications of our proposed method.     

基于质量和价格的供应商选优

对于同一种产品来说,由于不同供应商所提供的产品往往服从不同的分布,根据田口玄一的质量损失理论,不同分布的产品带来的质量损失是不同的,因而,企业在选择供应商时应综合考虑质量和价格两方面的因素。首先针对产品单一质量特性的情形建立了双侧公差、单侧上公差和单侧下公差三种情况下的供应商选优模型,进而对产品具有N项质量特性的情形给出了双侧公差和单侧公差的不同组合的供应商选优模型。     

A distinct decision model for the evaluation and selection of a supplier for a chemical processing industry

The supplier selection process has gained importance recently due to the considerable amount of revenue spent on purchasing. The intention of this work is to develop an appropriate hybrid model by integrating the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and grey relational analysis (GRA) for supplier evaluation and selection, which comprises three stages. In Stage I, the most influential criteria are selected by mutual-information-based feature selection. Stage II focuses on the determination of the weights of the attributes using AHP, while Stage III is used for the determination of the best supplier using GRA. The proposed model is illustrated using the case study of an electroplating industry to highlight the effectiveness and flexibility of the model. The model effectively combines specialised knowledge, experience and quantitative data to select the best suppliers. This paper presents the model development, solution and application processes of the proposed hybrid model for supplier selection. The decision support software was implemented in Excel to automate supplier selection. The proposed hybrid model is applied to enhance the decision-making process in supplier selection and also helps decision makers to effectively select suppliers.     

A genetic algorithm based grey goal programming (G3) approach for parts supplier evaluation and selection

The problem of part supplier selection is a major concern for all manufacturers when seeking to enhance the products’ quality and productivity. The objective of this paper is to propose an integrated genetic algorithm based grey goal programming (G³) approach to solve the part supplier selection problem. The main factor in part supplier selection is the assembly relation of the parts so as to find the suitable suppliers combination for the parts of a product. We first identify the main factors affected on supplier selection. We then present a grey-based goal programming model to work as the fitness function to evaluate the suppliers with respect to the total deviation the factors have from the ideal values. Since the objective is to find the best solution, a genetic algorithm is used to solve this problem for faster and better evaluation. The novelty of this integrated approach is to apply both qualitative and quantitative factors at once in one model and to use the grey theory to cover the lack of information of qualitative factors in order to find a solution in a near real situation.     

Using integrated fuzzy DEMATEL and fuzzy C: means algorithm for supplier evaluation and selection

Decision-making techniques are used to help evaluate the current suppliers’ aim at classifying performance of individual suppliers against desired levels of performance, so as to design suitable plans to increase the performance and capabilities of suppliers. In this study, an integrated model is introduced and proposed for increasing the supplier selection and evaluation quality. The methodology is composed of two steps. The first stage is fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method in which the interactions between the evaluation criteria and the criteria weight have been computed. At the second stage, performances of suppliers are assessed using both the criteria weights obtained at the first stage and fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm by classifying the vendors according to their performances. Obtained results show that the proposed model is very well suited as a decision-making tool for supplier selection decisions.     

A study of the quality management methods employed by U.K. automotive suppliers

This paper reports on the results of a postal questionnaire survey of quality management methods, awareness and attitudes of suppliers to three major companies in the U.K. automotive industry. The main issues discussed include the quality management systems operated by suppliers, the methods by which quality improvement is pursued, quality-related training, and suppliers' interaction with both their own customers and vendors. The findings to specific questions were disappointing and illustrate the poor state of quality management development in some suppliers; overall the survey evidence indicates that many suppliers have a traditional attitude towards quality management. For example: it is possible to inspect quality into a product; component quality can be graded at different levels according to individual customer requirements; if the customer does not return the product then quality must be satisfactory; the quality manager is responsible for the quality improvement programme. Quality management tools and techniques are often seen as an end in themselves rather than a means to an end, that of improvement. It is clear that a number of suppliers assume that introducing statistical process control is the same as developing a total approach to quality management. There also appears to be a dilution of the quality message as requirements are passed down the supply chain, and in general communication and feedback between customer and supplier is poor.     

A two-way approach to supply chain partner selection

All organisations face partner selection. It is the first step in establishing partnership. Over recent decades, a one-way selection approach has been dominant in the literature. It is assumed that a buyer searches for one or more suppliers from a set of suppliers. Once the best supplier is found and selected, a partnership is formed. However, in reality, not only is the selection not a one-way process as the relationship itself is bilateral, but the existence of other buyers and suppliers also needs to be taken into account. In this study, a two-way partner selection approach is proposed, where not only the buyers evaluate suppliers, but also the suppliers have the opportunity to evaluate buyers. Considering a marketplace where there are several buyers and suppliers, an integrative model is proposed in the form of an assignment model to optimally match all the buyers and suppliers. A generalised model is also formulated to take the suppliers’ capacity and buyers’ demand into account. The proposed models are illustrated using some numerical examples. Finally, conclusions and recommendations for future research are provided.     

作业成本法在评价供应商中的应用研究

对供应商进行评价的标准和方法在不断发展和变化着，作业成本法为新环境下对供应商的评价提供了一种全新的思路。首先简单回顾了对供应商进行评价的各种标准和方法，然后提出了用作业成本法进行评价的思路和程序，最后用一个简单的案例进行了说明。     

Comparing the lens displacement profile data by using the sequential approach for selecting alternative suppliers

The lens module is a critical part of the camera module. The quality of the lens module significantly influences the auto-focus and image stability functions of the camera module. A new approach that uses sequential tests is proposed to select the alternative suppliers that provide the qualified parts as the current supplier under the linear profile data. Having several qualified alternative suppliers can reduce the dependency on one supplier, improve bargaining power, and reduce capacity risk. The lens displacement that has a linear relationship with current is the quality characteristic for evaluating the lens module suppliers. To select the qualified alternative suppliers, the proposed sequential approach tests the profile difference between the current supplier and the investigated suppliers. The simulation results show that the power of the sequential approach is higher than the simultaneous confidence bands method in differentiating profiles. Last, the proposed approach is effectively applied to select the qualified alternative lens module suppliers for the camera module manufacturer. Procuring the lens module from the selected suppliers can maintain production quality and flexibility for the camera module manufacturer in practice.     

循序渐进的供应商关系管理模式

企业不可能与所有的供应商都保持伙伴关系。企业供应商关系管理需要遵循一种循序渐进的模式。对于消耗量大的关键性原材料供应商，企业应该努力与其建立相互信任的伙伴关系；对于专用件、进口件等企业需求量少但是对企业最终产品质量影响大的瓶颈物资，企业应该努力寻找替代的供应商；对于标准件、办公品等需求频繁，但是每次需求的数量不大，单项产品占用资金不大的物资，企业可以寻找第三方供应商。对于需求量大的一般性原材料的供应商，企业可以公开招标，寻求物资的价格优势。     

既有供应商模糊综合评价

对既有供应商的评价是供应链管理的重要内容之一。通过对选择供应商与既有供应商的评价进行比较分析,从生产制造实力、产品质量水平、质量保证能力、工程技术能力、协同能力等5个方面建立了既有供应商的评价指标体系与二级模糊综合评价模型。实证研究表明所构建的评价指标体系与评价模型能够对既有供应商的优劣做出正确的评价,为既有供应商的评价提供了科学的方法。     

Supplier development: communication approaches,activities and goals

Operations managers rely on the purchasing function to obtain production inputs from suppliers and to ensure supplier performance. The link between supplier development activities performed by buying firms with their suppliers, in terms of operational outcomes and impact on competitive advantage for the buying firm has been well documented. However, a buying firm should, prior to setting up a supplier development program and investing in supplier development activities, establish goals it wants to achieve and determine how to achieve these goals. Until now, supplier development goals in general and their relationship with supplier development activities have received little research attention. The results from this empirical study suggest that the relationship between the goal to improve a supplier's capabilities and knowledge transfer from the buyer to the supplier firm is moderated by the degree of human interaction. Buying firms pursuing the strategy to improve supplier capabilities rely more intensively on training and co-location of buyer and supplier employees to leverage the knowledge transfer to the supplier firm.     

Modelling of outsourcing decisions in global supply chains. An empirical study on supplier management performance with different outsourcing strategies

Outsourcing decisions in global supply chains are critical to a business’ competitiveness. This study investigates and compares the supplier management in Taiwanese enterprises under different outsourcing strategies. Base on an empirical study through questionnaires, we investigate the supplier management and critical success factors of the Taiwanese enterprises. It is shown that different outsourcing strategies should be deployed by different types of industries, and a good working relationship with suppliers and customers are paramount to success. The important issues related to supplier management include supplier capability to deliver on time, long term contract strategy with suppliers, supplier evaluation, and quality of material from suppliers.