Quality Awareness as a Competitive Edge: Implementation and Analysis

Abstract

In international competition quality is now, more than ever, one of the most important differentiating factors. Despite the economic importance of quality, the understanding and definition of the term quality tend to differ. This is the case not only in different cultural circles, but sometimes also within companies at different hierarchical levels, which makes the implementation of quality management and its methods considerably more difficult [1, 2]. In increasing numbers, even well-known manufacturers have to withdraw their products from the market due to qualitative deficiencies [3, 4]. Although companies take a variety of measures such as quality meetings, workshops, work instructions and shop floor meetings, the desired quality goal is not achieved sustainably. Thus, the question arises: how can corporate quality be improved? An essential element in achieving this goal is the creation of quality awareness and its anchoring in the minds of all employees – a task for each individual, regardless of which hierarchy he or she belongs to. This report sets out to define the concept of quality awareness and makes recommendations for establishing and strengthening it in companies.