Quality is a customer issue. It arises because customers require products and services, which not only meet their performance requirements but are satisfac tory in terms of safety, length of working life and pride of ownership. In a manufacturing organization, therefore, the achievement of quality standards is not restricted to the production departments. It extends to all parts of the business from conceptual design to marketing, from order processing and distribution. A quality product is not just a solidly made item dating from the days when 'Made in Britain' distinguished goods from all the inferior products coming out of the emerging industries of the Far East. It is a product which ranks high against all the criteria which sophisticated consumers now use to evaluate the things they buy. If you agree with the argument that a company is much more likely to produce high quality if all departments are motivated to achieve high quality results then you already have a good understanding of the basic principles of Total Quality Management (TQM). But TQM is not a 'quick fix' or a magic cure. It is a management technique designed to involve all parts of the business in the pursuit of, and commitment to, the highest quality result. By involving everyone from the Chief Executive to the most junior employee in the company's objectives, in a way which means something in their particular job, the company is well on the way to achieving the best results its workforce can achieve.

Total Quality Management: Key Concepts and Case Studies provides the full range of management principles and practices that govern the quality function. The book covers the fundamentals and background needed, as well as industry case studies and comprehensive topic coverage, making it an invaluable reference to both the novice and the more experienced individual. Aspects of quality control that are widely utilized in practice are combined with those that are commonly referred to on University courses, and the latest developments in quality concepts are also presented. This book is an ideal quick reference for any manager, designer, engineer, or researcher interested in quality. - Features two chapters on the latest ISO standards - Includes an introduction to statistics to help the reader fully grasp content on statistical quality control - Contains case studies that explore many TQM themes in real life situations

How can companies survive and prosper in the new economic age of the 4th Industrial Revolution? This book collects a variety of cases and quality management strategies for companies to put in place in the face of Industry 4.0. It argues that organizations that practice good quality management throughout the whole organization, and focus on satisfying their customers, employees and other stakeholders better than their competitors, are well equipped with the necessary capabilities to survive. It is a must read book for academicians, practitioners, managers and students interested in learning about the quality management philosophy, principles, tools and methods to be used in building a sustainable future where the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution -- Industry 4.0 --are regarded and used as opportunities for survival and further growth.

How can companies survive and prosper in the new economic age of the 4th Industrial Revolution? This book collects a variety of cases and quality management strategies for companies to put in place in the face of Industry 4.0. It argues that organizations that practice good quality management throughout the whole organization, and focus on satisfying their customers, employees and other stakeholders better than their competitors, are well equipped with the necessary capabilities to survive. It is a must read book for academicians, practitioners, managers and students interested in learning about the quality management philosophy, principles, tools and methods to be used in building a sustainable future where the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution — Industry 4.0 —are regarded and used as opportunities for survival and further growth.

Dr Ralf Heron is not the typical, theoretical QM Guru, but rather a QM Entrepreneur. He started his career in Germany where he worked for over 15 Years as a Consultant and helped dozens of companies to reach their ISO 9000 Certifications. He then moved to Spain for 8 years followed by a journey to Dubai for 7 years, and is currently based in the United States. This diverse work experience of various regions across the globe and the exposure to widely different cultures has helped him to gain an in-depth understanding of the issues involved in Quality Management implementation that made him a real practical QM Expert. Quality Management is the key to success, in this economy we are now. Only those Organizations that manage to have and keep satisfied customers will grow back into the market and Survive. History has shown and proven this many times over. The concepts of QM and ISO have been explained in an easy to understand manner by the author.

It was over five years ago that the Centre for Medicines Research organized a workshop entitled "Quality of Life: Assessment and Application". This workshop brought together a unique group of participants, some of whom had been involved in studies on quality of life for well over a decade, whilst others were meeting the subject for the first time. This blend of experienced researchers and enthusiastic newcomers was a great stimulus to the discus sions which followed individual presentations as well as that resulting from the study groups. In the ensuing publication, a balance was sought between a consideration of the complex principles underlying the assessment of quality of life and the application of such assessments to specific clinical conditions which necessitated this approach. The organization in 1991 of a second workshop entitled "Quality of Life Assessment: Key Issues in the 1990s" resulted in a further consideration of the quality of life philosophy, concepts and key instruments together with an update on assessing quality of life in a number of major disease areas. Of particular importance was an examination of various viewpoints concerned with ethical questions and their implications, and quality oflife from industry, regulatory and health care purchasers' perspectives. As a result of this second workshop, the editors of the original book referred to above decided to produce a second edition with a number of updates and additional chapters.