Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Availability

Open Access Dissertation

Keywords

Manufacturing industries--Quality control; Service industries--Quality control;

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore a systematic pattern for selecting quality tools and techniques in the manufacturing and service industries. This study asked, “What are the best DMAIC tools and techniques concerning circumstances of quality dimensions of products and services?” To answer this question, this research developed innovative, diagnostic matrices by mimicking the contradiction matrix of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). These innovative matrices are intended to help non-expert users to select the best sets of quality tools and techniques for solving different quality problems. By conducting a cluster analysis, the researcher uncovered homogeneous patterns of enough quality case studies, which ultimately provided the basis for selecting optimal groups of quality tools and techniques in different circumstances. Thus, the researcher examined the association and prevalence of different quality tools and techniques (independent variables) and the quality dimensions (dependent variables). The study developed the contradiction matrix for manufacturing, which includes the optimal 17 DMAIC lists of tools and techniques. Also, the study developed the contradiction matrix for service, which ultimately includes the optimal 15 DMAIC lists of tools and techniques. After developing and verifying the developed contradiction matrices, the researcher discussed their strengths and limitations as well as their roles for selecting the appropriate quality tools and techniques in the manufacturing and service industries. The results of this research can be used as a basis for many future investigations in the field of quality management and innovation.

Year of Submission

2014

Department

Department of Technology

First Advisor

Ali E. Kashef

Date Original

2014

Object Description

1 PDF file (xii, 205 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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