A categorization of quality management and supply chain management frameworks

Abstract

This article aims to comprehensively review, discuss, compare, contrast and categorize supply chain management (SCM) and quality management (QM) frameworks. SCM and QM literature were reviewed extensively. Their concepts and frameworks were discussed, compared, contrasted and classified. Several commonly accepted frameworks were raised for illustration. It was found that SCM and QM frameworks can be determined by generality (specific or generic) and scope (narrow or wide) into four categories, namely Qualifier, Improver, Extender and Winner. SCM and QM concepts and frameworks have similar evolutional trends. Understanding SCM and QM frameworks with their characteristics can help managers improve implementation success and returns. SCM evolution and promotion may be learned from those of QM as its counterpart.

Keywords:

• supply chain management
• quality management
• framework
• model
• categorization

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

QM and SCM are two most critical disciplines for today’s business competitiveness. There are various QM and SCM implementation frameworks. Mismatch in selecting frameworks with a firm’s unique requirements will significantly affect their efficiency and effectiveness. Based on two criteria: generalities (generic or specific) and scopes (wide or narrow), this paper classifies QM and SCM frameworks into four groups, namely Qualifier, Improver, Extender and Winner. The generic frameworks are applicable to any organizations regardless of organizational characteristics. The specific frameworks are more suitable for certain industries. The narrow scopes focus on operational issues. The wide scopes are more strategic and cover more partners. Understanding practical QM and SCM implementation frameworks and their characteristics allows managers to efficiently apply appropriate frameworks according to their firm’s policy, readiness and resource for application. This can enhance implementation success and returns on investment.

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Graham K. Rogers for language editing and valuable comments. This paper is revised and expanded version of Vanichchinchai, A. (2019). “Supply Chain Management and Quality Management Frameworks: A Classification” in the 2019 8th International Conference on Industrial Technology and Management 2019 proceedings of the international conference at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, 2-4 March 2019, pp.22-26 (indexed in Scopus, IEEE Xplore)

Additional information

Funding

The author received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Assadej Vanichchinchai

Assadej Vanichchinchai, Ph.D. is Director of the M.Eng Program in Logistics and Supply Chain, Mahidol University, Thailand. He received his Ph.D. in Management of Technology from the Asian Institute of Technology, M.Sc (with distinction) in Engineering Business Management from the University of Warwick, M.Eng in Engineering Management and B.Eng in Industrial Engineering from Chulalongkorn University and LL.B from Ramkhamhaeng University. He is the winner of 2012 Emerald/EFMD Outstanding Doctoral Research Award and has published in multiple journals, such as International Journal of Production Research, International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, International Journal of Organizational Analysis, The TQM Journal, Emerald Management First, Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Cogent Business & Management. He is the corresponding author and can be contacted at: [email protected]