Developing global supply chain quality management systems

Abstract

This paper presents a global supply chain quality management (SCQM) framework as an extension of the traditional supply chain operations and quality management. Three distinct groups of variables are adopted in this study to illustrate the conceptual framework: a hierarchy of design variables, a hierarchy of system variables, and a hierarchy of problem solving methods. The aim of this theoretical framework is to offer practical guidelines to global business leaders and their value chain partners. This study also involves interviews with senior executives from a multinational enterprise in Taiwan. Four major SCQM themes are identified – design for six sigma (DFSS); international standards; supply chain management (SCM); global leadership and human resource management. In this study, we also view the cycle of decision making as an integral part of any global SCQM strategy. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to develop priority indices for the following three hierarchical levels: environmental scanning, strategic choice, and tactical choice. The presented framework adopts a systems approach and ensures that quality conscious products are designed, manufactured, and distributed.

Keywords:

• quality management
• supply chain quality management
• systems thinking
• supply chains

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the National Science Council, Taiwan, ROC, for partially supporting the research under Grant No. NSC95-2416-H-006-044-MY2.