Developing a quality function deployment model for the Ethiopian leather industry: Requirements and solutions under linguistic variables

ABSTRACT

This study develops a quality function deployment model that integrates requirements and solutions through a qualitative information approach to break the current low-quality trap and ensure the improvement of the leather products manufacturing industry. This industry is a priority sector in Ethiopia’s industrial development strategy, but its performance is below par due to quality-related problems. Prior studies lack a model explaining the pathways to implement quality improvement interventions. The improvement of this industry requires qualitative assessment and is subject to uncertainty due to the linguistic preferences of decision makers. This study adopts the fuzzy Delphi method to arrive at a valid set of attributes and a fuzzy quality function deployment method to address their relationships. The findings demonstrate that 22 requirements and 16 solutions are valid measures. The top solutions include ensuring interdisciplinary design, employing process mapping, implementing quality-related standards and customer-centric operations, and establishing a quality-at-the-source attitude. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Quality improvement requirements
• quality improvement solutions
• fuzzy delphi method
• fuzzy quality function deployment
• leather product manufacturing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sisay Addis Filketu

Sisay Addis Filketu is an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department, Debre Markos Institute of Technology, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia. He received his Ph.D. and MSc in Industrial Engineering from IIT Roorkee, India, in 2018 and Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, Ethiopia, in 2011, respectively. In 2009, he received his Bachelor's in the same field from Bahirdar Institute of Technology, Ethiopia. His research interest is in quality engineering and management, production engineering, production planning, productivity improvement, operations management, and related areas.

Yeneneh Tamirat Negash

Yeneneh Tamirat Negash received his Ph.D. in Industrial Management from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan. He holds M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Industrial Engineering. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Business Administration at Asia University, Taiwan.