Total quality function deployment in a rubber processing company: a sample application study

Abstract

Abstract Quality function deployment (QFD) is one of the techniques that have dominated the total quality management (TQM) field over the past four decades. Although several case studies have reported its benefits, recent researchers have prescribed improved versions of QFD. On the same lines, this paper proposes a new model called the total quality function deployment (TQFD) and brings to light how the lack of totality and simplicity in traditional QFD can be overcome by TQFD. The sample application study of TQFD done in an Indian rubber processing company has been presented in detail. In the conclusion the responses of practising professionals are described which favour the feasibility of practical implementation of TQFD. Keywords: QFDhouse of qualityTQMsample application study Acknowledgement The services of Ms Kalpana, Senior Lecturer, Department of English, PSG College of Technology, towards improving the quality of English in this paper are gratefully acknowledged. The authors are also thankful to the anonymous reviewers whose constructive comments have helped them to improve the presentation of their research in this paper.