The paper reports the views and activities of a sample of system certification bodies with respect to the integration of quality management, environmental management, and occupational health and safety management systems. It is pointed out that such bodies have not been active in the promotion...

This paper outlines the key events and changes which have resulted in the transformation of the RHP Bearings Blackburn foundry from potential closure to a successful business unit within the NSK‐RHP European operation. It deals with aspects such as people development, policy deployment,...

This paper relates the main findings of a literature review of integrated management systems (IMS). In general, integration has been discussed in the literature dealing with quality, environmental, and health and safety management. The need for an IMS has arisen as a result of the decisions of...

This paper describes a generic model of the new product design and development (NPDD) process. The model has been derived from best practice observed in fieldwork carried out in a range of situations. The model helps to identify and put the company’s NPDD activities into the context of the...

Following research on the subject of TQM, the authors decided that what was lacking was a framework for the introduction and development of the process for continuous quality improvement.

Discusses how Japanese companies are using quality policy deployment to help them achieve their strategic business goals. Reports how Western companies can utilize this technique. Exemplifies the policy management system. Contends it helps ensure that the quality improvement activities are...

In the second of a three‐part series on Japanese success, suggests that Japan′s success is due to its total commitment to quality. Asserts that total quality control is the qualifying criterion in their home market. Contends that the central core of TQC is quality assurance in all aspects of...

Examines the issues and difficulties of developing a quality costing system in a small engineering company. Four different methods – departmental interviews, process mapping, departmental study, and checklist of cost elements – were used to identify the costs. The value of these methods are...

The search for methods of improving the efficiency and competitiveness of manufacturing industry in the UK has been intensified during the present recession and has led many managers to look to Japan as a model for economic prosperity. A prominent feature of the Japanese model is a form of...

This is the second of a series of three articles dealing with Quality Circle failures. The concept of organisational readiness and implementation issues were discussed in Part I, while in Part II we focus on operational issues and the problem of maintaining the long‐term viability of quality...