Abstract
This paper presents an initial study that investigates the degree of adoption of quality methods in Brazil. The research is based on an exploratory survey validated and distributed among a number of Brazilian organisations operating in a wide range of industries. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study shows that many Brazilian companies are now adopting quality methods as a strategy to be globally competitive, with ISO standards being their first choice. The study also presents evidence of which methods have been more widely implemented, their importance, the results obtained, and the barriers faced during their implementation. Reasons for not using them were also investigated. The paper also identifies some key factors to successfully deploy quality improvement approaches in Brazil. This study offers academics, researchers and practitioners interested in the area of quality with some initial evidence of the adoption and development of quality methods in a fast developing country like Brazil.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 315-333 |
| Journal | International Journal of Quality Engineering and Technology |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Keywords
- Brazil
- quality methods adoption
- ISO standards
- total quality management
- TQM
- six sigma
- statistical process control
- SPC
- business excellence models
- BEMs
- developing countries