The authors strongly believe that the system view of dependability management will facilitate organizations to work with dependability matters, since things are "put together to create a whole". Total dependability management builds upon the availability and use of all three management system components: a set of supporting core values, an appropriate methodology, and the skillful use of contextually adapted tools.
Various definitions of multivariate harmonic new better than used in expectation (MHNBUE) life distributions are introduced and their interrelationships are studied. The definitions are multivariate generalizations of the univariate aging property HNBUE which is weaker than the new better than used in expectation (NBUE) property. Various closure properties of the different MHNBUE classes are proved. Some examples are also given to illustrate the relationships between our MHNBUE properties and the MNBUE properties presented by Buchanan and Singpurwalla (1977). We also study the dual multivariate harmonic new worse than used in expectation (MHNWUE) classes
The mean residual life of a life distribution F with survival function F̄=1-F is defined as e(x)=(sh{phonetic}∞xF̄(t)dt)/F̄(x) if F̄(x)>0 (e(x)=0 if F̄(x)=0). The function e(x) has proved to be of great interest in many different areas such as biometry, reliability and social sciences. The class DMRL (IMRL) consists of those life distributions which have decreasing (increasing) mean residual life; i.e. e(x) is a decreasing (increasing) function of x. In this paper we present and study a family of test statistics intended for testing exponentiality against DMRL (IMRL). The family includes the test statistics proposed for the same purpose by Hollander and Proschan (1975) for complete samples and later generalized by Chen et al. (1983a) to accomodate randomly right censored samples. We compare the efficiency for different members in the family of test statistics when testing against some different alternatives. Furthermore, we study the efficiency loss due to different amount of exponential censoring. The asymptotical normal distribution of the test statistics are presented and the quality of the normal approximation is also discussed
The Total Time on Test (TTT) concept has proven to be a very useful tool in several reliability contexts. The objective of this note is to illustrate how a generalization of the TTT-concept, the TTT-transform, defined as a certain function of the survivor function, can be used when analyzing different types of age-replacement problems. (14 refs.)
Some comments and extensions are given to the paper on statistics for testing exponentiality against the HNBUEE property (i.e. {Mathematical expression} ≦μ exp(-t/μ), t≧0) by Basu and Ebrahimi
This book examines the quality movement from a holistic perspective that is unique. It will serve as an invaluable handbook both for students and for those interested in enhancing quality in their own organizations. Practical illustrations are combined with a comprehensive and systemic overview of the extraordinary story of how Japanese industrialists adopted and developed the ideas of American quality gurus only to then find their own methodologies being exported to the USA and the rest of the world. The authors are leading Swedish academics with many years of experience in the quality field. The book is divided into five fairly independent parts. In Part I the quality concept and the evolution of the quality movement are examined. Furthermore, the relation between quality improvements, on one hand, and costs, profitability and success, on the other is illustrated. Parts II deals with methodologies and tools, which facilitates a customer focused product development. Among these are Quality Function Deployment, Reliability, Design of Experiments, and Robust Design. Part III focuses on the concept of variation and on methodologies and tools for quality improvements in the design and production processes. The seven improvement tools, statistical process control, capability, and supplier partnership are discussed. Part IV deals with satisfaction and loyalty of external and internal customers, what these concepts mean and how to measure them. In Part V focuses on the important role of management for quality improvements is discussed as well as the concept of leadership. Furthermore, processes, process management, Six Sigma, Lean Production, Quality Awards and quality management systems are elucidated. Finally, the book ends with a discussion of the importance of quality management in order to create a sustainable society
The quality concept is strongly connected with customer satisfaction. One important reason for the quality and productivity success in Japanese industry is a consequent and systematic use of statistical methods during different stages of the production process. The quality challenge of European industry therefore implies claims both on the industry to use more statistical methods and on the teaching of statistics at engineering schools at different levels. The authors discuss the modern quality development and the role of statistical methods in this development. They also emphasize its strong implications for the teaching of statistics at engineering schools (27 refs.)
The urgent industrial transformation towards total quality management (TQM) and the role of statistics in this transformation are discussed. Implications for the teaching of statistics and TQM principles are drawn. In particular, implications for continuing education are discussed (10 refs.)
The "harmonic new better than used in expectation" (HNBUE) class of life distributions contains all the more familiar classes from reliability theory such as the "increasing failure rate" (IFR) and "new better than used" (NBU), while still allowing one to formulate interesting inequalities comparing such distributions with the memoryless exponential distribution. In this paper test statistics based on the product-limit estimator are derived for testing the hypothesis of HNBUE versus exponentiality given a sample of censored observations from the life distribution of interest. A study of the asymptotic relative efficiency focusses on the loss of information due to censoring.
More than 30 years ago, Epstein and Sobel introduced the Total Time on Test (TTT-) concept. During the last 10 years different generalizations of this concept have been defined and studied, e.g. the TTT-transform and the TTT-plot; a basic paper was presented by Barlow and Campo in 1975. Many of these generalizations have proven to be very useful in different areas of reliability, both from a theoretical and a practical point of view. The purpose of this expository paper is to present some of these generalizations and illustrate their value.
The ordinary age replacement problem consists of finding an optimal age at which a unit, needed in a continuous production process, should be replaced in order to minimize the average long-run cost per unit time. Bergman introduced a graphical procedure based on the total-time-on-test (TTT) concept for the analysis of the age replacement problem. In this article, that idea is generalized to the situation of discounted costs. We also study a more general age replacement problem in which we have a form of imperfect repair.
In a number of papers the current authors have illustrated how the Total Time on Test (TTT) concept can be used when analysing the ordinary age replacement problem and different generalization thereof. In this paper we show that the TTT-concept is very useful also when analysing another replacement problem discussed by C. Derman et al. in which the replacements of a vital component, for which there are n space units, are made with the goal of maximizing the expected system life. (12 refs.)
This paper describes a joint project started by citizens, trade life and local government of the Swedish municipality of Jokkmokk to create a positive societal development based on the tenets of Total Quality Management. The project had a duration of two years, and also included a parallel effort made in Mansfield in the United Kingdom, although this paper describes the Jokkmokk part of the project. The evaluation was based on surveys and interviews analysed using Soft Systems Methodology. The analysis shows that most respondents thought that the project was successful in changing attitudes of the people of Jokkmokk and of creating valuable networks. The project also had an aim to create involvement of ordinary citizens and many activities were addressed to let citizens develop and generate ideas and participate in societal activities and decision making. The evaluation showed that the leaders and politicians of Jokkmokk were not ready for the used bottom-up approach. The analysis also underlines the importance of communicating the mission and goals of the project. We consider the achievements, due to the short duration of the project, substantial and both the positive and the negative outcomes present valuable lessons from a societal development perspective.
In order to stay competitive most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to make decisions and improve their processes in a more efficient way. To manufacturing companies this is crucial not the least within the design and production phases. This means that a deeper understanding of the concept of variation, identification of causes of variation, and handling of these causes are important factors within SMEs. This paper presents two studies of implementation of statistical methods. One is related to the use of process capability studies in Swedish industry. The other one is related to the use of design of experiments at two small enterprises within the high performance ceramic industry. From both the studies we find recommendations how to implement statistical technics in SMEs in order to increase the possibilities of success. (25 refs.)
Describes a project focusing on the experiences of implementing a third-party certified quality system in small (maximum 50 employees) Swedish organisation. The project consisted of a questionnaire to CEOs, and then a more comprehensive case study of selected organisations. Results show that the more the CEO and employees have been involved in the implementation process, the more the system is used, that the CEO is more satisfied with the results; and quality improvements have continued after certification. Furthermore, the higher the level of education within the company, the less help has been required from external consultants, indicates that important factors for a successful implementation are the attitude of the organisation when the implementation starts, that fairly detailed plans for the implementation are performed and that the documentation is adapted to the business and not necessarily to the ISO standard.
Total quality management (TQM) has been recognised and used during the last decades by organisations all over the world to develop a quality focus and improve organisational performance. In spite of this, TQM implementation is still problematic for many organisations. In this perspective important factors to succeed with the organisational change that TQM implementation implies will be discussed in this paper. Also presented is a multiple-case study of TQM implementation processes in small organisations with a focus on core value aspects. An overarching implementation model is presented based on the multiple-case study analysis and the theoretical frame. This model implies that TQM implementation will start with core values committed leadership, everybody's commitment and customer orientation. (56 refs.)
While the use of Total Quality Management (TQM) continues to be high among large organisations, small organisations are still behind in considering such systematic and comprehensive quality efforts. One reason for this might be that many advocates of TQM consider the concept as a fixed entity to be utilised by any organisation independent of size. However, the specific characteristics of small organisations imply a need for a more tailored approach when initiating such considerable organisational changes as TQM. Therefore, further knowledge regarding quality management in the context of small organisations is needed. This paper is based on a multiple-case study and describes quality-related work in a number of small organisations, which have received a quality award for their successful work with TQM. The focus is on how successful small organisations organise their TQM-related activities and components. The TQM implementations were sustained by approaches focusing on external and internal customers, where measurements of external customer satisfaction and employee development, involvement and satisfaction comprised common TQM components. The empirical findings also indicate that small organisations can reach, and sustain, a successful TQM implementation without a thorough and formal organisational structure for quality.
Since the start of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1987 several quality awards have been established to stimulate systematic quality improvement in different parts of the world. In Sweden, the Swedish Quality Award (SQA) was established in 1992 by SIQ, the Swedish Institute for Quality. This award, and other activities by SIQ, have had a great impact on the quality progress in Sweden. However, the criteria of the SQA are experienced as too complicated by many small enterprises. In 1996 a regional quality award, common to two counties, was established in Northern Sweden. The main purpose was to stimulate quality improvements, in particular in small organizations, and to establish better cooperation between the two counties. During a couple of years the award has had far more applicants than any other regional quality award in Sweden, even more applicants than the SQA. One reason for this seems to be that the evaluation is based on a particular model, the Springboard, which is less thorough and also has a simpler language than other evaluation models. The paper will describe the background, the evaluation process, the evaluation model and some results and effects obtained within the Quality Award in Northern Sweden. (14 refs.)
The interest in total quality management (TQM) has increased rapidly in recent years. Some people see TQM as something necessary to reach competitiveness but others claim TQM to be merely a management fad. We believe that there are several reasons for the different opinions about TQM. One is that the gurus, who often are seen as fathers of TQM, do not like the concept. Another one is that there are several similar names for roughly the same idea. A third one, which, maybe, is the most severe, is that there are many vague descriptions and few definitions of what TQM really is. In this paper we will discuss some of the problems with TQM and describe and discuss our own view of TQM as a management system consisting of the three interdependent components: values, techniques and tools. We strongly believe that this definition will help to understand and implement TQM.
The structure of the organization is often a major obstacle for organizations that want to adopt a total quality management (TQM) strategy. A process-oriented organization is more suitable for a TQM strategy than a function-oriented organization. Modern methods for improvements, such as QFD, process management, policy deployment and benchmarking, can help organizations to adapt to a process orientation.
Beyond Reengineering: How the Process-Centered Organization Is Changing Our Work and Our Lives, Michael Hammer, Harper Business, 1996, 285 pp., is reviewed
A book review is presented of Business Process Improvement Workbook: Documentation, Analysis, Design, and Management of Business Process Improvement by H. James Harrington, Erik K.C. Essling, and Harm Van Nimwegen.
A book review of Gemba Kaizen: The Common-Sense Approach to Business Management by Masaaki Imai is presented.
A book review of Total Quality Management: Strategies and Techniques Proven at Today's Most Successful Companies, second edition, by Stephen George and Arnold Weimerskirch is presented
Breaking the Constraints to World-Class Performance by H. William Dettmer is reviewed
The article reviews the book "Business Process Improvement Toolbox," second edition, by Bjørn Andersen