PurposeThis research aimed at developing the Quality 4.0 transition framework for Tanzanian manufacturing industries.Design/methodology/approachThe survey method was used in this study to gather ...practitioners' perspectives. The approach included open-ended and closed-ended structured questionnaires to assess respondents' perceptions of Quality 4.0 awareness and manufacturers' readiness to transit to Quality 4.0. The study's objective was to adopt non-probability and purposive sampling strategies. The study focused on fifteen Tanzanian manufacturing industries. The data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using MAXQADA 2020 and Minitab 20 software packages, respectively.FindingsThe study demonstrated a high level of awareness of Quality 4.0 among Tanzanian manufacturing industries (i.e. 100% in Quality 4.0 traditional attributes and 53% in Quality 4.0 modern attributes). Individuals acquire knowledge in various ways, including through quality training, work experience, self-reading and Internet surfing. The result also revealed that most manufacturing industries in Tanzania use Quality 3.0 or a lower approach to manage quality. However, Tanzanian manufacturing industries are ready to embrace Quality 4.0 since practitioners are aware of the concepts and could see benefits such as customer satisfaction, product improvement, process and continuous improvement, waste reduction and decision support when using the Quality 4.0 approach. The challenges hindering Quality 4.0 adoption in Tanzania include reliable electricity, high-speed Internet and infrastructure inadequacy to support the adoption, skilled workforces familiar with Quality 4.0-enabled technologies and a financial set-up to support technology investment. Moreover, the study developed a transition framework for an organisation to transition from traditional quality approaches such as quality control, quality assurance and total quality management to Quality 4.0, a modern quality approach aligned with the fourth industrial revolution era.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study solely looked at manufacturing industries, leaving other medical, service, mining and construction sectors. Furthermore, no focus was laid on the study's Quality 4.0 implementation frameworks.Originality/valueThis is probably the first Quality 4.0 transition framework for Tanzanian manufacturing industries, perhaps with other developing countries.
PurposeQuality 4.0 refers to a modern quality management approach that uses Industry 4.0 technologies, integration and digitalisation. This research explores the current understandings of Quality 4.0 ...in various publications. The focus is on Quality 4.0 concepts or explanations, available models, motivation and readiness factors for adoption, enablers and technologies that can be leveraged.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach was deployed to collect the findings. This paper employs bibliometric, scientometric and visual analytic tools to identify and analyse articles from Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), Google Scholar databases and other sources such as ScienceDirect and Taylor and Francis.FindingsThe bibliometric results revealed that Quality 4.0 publications began in 2016 and increased dramatically in 2020 and 2021, with India leading the way while scientometric analysis found no clear definition of Quality 4.0 hitherto. However, several authors have defined the concept of Quality 4.0, arguing that it is characterised by digitalisation and integration, Industry 4.0 technologies applications and big data management. Some of the Quality 4.0 models published in the theoretical underpinnings include total quality management (TQM) in the basis of Industry 4.0 model, the European Foundation for quality management model, Quality 4.0 model combining operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) through digital transformation and the LSN Research eleven axes of Quality 4.0 model. The research highlights key enablers of Quality 4.0 adoption, such as enabling technologies, big data capability, skilled and competent workers, collaboration and leadership support.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings can benefit Quality 4.0 researchers and practitioners on the available Quality 4.0 models, motivation and readiness factors for Quality 4.0 adoption, enablers and leveraged technologies in Quality 4.0.Originality/valueThis study attempted to explore the current understandings of Quality 4.0 concepts to sediment these emerging quality management concepts for manufacturing industries.
PurposeThis research provides the essential aspects of the transition from traditional quality methods like total quality management, quality assurance and quality control to a new quality approach ...linked with the Industry 4.0 era. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a survey method to obtain the practitioners' perceptions of the Quality 4.0 (Q4.0) concepts. Both closed-ended and open-ended structured questionnaires assessed the perceptions of respondents regarding manufacturers' readiness and Q4.0 awareness to transition to Q4.0. Non-probability and purposive sampling tactics selected 15 Tanzanian manufacturing industries (TMIs). Garnered data were scrutinised quantitatively and qualitatively utilising Minitab® 20, SmartPLS 3.3.7 and MAXQADA 2020 software packages.FindingsThe results indicate that TMIs are equipped to deploy the Q4.0 approach because industrialists are familiar with the concept's characteristics and dimensions and the benefits of implementing Q4.0. Most TMIs utilise a Q3.0 method for managing quality, while some manufacturing industries have begun to apply Q4.0 leveraging technologies. The study revealed several factors influencing Q4.0 readiness in TMIs, including leveraged technology adoption, training, Q4.0 skills, infrastructures, the government set-up, top management support, Q4.0 strategy and vision, collaboration, awareness, knowledge of Q4.0, customer and supplier centeredness and organisational culture.Research limitations/implicationsThe implication of this study is on Q4.0 awareness creation so that industries can grab the advantages of Q4.0 leveraged technologies. Another implication is that organisational readiness factors identified in this study are critical for the effective adoption of Q4.0. The highlighted influences may be utilised as indications to determine an organisation's readiness to transition to the Q4.0 approach. This research was limited to TMIs, excluding service firms, mining, and the building and construction industry due to differences in their mode of operation.Originality/valueDetermining readiness factors and awareness for the Q4.0 study is probably the first amongst the seven East African countries, including Tanzania. This study thus bridges a huge gap in fulfilling the need of this research type.
