This paper provides a synthesis of world class manufacturing literature by identifying eight critical factors of world class status in a manufacturing environment. These factors can be used individually or collectively to assess a profile or organization‐wide world class manufacturing...

In this paper, a methodology for minimizing downside risks in relationship to the supplier base, supplier capacities, purchase-order-quantity, purchase-order-time, and selling-price is presented. Specific purchasing and selling strategies to minimize downside risks when suppliers have limited...

Quality is another name for customer satisfaction and the USA cannot afford to ignore its importance. Education and training are essential to the productivity and competitive advantage of the entire country. Emphasizes the importance of quality training and suggests the keys to implementing a...

Argues that organizations are in the midst of a competitive revolution and quality improvement is an important factor in the quest to remain competitive. Companies are realizing they need to initiate a quality improvement programme and that training is a critical variable in the success of that...

This article reviews all Game Theory (GT) articles published in the three leading US‐based OR/MS journals. The articles were first subdivided into Theory or Applications categories. The Applications papers were subclassified on a five‐point scale ranging from logico‐deductive to bona fide...

Purpose – To assess the patterns of market orientation within the small business sector. Design/methodology/approach – After a pilot study involving interviews with owner‐managers, and covert and overt observation of small businesses' marketing practices, depth interviews by telephone and...

Identifies critical factors that must be practised to achieve effective quality management in an organization based on the synthesis of literature on quality concepts. A framework to be used by organizations to evaluate their quality practices was developed. A field study was conducted to...

Proposes the use of a β, or difference‐from‐nominal, control chart for short‐run industrial processes providing certain conditions are met. While some manufacturers have used delta charts in the past, only recently have delta charts been discussed in the literature –and then under a...

The US Department of Defense is playing a significant leadership role in implementation of TQM. Provides an overview of the process of implementing total quality management in the US Department of Defense and discusses the implications of this change for its subcontractors and related...