2007 Awards for Excellence

2007 Awards for Excellence

The following article was selected for this year's Outstanding Paper Award for The TQM Magazine

"Obstacles to the creation of attractive quality''

Johan LiljaDepartment of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, Mid Sweden University, Ústersund, SwedenHÔkan WiklundDepartment of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, Mid Sweden University, Ústersund, Sweden

Purpose - The purpose of the paper is to contribute to the solution, and understanding, of the current lack of activity concerning the development of practices, such as engineering methods, for the creation of attractive quality. The current situation is clearly problematic given the important positive effects assigned to attractive quality in the literature.Design/methodology/approach - First, different descriptions of attractive quality are examined in order to determine whether there is a common understanding of the concept. Second, the ability to manage attractive quality creation in accordance to a proactive ideal is approached by an examination of the current ability to predict the occurrence of attractive quality.Findings - Two obstacles that currently hinder the development of practices for attractive quality creation are identified. The first obstacle is the diversity of meanings given to the concept of attractive quality, resulting in confusion about what to obtain. The second obstacle identified is the current lack of valid explanations to the occurrence of attractive quality, resulting in an inability to develop proactive practices.Practical implications - The practical implications of bringing attention to, and overcoming, the two obstacles identified will potentially be substantial. A common attractive quality concept and valid explanations to the occurrence of attractive quality will constitute an essential base for the successful development of practices, such as engineering methods, for attractive quality creation.Originality/value - The paper contributes via the identification of two critical areas in need of intensified attention and future research in order to facilitate the sought-after development of practices for the creation of attractive quality.

Keywords: Quality; Quality concepts; Quality management

www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/09544780610637695

This article originally appeared in Volume 18 Number 1, 2006, pp. 55-66, The TQM Magazine

The following articles were selected for this year's Highly Commended Award

"Lean production, six sigma quality, TQM and company culture''

Jens J. DahlgaardSu Mi Dahlgaard-Park

This article originally appeared in Volume 18 Number 3, 2006, The TQM Magazine

" ISO 9000 in the public sector: a successful case from Australia''

Prakash J. SinghPeter Mansour-Nahra

This article originally appeared in Volume 18 Number 2, 2006, The TQM Magazine

"Classification and application of problem solving quality tools: a manufacturing case study''

Catherine HagemeyerJohn K. GershensonDana M. Johnson

This article originally appeared in Volume 18 Number 5, 2006, The TQM Magazine