THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE
Introduction When the term quality is used, we usually think of an excellent product or service that fulfil or exceeds our expectations. These expectations are based on the intended purpose and the selling price.
Product quality is rapidly becoming an important competitive issue. In fact, it is the reason why firms, industries and other businesses continue to exist in the market whether the offered product is a good or a service (tangible or intangible). A strong product is important to the success in the market. The strength of these products reflects the whole experiences of buying and using it, making quality as an important component of product value. “Quality is the most important of the competitive weapons” (Dale Besterfield 2009). But quality is also one of the reasons why businesses fail.
In a recent study of the business units of major North American companies, managers ranked “producing to high quality standards” as their chief current concern.
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) defines quality as a subjective term for which each person has its own definition. In technical wage, quality can have two meanings: The characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implemented needs, or a product or service that is free of deficiencies. The actual quality of a product is a vital part of a consumer’s perception of a good or service. Quality can describe any attributes in a set of characteristics that satisfy or disappoint the customer, including usability, reliability, and durability. An actual product can influence a consumer’s perception on its quality, but in the end, particularly with non-durable goods, a customer’s actual experience will determine their perception of quality. According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), quality must meet the quality requirements of its customer’s satisfaction, in the