An Analysis of QFD Application by Automotive Assemblers and Auto parts Companies in Brazil

摘要

In recent years, three field studies on QFd applications were conducted in Brazil. This paper presents the specific results from companies within the automotive sector. As the literature shows, this sector is the one in which QFD is mostly applied. Field research involved a survey using questionnaires via surface mail, interviews with QFD users, and a recent questionnaire sent electronically. To analyze the results, four propositions were constructed based on the QFD literature: difficulties experienced methodological constraints and the benefits of using QFD. The majority of propositions were confirmed by the empirical data. It can be concluded that QFD is an important method in the automotive sector but not all companies use it to full potential. They consider QFD to be complex and time consuming and there is still room for its improvement.