Statistical Process Control in SMEs. A Case Study

摘要

The importance of quality has been long recognised in the business environment in order to obtain or manufacture higher quality products. In a manufacturing environment, quality improves reliability, increases productivity and customer satisfaction. Quality in manufacturing requires the practices of Statistical Process Control (SPC). This paper addresses the case study on the implementation of SPC in eight SME companies. The case study involves interviews and questionnaire surveys with the company representatives, as well as observations on their environment. This paper focuses on the result of the survey and its primary findings. The information gathered includes company background, applications and general information about SPC in the company, types and characteristics of SPC software and its development, problem and disadvantages of software, as well as advantages and suggestion of improvement for the SPC software. Other key issues which were felt to be crucial to this study will also be discussed. The results of the case studies have shown that the implementation of quality SPC has encountered some barriers related to system and management, attitude, organizational culture, machine and equipments, facilities, cost and training issues.