Interpretive Maintenance Quality Function Deployment: A New Model for Production in SMEs

Abstract

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in the economic development of developing countries. To remain competitive with larger organisations, SMEs must produce high-quality products at competitive prices. To improve product quality, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and profitability, SMEs need to optimise the use of their resources. However, the current production strategies used by this sector are insufficient to meet these objectives. In this context, developing and implementing a new strategy to improve quality, productivity, and OEE in SMEs is essential. This paper presents an innovative model, called 'interpretive maintenance quality function deployment' (IMQFD), that is aimed at enhancing these key parameters and supporting the growth of the SME sector in the midst of the ongoing industrial revolution.

Alternate abstract:

Klein en medium ondernemings (KMOs) speel 'n deurslaggewende rol in die ekonomiese ontwikkeling van ontwikkelende lande. Om mededingend met groter organisasies te bly, moet KMOs produkte van hoé gehalte teen mededingende pryse produseer. Om produkkwaliteit, algehele toerustingdoeltreffendheid (OEE), en winsgewendheid te verbeter, moet KMOs die gebruik van hul hulpbronne optimeer. Die huidige produksiestrategieé wat deur hierdie sektor aangewend word, is egter onvoldoende om hierdie doelwitte te bereik. In hierdie konteks is die ontwikkeling en implementering van 'n nuwe strategie om kwaliteit, produktiwiteit, en OEE binne KMOs te verbeter noodsaaklik. Hierdie artikel bied 'n innoverende model, genaamd "Interpreterende instandhoudingskwaliteit-funksie-ontplooiing' (IMQFD), wat daarop gemik is om hierdie sleutelparameters te verbeter en die groei van die KMO-sektor te ondersteun te midde van die voortslepende industriéle revolusie.