Quality Concepts of Statistical Applications - Research Paper Example

It is important to note that the meaning of the word quality varies between people and sectors. However, there are two definitions for technical usage as follows. 1) Features of a service or a product that determine its ability to fulfill implied or stated needs. This is in line with Philip Crosby’s definition of “conformance to requirements” 2) Deficiency free product or service. This conforms with Joseph Juran’s definition of “fitness for use” From the term quality we can derive two other terms.

These are quality assurance and quality control. These two terms can have several definitions because of the various definitions of the words assurance and control. For example, assurance can be interpreted as being certain or making confident. Control on the other hand can be interpreted as guiding or an evaluation to determine appropriate corrective responses. Quality assurance and quality control are often used in place of each other to mean actions undertaken to ensure quality of a service or a process.

It is however important to differentiate these two terms for clarity in their use. Quality assurance focuses on the processes through which products are developed or services delivered. It aims to prevent defects through quality processes that the products undergo. Quality control on the other hand focuses on the end products. . One school of thought was proposed by Douglas McGregor. He had two theories in this case, theory x and theory y. Both theories are based on the assumption that one of the roles of a manager is to organize the factors of production.

Theory x assumes the following of an average person. They dislike work and try to avoid it, have no ambition and want no responsibility. It also assumes that they are self-centered and do not care about organizational goals. In a nutshell persons who fall under theory x work only for money and security. Management approaches in this area could range from hard to soft approach. These would include coercion, implicit threat, close supervisions and tight controls. Theory y, on the other hand, assumes the following about an average person.

Work is as natural as play and rest. Commitment helps people meet their work objectives in a self-directed manner. People generally seek responsibility. Since people align their goals to organizational goals in this theory, managers can take several measures to ensure the best input from employees. These measures could include decentralization and delegation, job enlargement, participative management and performance appraisals. The concept of scientific management was coined by Frederick Winslow Taylor in 1911.

There are several principles, also referred to as elements that detail the mechanisms of scientific management. These he considered as extensions to the four principles of management. The four concepts of managements are as follows. The development of a true science The scientific selection of the workman The scientific education and development of the workman Intimate and friendly cooperation between the management and the men.