Shaping and protecting quality plays a significant role in logistics management. A comprehensive approach to the problem is a step towards the final form of quality. Over the years, several characteristic terms defining methods of quality care can be distinguished.
Technical inspection is located in production units, and its object is the product. This type of inspection is a passive, restrictive control, i.e., the results obtained in this process are primarily used to accept or reject the product.
In contrast, in statistical quality control, a population of products is evaluated based on a randomly selected sample, and responsibility for quality is distributed among executive and management units. This type of control is an active, acceptance-preventive inspection.
Quality control is a comprehensive approach that involves taking quality issues beyond the quality department. A characteristic feature in this case is self-inspection and error-free work systems. Quality management, unlike the previously mentioned methods, includes a full set of management functions. The most perfect form of management is TQM (Total Quality Management). In quality management, it is assumed that all tangible and intangible components of an enterprise influence the quality of products and processes. TQC (Total Quality Control) includes statistical quality control – Statistical Quality Control.
The concept of quality and the quality assurance process in logistics
The concept of quality is defined in many ways. The Council of Logistics Management adopted the following definition: “quality in logistics means the company’s fulfillment of the customer’s requirements and expectations agreed upon with the customer regarding the following service characteristics:
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ease of obtaining necessary information and storing and transmitting orders,
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timely and reliable delivery of ordered goods and communication,
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order fulfillment in an accurate, complete, and damage-free manner, as well as error-free documentation,
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timely and customer-responsive after-sales service,
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accurate and timely acquisition and transmission of information between functional departments in the company and between it and its external partners to support planning,
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management and execution of the activities mentioned above.” (…)
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Source: Logistyka Magazine 5/2012
Quality in logistics – a brief overview – PDF file for download