CHAPTER 1: Introduction
Efficiency is determined by the amount
of time, money, and energy – i.e. resources – that are necessary to
obtain certain results. In order to meet our daily production quota, we
commit a specific machine that uses up energy, make operators and
maintenance personnel available, and provide raw materials. For example,
if we are able to meet our daily production with less energy and fewer
operators, we have operated more efficiently. Effectiveness is
determined by comparing what a process or installation can produce with
what they actually produce; therefore, effectiveness does not tell
anything about the efficiency – the amount of resources that have to be
committed to obtain that output. If we are successful in manufacturing
more good product in the same time period, effectiveness will increase. A
valuable discussion could be whether ‘good product’ should be seen as
‘Good product with customer demand’ to prevent over-production.
Productivity is determined by looking at the production obtained
(effectiveness) versus the invested effort in order to achieve the
result (efficiency); in other words, if we can achieve more with less
effort, productivity increases. Arno Koch (2016)
1.1 Background of the Study
A definition of quality control is the
process of inspecting products to ensure that they meet the required
quality standards.This method checks the quality of completed products
for faults. Quality inspectors measure or test every product, samples
from each batch, or random samples – as appropriate to the kind of
product produced. The main objective of quality control is to ensure
that the business is achieving the standards it sets for itself. In
almost every business operation, it is not possible to achieve
perfection. For example there will always be some variation in terms of
materials used, production skills applied, reliability of the finished
product etc. Quality control involves setting standards about how much
variation is acceptable. The aim is to ensure that a product is
manufactured, or a service is provided, to meet the specifications which
ensure customer needs are met. There are several methods of quality
control. At its simplest, quality control is achieved through
inspection. For example, in a manufacturing business, trained inspectors
examine samples of work-in-progress and finished goods to ensure
standards are being met. For businesses that rely on a continuous
process, the use of statistical process control ("SPC") is common. SPC
is the continuous monitoring and charting of a process while it is
operating. Data collected is analysed to warn when the process is
exceeding predetermined limits. The research seek to investigate quality
control as determinant factor for effective and efficient production
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Quality control is the process of
inspecting products to ensure that they meet the required quality
standards. This method checks the quality of completed products for
faults. Quality inspectors measure or test every product, samples from
each batch, or random samples – as appropriate to the kind of product
produced. The main objective of quality control is to ensure that the
business is achieving the standards it sets for itself. In almost every
business operation, it is not possible to achieve perfection. For
example there will always be some variation in terms of materials used,
production skills applied, reliability of the finished product etc. With
quality control, inspection is intended to prevent faulty products
reaching the customer. This approach means having specially trained
inspectors, rather than every individual being responsible for his or
her own work. Furthermore, it is thought that inspectors may be better
placed to find widespread problems across an organization. A major
problem is that individuals are not necessarily encouraged to take
responsibility for the quality of their own work. Rejected product is
expensive for a firm as it has incurred the full costs of production but
cannot be sold as the manufacturer does not want its name associated
with substandard product. Some rejected product can be re-worked, but in
many industries it has to be scrapped – either way rejects incur more
costs, A quality control approach can be highly effective at preventing
defective products from reaching the customer. However, if defect levels
are very high, the company's profitability will suffer unless steps are
taken to tackle the root causes of the failures. The problem
confronting this research is to appraise quality control as determinant
factor for effective and efficient production.
1.3 Objective of the Study
1 To determine the nature of effective and efficient production
2 To determine the nature of quality control
3 To determine quality control as determinant factor for effective and efficient production.
1.4 Research Questions
1 What is the nature of effective and efficient production?
2 What is the nature of quality control?
3 What is the nature of quality control as determinant factor for effective and efficient production?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The study shows the relative importance of quality control in the process of attaining effective and efficient production
It also serves as source of information on quality control issues.
1.6 Statement of Hypothesis
Ho quality control is not a determining factor for effective and efficient production
Hi quality control is a determining factor for effective and efficient production
1.7 Scope of the Study
The research focuses on the appraisal of quality control as determinant factor for effective and efficient production
1.8 Definition of Terms
Quality control defined
An aspect of the quality assurance process that consists of activities employed in detection and measurement of the variability in the characteristics of output attributable to the production system, and includes corrective responses.
Efficiency is determined by the amount
of time, money, and energy – i.e. resources – that are necessary to
obtain certain results. In order to meet our daily production quota, we
commit a specific machine that uses up energy, make operators and
maintenance personnel available, and provide raw materials. For example,
if we are able to meet our daily production with less energy and fewer
operators, we have operated more efficiently.
Effectiveness is determined by comparing
what a process or installation can produce with what they actually
produce; therefore, effectiveness does not tell anything about the
efficiency – the amount of resources that have to be committed to obtain
that output. If we are successful in manufacturing more good product in
the same time period, effectiveness will increase. A valuable
discussion could be whether ‘good product’ should be seen as ‘Good
product with customer demand’ to prevent over-production.
Productivity is determined by looking at
the production obtained (effectiveness) versus the invested effort in
order to achieve the result (efficiency); in other words, if we can
achieve more with less effort, productivity increases.
Economic efficiency implies an economic
state in which every resource is optimally allocated to serve each
individual or entity in the best way while minimizing waste and
inefficiency. When an economy is economically efficient, any changes
made to assist one entity would harm another. In terms of production,
goods are produced at their lowest possible cost, as are the variable
inputs of production.