Comparison of Quality Philosophies Research Paper

Comparison of Quality Philosophies - Research Paper Example While Deming has stressed on the importance of worker involvement and statistical quality control, Juran’s emphasis focuses more on quality planning, measurement and control. On the other hand, Crosby relies on zero tolerance to defects, cost of quality and organizational motivation to explain quality management (Koontz, 2006). In terms of overlapping arguments, all three experts emphasize the importance of defect prevention and mitigation over detection besides promoting quality as a strategic competitive tool for organizations. Each also explains the crucial role of management in total quality improvement. However, there are numerous differences in their approaches over aspects such as the definition of quality, quality measurement, standards, roles of management and determining potential targets for quality improvements. Despite their unique arguments, my research has led me to conclude that Deming’s philosophy offers the best overall approach to quality management i n comparison to other thinkers. The reasons for arriving at this conclusion are discussed below. Deming defines quality as a state with ‘zero defects’ whereby similar products or services have incomparable or minimal variations. Thus, quality according to Deming is a visionary pursuit towards a product with no deficiencies, which ultimately leads to total satisfaction for the customer. On the other hand, Juran and Crosby define quality as ‘fitness for use’ and ‘conformance to requirements’ (Buhler, 2007). While both definitions are customer-centric and view quality as a set of criteria defined by the customer’s expectations, there is no attention to the fact that the customer’s requirements may themselves contain potential deficiencies. In other words, Deming’s theory suggests that companies should evaluate the product for potential deficiencies and try to be innovative in identifying hidden vulnerabilities. By taking a com paratively restricted approach as suggested by Juran and Crosby, firms are in an inhibited position to service their customers (Migliore, 2009). Deming also deviates from the traditional approach by analyzing every aspect from the perspective of quality. He suggests that quality should be the benchmark, which firms should seek to optimize, which will ultimately lead to better productivity, competitive advantage and lower costs (Paulson, 2008). In contrast, Juran and Crosby focus on improving parameters such as productivity, innovation, cost reduction and defects as drivers for improving quality. Thus, quality serves as the ultimate objective in their case, which is estimated by the collective realization of these parameters (Hartman, 2005). While utilizing statistical techniques such as those suggested by Juran

Citrus industry in Florida Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Citrus industry in Florida - Research Paper Example In 1834, citrus groves were being cultivated by farmers, which were interrupted by the occurrence of a freeze in February of 1835 (Florida’s Citrus Production 2013). The freeze, which happened on February of 1835, killed all the fruit trees in St. Augustine as temperature dropped to seven degrees above zero, thus, robbing people of their income (Dobson 2009). The farmers’ recovered production for the succeeding fifty-one years as the state only experienced warm winters; during this time, northeast Florida, as well as St. John’s County, became the hub of citrus supply (Dobson 2009). In the 1890’s, citrus production increased to five million boxes per year due to the demand for the said fruit in the northeast and the existence of rail lines, which promoted long distance shipping of the citrus fruits (About Citrus 2012). In fact, in the year 1894, the shipment of crates of citrus to the north amounted up to 5,000,000 (Dobson 2009). On December of 1894, anothe r freeze happened, killing all of Florida’s orange crops in its wake. On the eighth of February the following year, another freeze came about, bringing about the same disastrous effects; such was its impact that on 1896, Florida was only able to ship a little above 100,000 crates of oranges (Dobson 2009). The freeze caused the abandonment of citrus groves in the North of Florida and the production of melons and potatoes in its place (Dobson 2009). This was the most severe in the history of freezes that Florida had undergone (Timeline of Major Florida Freezes 2013). In 1901, there were little above 1,000,000 crates produced (Dobson 2009). In 1917 and 1934, still the state was plagued with the same natural calamity; the freeze of 1934 resulted in the formation of the Federal Frost Warning Service -- a replacement of the train whistles, which warned people of imminent frosts in the previous years (Dobson 2009). The occurrence of continuous freezes in December of 1934, as well as on February of 1935, yielded a negative impact as it reduce production from a million boxes to just below 150,000 boxes of citrus (About Citrus 2013). Again, the farmers planted their citrus crops, yet another freeze took its toll in