Effective implementation for introducing ISO/TS 16949 in semiconductor manufacturing industries

Abstract

Few semiconductor manufacturers in Taiwan have been ISO/TS 16949 certified, primarily due to a lack of complete and efficient implementation procedures for introducing ISO/TS 16949 and its certifying process. In this study, performance matrix, the concept of Taguchi quality loss curve and quality function deployment (QFD) are combined to develop an ISO/TS 16949 implementation evaluation system for firms to take improvement actions. A questionnaire survey was used to collect information about the emphasis and action performance metrics related to ISO/TS 16949 certification in semiconductor-related industries in Taiwan. Next, statistical methods were used to define the performance indexes of action and importance and to modify the performance-evaluation matrix proposed by Lambert and Sharma [(1990). A customer-based competitive analysis for logistics decisions. International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, 20(1), 17–24], thereby establishing a suitable performance-evaluation matrix for ISO/TS 16949 implementation. This matrix was then employed to transfer the information collected from questionnaires on the importance and the implementation level of various critical implementation items. Finally, the concepts of the Taguchi method and Shewhart control chart were integrated to determine upper and lower performance control limits. Improvement strategies for the implementation items outside the performance control limits were developed by QFD. By systematic analyses, the introduction of ISO/TS 16949 can be evaluated quickly through the proposed convenient evaluation model, and therefore improvement strategies can then be proposed. With the tools described in this study, ISO/TS 16949 implementation time can be shortened significantly.