The quality movement: where are we going? Past, present and future

Abstract

Great changes are taking place, and now is the right time to reflect on the quality philosophy. This research firstly reviewed the quality theories and practices according to the timeline, thus summarising the ‘past’ of the quality movement. Then, a bibliometric analysis based on 20,930 literature on quality management since 2001 was conducted, and the first 19 years of the new millennium were divided into three phases. Through comparative analysis of the three stages by using VOSviewer, this research describes how research on quality management has evolved since the twenty-first century. Finally, through the coding method based on expert interviews and document studies, this research proposed the following six future directions in quality movement: First, no longer about defect reduction, but focuses on value enhancement. Second, no longer product life cycle, but service life cycle. Third, no longer separated, but integrated. Fourth, data will become the core resource for quality management. Fifth, there will be significant changes in existing methods and tools of quality management. Sixth, the quality control power of focal companies over other actors in the supply network will be further enhanced.