The Sustainability in a Quality Improvement Model

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to promote the integration of sustainable development concepts and conceptual models in engineering research, and therefore, to enhance sustainability of research models. Particularly, the concepts are integrated with an integrated theoretical model of knowledge management and DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analysis-Improve-Control) process. Methodology: Based on literature, the key concepts of sustainable development, knowledge management, Ontology and DMAIC methodology have been reviewed. A theoretical combination of knowledge management, ontology engineering, and DMAIC methodology is to aim at accumulating and reusing a potential economic resource, knowledge resource. An analysis of sustainable aspects of a proposed model is presented. Important findings: As literature expressed that knowledge created by every step of a DMAIC process can be accumulated and reused by using Ontology in a conceptual model. Furthermore, sustainable aspects of the model such as economy, environment and society are identified. Conclusion: DMAIC knowledge is a potential economic resource that should be shared and reused using Ontology engineering in order to archive sustainable development of DMAIC process. Theoretical integration of seven sustainable measures with activities of knowledge management is possible and realizable.