National Quality Infrastructure Research Articles

Ranking Model Averaging: Ranking Based on Model Averaging

Ranking problems are commonly encountered in practical applications, including order priority ranking, wine quality ranking, and piston slap noise performance ranking. The responses of these ranking applications are often considered as continuous responses, and there is uncertainty on which scoring function is used to model the responses. In this paper, we address the scoring function uncertainty of continuous response ranking problems by proposing a ranking model averaging (RMA) method. With a set of candidate models varied by scoring functions, RMA assigns weights for each model determined by a K-fold crossvalidation criterion based on pairwise loss. We provide two main theoretical properties for RMA. First, we prove that the averaging ranking predictions of RMA are asymptotically optimal in achieving the lowest possible ranking risk. Second, we provide a bound on the difference between the empirical RMA weights and theoretical optimal ones, and we show that RMA weights are consistent. Simulation results validate RMA superiority over competing methods in reducing ranking risk. Moreover, when applied to empirical examples—order priority, wine quality, and piston slap noise—RMA shows its effectiveness in building accurate ranking systems. History: Accepted by Ram Ramesh, Area Editor for Data Science and Machine Learning. Funding: This research was supported by the Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation [Grant 1222002], the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 12071457, 12201018, 12301364, 71925007, 72091212, and 72273120], National Quality Infrastructure [Grant 2022YFF0609903], the Chinese Academy of Sciences Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research [Grant YSBR-008], and the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province [Grant 2308085QA09]. Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2023.0257 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2023.0257 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .

The National Calibration Service of Ukraine as an integral part of the National Quality Infrastructure

The National Calibration Service of Ukraine as an integral part of the National Quality Infrastructure

Exploring the influencing factors of blockchain technology adoption in national quality infrastructure: a Dual-Stage structural equation model and artificial neural network approach using TAM-TOE framework

Exploring the influencing factors of blockchain technology adoption in national quality infrastructure: a Dual-Stage structural equation model and artificial neural network approach using TAM-TOE framework

National Quality Infrastructure System and Its Application Progress in Photovoltaic Industry

With the rapid development of economic construction, National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) has received increasing attention from countries and international organizations. NQI is a comprehensive system and capacity building, which plays a key role in promoting healthy and sustainable economic and social development. However, the photovoltaic industry has not yet established an NQI system and lacks an overall quality supervision mechanism. This will hinder the comprehensive development of the photovoltaic industry in terms of standards, metrology, conformity assessment, etc. In this paper, first, the concept and overall framework NQI is sorted out; the three most important elements of NQI are pointed out. Then, on the basis of fully explaining the NQI, an NQI system for the photovoltaic industry is established for the first time, and the construction of the NQI elements of the photovoltaic industry internationally is sorted out in detail. Finally, the possible solutions to the problems existing in the overall construction of the NQI system are proposed. Points for improvement are listed for each element of the NQI system for the photovoltaic industry.

National quality infrastructure: Resources, Services, and collaboration-oriented capability assessment framework

National quality infrastructure: Resources, Services, and collaboration-oriented capability assessment framework

CALIDENA methodology for quality infrastructure service assessment and improvement in wheat value chains

Wheat is one of Ethiopia's most important cereal crops in terms of the area of land allocated, the volume produced, and the number of farmers engaged in its production. About 4.7 million farmers produce 3.9 million tons of wheat across 1.6 million hectares of land. Despite the significant potential of the country, some challenges exist to attain wheat self-sufficiency. These challenges spread across the wheat value chain (WVC); wherein quality-related issues are prominent. Therefore, assessing the national quality infrastructure (NQI) service and offering mitigation schemes is a goal to pursue. To do so, this paper evaluates NQI services in the WVC and proposes an improvement mechanism using the CALIDENA methodology. Results show WVC is subjected to a significant number of quality-related issues mainly associated with conformity assessment service (calibration, certification, inspection, and testing) and standards. Finally, the paper concludes with recommendations for NQI service improvement to improve the WVC.

A comprehensive review of the national quality infrastructure framework

A comprehensive review of the national quality infrastructure framework

Quality Infrastructure of National Metrology Institutes: A Comparative Study

Each country has its own system of Quality Infrastructure (QI) developed for the effective operations, management, regulations, control of national trade, international exchanges of goods & collaborations and recognition of their products and services to enable them to enter into the global market. These QI systems consist of national governments, civic, public and private institutions, organizations, boards, associations, forums, scientific societies, federations industries etc . These agencies work in coordination and with synergy to formulate, suggest, execute, disseminate and implement, as per their relevant responsibilities; the national policies, procedures; guidelines, legal & regulatory structure, and good practices to support and strengthen the quality for safe & environmentally friendly products, services, and processes. It relies on metrology, standardization, accreditation, and conformity assessment. Several countries have strong QI, and accordingly, have proper industrial and economic growth. On the contrary, some of the countries lack the necessary infrastructure to meet the quality standards, and as a result, they face problems and challenges in this competitive world. This paper describes the essential components of stronger International Quality Infrastructure (IQI) and the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI). A comparative study carried out on the NQIs of 9 leading countries is also discussed. A comparative study on the Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) of the top 10 economies is also included. Admittedly, though utmost care is taken to accommodate most relevant information, some of the unnoticed discrepancies are not ruled out, which may be unintentional. It is hoped that this paper would be useful for students, researchers, academicians, scientists, metrologists, quality experts, administrators, and policymakers as an information bank on NQIs and GQIIs of several countries.

Development Strategy of National Quality Infrastructure in China

National quality infrastructure (NQI) is the technical foundation of a country’s high-quality development and an important component of the national innovation system. Improving the technical capacity and management level of the NQI is a key means to promote China’s strength in science and technology and product quality. Conducting strategic research on NQI is critical for transforming China from a country of quantity to a country of quality. This study analyzes the status quo and existing problems in the development of quality infrastructure in China and abroad and proposes the overall idea, objectives, and future direction of the NQI development strategy for China. Furthermore, we propose several policies to provide support and reference for the scientific development of China’s NQI, including clarifying the strategic positioning of NQI, optimizing the construction of NQI, consolidating NQI technical foundations and systemic services, strengthening diversified resource investment, and participating in the international exchanges of NQI.

A comprehensive review of the National quality infrastructure framework

A comprehensive review of the National quality infrastructure framework

Quality infrastructure services capability assessment in the coffee value chain

Coffee generates about 25%-30% of total export and securing about 15 million people's livelihoods in Ethiopia. But, it has several quality issues. Studies show a total of 272 million USD of which 99% is due to the non-conformance cost of the export product incurred annually. This justifies mitigating quality problems in the sector is important. Therefore, to deal with this issue coffee quality related data were collected from Ethiopian National Quality Infrastructure Institutions (ENQI) and Coffee Quality Inspection and Certification Association (CLU). Eighteen experts purposively selected from both institutes were asked to associate quality service with defects. Finally, lack of accreditation has the highest contribution followed by conformity and metrology with a share of 83.3%, 75%, and 54% for defects points. Moreover, issues like control of temperature and humidity in storage and transport, lack of soil nutrition testing, inspection performance, and commitment to standards implementation are issues that needs to be improved.

Evolution of Measurement System and SI Units in India

The paper presents a terse review on the evolution of measurement system and International System of Units (SI) in India, the methodology followed to realize the measurement units and the present state of the art in realizing of 7 base units. The measurement systems evolved, developed and used during several ancient historical periods, Indus valley to Vedic period to existing SI system of modern era, are discussed. The major activities carried out during ancient times were primarily based on the units of mass, length and time. The current system has been established and adopted to realize SI units through the fundamental constants, invariant of time and space, which has replaced the dependence on artifacts. The new era of SI system based on quantum metrology has established linkages of all the 7 base units to fundamental constants. The aim of the study is to present the major events, activities and developments carried out in India pertaining to the evolution of SI units. The SI system at the top of traceability chain and heart of metrology and measurement system, it is of utmost important to understand, how the SI system is evolved historically: It becomes further inevitable when India is aiming for AtmaNirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) for augmenting the industrial growth of Indian economy, wherein strengthening the national quality infrastructure for enhancing trade and commerce shall be indispensable and unbroken chain of measurement traceability through new SI system would play a major role. The present review would provide a concise report on these developments, starting from Indus valley period to existing era.

National Quality Infrastructure Supports Smart Grid Construction in China-Taking the State Grid as an Example

The National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) plays an important role in technically supporting the construction of the smart grid. Taking the State Grid as an example, this paper analyzes the role of NQI in promoting and supporting UHV transmission projects, smart grid dispatching & control systems and new energy power generation in China. In the field of UHV transmission, the standard system supports the construction and industrial upgrading of UHV transmission projects, the testing system ensures the quality of engineering equipment, and the metering service ensures the accurate settlement of power generation, transmission and power supply. In the field of smart grid dispatching, NQI supports the successful research and development, all-round promotion and efficient operation of the D5000 System. In the field of new energy power generation, the technical standard system provides the basis for the grid-integrated system of new energy power generation. The improvement of testing capability has promoted the technological progress of the new energy industry. The certification of grid-integrated new energy has maintained the fairness and authority of the quality system.

Quality Infrastructure of India and Its Importance for Inclusive National Growth

In this feature article, the quality infrastructure (QI) of India is discussed. A national QI is comprised of internationally recognized metrology, standards and accreditation. The QI built on a technical hierarchy to ensure the accuracy and precision of measurements traceable to SI units, is basic enabling system for providing the conformity assessment (calibration and testing, certification and inspection). The QI is an invisible force that binds the four helices, namely government, university, S&T institutions, civil society & media and enterprises, which are responsible for the growth of economy and quality of life. The existing apex capabilities of National Physical Laboratory, India—the National Metrology Institute of the country, National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories and the Bureau of Indian Standards, are described. The mechanisms of enhancing the individual capabilities of these QI institutions and to boost synergy amongst them are presented. The need of a robust QI facility by various stakeholders in the areas of implementation of regulations, industrial growth, international trade, food safety, environmental monitoring, sustainable energy, affordable health, attraction of foreign investments, etc. is highlighted.

NQI Status and Demand Analysis of Intelligent Electric Energy Meter Industry

Taking the opportunity of undertaking the project of “NQI Typical Demonstration Application” of the key research and development projects of the state, and taking the intelligent electric energy meter as the breakthrough point, the production and use process of intelligent electric energy meter in the whole life cycle is summarized as eight links: research and development design, material purchasing, production and manufacturing, factory supply, acceptance and inspection, storage and distribution, installation and operation, dismantling of scrap and so on, and the status of National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) in intelligent electric energy meter industry is carded out. At the same time, the paper summarizes the development needs of intelligent electric energy meter industry in measurement, standards, inspection, certification and accreditation, which provides guidance and basis for the construction of NQI in smart grid measurement field.

Research on quality and standard two-way intelligent matching algorithm based on similarity theory

This paper discussed the model and algorithm of two-way intelligent matching between product quality and standard, and selected randomly 18 kinds of men's shirts products from Tmall Mall, and conducted the empirical test of two-way matching between product quality and standard with the designed standard,aiming at the limitation of the research on two-way intelligent matching at home and abroad, based on the fuzzy similarity theory in fuzzy mathematics. Through empirical test, it is found that the two-way matching model and algorithm given in this study is a universal, scientific and reasonable two-way matching model and algorithm of product quality and standard, which can support most of the two-way matching of product quality and standard, not only can enrich the two-way matching theory of product quality and standard, but also can be applied to the practice of economic and social development. The model and algorithm supports the two-way automatic matching of product quality and standard, and provides an important methodology for the research of National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) common technology.

How do Public Policy-makers Perceive National Quality Infrastructure? The Case of Serbia as an EU Pre-accession Country

In this article, we develop a framework for a comparative analysis of policy-making in the EU pre- and post-accession CEE countries (CEECs) in order to create generalized knowledge in some particular areas, such as quality infrastructure (QI). In order to find how public policy-makers perceive QI, we employ a triangulation methodology. The results show that policy-makers are not fully familiar with national QI concepts and seldom rely on experts’ opinion. Moreover, QI legislation is uncritically transferred from the EU.

Construction of the Indicator System Applied to Evaluate Basic Capabilities of Smart Meter Enterprises on NQI

In order to quantitatively evaluate the basic capabilities of smart meter enterprises on National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) and continuously improve the quality level of smart meter enterprises, this paper, profited from China’s NQI capability index system and the Delphi method, with representiveness of indicators as the starting point, and based on repeated screening and expert demonstration, chooses the most representative indicators devised for NQI factors such as measurement, standardization, certification & accreditation, inspection & testing and quality management in the production of smart meters, and constructs an indicator system applied to evaluate the basic capabilities of smart meter enterprises on NQI, which includes 5 first-level indicators, 8 second-level indicators and 30 basic indicators. With construction of this system, we can quantitatively evaluate the basic quality and technology capabilities of smart meter manufacturers and continuously improve deficiencies of enterprises on their NQI. And, the State Grid can also apply this system as a technical specification to evaluate the quality level of smart meter enterprises.

The Serbian quality infrastructure as viewed by the quality managers

Globalization of the modern society as well as the increased consumer awareness have led to the situation where every country in the world has growing needs for a reliable Quality Infrastructure (QI). In this context, the paper highlights the importance of the development of Quality Infrastructure in Serbia in terms of institutional connectivity and legal regulation within the country. Operationally, the paper aims at examining the quality managers’ opinions about current situation of QI in Serbia, with the special emphasis on the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) issues. Additionally, the article presents all governmental and other relevant organizations that may contribute to the development of QI model in Serbia as well as in the whole region, in economical, business and governmental surroundings. The results indicate that although NQI institutions are well established and regulated by the legislation of Republic of Serbia, there is still a room for improvement.

Achieving Food Safety: A Case Study on Import Food Monitoring of Japan

This study is to examine how a country with a significant amount of import food like Japan achieves food safety. Desktop analysis, correlation analysis and in depth-interview at field surveys were employed. It is found that food legislation and regulatory framework of Japanese import food monitoring system supported and guided the responsibilities of food authority, private inspection and testing agencies and importers. A strong negative correlation is found between consultation at quarantine stations and violations of import food with r value = -0.77.Even though the number of delegated laboratories in 62 foreign countries was 42 times higher than that of the domestic laboratories, they shared only 10% of total testing. Japanese Import food monitoring in export countries revealed less advantage in scope, if compared with the EU's system. Japan chooses not to rely on monitoring of export country solely rather than giving consultation to exporters and importers. The national standard formulation method is based on risk analysis in accordance with internationally accepted norms. It can conclude that Japan's import food monitoring system is streamlined in accordance with global trend. The food authority of Japan takes continuous restructuring with sound national quality infrastructure aimed at protection of consumers against adulterated import food.