Quality Function Deployment Matrix Research Articles

Optimizing plasma-activated water for enhanced microbial control in agricultural produce processing

The study utilized a pinhole plasma jet discharge system to generate plasma-activated water (PAW) for the removal of microbes on bird's eye chili. Optimal conditions for PAW generation were determined using response surface methodology, achieving maximum microbial inactivation. The novelty of this study lies in designing a PAW system model for agricultural cooperatives using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology, which integrates customer and engineer/designer perspectives. The results demonstrate a maximum 82.54% microbial removal rate on bird's eye chili under optimal conditions (e.g., exposure time = 20 min, Ar gas flow rate = 5 L/min, and O2 mixture = 2% Ar gas), indicating effective antimicrobial activity of plasma-activated water. Furthermore, a model of the PAW system for agricultural cooperatives, including cost and electrical power usage estimates, is proposed based on the correlation matrix of QFD. This conceptual PAW model for agricultural cooperatives warrants further investigation to assess its consistency in sterilization efficiency and long-term effects on treated agricultural products.

Integration of Principal Component Analysis with AHP-QFD for Improved Product Design Decision-Making

The complexity of quality function deployment (QFD) matrices often hinders efficient decision-making in product design, leading to missed opportunities and extended development times. This study explores the integration of principal component analysis (PCA) with analytic hierarchy process-QFD (AHP-QFD) to address these challenges. PCA, a machine learning technique, was applied to QFD matrices from product design research to reduce complexity and enhance prioritization efficiency. The integrated method was tested with a product design team across various industries, including logistics, healthcare, and consumer electronics. The analysis demonstrated that PCA effectively reduced matrix complexity, optimizing feature prioritization. In the logistics sector, PCA explained 99.2% of the variance with the first five components, while in consumer electronics, it accounted for 86.9% with the first four components. However, PCA showed limitations in the healthcare sector due to evenly distributed variance among components. Expert feedback highlighted the practical benefits of the integrated approach: 75% of logistics experts and 62.5% of consumer electronics experts found the method clearer. For speed, 100% of logistics and 87.5% of consumer electronics experts preferred the method for quicker evaluations. For accuracy, 75% of logistics and 62.5% of consumer electronics experts deemed the method more accurate. Overall, the PCA-AHP-QFD method simplifies decision-making processes and reduces development time, particularly in industries where feature prioritization is crucial. These findings underscore the potential of the integrated approach to enhance product development efficiency and feature prioritization, with suitability varying based on industry characteristics.

Using Quality Function Deployment to Assess the Efficiency of Mini-Channel Heat Exchangers

This article addresses the design of a compact heat exchanger for the cooling of electronic systems. The Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method is used to identify crucial product features to improve device performance and key customer requirements. The QFD simplifies management processes, allowing modifications to device components, such as design parameters (dimensions and materials) and operating conditions (flow type and preferred temperature range). The study was applied to analyse the fundamental features of a compact heat exchanger, assessing their impact on enhancing heat transfer intensity during fluid flow through mini-channels. The thermal efficiency of the compact heat exchanger was tested experimentally. The results allow to verify the results obtained from the numerical simulations due to Simcenter STAR-CCM+. Consequently, the experimental part was reduced in favour of numerical simulations conducted using this commercial CFD software version 2020.2.1 Build 15.04.01. The numerical simulations performed with the aid of CFD showed increases in the heat transfer coefficient of up to 180% compared to the case treated as a reference. The application of the QFD matrix significantly reduces the time required to develop suitable design and material solutions and determine the operating parameters for the cooling of miniature electronic devices.

Modeling resilient functions in perishable food supply chains: transition for sustainable food system development

PurposeNatural disasters cause serious operational risks and disruptions, which further impact the food supply in and around the disaster-impacted area. Resilient functions in the supply chain are required to absorb the impact of resultant disruptions in perishable food supply chains (FSC). The present study identifies specific resilient functions to overcome the problems created by natural disasters in the FSC context.Design/methodology/approachThe quality function deployment (QFD) method is utilized for identifying these relations. Further, fuzzy term sets and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) are used to prioritize the identified problems. The results obtained are employed to construct a QFD matrix with the solutions, followed by the technique for order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) on the house of quality (HOQ) matrix between the identified problems and functions.FindingsThe results from the study reflect that the shortage of employees in affected areas is the major problem caused by a natural disaster, followed by the food movement problem. The results from the analysis matrix conclude that information sharing should be kept at the highest priority by policymakers to build and increase resilient functions and sustainable crisis management in a perishable FSC network.Originality/valueThe study suggests practical implications for managing a FSC crisis during a natural disaster. The unique contribution of this research lies in finding the correlation and importance ranking among different resilience functions, which is crucial for managing a FSC crisis during a natural disaster.

QFD-based hybrid neutrosophic MCDM approach with Six Sigma evaluation for sustainable product design in Industry 4.0

PurposeThe concept of sustainable product design (SPD) is gaining significant attention in recent research. However, due to inherent uncertainties associated with new product development and incorporation of multiple qualitative and quantitative criteria; SPD is a complex and challenging task. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel approach by integrating quality function deployment (QFD), multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) technique and Six Sigma evaluation for facilitating SPD in the context of Industry 4.0.Design/methodology/approachThe customer requirements are evaluated through the neutrosophic-decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory-analytic network process (DEMATEL-ANP)-based approach followed by utilizing QFD matrix to estimate the weights of the engineering characteristics (EC). The Six Sigma method is then employed to evaluate the alternatives’ design based on the ECs’ values.FindingsThe effectiveness of the suggested approach is illustrated through an example. The result indicates that utilization of the neutrosophic MCDM technique with integration of Six Sigma methodology provides a simple, effective and computationally inexpensive method for SPD.Practical implicationsThe proposed approach is helpful in upstream evaluation of the product design with limited experimental/numerical data, maintaining a strong competitive position in the market and enhancing customer satisfaction.Originality/valueThis work provides a novel approach to objectively quantify performance of SPD under the paradigm of Industry 4.0 using the integration of QFD-based hybrid MCDM with Six Sigma method.

Development of a Human Centric Cyber Physical Production System Framework for Enhanced Social Sustainability

Social sustainability focuses on building a sustainable workplace that prioritizes the occupational health, safety, and overall well-being of workers. It is considered one of the three fundamental pillars of sustainability. Human centric cyber physical production system (CPPS) emphasizes the central role of humans in the smart manufacturing process that has become an essential requirement to enhance social sustainability. This paper proposes a human centric CPPS framework for enhanced social sustainability. The social needs/requirements are identified and categorized into various types. Similarly, functional and design requirements are categorized into different elements and sub-elements of CPPS. The findings are used to create a QFD (Quality Function Deployment) matrix that integrates social requirements with the functional and design requirements of modular CPPS elements. The present work will be significant in enhancing the management capabilities and performance of traditional manufacturing systems, while also meeting diverse social needs and requirements.

New Product Development Strategy for Sustainable Rigid Plastic Packaging at XYZ Company in 2022-2025

This study developed environmentally friendly products for XYZ Company through business strategy analysis, macro external environment analysis, industry analysis, the voice of customer analysis, functional analysis, canoe model integration and quality functional deployment, and cost-benefit analysis. Based on the analysis results, a new product development strategy for sustainable rigid plastic packaging was formulated at XYZ Company in 2022-2025. The formulation of a new product development strategy at XYZ Company began by collecting data from XYZ Company's Business Strategy, analyzing internal factors using functional analysis, and analyzing the external environment (regulations, economic, social, political conditions, industry pressures, and results of customer interviews with XYZ Company) with using PESTEL Analysis, Industry Analysis (Five Forces Porter), and Voice of Customer Analysis. All data were combined in the Kano model matrix and Quality Function Deployment Matrix, which produced new product characteristics that will become the basis for XYZ Company in designing new products, conducting cost and benefit analysis, and determining strategy formulation. Based on the analysis results, XYZ Company could develop a 20L Jerrycan product for refillable packaging with Post-Consumer Resin (PCR) Material, using Extrusion Blow Molding and Injection Molding Process, and collaborating with customers to develop product cycles for refillable packaging offered to customers. The XYZ Company's effective New Product Development Strategy for sustainable plastic packaging in 2022-2025 is manufacturing refillable packaging with PCR material and using existing machines. Keywords: product development, kano model, quality functional deployment, sustainability, rigid plastic packaging

Systematic engineering design approach for improvement of oil-free twin-screw compressors

Twin-screw compressors are widely used in industry, especially in compressed air, refrigeration, air-conditioning and process gas which consume a significant part of the world’s energy. Nowadays, oil-injected compressors represent the majority of twin-screw compressors in the market due to their high efficiency and reliability. The oil-free compressor is potentially a better solution in the context of the net-zero CO2 target in 2050. However, due to its high thermal deformation and small clearances, this technology still suffers from reliability issues. To remedy this problem disruptive innovative solutions are required. In this purpose, the present study uses a systematic engineering design process to develop new concepts for the improvement of the oil-free twin-screw compressor. The paper is focused on the first two phases of the design process which are the definition of problem and the conceptual design. In the problem definition, main objectives are expressed and are divided into sub-objectives and weighed using an objective tree decomposition. Moreover, a thorough functional model of the oil-free compressor is detailed with a focus on the leakage paths and heat transfers. For the conceptual design, engineering characteristics extracted from the functional analysis have been assessed against the most important objectives using Quality Function Deployment matrices (QFD). Based on the developed problem definition, new concepts have been generated and three distinct concept categories have been further explored: Secondary flow; Surface features; Clearance control and monitoring. The evaluation, embodiment and detailed designs of the concepts, using experimental and numerical analyses will follow.

Research on the Design of Surgical Auxiliary Equipment Based on AHP, QFD, and PUGH Decision Matrix

To improve the efficiency of medical staff in surgical operations and meet the physiological and psychological needs of surgeons, nurses, and patients during the operations, surgical auxiliary equipment is designed. This paper builds a design research model based on AHP (analytic hierarchy process), QFD (quality function deployment), and Platts conceptual decision matrix (PUGH decision matrix). Firstly, the user requirements are weighed through AHP analysis, and the design elements are prioritized based on the weight values. Then, QFD is used to analyze the design features of surgical auxiliary equipment from the aspects of structure, function, and shape, and a house of quality is established to get the significance of design features. Finally, the PUGH decision matrix is constructed to screen and evaluate multiple schemes, and the optimal design scheme is obtained. From the perspective of user requirements and product design characteristics, the significance of design elements is analyzed and calculated, which guides the design practices to complete the innovative design of surgical auxiliary equipment. The combination of AHP, QFD, and PUGH decision matrices are introduced into the innovative design of surgical auxiliary equipment, effectively avoiding subjective factors in product design, improving the scientific nature of the design, and providing new methods and ideas for the design and research of surgical auxiliary equipment and similar products.

Integration of SERVQUAL, Analytical Kano, and QFD using fuzzy approaches to support improvement decisions in an entrepreneurial education service

Quality tools such as Kano’s model, SERVQUAL, and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) have been used to design and improve services. Although these tools can be used separately, their integration can provide a deep analysis of the service quality, generating opportunities for its improvement. However, the effective integration of these tools requires the proper handling of their variables, which contains imprecision and uncertainties since they are based on customer’s perceptions. Fuzzy approaches are feasible alternatives to overcome these limitations and integrate these tools. Nevertheless, sophisticated fuzzy methods can deal better with these limitations. This article proposes an integrative framework involving SERVQUAL, Analytical Kano (A-Kano), and QFD using fuzzy approaches (Fuzzy Inference System and 2-tuple fuzzy linguistic representation). The framework comprises four main phases concerning (i) the identification of quality attributes and service processes using the A-Kano and SERVQUAL; (ii) the integration of these two quality tools using the Fuzzy Inference System (FIS); (iii) the integration between A-Kano and SERVQUAL output and QFD matrix using 2-tuple fuzzy linguistic representation; and (iv) the identification of improvement projects to address the opportunities identified in the previous phases. The proposed integrative framework was tested and validated in an entrepreneurial education company that provides experiential services. It contributes to providing a new method to assess the service quality perceptions, categorizing these perceptions according to their effects on customer satisfaction, prioritizing improvements, and identifying technical requirements. Mainly, this study presents a new proposal for integrating the SERVQUAL, A-Kano, and QFD using advanced fuzzy techniques, which contributes to overcoming the limitations found in the extant literature.

Integrating Quantitative Techniques Into Quality Function Deployment For Determining Of Importance Weights Of Customer Requirements In The Design Of A Baby Diaper

industries such as baby diapers, would help to prevent design repetitions and consequently wasting time and resources. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) has turned out to be a key methodology to design products by getting the voice of the customer in the first place, as well as converting the customer’s voice into product engineering characteristics. In addition, Kano model emphasizes the degree to which a customer is satisfied when a particular customer need is met. In this study, an approach integrating the Kano model into the planning matrix of QFD using Fuzzy logic, was proposed. The importance weights of customer requirements of a baby diaper were calculated using both the proposed Adjusted Kano-Fuzzy-QFD (AKFQFD) and traditional Kano-QFD model. It was demonstrated that the AKFQFD could effectively prioritize the importance weights of customer requirements.

The impact of marketing strategy on logistics decisions and the implementation of JIT

Marketing has a significant impact on logistics systems and corporate performance, so it is nowadays necessary to define a marketing logistics strategy in the lives of larger companies so that logistics decisions are not distorted by the marketing strategy. According to the current direction of development, smaller and smaller quantities of goods are constantly being moved, with ever shorter deadlines. Therefore, companies prefer to use the Just In Time (JIT) system, which results in a gradual reduction in inventory costs, but increases the burden on the environment. In this article, we analyze the interaction between marketing and logistics and the logistics environment required to implement a JIT system. For research we have used the matrix of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) technique to evaluate the needs of the customer with respect to the JIT system, thus clarifying the logistics strategy applicable to the introduction of the specific product.

Quality function deployment technique for banking the unbanked: a case study in Karnataka

Financial inclusion is a global issue that the Indian government has been striving to achieve in the last five years. Accessibility and ease of banking services in remote villages is one of the requirements to achieve it. The measure taken by the banks has failed miserably owing to complex and heterogeneous demographics of the country - especially the cultural and lifestyle difference between urban and rural masses. To explore the expectations of rural India and to find out the exact needs of the rural banking and its prospects, this paper has studied the possibilities of implementing quality function deployment in banking services which is rarely done in India. The paper explains how precisely the voice of the rural customer has been captured using quality function deployment matrix. The results of the study have evidenced that this tool can be tested, used, and extended for various service-oriented organisations that include banking.

Developing a QFD model for prioritizing the CSFs of ERP based on the enablers of organizational agility

PurposeThe main purpose of this study is to develop a model for prioritizing the critical success factors (CSF) of enterprise resources planning (ERP) based on the enablers of organizational agility (OA).Design/methodology/approachFirst, the CSFs of ERP and the enablers of OA have been identified and classified using Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), and then a three-phase quality function deployment (QFD) model has been designed to prioritize the influencing and influenced criteria. The proposed approach has been examined in the banking sector.FindingsMajor findings indicated that organizational structure, IT technology infrastructure, and commitment and support by top managers were selected as indicators with top priority.Research limitations/implicationsResearch variables were limited to the enablers of OA and the CSFs of ERP; analysis was time-consuming due to the interconnected multiple QFD phases, and findings were limited to the selected branches of a bank. The bank managers were suggested to enhance their commitment and support toward ERP. Also, it was recommended to the managers to evaluate their organizational structure and empower it as much as possible toward the fulfillment of customers' requirements and customers' expected agility.Originality/valueThe development of the QFD matrices and dividing the factors of each research variables into influencing and influenced factors distinguished this study from the literature.

Analyzing Engineering-Related Delays Using Quality Function Deployment in Construction Projects

This paper presents a methodology for analyzing engineering-related delays in construction projects using Quality Function Deployment (QFD). The steps of the QFD technique are combined in the quality and control policy. A reference matrix based on the literature review is constructed with engineering delays and a survey of all parties involved in construction projects. The QFD matrix aids in identifying the most significant reasons for delays and claims in the construction projects. For the identified reasons, solutions have been developed to limit or reduce them. The mean sources of construction delays include engineering, construction, financial/economic, management/administrative, and force majeure. This paper presents a knowledge-based QFD technique dedicated to engineering-related delays. Three categories of Engineering-related delays are considered in the proposed system. These categories are 1) design development, 2) workshop drawings, and 3) project party’s changes delays. The knowledge of the QFD matrix is acquired from literature, Federation International des Ingenious - Conseils (FIDIC) contract forms, domain experts, as well as a questionnaire survey. Three classes of participants (i.e., consultants, contractors, and Employers) have been approached to get their feedback on the cases of engineering-related delays. The proposed approach helps to limit or reduce delays in construction projects caused by the engineer. Accordingly, it was concluded to the most important reasons that led to the delay of construction projects related to the engineer, using QFD.

QUALITY FUNCTION DEPLOYMENT TECHNIQUE FOR BANKING THE UNBANKED: A CASE STUDY IN KARNATAKA

Financial inclusion is a global issue that the Indian government has been striving to achieve in the last five years. Accessibility and ease of banking services in remote villages is one of the requirements to achieve it. The measure taken by the banks has failed miserably owing to complex and heterogeneous demographics of the country - especially the cultural and lifestyle difference between urban and rural masses. To explore the expectations of rural India and to find out the exact needs of the rural banking and its prospects, this paper has studied the possibilities of implementing quality function deployment in banking services which is rarely done in India. The paper explains how precisely the voice of the rural customer has been captured using quality function deployment matrix. The results of the study have evidenced that this tool can be tested, used, and extended for various service-oriented organisations that include banking.

Improving the quality of mobile government services in the Gulf Cooperation Council

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to provide a concrete, integrated plan to improve the service quality of mobile government (m-government) services from the customer perspective in the Gulf Cooperation Council.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach was used to analyze a case study of the UAE Ministry of Interior (MOI) mobile application and a competitor: the MOI application of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a focus group.FindingsResults show that the technical requirement “real time” has the highest priority for deployment and “tangible service” has the lowest priority.Research limitations/implicationsFindings are limited to m-government services. Further studies could explore other government services such as traditional face-to-face services.Practical implicationsResults imply that if government decision-makers or software developers aim to understand customer requirements and improve their mobile services accordingly, the quality-function-deployment (QFD) approach is much more effective than traditional approaches in which decisions regarding services are prioritized based on the decision-makers or software developers’ perspectives.Originality/valueMany previous studies have applied QFD for developing products based on customer needs. This, however, is one of the few studies to successfully apply the QFD matrix to m-government services.

A Servqual and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) Approach in Measuring Total Quality Management at Private Universities in Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia

In free trade era, particularly in AEC leading to the education institution should prepare to compete freely in generating graduates who are able to compete in ASEAN’s labour market. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to determine the service quality of private universities in Pekanbaru, Riau, based on student’s perspective using SERVQUAL and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approaches. Sampling method employed in this reserach was random sampling technique in four (4) private universities in Pekanbaru. Data was analysed using SERVQUAL gap analysis and QFD. The result shows that there were four (4) customer requirements which will be the priority to be handled by the universities, there are 1. Inquiries, requests and claims of students are handled and resolved timely and promptly, 2. Readiness of academic staffs to serve students and can be contacted easily, 3. Academic staff pays special attention and provides help to students in resolving their problems, 4. Teaching materials are available and up-to-date. From the QFD Matrix, the most technical priority needs to be improved by the universities is Academic staff’s training and development.

Application of quality function deployment for the prioritization of National Board of Accreditation quality parameters

PurposeOwing to high competition in education sector, quality in education has become utmost important criteria to deliver better education service. For this purpose, it is required to monitor the quality of education. This paper aims to prioritize National Board of Accreditation (NBA) quality parameters in engineering education as per student’s needs using quality function deployment (QFD).Design/methodology/approachThis study is conducted among students of an institute of National importance in three stages. Stage 1 involves conducting interview with 23 students to find the student’s requirement from an institute. Further Stage 2 involves importance rating collection through questionnaire survey method. In this stage, 228 students have given a rating of each student’s requirement. Finally, Stage 3 involves establishing correlation between student’s requirement and NBA quality parameters that has been done by 20 academic experts and finally making a QFD matrix for ranking of each NBA quality parameter.FindingsThe result of the study first indicates that among all students’ requirements, job-oriented requirement is the most important need, and ergonomics-based requirement is the least important need of students. Further, to fulfill their needs, an institute has to focus on each NBA quality parameter. But among all NBA quality parameters, student’s performance is highly desirable quality parameter.Practical implicationsThis study will help top management of engineering institutions in making better policies and strategies for preparing their quality framework. These strategies will indirectly fulfill the customer needs that help in attracting more number of students toward those institutes.Originality/valueIn India, NBA is one of the leading bodies that monitor the quality of education. On the other hand, the institution has to satisfy the need of customer of education sector; therefore, prioritization of NBA quality parameter as per student’s need is one of the important needs that will help engineering institution to focus on a certain parameter to get a good quality certificate and also attract a number of meritorious students.

Evaluation of smart city logistics solutions with fuzzy MCDM methods

City logistics, which started to examine as a subdivision of logistics, aims the planning and management of transportation, efficiency, protection of the environment, reduction of traffic, security, and energy-saving. Rapidly growing population and migration from rural to urban areas have an important place in many of the problems of cities. A smart city is an approach that has a significant potential to solve urban logistics problems with information technologies. Smart city logistics such as full adaptive traffic management system, security, and emergency systems, electronic detection system, etc. present based on information technologies to meet the increasing demand for logistics services more efficiently, safely and environmentally. In this study, the evaluation of smart city logistics solutions that contain many components is considered as a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. Given the complex nature of this problem and insufficient knowledge, the decision-making approach is supported by fuzzy logic. In this context, the smart city logistics solutions in Istanbul determined by literature review and expert opinions are modeled, analyzed, and the results are interpreted by using the House of Quality matrix of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach with fuzzy MCDM methods.