Quality Management Problems Research Articles

Comparison of temporal and spatial patterns of water quality parameters in Anzali Wetland (southwest of the Caspian Sea) using Support vector machine model

Urgent is growing to have reliable information from the country's water resources. In recent years, data mining models such as artificial neural network (ANN), gene expression programming, Bayesian network, machine algorithms, such as a support vector machine (SVM), and Random Forest have found widespread use in the field of simulation and prediction of components in aquatic ecosystems. Variables vary greatly on water quality parameters (due to nonlinear and complex relationships). Therefore, conventional methods are not eligible to solve water resource quality management problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of simulating the spatial and temporal alterations in water quality parameters during the period 1985-2014 in Anzali Wetland using a SVM model. Based on principal components analysis (PCA), the parameters EC, TDS, pH and BOD5 were selected for analysis in this study. Spearman correlation was calculated to determine the inputs of the model and the correlation coefficient(CC) between the water quality parameters. According to the results of the correlation table analysis, 8 types of structures including different inputs were used to predict the parameters with machine vector. In the next stage, 70% of the data were used to train, while the rest were used for analyzing the models. Criteria for determination coefficient (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) were used for evaluation and model performance. The results revealed that in verification stage among different used models, the pH had the highest accuracy (0.95), while the lowest RMSE (0.20). Trend of alterations for optimal model of each parameter on a time scale, indicated an adequate estimation at most points. In general, the results exhibited the appropriate accuracy and acceptable performance of the SVM model in simulating water parameters.

Проблема менеджмента качества в системе Глазных тканевых банков в Российской Федерации

Проблема менеджмента качества в системе Глазных тканевых банков в Российской Федерации

WORLD EXPERIENCE OF PROCESS QUALITY MANAGEMENT OF TEACHER TRAINING IN HEI

The quality of higher education is the main feature of HEI. There are several approaches to assessing the performance of educational institutions. One of the leading process approaches is based on the principles of TQM (Total Quality Management) and the requirements for quality management systems of the International Organization for Standardization ISO. The basis for assessing the quality of higher education and training, as well as the quality of HEI’s activities are educational standards. The Ukrainian standards include: state standard, industry standards, HEI’s standards. The international standards of ENQA education quality guarantees include: standards for internal quality assurance of HEI, standards for external quality assurance of HEI, the European standards for external agencies of quality assurance. There are several models of education quality management systems: model of quality management system according to the international standard ISO 9001:2000 (DSTU ISO 9001:2001); the model of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) and its modifications for HE; the model of the Center for Higher Education Policy Studies (CHEPS) of the University of Twente (Netherlands); model of the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU); Belgian-Dutch model (Expertgroep HBO); Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the field of education; benchmarking model for Australian universities and others. According to most researchers, there are some advantages in creating a quality management system of higher education institution in the context of the TQM ideology, which involves the application of process and systemic principles. The comparative characterization of factors influencing the quality of education in comparison with the principles of TQM, EFQM’s criteria and the requirements of the international standard ISO 9001:2000 and interdependent business processes. In the universities of the USA, France, Great Britain and other developed countries, the problems of general process quality management are considered in three planes. The study of the positive experience of developed countries, HEIs of which are included in the world rankings, and graduates are in demand in the labor market, allows to form a mechanism for implementing the TQM principles both at the state and regional levels.

Information–Modeling Complex for Assessing the Hydroenvironmental Conditions of Reservoirs

An Information–Modeling Complex has been developed for the information support of managerial decision making in the field of rational use, protection, and restoration of reservoir ecosystems. The system successively implements three mathematical hydroenvironmental models of the system Nizhnekamskoe Reservoir Drainage Basin―the Nizhnekamskoe Reservoir―the Kuibyshev Reservoir. The complex of models is an effective tool for studying the response of the ecological conditions of reservoirs to natural changes and anthropogenic impact. The use of the complex as a tool for environmental forecast or an expert system in scenario simulation of natural processes is the most promising way to solving the problems of water quality management and reservoir production.

Управление качеством инклюзивного образования на основе концепции универсального дизайна в обучении

The paper aims to identify peculiarities of inclusive education quality management based on the conception of universal design for learning. The article presents the authors’ viewpoint on essence of inclusive education and on specificity of quality management in this sphere. Difference between the notions “special education” and “inclusive education” is revealed. The analysis of the current state of inclusive education quality management is conducted; the basic problematic areas are identified. Scientific originality of the study lies in the fact that the authors clarify the notions “quality management”, “universal design for learning” taking into account inclusive education, develop diagnostic tools to assess the level of inclusive education quality management based on the conception of universal design in education. The research findings are as follows: the authors analyse the notion “inclusive education” and conclude that relevant problems of inclusive education quality management can be solved using principles of universal design for learning of children with special educational needs.

ФУНДАМЕНТАЛЬНІ ЗАСАДИ СИСТЕМИ УПРАВЛІННЯ ЯКОСТИ ВИЇЗНОГО ТУРОПЕРЕЙТИНГУ В КОМПАНІЇ «ІНТЕРАВІАСЕРВІС»

This article summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientificdiscussion on quality management in outgoing tour operating. The main purpose of the studyis the increase in profitability and competitiveness of tourism enterprise due to improvementof the quality of tourist products; consolidation of economic stability of the enterprise andcost reduction; ensuring systemic and targeted influence on the parameters of the quality oftourism services in the direction of their continuous increase; compliance with therequirements of legislative acts in the field of consumer protection. Systematization ofliterature sources and approaches to solving the problem of quality management in outgoingtour operating is shown in the works of Tkachenko T. I., Brych V. Ya., Kovalskyi V. S.,Goncharenko V. G., Royina O. M. The urgency of solving this scientific problem is thatquality management has become the main driver of the development of outgoing touroperating. The study of quality management in outgoing tour operating in the article iscarried out in the following logical sequence: analysis of quality management system,investigation of the essence of outgoing tour operating and investigations of "Interaviaservis"Tourism Company. The methods of formalization, algorithm development, descriptive,analytical and synthetic methods have become methodical tools of the conducted research.The process of quality management in outgoing tour operating in "Interaviaservis" companyis the object of the study, because it is a set of theoretical, methodological and practicalissues related to the development of quality management strategies of outgoing touroperating. The article presents the results of an empirical analysis of "Interaviaservis"Tourism Company that realizes the mechanisms of outgoing tour operating, which has shownthe development of quality management strategies. The study empirically confirms andtheoretically proves the system of successive procedures of outgoing tour operating presentedin "Interaviaservis" Tourism Company. The results of this study may be useful for varioustourism companies for the development of quality management system in outgoing touroperating.

Theoretical foundations of the quality management of the didactic process in school

The theoretical foundations of quality management of the didactic process in school are defined. The urgency of the problem of quality management of didactic process in the context of humanization and the technologization of education, reveals the essence of basic categories and concepts in the field of quality management of didactic process. The correlation of the concepts: goal, result and quality is defined, and the concept of «quality of the didactic process»is widely considered. The distinctive feature of the technology «three-Dimensional methodical system of training» from other pedagogical technologies and the effectiveness of its implementation in the educational process is shown. Based on the requirements of this technology, the quality of learning of educational material by each of the students increases, and an objective assessment of the level of personal development is guaranteed. The main feature of this technology is that it is mandatory to organize a feedback stage. It consists of multi-level measurement tasks for each topic. The goals of the learning levels are gradually becoming more complex and are set clearly with a forecast of the expected intermediate results.

The quality supervision model construction of construction project in the whole life cycle

In order to find a solution to the shortcomings and problems in construction engineering supervision in China, the achievements of previous studies are summarized, and the construction engineering Life-Cycle is divided into pre-investment period, while-construction period, project operation period, as offers a theoretical basis for the quality supervision of construction project. In addition, by analysing the problems in current quality management with the principles of science norms vs standardized management, system management vs Life-Cycle, tradition inheritance vs reform and innovation, the basic framework of CELCQS model is constructed, and the duty subject of life-cycle quality supervision, the management subject of government supervision and the control subject of public supervision are pointed out. Among them, the duty subject includes the units of development, reconnaissance, design, construction, and project supervision; the subject of government supervision consists of the competent construction administration department and the national development and reform department and the construction drawing censorship; and the subject of social supervision refers to the project quality detection agency and the engineering cost consultation agency.

Geophysical methods for controlling the useful component content as the basis for the quality management system at mining and processing enterprises

The article is devoted to substantiating the possibility of creating a common quality management system for iron ore plants based on geophysical methods of operational quality control for mineral raw materials. Due to the fall in prices on the world markets of iron ore raw materials, the financial and economic situation of the mining and processing enterprises in Ukraine has significantly worsened. Thus, the problem of effective control and quality management in mining has become of maximum importance. The availability of timely and reliable information about the content of the useful component will allow responding quickly, forming an integrated final ore cargo flow of the plant of exact quality required by the mining and concentration complex. The need to create a common quality management system is dictated by the fact that the iron ore has a heterogeneous distribution of the useful component content within the deposit, the extraction and transport equipment operates irregularly, resulting in ore cargo flows of various degrees of integration have significant amplitude and frequency oscillations, both by quality and quantity indicators. The instability of the useful component content in the ore cargo, which is aimed at enrichment, leads to a decrease in concentrate output, increase of losses in the tails, costs increase, decrease of the enterprise profit and decrease of its competitiveness. The mathematical model of ore cargo flow formation, which has a range of limitations on quality characteristics, is given. The structure and functional scheme of the quality management system of the mining and processing plant are substantiated. As a result of theoretical studies, the possibility of using radiometric and magnetometric methods for the operational quality control of the iron ore raw materials in the conditions of mining and processing plants by geophysical devices developed by the staff of the problem-branch laboratory of the Kryvyi Rih National University and Rudpromheofizyka LLC is substantiated. The basic technological characteristics of devices and systems are given, information on their introduction into production is provided. It is concluded that the researches carried out and the devices introduced on their basis have created objective prerequisites for substantiating the quality management system at mining and processing plants. The devices and operational control systems based on geophysical methods allow to cover all major stages of mining and processing, to receive timely and reliable information on the condition and dynamics of changes in the useful component content, to efficiently quality management at mining and processing plants, to increase the enterprises competitiveness and profitability.

A new design of generator set controller in cloud service system based IoT technology

To solve the existing technical problems in quality management, distributed control, maintenance and monitoring management faced by traditional diesel generator set(GenSet), this paper summarizes the development status of traditional diesel generator set technology, and analyzes the business requirements of end users for distributed cloud control. Through the integration of traditional diesel generator cloud technology with internet of things technologies(IOT), a new design scheme of cloud GenSet controller is proposed based IoT technology, which simplifies the logic hierarchy of diesel generator cloud control. Then this paper puts forward the key network hardware design, and applies the new cloud GenSet controller to the enterprise new GenSet system, which verifies the feasibility and stability of the new design.

Large-scale optimization of multi-pollutant control strategies in the Pearl River Delta region of China using a genetic algorithm in machine learning

A scientifically sound integrated assessment modeling (IAM) system capable of providing optimized cost-benefit analysis is essential in effective air quality management and control strategy development. Yet scenario optimization for large-scale applications is limited by the computational expense of optimization over many control factors. In this study, a multi-pollutant cost-benefit optimization system based on a genetic algorithm (GA) in machine learning has been developed to provide cost-effective air quality control strategies for large-scale applications (e.g., solution spaces of ~1035). The method was demonstrated by providing optimal cost-benefit control pathways to attain air quality goals for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) over the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of China. The GA was found to be >99% more efficient than the commonly used grid searching method while providing the same combination of optimized multi-pollutant control strategies. The GA method can therefore address air quality management problems that are intractable using the grid searching method. The annual attainment goals for PM2.5 (< 35 μg m−3) and O3 (< 80 ppb) can be achieved simultaneously over the PRD region and surrounding areas by reducing NOx (22%), volatile organic compounds (VOCs, 12%), and primary PM (30%) emissions. However, to attain stricter PM2.5 goals, SO2 reductions (> 9%) are needed as well. The estimated benefit-to-cost ratio of the optimal control strategy reached 17.7 in our application, demonstrating the value of multi-pollutant control for cost-effective air quality management in the PRD region.

Automation of Quality Control Process without the Usage of Complex Information Systems

Brief analysis of the actual problems of modern quality management and the importance of product quality are highlighted in this article. An overview of the application of information technology in quality management and existing class of information systems that are used for quality control are given. Implementation of algorithm of quality control without the use of complex IS and the assessment of economic effect of the algorithm’ implementation are presented. Finally, a pathway for partial quality control automation without the usage of information systems is suggested.

Study on the Construction of Total Quality Management based on Internet Educational Teaching Research Projects

Abstract: With the development of the Internet era, universities have made major changes in teaching, management, and organizational systems, and have given higher requirements for teaching quality. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive quality management system that is compatible with the Internet age. Combined with the developmental background and technical means of the Internet age, we will build a comprehensive management system and mechanism based on network technology, improve the quality management of teaching in colleges with the Internet, establish consciousness of service-oriented management, and promote the teaching and management concepts in colleges. This paper mainly analyzes the constructional problems in total quality management based on Internet educational teaching research projects, and proposes corresponding approaches.

Determining the average service time of the package on the Internet of things

The Internet of Things as a complex system with delays in signal and control information can predict its state and solve problems of service quality management in real time. The described interdependence of network parameters of different levels allows us to consider the impact on the network. In general, we can say that changes in this network occur due to certain factors that affect the values of network parameters, and these actions can affect any network at any level, which usually leads to changes throughout the network. A representation for estimating the average value of the packet service time in the Internet of Things is proposed, a model of station behavior in the form of a Markov chain with a discrete integer time, the unit of which is a virtual slot, is constructed. Based on the accepted model, we should consider 3 types of virtual slots: «empty», «successful» and «collision» slot. For these cases, we obtained the basic probability calculation formulas. Demographic parameters, territorial parameters and a generalized indicator, which includes many events affecting the network, were chosen as the main external influences. Changes that lead to the influence of external factors on the subsystem may be some actions to modernize the network or vice versa - failure of any element of the subsystem. However, when running a distributed application, there is a conflict between the balanced distribution of objects on the processors and the low speed of messaging between processors. If logical processes are distributed between processors in such a way that the communication costs between them are reduced to zero, then some processors may be idle, while others will be overloaded. Otherwise, a «well-balanced» system will require high communication costs. Therefore, the balancing strategy should be such that the computing nodes are loaded fairly evenly, but the communication environment should not be overloaded. This description of the functioning of the Internet of Things allows you to predict the state of the network to choose appropriate management solutions to improve the forecast situation.

Менеджмент освіти та якість професійної підготовки студентів у ВНЗ

Methodological aspects of the modern paradigm of higher education institution which justifies the scientific basis for the adaptation of education institutions in the sphere of market relations reveals in the article. Scientific novelty study presents a new paradigm of higher educational establishment of the position of the subject and the needs to introduce market principles in business management higher education of institution. The aim of this article is to carry out a thorough theoretical analysis, systematization and synthesis of scientific provisions on management and management education with a view to revealing the laws of their origin, development and application in the real sector of the economy. In the article essence of concept «management» and «management» are examined in a pedagogical theory and practice. The different aspects of descriptions of these definitions are distinguished in control system by modern educational establishments. The article deals with such educational management functions as: planning, organizing, motivating, regulating, controlling. The article is devoted to the study of the state and problems of education quality and educational activity management in Ukraine. The conceptual approaches to quality control of a higher education and principles of qualities which were gobed up in the international standards ISO 9000 are uncovered. The model of a management system of quality of higher education on the basis of the reviewed principlesis offered in the article. The article focuses on the topicality of the problem of education quality and the key role of management to ensure it. Based on the analysis of domestic and foreign scientists’ works, and regulatory documents, the essence of the notions of «quality», «education quality» and the existence of different view points of scientists on their interpretation have been revealed. The practical significance of the article is that the theoretical positions of the study have been brought to the level of specific methods and recommendations.

Experience in branding producers-processors of agricultural products to ensure food security in the region

The article presents the research results of the role and potential of the regional brand, which has united agricultural producers - processers with the aim to solve the problem of quality management of consumer goods and food security governance in the Vologda region. The observed serious demographic problems are connected with the quality and safety of food products as well. The agricultural direction of the economics of the region allows the region to be self-sufficient in quality products of the local producersprocessors. That is why the regional government implements the policy of voluntary certification with the marking “The real Vologda product”. This initiative had involved a large number of participants and later became the so named regional trade brand. The analysis of the peculiarities of functioning and development trend of the brand was carried out. The survey results of consumer preferences of the population were presented. They showed the sufficiently high level of trust to the quality and environmental friendliness of the raw material of products by the Vologda producers, in which the brand “The real Vologda product” played an important role. Such technologies of branding are not widely spread in regions. The history and experience of “The real Vologda product” is an example of an efficient tool in the struggle against infringing goods, and of an increase of the level of food security of the population.

MOBILE POLLUTION SOURCES EMISSION FACTORS IN THE TASKS OF AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT OF LARGE CITIES

Purpose. Increasing the traffic intensity in large cities requires the implementation of plans to improve the air quality in accordance with the Procedure for the implementation of state monitoring in the field of atmospheric air protection. To develop and justify the measures to reduce air pollution and negative impact on the environment and public health in decision-making information systems, it is necessary to process large amounts of available heterogeneous information and use mathematical decision-making models. The paper proposes a mathematical decision-making model for evaluating the effectiveness of air quality management plans in cities with high emissions of mobile pollution sources. Methodology. For air quality management problems in cities, a methodology is used for constructing mathematical models of decision-making under emission parameters uncertainty due to incomplete data on vehicles` emissions and their distribution over the city. The structure of data flows in the information system is considered in accordance with the requirements of modern environmental decision support systems, during which the management bodies have the opportunity to take into account different social and economic criteria. Findings. Analysis of national statistics showed an increase in the contribution of mobile sources to the structure of urban air pollution. Information technologies and optimization models are considered that make it possible to quickly assess the impact of vehicles and their traffic on atmospheric air quality in cities and make strategic decisions on planning measures to improve it. Originality. The structure of an information system and a decision-making model for air quality management are proposed based on the multi-criteria optimization of emission parameters using the construction of “source – receptor” matrix in the network area for modelling air pollution of a city’s territory with motor vehicle emissions. Practical value. The model could be used at the stage of designing municipal environmental monitoring systems and developing plans for improving atmospheric air quality in urban agglomerations.

MARKETING MANAGEMENT OF COMPETITIVENESS OF ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS

Introduction. In the conditions of globalization of Ukraine, there is a need to increase the effectiveness of marketing management of the formation and development of competitive advantages of economic systems at different levels of management, creation of a modern institutional base to ensure favourable conditions for increasing the competitiveness of domestic producers in the domestic and foreign markets. Today, the development of the economy depends on the viability and creativity of the marketing system, which is an effective means for solving the problem of quality management and competitiveness of goods and services. Methods. The methods of theoretical and creative understanding of the selected topic were used in the study. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study is the position of economic theory, scientific works of domestic and foreign scientists on marketing. The following research methods were used: monograph – in studying the essence of marketing at the enterprise, dialectical method of cognition – in the study of planning and substantiation of the concept of marketing; theoretical generalization and comparison – for the development of the conceptual apparatus and the study of marketing support; abstract and logical – in the theoretical generalization of the essence and mechanisms of marketing management. Monographic works and scientific publications on its subject were the informative basis of the research. Results. The essence and content of the concept of marketing are revealed. It is substantiated that the development of marketing support is a complex dialectical process of interaction of environmental factors and purposeful influence of factors related to the production of competitive products that satisfy certain market needs. The essence, tasks, basic tools and principles of marketing support are considered and substantiated. Organizational components of innovative marketing of enterprises are developed and scientifically substantiated on the basis of ensuring coordinated interaction of their innovation and marketing activities. The essence and content of the term “innovative marketing” are defined. The classification of varieties of innovative marketing depending on their functionality is offered. Discussion. In the future, an effective mechanism of rational marketing functioning for various situational and market fluctuations in the conditions of market volatility will be developed. Keywords: marketing, marketing support, marketing environment, enterprise management, marketing research, competitiveness.

Development of an interval quadratic programming water quality management model and its solution algorithms

Interval quadratic programming (IQP) is one of the most popular programming techniques for addressing the uncertainties associated with nonlinear environmental management problems. However, efficient algorithms for solving IQP problems in water quality management (WQM) have not been well studied. In this study, an IQP model is developed for WQM under uncertainty. Three solution algorithms, including a piecewise linear approximation (PLA) method, a derivative algorithm (DEA) and a duality-based algorithm (DUA) are proposed for solving the IQP-WQM problem. The developed model and the corresponding solution algorithms are applied to a hypothetic WQM problem to demonstrate their applicability. The results show the lower bounds of the total cost obtained by three algorithms have a relationship of fDUA−=fDEA−≤fPLA−, while that of the upper bounds is fDEA+≤fPLA+≤fDUA+. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis shows that no matter how the IQP-WQM model is solved, the model response from the three solution algorithms is consistent. The results indicate that all of the three algorithms can efficiently deal with quadratic programming problems under uncertainties in the format of intervals. Comparison among the three algorithms shows that DUA provides interval solutions with wider ranges than the other two methods, and it requires less computational efforts than DEA. It is also found that PLA is more flexible and might require lower computational efforts for large scale problems. This study can provide useful technical support for effective WQM.

A holistic approach is key to protect water quality and monitor, assess and manage chemical pollution of European surface waters

Chemical pollution of surface waters is a societal concern around the globe. Key problems in current water quality protection, assessment and management are the narrow focus on a small fraction of the chemicals in commerce, concerns for increasingly diverse chemical emissions, and lack of effective diagnosis and management approaches. In reply, three key concepts to address these challenges were developed and tested. The approaches were developed in the context of the European Union Water Framework Directive, based on principles such as the DPSIR-causal framework (Drivers, Pressure, Status, Impact and Response) and the basic feature that water protection and management should be based on a water-system level approach. Collaborative actions of researchers and stakeholders resulted in: (1) an operationalization and implementation of the solution-focused risk assessment paradigm as proposed in 2009, to improve the utility of risk assessments, (2) the provision of a large set of tools and services to prevent, monitor, assess and manage complex mixture pollution problems, and (3) a strategy and a database on intervention options. These three elements were recognized as core elements to help protecting and improving water quality. Although the methods were developed in the context of water quality problems in Europe, the three elements can be applied globally in water quality protection and management.