Quality Management Structures Research Articles

The Development of a Novel Nitrate Portable Measurement System Based on a UV Paired Diode-Photodiode.

Nitrates can cause severe ecological imbalances in aquatic ecosystems, with considerable consequences for human health. Therefore, monitoring this inorganic form of nitrogen is essential for any water quality management structure. This research was conducted to develop a novel Nitrate Portable Measurement System (NPMS) to monitor nitrate concentrations in water samples. NPMS is a reagent-free ultraviolet system developed using low-cost electronic components. Its operation principle is based on the Beer-Lambert law for measuring nitrate concentrations in water samples through light absorption in the spectral range of 295-315 nm. The system is equipped with a ready-to-use ultraviolet sensor, light emission diode (LED), op-amp, microcontroller, liquid crystal display, quartz cuvette, temperature sensor, and battery. All the components are assembled in a 3D-printed enclosure box, which allows a very compact self-contained equipment with high portability, enabling field and near-real-time measurements. The proposed methodology and the developed instrument were used to analyze multiple nitrate standard solutions. The performance was evaluated in comparison to the Nicolet Evolution 300, a classical UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between the retrieved measurements by both instruments within the investigated spectral band and for concentrations above 5 mg NO3-/L.

Examining the Impact of Supply Chain Quality Management on the Performance of Premier League Volleyball Clubs with the Mediating Role of Organizational Structure

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of supply chain quality management on the performance of Premier League volleyball clubs, with the mediating role of organizational structure. Methodology: The research was descriptive-survey in nature, and the statistical population consisted of head coaches, coaches, and operational staff of the Iranian Premier League volleyball clubs. A total of 120 participants were selected through simple random sampling. The research tools included the Supply Chain Management Questionnaire by Mahmoudzadeh (2012), the Organizational Structure Questionnaire by Robbins (1989), and the Organizational Performance Questionnaire by Shafiei et al. (2013). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 and AMOS software. Findings: The results of the path analysis showed that supply chain quality management has a significant impact on the performance of Premier League volleyball clubs. The mediating role of organizational structure in this relationship was also confirmed. Additionally, the use of information technology as a reinforcing factor increased the positive effect of supply chain management on club performance. Fan satisfaction was significantly improved through better supply chain management and organizational structure. Conclusion: The findings indicate that supply chain quality management and organizational structure are two key factors in improving the performance of Premier League volleyball clubs. The use of information technology further enhances the positive effects of supply chain management. Sports managers should utilize these factors to increase efficiency and fan satisfaction.

Quality Management Research in Tourism Literature: A Bibliometric Analysis Approach

Quality is an important indicator for the service sector. Currently, increasingly competitive conditions, technological development and changes in customer demands and needs bring importance to the concept of quality in the tourism sector, as in many other sectors. The key role of quality management in enabling sustainable competitive advantage has guided many researchers in the field of tourism science to focus on this issue. Nevertheless, there are limited bibliometric and systematic assessments, even though they are becoming increasingly popular in the tourism industry. To contribute to further research collaboration and expand knowledge in this subject area, a bibliometric study was conducted. This research examines quality management in the tourism literature, the growth trajectory and geographical distribution of studies, the distribution of publications according to WOS indexes, the most productive authors and countries, the authors and documents that have had the greatest impact, the intellectual structure of quality management, global academic collaboration, and the main themes of publications. This study aims to identify the key issues and gaps in the literature related to quality management in the context of tourism. For this purpose, the Web of Science (WoS) database was scanned. This paper conducts a bibliometric literature evaluation of 993 articles published between 2004 and 2023. Performance analysis and science mapping techniques were used in this study. Visualization of similarities (VOS) viewer software was used to create bibliometric maps. It is concluded that the concepts of service quality and quality of life (QoL) have become prominent in tourism. It is also determined that words related to sustainability and the environment have been used in recent years. According to the results of the study, 2021, 2022 and 2020 are the most productive years. China, the USA, and Spain are the countries that have contributed the most to the development of the literature. The United Kingdom has worked in cooperation with twenty-nine countries, China’s link strength is greater, as it has cooperated with twenty-seven countries. Conversely, the university that has made the greatest collaborative contributions to science is Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Thus, it is anticipated that this research will further scientific contributions to the examination of quality management in the literature related to tourism.

A Study on Health and Safety Management of Workers in Construction Industries Across Hyderabad, India

Abstract: The construction industry is the 2nd largest employer industry after agriculture, employing 33M (million) people. The report from construction India development concil (CIDC) of 2005-2006 in India. Large percentages of work force are untrained, unskilled, illiterate, and migrante. Most of them drawn from rural background. There is no method establishment pragmatic method of screening work force prior to deployment of construction sites. Occupational fatalities; injuries and disease constitute defects as they are not project requirements. Injuries also contribute to the cost of construction and development as workers insurance compensation is include as a labour overhead and cost of accidents is integrated into cost structure of contractors Total Quality Management (TQM) is the strategy that links the processes of occupational safety and health, quality and productivity, health and safety providing the catalyst for realizing the synergy between the three processes. This paper is providing of TQM totally deals with top level in an organization and deals with the supervisors on site which provide. This paper in detail about the factors that affect safety in construction sites, beside this the research also studies the reason behind the accidents in construction sites and finally explores how safety management procedures could be implemented at their best in the construction industry.

The Quality Management Ecosystem in Cell Therapy in Catalonia (Spain): An Opportunity for Integrating Standards and Streamlining Quality Compliance.

Cell therapies are required to meet with compulsory regulations that co-exist with other optional standards and guidelines that together compose a complex quality management system. Indeed, reliable insights on the mechanisms of action and safety of novel cell-based therapies require adherence to solid quality management structures in all steps of the value chain, from early research and tissue procurement to clinical trials and biovigilance, thus guaranteeing reproducibility and solid foundations for better science and improved clinical practice. Herein we present the concept of the quality ecosystem as a tool to understand and assist all stakeholders involved in developing and structuring the integration of standards as novel developments are taking place. We conclude that the various quality management initiatives can all be thought about under the umbrella of an ecosystem.

Quality as a management strategy for a school and educational institution

The article’s aim is to analyse the structure, functions and methods of quality management in modern schools and educational institutions. The author proposes the school management system based on traditions that can be incorporated into the organisational management model. The proposition is based on the results of research carried out in Polish and Ukrainian schools. It is also noted in this article that in most institutions, the high effectiveness of the education management system does not always go hand in hand with its high efficiency. However, with regard to the assessment of the effectiveness of the education management system, only the extended formula of this effectiveness may be applied. Moreover, the article contains considerations on organisational effectiveness. Obtaining new educational results is impossible without changing the content of education, developing professional competencies of teachers, creating conditions for the development of resources and educational environment. This article is theoretical and empirical

The essence, content and characteristics of medical services’ quality

One of the priorities of the health care system in Moldova is the medical services’ quality improvement. Th is article presents various defi nitions for health care quality and the principles connected with quality improvement. An important part in this article is allocated to the structure and main principles of total quality management in the health care system. Th is part reveals the problems of the commissions that are studying the quality of medical services in healthcare establishments.

Management of the quality control and safety of medical activities in the field of «oncology» on the example of Western European countries

Introduction. Quality assurance plays a pivotal role in the health industry. The countries of Western Europe demonstrate good outcomes of cancer care. The purpose of the study. This paper focuses on various backbones of quality assurance systems in oncology in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Material and methods. Authors retrieved information from PubMed (Medline), Google, and public websites. The key phrases related to the organization of quality management systems for cancer care were used. About 40 informational sources were selected, including scientific articles and media. Discussion. All reviewed countries equipped with the quality management structures affecting such cancer care aspects as: •Creating regulatory acts and policy for next-generation healthcare in oncology; •Employing the top-qualified personnel; •Updating the clinical guidelines and improving medical processes; •Organizing the cyclical processes for monitoring the quality of cancer care and patient needs; •Implementing the innovations; •Implementing the principles of «transparency» in assessing the quality of cancer care. Conclusion. It seems logical to further study Western Europe’s experience in developing quality management systems for cancer care.

Shaping a Culture for Continuous Quality Improvement in Undergraduate Medical Education.

This study sought to identify key features of an organizational quality culture and explore how these features contribute to continuous quality improvement of undergraduate medical education. Between July and December 2018, researchers from Maastricht University in the Netherlands conducted a multicenter focus group study among 6 education quality advisory committees. Participants were 22 faculty and 18 student representatives affiliated with 6 medical schools in the Netherlands. The group interviews focused on quality culture characteristics in relation to optimizing educational development, implementation, evaluation, and (further) improvement. Template analysis, a stepwise type of thematic analysis, was applied to analyze the data. Five main themes resembling quality culture constituents to continuous educational improvement were identified: (1) fostering an open systems perspective, (2) involving stakeholders in educational (re)design, (3) valuing teaching and learning, (4) navigating between ownership and accountability, and (5) building on integrative leadership to overcome tensions inherent in the first 4 themes. A supportive communication climate (which can be fueled by the organization's leaders) contributes to and is integrated within the first 4 themes. The results call for a shift away from static quality management approaches with an emphasis on control and accountability toward more flexible, development-oriented approaches focusing on the 5 themes of a culture for continuous quality improvement. The study provides new insights in the link between theory and practice of continuous quality improvement. Specifically, in addition to quality management systems and structures, faculty's professional autonomy, collaboration with peers and students, and the valuing of teaching and learning need to be amplified.

Do quality management systems influence clinical safety culture and leadership? A study in 32 Australian hospitals.

This study aimed to explore the associations between the organization-level quality arrangements, improvement and implementation and department-level safety culture and leadership measures across 32 large Australian hospitals. Quantitative observational study, using linear and multi-level modelling to identify relationships between quality management systems and clinician safety culture and leadership. Thirty-two large Australian public hospitals. Quality audit at organization level, senior quality manager at each participating hospital, 1382 clinicians (doctors, nurses and allied health professionals). Associations between organization-level quality measures and department-level clinician measures of teamwork climate, safety climate and leadership for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), hip fracture and stroke treatment conditions. We received 1332 valid responses from participants. The quality management systems index (QMSI, a questionnaire-based measure of the hospitals' quality management structures) was 'positively' associated with all three department-level scales in the stroke department, with safety culture and leadership in the emergency department, but with none of the three scales in the AMI and hip fracture departments. The quality management compliance index (QMCI, an external audit-based measure of the quality improvement activities) was 'negatively' associated with teamwork climate and safety climate in AMI departments, after controlling for QMSI, but not in other departments. There was no association between QMCI and leadership in any department, after controlling for QMSI, and there was no association between the clinical quality implementation index (CQII, an external audit-based measure of the level of implementation of quality activities) and any of the three department-level scales in any of the four departments, after controlling for both QMSI and QMCI. The influence of organization-level quality management systems on clinician safety culture and leadership varied depending on the hospital department, suggesting that whilst there was some consistency on patient safety attitudes and behaviours throughout the organizations, there were also other factors at play.

Messen, Bewerten, Handeln: Qualitätsindikatoren zur Koronaren Herzkrankheit im Praxistest

BackgroundThere are only limited possibilities for doctors in outpatient services to establish quality management that is based on data-driven feedback regarding the quality of health care. However, transparency about one's own activities is a prerequisite for refining this quality. The aim of this project was to make the quality of care for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) more transparent, use this as a basis to initiate improvement processes, and explore the framework conditions and factors promoting or inhibiting the intended improvement of health care quality. Method48 general practitioners (GPs) in 32 GP practices from a Bavarian doctors’ network (Qualität und Effizienz, QuE) participated in the project. On the basis of claims data from the AOK-Bayern (a statutory health insurance in Bavaria), data from disease management programs (DMP) and medically documented data, 11 quality indicators for patients with CHD were calculated. The indicator scores were individually presented in feedback reports for each doctor's practice. These were the basis for two quality circles. The indicators were measured again after 12 months, and changes against the baseline measurement were registered. GPs from Bavaria formed the control group. Focus groups with the quality circle moderators and two participant surveys were used to identify promoting and inhibiting factors. ResultsThe baseline values showed a good level of care. Potential for improvement became apparent for pharmacotherapy with beta blockers and statins. After conducting the quality circles four of the eleven indicators showed an increase as intended (“beta blockers for CHD and cardiac insufficiency”, “beta blockers after myocardial infarction”, “statins”, “successful blood pressure control”). For three of these indicators the increase rates were higher than those in the Bavarian control group. One indicator (“statins”) was striking because of the wide variation of practice values suggesting differences in care within the network.The majority of participating doctors regarded the database as valid. Quality circles were highly appreciated as an opportunity for professional exchange among colleagues. The data-based feedback reports helped to make deficits in health care transparent and to identify actions that need to be taken. Barriers to implementing quality improvement measures in clinical practice became apparent. DiscussionReflecting quality indicators in quality circles can effectively trigger quality improvement processes. Barriers would appear to exist, in particular, to the implementation of measures into daily practice routine. Additional organizational support offered by higher-level quality management structures, IT solutions for patient-related data processing as well as a system of financial compensation, which rewards professional concern for quality, may help to overcome the existing barriers.

Construction and clinical application effects of in-service nursing professional quality training management system

Objective To construct an professional quality training management system for in-service nurses and to evaluate its effect in clinical practice. Methods From June 2014 to October 2016, a total of 1 233 nurses in a classⅢ grade A hospital were selected. Through the establishment and improvement of the organizational structure of the professional quality management of the in-service nurses, the various training content combining theory and practice were adopted, including case study, role playing and simulation scenario training to implement the professional training. Results The average score of nursing professional quality was (91.78±3.82) before training and (94.53±4.33) after training. The difference between before and after training was statistically significant (t=-3.156, P=0.006) . The patient satisfaction rate was 90.57% before training and 97.42% after training, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=-2.516, P=0.006) . The doctor satisfaction rate was 90.57% before training and 94.88% after training, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=-2.233, P<0.01) . Conclusions The construction of nurses' professional quality training strengthens the importance of nurses' professional quality, improves the evaluation of professional quality, and has guiding significance for the training of in-service nurses' professional quality. Key words: Nurses; Professional quality; Training mode; Clinical application

Identifying the critical determinants of TQM and their impact on company performance

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to enrich the existing literature by determining the underlying structure (latent factors) of total quality management (TQM) practices and their impact on company performance outcomes in the Greek hotel industry.Design/methodology/approachThe research questions were examined using a sample of 153 top-and middle-level hotel-quality managers. Exploratory factor analyses, coupled with multiple linear regression analyses, were used to examine the extent to which elements of TQM influence hotel performance.FindingsThe TQM factors revealed by the present empirical research in the hotel industry are the quality practices of top management, strategic quality planning, employee quality management, customer focus and employee knowledge and education. On the other hand, the performance dimensions revealed through the present study are summarized as: financial performance, customer focused performance and service quality performance. The results also confirmed that most of the TQM elements are antecedents of hotel business performance.Practical implicationsHotel managers/owners using reliable and valid frameworks comprising TQM practices and performance outcomes may better address their efforts by choosing whether to invest in company refurbishing or better train their personnel to maximize hotel performance.Originality/valueThe purpose of this study is to enrich the existing literature by identifying and confirming the enablers and outcomes of TQM specifically within the hospitality industry. Moreover, the relationship between the implementation of TQM practices and superior company performance is also examined due to the past contradictory results regarding this matter.

The platform business model and business ecosystem: quality management and revenue structures

ABSTRACTA platform is a two-sided market. It is an environment established to allow multiple groups such as suppliers and consumers to exchange their views for fair transactions. Platforms evolve through the connection and interaction of participants, and act as ecosystems of coexistence that can provide values and benefits to all participants. Care must be taken in building such a business ecosystem to successfully stabilize the platform model. This research indicates how a business ecosystem can be constructed by analysing quality management and revenue structures – core elements in any platform business model with a distinct group of users on either side. Through 12 case studies using 30 in-depth interviews and 2 focus group interviews, this research suggests the conceptual framework, ‘12 different types of quality management and revenue structure strategies’. These will serve as the conceptual framework from which to build platform business model ecosystems.

Quality management in educational organizations

Quality education is the main driver for the lifelong learning of people and the development of the organizations and society. Accordingly, also UNESCO's global vision for education towards 2030 is endeavoring to "˜ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all'.&#x0D; From the quality point of view, the existing situation is however very fragmented. A great variety of organizations provide formal and non-formal education for lifelong learning to people having very different needs and expectations, and the education providers and experts are not very aware of the general professional quality concepts and practices.&#x0D; Very recently the international standardization committee ISO/PC 288 has started the work of harmonizing quality management in the educational organizations with the other organizations of the society by using the common professional approach. This new standardization will challenge all educational organizations, because it requires the adoption of the general basic quality concepts and quality management structures and practices. This will enable educational organizations to demonstrate their ability to provide consistently education to the requirements and strive for enhancing satisfaction of the involved parties.

Quality compliance in the development of cell-based medicines in non-pharma environments

Background Academic institutions and transfusion centres are positioned to lead the development of novel cell-based therapeutics up to early-stage clinical trials (and further seeking marketing authorisation) or, alternatively, its use under the hospital exemption clause [1,2]. Existing structures, including blood and tissue bank facilities, translational medical programs and skilled personnel experienced in cell culture technologies and transplantation, equips these non-commercial entities to translate research-grade cell materials into safe and commercially viable products suitable for human use. However, developers must negotiate the complex regulatory and quality requirements involving the compulsory compliance of Good Scientific Practice (GxP) regulations in the development of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) [3]. Originally designed for corporate environments, implementation of GxP in non-pharmaceutical institutions may consume a considerable level of effort (particularly in terms of funding and human resources). In non-pharmaceutical environments, current quality management structures for cell therapies are highly specific for blood and bone marrow-related products, including programs administered by JACIE, NetCord, FACT, AABB, or focused upon more global quality objectives, such as ISO guidelines (particularly ISO9001). The adaptation of such either general or specific quality assurance programs into GxP may appear as a substantial effort. However, many of the requirements are common across standards and the existence of any of them in a given institution can suit up to some extent to some of the aspects covered by the GxP. Rather than focusing on each certification separately, product developers and manufacturers in all environments would benefit from a single quality management system incorporating the most convenient tools available from different standards. In the present work, we analysed the GxP requirements and those in voluntary quality accreditation schemes already present in any blood and tissue bank. A number of common aspects were found, therefore offering an opportunity to avoid duplicities in the implementation process. Our work aims at serving as a guide for the optimisation of resources available and contributes to moving towards a single quality assurance system that integrates others, thus improving efficiency.

Relationship between quality management, innovation and competitiveness. Evidence from Greek companies

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which five core dimensions of quality management, as a single factor, are associated with product innovation and process innovation; and finally how these two affect a firm’s competitive advantage in the market.Design/methodology/approach– The analysis followed in order to investigate the relations between the constructs of the proposed model, includes an initial exploratory factor analysis (EFA), followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and finally structural equation modelling (SEM)Findings– According to the study findings, quality management (QM) directly contributes to product and process innovation. Furthermore, product and process innovation have a direct impact on companies’ competitive advantage. Thus, the study proves that QM is an opportunity for a firm to improve its innovation and consequently its competitiveness.Research limitations/implications– This study relies on the perceptions of the respondents to operationalize the survey instrument. In addition, all variables are measured in the year that the survey was carried out. However, since the research exams the relationship between QM, technical innovation and competitive advantage across various organizations, it would be interesting to conduct a longitudinal study within these organizations.Practical implications– Our study offers clear implications for managers, proving that they should give higher emphasis on QM and innovation in order to prioritize their product, production and technology strategies, to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.Originality/value– Based on the multi-dimensional structure of QM, this empirical study determines the contribution of QM to specific innovation performance and overall competitiveness of companies.

The experience of implementing a quality management system at the Materials Metrology Division (Dimat)-Inmetro: a practical approach

The increasing interaction between laboratories from universities and research institutes with other society sectors, such as industries and government agencies, has led a growing number of those laboratories to adopt quality management systems based on international requirements standards. As a consequence, there is a crescent interest on practical information related to implementation of quality management systems in laboratories that provide testing services and carry out research activities. In this context, this article presents the practical approach applied for implementing a quality management system based on ISO/IEC 17025 at the materials metrology division (Dimat)—Inmetro and at its laboratories. The approach is consistent with a hierarchical implementation, where the laboratory quality management system must fulfill ISO/IEC 17025 requirements as well as internal requirements from the upper layers of the quality management system. The implementing approach discussed here was specifically developed to be applied inside a particular hierarchical quality management structure. However, due to its general characteristics, it can be useful for diverse implementing cases.

DZL-Platform Biobanking

Broad, coordinated access to biomaterials is essential for the translation of research findings into patient therapies. A centrally-organized DZL Biobanking Platform will guarantee that member of the DZL as well as external partners will have easy and direct access to biomaterials from patients with pulmonary disease. The DZL Biobanking Platform will capitalize on existing biobanking structures within DZL sites and will be connected to the Technology and Methods Platform for Network Research in Medicine (TMF e.V.) and Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI) catalogues. The biomaterial banks of DZL sites are not homogeneous. They are varying regarding structure and organizational standards methods of biomaterial collection, sample, data and quality management.

TH‐E‐19A‐01: Quality and Safety in Radiation Therapy

Clinical radiotherapy data clearly demonstrate the link between the quality and safety of radiation treatments and the outcome for patients. The medical physicist plays an essential role in this process. To ensure the highest quality treatments, the medical physicist must understand and employ modern quality improvement techniques. This extends well beyond the duties traditionally associated with prescriptive QA measures. This session will review the current best practices for improving quality and safety in radiation therapy.General elements of quality management will be reviewed including: what makes a good quality management structure, the use of prospective risk analysis such as FMEA, and the use of incident learning. All of these practices are recommended in society‐level documents and are incorporated into the new Practice Accreditation program developed by ASTRO. To be effective, however, these techniques must be practical in a resource‐limited environment. This session will therefore focus on practical tools such as the newly‐released radiation oncology incident learning system, RO‐ILS, supported by AAPM and ASTRO.With these general constructs in mind, a case study will be presented of quality management in an SBRT service. An example FMEA risk assessment will be presented along with incident learning examples including root cause analysis.As the physicist's role as “quality officer” continues to evolve it will be essential to understand and employ the most effective techniques for quality improvement. This session will provide a concrete overview of the fundamentals in quality and safety.Learning Objectives: Recognize the essential elements of a good quality management system in radiotherapy. Understand the value of incident learning and the AAPM/ASTRO ROILS incident learning system. Appreciate failure mode and effects analysis as a risk assessment tool and its use in resource‐limited environments. Understand the fundamental principles of good error proofing that extends beyond traditional prescriptive QA measures.