A First Course in Quality Engineering, 2nd Edition

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Introduction to Quality

This chapter begins with an historical overview of how quality evolved to

become a major strategic tool in managing businesses in the United States

and in other parts of the world� It then goes on to explain the meaning of

the term “quality�” The need for a total quality system, accompanied by the

total quality management philosophy, to achieve quality in products and

services is then explained� The chapter concludes with a discussion on how

quality impacts upon the economic performance of an enterprise, including

a discussion on quality cost analysis� Detailed denitions of quality costs are

given, along with ...