Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration, Business Studies Unit, Faculty of Commerce, Durban University of Techology, 2007. / Quality improvement is a fundamental and important attribute of a company’s business strategy and competitive positioning. The Durban-based paint factory of Dulux (Pty)Ltd, is the primary manufacturing and distribution site in South Africa. This site has to ensure that the consumers and customers in the target market, are satisfied with the quality of product and service received from the factory. This research focuses on the determination of employee perceptions of quality during 2006 at the paint factory site. In particular, how could these perceptions be effectively used by management as a basis for improving the quality ethic on the site. An improved quality ethic ensures a value- added product and service offer to the target market. The research investigates employee perceptions for various site departments and job grades within the context of several quality themes. Employee perceptions were determined by means of a quantitative survey conducted on the site population using a survey questionnaire. The study shows a primarily positive perception of quality by the employees. The subsequent descriptive and inferential statistical analysis quantifies these perceptions as statistically significant in relation to the research questions that were used in the research. There were some perceptions of quality that highlited potential areas for improvement within the site quality management system and the scope of application. These areas need to be considered by management in order to restore positive perception and support for the quality management system. It is recommended that an annual survey of employee perceptions be conducted by the Quality Assurance department and feedback discussed at the annual quality management review forum. An effective quality improvement and communications strategy can then be determined for implementation. It is also proposed that future research consider conducting a similar study at the service oriented Dulux Alberton site and another survey for the management team at the Durban factory.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas Tech University, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 197-205).

Solid waste management in the less developed countries: how to overcome present difficulties and to obtain benefits?The study of urban waste management in less developed countries permits us to put into evidence different systems. Each of these has its own logic, but they are strongly inter weaved. Their «modelization» (that is, their simplification), which we propose to do in this paper, looks to illuminate the principal characteristics of a very complex reality. We propose to observe three systems that respond to both geographic and historic logics. They refer to «self management» of the «public management» and of the «shared management». These three systems are imbricated to allow the management of waste in a city such as Lima (Perú), finally building a «compound system».Following the example of the management of solid waste in the Northern countries, most part of the public policies of the South cities look for technically modernize the management of their waste. The hypothesis of this text is that this strategy builds strong inequalities in such cities, related to the quality of service, because they do not have the resources to put them into functioning in all their territories. On the contrary, some experiences, even minor, look for taking advantage of the present condition, taking in account the best way of the different dimensions of sustainable development, by using the strong practice points of certain populations, such as the recyclers. This voluntarist adaptation should, however, make malabar with the different population vulnerabilities, designed to a progressive attenuation. / El estudio de la gestión de los residuos en las ciudades de los países en desarrollo permite poner en evidencia diferentes sistemas. Cada uno de ellos tiene su propia lógica, pero se encuentran muy entrelazados. Su «modelización» (es decir, su simplificación), cosa que nos proponemos hacer en este artículo, busca iluminar las principales características de una realidad muy compleja. Podemos observar tres sistemas que responden a lógicas, a la vez geográficas e históricas: la «autogestión», de la «gestión pública» y de la «gestión compartida». Estos tres sistemas se imbrican para permitir gestionar los residuos en una ciudad como Lima (Perú), construyendo finalmente un «sistema compuesto».Siguiendo el ejemplo de la gestión de los residuos sólidos en los países del Norte, la mayor parte de las políticas públicas de las ciudades del Sur buscan modernizar técnicamente la gestión de sus residuos. La hipótesis del presente texto es que esta estrategia construye fuertes desigualdades en dichas ciudades en lo que respecta a la calidad del servicio, puesto que no tienen los medios para ponerla a funcionar en todo su territorio. Por el contrario, algunas experiencias, aun minoritarias, buscan sacar ventaja de la situación actual, tomando en cuenta de mejor manera las diferentes dimensiones del desarrollo sustentable, aprovechando los puntos fuertes de las prácticas de ciertas poblaciones, tales como los recicladores. Esta adaptación voluntarista debe, sin embargo, hacer malabares con las diferentes vulnerabilidades de las poblaciones, destinadas a una atenuación progresiva.

This thesis deals with quality management in the selected company. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the quality management system and suggest possible changes. Thesis is focused primarily on training, education and motivation of the employees affecting the quality.

This work concerns a quality management in the area of health service. The aim of degree work is anallysis and comparison of National accreditation standards in health service and downloading quality management system in hospital with destination obtaining certification. On basis of analyse both of processes it defined difference in extent and raiting certification and accreditation in hospitals. Process certification was analysed in Hospital Strakonice who in year 2006 got certification according to norm ISO 9001:2000 on the all hospital, also as on medical part, so another traffic. Process accreditation was analysed in Hospital Písek who in year 2006 successfully passed accreditation by SAK CZ and got certificate of hospital`s accreditation. From this work follow suggestion and recommendation on the optimal framework quality management system and application of the most suitable process in South Bohemian hospitals.

This dissertation summarises an analysis and assessment of the application of Quality Management Systems (QMS) by Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), in the Engineering Manufacturing Sector of the greater Cape Town Metropolitan area. An outline of the existing hypothesis derived from previous international SMME studies related to the adoption of QMS by SMME’s, the management’s understanding of quality principles, the potential business benefits of QMS and the reasons for implementing Quality Management systems are given as background to the study. The dissertation includes a discussion of literature on the state of QMS in SMMEs, in particular, recent international research literature hypothesising that SMME management lack essential QMS knowledge and that, in general, most SMME’s do not have a QMS and that SMMEs only implement a QMS as a result of contractual pressures / requirements. Also reported are the results and findings of a survey conducted to test the validity of the existing hypotheses amongst a representative sample of Engineering Manufacturing SMMEs registered with the Cape Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Western Cape. Results of the survey indicate that almost 90 percent, of the companies surveyed had some type of Quality management System, the only two companies that reported not having a QMS, were companies classified as “Micro”, in terms of the National Small business Act. Analysis of the response to the survey concludes that, in general, more than 80 percent of Engineering SMMEs in the Manufacturing Sector have adopted a QMS based on ISO 9001 and that, on average, their management have a medium to high level of understanding of QMS and the associated business benefits. It is also apparent from survey responses, that companies classified as “Micro” in terms of the Small Business Act of 1996, do not see the need for a formal QM system as the owners of these companies consider them too small for a formal QMS. Instead they take direct ownership of their service and product quality in the face of the customer.

The subject of this thesis is the application of modern quality management tools in a chosen company. The theoretical part focus on the manufacturing management systems and ISO conception. The practical part concentrates on manufacturing management and usage of manufacturing management tools in a chosen company.

This master thesis deals with analysis and evaluation of quality, environmental and safety risks linked with two roof cover types. Malfunction analysis was carried out on the most risky roof cover component. Afterwards risk analysis was done according to ČSN EN 31010:2011 Risk management – Risk assessing techniques regulation. Following methods were chosen for risk assessment - Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), RIPRAN method, cause-and-effect analysis (Ishikawa diagram) and Pareto chart. Using aforementioned methods, risks were identified and evaluated. Countermeasures for identified risks were suggested in conclusion.

The Thesis deals with the quality management methods based on Total Quality Management principles and their use in Czech public administration practice. It tries to answer questions about the quality management methods and tools which are used in the practice of the public administration. The main questions are: What is the current status of quality management, what is its essence and what factors it influences. Because the quality management methods are based on the business process management the Thesis also deals with this concept and its application to the public administration practice.

This thesis analyses the gender dimensions of work-life balance policies in the UK. It focuses on three related questions: firstly, to what extent are work-life balance policies framed by 'diversity'; secondly, how does this impact on the conceptualisation and implementation of work-life balance policies (in government and in organisations); and thirdly, what are the implications for gender equality? Through analysing published research, the UK Government's work-life balance agenda and data generated from three selected case study organisations, the prominent dimensions of diversity that shape the conceptualisation and implementation of work-life balance policies are presented. This thesis argues that the concept of diversity - as defined by the feminist literature - offers the potential to progress gender equality through overcoming the same-difference dichotomy, and by recognising multiple aspects of identity. However, this theoretical potential is not necessarily reflected in practice. With the emphasis on the individual worker and choice, diversity has been primarily defined as 'managing diversity', and has a significant affect on how work-life balance policies have been applied in both government policy and organisational practice. The UK Government states that work-life balance policies are meant to provide everyone with opportunities to balance work with other aspects of life. The current policy framework targets parents and in particular mothers, potentially limiting the choices that men and women have to 'work' and 'care'. Locating work-life balance policies within the context of 'managing diversity' supports and facilitates women's employment, but does not necessarily challenge fundamental gender disparities such as occupational segregation and gender pay gaps. Analysis of the UK Government's current agenda and organisational case studies show that despite progressive equality, diversity and worklife balance agendas, work-life balance policies are limited in challenging persistent structural gender inequalities.