BM027-3-2-MBUS

Individual Assignment

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A) Learning Outcomes: You should be able to: Demonstrate critical analysis of the development in international management standards from a procedural to process based approach to management and the importance of this in sustaining quality goods and services. Demonstrate theoretical and applied knowledge of the use of contemporary benchmarking standards and how these may inform a repositioning of the organization to its stakeholders. Justify the recommendation of techniques through which an organization may achieve measured business excellence.

B) Assignment Requirement: This assignment comprises of 50% of your total marks for this module. You are required to read the write up below and answer the following questions. World War II had an impact on quality that is still being felt. The effects were negative for the United States while positive for Japan. Because of the urgency to meet production schedules during the war, US companies focused more on meeting delivery dates rather than on quality. This approach became a habit that carried over even after the war. Japanese companies, on the other hand, were forced to learn to compete with the rest of the world in the production of non-military goods. At first, their attempts were unsuccessful, and Made in Japan remained synonymous with poor quality, as it had been before World War II. Around 1950, however, Japan saw quality as the key to success and decided to get serious about quality and establishing ways to produce quality products. Japanese manufacturers overcame a reputation for producing cheap, shabby products and developed a reputation as world leaders in the production of quality products. More than any other single factor, it was the Japanese concerted effort for more than 20 years, which got the rest of the world to focus on quality. When Western companies finally realised that quality was the key factor in global competition, they responded. Western companies began to realise that the key to competing in the global marketplace was to improve quality. With this realisation, the total quality movement finally began to gain momentum.
Adapted from: Goetsh, D.L. and Davis, S.B., (2010) Quality Management for Organizational Excellence: Introduction to Total Quality, 6th ed., Pearson Prentice Hall.

UCTI Level 2

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation

BM027-3-2-MBUS

Individual Assignment

Page 2 of 4

Questions: 1. Discuss the relationship between quality and competitiveness. (10 marks) 2. Elaborate cost of poor quality and its effect on competitiveness. (20 marks) 3. Describe in detail the evolution of the rebuilding effort undertaken by Japan following World War II. Include the quality gurus that were involved and their teachings that were adopted. (30 marks) 4. A major component of quality management is dedicated towards continuous improvement. Explain the purpose and usefulness of PDCA cycle, benchmarking and Six Sigma. (30 marks) Note Another 10 marks is reserved for other elements, such as the quality of introduction, conclusion, references, page layout, grammar, vocabulary and word count. (Total: 100 marks)

C) Marking Scheme Students will be graded according to the following: Clear argument on the distinction between quality and competitiveness. Explanation on the concept of cost of quality, the various types of cost of quality and the impact of cost of quality on the competitive landscape. In-depth discussion on the evolution of quality with respect to the quality gurus. The principles and tools introduced by the respective quality gurus need to be specified. Clear explanation on the tools and eloquent description of the usefulness of the tools.

UCTI Level 2

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation

BM027-3-2-MBUS

Individual Assignment

Page 3 of 4

D) Assignment Structure When completing the assignment it should have the following general structure: Cover page. Table of contents. Introduction. Your answer for Question 1. Your answer for Question 2. Your answer for Question 3. Your answer for Question 4. Conclusions. References. Appendix (optional).

E) Documentation Requirements The assignment cover page should contain information as stated below in order: APU Logo Module Name and Code Assignment Title and Description Name and TP number Intake Number Hand Out and Hand in Dates. Lecturers Name

UCTI Level 2

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation

BM027-3-2-MBUS

Individual Assignment

Page 4 of 4

F) The Rearrangement Please pay particular attention to the following: Key details: Plagiarism is totally prohibited. You should have a minimum of 6 references to substantiate your research and essay writing. You are REQUIRED to use Harvard referencing methods for this assignment. Include at least one book reference. The essay must adhere to standard academic documentation standards: Word Count: 2000 Font Type: Times New Roman Font Size: 12 pts Line Spacing: 1.5-line spacing The word count should be entered on the title page.

UCTI Level 2

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation