From total quality management to Quality 4.0: A systematic literature review and future research agenda

Abstract

Quality 4.0 is an emerging concept that has been increasingly appreciated because of the intensification of competition, continually changing customer requirements and technological evolution. It deals with aligning quality management practices with the emergent capabilities of Industry 4.0 to improve cost, time, and efficiency and increase product quality. This article aims to comprehensively review extant studies related to Quality 4.0 to uncover current research trends, distil key research topics, and identify areas for future research. Thus, 46 journal articles extracted from the Scopus database from 2017 to 2022 were collected and reviewed. A descriptive analysis was first performed according to the year-wise publication, sources of publication, and research methods. Then, the selected articles were analyzed and classified according to four research themes: Quality 4.0 concept, Quality 4.0 implementation, quality management in Quality 4.0, and Quality 4.0 model and application. By extracting the literature review findings, we identify the Quality 4.0 definitions and features, develop the quality curve theory, and highlight future research opportunities. This study supports practitioners, managers, and academicians in effectively recognizing and applying Quality 4.0 to enhance customer satisfaction, achieve innovation enterprise efficiency, and increase organizational competitiveness in the era of Industry 4.0.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

quality management / Quality 4.0 / Industry 4.0 / literature review / predictive quality

References

[1] Ali, K Johl, S K (2022). Soft and hard TQM practices: Future research agenda for Industry 4.0. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 33( 13–14): 1625–1655

[2] Alzahrani, B Bahaitham, H Andejany, M Elshennawy, A (2021). How ready is higher education for Quality 4.0 transformation according to the LNS research framework?. Sustainability, 13( 9): 5169

[3] Antony, J McDermott, O Sony, M (2022a). Quality 4.0 conceptualisation and theoretical understanding: A global exploratory qualitative study. TQM Journal, 34( 5): 1169–1188

[4] Antony, J Sony, M Furterer, S McDermott, O Pepper, M (2022b). Quality 4.0 and its impact on organizational performance: An integrative viewpoint. TQM Journal, 34( 6): 2069–2084

[5] Antony, J Sony, M McDermott, O Jayaraman, R Flynn, D (2023). An exploration of organizational readiness factors for Quality 4.0: An intercontinental study and future research directions. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 40( 2): 582–606

[6] Asif, M (2020). Are QM models aligned with Industry 4.0? A perspective on current practices. Journal of Cleaner Production, 258: 120820

[7] Balouei Jamkhaneh, H Shahin, A Parkouhi, S V Shahin, R (2022). The new concept of quality in the digital era: A human resource empowerment perspective. TQM Journal, 34( 1): 125–144

[8] Baran, E Korkusuz Polat, T (2022). Classification of Industry 4.0 for total quality management: A review. Sustainability, 14( 6): 3329

[9] Broday, E E (2022). The evolution of quality: From inspection to Quality 4.0. International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, 14( 3): 368–382

[10] BuiL T CCarvalhoMPhamH TNguyenT T BDuongA T BTruong QuangH (2022). Supply chain quality management 4.0: Conceptual and maturity frameworks. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, in press, doi:10.1108/IJQRM-07-2021-0251

[11] Chiarini, A (2020). Industry 4.0, quality management and TQM world: A systematic literature review and a proposed agenda for further research. TQM Journal, 32( 4): 603–616

[12] Chiarini, A Kumar, M (2022). What is Quality 4.0? An exploratory sequential mixed methods study of Italian manufacturing companies. International Journal of Production Research, 60( 16): 4890–4910

[13] Christou, I T Kefalakis, N Soldatos, J K Despotopoulou, A M (2022). End-to-end industrial IoT platform for Quality 4.0 applications. Computers in Industry, 137: 103591

[14] ClancyRBrutonKO’SullivanD T JCloonanA J (2022). The HyDAPI framework: A versatile tool integrating Lean Six Sigma and digitalisation for improved quality management in Industry 4.0. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, in press, doi:10.1108/IJLSS-12-2021-0214

[15] Di Vaio, A Hassan, R Alavoine, C (2022). Data intelligence and analytics: A bibliometric analysis of human–artificial intelligence in public sector decision-making effectiveness. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 174: 121201

[16] Dias, A M Carvalho, A M Sampaio, P (2022). Quality 4.0: Literature review analysis, definition and impacts of the digital transformation process on quality. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 39( 6): 1312–1335

[17] Elibal, K Özceylan, E (2022). Comparing Industry 4.0 maturity models in the perspective of TQM principles using Fuzzy MCDM methods. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 175: 121379

[18] Emblemsvåg, J (2020). On Quality 4.0 in project-based industries. TQM Journal, 32( 4): 725–739

[19] Escobar, C A McGovern, M E Morales-Menendez, R (2021). Quality 4.0: A review of big data challenges in manufacturing. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 32( 8): 2319–2334

[20] Fonseca, L Amaral, A Oliveira, J (2021). Quality 4.0: The EFQM 2020 model and Industry 4.0 relationships and implications. Sustainability, 13( 6): 3107

[21] Gebhardt, M Kopyto, M Birkel, H Hartmann, E (2022). Industry 4.0 technologies as enablers of collaboration in circular supply chains: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Production Research, 60( 23): 6967–6995

[22] Glogovac, M Ruso, J Maricic, M (2022). ISO 9004 maturity model for quality in Industry 4.0. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 33( 5‒6): 529–547

[23] Hyun Park, S Seon Shin, W Hyun Park, Y Lee, Y (2017). Building a new culture for quality management in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 28( 9‒10): 934–945

[24] JacobD (2017). What is Quality 4.0? Online Blog

[25] Kannan, K S P N Garad, A (2021). Competencies of quality professionals in the era of Industry 4.0: A case study of electronics manufacturer from Malaysia. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 38( 3): 839–871

[26] MagangaD PTaifaI W R (2022). Quality 4.0 transition framework for Tanzanian manufacturing industries. TQM Journal, in press, doi:10.1108/TQM-01-2022-0036

[27] Maganga, D P Taifa, I W R (2023). Quality 4.0 conceptualisation: An emerging quality management concept for manufacturing industries. TQM Journal, 35( 2): 389–413

[28] Nenadál, J Vykydal, D Halfarová, P Tylečková, E (2022). Quality 4.0 maturity assessment in light of the current situation in the Czech Republic. Sustainability, 14( 12): 7519

[29] PrasharA (2022). Quality management in Industry 4.0 environment: A morphological analysis and research agenda. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, in press, doi:10.1108/IJQRM-10-2021-0348

[30] Ramezani, J Jassbi, J (2020). Quality 4.0 in action: Smart hybrid fault diagnosis system in plaster production. Processes, 8( 6): 634

[31] Ranjith Kumar, R Ganesh, L S Rajendran, C (2022). Quality 4.0: A review of and framework for quality management in the digital era. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 39( 6): 1385–1411

[32] Sader, S Husti, I Daróczi, M (2019). Industry 4.0 as a key enabler toward successful implementation of total quality management practices. Periodica Polytechnica Social and Management Sciences, 27( 2): 131–140

[33] Sader, S Husti, I Daroczi, M (2022). A review of Quality 4.0: Definitions, features, technologies, applications, and challenges. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 33( 9‒10): 1164–1182

[34] Saihi, A Awad, M Ben-Daya, M (2023). Quality 4.0: Leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies to improve quality management practices, a systematic review. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 40( 2): 628–650

[35] Santos, G Sá, J C Félix, M J Barreto, L Carvalho, F Doiro, M Zgodavová, K Stefanović, M (2021). New needed quality management skills for quality managers 4.0. Sustainability, 13( 11): 6149

[36] SariyerGManglaS KKazancogluYOcal TasarCLuthraS (2021). Data analytics for quality management in Industry 4.0 from an MSME perspective. Annals of Operations Research, in press, doi:10.1007/s10479-021-04215-9

[37] Silva, C S Borges, A F Magano, J (2022). Quality Control 4.0: A way to improve the quality performance and engage shop floor operators. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 39( 6): 1471–1487

[38] Singh, J Ahuja, I P S Singh, H Singh, A (2022). Development and implementation of Autonomous Quality Management System (AQMS) in an automotive manufacturing using Quality 4.0 concept: A case study. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 168: 108121

[39] Sony, M Antony, J Douglas, J A (2020). Essential ingredients for the implementation of Quality 4.0: A narrative review of literature and future directions for research. TQM Journal, 32( 4): 779–793

[40] Sony, M Antony, J Douglas, J A McDermott, O (2021). Motivations, barriers and readiness factors for Quality 4.0 implementation: An exploratory study. TQM Journal, 33( 6): 1502–1515

[41] Souza, F F Corsi, A Pagani, R N Balbinotti, G Kovaleski, J L (2022). Total quality management 4.0: Adapting quality management to Industry 4.0. TQM Journal, 34( 4): 749–769

[42] Sozinova, A A Saveleva, N K (2022). Marketing quality management in Industry 4.0 in transborder markets. International Journal of Qualitative Research, 16( 3): 955–968

[43] Sureshchandar, G S (2022). Quality 4.0: Understanding the criticality of the dimensions using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 39( 6): 1336–1367

[44] Sureshchandar, G S (2023). Quality 4.0: A measurement model using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 40( 1): 280–303

[45] Tambare, P Meshram, C Lee, C C Ramteke, R J Imoize, A L (2022). Performance measurement system and quality management in data-driven Industry 4.0: A review. Sensors, 22( 1): 224

[46] Tan, T Mills, G Papadonikolaki, E Liu, Z (2021). Combining multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods with building information modelling (BIM): A review. Automation in Construction, 121: 103451

[47] Thekkoote, R (2022). Enabler toward successful implementation of Quality 4.0 in digital transformation era: A comprehensive review and future research agenda. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 39( 6): 1368–1384

[48] Yadav, N Shankar, R Singh, S P (2021). Critical success factors for Lean Six Sigma in Quality 4.0. International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, 13( 1): 123–156

[49] Zheng, T Ardolino, M Bacchetti, A Perona, M (2021). The applications of Industry 4.0 technologies in manufacturing context: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Production Research, 59( 6): 1922–1954

[50] Zonnenshain, A Kenett, R S (2020). Quality 4.0: The challenging future of quality engineering. Quality Engineering, 32( 4): 614–626

Open Access

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made.

The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2023 The Author(s). This article is published with open access at link.springer.com and journal.hep.com.cn