Title: Statistical thinking and techniques: use and benefits in manufacturing companies

Authors: José Carlos De Toledo; Fabiane Letícia Lizarelli; Miguel Angel Aires Borrás; Manoel Fernando Martins

Addresses: Department of Production Engineering, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, P.O. Box 676, 13565-905 São Carlos – SP, Brazil ' Department of Production Engineering, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, P.O. Box 676, 13565-905 São Carlos – SP, Brazil ' Department of Production Engineering, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia João Leme dos Santos, km 110, 18052-780, Sorocaba – SP, Brazil ' Department of Production Engineering, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, P.O. Box 676, 13565-905 São Carlos – SP, Brazil

Abstract: Statistical thinking (STk) and statistical techniques (STe) are closely related to improvement programs, but its routine application faces limitations and the reasons for this fact are poorly studied in the academic and managerial fields. This paper analyses the association between STk, STe and the benefits by this use with the characteristics of the companies and improvement programs. A web survey was conducted and a sample of 243 medium and large Brazilian manufacturing companies was obtained. The results show that there are groups of companies with different levels of use of STk and STe and perceived benefits and the differences are mainly associated with the importance of quality for the competitive strategy, the existence of formal actions for the dissemination and application of STk and STe and improvement programs use. The findings allow companies to direct efforts towards the use of STk and STe and generate greater benefits with improvement application.

Keywords: statistical thinking; statistical techniques; survey; improvement programs; manufacturing companies; quality; statistical; productivity; use of statistical approach; benefits.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2021.117254

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2021 Vol.33 No.4, pp.471 - 492

Received: 14 Aug 2019
Accepted: 07 Jan 2020
Published online: 25 Aug 2021 *

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