Title: Optimising the costs of quality combination in the product life cycle by Taguchi design of experiments

Authors: Nassibeh Janatyan; Arash Shahin; Mahya Khodaparastan

Addresses: Department of Management, Quality Management Research Group, University of Isfahan, Hezarjarib St., 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran ' Department of Management, Quality Management Research Group, University of Isfahan, Hezarjarib St., 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran ' Department of Management, Quality Management Research Group, University of Isfahan, Hezarjarib St., 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract: This study aims to show how to optimise the combination of costs of quality in the product life cycle towards achieving robust product design. The Taguchi design of experiments and prevention, appraisal, failure (PAF) model of the costs of quality was applied for determining the optimal combination of the costs of quality in the product life cycle. Four product life cycle phases at four levels of quality cost were considered as control factors. Also, the signal to noise ratio (S/N) was calculated. Data was collected on the fridge product in a home appliance manufacturer. Findings indicated internal failure costs policy for the introduction and growth phases, prevention costs policy for the maturity phase, and appraisal costs policy for the decline phase. The proposed approach helps firms to manage their quality costs and their total costs more effectively.

Keywords: product life cycle; Taguchi design of experiments; cost of quality; prevention costs; appraisal costs; failure costs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2023.130871

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2023 Vol.39 No.1, pp.20 - 41

Received: 03 Mar 2021
Accepted: 22 Jun 2021
Published online: 13 May 2023 *

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