Journal of Quality Engineering and Management

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop a model for identifying and prioritizing optimal quality management strategies in small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Iran's ceramic and tile industry, with a focus on enhancing competitive advantage in export markets.
Methodology: This research employs an integrated multi-phase fuzzy approach. First, 29 quality management strategies were extracted from the literature and screened using the Fuzzy Delphi Method. Next, evaluation criteria were weighted using the Fuzzy SWARA (FSWARA) method. Finally, the selected strategies were prioritized using the Fuzzy COPRAS (FCOPRAS) method.
Findings: The results indicated that the key criteria for quality management include continuous process improvement, responsiveness to customer needs, and process innovation. In addition, strategies grounded in internal organizational factors, such as leadership styles, teamwork, and process orientation, proved more effective than those grounded in external factors, such as supplier management.
Originality/Value: By integrating three fuzzy decision-making methods under uncertainty, this study offers a comprehensive and precise model for identifying and ranking quality management strategies. Its emphasis on SMEs in the Iranian ceramic and tile industry, along with its methodological integration, distinguishes it from previous studies.

Abstract In this paper, a mathematical model for predicting expected costs to the manufacturer and buyer in pro-rata warranty policy under inflationary conditions is developed. In this model, the cost of individual claims to the manufacturer is limited to fixed cost 𝐶𝐼 whereby the manufacturer carries out all rectification action with a portion of the cost to the customer if the cost of rectification is below a limit 𝐶𝐼. If the cost of rectification exceeds 𝐶𝐼 then the customer pays the difference between the costs of rectification and 𝐶𝐼.based on this model we analyze respectively the expected warranty costs from the perspectives of the manufacturer and the consumer. A real data are executed to demonstrate the applicability of the model. It is proved that, inflation rate, warranty period length and failure parameters impacts the manufacturer and the consumer expected costs. 
 
 

Abstract The design of the closed loop supply chain network is one of the most important and fundamental strategic decisions, with the proper design of which creates a desirable structure and facilitates the efficient management of the chain effectively. One of the most fundamental problems in the design of the supply chain network is the closed loop of uncertainty in the quality of the return products, due to the emergence of this problem, the lack of accurate and accurate information as well as the dynamics and complexity of the chain components. This research in the design space the closed loop supply chain network is for durable products, which in the short term cannot be damaged and allow the reuse of parts in the production of new products, recycling or sales on the secondary market. The main purpose of this study is to use a two-stage randomized programming model and maximize expected earnings for all of the quality status scenarios in which the target function is a combination of revenue from the sale of products and recycled materials and components Recovered, in addition to fixed costs for centers, processes, logistics and transportation. Due to the complexity of the model, the problem was used with the Lp-shape and CPLEX algorithms and the GAMS software was used to solve the problem. Based on the results of the research, the substantive response introduced by CPLEX for the C3 to C6 test questions is significantly far from the optimal responses obtained by the L-Shape method.