International Journal for Quality Research

10

Authors: Nenko Brkljač, Nenad Munić, Aleksandar Mićović, Aleksandar M. Kovačević, Predrag Rakonjac

The main goal of this paper is to evaluate the non-conformity of a product from the end-user point of view (assessment of conformity through second-party audits). A test sample of 510 reports about the estimation of compliance with the end-user requirements included. In doing the research, we identified 246 non-conformities, which we classified into three categories, documentation non-conformities, non-conformities established by verification, and non-conformities determined by validation. Empirically, we found the most significant group of non-conformities and calculated confidence limits for this group by using the beta distribution. We applied this type of distribution because it is a very flexible type, and it covers a wide range of different shapes depending on the values of parameters. The analysis of the obtained quantitative indicators of non-conformity showed that the purpose of the product is of the utmost importance to the end user. In connection with the non-conformity indicators, we analyzed the requirements of point 8.2 "Requirements for products and services" of ISO 9001:2015. In accordance, the manufacturer recommends the aspects on which to focus during the process of designing, developing, manufacturing and defining the requirements of the quality of its product.

12

Authors: Tatiana M. Vorozheykina, Oleg G. Korolev, Tatiana V. Skryl, Kirena G. Kelina

In economics, earning has traditionally been viewed as a quantitative category. This article provides an original perspective on earning - in terms of quality that allows taking a fresh look at revenue. The author's scientific and methodological approach to assessing the quality of earning, developed in this article, takes into account the following criteria: 1. The official (or shadow) nature of the earnings and their contribution to the staff retirement plan, its creditworthiness, the formation of the earning part of the state budget (payment of taxes); 2. The size, dynamics and comparative characteristics of the actually available earning; 3. Positive or negative consequences of receiving earning for society and the environment (for example, revenue from criminal activity, poaching and other prohibited activities will be of low quality); 4. Contribution of earning to the image of the country (for example, the currency in which revenue is obtained); 5. Consequences of receiving earning for meeting the needs of the employee according to A. Maslow's pyramid (unleashing human potential, building a career, working in specialty); 6. Contribution to the reduction (or increase) of inequality in earning. The advantages of the developed scientific and methodological approach to assessing the quality of earning are that it allows comparing representatives of different professions and sectors of the economy, different regions and countries from the point of view of the quality of earning, as well as studying the dynamics of changes in the quality of earning. Due to this, not quantity (nominal revenue) but the quality will determine the features of employees when receiving income.

12

Authors: Tadeja Jere Jakulin

The paper explores how colours can underpin critical research in people's well-being and life. Following a brief introduction to the principles of colours and Colour Mirrors system, the paper elaborates on how the coloured oils and essences' principles can drive healing and well-being in a spa, wellness, and life. We used EMADEL (emission-absorption near-electric field detection of biofield) in the experiments. This method measures the organisms' response to near-field exposure markedly different from the expected behaviour. As the second method, we used Bio-resonance, where the researcher uses a device to analyse the person's electromagnetic waves and alter them before returning them to the body.

12

Authors: Jill Round

The objective of the present research is to study a role (internal audit) in a context (internal and external actors) to understand its influence (perception of effectiveness). The discipline of internal audit is exposed to internal and external actors, which appear as interest groups. These have an impact on the pereption of internal audit. The identification of the corresponding fields of relevance enables internal audit to proactively shape its perception. By applying "Grounded Theory" and making use of a qualitative content analysis, the fields of relevance associated with internal audit are carved out. The findings form the basis for the formulation of starting points to effectively practice internal audit. The applied methodologies in the present research are to be considered as a blueprint for comparable subjects of interest.

14

Authors: Aleksei V. Bogoviz, Svetlana V. Lobova, Vladimir S. Osipov

In the modern conditions of globalisation, universities find themselves in the conditions of large international competition. The national programs of socio-economic development of most countries, including Russia, envisage large requirements to universities to drivers of the development of the "knowledge society", the innovative and digital economy and the acceleration of the rate of economic growth. This paper dwells on the methodological aspects of the modern paradigm of quality of higher educational institution management, which substantiates the scientific basis of adapting educational establishments in the sphere of market relations. The authors determine the scientific approaches that form the modern paradigm of university management quality, develop a conceptual and theoretical model of quality of higher educational establishment management as a subject of the market of the educational services market, and elaborate the essence of the main technical attributes. The offered principles stimulate the increase of the effectiveness of educational activities of a higher educational establishment and are manifested in its using the economic levers, in particular the entrepreneurial mechanisms in the activities of an educational subject of the market in the conditions of competitive environment and formation of the information society in Russia.

16

Authors: Elena B. Zavyalova, Alexander D. Zavialov, Dmitry M. Kurbatov

The evolution of the ESG concept of quality management has been developing for more than 60 years. In various historic periods it focused on different aspect of quality from traditional CSR issues to 17 modern SDGs. Depending on the international economic situation in some periods social problems were more important for quality, in others, more often, ecology was more on the agenda. Analyzing the historic path the authors prove that in a normal course of life international community of transnational companies and politicians tends to pay more attention to the ecological aspects of quality. The hypothesis of the paper is that Covid-19 must have changed the ESG investment priorities during quality management. Based on the non-financial reports of the leading Russian companies the authors come to the conclusion that even before pandemic the Russian big companies were more focused on the social sphere during quality management, and now as a result of the new conditions this trends is significantly more vivid. On the other hand, companies from different industries show various ESG strategies during quality management that surprisingly are not correlated with financial losses from the pandemic.

16

Authors: Stojan Črv, Mirko Markič

Companies put a lot of efforts to identify factors affecting their business performance. The purpose of this research was to explore the contribution of quality management systems (QMS) on the business performance of companies in terms of return on equity (ROE). A systematic review of scientific literature dedicated to QMS and company performance was performed with a quantitative method. The main finding of this study is that effective implementation of QMS contributes to the business performance of companies. We also identified which of the seven QMS principles, based on standard ISO 9000, and which company performance indicators, were most frequently discussed. In none of the studies to date have the authors comprehensively examined all seven QMS principles, while the business performance, evaluated by the ROE indicator, was discussed in only one study. Finally, a research gap was identified concerning the impact of the QMS principles on ROE.

18

Authors: Alejandra Cueva, Anna Akhmedova, Frederic Marimon

This paper aims to determine the impact of COVID on the sharing economy (SE) in order to assess customer satisfaction and to understand factors other than COVID that could affect the future of the SE. Through the Delphi method, the factors relevant to the impact of COVID on the SE are analysed, and the relationship between satisfaction and quality is defined to determine loyalty. The validity of this study revolves around the responses of 13 experts in each of the rounds. Results proves that the highest rank given by the experts was directly related to the impact of COVID, namely, hygiene measures, protection from contagion and the probability of an increase in transactions in the distance medicine sector. The second place was occupied by statements related to technology, specifically, those related to new forms of mobility and to the generation of new mobile connection and devices.

20

Authors: Matthew Barsalou, Beata Starzyska

This paper assesses how well quality tools identify the correct root cause with a modified usage compared to more traditional usage. The purpose of this research is to empirically evaluate the use of a modified Ishikawa diagram and variation of another quality tool for identifying testable hypotheses in root cause analysis. Two experiments were performed using engineers to evaluate the proposed methods for hypothesis selection and evaluation. One study evaluated the use of an Ishikawa diagram with a hypothesis related action item tracking list versus teams with just an Ishikawa diagram. The second study determined if the correct hypothesis was selected more often than chance when multiple hypotheses and observations are presented in a list. Use of the proposed method including a modified Ishikawa diagram leads to more testable hypotheses and listing the available evidence can lead to the identification of the correct hypothesis.

32

Authors: Monika Kozerska

One of the key factors for competitiveness in the international maritime sector, and for the quality of service and acquisition of new clients for seaport services, is the logistic capacity of seaports, which requires continuous development of seaport infrastructure. The need to respond to the growing demand related to the increasing volume of cargo handling in seaports leads to improved capacity and accessibility of the seaport infrastructure and suprastructure. The purpose of this paper is to determine the role and position of Polish seaports in the supply chains on international trade markets. The study included major Polish multipurpose seaports - Port of Gdansk, Port of Gdynia, and Szczecin and Swinoujscie Seaports. The following statistical tests were used in the study: Mann-Whitney U test for comparing two groups, and Kruskal-Wallis test by rank for comparing more than two groups. The analysis of correlation between two numeric variables was performed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient; the significance of Spearman's correlation was tested using the t-test. The results of the study provide a classification of Polish seaports which play a crucial role for Poland's national economy. The obtained results indicate that the volumes of container handling in the Polish seaports increased in the analysed period, i.e. the value of handling grew with time. This classification makes it possible to specify the advantages and disadvantages of the analysed seaports, and to determine the profile of their operations.