Question 1

Individuality does not account for different perceptions about the "what counts" when assessing quality.

Accepted Answer

Individuality significantly influences perceptions of quality, as people's unique experiences, values, and preferences shape their criteria for assessing what counts as quality.

Question 2

Marketing managers should be fully aware of their products' MTBF rates and the failure characteristics of competitors' products.

Accepted Answer

Knowing the MTBF (mean time between failures) rates of their own products and the failure characteristics of competitors' products can help marketing managers make informed decisions about pricing, positioning, and advertising strategies. It also helps them identify potential areas for product improvement and quality control.

Question 3

If quality management is to achieve the best results,then ISO rather than TQM is the critical precursor of excellence in quality.

Accepted Answer

This statement presents a false dichotomy between ISO and TQM. ISO (International Organization for Standardization) provides a set of standardized guidelines for quality management systems, while TQM (Total Quality Management) is a management philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. Both ISO and TQM can be important precursors to achieving excellence in quality, depending on the specific needs and goals of a company. It is not accurate to say that one is always critical and the other is not.

Question 4

Many products have failure probabilities that follow a U-shaped curve,which is known as the Weibull distribution.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. The Weibull distribution is commonly used to model the failure rates of products and often exhibits a shape that resembles a U.

Question 5

The word quality is used in two different ways: the producer's view and the consumer's view.

Accepted Answer

The producer's view of quality is focused on meeting specific standards and requirements, while the consumer's view of quality is focused on meeting their own personal expectations and satisfaction.

Question 6

It is the producer's problem to choose the appropriate quality standards so that the market judges them to be fitting for that price class.

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is the producer's responsibility to set standards for their products and ensure that the market perceives them to be of appropriate quality for the price they are charging. This involves considering factors such as customer expectations, competitor offerings, industry norms, and cost-benefit analysis. Ultimately, the goal is to establish a good reputation for consistent quality and value, which can lead to customer loyalty and increased sales.

Question 7

The durability dimension deals with how often,how difficult and how costly it is to service and repair the product.

Accepted Answer

The durability dimension refers to the product's ability to withstand wear and tear over time, not specifically to its service and repair aspects.

Question 8

Higher quality is equivalent to lower elasticity.

Accepted Answer

This statement is generally true. Higher quality products are often less elastic because consumers are willing to pay more for higher quality goods and are less likely to switch to a lower quality substitute if the price of the higher quality product increases. In contrast, lower quality products are typically more elastic because consumers may be more price sensitive and willing to switch to a cheaper substitute if the price of the lower quality product increases. However, there may be exceptions to this general rule depending on the specific product and market dynamics.

Question 9

Quality standards should be set by consumer groups so as to maximize the producer's profit.

Accepted Answer

Quality standards should not be set solely to maximize the producer's profit. The primary goal of setting quality standards should be to ensure that consumers receive safe and high-quality products. While ensuring a reasonable profit for the producer is important, it should not take priority over consumer safety and satisfaction. Therefore, quality standards should be set by a combination of consumer groups and government regulators to strike a balance between the interests of consumers and producers.

Question 10

Quality definition is simple.

Accepted Answer

Quality definition is not always simple as it can have different meanings and interpretations in different contexts. Quality can be defined in terms of meeting customer requirements, conforming to industry standards, achieving high levels of reliability and efficiency, and so on.

Question 11

People do not have to communicate with each other in the common pursuit of quality for TQM to operate.

Accepted Answer

Communication is a critical aspect of TQM as it helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal of achieving quality. Without communication, individuals and teams may have different understandings of what quality means or how it can be achieved, leading to inconsistent efforts and potentially impacting the overall success of TQM.

Question 12

The measure MTBF is often used to depict durability and not reliability.

Accepted Answer

MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) is primarily used to represent reliability, indicating the average time between failures of a system, not its durability.

Question 13

All TQMs are not alike.

Accepted Answer

Total Quality Management (TQM) can vary depending on the organization's unique approach and implementation strategies. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to TQM, and organizations may tailor their practices and techniques to suit their specific needs and goals. Therefore, all TQMs are not alike.

Question 14

When it comes to gaining competitive advantage,better quality has tremendous leverage with new and old customers alike.

Accepted Answer

Better quality can differentiate a business from its competitors, enhance customer satisfaction, and increase customer loyalty, all of which can ultimately lead to a competitive advantage.

Question 15

Even if the practice of TQM is done right,it cannot put a faltering company back on track.

Accepted Answer

Implementing TQM can help a company improve its operations, but it is not a guarantee for success. If a company is already facing serious financial or structural issues, TQM alone may not be enough to turn things around. Other strategic measures may be needed to complement a TQM approach.

Question 16

Bankers describe quality in terms of how well they meet the economically sound standards that have been established by their bank.Customers rate a bank's quality in terms of personal ideals.

Accepted Answer

Bankers and customers have different perspectives when it comes to defining quality in a bank. Bankers focus on meeting established economic standards, while customers rate quality based on their personal ideals and experiences.

Question 17

Frequently there are regional differences in quality perceptions.

Accepted Answer

Quality perceptions can vary based on factors such as culture, tradition, and personal preferences, which can differ from region to region.

Question 18

A light bulb ages only as a function of the hours it has been used.

Accepted Answer

Light bulbs can also age due to the number of on-off cycles, the quality of the electricity supply (voltage fluctuations), environmental conditions (temperature, humidity), and the quality of the bulb's construction, not just the hours of use.

Question 19

The producer's view of quality is that qualities relate to the "degree of excellence" of things.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The producer's view of quality is that...

Question 20

Physical failure is defined only by engineering conventions.

Accepted Answer

Physical failure can also be defined by the inability of a component or system to perform its intended function, which goes beyond just engineering conventions and includes practical, safety, and operational considerations.

Quiz 4: Understanding Quality: ITS Management and Strategic Importance