QUALITY PRINCIPLES, TOOLS, TECHNIQUES AND METHODOLOGIES SHOULD REMAIN INEVITABLE PART OF DIGITAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Authors

  • Cvetanka Velkoska International Vision University, Gostivar, Republic of North Macedonia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9172-2671
  • Hannelie Nel Graduate School of Technology Management, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Keywords:

Quality management, Quality tools, Quality techniques, Quality methodologies, Digital quality management.

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.55843/ivisum2611147v

 

The digital transformation driven by Industry 4.0 has significantly reshaped quality management practices, leading to the emergence of Digital and Intelligent Quality Management (Quality 4.0). Despite the adoption of advanced technologies enabling automation, real-time monitoring, and data-driven decision-making, the role of traditional quality principles, tools, techniques, and methodologies remains insufficiently examined. This paper aims to examine whether established quality management instruments should remain an inevitable component of digital quality management systems. The study applies a mixed research approach combining a systematic literature review with an empirical case study conducted in automotive manufacturing companies in North Macedonia. The literature review analyzes the evolution of quality management principles and systematizes quality tools, techniques, and methodologies within the Quality 4.0 context. The empirical data was collected through a structured survey examining the frequency and purpose of applying quality management instruments. The results confirm that digital technologies enhance rather than replace established quality methodologies. The study concludes that quality principles, tools, techniques, and methodologies must be systematically integrated into digital environments to ensure effective, sustainable, and human-centric quality management in the Quality 4.0 era.

References

Alrae, R. (2024). Quality Tools, Technologies, and Techniques: Enhancing Product and Service Excellence Quality. In Control and Quality Assurance – Techniques and Applications http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.113994.

Antony, J., Bhat, S., Jayaraman, R., Mc Dermott, O., Sony, M., & Snee, R. (2022) The genealogy of Quality 4.0: From inspection to automation, the quest to meet standards evolves, ISE Magazine.

Castello, J., De Castro, R., & Marimon, F. (2020). Use of quality tools and techniques and their integration into ISO 9001: A wind power supply chain case. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 37(1), 68-89. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-07-2018-0171.

Dovleac, R., (2021). Knowledge management systems in Quality 4.0. MATEC Web of Conferences 342, UNIVERSITARIA SIMPRO 2021. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202134209003.

Escobar, C. A., Macias-Arregoyta, D., & Morales-Menendez, R. (2023). The decay of Six Sigma and the rise of Quality 4.0 in manufacturing innovation. Quality Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1080/08982112.2023.2206679.

Fernandes, F. A., Sousa, S. D., & Lopes, I. (2013). On the Use of Quality Tools: A Case Study. Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering l.

Fonseca, L., Lima, V., & Silva, M. (2015). Utilization of quality tools: Does sector and size matter? International Journal for Quality Research, 9(4), 605–620.

Grigoryan, E., & Golubkova, I. (2020). Seven Tools for Quality Management and Control: Theory and Practice, Advances in Economics, Business and Management Research, 139, International Conference on Economics, Management and Technologies 2020, 528-533.

Hamid, M. S. R. A., Isa, S., & Cheong, C.B. (2020). A Study of Quality Tools and Techniques for Smart Manufacturing in Industry 4.0 in Malaysia: The Case of Northern Corridor Economic Region. https://doi.org/10.4018/9781799822578.ch008.

ISO standardization EN ISO 9001: Quality management systems - Requirements (ISO 9001:2015).

Klaput, P., Hercık, R., Machacek, Z., Noskievicova, D., Dostal, V., & Vykydal, D. (2023). Mutual combination of selected principles and technologies of Industry 4.0 and quality management methods - case study. Quality Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1080/08982112.2023.2193895.

Kumar, N., & Kothari, A. (2013). Does Quality Management Need for Today. International Journal on Emerging Technologies, 4(1), 75-80.

Markulik, Š., Šolc, M., & Fil’o, M. (2024). Implementation of Quality Tools in Mechanical Engineering Piece Production. Appl. Sci. 14, 944. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14020944.

McDermott, O., Antony, J., Sony, M., Fernandes, M.M., Koul, R., & Doulatabadi, M., (2023). The use and application of the 7 new quality control tools in the manufacturing sector: a global study. The TQM Journal, 35(8), 2621-2639. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-06-2022-0186.

Naeemah, A.J., & Wong, K. Y. (2021). Selection methods of lean management tools: a review. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-04-2021-0198.

Pawlak, S., Nowacki, K., & Kania, H. (2023). Analysis of the impact of the 5S tool and Standardization on the duration of the production process - case study. PRODUCTION ENGINEERING ARCHIVES, 29(4), 421-427. https://doi.org/10.30657/pea.2023.29.47.

Pramono, S. N. W., Ulkhaq, M. M., Rachmadina, D. P., Trianto, R., Rachmadani, A. P., Wijayanti, W.R., & Dewi, W. R. (2018). The Use of Quality Management Techniques: The Application of Seven New Tools. International Journal of Applied Science and Engineering, 15(2), 105-112. https://doi.org/10.6703/IJASE.201802_15(2).105.

Psarommatis, F., Prouvost, S., May, G., & Kiritsis, D. (2020). Product Quality Improvement Policies in Industry 4.0: Characteristics, Enabling Factors, Barriers, and Evolution Toward Zero Defect Manufacturing. Front. Comput. Sci. 2(26). https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomp.2020.00026.

Salimova, T., Vatolkina, N., Makolov, V., & Anikina, N. (2020). The perspective of quality management system development in the era of industry 4.0. Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews, 8(4), 483-495. http://dx.doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2020.8447.

Saifuddin, I., & Rizal, H.S. (2020). A Study of Quality Tools and Techniques in the Context of Industrial Revolution 4.0 in Malaysia. What’s New? Quality Access to Success, 21(174).

Skórnóg, D., & Major-Kalinowska, P. (2025). Evaluation of selected instruments, concepts, techniques, methods, tools and principles of quality management in the context of their use in the conditions of industry 4.0, SCIENTIFIC PAPERS OF SILESIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT SERIES 222, 533-549. http://dx.doi.org/10.29119/1641-3466.2025.222.30.

Skuza, Z. (2019). Analysis of use of Methods and Quality Management Tools in a Group

of Production Enterprises. New Trends in Production Engineering, 2(2), 241-253. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/ntpe-2019-0089.

Sokovic, M., Jovanovic, J., Krivokapic, Z., & Vujovic, A. (2009). Basic Quality Tools in Continuous Improvement Process. Strojniski Vestnik - Journal of Mechanical Engineering 55(5), 1-9.

Starzyńska, B. (2014). Practical Applications of Quality Tools in Polish Manufacturing Companies. Organizacija, 47(3), https://doi.org/10.2478/orga-2014-0014.

Tarı, J.J. (2005). Components of successful total quality management. The TQM Magazine, 17(2), 182-194. https://doi.org/10.1108/09544780510583245.

Tomov, M., & Velkoska, C. (2021). Analysis and trends of the changes in the graphic interpretation of the quality costs models. Journal of Production Engineering, 24(2), 27-30. http://doi.org/10.24867/JPE-2021-02-027.

van Kemenade, E., & Hardjono, T. W. (2019). Twenty-first century Total Quality Management: the Emergence Paradigm. The TQM Journal, 31(2), 2019, 150-166. DOI 10.1108/TQM-04-2018-0045.

Velkoska, C. (2024). Quality Management: Quality Knowledge, Industrial Development, Evolution of Quality Management. International Vision Unievrsity, Gostivar, North Macedonia.

Velkoska, C. (2020). Contribution to the development of the quality cost management methodology. [Doctoral dissertation, University “Sc Cyril and Methodious”, Mechanical engineering, Skopje]

Velkoska, C. (2021). Sustainable quality – a challenge for gaining new knowledge for achieving a climate resilient future in the coming years. Vision International Scientific Journal, 6(2), pp. 69-89. https://doi.org/10.55843/ivisum2126069v.

Velkoska, C. & Tomov, M. (2021). Quality costs concept and measurement – Does a reaffirmation in a new direction needed? Vision International Scientific Journal, 6(1), 65-80. https://doi.org/10.55843/ivisum2116065v.

Velkoska, C., Tomov, M., & Kuzinovski, M. (2018a). Theoretical aspects related to the creation of algorithm for quality cost measurement system. Journal of Production Engineering, 21(2), 65-68. http://doi.org/10.24867/JPE-2018-02-065.

Velkoska, C., Tomov, M., & Kuzinovski, M. (2018b). Application of the “vital few and trivial many” phenomena as a function of the quality costs concept. Mechanical Engineering – Scientific Journal, 26(1), 39-45.

Wojciech, S. (2020). The use of artificial intelligence in identifying the quality costs in service companies. Education excellence and innovation management: a 2025 Vision to sustain economic development during global challenges: proceedings of the 35th International Business Information Management Association Conference (IBIMA), 1-2 April 2020, Seville, Spain S. 11549-11554.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Velkoska, C., & Nel, H. (2026). QUALITY PRINCIPLES, TOOLS, TECHNIQUES AND METHODOLOGIES SHOULD REMAIN INEVITABLE PART OF DIGITAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT . International Scientific Journal Vision, 11(1). Retrieved from https://visionjournal.edu.mk/social/index.php/1/article/view/240