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Fresh Thinking on Innovation and Quality |
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An ASQ White Paper
The notion that innovation and quality are somehow mutually exclusive occurs with some regularity in reporting about current trends in business management. Pronouncements that activities designed to increase quality are bound to stifle innovation and creativity tend to reinforce the unwritten and unquestioned axiom that quality and innovation are incompatible.
This paper tests that assumption by examining the relationships between quality and innovation. It begins by defining what ASQ means by innovation. It looks at contemporary thinking on innovation and on the scope of quality today. It examines recent cases where quality methodologies have been applied in innovation-intensive environments such as commercial research and development, and it gathers insights from approaches of companies that are acknowledged leaders in both innovation and quality. The paper concludes by distilling some of this knowledge into some tips and recommendations for ways that organizations can strike a productive balance between creativity and innovation on the one hand and quality, efficiency, and control on the other.
ASQ believes that quality and innovation have much in common, and that the quality tools and approaches that transform both manufacturing and service businesses can play a key role in ensuring that the innovative capabilities of any organization can be harnessed for maximum value. ASQ’s interest in innovation demonstrates its commitment to making a difference in the world by fully utilizing the transformative power of quality methods for making the world a better place.
Setting the Stage: A Lingering Perception
Controversy over the effects of quality disciplines on innovation and creativity was stoked by some highly visible reporting in the business press on an attempt to introduce Six Sigma methodologies within the R&D functions at 3M. |
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Signs of Economic Recovery |
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May 18, 2010
President Needs Steely Resolve
Even though the steel industry has begun to see signs of economic recovery, Ohio’s unemployment still hovers around 11 percent. We support the Obama Administration’s goal of doubling U.S. exports in the next five years to increase employment. But to do so, President Obama must address one of the biggest barriers to that goal: China’s undervalued currency. China undervalues the yuan by as much as 40 percent, giving its exports an unfair advantage over U.S. products in markets around the world.
In addition, the administration cannot keep imposing new regulations that stifle U.S. competitiveness and cost valuable jobs, such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to regulate emissions from industrial sources under the Clean Air Act. New regulations like these continue to cripple our manufacturing base by discouraging new investment just as we are trying to come out of this recession.
Ohio is the heartland of U.S. manufacturing, including being the second highest state in steel production, generating $5.15 billion in value-added output. Let’s work together to increase exports by minimizing costly new regulations and taking action against governments, such as China, who don’t play by the rules.
Thomas J. Gibson, Washington, D.C.
The writer is president and CEO American Iron and Steel Institute.
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Threaded Rod |
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Anti-Dumping Update - Commerce Finds Unfair Dumping of Steel Threaded Rod (February 23, 2009)
The Department of Commerce announced its affirmative final determination in the antidumping duty investigation on imports of steel threaded rod from the People’s Republic of China (China). Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than normal value.
Mandatory respondents received a final dumping rate of 55.16 percent. Nine Chinese exporters received a separate final rate of 55.16 percent. All other exporters will receive the China-wide rate of 206.00 percent.
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VMI |
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February, 24, 2010
True Partnership
Vendor managed inventory works best when it is a true partnership.
By Jim McLaughlin
Wouldn't it be wonderful if every time the roll of toilet paper was near the end, it would magically be replenished? Although there is no such thing as a “TP” fairy, there are inventory fairies, better known as VMI supply partners, that assume the responsibility of inventory planning and stock replenishment.
For most VMI suppliers, Wal-Mart has set the standard for a well-oiled VMI machine, especially in the retail segment. The basic design of a VMI has transcended into the industrial manufacturing market, too. Most large USA manufacturers are transitioning to a VMI relationship, where suppliers are responsible for delivering their products, stocking and auditing current on-hand quantities on the manufacturer’s floor. At the end of the cycle, the VMI supplier continues the supply circle by generating the next order for delivery.
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Steel Prices Have Halved |
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Friday, January 9, 2009
St. Louis Business Journal - by Patrick L. Thimangu
Steel prices, which more than doubled between the summer of 2007 and 2008, have fallen sharply as the economic recession hammers large consumers of the metal.
According to data from MEPS (International) Ltd., a British metals industry consultancy, average prices for benchmark hot rolled coil (HRC) steel rose from about $680 per metric ton in September 2007 to more than $1,200 in July 2008. The prices have since fallen to about $670 per metric ton.
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