IFB208TC
First Part of Semester 2, AY2023-24
Quality Management and Lean Six Sigma
Assessment 001 (hereafter referred to as A001) consists of an individual written report that carries 65% of the final mark for this module (see Table 1 for additional details). This written report explores several aspects of quality management that have been covered in class.
Table 1. Assessment 001 - Overview
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Sequence
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Method
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Assessment Type (EXAM or CW)
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Learning Outcomes Assessed
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Week
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% of A001 Mark
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A001
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Individual Report
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CW
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A & B
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Apr 21, 2024
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65%*
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*Maximum mark for this assignment is 100 points.
YOUR TASK
You need to solve three quality management-related questions. Each question carries a certain number of points and has its own specifics - i.e., the questions are NOT intertwined. Given this, you are to read each question carefully and provide a detailed answer in line with the pre-set word limit. There are a number of requirements that are valid for all questions part of this assignment. These requirements areas follows:
• Language: British or American English (*be consistent across the text)
• Main text: Times New Roman 12; space between lines 1.5; footnotes allowed, but make sure to number them consecutively throughout the report.
• Referencing: all secondary information sources (both offline and online ones) should be cited according to the Harvard (Referencing) Style (*see next page for further information).
• Similarity Rate: no more than 20% (*excluding Title Page and References).
• Submission Method: online, PDF or WORD format (*PDF is preferred) via Learning Mall Online
• Submission Deadline: April 21st, 2024, before 18:00 Beijing time.
• Penalty Policy for Late Submissions: XJTLU’s policy for late submissions will be strictly followed.
QUESTIONS
SECTION 1. Garvin’s Eight Dimensions of Quality (25 points) (250-350 words)
In line with Garvin’s Theory on the Eight Dimensions of Quality and taking into account each dimension’s definition, you need to answer the following question:
Q1. Which are the most abstract dimensions of (product) quality as per Garvin’s Theory and why?
Weight: 25 points - Choice (15 points), Argumentation of Choice (10 points)
SECTION 2. Product Quality & Business Strategy (25 points) (500-600 words)
The quality management literature argues that product quality is a competitive advantage that many companies continue to focus on. With this in mind, you need to answer the following question:
Q2. What is the relationship between (product) quality and market share?
Weight: 25 points - Answer (10 points), Argumentation of Answer (15 points)
*Make sure to support your argument by referring to relevant quality management theories and examples from industry.
SECTION 3. Product Quality & Manufacturing Method (30 points) (500-600 words)
The quality management literature argues that, in most cases, handmade products command a higher price tag than mass-manufactured products. With this in mind, you need to answer the following question:
Q3. What makes handmade products more expensive than mass-manufactured ones?
Weight: 30 points - Answer (15 points), Argumentation of Answer (15 points)
*Make sure to support your argument by referring to relevant quality management theories and examples from industry.
INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS
REPORT STRUCTURE
COVER PAGE - your Cover Page should be the same as the Taicang Official Cover Page. Make sure, however,to fill in all pertinent details such as (i) module code and title; (ii) student name and ID; (iii) title of your coursework, (iv) word count, etc. Besides the Taicang Official Cover Page, you are also to include a separate Title Page with the following information: (i) module code and title; (ii) student name and student number; (iii) title of your coursework; (iv) module leader. Feel free to design the title page according to your preferences while ensuring it adheres to the professional standards typically followed in business and management reports.
MAIN BODY - the report should embrace a question-answer structure. In other words, you must NOT combine either the questions or the answers. Also, you are advised to use sections and subsections. Make sure to identify each section and subsection using Arabic numbers. Sections should be numbered 1., 2., etc., and subsections should be numbered 1.1, 1.2, etc. Importantly, since the questions are not connected, you are NOT expected to include an Introduction and a Conclusion.
REFERENCES - all secondary sources including books, journal articles, conference papers, etc., which have been used to produce this assignment must be cited accordingly. This coursework requires that you use the Harvard (Referencing) Style also known as the Harvard Referencing System. If you are not familiar with the Harvard Referencing System, please, make sure to consult the Internet for additional details. For instance, you may check the following source: https://www.mendeley.com/guides/harvard-citation-guide/. Importantly, any secondary sources you use for solving the questions must be listed right after your answer. In other words, you should have three reference sections (one for each question) instead of one.
LENGTH - based on the requirements on p.2, the entire document must be between 1,250 and 1,550 words (*excluding title page, references, tables, graphs and figures). Importantly, should you decide to include an Introduction and a Conclusion, both sections will be counted towards the allowed word limit. With this in mind, reports below the minimum or above the maximum threshold will be penalised accordingly. For every 10-20 words less/ more, you will be deducted 1% of the final mark. For instance, if your report stands at 1,550 words, you will be deducted 3% of the final mark.