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The purpose of this paper is to propose a national framework for promoting business excellence (NFPBE) using a quality management assessment framework (QMAF) with information knowledge communication (IKC) as an enabler.

The NFPBE using the plan–do–check–act (PDCA) cycle is developed, re-enforcing key quality management aspects/areas including national quality awards, QMAF summary and national innovation programmes using a meta-analysis.

The operationalising of the NFPBE is enabled and supported by an auditing tool to assess the degree of mentoring provided by universities/research institutions/consulting firms to participating firms whose progress will be assessed by the QMAF. It was emphasised that the success of the framework requires the buy-in of national governments to support the programme through stimulus incentives such as government assistance with the costs of research and development, and cooperative research ventures between universities and companies.

The framework is conceptualised into a process flowchart, which is a blueprint to advancing business excellence in organisations at a national scale. The study is limited to only the conceptualisation of the framework. Therefore, an extended study of the framework implementation/application is required for revealing implementation guidelines.

The national framework has a propensity to enhancing the business excellence of organisations at a national level. Therefore, quality managers and policy makers could use the framework to understand the quality management shortfalls and consider strategies to achieving business excellence.

This research study proposed a blueprint to advancing quality excellence in organisations at a national level, guided by several quality frameworks.

This paper aims to introduce a comprehensive framework for quality of context in pervasive context-aware systems. The framework includes the context quality characteristics, the quality policy, the quality calculation methods and the quality control algorithm.

This study used the constructive research method to introduce the framework. The data of a context-aware flooding prediction system to evaluate the approach were used.

The framework improves the quality of captured context by resolving the missing, error context and the context conflicts using the quality characteristics and quality control process that are introduced in the framework.

This work is original. It is based on the author’s PhD work in De Montfort University.

The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate university leadership performance using the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) framework. University leadership performance management (PM) framework incorporates strategy formulation, lecturers, administrative services and the learning outcomes to achieve service quality excellence.

A theoretical investigation in literature was accomplished comparing PM and LSS frameworks. Through extant literature review, the authors identified five constructs (lecturers, administration staff, projects, programs and facilities) being offered by a university to evaluate the service quality excellence. Using these constructs, a student exit survey was conducted yielding a response rate of 56%. Five hypotheses were tested. The survey results evaluated reliability, convergent validity and discriminant validity of the constructs and were found to be satisfactory. To test the model fit and hypotheses between the constructs, the authors used structural equation modelling (SEM).

The LSS framework was found to be effective when compared with the PM framework, and for aligning university processes to achieve service quality excellence. The SEM result shows that there is a strong evidence to support the hypothesized model where facilities, projects and program had significant relationship with service quality excellence. The empirical evidence strongly supports that there is a relationship between the PM and the LSS frameworks.

This research is based on a cross-sectional exit survey; future research could explore a longitudinal survey with treatment conditions to consider different genre of university leadership.

To achieve service quality excellence, university leadership will need to embrace LSS framework to satisfy their stakeholders. This could bring multifold organizational and social benefits.

Not too many studies have used the PM and the LSS framework to evaluate university leadership performance in terms of service quality excellence. This study identified constructs associated with LSS and empirically validated the scales to build on theory.

This research aimed at developing the Quality 4.0 transition framework for Tanzanian manufacturing industries.

The survey method was used in this study to gather practitioners' perspectives. The approach included open-ended and closed-ended structured questionnaires to assess respondents' perceptions of Quality 4.0 awareness and manufacturers' readiness to transit to Quality 4.0. The study's objective was to adopt non-probability and purposive sampling strategies. The study focused on fifteen Tanzanian manufacturing industries. The data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using MAXQADA 2020 and Minitab 20 software packages, respectively.

The study demonstrated a high level of awareness of Quality 4.0 among Tanzanian manufacturing industries (i.e. 100% in Quality 4.0 traditional attributes and 53% in Quality 4.0 modern attributes). Individuals acquire knowledge in various ways, including through quality training, work experience, self-reading and Internet surfing. The result also revealed that most manufacturing industries in Tanzania use Quality 3.0 or a lower approach to manage quality. However, Tanzanian manufacturing industries are ready to embrace Quality 4.0 since practitioners are aware of the concepts and could see benefits such as customer satisfaction, product improvement, process and continuous improvement, waste reduction and decision support when using the Quality 4.0 approach. The challenges hindering Quality 4.0 adoption in Tanzania include reliable electricity, high-speed Internet and infrastructure inadequacy to support the adoption, skilled workforces familiar with Quality 4.0-enabled technologies and a financial set-up to support technology investment. Moreover, the study developed a transition framework for an organisation to transition from traditional quality approaches such as quality control, quality assurance and total quality management to Quality 4.0, a modern quality approach aligned with the fourth industrial revolution era.

The current study solely looked at manufacturing industries, leaving other medical, service, mining and construction sectors. Furthermore, no focus was laid on the study's Quality 4.0 implementation frameworks.

This is probably the first Quality 4.0 transition framework for Tanzanian manufacturing industries, perhaps with other developing countries.

Several researchers in the construction industry have mentioned that quality of tender documents is declining without tangibly assessing quality. Similarly, in practice, no standardised instrument exists to assess tender document quality. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to develop a framework to assess the quality of tender documents produced by built environment professionals in the construction industry. A framework was chosen to address the gaps in theory and practice as it provides a flexible but structured mechanism to assess tender document quality.

The research methodology contained three stages, namely: multi-investigator triangulation, a workshop with infrastructure experts and framework development and validation. A consolidated list of key quality indicators was developed following the literature review and multi-investigator triangulation. The indicators were discussed with ten experts in the South African construction industry, who were responsible for validating and providing insight on whether additional indicators were required. This informed development of the framework.

This paper proposes a framework to assess tender document quality by evaluating six key quality indicators namely: accuracy, clarity, completeness, standardisation, relevance and certainty.

The framework is limited to the assessment of tender document quality in the construction industry and is suited to the “Design by Employer” contracting strategy. From an academic perspective, this paper provides researchers with a framework to measure and benchmark quality of tender documents in future studies.

This framework can be used by clients to continuously assess and benchmark quality of tender documents produced by professionals.

A comprehensive and standardised approach to assess tender document quality was not available in the construction literature or the construction industry. Therefore, this paper addressed this gap in knowledge, by providing consumers (clients and contractors) of tender documents and researchers a mechanism to assess quality.

This paper aims to compare the ways in which a range of quality frameworks have been validated and to identify a number of factors that have an impact on validation processes.

Seven examples of published quality frameworks applicable to the field of e‐learning are described and the methods used to validate each of the frameworks are identified and compared. The article concludes by considering a range of factors that have the potential to have an impact on such validation processes.

Six methods of validation were found to have been used in relation to development of the seven frameworks that were examined: reviewing the research literature related to effectiveness in online learning; seeking input from an expert panel; undertaking empirical research; undertaking survey research; conducting pilot projects; and drawing on case studies. From the variety of approaches used and the ways in which they were used it was concluded that a recognised set of procedures for validation of quality frameworks has not yet emerged.

The most important limitation of this study is that its findings are dependent on the particular quality frameworks selected for inclusion.

The paper draws attention to the need for more attention to be paid to the development of methods of validation that are both objective and robust.

No previous studies were located that have looked specifically at the processes used to validate quality frameworks. This paper therefore provides some initial baseline data upon which to base future work.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and describe the features of a new e‐learning quality framework developed for a large multi‐campus university. The framework is explicitly designed to improve the quality of e‐learning sites and the quality of online student learning, by developing the skills of the academics who design the sites.

This is a conceptual paper. It examines a range of existing models and literature on evaluative frameworks in e‐learning and positions the new framework within that context. It describes the features that distinguish the new framework from existing models and explains how these differences are tailored to develop the e‐learning design skills of academic staff and to encourage greater engagement with e‐learning quality initiatives across the university.

The paper identifies several features of the new framework that differ from other models and explains the inclusion of these features in terms of the support they provide for quality improvement at a university where academics are the main designers of e‐learning sites.

The paper makes a contribution to the literature on quality initiatives in e‐learning by introducing a new quality framework that differs in significant respects from other models. The rationale underpinning the inherently developmental design of this framework, as set out in this paper, may be useful to other universities where academics are the main designers of e‐learning sites.

The purpose of this study is to examine quality assurance for archives and records management (ARM) education in an open distance e-learning (ODeL) environment in Eswatini with a view to conceptualise a framework for quality assurance in the development and implementation of an ARM programme in the context of ODeL.

The study is anchored on the interpretive research paradigm, which surrounds a systematic literature review. The researcher searched for literature online, using scientific databases such as Ebsco, Scopus and Google Scholar. The search applied the publications from 2005 to 2019. The main search keywords are “archives”, “records management”, “open distance e-learning” and “quality assurance”. A total of 15 articles, which included documents, journal articles, reports, web pages and monographs, were retrieved, reviewed and analysed in this study. This conceptual study was preliminary, and the researcher hopes that further empirical studies based on the findings of this study could be pursued in future.

ARM as a form of study and delivered on ODeL platforms have been proposed in Eswatini. The major concern among stakeholders is how to ensure the quality of such programmes.

This conceptual study was preliminary, and the researcher hopes that further empirical studies based on the findings of this study could be pursued in future.

The findings and recommendations will help in the development of ARM programmes to be offered effectively by way of ODeL, there is a need to develop a transparent quality assurance framework for such an application and its implementation.

This is the first study on quality assurance for ARM education in an ODeL environment in Eswatini. As part of the study, a quality assurance framework was designed for the implementation of ARM education on an ODeL platform. This quality assurance framework is intended to help higher education institutions in Eswatini such as the University of Eswatini as well as stakeholders such as the Eswatini National Archives and others to design ARM education and deliver it on an ODeL platform in a manner that guarantees adequate quality.

This research paper aims to analyze the scientific and grey literature on Quality 4.0 and zero-defect manufacturing (ZDM) frameworks to develop an integrated quality 4.0 framework (IQ4.0F) for quality improvement (QI) based on Six Sigma and machine learning (ML) techniques towards ZDM. The IQ4.0F aims to contribute to the advancement of defect prediction approaches in diverse manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the work enables a comprehensive analysis of process variables influencing product quality with emphasis on the use of supervised and unsupervised ML techniques in Six Sigma’s DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) cycle stage of “Analyze.”

The research methodology employed a systematic literature review (SLR) based on PRISMA guidelines to develop the integrated framework, followed by a real industrial case study set in the automotive industry to fulfill the objectives of verifying and validating the proposed IQ4.0F with primary data.

This research work demonstrates the value of a “stepwise framework” to facilitate a shift from conventional quality management systems (QMSs) to QMSs 4.0. It uses the IDEF0 modeling methodology and Six Sigma’s DMAIC cycle to structure the steps to be followed to adopt the Quality 4.0 paradigm for QI. It also proves the worth of integrating Six Sigma and ML techniques into the “Analyze” stage of the DMAIC cycle for improving defect prediction in manufacturing processes and supporting problem-solving activities for quality managers.

This research paper introduces a first-of-its-kind Quality 4.0 framework – the IQ4.0F. Each step of the IQ4.0F was verified and validated in an original industrial case study set in the automotive industry. It is the first Quality 4.0 framework, according to the SLR conducted, to utilize the principal component analysis technique as a substitute for “Screening Design” in the Design of Experiments phase and K-means clustering technique for multivariable analysis, identifying process parameters that significantly impact product quality. The proposed IQ4.0F not only empowers decision-makers with the knowledge to launch a Quality 4.0 initiative but also provides quality managers with a systematic problem-solving methodology for quality improvement.

Industry 4.0 has brought about a paradigm shift in value delivery with the introduction of disruptive technologies. This has resulted in efforts by organizations to re-invent their business processes and reskill their workforce while attempting to realize digital transformation. Quality management in the context of Industry 4.0 is still in its nascent stage with researchers trying to identify key and relevant components of quality management with respect to Industry 4.0. The current study attempts to address the knowledge gap through a literature review and subsequently provide a conceptual framework for quality in the digital transformation context.

An integrative literature review was conducted to analyze and abstract knowledge from the literature on Quality 4.0 and a conceptual framework was developed based on the review.

The review revealed the motivators, building blocks and challenges for Quality 4.0. The conceptual framework discusses the salient points relevant to Quality 4.0 with respect to the people, process and technology dimensions and their sub-dimensions that can be used to build 4.0 capabilities. The proposed framework is represented to depict the conceptualization and the relationships among its components.

This study aims to contribute to the model building efforts of researchers towards Quality 4.0. The points discussed here provide an actionable direction to augment the efforts of practitioners and organizations in quality management in the context of Industry 4.0, especially digital transformation.