There are two members posts pertaining to this discussion could you come up with a thoughtful, well supported response for each member discussion. They only need to be about half of a page to one page in length for each one. And cite references in support agreements of or arguments. Expand upon the original point or provide an outside source that illustrates it. You can always disagree as well [as long as it is done in a respectful manner]. Provide a counterpoint or outside source to refute the original comment. Discussion question: What is the competitive role of quality? YOUR POST TO DISCUSSION: One of the essential ways in which both national economies and individual businesses can successfully compete in the international marketplace is through quality as it is seen as a proven competitive advantage. It's distinguished with comparative advantage, which, was seen as essential technique of flexibility making tool in trade and economic growth. The second one focuses on nations or businesses or manufacturing those goods and services at which they are most well-organized, and dealing these for goods that can be made additional efficient in other countries. While considering mutual benefit, comparative trade did not openly take into account quality as a competitive benefit. All competitive business attempts to differentiate itself through the exploitation of more than a few key factors. These factors comprise the cost charged for merchandise and services, suitable sites from which they can be offered, and by instituting a faithful customer support. Where quality as a competitive advantage comes into role is in a locale or sustaining role, as it has a straight impact on every other feature of a strategy of doing business. A best price can be charged for products that are based on apparent better quality, and this forms a propensity for clients to be logically faithful to a brand, make easy more quick growth than contestants can achieve in the equal industry. Excellence also adds a constituent of strategic benefit to industries as it counteracts most negative response and returns from clients, and decreases both rework and scrap operating expenses in the process of manufacturing. A more compound look at excellence as a competitive benefit in the industrial environment gets into what is known as Quality Function Deployment. QFD makes efforts to break down superiority into both negative and positive aspects as a guide for industries to focus their hard works on positive quality benefits over entire the rest, as this is seen as a heavier driver for structuring up the corporation. Here is given an example of negative quality feature that can be extremely focused on by industries comprises dealing with disenchanted consumers to an unnecessary scale. As an alternative, if commerce focuses on those clients who are the most contented with its goods or services and discovers ways to recover upon this feature of the commerce, it is more probable to drive the production onward. Because quality is a slanted term which can be distinct quite in a different way by commerce rivals, efforts have been made to smash it down into more than a few different object groups, such as conformance quality and design quality. Design quality is associated principally with the durability and functionality of the good in association of satisfaction of the customer. On the other hand conformance quality focuses on the unique intention for which the manufactured goods was made in spite of of the variety of uses it is put to in the market. Jointly, the compound aspects of both methods to looking at goods are integrated into what is known as Total Quality Management, which must continue client- centric in order to make easy the continued existence and enlargement of all production activities. Any organization should believe that giving tremendous level of satisfaction to its customers is essential thing for the benefit of the organization itself. It can be achieved if the product developed by the company comprises of quality of good scale. To support this promise, it has to develop various initiatives which should target only the continuous improvement of services. According to experts, it will make sure the certain things, like guarantee to complete the ongoing projects in the organization on time and within the budget of the company. It should operate a customer charter fulfilling the minimum level that is required to accept the product by the customer. If the company fails to deliver the project on time but the quality is provided fully, it can be tolerable but vice versa is not acceptable in any case. References: Douglas, T. J., & Judge, W. Q. (2001). Total quality management implementation and competitive advantage: the role of structural control and exploration. Academy of Management Journal, 44(1), 158169. Dierickx, I., & Cool, K. (1989). Asset stock accumulation and sustainability of competitive advantage. Management science, 35(12), 1504-1511. MEMBER #1's POST TO SAME DISCUSION: The competitive advantage of quality works on both sides of the equation. For the manufacturer/provider, products and services that meet their quality standards save on costs. Reengineering, and returns can drive costs up to the point an organization will not survive. On the other side, customers appreciate reliability, usability, performance, durability, aesthetics, conformance, features, and perceived quality. I think that Deming's 14 points of TQM is the most comprehensive guide to balancing quality to best suit the needs of both producer and consumer and achieving a competitive advantage. Deming suggests remaining consistent with your purpose. But, he doesn't suggest being static in your philosophy. Times change and organizations need to adapt. Quality should not be reactive but proactive by not depending on inspection of final goods. Quality should start at the first step of the process. Building relationships with suppliers instead of creating a bidding frenzy is also important. I think this is a little idealistic, but I can see where the point is to not sacrifice quality for lower production cost. Again, Deming suggests that business should not be static and always look for a way to improve. Quality is achieved by training on the job. Efficiency can be increased with people who are properly trained. And business should have good leaders. I imagine a good leader as one who trains people adequately, thinks progressively, and works efficiently. A leader will also take away the fear workers may have and provide a sense of job security. In turn, they will keep an open door policy so that subordinates can make suggestions. Sometimes things happen on the line that can go unnoticed by a manager for a long time. It is irresponsible to not encourage staff to alert management of these things. Management using slogans and quotas is also frowned upon by Deming. Low figures one quarter should be just more information on how to improve. Let workers be proud of what they do and give them dignity by promoting continuing skills development and education. And finally include them in making the organization a better place. MEMBER #2's POST TO SAME DISCUSION: "Most businesses operate in competitive markets: they have to 'take on' and 'see off' rivals. Each organisation must decide for itself how best to try and do this. Not all firms come up with the same answer and for good reason. Firstly, there are several different ways of gaining competitive advantage. Secondly, businesses need to play to their strengths and not all businesses have the same strengths. Thirdly, many markets are segmented and what is important to one set of customers may be less important to another set. So businesses need to decide which segments of the market they are targeting. Ways of seeking to gain competitive advantage include: -offering lower prices -offering clearly superior products at above avaerage prices -delivering products more quickly -offering superior customer service, including after sales service" (Business). Looking at the different ways of seeking to gain competitive advantage, all four of these are very important when competing in this economy. Most people do not want spend a lot of money for products and if people search and find the product they are looking for cheaper at other stores, people will most likely buy it. That is why places like WalMart and Target are doing very well because their prices are lower and many people shop there. Offering the superior products would be a very good thing because then they are in good shape and a consumer will not have to replace it because it was not cheaply made. If items are cheaply made then it is guaranteed that a person will have to replace it more often then someone buying a better made product. Items will be purchased more especially if it is very popular, people would be buying a popular item and usually if they go to a store they want to take it home with them the same day. So, always having the items at the store would be great for the company because then that means it will be bought from them rather than the consumer having to go to a different store to get that item because they have it on hand. Lastly, with the customer service, that is very obvious because I know with myself, if the employees are not going to be nice to me and answer my questions, I will walk out the door and go some place else because clearly they do not want my business. It is very frustrating getting an employee who is not treating you nicely. People are not going to want to shop there. http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/portakabin/the-importance-of-quality-in-creating-competitiveadvantage/what-is-quality.html#axzz3RpgOq3C1