Linking the Quality and Productivity Movements

The twin subjects of quality and productivity have, in recent times,become a major concern of those responsible for the management of our national economy and of industry. The reasons for this stem from the observation of practice and results in Japan and (more recently) other developed nations. Now it is generally accepted that quality and productivity are the strategic elements on which our economic future depends. Rapid changes in the global economic environment lead to a requirement that we must establish an initiative which allows us to address simultaneously these two important issues of quality and productivity. There is a growing realization in every sphere, be it government, industry or commerce, that we must move fast and move successfully. This article is an attempt to explain some of the issues involved in linking quality and productivity in such a way that the interaction of the two is established in the eyes and minds of all those who have influence within the different sectors of the economy,different academic disciplines, and most importantly, those who are the planners, practising managers and administrators.