Abstract

[This abstract is based on the authors' abstract.] Increasing pressure on high-volume manufacturing companies competing in a global market may cause degradation in procedural compliance when compliance and production schedules conflict. With statistical process control (SPC), out-of-control conditions frequently require that processes be shut down until the problem is identified and corrected. This can be difficult if SPC procedures are poorly integrated into the existing business system. A model derived from sample surveys, focus group data and interviews shows the interrelationship between organizational functions and explains why attempts to integrate SPC into business systems can fail. A sociotechnical model is proposed which describes de-evolution of SPC and how to avoid it.