An investigation on the impact of procurement quality management in a nuclear power station

Abstract

This research project in Procurement Quality Engineering was conducted at a Nuclear Power Generation Company in the Western Cape, South Africa. During the past decade, quality management has become increasingly recognised as highly desirable for all organisations at all levels. All organisations, to varied degrees, can benefit from the application of quality management skills in some parts of their daily operations. The research project will investigate the impact or effect of late deliveries of spares on the operational cost of the organisation. The organisation is not aware what impact the delivery of spares has on operating costs. Against the above background, the problem to be researched within the ambit of this dissertation reads as follows: "Poor product and / or service delivery from Vendors and / or Suppliers have an adverse impact on the output of the Procurement Quality Department" .The primary research objectives of this study are the following: ~ To emphasise the importance of quality within the supply chain. ~ To investigate the impact of non-conforming items delivered to a Nuclear Power Plant. ~ To determine measures which can be put in place to improve communication between suppliers, vendors, buyers and procurement quality engineering. ~ To determine or investigate the cost of poor quality in the organisation. ~ To improve the quality of goods and services through the application of a quality management system within the supply chain. The research method used in this research project involved both qualitative and quantitative research processes. Questionnaires and statistical techniques were used to analyse the data, and to draw conclusions and recommend possible areas for improvement. The research methodology falls within the ambit of a case study.