What is Quality 4.0? An exploratory sequential mixed methods study of Italian manufacturing companies

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the scientific debate on Quality 4.0 by exploring the main theoretical themes underpinning the Quality 4.0 model and how the model may be developed. An exploratory sequential mixed methods design was employed to study two different samples of Italian manufacturing companies over two phases. For each sample, a different questionnaire was distributed to the companies' quality managers. As a result, eleven themes were elicited and tested. These themes are related to model development, top management, process mapping, data collection and integration with the enterprise resource planning system, use of artificial intelligence software, machine-to-machine data communication, product identification and traceability, document control and digital skills for quality control staff. A theoretical model for Q4.0 is proposed that encapsulates eleven themes of Q4.0 across three categories- people, process, and technology. Results could be particularly helpful for practitioners who may use them as a guideline for implementing and developing Quality 4.0 in a typical Industry 4.0 environment.