Three essentials of product quality.

Responding to the challenge of superior-quality products from overseas is one of the best ways to improve the effectiveness of any manufacturing organization, the outcome of which reaps benefits far beyond immediate quality improvement to meet foreign competition. Application of an evenhanded response to this challenge requires an understanding of the factors that determine quality and product performance. In this article the authors identify the major areas that provide the leverage for improvement, discuss the significant problems that managers face in making the transition to meet world-class standards, and recommend several courses of action. These quality-enhancing methods clearly apply also to manufacturers in industries where foreign competition is not yet a threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]