Integrated QFD and Knowledge Management System for the Development of Common Product Platform

Abstract

This paper provides a framework to implement quality function deployment (QFD) with knowledge management (KM) in the form of an integrated quality and knowledge management system (IQKS). This inter-organizational information system enables the sharing of information among customers, manufacturers and suppliers in the new product development process. It links up various strategically independent and autonomous business entities together in a common product platform (CPP). Up to now little has been published academically on sharing vital information involving the give-away of a firm’s bargaining position about customers, product specification and process requirement. The common product platform facilitates an innovative organization to persuade like-minds in coming together and opening up useful and relevant information to all parties interested in creating a new level of competitive advantage in assessing the dynamics of market realities. They share knowledge and learn to support new organizational capabilities to leverage information technology that incorporate market knowledge, design knowledge, process knowledge and production knowledge.