The Readiness of the Palestinian Dairy Industry towards Implementing Statistical Process Control رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

Statistical process control (SPC) is less practiced by practitioners and less addressed by research in developing countries than in developed countries. This study empirically investigates the readiness of the Palestinian dairy firms to implement the SPC methodology. More specifically, this study aims to detect the perceived determinants of implementing SPC and assess the readiness level of SPC implementation considering two perspectives: the organizational and methodological requirements. Finally, it examines if there are differences in readiness among dairy firms based on their demographic characteristics, including size, quality accreditation, or age. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are used in this descriptive cross-sectional study; The study population consisted of all the 15 Palestinian dairy companies listed in the Palestinian Ministry of The National Economy (MNE) records. A sample of 10 dairy companies was selected using the convenience sampling method. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with key actors in the sector; interviewees are government officials and industry managers. Then, of the 65 distributed questionnaires, 37 usable questionnaires were returned for quantitative analysis. Descriptive, inferential statistical analyses and regression are used to analyze quantitative data. While thematic analysis is used to analyze qualitative data. The main qualitative findings show that the Palestinian dairy producers are ready for the SPC implementation process regarding top management commitment, measurement system, process performance, and testing parameters. However, they are not prepared for this process regarding the organizational culture, urgency to change, employee involvement, and quality control tools. V On the other hand, the main quantitative findings show that the respondents have a high level of readiness for the SPC implementation process in terms of top management commitment, process performance, and testing parameters. In comparison, they have a moderate level of readiness for this process in terms of the measurement system and employee involvement. Also, the respondents have a relatively low level of readiness for this process in terms of organizational culture, the urgency to change, and quality control tools. Palestinian dairy firms differ in their readiness to implement SPC based on their quality system accreditation, but there are no significant differences between the respondents based on their size. Encouraging policies for quality accreditation will position dairy producers closer to SPC implementation. Besides, top managers must play a vital role in achieving a companywide understanding of SPC benefits by recruiting specialists and professionals in data analysis methods and formulating regular training programs about statistical thinking, data collection, and sampling plans for statistical stability and capability. Knowledge and effective implementation of quality control tools to improve their process performance is also required.