Using fuzzy logic to investigate and improve quality diffusion among less resourceful supply links

The paper presents the findings of a research that investigated the phenomenon of the beneficial influence that an SME can potentially make oil its small suppliers in terms of their product quality and quality practices. The research builds on the premise that small suppliers being inherently resource constrained do not have a generalized ability to invest in Quality Improvement initiatives. Similarly, their buyers themselves being SMEs; though having some quality structures in place; might not be able to invest in Supplier Improvement/Development programs, or Supply Chain Integration initiatives; thus the whole supply link may potentially be snack into a low efficiency circle. The research conducted a deep investigation into the phenomenon of diffusion of quality from buyers to suppliers; a better understanding of which would enable the actors to strengthen the factors accelerating such diffusion, thus elevating the overall efficiencies of the supply links. The linguistic attributes of the factors thus highlighted have been fuzzified and defuzzified, using Fuzzy Set Theory to get crisp value of the impact of these factors on Supply Chains. The paper concludes by presenting a model of strengthening the diffusion phenomenon by accelerating the positive factors and decelerating the negative ones. The study offers a unique in-depth investigation into the cultural aspects of less resourceful supply chains. The results can potentially become the basis for cost effective quality practices for small suppliers, devising quality standards; that are specific to particular supply chains and are more relevant in the cultural context; and development of Integrated Quality Management frameworks across supply chains members.