Article Details
  • Published Online:
    February  2026
  • Product Name:
    The IUP Journal of Operations Management
  • Product Type:
    Article
  • Product Code:
    IJOM030226
  • DOI:
    10.71329/IUPJOM/2026.25.1.43-62
  • Author Name:
    Avesh Patil, Salim Shamsher and Analjyoti Basu
  • Availability:
    YES
  • Subject/Domain:
    Management
  • Download Format:
    PDF
  • Pages:
    43-62
Volume 25, Issue 1, January-March 2026
Effective Application of Niche Quality Tools in the Automobile Industry
Abstract

The study focuses on the quality tools used in the automotive industry. It examines the tools professionals use and identifies the niche tools that are not widely used but are effective. Experts’ opinion was sought on the effectiveness of tools for improving quality. The study was conducted in Pune, the biggest automotive hub in India. The paper identifies niche tools that belong neither to the age-old quality tools nor to those enforced by the automotive industry, but that have quietly gained followers and are effective.

Introduction

Quality tools play a crucial role in the manufacturing process. Olalere and Ramdass (2024) found that quality improvement efforts supported by the use of the right quality tools have a significant effect on defect reduction, quality and reliability improvement, in addition to improvement in overall equipment efficiency (OEE), in the automobile industry.