Many of the manufacturing problems and defects that have resulted in recent product recalls stem from global supply chains, which is a failure as much of management as it is anything else. However bleak the situation may seem, all is not lost. Indeed, the responsibility for quality manufacturing finally seems to be taking hold across all levels of the enterprise.
Talk to the manufacturing community about quality's place in today's environment and a clear pattern emerges--companies are finally grasping the notion of shared responsibility. If quality is truly everyone's responsibility, then the idea goes beyond the shop floor and into the front office, the service department and everywhere else that provides value to customers and shareholders.
Source: Industry Week, http://industryweek.com