ABSTRACT
The common conception about quality control is that it is achieved by diligence, a good attitude and hard work. Yet there are many companies where the employees display all these attributes and the quality of the product is poor. An example of this is the construction of the famous Liberty ships of World War II. These were ships hastily constructed to transport supplies to some of America’s allies. Largely due to the fact that everyone — designers, welders, shipwrights, painters, engineers, etc.— had a keen sense that they were engaged in an activity which was essential for the survival of the United States, there was strong motivation. Unfortunately, keenness was not enough, and these ships were prone to sinking, sometimes immediately after being launched. Naturally, in the case of a wartime emergency, it could be argued that it is quite reasonable to sacrifice quality in order to increase production. If America had insisted that Liberty ships be perfect, then the war might have been lost. There is some merit in this argument, and to one extent or another the argument can be used in any production setting. There are orders to be filled by a specific date. If a company cannot make the deadline, then it is quite possible that the order will be given to another company. Short range concerns may, in some cases, overwhelm the long range goals of delivering a product of the best possible quality to a customer.
