A key characteristics-based model for quality assurance in supply chain

Quality assurance in supply chain would be more complicated due to multi-organization involvement, collaborative business management, internal & external communication, multi-process alternating, and function crossing. Based on the analysis of key factors for quality assurance in supply chain, a feasible solution is elicited to solve these critical problems. The concept of key characteristics (KCs) is adopted to define the product key features for quality control and improvement. A four-stage KCs-based model covering definition, structure, deployment and assurance is proposed, The model can support KCs transferring in supply chain and assure the product quality responsibilities arrange appropriately, so that buyers and suppliers can collaborate together for quality assurance goals.