Quality management systems as factors in assuring (English- Arabic) translation quality in translation projects

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW1

Theories on quality management1

TQM4

Theories and approaches on translation quality5

Translation quality control8

Quality control of translation process10

Translation quality in translation workflow12

History of the international assessment approaches of translation15

REFERENCES18

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

Theories on quality management

Quality and productivity are considered as two sides of the same coin. In order to lead and operate an organization successfully it is necessary to direct and control it in a transparent and systematic manner (ISO, 2005). The American Society for Quality (ASQ) defines quality as: “Quality is defined as a subjective term for which each person has his or her own definition. In technical usage, quality can have two meanings such as a product or service which is free of deficiencies it can be defined as the characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs or” (American society for quality, 2003, n.a). This definition explicitly recognizes the subjective element as well as at least two dimensions customer needs and conformance to specifications (i.e., absence of defects). All that contributes to enhancing the quality positively affects the productivity of the company. At the time that the quality is improved, reduces the cost of customer security, as the cost of servicing and maintenance. To understand the roles quality plays in an organization, one must first understand how the term is defined. This is much easier said than done; quality can be defined from numerous perspectives and in both objective and subjective terms. Garvin's five approaches to defining quality reveal some additional dimensions of quality According to Garvin (1987) value-based definitions take these four approaches one step further by defining quality in terms of cost and price.

Garvin suggested that companies do not need to stand out on all dimensions of quality in order to flourish (Garvin, 1987, 34). The primary criticism of this view is that it does not provide a means to measure quality and hence for managers to make decisions.

Product based view of quality is based on determining the quality of product on the basis of a certain measureable characteristics. It can be explained by an example which is based on a car whose quality can be reflected by its mileage and horsepower rating. Since this approach is quantitative hence it represents some attributes will be highly variable (Garvin, 1987, 34).

According to user based approach quality can be defined on the basis of the fact that 'customer is always right' in view of quality. This view is very subjective in regards that a customer is responsible for exactly defining the quality. Moreover, another way of stating this view is 'fitness for intended use' (Garvin, 1987, 34).

The most objective view of quality is manufacturing based which is analytical and can be summed up on the basis of certain specifications which are acceptable due to the reason it is known as conformance quality. The difficulty is that this fusion of 'affordable excellence' lacks ...