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Purpose Quality 4.0 refers to a modern quality management approach that uses Industry 4.0 technologies, integration and digitalisation. This research explores the current understandings of Quality 4.0 in various publications. The focus is on Quality 4.0 concepts or explanations, available models, motivation and readiness factors for adoption, enablers and technologies that can be leveraged. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was deployed to collect the findings. This paper employs bibliometric, scientometric and visual analytic tools to identify and analyse articles from Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), Google Scholar databases and other sources such as ScienceDirect and Taylor and Francis. Findings The bibliometric results revealed that Quality 4.0 publications began in 2016 and increased dramatically in 2020 and 2021, with India leading the way while scientometric analysis found no clear definition of Quality 4.0 hitherto. However, several authors have defined the concept of Quality 4.0, arguing that it is characterised by digitalisation and integration, Industry 4.0 technologies applications and big data management. Some of the Quality 4.0 models published in the theoretical underpinnings include total quality management (TQM) in the basis of Industry 4.0 model, the European Foundation for quality management model, Quality 4.0 model combining operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) through digital transformation and the LSN Research eleven axes of Quality 4.0 model. The research highlights key enablers of Quality 4.0 adoption, such as enabling technologies, big data capability, skilled and competent workers, collaboration and leadership support. Research limitations/implications The findings can benefit Quality 4.0 researchers and practitioners on the available Quality 4.0 models, motivation and readiness factors for Quality 4.0 adoption, enablers and leveraged technologies in Quality 4.0. Originality/value This study attempted to explore the current understandings of Quality 4.0 concepts to sediment these emerging quality management concepts for manufacturing industries.

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PurposeThis research aimed at developing the Quality 4.0 transition framework for Tanzanian manufacturing industries.Design/methodology/approachThe survey method was used in this study to gather practitioners' perspectives. The approach included open-ended and closed-ended structured questionnaires to assess respondents' perceptions of Quality 4.0 awareness and manufacturers' readiness to transit to Quality 4.0. The study's objective was to adopt non-probability and purposive sampling strategies. The study focused on fifteen Tanzanian manufacturing industries. The data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using MAXQADA 2020 and Minitab 20 software packages, respectively.FindingsThe study demonstrated a high level of awareness of Quality 4.0 among Tanzanian manufacturing industries (i.e. 100% in Quality 4.0 traditional attributes and 53% in Quality 4.0 modern attributes). Individuals acquire knowledge in various ways, including through quality training, work experience, self-reading and Internet surfing. The result also revealed that most manufacturing industries in Tanzania use Quality 3.0 or a lower approach to manage quality. However, Tanzanian manufacturing industries are ready to embrace Quality 4.0 since practitioners are aware of the concepts and could see benefits such as customer satisfaction, product improvement, process and continuous improvement, waste reduction and decision support when using the Quality 4.0 approach. The challenges hindering Quality 4.0 adoption in Tanzania include reliable electricity, high-speed Internet and infrastructure inadequacy to support the adoption, skilled workforces familiar with Quality 4.0-enabled technologies and a financial set-up to support technology investment. Moreover, the study developed a transition framework for an organisation to transition from traditional quality approaches such as quality control, quality assurance and total quality management to Quality 4.0, a modern quality approach aligned with the fourth industrial revolution era.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study solely looked at manufacturing industries, leaving other medical, service, mining and construction sectors. Furthermore, no focus was laid on the study's Quality 4.0 implementation frameworks.Originality/valueThis is probably the first Quality 4.0 transition framework for Tanzanian manufacturing industries, perhaps with other developing countries.

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