Special issue: Innovation behind quality: the new challenge for quality methods and tools

International Journal of Technology Management 37(1/2) 2007 is a special issue: Innovation behind quality: the new challenge for quality methods and tools. The aim is to defend the thesis that efforts related to quality are value-adding ones. In some sense, the thesis sustained here is that quality is strongly related to innovation and, thus, is a prerequisite for the growth of enterprises and, finally, for the wealth of nations. The papers are ordered in a sort of plan-do-check-act sequence, according to the concept that the famous improvement cycle can be applied also to research and innovation. The PLAN contributions deal with more theoretical issues, whereas the DO contributions concern strictly technical topics, analysing some specific tool or methodology related to quality that can contribute to the innovation effort in the enterprise. The CHECK contributions treat the measurement of performances. Finally, the ACT contributions give the flavour of the embodiment of the quality and innovation concepts in real operating environments.