Um Estudo Sobre O Grau de Maturidade e a Evolução da Gestão Pela Qualidade Total no Setor deTransformação Cearense por Meio da Teoria da Resposta ao Item

Abstract

The objective of this text is to apply the Item Response Theory (IRT) to evaluate the maturity degree of the manufacturing industry of medium and large scale based in the Ceará State, Northeastern Brazil, on the use of Total Quality Management (TQM) and its evolution over the past decade, based on comparative study carried out by Alexander (1999). The methodology for data collection was based on the completion of a quantitative survey covering this universe, through a structured questionnaire based on Likert scale of five categories. Based on a maturity scale constructed from the parameters of the IRT, it was possible to observe and compare the two moments and conclude that the evolution of the maturity degrees on that period focused on the industrial park was a kind of shy, especially if we consider the intensification of market competition in recent decades, especially in the last ten years with the expansion of globalization and quality as a competitive top to stay on the market.