Both private and public organizations have a need for continuous improvement to better use existing resources and to better satisfy customer needs. In this area, the research team develops knowledge and skills in quality development - based on customer focus, continuous improvement and teamwork - as well as methods and tools to support this.

Our research is well anchored in practical reality where we create new knowledge together with those we serve. We innovate and improve health and social care through research and education on quality improvement and leadership for change. Central research areas are:

• quality improvement
• leadership development
• co-production
• innovation
• patient safety

CTF, at Karlstad University, conducts research on value creation through services based on the needs of individuals, organizations and societies. The research contributes to the development of new knowledge about value creation processes. Central research areas are service development and innovations, dynamic customer relations and organization, customer experience and quality.

At KTH, much of the research that concerns quality management and systematic improvement work is carried out at our newly started campus in Södertälje, an activity that is run in close collaboration with, among others, Scania and AstraZeneca. Our main area is Sustainable Production Development where we work a lot with how production, improvement and quality drive a more sustainable development. Here is also our Leancentrum where we, in collaboration with Chalmers, run training within Produktionslyftet.

Central research areas at KTH regarding quality have since the subject of quality was introduced in 1989 been very much about strategic quality management, quality failure costs, systematic improvement work in various forms (Lean, Six Sigma etc) and product development (DFSS and LPD).

The research at the division is conducted on the basis of identified societal challenges, such as sustainable and attractive cities, future health and healthcare, sustainable and ethical supply chains, competitive production and logistics, more efficient and customer-oriented public operations and new business models. This means that our research is needs-driven and takes place in close collaboration with our stakeholders.

Research in quality engineering focuses on quantitative approaches and tools such as experimental design, statistical process control, traceability, time series analysis and system reliability as well as more qualitative aspects of quality development such as leadership, learning and implementation issues. We also study circular economy, management for sustainability, optimized logistics solutions and more. Our research is based on the needs of industry and other organizations and in close collaboration with the various actors in society.

The research at the Department of Service Science is based on current societal problems where the service sector is in focus. It problematizes, questions, contributes with new perspectives and shows sustainable ways forward for the service society.

Central research areas within LU regarding quality are Lean, continuous improvement, sustainable quality management, E-quality, Quality and Service Management in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Quality Culture, learning, innovation, health and human perspective in working life, value-based leadership and management. This research area addresses questions such as what is sustainable quality leadership? What creates value in an organization? And how do organizations and companies make the best use of their resources?

Research areas for quality engineering at Mid Sweden University include sustainable business development with a systems perspective as a starting point. Special focus is directed towards:

- Quality and leadership development
- Engaged, strengths-based and values-based leadership and management
- Values-based organizational culture
- Health promoting business development
- Customer value
- Customer-focused product and process development.

Research is conducted on quality linked to organizational learning, health in working life, leadership, performance with creativity, flow etc, measurement of group-flow and decision quality.

Sustainable quality development with a focus on underlying mechanisms is also in focus.

The research also highlights the challenge for organizations to balance between internal efficiency (doing things right) and external efficiency (doing the right things).