Abstract
Quality improvement is essential in gaining a competitive edge in todays market. This paper is an assessment of quality awareness in the manufacturing sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A survey is conducted in the Eastern Province, a centre of the petrochemical industry and other types of industries in the Kingdom. The survey includes 87 companies. The use of statistical process tools and the adoption of modern quality control concepts, such as quality circles and total quality management, are investigated. Results show an encouraging trend of adopting modern quality control technology specially among large companies. This technology is transferred mainly through joint ventures with foreign companies.