Abstract
Nowadays quality management and specific tools can represent a challenge in SMEs (small and medium enterprises). To assure the expected quality of the products, SPC (statistical process control) combined with industry 4.0 specifics offer instantaneous responses and triggers for needed actions. Therefore, risk analyses are used as enablers for quality-oriented behaviour, and risk mitigation and identification, together with collected data, represent a comprehensive system that leads enterprises to achieve the expected performance level needed to remain competitive in the market. In addition, risk management and quality management cannot be treated without looking at the maintenance activities and policies which can have a considerable impact on those two. This paper provides a comprehensive literature review of the papers from the quality management sector and articles where risk management and maintenance are seen as facilitators for quality improvement with an impact on the performance level. The main contribution of each paper is listed in the table which simplifies the reader’s access to the work done in the field and the overview presented enables easy access to trends in this field and offers a starting point for future research by presenting the gaps.