Real-World Applications of Quality Assurance

This chapter presents six case studies of Chinese translation companies, selected to represent diverse operational scales and geographic locations (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou). Through triangulated methodology combining questionnaires, in-depth interviews and textual analysis, this study examines two distinct quality assurance (QA) approaches: procedure-based systems featuring structured workflows with specialized roles (BJ, SH1, SH3) versus expert-oriented models relying on individual translator competence (SH2, GZ1, GZ2). Each case analysis follows a consistent framework: company profile, translation procedures, practitioner perspectives on QA challenges in China’s market and empirical assessment of translation quality using MQM–DQF error analysis and Colina’s holistic criteria. Findings reveal significant discrepancies between claimed QA practices and actual translation quality, with procedure-based companies demonstrating more consistent quality outcomes despite market pressures. The analysis highlights tensions between international QA standards and local market realities, including price competition, client education gaps and uneven adoption of translation technology. These case studies provide the empirical foundation for cross-case analysis in subsequent chapters, addressing core research questions about effective QA implementation in China’s professional translation context.