Which of the following is NOT a component of the costs of quality?

Cost of quality comprises all the costs associated with ensuring that a product or service meets quality standards. The primary components of the costs of quality typically include prevention costs, appraisal costs, internal failure costs, and external failure costs.

Prevention costs are associated with activities aimed at preventing defects and ensuring quality from the start. This includes training, quality planning, and process control. Appraisal costs involve the costs of measuring and monitoring activities to ensure quality, such as inspections and testing.

External failure costs arise when a product fails to meet quality standards after it has been delivered to the customer, resulting in costs such as warranty claims, returns, and customer dissatisfaction.

Considering these components, marketing does not fit into the framework of the costs of quality. Instead, marketing involves various activities aimed at promoting and selling a product or service, which are unrelated to the costs incurred to maintain or improve quality. This distinction is crucial for understanding the comprehensive nature of quality-related expenses in an organization.