Basis for quadratic Taguchi Loss Function

[carl betterton <carlb@uga.edu>]

I have a video showing Dr. Deming drawing the Taguchi Loss Function curve.
Trying to learn more, I have read quite a bit about Taguchi's work but have
not been able to find why he used a squared (quadratic) loss term. It is
intuitive that the "loss" to society should be progressively greater as
deviation from the target grows, but why specifically a quadratic form of
loss? Was this arbitrary on Taguchi's part? I have not found where Deming
(or anyone else) explains the basis for the specific function, and wonder if
DEN subscribers know of a source. Thanks.

Carl Betterton