Improving Quality Management Systems (QMS) for Pipeline Construction Activities

This work is based on a case study of a manufacturing company in Johannesburg, South Africa. The paper presents a set of findings based on an investigation into Quality Management System (QMS) implementation at a company located in the Northern part of Johannesburg. The paper discusses challenges experienced in QMS implementation, successes achieved, failures, and propose recommendations on how to improve QMS implementation and maintain a sustainable management system. Observations, unstructured interviews and structured questionnaires were used. Triangulation was concluded on 20% of respondents using unstructured interviews. Questionnaires were distributed to 114 respondents divided into three segments, namely; customers, Top Management and employees. 62% responses were received back properly completed. The results revealed that the customers involved in the study preferred to do business with companies where QMS has been implemented. The responses from Management showed that QMS implementation is of importance to them and is an empowerment tool to their employees.

Little is known about the complementary performance benefits associated with facilities’ combined use of both quality management systems (QMS) and environmental management systems (EMS), and how these performance benefits might differ from those associated with facilities’ use of only one of these management systems (or neither). We suggest that complementarities arise because each management system fosters the development of internal capabilities that facilitates the adoption and routine operationalization of the other, while maintaining differentiated goals that enhance strategic value. We examine these relationships using a sample of 2,619 manufacturing facilities operating within six OECD countries, while controlling for self-selection issues. Our findings support the idea of complementarity in that facilities, that adopt both QMS and EMS, are associated with positive business performance more than facilities that adopt either QMS or an EMS on its own, or no management system.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a generic model of Integrated Management System of Quality, Environment and Safety (IMS-QES) that can be adapted and progressively to assimilate various Management Systems, of which highlights: ISO 9001 for Quality; ISO 14001 for Environment; OHSAS 18001 for Occupational Health and Safety. Design/methodology/approach – The model was designed in the real environment of a Portuguese Organization and 160 employees were surveyed. The rate response was equal to 86 percent. The conceived model was implemented in a first phase for the integration of Quality, Environment and Safety Management Systems. Findings – Among the main findings of the survey the paper highlights: the elimination of conflicts between individual systems with resources optimization; creation of added value to the business by eliminating several types of wastes; the integrated management of sustainability components in a global market; the improvement of partnerships with suppliers of goods and services; reducing the number of internal and external audits. Originality/value – This case study is one of the first Portuguese empirical researches about IMS-QES and the paper believes that it can be useful in the creation of a Portuguese guideline for integration, namely the Quality Management Systems; Environmental Management Systems and Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems among others.

According to ISO 9000, a quality management system is part of a set of related or interacting elements of an organization that sets policies and objectives, as well as the processes necessary to achieve the quality objectives. Quality is the extent to which a set of intrinsic characteristics of an object meets the requirements. Based on these definitions, the factory, considered in this paper, S.C. APULUM S.A.,decided to implement a quality management system since 1998. Subsequently, the organization’s attention is focus on the continuous improvement of the implemented quality management system. The purpose of this paper is to study the percent of specified defects specific to ceramic products in the future to improve the quality management system. In this regard, machine learning techniques were applied for defects forecasting for different types of products: mugs, pressed plates and jiggered plates. The experimental evaluation was performed on real data sets that contain percentages about different types of defects collected in 2018-2019. The experimental results show that for each type of product exists an algorithm that forecasts the future defects.

The general goal of education is to develop Indonesian people completely in the sense that carried out education still maintain unity, diversity and develop individual’s ideals. Every citizen has the right to obtain education equally with excellence and a balance (equity) between the utilization (access) with achievement. The higher education system must be able to create a quality higher education that is also affordable by the people of Indonesia. A university leader must be in-line and lead a "quality revolution". All energy and attention are focused on the "quality revolution". For this reason, this paper will examine the Implementation of Higher Education Quality Management Systems. As a case study is that has implemented a Quality Management System. According to Law No. 12 of 2012 concerning Higher Education. Quality Higher Education is Higher Education that produces graduates who are able to actively develop their potential and produce Science and / or Technology that is useful for the Community, nation, and country. The government operates a higher education quality assurance system to get quality education. The Higher Education quality assurance system referred to consists of: a. internal quality assurance system developed by Higher Education; and b. external quality assurance system carried out through accreditation. Implementation of Quality Management Systems in Higher Education can produce Quality and Affordable Education.

Introduction-Objective: Assessing the quality of health service provision at a Department level is difficult and needs to be documented. Documentation is achieved by certification. In spite of the increasing trend for more specialized quality standards, ISO 9001:2015 is the most widespread one. The Directorate of the Department of Urology of the University General Hospital of Heraklion, in cooperation with the Hospital Administration proceeded to study/ install the quality management system (QMS) according to ISO 9001:2015 for the provision by the Department of Urology and its Special Units (Non-Invasive Urology-Lithotripsy & Cystoscopy-Urodynamics) of diagnostic, therapeutic and nursing services as well as for the production of scientific work, research activity and provision of educational services. The procedure was implemented in July 2017 through the Special Account for Research of the University of Crete; using funds from a specific program set up for the development of the Department of Urology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of certification of a Urological Department in a Public Hospital in Greece. The purpose of this study is to present the initial experience/results from the implementation of a QMS according to ISO 9001:2015 at our Department. Material and Methods: The procedure was initiated by providing medical-nursing and administrative staff with self-assessment questionnaires and special forms for problem-filling and improvement suggestions. All forms were filled in anonymously. All data gathered were processed by our quality management consultant. The results were presented to the parties involved in an open meeting at the Department and formed the basis for the QMS design. Through a 12-month strenuous workout with meetings about every 15 days, a QMS consisting of 14 procedures, two working instructions, 17 forms, and 13 administrative nursing protocols was set up. The system included 24 forms provided by the Ministry of Health and 29 clinical nursing protocols issued by the local Health Region. The staff was systematically trained in keeping them up and, with suggestions/ corrective actions the QMS was improved. Results: Through patient satisfaction questionnaires, the Department was rated with 9.1/10 (reception/stay), 9.8/10 (medical follow up), 9.3/10 (nursing care) and 9.2/10 (general service). With the implementation of the QMS, quality indicators related to medical-nursing care (drop-fall rates, fever rates, admission severity-related mortality, etc.) are monitored. Through staff meetings the progress of indicators is presented and actions are being taken aiming at improvements. The operation of the Department has been parameterized and co-perception has been conquered. By implementing a QMS, future goals have also been set: a) Higher staff participation rate problems/suggestions for improvement recording, b) Monitoring achievement of research objectives through standardized procedures, c) Higher satisfaction score achievement, d) Certification according to EN 15224, in order to introduce the of clinical risk concept by adopting scientifically registered protocols in daily diagnostic/ therapeutic practice. Conclusions: Certification of the QMS of a Urological Department in a Public Hospital is difficult but feasible. It can be successful despite organizational-technical difficulties/lack of resources. The benefits are many, such as enhancing organizational structure efficiency and improving communication within/outside the hospital.

Consumers and stakeholders have rising concerns over product quality and environmental issues, and therefore, quality and environmental management have become important topics for today’s fashion products manufacturers. This chapter presents some empirical evidence of the adoption of quality management systems (QMS) and environmental management systems (EMS) and their impact on fashion and textiles related firms’ supply chain efficiency. Although both management systems are commonly adopted in the manufacturing industries and becoming a passport to business, their actual impacts specifically on the fashion supply chain have not been explored. By investigating the adoption of ISO 9000 (a quality management system) and ISO 14000 (an environmental management system) in the U.S. fashion and textiles firms, we estimate their impact on manufacturers’ supply chain performance. Based on 284 publicly listed fashion and textiles manufacturing firms in the U.S., we find that fashion and textiles firms operating cycle time had shortened by 15.12 days in a five-year period. In the cross-sectional analysis, the results show that early adopters of ISO 9000 and high-tech textiles related firms obtained more supply chain benefits. We only find mixed results of the impact of ISO 14000 on supply chain performance.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution from the use of quality tools and the implementation of quality management systems (QMSs) to the management of an organization. The question is if these aspects have an impact on the important elements of a QMS, like critical success factors (CSFs), but more on the performance derived from its functioning.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was created and addressed to Greek companies which were certified with at least one QMS standard, in this case ISO 9001:2008.FindingsIt was concluded that companies implementing more than one QMS and more than nine quality tools gave more importance to specific CSFs of the QMS and also displayed better performance from the rest of the companies. The final conclusion is that the utilization of tools, techniques, and the implementation of more than one QMS – integration of management systems (MSs) – can contribute to many aspects of organization functioning.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was based on the perception (subjective data) of only one quality manager/representative of each company. The companies were not asked about specific actions they have established to integrate their MSs.Practical implicationsThis paper provides a closest look to the utilization of more than one QMS and the use of quality tools. These actions, as concluded, can play an important role in the management of organizations, and managers could use them in an appropriate way.Originality/valueThis paper aims to evaluate the value of QMS integration and the utilization of quality tools to specific issues of QMS as CSFs and performance in Greek companies.

Editorial comment This chapter on quality management systems looks at the ISO 9000 standards that have been applied in the construction industry in many countries over the last few years. While the way that ISO 9000 standards are applied to the construction process and the general issues associated with quality management systems are discussed, this chapter takes a slightly different approach to quality systems in the construction industry. The chapter outlines the development of an integrated quality and safety management system. The system uses the ISO 9000 standards and the twenty clauses that make up that standard, however it shows how the standards can be developed and applied for safety management in the construction industry.

The aim was to produce quality results that clinical laboratories need to implement and maintain continuous quality improvement systems. In recent years, health organizations have increasingly prioritized the quality of laboratory services by implementing quality management systems (QMSs) and building quality improvement activities. Efforts to strengthen laboratory systems in the African region have received increased attention in recent years. Assessing the implementation levels of laboratory quality management system components is important to identify the gaps that need further improvements. A cross-sectional study design was used between March and May 2017 in selected government hospitals of Ethiopia, and sample size was determined using a finite population formula, and a proportional sampling technique was employed; a sample size of 184 (62%) was calculated from 295 laboratory professionals. All respondents were informed about the laboratory's experience in the quality management system implementation; of those, only 138 (79%) engaged in the implementation process. From the 18 selected laboratory quality management components, 5 were observed to have the list implementation status, which are: (1) Performance of internal quality control for all tests, (2) Development and communication of a quality manual for all tests, (3) Adequacy of storage space for the supplies, (4) Development of an action plan based on internal audit, and (5) monitoring of environmental conditions. Running quality controls for all types of tests became a headache in almost all laboratories. From 12 selected quality indicators studied in this research, the 5 indicators with either poor or very poor performance outcome were: control of documents 136 (77.7%), control of records 123 (70.3%), development of manuals and policies 122 (69.7%), development of process and procedures 120 (68.6%), and internal communication 114 (65.1%). This research indicated the top 3 LQMS components with either poor or very poor implementation status: (1) Performance of internal quality controls for all tests, (2) Development and communication of quality manuals for all tests, (3) Adequacy of storage space for the supplies. Of the quality indicators studied, control of documents was perceived to have poor performance outcome by 136 (77.7%) of study participants.

This research analyzes the relationship between the Quality Management System (QMS) and Cybersecurity in three key sectors: banking, industry, and educational institutions. QMS plays a crucial role in developing a culture of quality, compliance with standards, and continuous improvement. On the other hand, Cybersecurity is essential for protecting data, assets, and public trust from cyberattack threats. The aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between the implementation of QMS and the effectiveness of Cybersecurity methods in these three different sectors. The method used is a case study with a qualitative approach through literature analysis, which includes the study of international standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 27001, as well as related academic articles. The results of the study indicate that a well-planned and coordinated implementation between QMS and Cybersecurity can produce a more flexible, accountable, and sustainable management system. These findings have practical implications for organizations in developing quality policies and cybersecurity initiatives that mutually support one another.

Colombia has strengthened regulations to ensure standardized food safety and quality in bovine slaughterhouses. To this end, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection designed to empower INVIMA, as the governing and coordinating authority for the operation of the Official Meat Inspection, Surveillance and Control System. This regulation aims to evaluate the technical conditions of infrastructures, slaughter processes and quality and safety assurance systems. in the rationalization of public animal slaughtering facilities (PASFs). This study aims to promote easy-to-implement methodological practices to improve health and safety compliance in 47 cattle slaughterhouses. Sanitary profiles were designed based on the HACCP system and in accordance with Colombian regulations. Scores were established for the infrastructure, sanitary and environmental characteristics of the PASFs through the application of the Leopold Matrix as a monitoring system. The results indicate 32% of slaughterhouses comply with minimum requirements, with significant deficiencies in equipment and waste management systems. There was evidence of scarce equipment, in addition, they do not have an efficient quality and safety management system to ensure the slaughter processes. Multivariate analysis revealed that 70-90% of slaughterhouses fail to meet minimum standards established by Decree 1500 of 2007 and its modifications. It was shown that this methodology allows the establishment of a model for monitoring, follow-up, and assessment of compliance with the minimum requirements of HACCP plans and local regulations.

The aim of the study was to explore the challenges that principals experience in the implementation of quality management system (QMS) in Schools within Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The main problem which the study investigated was concerned with the factors that lead to principal’s leadership challenges in implementing QMS in the Mashishila and Badplaas circuits’ schools. The study utilized pragmatism as a research paradigm, this allowed for many different ways of interpreting data in this case from both quantitative and qualitative sources. The population of the study was 443 school principals of Gert Sibande District of Mpumalanga province of South Africa. The sample size was 214 and this included 8 participants who took part in a focus group discussion while the rest participated in a survey. In terms of data analysis quantitative analysis was applied for close ended questions that were drawn from responses from the survey. Quantitative data was processed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer software version 2.0 and results of such analysis were presented in tables and figures. Qualitative data analysis was completed by first categorizing and discussing responses for each item according to themes (thematic analysis), before editing and coding. From the findings of the FGD study it was clear participants felt strongly regarding the Department of Education’s failure to give school adequate technical support to ensure that the QMS implementation is efficient. Furthermore, evidence drew from some of the participants through the FGD voiced and severe shortages of specialists in QMS who can best advise the schools on the technical aspects of the implementation. The study also revealed that there is existence of sabotage and politics at the workplace. This scenario was regarded as one of the factors significantly influencing the lack of effectiveness of QMS implementation by the principals. It was revealed that the inadequacy of leadership skills amongst principals was a challenge they faced in the implementation of the QMS. It is recommended that the DoE reviews the financial resource being channeled to schools for the implementation of QMS with the view of liaising with schools in order to increase the resources. An increase in the available resource will ease some of challenges especially on resources required to engage the technical support through frequent workshops for school managers to effectively implement the programmes. It was recommended that the DoE considers the engagement of the independent body or bodies to oversee and evaluate the implementation of quality management system in schools. This will bring integrity and transparency to the implementation process of QMS.

Result of the implementation of a quality management system based on the ISO 9001:2015 standard in a surgical intensive care unit.

In this article, the authors describe the main aspects of the formation of integrated management systems based on the draft GOST R ISO 9001-2015 «Quality management systems. Requirements», GOST R ISO 14001-2016 «Environmental Management Systems. Requirements and guidance for use», GOST R ISO 45001-2020 «Occupational safety and health management systems. Requirements and guidelines for use» and STO Gazprom 9001-2018 «Quality management system. Requirements». Algorithms for the formation of an integral management system are given. In this article, the authors use statistical data and analysis of the results of the internal audit of system management in the process of forming an internal management system.