Quality Management System and ISO9000 in the ABCD Company - Case Study Example

Findings, Disсussiоn, Соnсlusions and Rесоmmеndаtiоns Name Course Institution Abstract The purpose of the research is to determine the barriers that affect the implementation of a quality management system and ISO9000 in the ABCD Company. The purpose of this report is to explain the logistics of the survey, the field experience, its impact on the results, the findings, the recommendations, and the conclusions drawn from such findings. It can be described as a combination of descriptive and review research design. The proposal consists of the company overview, a SWOT analysis, and the recommendation to research for three relevant CLOs in the organization. It also outlines the research objectives as the Determination of the mutual types of barriers affecting the implementation of ISO 9000 standards in ABCD Company and any organizations around the world. The research design and timeline are also outlined with details of the activities scheduled for the different times. The other is the identification of the ABCD Company quality management system requirements and Concepts that are provided in its IS09000 standards. The collection of the primary data makes use of instruments such as questionnaires, interviews, participation in the managerial meetings, and face-to-face interactions with the employees and the managers. The random sampling method is applied for the selection of the respondents among the employees. The data analysis is done by the compilation of the responses into a rating scale represented in graphical form with the response percentages in the last page of the research document. According to the combined research, the most projected result is the negative impact of the lack of the involvement of the entire organization in the implementation processes of the IS09000 through contributions, training, and communication between the managers and the employees. The oil industry is one of the main contributors of the global economy and globalization. Oil companies in the UAE such as the ABCD Company make a significant contribution to the survival and development of the economy of the UAE. The research project focuses on the performance of the ABCD Company that is ISO9000 certified in relation to competition with other similar companies within the UAE and beyond and the internal factors that determine its success. The study involves the analysis of the mode of operation of the company. According to the analysis, the company ensures it meets the expectations of the shareholders through profit maximization, quality operations and the practice of its corporate responsibilities. However, an analysis performed on the company reveals weaknesses in employee and asset management, extent of adherence to the ISO9000 requirements, and human capability among the TPI contractors. The research consists of various procedures and interactions with different people within the organization for the collection of information. Findings A rating scale is also generated to compare the responses of the respondents. The conclusions drawn from the rating scale confirm the lack of understanding of the ISO9000 QMS by all the members of the company. It is one of the major barriers to the implementation of the principles. The secondary research established that the problems of the company lay in the employee management and human capability. The primary research established more problems, some which were related to problems in the implementation of the ISO9000 QMS. The ABCD Company failed to consider prior training before the launch of the ISO9000 procedures that included technological advancements. As a result, there was complete awareness of the use of the ISO9000 QMS within the company but limited understanding of the ISO9000 details. The leadership team understood the details of the ISO9000 QMS whereas the manual laborers and other employees struggled to understand. There is evidence from the literature review that shows the impact of the lack of training programs is detrimental to organization that perpetrate for change. Training is an important factor in QMS and preparedness for change because it provides awareness of the fundamentals of QMSLISO9000[DLi99]. According to the data from the secondary research, the ABCD Company is ISO9000 certified and uses the ISO9000 QMS to run the company. The overall efficiency of the company from the management, production and supply are some of the advantages of the use of the ISO9000 QMS. According to the literature review, a company that runs with adherence to the ISO9000 experiences internal efficiency and customer satisfaction because of the efficiency of the supply chain and adherence to customer preferences[LMa97]. Therefore, after the analysis and the determination of the strengths and weaknesses within the company, the expectation was to find minimal functional problems and more external problems with regard to government policies and competition. However, the expectations were different from the outcome whereby there was the establishment of major managerial inefficiencies and even problems with the implementation off the ISO9000. Efficiency and the elimination of process errors are some of the qualities assumed by a company upon the adoption of the ISO9000[Per]. For instance, there was the expectation that the implementation of the ISO9000 only increases the workload of the employees thus the low performance in assets management. The rating scale, however, indicates a higher response of disagreement to the claim. However, the rating scale draws a clear line between the qualification of the staff and the difficulties in the implementation of their duties. The lack of organizational training initiatives is blamed for the inefficiencies whereas the respondents strongly disagree that the inefficiencies are a result of inadequate education. The lack of motivation and employee-resistance also determine the poor performance of the ABCD Company in the implementation of the ISO9000. Data from the literature review shows this as the greatest barrier to the implementation of the ISO9000 objectives. Employees that have been working a long time avoid the challenge of learning new skills because they are fear losing face. Besides that, the other expected findings went as predicted with detailed analyses of the problems behind the employee management and human capability. The UAE relies on oil production as its main economic activity and the performance of oil companies is essential for the success of the UAE economy. The success of the ABCD Company is essential for the economy of the country, especially since it provides employment to a significant number of people in Abu Dhabi. The research sheds light to the importance of effective management and communication within companies for efficient operations and incorporation of chance. Regard for employee satisfaction is central to the smooth operations because they are the primary implementers of such operations. Discussions The SWOT analysis yielded results based on the perspectives of the external sources that had previously analyzed the company and the perspectives of the managers. The project goals were then developed from the SWOT analysis where the objectives included the need to address the weaknesses of the company and provide recommendations with regard to the threats. The analysis brought the need to determine mutual types of barriers affecting the implementation of ISO 9000 standards in ABCD Company and any organizations around the world. The Identification of the ABCD Company quality management system requirements and Concepts that are provided in IS09000 standards also came up as a necessity. The design of the study was an action research whereby the scope was restricted to the company and the people associated with the company. The purpose of the research was the evaluation of the company and the advantage that the ISO9000 certification granted it within the competitive oil industry. The effectiveness of the ISO9000 was evaluated and the comparison between the expected outcome of the application of the ISO9000 and the actual outcome showed different results. Research Analysis Strengths The strengths of the research include the use of reliable sources of secondary data. The data helped in the survey preparation process for the collection of the primary data for the primary data collection part of the research. The efficiency experienced during the field surveys was an advantage in the process because of the timely data analysis and the availability of most of the expected information. The timely information of the people involvement prior to the interviews helped in the participation of most of the respondents. The availability of a member of the research team with affiliations with the organization was an added advantage because of the increased accessibility to the company. There formalities of asking for a day to interact with the employees for interviews and participation in a rather confidential managerial meeting were easily obtained. Limitations There were limitations in the primary research methods whereby there was inadequate representation of various departments because of the random sampling method. The sample was limited to sixty people who were selected through random sampling. As a result, some departments such as the TPI department were overrepresented whereas others like the supply chain management and assets management departments were underrepresented. The other limitation was in the time spent for the research. It was enough to follow the set procedures but not enough to involve better qualitative research strategies. The individual interview of several managers was essential for the objectivity of the responses free of group influence. Instead, the data collection from the managerial team was collected through records from meeting proceeds and a general question-answer session. Group psychology is one of the negative attributes of group interviews, especially when the responses are crucial for analyses[Sau14]. The secondary research influenced the time and methods that were formulated for the research. The disparities between the primary data and the secondary research data was a limitation in hat it caused inadequate preparedness for the primary research. It seemed necessary to have more time for interviews with individual managers. Recommendations The findings revealed numerous problems in the implementation process of the ISO9000 QMS. Some of the main inefficiencies included insufficient employee involvement in the change processes, the lack of effective communication methods in the organizational culture, and the subsequent problems in implementation of the new policies. The company had good ideas with regard to the ways required to move forward and overcome the threats that faced the company. The data collected from the managerial meeting established the existence of good policies. There was the establishment of various recommendations for the better performance of the company to overcome its weaknesses and avoid the implications of the threats. The recommendations of the research methodology include the reduction of group interviews to focus more on individual interviews to ensure objectivity. The use of systematic sampling is also more effective in ensuring the even representation of all the departments within the research population. The organizational culture should invest more on processes that ensure employee involvement in decisions on how to implement change. The involvement of the employees is essential because they are the members of the company involved in the primary implementation of such changes[Chr16]. The involvement of employees in decision-making processes creates a sense of ownership in the operations of the company and the subsequent efficiency in the implementation of such decisions[Dod15]. The company also needs to prioritize employee-training programs with regard to the new technologies and procedural changes. That way, all the employees end up with the necessary skills required for the completion of their duties, and their confidence in such implementations is increased. A boost in employee-confidence encourages innovation and self-drive which are the main drivers of success and competitiveness in a company[Jos13]. There is also need for more effort on the part of the management to give the appropriate support to the human and technical processes. Top management must to be the initial in stimulating and applying the QMS approach and accepting the maximum for the service and product offered with providing the leadership to motivate the employee. Another recommendation lies in the organizational culture that restricts the free flow of information between the management and the employees. The incorporation of change in an organization is a delicate process whose success depends on the effectiveness of the communication of such changes. The company faces the threats of competition, increased interest rates, strict government policies and threats to employment of the staff. The sustainability of the profits of the company is, therefore, essential in the prevention of the negative impact of such threats to the wellbeing of the company. Conclusion The secondary and primary research methods are effective in the establishment of the roots of the problems experienced by the ABCD Company. The findings revealed numerous problems in the implementation process of the ISO9000 QMS. The limitations have a profound effect the accuracy of the results. The differences in the secondary and the primary research prove the importance of the use of primary research methods for detailed research, and the importance of the use of updated research information because of the dynamic nature of organizations. Therefore, the research is considered successful and the recommendations are potential game-changers for the success of the ABCD Company. References DLi99: , (Lipovatz, Stenos, & Vaka, 1999), LMa97: , (Mallak, Bringelson, & Lyth, 1997), Per: , (PJR, 2016), Sau14: , (McLeod, 22014), Chr16: , (Miksen, 2016), Dod15: , (Irawanto, 2015), Jos13: , (Bersin, 2013), Read More