Organisational transformation using total quality management and ISO 9000

Abstract

Engineering by its very nature is associated with quality processes. Ineffective processes have the potential to jeopardize the chances of providing consistently, products that meet customer and applicable regulatory requirements. By implication, this senario also calls for organizational transformation. SA Five Engineering (Pty) Ltd (SAF), which will serve as the target organization for this research study has in the past year suffered numerous complaints of poor products as a result of ineffective processes, impacting on production quality. Both 150 9000 and the concept of Total Quality Management have the potential to mitigate ineffective processes within SAF. The key research objective with this research study, is to recommend how to improve ineffective processes and the competitive advantage of SAF through improved products. Furthermore, to analyze the business organization in order to determine the extent to which Total Quality Management principles are deployed with the aim of developing a model, which will serve as a benchmark for sustained improvement. The research problem deals with ineffective processes within SAF which impacts adversely on delivery of quality products and services. The research design and methodology to be conducted within the ambit of this research study is applied research, as applied research is designed to apply its findings to solve a specific existing problem. The research will

furthermore fall in the social world as the research relates to a structured business research study pertaining to how things are, and why. The research will be conducted from both an empirical and theoretical research paradigm, using a survey for the purpose of data collection. The research method that will be applied within the context of this research study will be a case study research.