Validation of an organisational structure design to ensure an effective quality management system within the food industry in South Africa

Abstract

This research study was conducted within the food safety and quality management sections in the food and packaging manufacturing companies in the Western Cape, South Africa. The study focused on the effectiveness of a quality management system (QMS) within an organisation and how it could add value to not only product quality but also process improvement initiatives and, more importantly, the effectiveness of the business and customer relationships, with a key focus on a well-established organisational structure. For this research, more than 40 distinct food and packaging production enterprises received a survey questionnaire through electronic means. The key finding of this study was that all the companies agreed that organisational structure has an influence on corporate performance. With a 97% positive response rate, the 31 participants agreed that a good and effective QMS system reduces waste, improves process control and product quality, increases market share, lowers costs, facilitates training, meets customer requirements and meets expectations within the organisation – and that organisational structure is an important component of this. The study's primary conclusion was that there is a definite correlation that prerequisite programmes (PRPs) and goods manufacturing practices (GMPs) utilised by a corporation have a favourable influence on organisational performance and QMS compliance. There was a 94% consensus that the basis of GMPs/PRPs can instil a quality discipline and culture into the manufacturing process. The major goal was to find the most suitable organisational structure within the food business; however, the data provided by the respondents was not comprehensive enough to establish the ideal organisational structure within South Africa. During the poll, quality representatives stated that they were unclear about, and did not recognise or comprehend the pertinent terminology: centralised, decentralised and hybrid approach. It is critical for quality management to comprehend this terminology; thus, the advice is to conduct a follow-up survey and discuss the various forms of organisational structure design.