Quality Assurance with International Standards is an urgent need for micro, small and medium-sized companies in our country, since one of the government's strategies to generate employment is to activate the exports of MSMEs.
The president of ACOPI, Dr. Juan Alfredo Pinto, recently assured in a radio interview that Colombia will participate in the FTAA, although within the recent discussions at the high government level, the convenience or not that Colombia has been debated enter the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), because companies are not prepared for the onslaught of products that will come from foreign markets.
It is expected that the majority of exports will come from small and medium-sized companies, as these represent a very important sector within the national economy.
Importance of MSMEs in Colombia: According to ACOPI data, 75% of Colombian employment is generated by MSMEs, and it is expected that most of the new employment will be created by them, since the cost of a new job is much less in a micro or small company than in a large company.
At the moment there are about 1800 exporting SMEs and according to the president of ACOPI, it is hoped that in four years there will be 7,500 exporting MSMEs.
Currently the sectors that export the most are:Apparel (FOB US $ 624,796,736 during 2001), Textiles (FOB US $ 210,799,043 during 2001), Knitted Fabrics, Metalworking (FOB US $ 372,824,091 during 2001), Graphic Arts (FOB US $ 380,377.061 during 2001), Some branches of the food sector and lately the Handicrafts sector has had success with exports in jewelry and precious stones (FOB US $ 378,609,655 during 2001). But with the crisis in Venezuela, exports especially of textiles, clothing and leather articles have been significantly affected, since one of the main trading partners of these products is precisely Venezuela; For this reason, it is important to look for other international markets to promote these sectors.
Given the significant participation of MSMEs in the national economy, it can be deduced that a strategic point for the economic development of the country is to boost productivity in these companies to make them more competitive in international markets. But this is only achieved if there is a change in the administration and management of these companies, to change towards a culture of process improvement and obtain true QUALITY.
When we talk about Quality, we must understand that the concept goes beyond the physical characteristics of the product or service that is offered, but also includes the company's ability to lower costs, which makes it much more financially viable in the long run. term and gives you the ability to offer more competitive prices.
Quality is then the fundamental pillar to achieve the competitive development of Colombian MIPYMES. Quality assurance is carried out through certification with ISO 9000: 2000 Standards, as the only strategy, to export, taking advantage of treaties such as ATPA (Andean Trade Preference Act), and successfully enter the FTAA and other international markets.
The dissemination and implementation of Quality Systems under the ISO 9000 Standard, a priority to achieve certification, is a challenge that includes modern training strategies to access the most remote places in the country and micro-entrepreneurs, which due to their economic capacity and your training profile has not started its implementation. The role of the Universities in this aspect is fundamental, to offer, in addition to the theoretical training, support and advice, to guarantee the success of the program.
What are the ISO 9000: 2000 standards?
"Elements that make up a quality management system whose application guarantees the control of administrative, technical and human activities of organizations that affect the quality of products and services"
Structure of the ISO 9000: 2000 Standard.
OTHER QUALITY STANDARDS RELATED TO THE ISO STANDARD
9000: 2000 DEMANDED IN COLOMBIA.
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system What are GMP?
They are a set of standards designed and used to ensure that all products satisfy the identity, concentration, safety and efficacy requirements that guarantee that the products satisfactorily meet the quality requirements and customer needs.
Its main objective is to always look for the best way to manufacture a clean and excellent quality product to guarantee customer satisfaction.
They apply to:
- Pharmaceutical industry Cosmetic industry Food industry Suppliers of the above
The interrelationships, benefits and experiences of implementation of the ISO 9000 quality management systems and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), is that these standards are emanated by policies of the health-related organizations, being so in the Worldwide, these are governed by entities such as WHO, FAO and FDA (Food Drug Administration of the United States)
It is important to clarify that within the GMP another subsystem called HACCP is recommended, which "It is a system that identifies, evaluates and controls hazards that are significant for food safety" (Codex Alimentarius commission) (WHO - FAO) (July 1998)
What are the HACCP Standards?
The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system is a systematic approach to identify hazards and estimate the risks that may affect the safety of a food, in order to establish the measures to control them.
It is a system that emphasizes the prevention of risks to the health of people derived from the lack of food safety, the approach is aimed at controlling these risks in the different links of the food chain, from production primary until final consumption. The benefits of HACCP translate, for example, for those who produce, process, trade or transport food, in a reduction of claims, returns, reprocesses, rejections and for official inspection in a need for less frequent inspections and saving resources, and for the consumer in the possibility of having a safe food.
The previous argument shows the importance of knowing and establishing controls with food handling. As a large part of the small and informal commerce of large, medium and small Colombian cities is based on the preparation, sale and distribution of food, as is the case of small restaurants, sales of empanadas, tamales, and other types of food. fast that most of the time are not controlled by the health entities and because they do not plan their production, they are not profitable as they should be, since they constitute a cultural wealth of each region that attracts tourism, generating employment with the consequent social benefits related.
In addition, it is necessary to promote the industrialization and use of agricultural products that are lost in harvest seasons or are simply not given an Added Value to export, as is the case of fruits, Aquaculture, etc., taking into account that Colombia is an agricultural country (where food is the main resource).
In the case of the food industry, the parameters that each company must follow according to international standards and national decrees for the control of food that it produces must be included. This should also stimulate the research of the same company or groups of companies to improve the product, therefore it is a process of Continuous Improvement.
ISO 9000: 2000 ratio with BPM
Why should an SME comply with ISO 14,000 standards?
Because in today's global economy the initiatives of the governments of industrialized countries are creating market pressure for both large and small companies to adopt ISO 14,000 standards, or to leave them out of the main markets («ISO 14000 and the Next Generation of Environmental Protection Tools, ”speech by Mr. James Save, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to the United States Senate on 3/20/96.). The ISO standards organize a system that can be used by companies of all sizes and types, all over the world. These standards can be applicable to all sectors of the company so they can be implemented throughout the organization or only in specific parts of it (production, sales, administration, warehouses, transportation, development, etc.).There is no specific industrial or service activity to apply these standards. The research process begins by identifying, studying and evaluating the risks of environmental pollution generated by each production or service process within a company. This research may involve the help of environmental experts, chemists, engineers, professionals in the health sector, among other professionals. For example, when evaluating the environmental impact of the tanneries of Barrio San Benito in Bogotá and their influence on the Tunjuelito River, we can see that many variables of a social, cultural, economic, health, human rights type are involved, including the participation of knowledgeable of many disciplines and constant research to identify priorities for action and training.
What is the Balanced Scorecard (BSC)?
☻ It is a tool that allows implementing the strategy and mission of a company based on a set of indicators.
☻ It emphasizes the achievement of financial objectives, and includes the drivers of future action for the achievement of those objectives. ☻ Provides a structure to transform strategy into action.
☻ It makes it possible through the cause-effect diagram to establish strategic hypotheses (through the sequence yes / then.) Allowing to anticipate in the future, how the business will create value for customers.
Quality was a competitive factor in the 1980s, and it is still very important today. However, in the mid-1990s, quality changed from being a strategic advantage to a strategic necessity. Customers assume that the product or service is of quality.
As the philosophy of the ISO 9000: 2000 Standard, is to integrate, from the Strategic Planning, all the management of the company's Macro-processes to generate Added Value Chains with Quality that exceeds the expectations of the Client and also guarantees the growth of the companies, we see the need for easy-to-use and moderate-cost tools to be adopted. Within the framework of globalization, it is necessary to guarantee the Quality of products and / or services through Certification with ISO 9000: 2000 Standards, which includes not only quality assurance, but also environmental management consistent with the needs of humanity., in addition to an adequate development of the human talent involved in the processes. Several companies that are working on quality processes,they are also using some of the key concepts of the BSC. The methodology to develop and implement the Strategic Management Indicators is simple and concrete; It also has support tools that allow the development of Management Indicators that facilitate translating the vision and strategies of companies into action.
These tools can help develop and make the Balanced Scorecard a reality in companies.
Companies that have implemented the BSC:
- MobilSearsCignaSkandia
In colombia:
- ECOPETROLIsagenEpsaHydrocafé GabrielCorona shock absorbers, among others.
Therefore, we can affirm that if training and training on these issues is generated that is more accessible to Colombian companies with a lower cost scheme than those offered by other institutions that currently offer this training, and with more flexible schedules that are accommodate the needs of companies, we can contribute to the economic development of the country, taking advantage of the development of communication media such as teleconference and the INTERNET.
Consistent with national needs, the Antonio Nariño University, in the Faculty of Business Administration, is carrying out a research project with a group of professionals of the highest quality and experience to offer training and advice on the Implementation of the previous Standards of Quality Assurance that meets the needs of MSMEs.
Research group and author of the article:
- ALBA LIGIA LOPEZ RODRÍGUEZ, (Principal Investigator). Industrial Engineer, Industrial Chemist, specialist in Business Administration and a master's degree in Financial and Systems Sciences. EDGAR MIGUEL HERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ: (Co-researcher). Industrial Engineer, Master in Administration, Specialist in Finance, Specialist in Foreign Trade.JESÚS MARIA ROZO HOSPITAL: (Co-investigator). Metallurgical Engineer, Master in Business Administration MILTON JANUARIO RUEDA VARON: (Co-investigator). Statistical,
Specialist in Analysis and Financial Administration, Magister in Statistics.
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Work sent by: Alba Ligia López Rodríguez Jesús María Rozo H.
Milton wheel
Edgar Hernandez Hernandez
Bogotá DC, June 12, 2003
Radio Program, RCN BASIC CHAIN, Saturday April 26, 9:30 am
PROEXPORT, TOTAL COLOMBIAN EXPORTS ACCORDING TO PROEXPORT'S PROMOTION SECTORS. www.proexport.gov.co, April 2003.
It was issued on December 4, 1991. Said Law became effective as of July 1992, when President Bush designated Colombia and Bolivia as beneficiaries of the ATPA, subsequently extending this privilege to Ecuador (April 1993) and Peru (August 1993). 1993) by President Bill Clinton.
The Andean trade preferences law is the key to the North American fight against narcotics, specifically in the Andean region, managing to support the different exports as well as economic development by providing alternatives for the substitution of drug crops.
SOURCE: ICONTEC
SOURCE: ICONTEC
SOURCE: ICONTEC
www.calidad.org.ar
