Additional Application Areas and Further Perspectives — Beyond Re-engineering

Abstract

In order to ensure long-term survival in the market, the quality of a product is of extraordinary importance, in addition to cost and delivery time. Certification is one way to demonstrate to customers that the processes and structures of a company are suited to produce high-quality products. The German institute DIN (Deutsches Institut fir Normung) and the international organization ISO (International Standardization Organization) have issued the standard series DIN ISO 9000–9004 that can be used by any branch of a company receiving this certification. These standards define the requirements of a quality assurance system (QA-system), whic involves organizational structure, responsibilities, procedures, processes, and the required tools to carry out quality management. The establishment of comprehensive quality management and the certification of the QA-system result in a potential increase in profit for a company. In the first place, an expectation to identify rationalization potentials is created, that in the end results in cost reduction.²⁷⁵ Secondly, by presenting the QA-system to the customer, it is documented that the company has the ability to produce high-quality products and/or to render high-quality services, which may have a positive influence on the buying decision of the customers.