SYSTEMIC LEADERSHIP FOR STRATEGIC QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Quality constitutes the core of successful business operations in marker and manufacturing. It assures problem solving designed for the customer, on a long-term basis, a systemically and strategically planned development. Quality represents a strategic factor of its own. It has not only to be planned and built in, but also carefully grown according to long-term perspectives. 'Total' quality is equal to 'systemic'. Its design and control pervades all phases of operation and management alike as a key factor of market leadership. In the industrial practice, hence, quality concepts are closely linked to the philosophy of a lean enterprise. 'Lean' enhances policies as e.g. competitiveness through flexibility and time advantage, high efficiency production and Kaizen, i.e. continuous improvement of all quality originating faculties. There are chances and possible pitfalls e.g. of outsourcing and JIT. Overloading the human resources for a better operating efficiency may result in personnel troubles. Experiences are carefully evaluated and transferred into a steadily improving self-control of quality operations. Systemic quality management will pursue a long-term optimum of quality through a philosophy of strategic quality assurance, which considers all the mutual influences and outbalances all parameters within the quality network. The worldwide interconnectivity of e.g. customer protection, ecology and (inter-)national economic policies (GATT, EC) poses global challenges. They will be met only by a policy of active and creative quality.