Abstract

RATHILALL, Raveen; SINGH, Kishan  and  RAMCHANDER, Manduth. Insights into the effects of ISO 9001:2015 on quality and process improvement in the South African packaging industry: A leadership perspective. JCMAN [online]. 2024, vol.21, n.1, pp.248-278. ISSN 1815-7440.  https://doi.org/10.35683/jcman1049.252.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore how ISO 9001:2015 certification affects the level of continuous improvement, process integration, and process re-engineering within the South African (SA) Packaging Industry. Furthermore, the study aimed to establish the perceptions of key industry leaders on the effectiveness of ISO 9001:2015 in enhancing quality and process improvement. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study adopted a qualitative research approach, utilising semi-structured interviews as the primary data collection method. The research sample consisted of packaging leadership representatives from packaging organisations across the country. The sample was stratified according to the various packaging substrates. FINDINGS: The findings identified that ISO 9001:2015 integration in the packaging industry is primarily focused on manufacturing processes and products and that managers tend to overlook the potential for value-add through business functions process integration. Furthermore, the study highlighted that the Continual Improvement processes were reactive rather than proactive and that there is a lack of evidence of Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) within the industry. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that the industry adopts an integrated process management approach to streamline operations and implement BPR methodically, focusing on high-yield processes and using dedicated teams, along with Lean Six Sigma (LSS) tools, to drive targeted process improvements. Furthermore, it is suggested that the industry fosters a strong quality culture with proactive leadership for successful BPR and LSS adoption. MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: This paper offers practical recommendations that are within the manager's scope of control and can be readily implemented in their specific organisational contexts. Adoption of these recommendations is anticipated to yield advantages in terms of sustainable business practices while mitigating the challenges associated with conventional change management processes. JEL CLASSIFICATION: L69, L23, L15

Keywords : ISO 9001:2015; Continuous Improvement; Process; Business Process Re-engineering; Lean Six Sigma.

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