Implementation of quality standards as a determinant of the fulfillment of strategic objectives by the East African Portland Cement Company Ltd

Abstract

Lack of existing evaluation of the effect on the implementation of standards at East African Portland Cement Company inspired this research topic. The challenges as well as the extent to which the implementation of standards has assisted to achieve the strategic objectives were the key interest in the study. The two standards implemented were the Quality Management System and Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series. The senior management was interviewed and data collected from secondary sources to support the impact of the implementation. It could be concluded that the achievement of some of the strategic objectives were enabled by the standards implementation. The culture of EAPCC Ltd was a major obstacle during implementation but this was to a wide extent changed positively. The standards introduced a culture of accountability, responsibility and performance monitoring. It also ensured increased operational efficiencies hence ultimately decreased the cost of production and plant maintenance thorough capacity utilization. Staff motivation increased as a result of transparency and clarity of job description up to the lowest cadre of staff. The main challenge encountered after implementation was the bureaucratic nature of standardization which also stifles creativity. The high costs associated with the certification process, value of time and management of change are other challenges faced by the top management at a period when the cash flow was poor. These organizational changes necessitated by standards implementation required a paradigm shift. The organization recognized this and implemented the behavioral and cultural change program. It was widely accepted eventually by all stake holders. Its implementation facilitated the take off of other value adding systems such as the Enterprise Resource Planning. It is recommended that integration of the standards is the future in order to consolidate efforts. There are standards computer systems in the market such as Q-Pulse standards management system that will not only integrate with other systems but ensures real time management of standards implemented. This enables control of information and communication therefore ultimately achieve of strategic objectives.