Quality assurance: the management route to achieve efficiency and competitiveness

Quality Assurance (QA) requires total integration and control of all elements within a particular area of operation so that none is subservient to the others. These elements cover such aspects as administration, design, procurement, manufacture, installation and commissioning. The responsibility for the establishment of requirements and the integration and control of all activities should therefore be assigned to a certain person. Ultimately it is the senior executive of an organization who must accept responsibility for the above mentioned direction and for the quality of the items or services produced by his company. QA is therefore a management function which cannot be delegated. The philosophy and the concept are highlighted of QA as a management tool and a route to achieve efficiency and competitiveness. (author). 2 figs., 7 refs