For Japanese SME's, ISO 9001:2000 is a multi-purpose, multi-benefit tool

摘要

The activities I have described represent the efforts being made by many SME's in Japan to incorporate manufacturing skills and intellectual know-how into their QM systems, and to make such systems more effective by managing live knowledge, rather than simply sharing information. Of course, each company's skill level in operating an ISO 9001:2000-based system tends to create differences in competitiveness among businesses on a mid-term basis. But competitiveness is the key that drives many Japanese SME's to improve their ability to operate the system. If some sort of international information structure to support these activities could be established, then I believe ISO 9001:2000 would become even more practical and useful, and make an even greater contribution to the world economy.