ISHS Acta Horticulturae 536: XIVth International Symposium on Horticultural Economics
TQM APPLIED TO THE DUTCH GLASSHOUSE INDUSTRY: STATE OF THE ART IN 2000 |
| Authors: | R.L.M. van Uffelen, A.A. van der Maas, P.C.M. Vermeulen, J.C.J. Ammerlaan |
| Keywords: | Total Quality Management, Dutch glasshouse horticulture, ISO-9000 |
| Abstract:
This paper gives an overview of the State of the art of the development of Dutch horticulture towards Total Quality Management (TQM). In the first half of the nineties it occurred that the market was saturated with all kinds of horticultural products. A market-oriented approach is necessary to meet customers' demands. It was in this atmosphere in 1994 that Dutch horticulture became aware of management systems like ISO-9002 and Total Quality Management. From that time on research and advisory services have aimed on developing the sector towards TQM. Quality management should affect 1)product-, 2)proces-, 3)system, 4)chain and 5)society level. Research has been conducted to develop quality management systems for horticultural holdings on basis of ISO-9002; a system of process control to reach the appropriate product quality. Because society started to demonstrate concern for the environment and labour conditions, this was also integrated in the production process-oriented system, called the “combi management system”. After several pilots by PBG, more and more advisory started implementing these systems. Organisations of certified auditors evolved on product level or system level. In 1999 about 500 Dutch growers have a kind of quality management system. Because they studied on all their processes it improved their organisations. The combi management system also proved to be a very good basis to get the ISO-9002 certificate and to implement environmental codes, hygiene codes, HACCP, etc. It even seems to be a very important tool for structuring the co-operation in the chain because all kind of arrangements between the links can be implemented. At the moment there has been estimated that a good number of horticultural holdings have reached a TQM-stage between the second and the third. Research projects will be carried out to support horticultural holdings to reach between the fourth and fifth stage in 2010. The combi management system will be extended by incorporating all the processes of the firm. All kind of chain projects, which are in progress, should lead to instruments to support the holdings towards the fourth stage. With other type of projects about sustainable horticulture there will be worked on solutions to have holdings work in a way which is desired by society. The aim should be that in 2010 the big group of horticultural holdings should have reached between the fourth and fifth level. | |
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