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Integrating OHS, environmental, and quality management standards.
1School of Safety Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. safetysc@unsw.edu.au
Quality Assurance (San Diego, Calif.)
|January 19, 2002
Summary
Integrated Management Systems (IMS) offer a unified approach to management, but their development requires careful design, consultation, and implementation to avoid unintended consequences and achieve true efficiencies.
Area of Science:
- Management Science
- Organizational Studies
Background:
- Over 50 years, numerous management theories have emerged to enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Integrated Management Systems (IMS) are increasingly adopted, driven by standards for quality, environment, and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential efficiencies and challenges associated with implementing Integrated Management Systems (IMS).
- To provide insights into the critical design, consultation, and implementation phases of IMS.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of management theories and IMS standards.
- Analysis of common pitfalls and best practices in IMS development.
Main Results:
- IMS adoption can lead to intuitive efficiencies but is often elusive.
- Development is frequently driven by incorrect motivations, leading to unforeseen issues.
Conclusions:
- Establishing an IMS demands significant effort: thorough design, consultation, flexible redesign, and staged implementation.
- When properly implemented, IMS provide a powerful unifying framework for diverse management systems.