If anyone is interested ther is now a Virtual Confernce called 'Is ISO
9000 for TQM?' running on the MCB University Press server at
 
http://www.mcb.co.uk
 
The conference can be accessed from the Virtual Conference Centre link on
the Home page.
 
 
 
Introduction
 
Many companies are working very hard to achieve good quality goods and
services and using them as
competitive advantages in their business. In the 1990s, there are two
main subjects on quality that capture the
attention of most businesses in the world, namely the International
Quality Management Standard ISO 9000 and
Total Quality Management (TQM). Much publicity and promotions have been
made on these two subjects. It is
like a fire in the forest amongst the industrialised nations. The aim of
this conference is to find out what is so
special about ISO 9000 and TQM and why it is necessary for industries and
businesses to acquire them. In order
to facilitate the development of new ideas and sharing of experience, the
conference is divided into a number of
sub-themes. The Speakers (in brackets) will be trying to build a 'bridge'
between ISO 9000 and TQM within their
own expertise.
 
The Sub-themes include (Speakers) :
 
   1.Are Standards Relevant to ISO 9000 / TQM? (Michael Sanderson),
   2.Synergy between 'Hard' and 'Soft' (David Scrimshire),
   3.Human Factor (Svetlana Cicmil),
   4.The Role of SPC (Michael Starkey),
   5.Computer-based Quality Systems (Y.P. Cheung),
   6.Manufacturing Industry (John P.T. Mo and Andy M.S. Chan),
   7.Service Industry (Les Galloway),
   8.Education Sector: Systems vs. Culture? (Susan Storey),
   9.Choice between ISO 9000 and TQM (Dennis Woo),
   10.UK Survey Findings (Christopher Fung),
   11.Regional Review in Hong Kong and Southern China (Victor Lo).
   12.TQM and BPR: Strategic Change or Muddling Through? (Colin Egan)
 
Your contribution to these sub-themes will help improve the knowledge
base in these areas and your ideas will be
referenced in the summary papers for publication in the TQM magazine.
 
The conference is free and open to anyone who might be interested.  Your
participation in the conference is welcomed.
 
Best wishes
 
 
 
 
Richard Heal