73B-5 |
Empowering microentrepreneurs with total quality management and statistical process control tools using the computers |
L. OCCEÑA1, E. A. Po2, and M. R. Mosqueda2. (1) Agarophyta Philippines, Inc., Xavier Univ., Corrales St., Cagayan de Oro City, 9000, Philippines, (2) Xavier Univ., Corrales St., Cagayan de Oro City, 9000, Philippines Microenterprises are faced with the challenges of the GATT and the impact of global competititon. In developing countries, small and medium-scale microenterprises generally have the problem of sustaining the quality of their products and efficiency of their operations. Empowering microentrepreneurs with powerful management tools of Total Quality Management (TQM) and Statistical Process Control (SPC) will assist them in improving the quality of their products and in their management decisions. Familiarization with user-friendly computer software dealing with these management tools will provide even the non-food science microenterprises with skills to enhance production and quality of their products. A seminar-workshop on "Enhancing Process and Product Quality through TQM and SPC" was offered to microentrepreneurs operating small and medium food industries. The main objective of the seminar-workshop was to provide microenterpreneurs with basic knowledge of the key concepts of TQM and SPC, and to expose them to the use of computers. A hands-on and one-on-one tutorial/computer workshop was conducted to familiarize the participants with user-friendly computer software dealing with TQM and SPC tools. Knowledge of the basic and key concepts of TQM and SPC will empower microentrepreneurs with tools which will enhance process and product quality. Awareness will expose microenterprises to other issues of concern like food safety and key concepts of HACCP. Computer illiteracy stems from a fear of computer technology, which in turn stems from a lack or ignorance of basic knowledge of computers. The one-on-one tutorial and computer workshop provided a positive atmosphere for the participants to learn user-friendly computer software dealing with TQM and SPC tools.
Session 73B, Extension
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