A few months ago, I attended the European Organization for Quality conference in Croatia. I also presented my thoughts about the future. During the entire event in Dubrovnik, the overriding theme was integration. Of quality and safety and environment and security and sustainability and more. I noticed two cultural differences.
1) The European presenters place quality in the center, with safety, environment, etc. all feeding into the quality philosophy. On the other hand, my American colleagues seem to believe that quality is a component of something else. Unnamed as yet, although the ASQ is leaning towards the idea that social responsibility might be that center area. Others are saying that risk management might be the center of this integration. I do not sense a strong believe for either of these models from my Asian friends. (Perhaps it is a wait-and-see attitude.)
2) The European presenters had philosophical differences with the application (implementation) of social responsibility. Some feel it is a concept, being developed by ISO, to be used for the betterment of the enterprise and society. Others believe it should be more a requirement, either through legislation or certification. On the other hand, many of my American friends are hung up on the word social and see the concept of social responsibility as an affront to the free market.
I see all this discussion as healthy. I do not think we (the world of quality-safety-environment professionals) know the answers to this evolving trend. Social Responsibility will develop and mature, with the publication of standards and books, with conference presentations, and with on-line discussions and blogs. We do not know what it is, but we know it is there!
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