Análise exploratória da prática da melhoria contínua em empresas fornecedoras do setor automobilístico e de bens de capital certificadas pela norma ISO 9001:2000

Abstract

The strong competition, prominent by the globalized dispute, stipulate that the organizations establish innovations much more frequent and rapid in order to attend the technological, economic and political changes which the society goes through. In this context, the continuous improvement of products and productive processes, which determines incremental and constant changes, is necessary to maintain the competitive company. The need of the organizations to emphasize the customers satisfaction makes the ISO 9001 (International Organization for Standardization) quality system to overview its approach, considering in its requirements this subject with the continuous improvement as well as management for processes. In spite of the norm demands a systemic and structured practice, the continuous improvement activities needs initiatives development, on behalf of the organizations, which goes further than programs and techniques, considering also cultural and behavioral aspects which allows the supported continuous improvement of products and processes. In conclusion, it can be pointed out that the norm ISO 9001:2000 relates only what to do and not how to proceed in order to ensure that the company really accomplishes the continuous improvement of its processes. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to analyses the practice of the continuous improvement, identifying the aspects that promote it, related to the individual culture and behavior as well as the organization as a whole. This work describes the results of an exploratory qualitative research accomplished in supplier companies of capital goods and automotive sectors, certified by the norm ISO 9001, analyzing how they promote its continuous improvement programs, considering the cultural development. Afterwards, considerations are accomplished through the examined companies to evaluate the differences identified among the sector organizations presented, concerning the practice of the continuous improvement and the cultural development which support it.