Quality and environmental management systems 111 Essay

Quality and environmental management systems 111 - Essay Example If Timmerhus wishes to integrate its QMS and EMS into a single system, then this can be achieved because the International Standards ISO 9000:2000 governing the QMS and ISO 14001:1996 have been designed in such a way as to be compatible with one another. Many organizations find integration easier when they have already implemented QMS (Darnall 2002, 143). These systems can thus be integrated to increase their overall effectiveness and to achieve efficiency in the use of organizational resources. Curkovic (2004, 164) explains that the two systems can be integrated with minimal extra expenditure to achieve significant synergy. The eight principles of QMS (Singhal and Singhal 2008, 15) and the five principles of EMS have much in common to enable them to be integrated to a great extent (Bose 2011, 380). For instance, much of the planning requirements for the QMS and EMS can be met by a single set of procedures and resources. For instance, the documentation requirements for QMS specified in Section 4.2 of ISO 9001, including documentation control and control of records, can be prepared through the same procedures used to prepare the EMS documentation required under Section 4.4.4 of ISO 14001. ... Communication channels can also be integrated for the two systems. Finally, the internal audit required under Section 8.2.2 of ISO 9001 and the EMS audit required under Section 4.5.4 of ISO 14001 can also be achieved through an integrated system that uses a common pool of organizational resources and processes (Whitelaw 2004, 133). In general, a number of activities including planning, management review, internal audit and control mechanisms can be shared in common by the QMS and EMS in an integrated system. Kymal (2004, 74) recommends a common internal communication system for the integrated QMS and EMS. However, Timmerhus management needs to ascertain whether the employees are sufficiently fluent in the use of the existing QMS system to make the integration of the new EMS system a profitable decision. Significant Environmental Aspects of Timmerhus UK Ltd Although prefabricated construction is said to be environmentally friendly compared to traditional forms of construction, the lik elihood of Timmerhus having significant environmental aspects of its own manufacturing processes and operations cannot be excluded. The company is likely to have an impact on the environment as a result of its use of natural resources in the process of manufacturing, transportation of supplies and finished goods, and in the disposal of defective items and waste. These actions can have an impact on the communities and the natural environment. Hence, it is essential that the company be aware of such environmental impacts and take steps to address them in its environmental policy and the EMS. The primary natural resource used in the manufacturing process of custom-designed prefabricated housing materials is

Personal Work Environment Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Personal Work Environment Paper - Essay Example Such studies support experts' claims that communication is indeed "the lifeblood of any organization" (p. 2). Business organizations agree that there are many ways of communicating. These are the channels of communication, or where the communication will take place. Thus, choosing the right channel and the appropriate form for business messages is a communication skill. Channel involves the issue of what should be put in writing and what should be communicated orally. Will messages be communicated by fax Telephone E-mail Face-to-face exchange When communicators agree about the channel, they can avoid misunderstandings. Such misunderstandings may seem trivial, but these can be significant in closer analysis. In the United States, according to business communication guides, efficiency, clarity, conciseness, accuracy, and accountability are the keys to making the right communication channel. For example, a telephone call may be the fastest way to get clarification, but you may need something in writing before you can act. In my opinion, face-to-face meeting is still the "best channel" to use when doing official business communications. ... Presently, business organizations could meet through videoconferencing. This method simulates live, face-to-face interaction, although people attending the "meeting" may be thousands of miles apart. Yet, videoconferencing could not provide the energy provided by participants who shares the space, and there is always the threat of technological glitches (Roebuck 2001, p. 4). In addition, memos, e-mail, networked intranet bulletin boards, printed reports, and other written documents are the most common channels of written communication within companies. Memos, in particular, play different roles in different cultures and organizations. In North American businesses, memos are the standard channel of communication from superiors to subordinates, subordinates to superiors, and employees at the same level. In addition to that, memos can also be written to file or as reminders to oneself. They can be formal or informal in tone. When informal, a memo is a convenient way of communicating information in writing-so there is a record of it-without the weight of a formal document. However, memos at this time are already commonly sent by e-mail (Varner & Beamer, 2004). As a means for sending feedback from employees to management, memos (especially e-mail) excel-at least where feedback is expected by managers. Feedback is not easy for managers to gather if subordinates are not used to giving it. Managers who don't solicit feedback will not receive as much as those who do. Memos may not be the best channel in these situations. Face-to-face exchanges, in which a wide range of nonverbal signals can be sent along with the worded message, may be a better choice. With the advancement of