Re: [PEN-L:612] Re: ISO 9000 question

["Anthony D'Costa" <dcosta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I beg to differ somewhat from this ISO 9000 views presented so far.  While
it is true that havings "systems" in place can increase work intensity
(absolute surplus value in marxian terminology) from a supply/quality
assurance point of view ISO 9000 is very useful especially for those
countries that are low on the manufacturing, production curve.  By putting
procedures in place, there is a better control over the production
process, the user/buyer knows what lies behind it.  I have surveyed
numerous auto parts suppliers in India and software companies who have
introduced ISO 9000 and who are striving to do so.  For these companies it
is essential that they introduce such procedures to enhance the quality of
output and at the same time enhance credibility in the international
market.  I don't buy the argument that it is introduced for purely
exploitative reasons.  In the absence of these measures (need not follow
ISO 9000 which EU oriented, there are other international standards) a lot
of developing country firms would remain just
that--developing country and unreliable.

One caveat: often firms are obsessed with gaining such credibility and
hence do not consider alternative procedures.

Anthony P. D'Costa
Associate Professor
Comparative International Development
University of Washington
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

Phone: (253) 692-4462
Fax :  (253) 692-5612

On Tue, 20 Oct 1998, Hsin-Hsing Chen at RPI wrote:

> Although my experience with ISO-9000 are all in non-union shops, I do find some
> useful insights in Parker & Slaughter's Working Smart.
>
> The spirit of ISO-9000s series is to acquire utmost predictability of the
> performance of all work procedures in a company. Generally, consulting firms
> encourage companies to do so by meticulously document all work processes and
> every workers' responsibilities and so on. For workers currently under somewhat
> favorable collective bargaining agreements, this amounts to an assault on
> workers' autonomy on the job. Once your job is documented, it can be
> rationalized, fragmented, and you can be replaced by machine or other, cheaper
> workers. However, for those under management's constant arbitrary command, the
> quasi-legalistic framework might provide some protection. At least it makes
> clear what is and is not one's job.
>
> In addition, since ISO-9000s stress so much on predictability, companies seeking
> ISO-9000 certification are especially vulnerable to minor industrial actions:
> work-to-rule, information picketing, refusal to participate in documentation or
> suggestion plans and so on. Parker & Slaughter suggest that the emphasis on
> quality may make the company more vulnerable to an external "corporate
> campaign."
>
> Hsin-Hsing Chen
> Dept. of STS
> Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
> Troy, NY 12180
>
> Thomas Kruse wrote:
>
> > Dear Pen-Lers:
> >
> > First, thanks to all of you who responded to the query on the definition of
> > underemployment.  I hope the very good reponse lifts Michael's animus to
> > continuwe with PEN-L.
> >
> > I'm back now with another query.  A while back there was a good discussion
> > on ISO 9000, with participation from Asia, US, etc.  Unfortunatley, I was a
> > bit too quick with the ctrl + D in the In box.
> >
> > My question: does ISO 9000 stipulate anything regarding conditions of labor?
> > We have a couple of companies here trumpeting their new ISO 9000 status, and
> > they have absolutely horrific records of labor abuses.  The unions are have
> > tried lots of ways to publicize the abuses; they now feel the ISO issue
> > might be a useful "hook" for us.
> >
> > Note: even if ISO 9000 does not stipulate a certain treatment of labor, has
> > there been disussion in this regard?  Point: even if we can't argue the
> > designation is spurious on the grounds of bad labor practices, we can still
> > argue there ought to be social clauses with ISO 9000.
> >
> > Any and all comment, help, guidance is very much appreciated.  It may well
> > make this week's news here.
> >
> > Tom
> >
> > Tom Kruse / Casilla 5812 / Cochabamba, Bolivia
> > Tel/Fax: (591-4) 248242
> > Email: tkruse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>