Haris Qasim and Kamal Haider
Hamdard University, Pakistan
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Food Process Technol
Introduction: The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the reasons and diverse barriers that impede implementation of food safety management systems (FSMS) based on ISO 22000 within manufacturing industries in Karachi, Pakistan through an empirical study. Methods: A questionnaire was sent by email to a consecutive sample of 50 food companies in Karachi, Pakistan who were listed at the Trade Association. A follow-up phone call was made. Information was collected regarding the food companies, their sizes, types, infrastructure, and processes. Also, the questionnaires drew information about the quality management executive their gender, age, experience, designation and the motivation/barriers for the food manufacturing companies to implement the FSMS. The responses were tabulated and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The response rate was 42% (M: F=3.2:1). More than 2/3 of the quality managers were between 26-35 years of age range and 57% of them had been employed 5-15 years in this work. The size of the companies: 6 small (â?¤50 employees), 9 mediums (50 to 249 employees), and 6 large food companies (â?¥250 employees). In 72% of the responded companies, less than 15 employees were trained in quality management. The survey revealed that the top 3 barriers to the implementation of an FSMS in Karachi, include; lack of top management commitment, financial resources, and not a prerequisite for doing business. Also, the survey showed that the main motivating factors for the implementation of the FSMS are to improve efficiency and increase internal processes and procedures. Conclusion: This study contributes to the body of knowledge in the quality management systems with interest in Pakistan. The study reflects that awareness training provides only to QM staff and others are unaware of the benefits of FSMS. Companies need to formulate strategy to develop a quality culture within an organization for being able to compete globally.
Haris Qasim is currently MPhil student of Industrial Management at the Hamdard University and working as Food Safety and Management Consultant and Lecturer at the NED University of Engineering and Technology. He has a Science degree (MSc, Food Science and Technology,) and extensive years of experience in the Food Production and Quality Management. He is a certified Lead Auditor of Food Safety Management system from Tokyo, Japan and a Trainer in ISO 9001:2008, HACCP, GMP and FSSC 22000. He has developed and implemented effective quality control systems and led numerous process improvement initiatives, at several organisations. Also, he provided the in-house trainings and conducted workshop for global guidelines in many organisations. His research interests include the development and analysis of requirements systems, design processes, the design of user-oriented systems, and the management of productive innovation within large organizations