ABSTRACT
Education is currently undergoing a profound transformation, propelled by advancements in technology and innovative teaching methodologies, thereby presenting academic institutions with novel opportunities to improve student outcomes (Deming, 1986). As educational institutions increasingly operate in a manner analogous to business organizations, they encounter intensified competition and must rigorously evaluate their management systems to sustain viability and achieve success (Bharamanaikar & Khanai, 2018). This study endeavors to examine the evaluation results of ISO 9001:2015, concentrating on management responsibility and its impact on organizational sustainability. By thoroughly examining adherence to standards, pinpointing deficiencies, and addressing obstacles within the quality management system, this study seeks to aid in creating a management framework that supports long-term development for ISO-certified organizations.
Utilizing a quantitative research methodology, the study systematically analyzed ISO audit outcomes to identify the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the quality management practices of Saint Joseph Institute of Technology, while also highlighting discrepancies in relation to ISO standards. The findings reveal that the implementation of ISO 9001:2015 has markedly strengthened the institution's management capabilities. Significantly, the study emphasizes that the efficacy and longevity of ISO certification are fundamentally dependent upon the leadership exerted by top-level management, who assume the principal responsibility for steering quality improvement initiatives, surpassing the roles of middle and lower management strata.
This investigation offers valuable insights into the pivotal role of management responsibility in cultivating sustainable quality management systems within educational settings, thereby promoting continuous organizational advancement within a competitive academic milieu.
Keywords: management responsibility, quality management system, organizational sustainability, ISO 9001:2015, educational institutions
INTRODUCTION
Education is in the development of a major transformation. Today, academic institutions are given an opportunity to work for the benefit of their students through the innovation of recent pedagogy in teaching. Educational institutions as a business organization would necessarily be concerned about their status and implementation of their system, and check if this can stand to face the stiff competition.
According to Akmal (2019), "today's organizations must embrace change in order to become a learning organization." Resistance to change to do quality and do things in a different manner in some workforce was very strong, and the management had to put its foot on solid ground and be very firm in its decision to continue to be an organization that caters to quality in terms of products and services for its customers.
Educational organizations are open systems that must respond to changes in order to survive. Hence, improving the entire educational system should be the ultimate goal because once the system is improved, the outcomes will automatically improve (Canbay, 2023). Undoubtedly, pockets of quality exist in every school system; the challenge educational professionals face is to document and check measurable objectives in line with the standards to detect areas for improvement.
In educational institutions, a quality management system is fundamental in the pursuit of quality education. The reason for having a quality management system is to respond to international standards. This global recognition is taking on the dimension of a seal of approval like ISO 9001:2015. Companies that take in products and services now require suppliers which has the international standard. Further, EFQM (2019) said that in order to increase and have alignment of objectives in the organization, the established quality management system is likely to deliver the organizational assurance, cooperation, and determination to standardize its elements.
This realization has prompted the management of Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT) to apply for ISO certification and market position in light of imminent global competition. There are things to iron out, especially that SJIT has envisioned becoming a university. There is a need to evaluate its system, especially regarding its management responsibility. One concern is the fast turnover of instructors in SJIT. Those who were not able to take advanced studies for a master's degree left after the probationary period. With the scarcity of applicants who are master's degree holders for full-time teaching, fresh college graduates are hired to teach. It is a fact that fresh graduates need much training, more exposure, and experience. This is a big challenge to the deans. This requires close clinical supervision and monitoring before they become seasoned instructors. For new deans, they found out that it takes time to adjust to the existing organizational culture, especially since the school is an ISO certified institution. Despite the efforts of the deans to do their best, some still need to exert more effort in introducing innovations in their units and in carrying out their administrative functions that must conform to the established quality management system of the institution.
The purpose of this study is to focus on the ISO evaluation results, focusing on the management responsibility, and to find out considerable measures and why organizations failed even after having been certified to an international system of standards such as ISO 9001: 2015 on Quality Management System (QMS).
This research study can be used as a basis to verify the effectiveness of a management system in any institution and also to identify the obstacles that hamper academic benefits in order to sustain its ISO certification and even move further. This study also remains a basis for further research to develop a management model for institutions to achieve quality academic excellence.
The cited conditions motivated the researcher, as part of the school system that is concerned about this reality, to conduct a study on the management responsibility of Saint Joseph Institute of Technology, Butuan City, Caraga Region.
see PDF attachment for more information