In a freer WTO trade regime, food industry must focus on quality management

Abstract

In the new WTO led freer trade environment, Indian food industry can compete globally only if it is price and quality competitive. While many have addressed price competitiveness, sensitising food industry on the importance of quality competitiveness has become essential. Mainstream management research has studied quality management in manufacturing sector extensively. However, there is scant attention paid to quality management in food sector. I attempt to relate various dimensions of quality and quality management systems in the context of food industry. Although adopting strategic quality management practices needs a basic change in attitude which cannot happen overnight, a tangible beginning can be made in terms of adopting quality assurance system called HACCP.