Integrated management systems as complex adaptive systems

It is a difficult task to avoid the ���smart systems��� topic when discussing smart prevention and, similarly, it is a difficult task to address smart systems without focusing their ability to learn. Following the same line of thought, in the current reality, it seems a Herculean task (or an irreparable omission) to approach the topic of certified occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) without discussing the integrated management systems (IMSs). The available data suggest that seldom are the OHSMS operating as the single management system (MS) in a company so, any statement concerning OHSMS should mainly be interpreted from an integrated perspective. A major distinction between generic systems can be drawn between those that learn, i.e., those systems that have ���memory��� and those that have not. These former systems are often depicted as adaptive since they take into account past events to deal with novel, similar and future events modifying their structure to enable success in its environment. Often, these systems, present a nonlinear behavior and a huge uncertainty related to the forecasting of some events. This paper seeks to portray, for the first time as we were able to find out, the IMSs as complex adaptive systems (CASs) by listing their properties and dissecting the features that enable them to evolve and self-organize in order to, holistically, fulfil the requirements from different stakeholders and thus thrive by assuring the successful sustainability of a company. Based on the revision of literature carried out, this is the first time that IMSs are pointed out as CASs which may develop fruitful synergies both for the MSs and for CASs communities. By performing a thorough revision of literature and based on some concepts embedded in the ���DNA��� of the subsystems implementation standards it is intended, specifically, to identify, determine and discuss the properties of a generic IMS that should be considered to classify it as a CAS.

Analysis of integrated management systems from various perspectives

This article compiles the main topics addressed by management systems (MSs) literature concerningMSs integration by performing a systematic literature review. In this paper, it is intended to present themain limitations of non-integratedmanagement systems (IMSs), the main motivations driving an IMS implementation, the major resistances faced, the most common resultant benefits, the suitable guidelines and standards and the critical success factors. In addition, this paper addresses the issues concerning integration strategies and models, the integration levels or degrees achieved by an IMS and the audit function in an integrated context. The motivations that drive companies to integrate their management subsystems, the obstacles faced and the benefits collected may have internal or external origins. The publishing of standards guiding companies on how to integrate their management subsystems has been done mainly at a national level. There are several models that could be used in order to support companies in their management subsystems integration processes, and a sequential or an all-in strategy may be adopted. Four audit typologies can be distinguished, and the adoption of any of these typologies should consider resource availability and audit team know-how, among other features.

Integrated management systems: A model for maturity assessment

Maturity models are adopted to minimise our complexity perception over a truly complex phenomenon. In this sense, maturity models are tools that enable the assessment of the most relevant variables that impact on the outputs of a specific system. Ideally a maturity model should provide information concerning the qualitative and quantitative relationships between variables and how they affect the latent variable, that is, the maturity level. Management systems (MSs) are implemented worldwide and by an increasing number of companies. Integrated management systems (IMSs) consider the implementation of one or several MSs usually coexisting with the quality management subsystem (QMS). It is intended in this chapter to report a model based on two components that enables the assessment of the IMS maturity, considering the key process agents (KPAs) identified through a systematic literature review and the results collected from two surveys.

Environmental management systems implementation

All organisations make some contribution to the degradation of the environment through their use of resources and production of waste. Environmental management systems (EMS) standards can provide a tool for companies to systematically reduce their environmental impacts. ISO 14001 was published in 1996. This fitted in with plans of the case study company to take proactive action in this area, even though there was no legislative requirement for them to do so. As EMS implementation was a new area at the time, appropriate methodologies were developed to address different aspects of the implementation, and ISO 14001 was successfully implemented in the company. The results of the primary research included: ��� Drawing up a methodology for identifying and interpreting the environmental legislation that may have an impact on the organisation and compiling a register of such regulations. ��� Developing a robust methodology for assessing significant environmental aspects and impacts and applying this to the software company. ��� Establishing objectives and targets for those aspects identified as significant and implementing environmental management programmes to meet these. ��� Developing an internal environmental audit procedure based on auditing against the significant aspects. ��� Integrating areas of the EMS with the existing quality management system in order to avoid duplication of effort. ��� Undergoing an external assessment process in order to achieve certification of the system. The thesis concludes that the systematic approach defined in ISO 14001 provided a mechanism that the organisation was able to adopt to bring about improvement in its environmental performance. The system was based on a thorough evaluation of the organisation's significant environmental aspects in order to bring about a reduction in its negative impacts. The ISO 14001 requirement for continual improvement is the key driver of the system, and this is what differentiates it from ISO 9000.

An emperical study of performance management systems in SMEs in the Republic of Ireland and the People's Republic of China : a cultural perspective

The objectives of this thesis are three. Firstly, finding and analyzing the differences of performance management system in SMEs in Ireland and China. Secondly, finding the cultural differences between China and Ireland and thirdly, integrating the research outcomes of the above research objectives, and then analyzing the effect of these cultural differences on performance management system in SMEs in China and Ireland.

Sistemes integrats de gesti�� (Integrated Management Systems - IMS): An��lisi emp��ric a les empreses de Catalunya

Projecte de recerca elaborat a partir d���una estada al Auditing and Integration of Management Systems Research Laboratory de la Universitat d���Alberta, Canad��, des de maig fins a setembre del 2007. Aquest centre porta a terme recerca de caire te��rica i b��sica aplicada a l���assegurament de la qualitat, i m��s concretament a l���estandarditzaci�� i integraci�� de sistemes de gesti��. En primer lloc, s���han analitzat les dades obtingudes en l���estudi emp��ric descriptiu realitzat a Catalunya durant l���any 2005, focalitzat en els est��ndards de gesti�� m��s utilitzats per les empreses catalanes, en que s���hi inclo��en les normes ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OSHAS 18001 aix�� com els nous est��ndards de suport de la s��rie ISO 10000. En segon terme, i a partir d���aquest an��lisis previ, s���ha iniciat el disseny d���una metodologia flexible per a la integraci�� dels sistemes de gesti�� basats en est��ndards internacionals.

Compliance im ��ffentlichen Sektor : Untersuchung ��ber den allf��lligen Nutzen eines Compliance-Management-Systems in der ��ffentlichen Verwaltung am Beispiel des Bundesamtes f��r Gesundheit

Par Compliance, on entend l'ensemble des mesures organisationnelles d'une entreprise qui visent �� assurer le respect des r��gles par l'entreprise et ses collaborateurs. Dans le secteur priv�� - surtout dans les banques et les assurances - la Compliance est un concept bien ��tabli et le poste du Compliance Officer appara��t clairement dans l'organigramme des entreprises. Ce terme appara��t aussi de temps �� autre au sein de l'administration f��d��rale, en relation avec la politique de gestion des risques et le syst��me de contr��le interne (SCI) ; mais une introduction effective de la Compliance n'y a pas encore eu lieu (jusqu'ici). Les Am��ricains ont l'habitude de dire �� if you think compliance is expensive, try non compliance ��. Cette d��claration, apparemment valable pour le secteur priv��, peut-elle cependant ��tre transpos��e telle quelle au secteur public ? L'introduction d'un syst��me de management tel que la Compliance apporterait-elle effectivement une plus-value par rapport aux syst��mes existants afin d'��viter les risques engendrant des cons��quences juridiques ou causant une mauvaise r��putation suite au non-respect de r��gles par des collaborateurs ? La pr��sente ��tude se penche sur ces questions et analyse, sur la base de documents et d'interviews, quels ��l��ments de la Compliance existent au niveau de la Conf��d��ration et au sein de l'Office f��d��ral de la sant�� publique (OFSP) et s'ils sont propres �� atteindre les objectifs vis��s par la Compliance. Dans plusieurs domaines, on a pu constater des d��fauts et, par cons��quent, un gros potentiel d'am��lioration. Le probl��me principal est l'absence d'organisation au niveau de la Compliance. Cela complique la vue d'ensemble des risques juridiques et de ceux pouvant causer une mauvaise r��putation qui existent au niveau de la Conf��d��ration et �� l'OFSP et rend impossible un management homog��ne de ces risques. En cons��quence et dans l'��tat actuel des choses, il pourrait s'av��rer difficile d'��viter de mani��re durable la r��alisation des risques susmentionn��s au moyen des syst��mes existants. D'un autre c��t��, la politique de gestion des risques au sein de la Conf��d��ration et l'introduction d'un syst��me de contr��le interne (SCI) ont repr��sent�� les premiers pas en direction d'un syst��me de gestion des risques int��gr��. La Compliance serait un compl��ment id��al et pourrait - dans la mesure o�� la direction de l'Office la soutient et donne le bon exemple - contribuer �� la r��duction des risques d��crits ci-dessus non seulement au niveau de la Conf��d��ration mais encore au sein de l'OFSP. La pr��sente ��tude ne vise pas pour autant �� critiquer les syst��mes ��tablis, mais bien plus �� montrer le potentiel d'am��lioration dont on pourrait tirer profit.

Audit report on the ADLM Facilities Management Systems Commission for the year ended June 30, 2007

Audit report on the ADLM Facilities Management Systems Commission for the year ended June 30, 2007

Audit report on the ADLM Facilities Management Systems Commission for the year ended June 30, 2008

Audit report on the ADLM Facilities Management Systems Commission for the year ended June 30, 2008

Biomassa microbiana e produ����o de C-CO2 e N mineral de um podz��lico vermelho-escuro submetido a diferentes sistemas de manejo: Microbial biomass and C-CO2 and mineral nitrogen production in paleudult soil cultivated under different management systems

Os sistemas de manejo, com diferen��as no revolvimento do solo e na composi����o dos res��duos vegetais, alteram as propriedades biol��gicas do solo, com reflexos na qualidade do solo e na produtividade das culturas. Com vistas em medir estas altera����es nas propriedades biol��gicas do solo, a biomassa e a atividade microbiana foram avaliadas em um Podz��lico Vermelho-Escuro, em Eldorado do Sul (RS), utilizando diferentes preparos (convencional, reduzido e plantio direto) e dois sistemas de sucess��es de culturas (aveia preta + vica/milho + caupi e aveia/milho). As avalia����es foram realizadas em quatro ��pocas, durante 12 meses, e em duas profundidades (0-5 e 5-15 cm). O carbono da biomassa microbiana foi analisado pelo m��todo de fumiga����o-incuba����o, e a atividade microbiana, pela produ����o de C-CO2 e N mineral, ap��s 60 dias de incuba����o. As diferen��as na biomassa e na atividade microbiana, entre os sistemas de manejo, foram mais pronunciadas na camada de 0-5 cm. Nesta camada de solo, observaram-se os maiores valores de biomassa e de atividade nos preparos conservacionistas e no sistema aveia + vica/milho + caupi. Dentre as vari��veis estudadas, a mineraliza����o de N mostrou-se a mais sens��vel aos manejos, �� profundidade e �� ��poca de amostragem.

Risk management systems in society

Kirjoitus perustuu 24.9.1996 pidettyyn esitelm����n yhteiskunnan riskien hallintaa k��sittelev��ss�� seminaarissa.

Nitrate and ammonium in soil solution in tobacco management systems

Tobacco farmers of southern Brazil use high levels of fertilizers, without considering soil and environmental attributes, posing great risk to water resources degradation. The objective of this study was to monitor nitrate and ammonium concentrations in the soil solution of an Entisol in and below the root zone of tobacco under conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT) and no-tillage (NT). The study was conducted in the small-watershed Arroio Lino, in Agudo, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A base fertilization of 850 kg ha-1 of 10-18-24 and topdressing of 400 kg ha-1 of 14-0-14 NPK fertilizer were applied. The soil solution was sampled during the crop cycle with a tension lysimeter equipped with a porous ceramic cup. Ammonium and nitrate concentrations were analyzed by the distillation and titration method. Nitrate concentrations, ranging from 8 to 226 mg L-1, were highest after initial fertilization and decreased during the crop cycle. The average nitrate (N-NO3-) concentration in the root zone was 75 in NT, 95 in MT, and 49 mg L-1 in CT. Below the root zone, the average nitrate concentration was 58 under NT, 108 under MT and 36 mg L-1 under CT. The nitrate and ammonium concentrations did not differ significantly in the management systems. However, the nitrate concentrations measured represent a contamination risk to groundwater of the watershed. The ammonium concentration (N-NH4+) decreased over time in all management systems, possibly as a result of the nitrification process and root uptake of part of the ammonium by the growing plants.

Effects of different management systems on porosity of oxisols in Paran��, Brazil

Soils play a fundamental role in the production of human foods. The Oxisols in the state of Paran�� are among the richest and most productive soils in Brazil, but degradation and low porosity are frequently documented, due to intensive farming involving various management strategies and the application of high-tech solutions. This study aims to investigate changes in the porosity of two Red Oxisols (Latossolos Vermelhos), denoted LVef (eutroferric) and LVdf (dystroferric) under conventional and no-tillage soil management, with a succession of annual crops of soybean, maize and wheat over a continuous period of more than 20 years. After describing the soil profiles under native forest, no-tillage management and conventional tillage using the crop profile method, deformed and non-deformed soil samples were collected from the volumes most compacted by human intervention and the physical, chemical and mineralogical properties analyzed. The various porosity classes (total pore volume, inter-aggregate porosity between channels and biological cavities) and intra-aggregate porosity (determined in 10 cm�� saturated clods subjected to a pressure of -10 kPa to obtain a pore volume with a radius (r eq), &gt; 15 &#956;m and < 15 &#956;m). The results showed that the effects of no-tillage farming on porosity are more pronounced in both soil types. Porosity of the LVdf was higher than pf the LVef soil, whatever the management type. In the LVdf soil, only pores with a radius of &gt; 15 &#956;m were affected by farming whereas in the LVef soil, pores with a radius of < 15 &#956;m were affected as well.

Labile and stable fractions of soil organic matter under management systems and native cerrado

Soil organic matter can be analyzed on the basis of the different fractions. Changes in the levels of organic matter, caused by land use, can be better understood by alterations in the different compartments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different management systems on the labile and stable organic matter of a dystrophic Red Latosol (Oxisol). The following properties were determined: total organic C and total N (TOC and TN), particulate organic C and particulate N (POC and PN), organic C and N mineral-associated (MOC and NM) and particulate organic C associated with aggregate classes (POCA). Eight treatments were used: seven with soil management systems and one with native Cerrado as a reference. The experiment was designed to study the dynamics of systems of tillage and crop rotation, alternating in time and space. The experimental design was a randomized block design with three replications. The soil samples were collected from five depths: 0-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40 cm. Changes in organic C by land use occurred mainly in the fraction of particulate organic matter (> 53 mm). Proper management of grazing promoted increased levels of particulate organic matter by association with larger aggregates (2-8 mm), demonstrating the importance of the formation of this aggregate class for C protection in pasture.

Nitrogen dynamics in soil management systems. I - flux of inorganic nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3-)

In agricultural systems the N-NH4+ and N-NO3- contents is significantly affected by soil management. This study investigated the dynamics of inorganic nitrogen (N; NH4+ and NO3-) in an experimental evaluation of soil management systems (SMSs) adopted in 1988 at the experimental station of the ABC Foundation in Ponta Grossa, in the Central South region of the State of Paran��. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in N-NH4+ and N-NO3- flux in the surface layer of a Red Latosol arising from SMSs over a 12-month period. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized block design in split plots, in three replications. The plots consisted of the following SMSs: 1) conventional tillage (CT); 2) minimum tillage (MT); 3) no-tillage with chisel plow every three years (NT CH); and 4) continuous no-tillage (CNT). To evaluate the dynamics of inorganic N, the subplots represented samplings (11 sampling times, T1 - T11). The ammonium N (N-NH4+) and nitric N (N-NO3-) contents were higher in systems with reduced tillage (MT and NT CH) and without tillage (CNT) than in the CT system. In the period from October 2003 to February 2004, the N-NH4+ was higher than the N-NO3- soil content. Conversely, in the period from May 2004 to July 2004, the N-NO3- was higher than the N-NH4+ content. The greatest fluctuation in the N-NH4+ and N-NO3- contents occurred in the 0-2.5 cm layer, and the highest peak in the N-NH4+ and N-NO3- concentrations occurred after the surface application of N. Both N-NH4+ and N-NO3- were strongly correlated with the soil organic C content, which indicated that these properties vary together in the system.