TQM through the integration of blockchain with ISO 9001:2015 standard based quality management system

Total Quality Management (TQM) facilitates the achievement of continuous quality improvement by implementing several strategies, techniques, system and tools. Out of them, ISO 9001 standard based Quality Management System (QMS) was adopted widely by the organisations for achieving continuous quality improvement. Yet the outcome has not been very effective due to the absence of immutability and traceability in the theory and practices of this approach. This deficiency can be overcome if blockchain technology is used. Hence, the need of the hour is to integrate blockchain technology with ISO 9001:2015 standard based QMS. In order to meet this need, a framework has been presented in this paper. This framework facilitates the usage of smart contracts and hyperledger for achieving traceability and immutability while operating the ISO 9001:2015 standard based QMS. Further, the application of Internet of Things and artificial intelligence are indicated for implementing this integrated framework to achieve the goals of implementing TQM. The paper is concluded by mentioning that implementation in organisations in which ISO 9001:2015 standard is under operation would facilitate to check the practical viability of the framework proposed in this paper.