Implicaciones de la integración de los sistemas de gestión de calidad, medio ambiente y seguridad y salud laboral basados en estándares internacionales

Abstract

From the proposed conceptualization of the construct ¿integration of management systems¿ like a ¿semantic diffused universe¿, based on the multidisciplinary confluence in its field of study, this thesis deal with three key aspects in its theoretical framework: the scope of integrated management systems, the definitions of construct and the methodological approaches used for its consecution. Together with this, it is carried out a bibliographic meta-analysis about consequences as a result of an integration process.

Based on this theoretical framework it was formulated three objectives: the first one is to know the characteristics of integrated systems (semantic consideration) including Quality, Environment and Occupational Health and Safety systems based on international standards (scope consideration), and the methodological aspects which determine its structure (methodological consideration).

The second objective focus on the advantages, disadvantages and difficulties appeared after a process of integration of management systems; observing its level of appearance and identifying the contingent aspects which influence in his performance.

Finally, we analyze the impact of the integration process on one technical function involved, Occupational Health and Safety, evaluating how is the impact on their performance results, as well as on the management mechanisms that it uses.

The research methodology used to contrast the hypotheses derived from these objectives is basically exploratory, with application of quantitative techniques: for the first objective we have used the ¿principal component analysis¿ multivariate technique, complemented with descriptive statistics. For the other two objectives were combined techniques of statistical inference and descriptive statistics.

The results have shown the appearance of three levels of integration between the organizations in the sample, which can be characterized by two variables: the integration of the documentary structure of the new system and the level of integration of the map of processes. It has also verified that the integration of management systems provides multiple benefits to organizations, so generally is perceived as positive for them. There is also a positive relationship between level of integration and level of acquisition of such benefits. Finally, we have found that the occupational health and safety management system integration with other systems has a positive impact on the management and operation of the preventive processes and its performance. Likewise it can even be a contributing factor to the reduction of the accident rates of the company.