The deming cycle (PDCA) concept as an efficient tool for continuous quality improvement in the agribusiness

Abstract

Task statement: This article is an attempt to study the issues of quality management of business processes and production with respect to companies operating in the agricultural sector. The global agribusiness is a special sphere of production, which is aimed at meeting the most important physiological needs of people. Therefore, the quality of the products, and thus the quality of the business processes are crucial for preservation and enhancement of the health of the world's population. The approach of this article is based on the cross-disciplinary concept of quality management with regard to the specifics of the operation and development of agro-industrial companies. Results: the study of theoretical, methodological, and empirical aspects shows that, in recent decades, the dynamics of the global agribusiness has changed significantly, and it is caused by multiple objective factors. At the same time, forecasts say the world food production will fall short of the real need of the world population in this products, so further stimulation of sustainable development of the world's agribusiness can be performed through total quality management as well. For agricultural companies, quality management should be based on the Deming Cycle concept; this approach orients all business processes to implementation of the eight core principles of total quality management. Conclusion/recommendations: materials contained in this article show the special role of the global agribusiness in social and economic processes. The proposed scheme of quality management is recommended for use in the agricultural companies of the complete production cycle. For companies of the non-complete cycle, the scheme can be adapted by eliminating unused links.