Future management systems are no longer just a tool available to the organization, but have become integral to organizational culture, supporting its values and goals. They are an invisible, but always present and living part of the organization. Leadership and employee engagement are of paramount importance, ensuring efficient use of management systems fitting to the organizational structure chosen.
Management systems are now designed and formulated through extensive engagements with stakeholders, including consumers, employees, shareholders, environment and society at large. Organizations are conscious of the impact of megatrends and need to/ should understand, that ‘Business as usual’ is no longer a option. Stakeholders are increasingly sceptical and cautious about the way organizations do business and about their policies and objectives. Organizations have therefore adapted an approach based on engagement and transparency, with stakeholders involved in the creation of policies and objectives. Stakeholder communication has become tangible, with stakeholders seeking real-time validation of data and reports published by organizations.
Organizations continue to take account of the implications of the megatrends, and are now proactive in aligning their principles with their practices, rather than being reactive to regulation, standards and incidents. The transformation has been strongly driven by society, which remains extremely cautious, informed and aware about the potential impact of an organization and its business practices. To ensure that organizations are sustainable, they now have to demonstrate that they are creating shared value for relevant stakeholders.
In order to meet stakeholder expectations, organizations have to look beyond their current boundaries. Organizations now ensure that management systems are integrated and cover the entire value chain within the business, such as technology, products, product designs, sourcing, manufacturing, marketing, distribution and service. Stakeholders are aware of how various business processes across the value chain can impact the end product and society. Hence, for organizations to be successful, management systems must include the value chain and also ensure sustainable process across the complete chain.
Management systems involve the collection, processing and analysis of vast amounts of data. Management systems have become a real time communication tool, with constant communication with stakeholders, suppliers and other parties. Operating within a cloud computing model, technological innovation prevents the amount of data becoming overwhelming, through the use of background analysis supporting front end dashboards and other management information communication.
This “Co-Creation” will undoubtedly contribute towards a sustainable business and a sustainable environment and society at large.