Quality management in research: management process of the laboratories of Moroccan faculties of sciences and techniques

Abstract

The implementation of a quality management system including management tools in the industrial sector has several advantages. In this perspective, can we use quality management tools to improve the performance of scientific research in Morocco and reduce the gap noticed in this field between the latter and the industrialized countries? To evaluate the level of application of good quality management practices related to scientific research in Morocco, a questionnaire was established and administered to the research laboratories managers of the faculties of sciences and techniques at the national level. Further to this study, it turns out that the good quality management practices related to the laboratory management and research management are applied by a percentage of the laboratories varies between 8 % and 75 %. Regarding the perspectives related to the quality management, 96 % of the laboratories managers declared important or very important the implementation of a quality management system in the laboratory. However, only 17 % have a certification (according to ISO 9001) and/or an accreditation (according to ISO/IEC 17025) project for the next 3 years, considering that the lack of financial means and staff involvement are the first two obstacles for the implementation of such projects. In short, the implementation of good quality management practices in research has several advantages and requires first of all training in the specific standards linked to this area. It also requires the sensitization of managers to the appropriate tools for managing research that can be used and whose purpose is the continuous improvement in the activities.