Family of related, auditable, international standards and supplementary guidelines that apply to an organization’s environmental management system (EMS). First published in 1996 (and continually updated) by the International Standards Organization (ISO), these standards are designed to provide step by step (structured) approach to setting environmental objectives, achieving them, and verifying that they have actually been achieved. Through these standards a firm can manage the impact of its products (goods and services) and processes on the quality of the environment. A firm may apply for certification to independent (third party) accredited auditors or (unlike ISO 9000 series) can self-declare compliance if its management is confident that the firm’s operations are meeting the stipulated requirements.
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A holistic approach to long-term success that views continuous improvement in all aspects of an organization as a process and not as a short-term goal. It aims to radically transform the organization through progressive changes in the attitudes, practices, structures, and systems.
Total quality management transcends the product quality approach, involves everyone in the organization, and encompasses its every function: administration, communications, distribution, manufacturing, marketing, planning, training, etc. Coined by the US Naval Air Systems Command in early 1980s, this term has now taken on several meanings and includes (1) commitment and direct involvement of highest-level executives in setting quality goals and policies, allocation of resources, and monitoring of results; (2) realization that transforming an organization means fundamental changes in basic beliefs and practices and that this transformation is everyone’s job; (3) building quality into products and practices right from the beginning; (4) understanding of the changing needs of the internal and external customers, and stakeholders, and satisfying them in a cost effective manner; (5) instituting leadership in place of mere supervision so that every individual performs in the best possible manner to improve quality and productivity, thereby continually reducing total cost; (6) eliminating barriers between people and departments so that they work as teams to achieve common objectives; and (7) instituting flexible programs for training and education, and providing meaningful measures of performance that guide the self-improvement efforts of everyone involved..
Family of related, auditable, international standards and supplementary guidelines on quality management and quality assurance. First published in 1987 (and continually updated) by the International Standards Organization (ISO), these standards are not specific to any industry or product (good or service) but are nearly universally applicable and recognized. Although called ‘voluntary,’ they are almost mandatory for practically all manufacturers and service providers selling to multinationals and large or governmental organizations. To be awarded certification, a firm’s operations and internal systems must be verify by independent (third party) and accredited auditors (after an on-site audit) to be in compliance with these standards. To remain certified, the firm must continue to pass the on-site audit conducted at regular intervals (usually every two years). In addition to the gains in productivity, the ISO 9000 certification brings recognition and credibility and provides a structure on which a total quality management (TQM) system can be built.
Popular name for International Organization For Standardization (IOS), a voluntary, non-treaty federation of standards setting bodies of some 130 countries. Founded in 1946-47 in Geneva as a UN agency, it promotes development of standardization and related activities to facilitate international trade in goods and services, and cooperation on economic, intellectual, scientific, and technological aspects. ISO covers standardization in all fields including computers and data communications, but excluding electrical and electronic engineering (governed by the International Electrotechnical Commission or IEC) and telecommunications (governed by International Telecommunications Union’s Telecommunications Standards Sector or ITU-TSS). See also ISO 9000 Series and ISO 14000 Series.
1. Situation where a country levies tax on an income that has already been taxed in the same or another country. For example, corporate profits are taxed when they are earned, and then taxed again as personal income when distributed to stockholders (shareholders) as dividend or (in case of an owner-manager) as salary.
2. Tax on tax. Sales tax (unlike a value added tax) is imposed on the gross price (seller’s net cost price + sale tax paid on net price + seller’s profit) of an item as it moves from one seller to the next purchaser.
Indirect tax on the domestic consumption of goods and services, except those that are zero-rated (such as food and essential drugs) or are otherwise exempt (such as exports). It is levied at each stage in the chain of production and distribution from raw materials to the final sale based on the value (price) added at each stage. It is not a cost to the producer or the distribution chain members, and whereas its full brunt is borne by the end consumer, it avoids the double taxation (tax on tax) of a direct sales tax. Introduced by the European Economic Community (now the European Union) in the 1970s.
Charge levied by the State on consumption, expenditure, privilege, or right but not on income or property. Customs duties levied on imports, excise duties on production, sales tax or value added tax (VAT) at some stage in production-distribution process, are examples of indirect taxes because they are not levied directly on the income of the consumer or earner. Since they are less obvious than income tax (because they don’t show up on the wage slip) politicians are tempted to increase them to generate more state revenue. Also called consumption taxes, they are regressive measures because they are not based on the ability to pay principle.
A government levy on the income, property, or wealth of people or companies. A direct tax is borne entirely by the entity that pays it, and cannot be passed on to another entity.
Examples include corporation tax, income tax, and social security contributions. Unlike consumption taxes (see indirect tax), direct taxes are based on the ability to pay principle but they sometimes work as a disincentive to work harder and earn more because that would mean paying more tax. See also progressive tax.
Face to face presentation, demonstration, and sale of products or services, usually at the home or office of a prospect by the independent direct sales representatives. Employed by firms such as Avon, Mary Kay, and Tupperware, direct selling differs from network marketing in that it offers little or no incentives for recruiting ever increasing number of sales representatives.
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