A FRAMEWORK FOR QUALITY AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC PERIOD: A CASE OF SELECTED BUSINESSES IN PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

Drastic and dynamic changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic have forced businesses to reimagine a sustainable way of ensuring business survival in the long term. The present study seeks to design a framework for quality and operations management performance during the covid-19 pandemic period following the case of selected manufacturing companies in South Africa. The regression analysis indicates a significant correlation together with the R square confirming that 98.1% of the performance elements are defined by the COVID-19 risk types, operations management structures, operations-based Risk management, operational practices, pandemic constraints and Business challenges. Efficient operations management structure should be tailored by the application of good governance policies business transformation, planning management, environmental adaptation, stakeholders’ development. Businesses should enable digital adoption, quality management system, green operational management, stakeholder commitment and the integration of management system. The proposed framework includes upgraded business processes, operational practices, and operations-based risk management using successful operations management structure for business optimization, especially during crises connected with drastic and dynamic changes. Policymakers should be proactive in developing and implementing business tragedy policies and regulations to tackle severe business penalties and thus ensure business sustainability.