title: Continuous quality improvement in contract research organizations--managing improvement processes.
abstract: The challenge of quality improvement extends beyond traditional service delivery organizations. This article, the second in a two-part series (see QMHC 7:3, Spring 1999, 7-21 for the first part) focuses on training and empowerment, leadership and statistical process control, and the contribution of these factors to the success of CROs in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. The importance of each is presented along with specific illustrations from operating CROs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Sollecito
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kaluzny
mesh_terms: D003284:Contract Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration; D007857:Leadership; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012106:Research / Q000592:standards*; D017749:Total Quality Management