Key Quality Management Practices for Productivity Indica-tors in the Colombian Dairy Industry

The aim of this study was to investigate how productivity indicators in the Colombian dairy industry can be strengthened with quality management practices (QMp). This research was conducted under a multiple case study approach, analyzing two companies within the Colombian dairy industry. The primary data collection method used was in-depth interviews, supported by secondary sources such as internal documents and company websites. According to the main findings, the interviewees perceive that the key QMp to strengthen the seven productivity indicators of the Colombian dairy industry include all practices related to top management support, human resources management, process management, and process control, as well as individual practices like innovation and feedback and auditing. Furthermore, the indicators with the highest number of key QMp were those related to the amount of whey and defective product. This research provides valuable and original insights for practitioners, managers, and policymakers. In addition, it contributes to theoretical progress by outlining how specific productivity indicators within the Colombian dairy industry can be improved through key QMp, proposes a theoretical framework that suggests the possible sequence of implementation and the interrelationships between these practices, and lays a foundation for future research in this field.