The Relationship Between Metrology Patents and Quality Infrastructure

Posted on by
2

As we continue our efforts to measure quality infrastructure (QI) development and improve QI data collection to understand QI’s contribution to economic growth, we turn our attention to metrology. We examined the relationship between the Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) and the number of metrology patents filed to understand whether it would be a suitable proxy for metrology development. We expect a strong positive relationship between the variables of interest, suggesting that countries with higher metrological competencies will likely have more metrology patent applications.

Continue reading →

Recalibrating Quality: The Role of Risk-Based Thinking

Posted on by
3

Risk-based thinking has emerged as a cornerstone of modern quality management and is simultaneously used in conformity assessment and market surveillance.

This article aims to deepen our understanding of the connection between risk, quality, and safety. It explainsits significance for quality management, conformity assessment, market surveillance, and the overarching quality infrastructure. In doing so, we address how risk thinking has developed and will continue to develop in the world of quality.

Continue reading →

Advancing the Global Quality Infrastructure: Key Insights and Trends from GQII 2023

Posted on by
Reply

The “GQII-Report 2023: Insights and Trends on Economies Using Metrology, Standards, Accreditation and Conformity Assessment Services” was published earlier this year using 2023 data. The GQII database and ranking integrate information on quality infrastructure (QI) in 185 economies. Each edition collects and analyses data on standardization, metrology, accreditation and conformity assessment activities. Data from multiple sources is used to ensure comparability and a formula is used to calculate each economy’s score and position in the global QI ranking.

Continue reading →

Photovoltaic: Quality, Safety, and Sustainability Challenges

Posted on by
1

In a June 2024 Solar Energy Special, the Economist called solar energy generation the “least obtrusive revolution imaginable.”(The Economist 2024b) According to the International Solar Energy Society, solar power is on track to generate more electricity than all the world’s nuclear power plants in 2026, its wind turbines in 2027, its dams in 2028, its gas-fired power plants in 2030, and its coal-fired ones in 2032.

Continue reading →

Gender Perspective in Quality Infrastructure: A Pathway to Equality and Innovation (PART 2)

Posted on by
1

In a previous post, we discussed the importance and implications of incorporating a gender perspective into QI. We recommended using a framework tailored to the QI context to evaluate contribution levels and progress toward gender equality. This time, we will explore various entry points through which QI can integrate a gender perspective, including:

  1. Fostering women’s talent and empowerment within QI organisations

In 2023, the Global Gender Gap Report published that women represent 49.3% of total employment in occupations outside science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), but only 29.2% of all STEM workers. This shows that women continue to be under-represented in this field of work, which is usually highly paid and has excellent growth potential.

Continue reading →