ISO 44004:2021 pdf download – Collaborative business relationship management — Guidelines for large organizations seeking collaboration with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
5.5 Governance and processes Relationships between organizations require governance structures that support collaborative decision-making to ensure success. Management processes and accountabilities sometimes need to adapt to ensure that collaborative working is effective both internally and across joint activities. Large organizations by their very nature can and do develop a broad range of policies, processes and systems supported by the appropriate resources. This usually sets them aside from smaller organizations. Frequently, larger organizations expect and often demand specific alignment to their business processes which can be unfavourable for getting the best performance from smaller organizations. Large organizations frequently have significant reporting requirements and, as a result, the resources to service these. In smaller organizations, there are often fewer resources available and excessive reporting can divert scarce resources from performance-related activities. Adopting an MSME-friendly approach does not mean diluting critical requirements but making sure that they are proportional and balanced, including the allocation of risk (see 5.10) and contractual terms. Smaller organizations often have internal quality management processes that are proportionate to the size of their business. When assessing smaller organizations, the larger organization should not expect process and systems which mirror its internal approaches, as these are frequently not practical in smaller organizations. This can highlight the need for a more streamlined approach. The partners need to establish working procedures and responsibilities to provide clarity and evaluate what is practical in terms of satisfying their needs. If not addressed, they are likely to influence performance, confidence and, subsequently, the level of engagement and behaviours.
5.6 Collaborative competence and behaviour Establishing and developing collaborative behaviours, skills and capabilities significantly enhances relationships between organizations. Fundamental to successful collaboration is the assignment of personnel with the appropriate competence and skills for collaborative working. The competences of the individuals involved impacts on their behaviours. Working in a collaborative venture can significantly challenge many individuals with the result that they do not fully engage or fail to understand the importance of their contribution and their responsibilities within the collaboration.