As the global market becomes increasingly integrated, customers demand that businesses have a superior level of quality and performance. In that respect, geographical location is becoming irrelevant, says Robert Chalker, American Society for Quality’s (ASQ) global managing director.

“The concept of quality is the same everywhere. I think what you find—and this is true in Mexico, China, or in the United States—is companies and individuals being in different spectrums of quality. In fact, discussions of what quality is and what it should be is the same wherever you go,” he says. "Quality is less the culture of a country as it is the culture of an organization.”

Chalker is currently overseeing ASQ’s new expansion in Mexico City, where the organization plans to promote and strengthen quality in Mexico through its training and certificate programs.

Although Mexico’s commitment to quality is strong, a few obstacles are undeniable, Chalker says. “Challenge No. 1 is technology—though this gap is closing quickly. Second is the [limited] availability of investments. Last, the accessibility of educational resources to help advance the concept is scarce,” he says, adding that ASQ’s presence is Mexico aims to boost this scenario.

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