MEJORA DE LA CALIDAD Y RENTABILIDAD DEL PRODUCTO A TRAVÉS DE LA ESTANDARIZACIÓN DE PROCESOS EN UNA PYME PRODUCTORA DE CHOCOLATE

Ensuring production quality is essential for the sustainability and profitability of small-scale manufacturing firms. Within the chocolate industry, the presence of defective products undermines both operational efficiency and market competitiveness. Nevertheless, many companies continue to operate without standardized procedures to mitigate errors and control production costs, leading to economic losses and compromised quality. This study evaluates the impact of designing and implementing a Standardized Procedures Manual (MAPRO) on the reduction of product defects in a chocolate manufacturing SME. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive research design was employed, analyzing cost indicators before and after the intervention. The results revealed a substantial decrease in defective outputs, achieving a defect rate of 2.6%, together with a total economic gain of US$ 6,401.83, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 68%, a Net Present Value (NPV) of US$ 4,736.83, and a benefit–cost ratio of 3.84. These findings underscore the importance of process standardization in small-scale manufacturing environments, highlighting how the implementation of standardized procedures can significantly enhance production efficiency, improve profitability, and strengthen market competitiveness.