Quality is a key component to successful innovation and, when paired together, can have a positive impact on an organization’s bottom line, according to a new report released by ASQ.

The report, released during World Quality Month, is the first of several reports published as part of ASQ’s Global State of Quality 2 Research, which examines the state of quality and continuous improvement worldwide, providing organizations with insights into gaps and opportunities. The latest research expands upon the inaugural 2013 research, which provided the first-ever view of quality and continuous improvement on a global scale.

ASQ and its research partner, APQC, interviewed Scott Alexander, vice president of innovation at ROi, about how organizations can foster a culture of innovation, and he addresses the role of the customer in innovation and innovation’s impact on an organization’s bottom line.

To create a culture of innovation, organizations have to better understand and appreciate customer demands, develop an interest and willingness to do things differently, and implement new and proven ideas that align with the organization, according to Alexander.

World Quality Month promotes the use of quality systems, methods and tools in businesses and communities, and, as a result, showcases enhanced business performance and improved product and service quality. World Quality Month seeks to heighten the awareness of quality among businesses, consumers and communities around the world by calling on quality and continuous improvement professionals to share their stories.