Research

Influence of ISO certification on the progress of Spanish industry towards TQM

ISO 9000 certification adds to the fact of being a management tool, source of competitive advantages, its potential to stimulate the advance of industry towards TQM. Many studies have been published that seem to confirm this, but a close review of available publications has allowed us to detect the absence of such an investigation in Spain. That is why an empirical work has been planned, its main goal being to analyse how relevant certification may be in the progress of Spanish companies towards TQM. Mail surveys were carried out on 3,864 certified organizations; 749 (19.4 per cent) responded. The answers of participating companies reflect that although certification leads to a basic quality level, it is also true that it generates a degree of steadiness and a constant demands for updatinh and adaptation of the system it is based on, transforming it into a perfect foundation for more advanced quality practices.

Authors

Carmen Escanciano, Esteban Fernández, Camilo Vázquez;  Departamento de Administración de Empresas y Contabilidad, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain

Citation

Carmen Escanciano, Esteban Fernández, Camilo Vázquez, (2001) “Influence of ISO 9000 certification on the progress of Spanish industry towards TQM“, International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 18 Iss: 5, pp.481 – 494