Assessing ISO 18404 standard applicability in the service sector: a qualitative study
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to establish the applicability of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 18404 standard to the service sector, identify any required amendments and identify the critical success factors and barriers to deploying the standard within the service sector.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a qualitative approach by interviewing operational excellence (OPEX) professionals who work in the service sector.
Findings
The findings indicate a significant lack of knowledge about the existence of the standard and a general scepticism regarding the applicability of the current ISO 18404 standard to the service sector.
Research limitations/implications
Limited examples of the application of ISO 18404 in organisations exist, as only a few organisations have adopted the standard. Therefore, the research focussed on the challenges and obstacles that experienced OPEX professionals perceived could be an issue.
Originality/value
The study will aid service sector organisations in understanding the standard and, subsequently, determine whether to pursue it as part of an OPEX programme. This research is the first study on the application of ISO 18404 to the service sector.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors express their sincere gratitude to all the participants in this study. The participants' invaluable contributions and participation have been instrumental in completing this research. The authors sincerely appreciate the participants' assistance and willingness to participate in this study, as it would not have been possible without their valuable input.
Citation
Sony, M., Ramadan, M.A., Antony, J., Al Dhaheri, M.K., McDermott, O. and Cudney, E.A. (2024), "Assessing ISO 18404 standard applicability in the service sector: a qualitative study", The TQM Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-12-2023-0403
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited