Quality management systems certification: a survey
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management
ISSN: 0265-671X
Article publication date: 1 August 1998
Abstract
Describes research into attitudinal differences between small‐sized and medium/large‐sized organisations towards the benefits/limitations of obtaining certification for a quality management system (QMS) and differences between small‐sized and medium/large‐sized organisations in terms of the pressures driving organisations to seek certification. Presents details of prototype model building of characteristics of organisations either positive or negative towards a certified QMS approach. Fifty organisations were surveyed using a postal questionnaire. Finds some evidence of smaller‐sized organisations having more negative attitudes to QMS certification than medium/large‐sized organisations. Finds both small‐sized and medium/large‐sized organisations attach importance to internal reasons (i.e. a desire to improve internal efficiency) and external reasons (i.e. pressure from customers) in influencing the decision to seek certification. Suggests small‐sized manufacturing companies currently in the process of seeking certification are more likely to fit the model profile of organisations hostile to the QMS certification approach.
Keywords
Citation
Bryde, D.J. and Slocock, B. (1998), "Quality management systems certification: a survey", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 15 No. 5, pp. 467-480. https://doi.org/10.1108/02656719810203668
Publisher
:MCB UP Ltd
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited