Title: Implementation of ISO-based quality management systems: a review of the literature

Authors: S.A. Oke, O.E. Charles-Owaba

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Room 10, Mezzanine Complex, Facaulty of Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. ' Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract: The ISO-based Quality Management System (QMS), a powerful tool for effective management of product quality, is developed in response to the challenges of increasing market globalisation, and widely accepted by over 150 countries worldwide. Since the inception of the ISO standards, one may rightly ask the question: |ISO-based QMS, so what?| There is a need for an article presenting a holistic overview of ISO-based QMS, capturing past and present implementation, learning, trends, best practices, and case study findings in an integrated, concise, and elegantly distilled way. This paper satisfies the need by capturing the learning experiences and outcomes. This paper provides readers with motivated pointers as to whether or not to implement ISO-based QMS, based on worldwide past experiences and latest thinking. Top management of organisations is assisted in understanding answers to the question: |Has worldwide experience shown that implementation of an ISO-based QMS is worth the effort and cost?|

Keywords: quality management systems; QMS; survey; ISO 9000; ISO 14000; implementation; literature review; quality standards.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2007.011469

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2007 Vol.2 No.1, pp.81 - 111

Published online: 30 Nov 2006 *

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