Title: ISO 9000 performance among the Malaysian companies: the effects of motives

Authors: A.M.A. Gader, M.Y. Ismail, A.M.S. Hamouda, N. Ismail, Khalifa Al-Khalifa

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar. ' Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a study to identify the real motives behind ISO 9000 Certification. Towards this goal, a survey of some 300 ISO 9000 certified companies has been carried out for Malaysian manufacturing companies. Statistical tests on its relationship with performance improvement and the overall benefits and the barriers on gaining ISO 9000 certification are done. The paper also reveals other factors influencing the performance of ISO 9000, for example, the period of time after the company has been certified and size of company. Finally, factor analysis is applied to identify the main factors in certification motives, benefits, barriers, and their in-between relationship.

Keywords: ISO 9000; motives; benefits; barriers; Malaysia; motivation; quality management; quality standards; quality certification; manufacturing industry; factor analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2009.021680

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2009 Vol.4 No.1, pp.32 - 45

Published online: 30 Nov 2008 *

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