The impact of ISO 9001 standard and the EFQM model: The view of the assessors

The impact of certification on the elements of TQM exploring the influence of company size and industry

Purpose

This study examines whether certification improves the dimensions of total quality management (TQM) and whether the impact of certification is similar across companies of different sizes and industries. The benefits of certification for companies have been widely discussed in recent years. The general debate has been partly marked by the dispute about whether companies will benefit more from certification or the implementation of TQM. This debate has led to numerous studies on the benefits of certification; however, few studies simultaneously have examined traditional TQM issues and the requirements of the new quality standard, ISO 9001: 2015, as well as the updated European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted via a survey of Finnish SMEs and covered both industrial and service companies. The study comprehensively compared industrial companies with service companies and small companies with medium-sized companies.

Findings

In industrial and small enterprises, certification clearly has a positive effect on the dimensions of TQM, but a similar effect was not observed in medium-sized enterprises or in the service sector.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to examine the effect of certification on TQM in different types of SMEs while simultaneously considering EFQM and ISO 9001:2015 in Finland. The significant originality of this research lies in the formation of a comprehensive research framework for the dimensions of TQM.

Environmental management and labor productivity: The moderating role of quality management

Abundant studies have been made around the impact of environmental management on economic performance in business, but there is still no consistent conclusion. This study focuses on labor productivity as a measure of economic performance. We argue that environmental management has a negative impact on the labor productivity of company in the special context of Chinese increasingly stringent environmental regulations, but this impact is moderated by quality management. Environmental management score and the years that companies have passed ISO 9001 are set as proxies for independent and moderating variable respectively. A sample including 229 Chinese listed companies is used to test the hypotheses by multiple regression analysis. Results show that environmental management has a negative impact on labor productivity, and quality management moderates the relationship.

EFQM model for overall excellence of Indian thermal power generating sector

Purpose

The generic nature of business excellence models and arbitrary approaches followed by organizations to achieve excellence has triggered new approaches to attain excellence; one such approach is to have country- and industry-specific model. World Energy Council has developed an Energy Trilemma Index, which gives relative energy performances of almost 125 countries based on comprehensive energy matrix (affordability, availability and environment impact). Presently, India ranks at 91 as per this index thereby making this sector prudent case for specific excellence model for sector’s overall excellence. The purpose of this paper is to propose European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model with Indian thermal power generating sector specific factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The study followed a research approach that combines literature review, qualitative and quantitative techniques. This includes analysis of the literature related to the subject, qualitative analysis to validate gap areas around EFQM model and identify factors critical to Indian thermal power sector. Quantitative analysis was done using SmartPLS 3.2.7 software for structural equation modeling–partial least square.

Findings

The research proposes inclusion of Indian thermal power generating sector specific factors in EFQM model, which in turn portrays balanced set of results and corresponding enablers for achieving excellence in the sector. The biggest take away will be sustained and effective contribution toward society and environment by this sector.

Originality/value

This is first of its kind study in India and globally for thermal power generating sector. It will trigger quality consciousness among power generating companies. For India, such excellence mission will definitely help nation to improve efforts toward 24×7 electricity and electricity to all.

Drivers and internalisation of the EFQM excellence model

Purpose

Although the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model has been widely adopted throughout Europe, a thorough examination of the factors that contribute to the internalisation of the model (i.e. a substantive adoption) has been neglected in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to present a model that analyses the drivers of the real internalisation of the EFQM excellence model, with a focus on the role of motives for adoption, and appraisal and compensation systems.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was carried out based on a sample of Spanish organisations that had been awarded EFQM recognition. Structural equation models, cluster analysis and ANOVA were used to examine the research questions.

Findings

Internal motives concerning the creation of a participative style are the main driver of internalisation. Moreover, having an appraisal system-oriented towards the development of employees helps the substantive adoption of the EFQM model. These findings reinforce the importance of the soft elements of the EFQM model.

Originality/value

This study enhances evidence about the motives for adoption and their influence on the internalisation of the EFQM model. It analyses internalisation in a novel context, EFQM recognised organisations, and contributes to the debate about the efficacy of the EFQM model to performance improvement, by unveiling the factors that could foster the internalisation of the model within the organisational routines.

An exploratory study of the results of the implementation of EFQM in private Spanish firms

Purpose

The implementation of business excellence models is becoming a key competitive priority for companies, but the type of results they obtain by implementing such models and the importance of such results remain open issues. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the results obtained by companies that implement the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence model, with a focus on their importance and nature.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was conducted in 68 Spanish firms that were immersed in the process of implementing EFQM. The methodology consists of a descriptive analysis and factor analysis in order to determine which groups of results are the most important. Finally, clusters of firms are analyzed to establish their profile in relation to these groups, using cluster analysis.

Findings

This study shows that the main results of the implementation of EFQM are an improvement in the external image of the company and an increased efficiency of internal processes. In addition, the results can be grouped into internal results, human resources results and economic results, with the first group being the most important. Finally, the results show that there are three groups of firms, categorized according to their results orientation: highly results-oriented, moderately results-oriented and minimally results-oriented.

Practical implications

Companies are in a better position to anticipate and solve the problems that may arise during the implementation process if they understand the results of the implementation of EFQM, along with the motivations for and barriers to the implementation. Also, this research shows that the bodies promoting and motivating quality should make a special effort to emphasize the importance of non-financial results in companies that implement EFQM.

Originality/value

This paper extends the knowledge in the field of business excellence models by developing an instrument to measure implementation results from the perspective of quality managers who were specifically appointed to lead the implementation of the EFQM excellence model in companies.

Motives for implementing ISO 9000 – does enterprise size matter?

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the motives for obtaining an ISO 9000-certified quality management system in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and whether such motives differ between large companies and SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a qualitative approach, using multiple case studies. The primary research consisted of interviews with top and middle managers in four organizations and was complemented with direct observation and documental analysis.

Findings

The research findings confirmed the existing literature. The most common motivations for certification came from external pressure such as customer demand and ability to participate in public tender. It therefore validates that the classification of motives adopted for large companies is also appropriate for SMEs. The research also brought to light one implication of ISO certification that has escaped mention in the literature, namely, the distinction between primary and secondary motives. That is, companies driven by externally-driven motives to pursue ISO 9000 certification appreciated other benefits once they realized the full potential of the standard, leading to additional motivations.

Practical implications

The study was restricted to a single region of Greece and a single sector, food and beverage industry. This study may provide key insight for managers to understand and appropriately evaluate motives for ISO 9000 certification and to save them from misinterpretation and hasty conclusions.

Originality/value

Because the data gathered were longitudinal, this study offered a deep understanding of the true motives for ISO 9000 certification.

The Impact of International Management Standards on Academic Research

Management standards serve as an effective knowledge diffusion channel, considering that they offer comprehensive scientific and practical knowledge for many different stakeholders. This research aims to study the potential of management standards to diffuse knowledge, especially within the scientific community. Therefore, it analyzes the relationship between management standards and the academic literature. It focuses on international management standards, namely ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 and their ‘European counterparts’ EMAS and the EFQM Excellence model. We tested whether scientific publications, which address these international and European management standards, are more likely to lead to follow-up research than comparable scientific publications measured by the impact on average forward citations. Hence, we applied a negative binominal regression model on bibliometric data. Findings show that publications addressing ISO 14001 alone or in combination with other standards lead to higher average forward citations than the comparison group. In conclusion, international management standards foster the academic research progress of the topics addressed by the respective standard. Our research implies the importance of monitoring standards for the scientific community and suggests Standard Setting Organizations to foster actively the research progress.

Quality management systems in European social service organizations

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze from an adopters’ perspective the European Quality in Social Services (EQUASS) Assurance standard, a certification program to implement a quality management (QM) system specifically tailored to European social service organizations (SSO). Specifically, it analyzes the motives, internalization, impacts, satisfaction, and renew intentions of this standard.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey methodology with both closed and open-ended questions. Of the 381 organizations contacted, 196 responses from eight different European countries were considered valid (51.4 percent). Descriptive statistical techniques and content analysis were employed to analyze closed- and open-ended questions, respectively.

Findings

The results show that SSO typically implement the certification for internal reasons, internalize EQUASS Assurance principles and practices in daily usage, obtain mainly operational and customer benefits, and consider main pitfalls such as increased workload and bureaucracy. Around 85 percent of the respondents are very satisfied or satisfied with the standard, which suggests that it meets their needs. The intention to renew the certification is also encouraging, but the final decision may be contingent on several aspects. Overall, the results reveal a rather optimistic picture, though there are some reasons for concern.

Originality/value

Recent years have seen many social services implementing QM systems, but there have been few studies investigating this phenomenon. Social service managers, consultants, auditors, and the EQUASS certification body can find in this work valuable information to make their practice more effective. This is the first study to report the results of an EQUASS survey in a scholarly journal.

The contribution of quality tools and integration of quality management systems to the organization

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution from the use of quality tools and the implementation of quality management systems (QMSs) to the management of an organization. The question is if these aspects have an impact on the important elements of a QMS, like critical success factors (CSFs), but more on the performance derived from its functioning.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was created and addressed to Greek companies which were certified with at least one QMS standard, in this case ISO 9001:2008.

Findings

It was concluded that companies implementing more than one QMS and more than nine quality tools gave more importance to specific CSFs of the QMS and also displayed better performance from the rest of the companies. The final conclusion is that the utilization of tools, techniques, and the implementation of more than one QMS – integration of management systems (MSs) – can contribute to many aspects of organization functioning.

Research limitations/implications

This study was based on the perception (subjective data) of only one quality manager/representative of each company. The companies were not asked about specific actions they have established to integrate their MSs.

Practical implications

This paper provides a closest look to the utilization of more than one QMS and the use of quality tools. These actions, as concluded, can play an important role in the management of organizations, and managers could use them in an appropriate way.

Originality/value

This paper aims to evaluate the value of QMS integration and the utilization of quality tools to specific issues of QMS as CSFs and performance in Greek companies.

A systematic approach to an organization's sustainability

This article integrates the concepts of sustainability and quality improvement into a systematic approach to an organization's sustainability. The article: (a) presents a literature-based model that incorporates the factors that drive an organization's sustainability; (b) describes how sustainability is operationalized through a systematic approach to quality improvement; (c) discusses the advantages of a systematic approach to sustainability; and (d) shares with the reader literature and experientially-based lessons learned about the approach.

The impact of total quality management on service company performance: evidence from Spain

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to explore the impact of total quality management (TQM) factors on performance dimensions of service companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– A research project was designed in the Spanish services sector. Companies that had already participated in activities with regard to business excellence were randomly selected and approached through a structured questionnaire, yielding a sample of 151 responding companies. By analyzing TQM implementation and company performance through the exploratory factor analysis, specific TQM factors and performance dimensions are extracted. The TQM factors that significantly influence the performance dimensions are determined through multiple linear regression analyses.

Findings

– According to the findings, the factors describing TQM implementation in service companies concern quality practices of top management, employee quality management, process management, employee knowledge and education and customer focus. Similarly, the performance dimensions revealed concern financial performance, operational performance, customer satisfaction and product/service quality performance. The TQM factors concerning customers, employees and top management significantly affect the performance dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

– The subjective data were collected from quality managers of a small-sized sample of companies operating in a European Union country and belonging to different services sub-sectors. Based on these limitations, future research studies are recommended.

Practical implications

– By focussing on specific TQM factors, a service company can improve its performance dimensions. In doing so, it can lay the foundations not only to survive but to be competitive in the current global scenario that is characterized by an economic downturn.

Originality/value

– This paper describes a reliable TQM model that can be implemented in the services sector and a means by which a service company can improve its performance.

Identification of barriers to improving quality management systems

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a survey on quality management systems (QMS)-related problems faced by management representatives.

Design/methodology/approach

– The survey was carried out on certified organisations by means of a self-administrated questionnaire. A total of 97 organisations participated in the study.

Findings

– It was found that the majority of management representatives believe themselves to be well aware of the weaknesses in their respective organisations and of the underlying causes. They also maintain that they know how to overcome them. They perceive insufficient involvement on the part of managers and staff and limited resources as being far more crucial problems.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample only covers 97 organisations, so including more entities would be strongly recommended in any future research. This would enable grouping by general characteristics, such as businesses and public administration, for instance, and allow a comparative analysis to be conducted. Furthermore, as the data in this study were collected from management representatives and are based on their subjective evaluations, they should be set in the perspective of other viewpoints, for example those of top management and internal auditors.

Practical implications

– The survey data make it possible to identify the personal traits and competences required for the role of management representative. An analysis of the problems identified by means of the survey indicates that those competences should fall within the areas of internal communication, motivation and so forth.

Originality/value

– ISO 9001 pays little attention to the competences and role of a management representative. Empirical research on the subject is also lacking. The survey results and their analysis presented here contribute towards a better understanding of the sources of success or failure in implementing, maintaining and improving a QMS.

Critical success factors examined in ISO 9001:2008-certified Greek companies using multidimensional statistics

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of the importance and implementation of the critical success factors (CSFs) required for the appropriate function of a quality management system (QMS) in ISO 9001:2008-certified companies and the differences between the CSFs and the demographic variables of the companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– A research project was carried out in Greek companies from all business sectors using the questionnaire technique. The selected companies all implement a QMS in accordance with the ISO 9001:2008 standard. Correspondence analysis, a methodology from the multidimensional statistics field, was also used to identify significant differences between the importance and implementation levels of the CSFs of the QMS.

Findings

– The importance that quality assurance managers attribute to these CSFs was high enough in most categories, but there was a significant difference in the implementation level, which displayed much lower scores. The most important factors seem to be management commitment, education, and communication, while the least important were the availability of data and use of statistics. Differences between categories of demographic variables were present only for the firm size variable.

Research limitations/implications

– The study was based on the perception (i.e. subjective data) of only one quality manager/representative of each company.

Practical implications

– The paper provides information to certified companies in Greece on the differences in the importance and implementation levels of quality management practices (especially for hard factors) and motivation to investigate possible causes. Moreover, the most important factors for the successful implementation of ISO 9001 are presented.

Originality/value

– This paper describes the implementation and given importance of the CSFs in companies with experience of the ISO 9001:2008 standard and for the analysis of the data a methodology from the multidimensional field is applied, with the complementary use of some special tables of coincidences.

Synergising total productive maintenance elements with ISO 9001:2008 standard based quality management system

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the integration of total productive maintenance (TPM) and ISO 9001 certification by contributing a model named as TPM 9001:2008.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the beginning of the paper, the origin, growth and capabilities of TPM and ISO 9001 certification in enabling the organizations to perform at world class level are appraised by citing research outcomes reported in literature arena. The information and knowledge thus gathered from literature arena are used to conceptualize TPM 9001:2008 model. Through this conceptualization, the eight TPM pillars are fitted into the five major clauses of ISO 9001:2008 standard. In order to illustrate this conceptualization, the contents of a sub-clause of TPM 9001:2008 model are presented and the rationale behind designating it is appraised.

Findings

– TPM 9001:2008 model brings out synergy from the two renowned world class strategies namely “TPM” and “ISO 9001 certification”.

Practical implications

– The paper points out that the practical validity of TPM 9001:2008 model shall be established by conducting real time case studies in various organizations.

Originality/value

– This paper presents a unique approach for integrating TPM elements with ISO 9001:2008 standard based quality management system, as a single framework benefiting the contemporary organizations.

An evidence-based approach to organization evaluation and change in human service organizations evaluation and program planning

The work described in this article focuses primarily on how human service organizations can use an evidence-based, self-assessment approach to organization evaluation to facilitate continuous quality improvement and organization change. Real-life examples are presented, strengths and challenges discussed, and future conceptual and measurement issues identified.