A Typology of Approaches to ISO Certification and TQM

Abstract

This paper reports on research which explores the links between quality assurance, or certification of the quality system according to the ISO 9000 (AS 3900) series and the broader approach of Total Quality Management. The first part of the paper outlines a typology of approaches to introducing TQM and ISO. Some organisations see ISO 9000 as an end in itself while others consider it to be the first step towards TQM. Others may have TQM firmly in place prior to embarking on certification. The second part of the paper applies the typology to data from a questionnaire survey of Western Australian organisations with ISO 9000 certification. Empirical support for several of the groups in the typology is found in this analysis.

Keywords

CERTIFICATION ISO 9000 TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT MANAGING CHANGE

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Binney, G. 1992, Making Quality Work: Lessons From Europe's Leading Companies, Special Report No. P655, The Economist Intelligence Unit, London.

Bradley, M. 1994, ‘Starting Total Quality Management From ISO 9000’, The TQM Magazine, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 50–54.

Corrigan, J.P. 1994, ‘Is ISO 9000 The Path To TQM?’, Quality Progress, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 33–36.

Deming, W.E. 1986, Out Of The Crisis, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Department of Commerce and Trade, 1994, List Of Quality Assurance Certified Suppliers Of Goods And Services, Western Australia, April 29.

Editorial Research and Reports 1994, ‘BS 5750-Fit For Purpose?’, The TQM Magazine, vol. 6, no. 1, p. 60.

Lloyds Register Quality Assurance Ltd 1994, BS 5750/ISO 9000-Setting Standards for Better Business, Lloyds Register Quality Assurance Ltd, Croydon.

Sakofsky, S. 1994, ‘Survival After ISO 9000 Registration’, Quality Progress, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 57–59.

Sheard, M. 1992, ‘Two Routes To Quality’, Personnel Management, vol. 24, no. 11, pp. 30–34.

10.

Taylor, A. 1993, ‘Outcomes Of Consultancy Interventions For ISO Initiatives’, Proceedings of the EOQ '93 Conference, Helsinki, Finland.

11.

Witcher, B. 1993, The Adoptation Of Total Quality Management In Scotland, Centre for Quality & Organisation Change, Durham University Business School, Durham.