Improving quality management: ISO 9001 benefits for agrif ood firms

摘要

Purpose - ISO 9001 can offer users substantial management benefits. For developing country firms, thi standard could offer both important management improvements and serve as a quality signal to foreig suppliers and potential buyers. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of ISO 9001 on foo manufacturing firms in Guyana.Design/methodology/approach - A multiple case study approach, using interviews with multip] managers, was used to assess the impacts of ISO 9001 in six registered and non-registered firms. Findings - ISO 9001 offers supply chain management benefits. Non-registered firms reported using th standard to formalize their monitoring procedures and improve planning, sourcing, manufacturing, an delivery efficiency. Registration helped firms formalize their quality management systems; it provide guidance on improving their customer/supplier relationships, and offered tools to monitor internal processei Registered and non-registered firms reported increased customer satisfaction, market share and inventor turnover, and reduced lead times, rework, waste, and customer complaints.Research limitations/implications - The number of cases examined in this study is limited. Interview dat are based on managers' perceived experiences; it was not possible to verify this information independently. Originality/value - The paper examines management benefits of adopting an international qualit management standard in developing country agrifood firms.