The Relationship Between ISO 9000 Certification, TQM Practices, and Organizational Performance

Abstract

There is no consensus among the research community about the relationship between ISO 9000 certification and total quality management (TQM). Some researchers suggest that ISO 9000 certification be implemented first to create a favorable environment for TQM implementation next, while others believe TQM provides a good starting point for ISO 9000 certification. The effect of each of these quality management practices on organizational performance is still debated. This paper developed a conceptual model to study the relationships between ISO 9000 certification, TQM practices, and organizational performance. The model was tested with data collected from 176 certified firms in various industrial sectors in Tunisia. Data analysis indicated considerable support for the conceptual model. The results indicated that, in the case of Tunisian firms, implementing ISO 9000 first before embarking on TQM leads to better organizational performance, although both ISO 9000 certification and TQM practices directly affect organizational performance.

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