Purpose
ISO 9001 can offer users substantial management benefits. For developing country firms, this standard could offer both important management improvements and serve as a quality signal to foreign suppliers and potential buyers. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of ISO 9001 on food manufacturing firms in Guyana.
Design/methodology/approach
A multiple case study approach, using interviews with multiple 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 the standard to formalize their monitoring procedures and improve planning, sourcing, manufacturing, and delivery efficiency. Registration helped firms formalize their quality management systems; it provided guidance on improving their customer/supplier relationships, and offered tools to monitor internal processes. Registered and non-registered firms reported increased customer satisfaction, market share and inventory turnover, and reduced lead times, rework, waste, and customer complaints.
Research limitations/implications
The number of cases examined in this study is limited. Interview data 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 quality management standard in developing country agrifood firms.
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