An empirical study of the ISO 9000 certification in global supply chain of maquiladoras

Abstract

This research examined two sets of constructs in maquiladoras with respect to ISO 9000 certification. The managerial support and employee involvement as well as quality systems were internal constructs and the global supplier selection criteria were external constructs. The maquiladora industry is a manufacturing model that uses the Mexican workforce and foreign investment and technology on the border area between the United States and Mexico. The standards of ISO certification were studied and analysed through a survey instrument and extensive field interviews with experts of maquiladora plants in El Paso, TX and Juarez, Mexico. There was a 78% response rate with 171 usable questionnaires. There were also 11 in-depth interviews conducted with quality and supply chain experts from eight industries in maquiladoras. Extensive statistical analyses including reliability and validity analyses and factor analyses were performed. Based on the results of factor analyses, ISO-certified companies exemplified better and longer-term relationships with their main/core suppliers, greater top managerial support and employee involvement and communication, and more effective quality systems than those of non ISO-certified companies. In conclusion, additional insights and perspectives were provided and future research directions were discussed.

Keywords:

• global supplier selection
• quality management
• ISO certification
• maquiladora industry
• managerial support and employee involvement
• quality systems