The adoption of ISO 9001 standard within higher education institutions in Lithuania: innovation diffusion approach

Abstract

This paper is the first which explores ISO 9001 standard adoption in higher education institutions (HEIs) based on an innovation diffusion approach. According to innovation diffusion theory, the characteristics of an innovation, as perceived by the members of a social system, have a positive or negative effect on the adoption (rational choice) of innovation. This study aims to answer the following questions: first, how ISO 9001 standard is perceived by the adopters when making a decision to adopt the standard within HEIs in Lithuania; second, what the effect of perceived innovation (ISO 9001 standard) characteristics (complexity, compatibility, observability, relative advantage, cost, adaptability and duration) is on its adoption. The study includes all HEIs in Lithuania (25) that have used the requirements of ISO 9001 standard in their quality management systems (QMSs). We found that perceived compatibility, relative advantage and adaptability of ISO 9001 standard have a positive effect; meanwhile, its cost and duration have a negative effect on the adoption of ISO 9001 standard within HEIs in Lithuania, and perceived complexity and observability of ISO 9001 standard have no effect on its adoption. A practical implication for HEIs is that institutions seeking to implement ISO 9001 standard successfully in their QMSs should identify and consider these characteristics. An appropriate understanding of potential adopters of ISO 9001 standard may have a positive or negative effect on its adoption. Results of this study provide managers of HEIs with a better understanding of the characteristics of ISO 9001 standard (as an innovation).

Keywords:

• ISO 9001 standard
• higher education institution
• innovation adoption
• innovation diffusion
• innovation attributes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.