ISO 9001 and performance: a method review

Abstract

This study aims to identify whether different research methods linking ISO 9001 and performance have led to different results. To achieve that purpose, this study conducted a method review using scholarly articles selected from seven databases. Sixty-nine percent of previous cross-sectional studies linking ISO 9001 and performance concluded that there is a positive relationship between ISO 9001 and performance, while 77% of previous longitudinal studies did not find a relationship. The way the two methods acknowledged time sequence and certification and the inconsistency in terminologies and indicators might be the reasons behind the strikingly different research results. However, this study neither gauged the impact of each article to the field of the quality system nor the power of statistical tools used to indicate causality. This study also constrained by the limited resource. A method review is rare in the field of ISO 9001 and performance and currently, it is highly needed because after 30 years of research, there is still no sign of research results convergence.

Keywords:

• ISO 9001
• performance
• cross-section
• longitudinal
• method review

Acknowledgements

The Author would like to express her gratitude to all people who have provided supports along the way. Colleagues and mentors, M. Indra Al Irsyad, David Gow, Tri Rakhmawati, Sih Damayanti, Sik Sumaedi, Tri Widianti, I Gede Mahatma Yuda Bakti, Muh. Azwar Massijaya, and Medi Yarmen.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Study fund providers, Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).