Developing and validating a model of ISO 9001 effectiveness gap: empirical evidence from China

Abstract

Based on reverse thinking, this research defines the concept of the ‘ISO 9001 effectiveness gap’ for the first time and establishes the ISO 9001 effectiveness gap model. A research study was carried out in 413 ISO 9001 certified companies in Beijing City, Shandong Province, Anhui Province and Guangxi Province, which are representative in China. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire and have been analysed with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using Smart PLS 3. The present study findings show that motivation barriers, top management barriers, employee barriers, resource barriers, and certification organisation barriers all have positive impacts on the ISO 9001 effectiveness gap. In addition, the research also finds that top management barriers play a central role in the model of the ISO 9001 effectiveness gap and that employee barriers are affected by some other factors. It is also important to note that the role of certification organisation barriers cannot be ignored. The present study findings can provide some inspirations for different participants such as companies, certification organisations and government to design efficacious strategies to reduce the ISO 9001 effectiveness gap.