The development of ISO 9000 certification and the future of quality management: A survey of certified firms in Hong Kong

Abstract

Reports the findings of a survey on ISO 9000 certified firms in Hong Kong conducted by the University Industrial Centre of the University of Hong Kong in August 1996. Findings suggest that while in general the number of firms certified to ISO 9000 had been increasing, the proportion of small and medium firms appeared to be quite stable. Most of the small and medium firms in both manufacturing and service sectors, and a large proportion of firms in construction sectors were certified in order to satisfy the customers’ demand. Certified firms achieved certain benefits in terms of relationship with existing customers, attracting new customers and internal operations management. The findings indicated that the certified firms need to improve their relations with their subcontractors. Total quality management (TQM) was widely adopted by the firms after they were certified. A good proportion of firms sought to implement ISO 14000.