Critical success factors affecting the implementation of the ISO 9001:2000 quality management system in Libyan manufacturing companies

Sharif, A

Abstract

Since ISO 9000 was introduced in 1987 the number of organisations in developed and
developing countries with ISO 9000 certification is increasing dramatically. Up to the end
of 2006, the number of ISO 9001:2000 certified organisations reached 40,909 in the UK
and 44,883 in the USA. Within Arab countries the number reached 1,928 in Egypt, 710 in
Saudi Arabia and 1,040 in the United Arab Emirates. In Libya, however, this number up to
the end of 2006 was only 46 and, according to the results of the conducted preliminary
interviews of this study, the number of certified Libyan Manufacturing Companies (LMCs)
up to the end of September 2007 was only 7 companies which is, relatively, a very low
number. Accordingly, this thesis aims to "investigate the critical success factors (CSFs)
affecting the implementation of ISO 9001:2000 in Libyan manufacturing companies'".
A comprehensive review of literature was carried out to identify the critical success factors
affecting the implementation of ISO 9001:2000 that were experienced by different
organisations around the world, including its key aspects. The summarized factors were
subsequently used in the empirical investigation of the relevant factors in LMCs. The
employed research methodology involved the adoption of a quantitative approach, a survey
strategy, utilising a self-administrated questionnaire method. All 7 certified companies
were included in the survey. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was
used to analysis the data using appropriate statistical techniques.
The survey findings revealed that LMCs experienced many factors, these mostly being the
same as those experienced by other companies in different countries. There was a relative
degree of difference in the importance. These factors as identified in this study are
presented in five groups. These groups in descending order are: management and people
involvement, culture, training, communication, and support mechanism. The most critical
success factor for ISO 9001:2000 implementation in LMCs is represented in the
management and people involvement group which is the "top management commitment"
factor. The study, therefore, contributes to the existing body of knowledge in the quality
management discipline and fills the gap in knowledge in Libyan studies. Recommendations
for further research also have been derived from this research.

Citation

Sharif, A. Critical success factors affecting the implementation of the ISO 9001:2000 quality management system in Libyan manufacturing companies. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2009