The ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard: Companies’ Drivers, Benefits and Barriers to Its Implementation

• Companies adopt ISO 9001:2015 primarily to improve their corporate image, enhance internal organization, and use certification as a marketing tool, while cost reduction and export facilitation are less influential factors.
• Key benefits include increased reputation, better customer satisfaction, greater efficiency, and reduced nonconformities, but companies do not perceive significant gains in sales, profits, or delivery times.
• The main barriers to implementation include increased bureaucratization, procedural complexity, and costs, particularly for small and micro businesses, though few report reduced profits or customer dissatisfaction.

A survey of 493 ISO 9001-certified Italian companies reveals that the standard is widely recognized, especially in northern Italy, where economic development is highest. The study finds that most businesses have been certified for over seven years, indicating a long-standing quality culture. Companies transitioning from ISO 9001:2008 to the 2015 version acknowledge its emphasis on risk management, integration with other standards, and continuous improvement. However, they do not perceive it as a direct driver of profit growth.

The primary motivations for ISO 9001 certification are enhancing corporate image and achieving internal organizational improvements, with external market factors playing a secondary role. The standard is particularly valued for strengthening reputation and efficiency, but it does not necessarily lead to higher sales or shorter delivery times. Larger companies generally find it easier to implement and benefit from ISO 9001 compared to small and micro enterprises, which struggle with increased bureaucracy and costs.

While certification enhances quality management, companies remain hesitant to fully embrace ISO 9004, which provides guidelines for business excellence. Many businesses cite resource constraints and the complexity of additional implementation as deterrents. Despite these challenges, the study confirms that ISO 9001 remains a crucial tool for quality assurance, especially in competitive markets.

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