Effects of the implementation and interpretation of ISO 9001 standards within organizational structures : the case of small and medium enterprises

Abstract

The study is carried out to investigate the Effects ofthe interpretation and the implementation of ISO 9001 standards in small and medium enterprises together with its effects on business performance. The study was conducted in Nairobi in January and February 2012, and the data was collected by the use of questionnaires sent to 15 ISO 9001 certified Small and Medium Enterprises. The study was conducted to investigate how the Small and Medium Enterprises implement the ISO 9001 standards within their organizations and whether the quality management standards have an effect on them or not. The SMEs were found to undergo a series of steps so as to get certified, and the two main one's are training of the entire workforce and auditing process. The conformance standards were found to have a positive effect that gave them a competitive edge, however took time to be felt by the organization.