Adoption of ISO 9000 quality assurance standards by South African agribusiness firms

Christopher R. Turner, Gerald F. Ortmann and Michael C. Lyne
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Christopher R. Turner: School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Postal: School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Gerald F. Ortmann: School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Postal: School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Michael C. Lyne: School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Postal: School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Agribusiness, 2000, vol. 16, issue 3, 295-307

Abstract: A postal survey was conducted in 1998 among 92 South African agribusiness firms to establish the extent of adoption of the ISO 9000 quality assurance standards, reasons for certification, and the costs and benefits of adopting these standards. Almost 36% of respondent firms were ISO 9000 certified. The desire to improve customer service, a basis for quality improvement, and the need to improve operational efficiency (reduce wastage) were the most important factors influencing certification. Respondents reported financial, managerial, and production benefits following certification. Two-group and three-group discriminant analyses were performed. Results revealed that ISO 9000 certified firms tended to be larger, established firms with parent company affiliation, manufacturing products derived from agricultural output and exporting to developed countries. Most non-ISO 9000 certified firms had adopted an alternative quality assurance system. The most important variable distinguishing ISO 9000 adopters from adopters of alternative quality assurance systems was turnover (firm size). [Econ-Lit citations: L100, L150, L200] © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Date: 2000
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:agribz:v:16:y:2000:i:3:p:295-307

DOI: 10.1002/1520-6297(200022)16:3<295::AID-AGR3>3.0.CO;2-P

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