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QUALITY ASSURANCE CERTIFICATION.
Term Paper ID:24375
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Essay Subject:
Examines process, advantages & disadvantages of International Standards Organization 9000 voluntary system for corp. quality approval.... More...
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12 Pages / 2700 Words
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Paper Abstract:
Examines process, advantages & disadvantages of International Standards Organization 9000 voluntary system for corp. quality approval.
Paper Introduction:
ABSTRACT
This research examines the ISO 9000 certification program and its developing role. The thesis of this examination is that the advantages of ISO 9000 certification outweigh the disadvantages for United States-based firms operating globally. While the growing importance of ISO 9000 certification is recognized by most United States-based firms operating globally, many of these firms argue that such certification is not desirable for either specific industries or for specific firms.
This examination found that ISO 9000 is the set of standards that was created in the pursuit of quality in output. The system is not a quality check within the context of classical standards employed in
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(1994, September-October). 2. 1. (1993, 28 June). Documentation audit system. B6-B7). Maintaining ISO 9 certification. In the United States, the ISO9 board operates a joint system with the American National StandardsInstitute with no government supervision (Martin, 1996, pp. This article appeared in a publication targeting managers in all industries. Zuckerman, A. The system is not a quality check within the context of"classical standards" employed in other quality assurance systems(Ferguson, 1994, p. Other topics dealt with in an abbreviated form in this article include processes versus standards, the benefits of ISO 9 certification, the relationship of ISO 9 to other major quality programs and approaches, and documentation required for ISO 9 certification. B. B. F. B2-B3). CONCLUSION This research examined the ISO 9 certification program and itsdeveloping role. Fortune, 116-118, 12 . Conclusion. The RAB in the United States hasreduced the number of registrars accredited to work in the United States.Many unaccredited registrars, however, remain in business in the UnitedStates. The system is not a qualitycheck within the context of classical standards employed in other qualityassurance systems. The unwritten rule concerning an ISO 9 audit is that, if allpersonnel were suddenly replaced, the new people, properly trained, coulduse the documentation to continue making the product or providing theservice as before. B. Certificationmust be made by an independent registrar who evaluates a company'sprocesses within the context of quality standards established by theInternational Standards organization. This documentation must included a qualityassurance manual prepared by the applicant company. Sub-sections of ISO 9 4 apply toeach of the three primary ISO 9 certification standards- ISO 9 1, ISO9 2, and ISO 9 3. Assuming the quality system conforms to the selected standard, theregistrar issues a certificate describing the scope of the company'ssystem. 51-52). Depending on the size, type, andorganization of a firm, estimated audit preparation time can vary from1, to 1,5 hours. B1-B17. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY Ferguson, W. Criticisms of the ISO 9 program reported in this article ranged from lack of consistency among accreditation bodies to poor monitoring of the registrars who issue the certificates that indicate compliance with ISO 9 standards. Meaning of ISO 9 name. Registration costs may be expected to vary widely dependingupon the certification type sought (ISO 9 1, ISO 9 2, or ISO 9 3), therange of products, services, and company sites involved, and a company'sprevious success with quality assurance systems. REFERENCES Ferguson, W. ISO 9 3 provides certification criteria for companiesinvolved almost exclusively in final inspection and testing of a product orservice. The underlyingassumption for this approach to quality assurance is that "if all personnelwithin a company were suddenly replaced, the new people, properly trained,could use the documentation and continue making the product or providingthe service as before" (Ferguson, 1994, p. ISO 9 . Problems faced by smaller firms. To prepare for the audit, the company seeking ISO 9 certificationneeds to create or revise a manual of operations to meet theserequirements. The great majority of companies that have gained ISO 9 certification consider the process and the system to be worth the effort(Zuckerman, 1994, pp. Both Ferguson and Martin appear to beguilty of sloppy research or of simply assuming instead of checking. C. Restate thesis of study. This confusion even extends to the term ISO. ISO 9 guideline structure. 51-52). ISO 84 2. THE ISO 9 CONCEPT The ISO 9 quality assurance standards were introduced in 1987 bythe International Standards Organization (Zuckerman, 1994, pp. Firms should seek ISO 9 certification.VII. The thesis of this examination is that the advantages of ISO 9 certification outweigh the disadvantages for United States-based firmsoperating globally. Thus, companies must exercise care in the selection of a registrarfor the IS 9 certification process. While there is a logical appealto this explanation, it is apparently incorrect. Positive experiences by most firms. The author also provided some superficial information on the ISO 9 certification process. 22-24). Assumption underlying ISO 9 certification.III. This set of standards criteria is used in the certification ofdistributors and non value-added processes or services. The procedures outlined in the manual need to be adhered toin the company's operations. The author of this article pointed- out that multiple registration and certification schemes usually result from the imposition of new standards such as ISO 9 . ISO 9 3. Steelmakers, according to the article, are wary of the International Organization for Standardization's implementation of ISO 14 which is geared to creating a management- system standard for occupational health and safety. Training employees. At the time this article appeared, the ISO 9 program was little known within the United States, and the article set out to provide a good introduction to the program. The thesis of this examination is that the advantages ofISO 9 certification outweigh the disadvantages for United States-basedfirms operating globally. F. (1996). C. No new external quality system imposed. Industrial Management, 36(5), 22-24. New Steel, 12(9), 82-86. ISO 9 isa voluntary system for which a company must be certified if recognition asan ISO 9 firm is desired or if ISO recognition for one or more specificproducts is desired. Johnson Controls, as an example,found that preparing for the registration process improved cross-functionalcommunications within the organization. Thegreat majority of companies that have gained ISO 9 certificationconsider the process and the system to be worth the effort. 2. Henkoff, R. Thus, thereis no single set of operating guidelines. Required to compete in Europe. In Arnold, D. The amount of time required to evaluate acompany's quality system depends on such factor as the size of the facilityfor which ISO 9 certification is sought, the number of employees, andthe production facilities' readiness for assessment. ISO 1 11. D. Needham Heights, Massachusetts:Simon & Schuster Custom Publishing, pp. This examination found that ISO 9 is the set of standards that wascreated in the pursuit of quality in output. 51-52).Confusion continues to surround ISO 9 , however, even after seven yearsof activity. 3. The conclusion drawn from the findings of this researchis that ISO 9 certification will accrue net benefits to the UnitedStates-based company operating globally. Second Thoughts About ISO 9 . 82-86). Nevertheless, benefits are considered by most registeredcompanies to outweigh the costs of certification. C. D. E. E. ISO 9 4 provides guidelines for the application of the variouselements of a quality management system. Henkoff, R. V. Thus, the organization adopted ISO as "an official nickname, derived fromisos, a Greek word meaning equal, as in isobar, isometrics, and isoscelestriangle" (Henkoff, 1993, p. This set ofstandard criteria is intended to be used in the certification of companieswhose primary business is the production and installation of a product orservice. Relationship to quality. In the United States, the RABoperates a joint program with the American National Standards Institute(ANSI), but there is no government direct involvement. The author noted also that ISO 9 was designed to provide a structure that ensures the identification and enforcement of quality management and quality assurance principles. E. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ISO 9 CERTIFICATION A. ISO 9 is a voluntary system for which a company mustbe certified if recognition as an ISO 9 firm is desired or if ISOrecognition for one or more specific products is desired. The conclusiondrawn from the findings of this research is that ISO 9 certificationwill accrue net benefits to the United States-based company operatingglobally. G. New Steel, 12(9), 82-86. ISO 14 was not addressed in this research into ISO 9 ; however, the future application of the ISO 14 standards dealing with occupational health and safety is an important interest area for all United States- based firms operating globally. B. Acrossthe Board, 31(9), 51-52. 51-52). It is possible to limit ISO 9 registration to a single product orservice offered by a company, or to the products or services created at onespecific location of a multi-location company. An ISO 9 certification indicates that acompany has documented how workers perform every function that affectsproduct and/or service quality, and has installed mechanisms, systems, andprocedures that are being followed in 18 different areas-which include:design, process control, purchasing, service, inspection, and testing. B. ISO 84 2 provides definitions for the terms used inthe ISO 9 standards. Rather, ISO 9 is a way of doing business whereincommitment must be made by top-level management toward the implementationand certification process. As such, the article emphasized the concerns of the steel industry in the United States. These boards authorize registrars(known as certifiers in Europe) to issue ISO 9 certificates. 1. The great majority of companies that havegained ISO 9 certification consider the process and the system to beworth the effort. OUTLINE I. Nature of the ISO 9 auditing system. 22). Many firms also find that thedocumentation requirements for ISO 9 registration provide futurebenefits to the company because the resulting knowledge base is moreaccessible. What ISO 9 certification means. ISO9 , thus, is the overall roadmap to the ISO 9 series of qualityassurance standards. IV. Implementation of ISO 9 . INTRODUCTION ISO 9 is a quality assurance system that companies can use as apart of a total quality initiative or as a standalone system (Ferguson,1994, pp. C. This contention is based on the ability of larger firms to spreadregistration costs over larger production outputs, thereby causing suchcosts to be relatively negligible. Wade Ferguson(1994, pp. Eachnational accreditation body operates differently. One estimate is that up-front costsalong average approximately US$35, for the initial registration. A third-party registrar can grant ISO 9 certification to a companyonce the registrar has verified that a company's quality system conforms tothe requirements of the selected standard-ISO 9 1, 9 2, 9 3. 22-24). G. 51-52). B2), writing in a section of The management of strategicsystems: The quality perspective, each stated that ISO is an acronym forthe International Standards Organization. The voluntary standard that isnow mandatory. If one of these areas is not documented, ordoes not meet the ISO guidelines, it needs to be addressed. Defining ISO 9 . Criticism of lack of specific emphasis on quality. ISO 9 . In Europe, suchboards are subject to government regulation. 24). ISO9 certification "indicates that a company has documented how workersperform every function that affects product and/or service quality, and hasinstalled mechanisms, systems, and procedures that are being followed in 18different areas-which include: design, process control, purchasing,service, inspection, and testing" (Ferguson, 1994, p. The initial step in the ISO 9 registration process is the selectionof a registrar organization (Martin, 1996, pp. Obtaining ISO 9 certification is considered to be essential if acompany desires to market products within the European Community(Zuckerman, 1994, pp. This article is included as an appendix to a book that examines strategic management from a perspective of quality. Internal operations alsoare improved by ISO 9 certification. Needham Heights, Massachusetts: Simon & Schuster CustomPublishing, pp. B. 23). C. The management ofstrategic systems. (1994, September-October). The entire certification process can last betweennine months and 24 months. Registrarorganizations have been certified by the International StandardsOrganization in all developed countries and in some developing countries.Once a registrar has been selected, a formal application is submitted alongwith supporting documentation. An ISO 9 certification indicates that acompany has documented how workers perform every function that affectsproduct and/or service quality, and has installed mechanisms, systems, andprocedures that are being followed in 18 different areas-which include:design, process control, purchasing, service, inspection, and testing. As an example, certification awarded by a registrarin one country may not be accepted by the accreditation registrar agency inanother. B2-B3). In general, an ISO 9 certificate indicates that a company hasdocumented how workers perform every function that affects product and/orservice quality, and the a company installed mechanisms, systems, andprocedures that are being followed in 18 different areas (including amongothers design, process control, purchasing, service and, inspection andtesting). The author noted in the article that the International Standards Organization's ISO 9 has become an internationally accepted system of rating quality management and assurance. Administering organization. The hot new seal of quality. The International Standards Organization (ISO) in Genevaissues standards but does not regulate the program internationally.Regulation and implementation of the program are left to nationalaccreditation bodies, such as the United States Registrar AccreditationBoard-RAB (Martin, 1996, pp. ISO 9 2. (1994, October). The management ofstrategic systems: The quality perspective. One of the major criticisms of ISO 9 is the variationin costs and procedures found among the certified registrar organizations.Basic requirement for registrar are established by the InternationalStandards Organization; however, each member country is responsible for thecertification of the registrar organizations within its own jurisdiction.Even the European Commission of the European Community has questionedwhether the ISO 9 process has become a pursuit of certification ratherthan a pursuit of quality (Zuckerman, 1994, pp. Stanching the flow of new qualitystandards. Restate study purpose. TheInternational Standards Organization located in Geneva, Switzerland iscomprised of representatives from 89 countries, and was created to promotethe development of product and service standards that will be recognizedand accepted by each member country. Second Thoughts About ISO 9 . Otherestimates of ISO 9 registration costs, however, range from US$5 , toUS$5 , . The author pointed-out that growing doubts about the effectiveness of the quality-assurance program launched by the International organization for Standardization are developing. Some registrars, such as UnderwritersLaboratories, offer preliminary evaluations (essentially trial runs) ofquality systems to help companies determine their readiness forcertification. 51-52). Registrar organizations. 22-24), writing in the journal Industrial Management, and ArahMartin (1996, p. Acrossthe Board, 31(9), 51-52. Summary of study findings. The article provided an adequate understanding of the procedures required for a company to obtain ISO 9 certification. Zuckerman, A. 5. THE ISO 9 CONCEPT A. The voluntary standard that isnow mandatory. The hot new seal of quality. Rather, ISO 9 is a way of doing business whereincommitment must be made by top-level management toward the implementationand certification process. (1996, September). Although ISO 9 certification provides advantages to a company, theregistration process is expensive. Another advantage of the ISO 9 quality assurance process is thatthe registration process does not impose an external quality system on acompany, but rather develops a quality assurance system based on theprocesses already at work within the company (Martin, 1996, p. D. While the growing importance of ISO 9 certification is recognized by most United States-based firms operatingglobally, many of these firms argue that such certification is notdesirable for either specific industries or for specific firms. The productstandards and material specifications established by the community alsomust be met. In Europe, there is somegovernment regulation of these boards. ISO 9 4. It is important when selecting a registrar to checkthe registrar organization's qualifications and make sure the registrarorganization is accredited. Zuckerman, A. This article was written in 1994, and many American managers continue in 1996 to criticize the ISO 9 process. This standard criteria set is intended to be used in thecertification of companies whose products include a design element.Design, development, production, installation, and service are covered byISO 9 1. 82-86). The thesis of this examination was that the advantages ofISO 9 certification outweigh the disadvantages for United States-basedfirms operating globally. To maintain registration once obtained, a company mustundergo at least one compliance audit each year to demonstrate that ISO9 registration standards are being maintained (Ferguson, 1994, pp. ISO 9 . (1994, October). ISO 9 1 is the most comprehensive of the certificationstandards. CONCLUSION A. 22). Thus, if acompany is not prepared to make ISO 9 a way of business life,certification should not be sought. Theunderlying assumption for this approach to quality assurance is that if allpersonnel within a company were suddenly replaced, the new people, properlytrained, could use the documentation and continue making the product orproviding the service as before. The manual is sent to the certification agency for review beforescheduling an on-site audit. 7. Industrial Management, 36(5), 22-24. B1-B17. F. thesis of this study. 117). ABSTRACT This research examines the ISO 9 certification program and itsdeveloping role. This article appeared in a publication targeting managers in all industries. ISO 9 is the set of standards that was created in the pursuitof this objective. ISO 9 registration alone, however, dopesnot guarantee entry into the European Community market. If the employees do not understand theirrespective part in the ISO 9 standards implementation, then chances arestrong that company will not be able to achieve ISO 9 certification. ISO 9 is the set of standards thatwas created in the pursuit of this objective. Certification is listed in a public directory and companies arefree to display the registrar's mark on their literature. Many firms that have not attained suchcertification, however, find much about the quality assurance system withwhich to quibble. B7). INTRODUCTION A. D. 6. Ronald Henkoff (1993, p.116), writing in Fortune magazine reported that the correct pronunciationof ISO is not eye ess oh but rather ice-o. 51-52). The ISO 9 registration process is acomprehensive approach to documentation at all levels and departmentswithin a company. While agreements are agency developed, the issue has yet to beresolved. D. Registrars may be accredited by the same national boards, but they areallowed latitude in how they interpret the ISO 9 standards. Beneficial to most United States-based firms. (1993, 28 June). Certification must be made by an independentregistrar who evaluates a company's processes within the context of qualitystandards established by the International Standards organization. As a consequence, the workcompanies are required to perform to earn an ISO 9 certificate varies.Unaccredited registrars are not allowed to issue certificates in Europe,where the bulk of registrars function. Because the ISO 9 quality assuranceregistration process employs documentation as a means of internal auditing,firms seeking registration should set up a system for collecting andprocessing information before initiating the registration process(Zuckerman, 1994, pp. This article appeared in a publication targeting managers in all industries. Doubters among American managers, however, continue to challengethe process. Stanching the flow of new qualitystandards. The system is not a qualitycheck within the context of classical standards employed in other qualityassurance systems. VI. Although this article dealt generally with the ISO 9 program and certification, the article appeared in an industry-specific journal. Thisadvantage, however, leads to a criticism of the ISO 9 system to theeffect that the registration criteria place too much emphasis on qualityassurance processes and too little emphasis on the specifics of productquality that are addressed in such quality assurance systems as totalquality management-TQM-and continuous quality improvement-CQI (Zuckerman,1994, pp. Fortune, 116-118, 12 . Problem confronting United States-based firms. 82-86). One major problemis that each national ISO 9 board operates differently. ISO 9 1. ISO 9 is a quality assurance system that companies can use as apart of a total quality initiative or as a standalone system. The optional pre-assessment visit can help a company meet therequirements the first time. Credentials of the registrarshould be researched by a company before entering the ISO 9 certification process. All registrars follow the same guidelines, but one that isinvolved in the same specific industry as the company seeking ISO 9 certification could prove more helpful. ISO 9 , according to the author, permits variations within manufacturing environments while giving out the necessary information to buyers who need to be convinced that the products fall within the standards, limits. 22-24). G. Once the qualityassurance manual has been accepted by the registrar, an audit team from theregistrar organization visits the applicant company to verify that theprocedures documented in the quality assurance manual are being followed. This particular article deals specifically with the ISO 9 program. This examination found that the ISO 9 quality assurance standardswere introduced in 1987 by the International Standards Organization. D. The author provides superficial coverage of the history of the ISO 9 program and the ISO 9 registration process. Must keep up with competition. Training should be provided to all employees to provide them with anunderstanding of the standard. If the manual does not meet all of therequirements, it is returned to the company to be rewritten andimplemented. Documentation manuals. As implemented worldwide, ISO 9 is largely a free-market, for-profit program. Certification requires that the registrar conduct a focused "mini-review" of a company's quality plan every six months and a full-blownreassessment every three years (Zuckerman, 1996, pp. Before seeking certification, companies must be aware that acertificate issued by an accredited registrar may not be recognized by acompany's customers. The author of this article provided a good, although brief, history of the ISO 9 program. The investment in the ISO 9 registration process involves time,money, and manpower. In the meantime, companies should ask customers what registrarsthey or their jurisdictions recognize. THE ISO 9 SYSTEM STRUCTURE A. Zuckerman, A. Preparing for ISO 9 audits. Rather, ISO 9 "is a way of doing business"wherein "commitment must be made by top-level management toward theimplementation and certification process" (Ferguson, 1994, p. E. In Arnold, D. ISO 9 CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES The numbers of failed attempts to obtain ISO 9 certification,referred to as registration, far exceeds the number of success storiesbecause of the lack of experience by companies in the pursuit of qualitywithin the context of the assumptions underlying the ISO 9 system(Zuckerman, 1996, pp. Specific elements of the ISO 9 system. ISO 1 11 defines the requirements that must beapplied by ISO 9 quality system auditors when certified companies aremonitored. ISO 9 CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES A. Purpose of this study. 3. The International Standards Organization located in Geneva,Switzerland is comprised of representatives from 89 countries, and wascreated to promote the development of product and service standards thatwill be recognized and accepted by each member country (Ferguson, 1994, pp.22-24). D. Martin, A. THE ISO 9 SYSTEM STRUCTURE ISO 9 is a set of guidelines to aid in the selection and use of theappropriate quality assurance standards (Ferguson, 1994, pp. ISO 9 quality system auditors will check to make sure that what is documented inthe manual is practiced on the shop floor. While the growing importance of ISO 9 certification is recognizedby most United States-based firms operating globally, many of these firmsargue that such certification is not desirable for either specificindustries or for specific firms (Zuckerman, 1996, pp. Choosing a compatible registrar to work with is essential for asuccessful registration is an essential pre-certification task for acompany. G. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ISO 9 CERTIFICATION Because an increasing number of companies around the world are gainingISO 9 certification, a company without such registration is at anincreasing disadvantage in the global marketplace (Zuckerman, 1994, pp. Introduction to ISO 9 . 4. II. Companiesseeking certification typically are required to document operationalprocedures and processes as well as corrective action plans to addressproblems arising with the procedures. 2. Martin, A. Perhaps the most serious charge raised in the article against the ISO 9 program was that it is not directly connected to product quality, so much so that an ISO certificate is more of an indication of consistent quality procedures rather than quality products per se. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY. The reason is that theInternational Standards Organization decided against the use of an acronymbecause such an acronym would not be pronounced the same in every language. The three primary certification standards arestructured as follows: 1. Some critics of the ISO 9 quality assurance system contend that thesystem represents an additional tax on the small firm (Ferguson, 1994, pp.22-24). Expense involved in ISO 9 certification. Thisresearch examines the ISO 9 certification program and its developingrole. (1996). (1996, September). ISO 9 2 does not include a design element.
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