In today’s fiercely competitive global market, ensuring consistent quality is no longer a luxury but a necessity for survival and success.
Businesses across the world are striving to meet the evolving demands of customers while maintaining operational efficiency. At the heart of these efforts lies the importance of Quality Management Systems (QMS), with ISO 9001 being the most prominent. The debate surrounding ISO 9001 and its impact on organisational performance is ongoing.
Some scholars argue that ISO 9001 certification leads to significant improvements in efficiency and customer satisfaction, while others suggest that the benefits are not always guaranteed. But what makes ISO 9001 so crucial, and how does it impact organisational performance, particularly in the Sri Lankan context?
A recent study by Sri Lankan scholar Indika Lindamulla sheds light on the transformative impact of ISO 9001 on organisational performance in Sri Lanka.
Lindamulla works for the Sri Lanka Standards Institution in the capacity of Assistant Director conducted the research during his tenure in the Japanese Government (MEXT) Young Leaders Program at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo.
The research was supervised by Professors Takashi Tsuchiya and Tsuyoshi Yoshimuta. The research reveals that organisations in Sri Lanka that have implemented ISO 9001 report noticeable improvements in operational efficiency, profitability and customer satisfaction.
Most of these organisations indicated that the standard has helped to streamline their operations and better meet customer demands, highlighting the potential of ISO 9001 as a powerful tool for driving organisational success. The study reveals that performance evaluation and continuous improvement are crucial factors to boost organisational performance.
Beyond improving efficiency and profitability, ISO 9001 QMS plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable development objectives, particularly in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, ISO 9001 contributes to economic growth by improving operational efficiency, productivity, and business performance. Through continuous improvement it supports industrial innovation and promotes sustainability through focusing on waste reduction.
However, few Sri Lankan organisations expressed concern about the documentation aspect of the QMS, noting that maintaining documents such as manuals in either hard or soft form can be challenging and, at times, a disadvantage for them. Despite these concerns, the study concludes that when effectively implemented, ISO 9001 significantly enhances organisational performance. For Sri Lankan businesses striving for competitiveness in local and global markets, embracing ISO 9001 could be a crucial step toward achieving sustainable success.
