The Determinants of ISO 9000 Certification: A Comparison of the Manufacturing and Service Sectors

We have used original survey data on French firms to investigate whether there is a difference in the determinants of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9000 certification between the manufacturing and service sectors. Using an empirical approach, our findings reveal for the first time that the determinants of ISO 9000 certification significantly differ between manufacturing and service firms, especially when we examine features of the internal strategy of these firms (quality improvement, cost reduction and innovation). However, we have also obtained evidence that the characteristics of firms (firm size, corporate status and previous experience with similar standards) and features of their external strategy (export and customer satisfaction) play a significant role in the ISO 9000 certification across both manufacturing and service sectors. The results of this study could enable policy-makers to better formulate and effectively apply regulations affecting the business success of firms in both the manufacturing and service sectors.