Typological Models of Motives and Effects of Adoption of ISO 9000 Series Standards

Abstract

In this article we aim to identify the types of adopters of ISO 9000 series standards based on complex patterns of motives of adoption and to disclose benefits and drawbacks associated with each pattern of motives. After survey of adopters of the standard, we identify three types of adopters of ISO 9000 series standards in Lithuania that are based on complex patterns of adoption motives, specifically, Operational effectiveness oriented adopters, Investing adopters, Partners oriented adopters. We find that each pattern of adoption motives is followed by particular benefits and drawbacks. In summary, Operationally oriented adopters experience negative, Partners oriented adopter positive and Investing adopters neutral to positive influence of adoption to operational and business performance. We explain these findings relying on institutional characteristics of Lithuanian economy and characteristics of adopters. This paper provides more nuanced understanding of patterns of adoption of ISO 9000 series standards transcending common functional-institutional framework. Also, it reveals that functional motivation to adopt the standards produces negative influence to operational and business performance of organizations in Lithuania, indicating of under researched institutional factors preventing successful internalizations of quality management practices constituting the standards. Our research identifies successful and unsuccessful strategies of adoption of ISO 9000 series standards in Lithuania. The results also imply that Lithuanian industrial policy which promotes the adoption of the standard through public tenders does not achieve its intentions.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.24.4.4535