The added value of the ISO 9001:2015 international standard from an auditors' perspective: a CB-SEM based evaluation

• Published in: International Journal for Quality Research 2019-01, Vol.13 (4), p.967-985
• Main Authors: Domingues, José Pedro Teixeira, Reis, Angelica Mufato, Fonseca, Luis Miguel, Avila, Paulo, Putnik, Goran D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Auditor; ISO 9001:2015; Quality management system; Science & Technology
• ISSN: 1800-7473
• DOI: 10.24874/IJQR13.04-15

This research evaluates IRCA registered auditors' perspectives of the added value of ISO 9001:2015 to the organizations that adopt it and are certified accordingly, bringing P a more independent perspective than previous studies based on quality managers or consultants' views. Supported by a worldwide survey among IRCA registered auditors and the adoption of a Covariance based- Structural Equation Modelling (CB-SEM) approach the results point out that the auditors' judgment regarding the ISO 9001:2015 value is influenced by their perceptions (regarding the document) and experience (auditing). The research results highlight the importance of selecting auditors with the appropriate ISO 9001:2015 knowledge and experience to assess ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems (QMSs) within the certification process, therefore, contributing to the business and processes performance improvement and sustainable outcomes. - The authors would like to thank to all the responding auditors for their great collaboration and will pursue this study by applying more powerful statistical tools and adding a time perspective by replicating the survey in the future. This work has been supported by FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia within the Projects Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2013, UID/CEC/00319/2019, and UID/615/2019.