The purpose of this study was to develop a set of style guidelines for use in the preparation of ISO 9000 certification documentation. The guidelines were prepared in the form of a booklet.
A total of 20 quality standards officer at small-sized and medium-sized manufacturing firms that market their products globally were selected for the research sample for this study. One-half of the firms represented in the sample were among those firms that had already received ISO 9000 certification, while the remaining 10 firms were among those firms that had not yet submitted ISO 9000 certification documentation. The perceptions of representatives of both sample groups were compared to both (1) assess the understandability and ease of use of the ISO 9000 Style Guidelines Handbook developed as a part of this study and (2) assess the probability that the use of the Style Guidelines would enhance the likelihood of success of an ISO 9000 certification application.
Two research questions were investigated. Research question number one was answered positively: the style guidelines are readable and usable for firms seeking ISO 9000 certification. Research question number two also was answered positively: the style guidelines are an effective aid for firms seeking ISO 9000 certification.
Those firms that have gone through the certification process recognize the potential value of a set of style guidelines for use in the preparation of ISO 9000 certification documentation. Those firms that have not gone through the process tended to negate the value of such a set of guidelines.
1 - INTRODUCTION ..................................... 1
Statement of the Problem ......................... 1
Purpose of the Study ............................. 1
Scope of the Study ............................... 2
Preview of the Remainder of the Study ............ 2
2 - REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ......................... 3
In...