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ISO 9000 and Quality Emphasis: An Empirical Study of Front-Room Versus Back-Room Dominant Service Industries

Dick, Gavin P.M., Brown, Jane C., Gallimore, Kevin (2001) ISO 9000 and Quality Emphasis: An Empirical Study of Front-Room Versus Back-Room Dominant Service Industries. International Journal of Service Industry Management, 12 (2). pp. 114-136. ISSN 0956-4233. (doi:10.1108/09564230110387498) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:5114)

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Abstract

This paper seeks to illuminate how the emphasis on quality dimensions differs in service firms dependent on the size of their back-room activity. It examines how that emphasis differs with Quality Certification (QCert). The research examines the relative importance attached by the chief executives of 93 large service organisations to both internal and external dimensions of quality. It analyses the relationship of these quality dimensions to the importance placed on the possession of QCert. The effect of process structure is explored by categorising service firms as being in front-room versus back-room dominant industrial sectors. The research findings provide empirical evidence that service firms who rate the possession of QCert as important. place much more emphasis on quality, and have a balanced perspective where internal and external quality are both emphasised. in contrast, service firms that do not promote QCert, emphasise quality less. In the absence of QCert, we find clear differentiation in how quality is conceptualised in front-room versus back-room dominant industrial sectors.

Fully responsible for literature review, research questions, data analysis, presentation of results, discussion of results and conclusions. Co-authors were MBA students who were partly responsible for survey development and wholly responsible for survey administration and coding.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1108/09564230110387498
Uncontrolled keywords: quality management; quality programmes; service industry; ISO 9000
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Kent Business School (do not use)
Depositing User: Gavin Dick
Date Deposited: 31 Aug 2008 17:55 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:43 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/5114 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Dick, Gavin P.M..

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