ISO-9000 - SAUDI EXPORT BUSINESSES POINTS-OF-VIEW

The primary objective of this study is to identify the pros and cons o f ISO 9000 as the Saudi Export Organizations see it. A cross sectional survey is used to collect the needed information. Two hundred questio nnaires were distributed randomly, covering 32 companies in the indust rial cities at the East Coast of Saudi Arabia. Seventy eight completed questionnaires were returned, representing 39% response rate. The res ults indicated that Saudi Export Businesses have experienced similar b enefit as found by ISO registered companies abroad. However, there are indications that the main reason to register is not quality improveme nt but rather customers' requirements. Moreover, Saudi Export Companie s were expecting more than what ISO can give. They felt frustrated tha t ISO did not increase their product demand or provide competitive adv antages. There were complaints about the level of red tape inherited b y the implementation of ISO. Nevertheless, all indications show that S audi Export Companies are realizing the benefits of ISO and consider i t the first step in a series of steps towards quality management.