Pakistan National Operational Model for Business Improvement based on the ISO Management System Standards

Abstract

Quality initiatives are used worldwide to improve the performance of products, services, processes, and systems performance. ISO Management System (IMS) standards certification is a minimum requirement of quality control, assurance, and management systems. But no model is available to measure businesses’ performance improvements (%) and to conduct comparative merit indexing after post-IMS certifications. A gap exists in both theory and practice. This research aims to fill the theoretical and practical gaps by developing an ‘operational model to assess performance improvements and develop comparative merit indexing of all businesses after obtaining IMS standards certifications. A mix of thematic, qualitative, and quantitative research methodology using a conceptual research framework, word cloud analysis using the ‘Quirkos’ software, Judgemental Association Method, and synthesis techniques. World secondary experiential and Pakistan primary national empirical data on IMS standards certifications were collected, reviewed by the ISO focus group, ISO experts, ISO consultants, and ISO users, and then synthesized. Nine essential tests were performed on the national primary empirical data of ISO Certifications. Pakistan National Operational Model for Assessment of Businesses’ Performance Improvement at post-IMS standards certification was developed, comprising a set of criteria comprising 13 major factors and 60 elements, forming a ‘framework’. This national operational model is a reliable, validated, registered with IPO and novel approach to achieving the research aim and objective. Businesses’ performance improvements can contribute to greater prosperity, sustainability, operational excellence, and environmental improvement, increasing national GDP and supporting the 17 UN-mandated SDGs for all countries of the world.