January 2004
Volume 11 • Number 1
Contents
Empirical Study of QS-9000 Using Principal Components Analysis
and Robust Regression
Dana M. Johnson
In 1994, the automotive industry took the lead in the development of
industry-specific standards to introduce QS-9000 (Chrysler, Ford, and
General Motors 1998). The study presented in this article addresses
the impact of organizational variables on both operational and business
performance measurement of automotive suppliers completing QS-9000.
A study completed by Curkovic, Vikery, and Droge (1999) focused on different
aspects of business performance and competitive dimensions of quality
as compared to this discussion. Because there is little empirical research
regarding QS-9000 (Johnson 2001), the literature review included quality
management systems, ISO 9000 studies, and organizational variables that
impact quality initiatives, and served as a basis for the development
of a mail questionnaire. A database with more than 6200 U.S.-based QS-9000
registered locations was used to randomly select 1000 individual locations
to receive the mail questionnaire. This study was completed during the
summer of 2000 with 153 respondents. Final results suggest that companies
are focusing on a few organizational variables from a high-level perspective
to predict operational and business performance. Management supports
the QS-9000 change effort by empowering employees through the use of
team-based problem-solving methodologies.
Key words: empirical research, principal components analysis, QS-9000,
quality, robust regression
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