Influence of ISO 9001: 2008 standards certifications training on the performance of public universities in Kenya

Abstract

ISO standards make a positive contribution to the world and facilitate trade, spread knowledge, disseminate innovative advances in technology, and share good management and conformity assessment practices. However, despite the number of benefits in favor of ISO certification, whether the standard actually improves business performance and profitability remains debatable. Thus, this study investigated the effect of training on ISO 9001-2008 Standards Certification on the performance of public universities in Kenya. This study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for this study comprised all the 22 public universities in Kenya. The target population was 450 respondents. The study adopted stratified, simple random sampling and purposive sampling technique. The sample size comprised of 135 respondents. Questionnaires and interviews were used as tools to collect primary data while, analysis was done using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data was analyzed through descriptive (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (person product correlation coefficient). There was a positive relationship between the ISO 9001: 2008 standards certifications training [r=.453, n=120, p<.05] and the performance. From the study training employee on ISO 9000 performance is the most important factor when it comes to improving quality in any university and training has provided evidence of the critical factors for the successful implementation of QMS and the improvement of its performance. Poor training/non present a major obstacle in the development and implementation of a quality programme and insufficient training programmes have been found to be barriers in implementing ISO 9000 standards in institutions. The study will make recommended on the need of public universities should adopt the ISO 9001:2008 certification standards to improve their performance.