CEOs and managing directors worldwide are increasingly recognizing the link between certified management systems and the success and survival of organizations. This senior engagement is not only unlocking the intrinsic value of certified management systems but is delivering a clear return on investment to organizations worldwide.

Drivers for certification

In the course of his research, Michael Toffel, an associate professor of business administration at Harvard Business School, has found that the main driver for independent certification of quality management standards (QMS) such as ISO 9001 is meeting the requirements of current and potential customers. However, “In comparison with the quality domain, companies more rarely require their suppliers to adopt international standards governing environmental management and labor conditions, which is one reason fewer companies have adopted them,” says Toffel. “This means that such standards offer greater opportunity for suppliers to differentiate themselves from their competitors.” Toffel’s research seeks to identify which voluntary programs and management system standards actually distinguish participating companies as having superior performance.

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