Perception of ISO 9000 Certification: Management Perspective of Travel Agencies in China |
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Authors: | Barry L.M. Mak Creamy W.F. Kong |
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Affiliation: | 1. School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of Chinabarry.mak@polyu.edu.hk;3. Department of Hotel, Service and Tourism Studies, Institute of Vocational Education (Haking Wong), 702 Lai Chi Kok Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China |
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Abstract: | Tourism is an intangible combination of different but interrelated elements that resulting in opportunities for mistakes and complaints. The implementation of a formal quality management program is crucial for tourism businesses. The present study implemented a full-structured questionnaire to evaluate the perception of ISO 9000 certification of registered travel agencies in Mainland China. It was found that the perception of top management plays a critical part in determining the intention of the company to be certified. The study also highlighted that the certification could enhance competiveness of the firm in the domestic market, can project a competitive company image, and increase employee commitment to quality conformance and communication with customers. Nonetheless, the barriers of certification do not play an effective role in discriminating certification intenders and non-intenders and it can be explained when both intenders and non-intenders believe the certification process to be costly, time consuming, and highly specialized. |
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Keywords: | ISO 9000 travel agency quality assurance management perception |
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