Quality management systems: A study in companies of southern Spain and northern Morocco

This paper analyze the levels of quality management systems (QMS) implementation in companies from southern Spain and northern Morocco, as well as motivations, benefits or barriers identified. It has been taken for a sample of 202 companies in southern Spain and 120 in northern Morocco. Unlike other studies mainly oriented to know the perception of companies with QMS certified, this one has also oriented to the perception of companies without QMS and the challenge of the implementation. The results of this study highlight the differences between the two regions, such as levels of QMS certification, but also the similarities, such as the consideration of the costs and the lack of time as major barriers to implementation, or a better processes standardization and quality of products and services as primary benefits