The intellectual structure of research in ISO 9000 standard series (1987-2015): a Bibliometric analysis

Since its inception in 1987, the ISO 9000 standards series has received remarkable appreciation as a quality management system as well as a prolific field of research. The substantial amount of ISO standards scholarly research has contributed over the years to the accumulation of sound scientific knowledge. This article aims to develop a better view of ISO 9000 standards, as a field of research, by investigating the intellectual structures of summative knowledge, underlying dynamics, temporal progression, current development, and future evolution of research dimension. The Elsevier Scopus Bibliometric database searched for journal articles largely focused on ISO 9000 series, published during 1987-2015 period. The synchronised use of Bibliographic Coupling Technique and Factor Analysis yields eight prominent research streams. The study suggests that within the domain of ISO 9000 standards, some issues have been more frequently researched, such as organisational motives behind seeking ISO 9000 certification, perceived operational, marketing, business outcomes, and cultural transformation essential for successful adaption of ISO 9000 standards. Secondly, research is still inconclusive about some other well-researched issues: comprehended performance outcomes, challenges in acquiring, registering, and maintaining certification, lessons learned, and effectiveness of certification, internal and external challenges, and the trade-off between cost and benefits.