This research project was to investigate the motives for gaining an ISO 9001 certified quality management system in companies that serve the subsea sector of the oil and gas industries: is certification a strategic business tool or just a marketing badge? A literature review revealed that if implemented rigorously, ISO 9001 could deliver increased efficiency and improved business processes. Many authors stated that certification was gained principally to allow trading in the European and global

more »

... markets, and, to gain entry to the Approved Vendors List of prospective customers. Primary research consisting of interviews with approximately 55 professionals across 12organisationsindicated that a majority agreed, stating that certification was gained for marketing purposes or to satisfy customer requirements. However many went on to say that their companies had subsequently realized the full benefits of ISO 9001. Therefore the motives for certification could be aligned. Secondary research also revealed that a number of firms operated an integrated management system. Findings of this project point to two conclusions. First, if ISO 9001 is implemented rigorously enough, companies can realize its benefits despite alternative reasons for gaining certification. Second, both motives for gaining certification can be aligned. This is a significant that is absent in the literature. All of the companies operating in this industry that were researched in this study had an ISO 9001 certified QMS. Because of the absence of publications on the use of ISO 9001 in the subsea sector of the oil and gas industries, further research into the possible alignment of the motives investigated in this project is warranted, and recommended. Additional areas for further research include integrated management systems rather than ISO 9001 quality management systems and limiting the scope of analysis to a current single subsea project, such as the Gorgon Project (Hatch 2013).