Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the problems/obstacles and benefits arising
from ISO/TS system provision of automobile industry. The informants of this study were quality
management representatives (QMR) from 89 automobile establishments certified with ISO/TS
16949. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. Percentage, frequency, arithmetic mean,
standard deviation, and t-test were used to analyze the data via SPSS V.11 software.
It was found that most QMR were male with the age range from 30 to 40 years, and
bachelors degree background. Their position was the head of the division or the department
responsible for QMR job. They had about 3-6 years experience as a QMR. Most establishments
were of medium size.
With respect to the problems and obstacles, the study showed, as a whole and the byaspect,
that they were at moderate level. However, the problems related to machinery and budgets
were at a low level. The comparison of the problems encountered by the establishments with
different sizes revealed insignificant differences. The by-aspect examination indicated that the
medium establishments faced the problems related to budgets more than the large ones. The byitem
comparison revealed differences in five items; i.e. evaluation of problem characteristics of
the system, appointment of QMRs, machinery maintenance, seeking budget approval, and finding
financial support for providing the system.
Regarding the benefits gained from the system, it was found, as a whole, that they were at a
high level. Nevertheless, the by-aspect examination revealed that the benefits within the
organizations were at a moderate level while those gained from outside were at a high level. The
comparison of the average benefits gained from within and outside the organizations showed
statistically insignificant differences among the establishments with different sizes. The by-item
comparison also indicated insignificant differences. The statistical significance level of this study
was set at .05.