ISO 9001 Vs. EFQM: A comparative analisys based on external independent data.

The aim of this article is to evaluate the adoption and outcomes of both the ISO 9000 and the EFQM selfevaluation model, based on external independent data. To this end, we first performed some objective analyzes of data regarding the impact of the models, data obtained from the ISO and EFQM international organizations themselves. We then conducted an empirical work with a survey of 107 experienced and independent qualitymanagement assessors and data from 242 external evaluations carried out between 1998 and 2007 in 170 Spanish organizations that have adopted the EFQM model. The results obtained refer to the different motives of organizations in implementing ISO 9000 standards and the EFQM model, the obstacles detected to this implementation, and the comparative results of these.