ISO 9000: Some statistical results for a worldwide phenomenon

Since they were created in 1987, the ISO 9000 standards provide a unique experience of voluntary adoption and certification of entities, covering at present organizations of all sizes, sectors and natures across the globe. In this article we will provide some key results that derive from a statistical analysis performed over the richness of values compiled over time for the numbers of ISO 9000 certified entities in the world and its different countries, and their evolution since January 1993 all the way to December 2001, thus providing what we believe to be a pioneering contribution in this field, aimed at providing fact-based insights into, among other, the following issues. · Which countries are leading this movement in the world, both on absolute and relative terms? · Is there a maximum limit to the possible growth of entities certified in each country and/or the world? If so, what is it? Are we approaching that limit or quite far from reaching it yet? · What are the dynamics of transition to the ISO 9000:2000 standards across the globe? · Are there any relationships between economic development indicators and the corresponding numbers of ISO 9000 certified organizations in a given country? · Is it possible to forecast evolutions for the number of entities certified in a particular country and/or in the world?