摘要：The relevance of the ISO 9000 series of quality management systems (QMS) for U.S. agribusinessis analyzed. Certified firms from several industries were surveyed to determine their before (ex ante)and after (ex post) perspectives of the QMS. Results for the agribusiness subsample are compared tothose for firms from other industries to determine if they behave differently. Anticipated marketingadvantages (increasing market share and providing access to new markets) of the QMS were criticalfactors that encouraged the pursuit of the certificate. The average cost to attain certification was$101.400 and to maintain certification was an additional $26,500 per year. . 2001 Elsevier ScienceInc. All rights reserved.
