Maintaining ISO 9001:2015 in Higher Education Institutions in Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines
Abstract
Purpose of the study: This study examines the level of agreement on the practices for maintaining the ISO 9001:2015 (QMS) of the Support Service Units in three higher education institutions in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Philippines. Documenting practices and strategies aims to enrich scientific knowledge and potentially encourage non-ISO-certified HEIs in the region to pursue certification.
Methodology: This study used quantitative and qualitative approaches, employing survey and descriptive research designs. A survey questionnaire gathered interval data on a 4-point scale to describe process owners' agreement on practices. Meanwhile, answers to open-ended questions were collected, categorized and analyzed using thematic analysis, providing solid explanations of practices in selected Philipine HEIs.
Main Findings: The study revealed strong agreement in all indicators for maintaining the ISO 9001:2015 (QMS) certification in the three HEIs. This implies that respondents acknowledged these practices vital to maintaining the QMS certification status. Overall, maintaining the QMS status requires constant communication, comprehensive documentation, and regular reviews for continuous improvement on the processes and service delivery of the support service units.
Novelty/Originality of this study: Research documenting the implementation of ISO QMS of the Support Service Units of the HEIs in CAR is limited. Thus, this study is relevant to document the practices, aligning with ISO quality management principles, QMS standards, PDCA cyle and elements for maintaining the ISO 9001:2015 QMS of the ISO-certified private and state university in the region. Finally, this study provides a basis for other HEIs as they undergo certification.
References
M. Bouchetara, A. Amrani, and I. Bedaida, “The implementation of a quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 standard: A case study,” Int. J. of Eco. and Bus. Ad., vol. 10, no.1, pp. 261-286, Mar. 2022. doi:10.35808/ijeba/762.
F. Balahadia, W. Dalugdog, and J. Cabiente, “Awareness and challenges of ISO 9001:2015 implementation in higher education,” Int. J. of Acad. and Ind. Res., vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 23-38, Jun. 2022, doi:10.53378/352894.
C. Bathan Jr, “People involvement in the implementation of ISO 9001 in DepEd Tanauan City, Philippines,” Int. Mul. Res. J., vol. 4, no. 4, pp.152-161, Jan. 2023, doi:10.54476/ioer-imrj/968499.
G. Alva and L Jalos, Jr., “ISO 9001:2015 certification status and organizational effectiveness of the department
of education division offices in calabarzon: Validation of quality assurance principles in the department of education,” Psych Educ: A Multi. J. vol. 10, pp. 43-51, Ju. 26, 2023, doi:10.5281/zenodo.8087332, ISSN 2822-4353.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), “Policies and guidelines for the grant of autonomous and deregulated status to private higher education,” CHED Memorandum Order 6, Series 2023, May 24, 2023.
K.E, Santos, C. De Jesus, R. Corpuz, and M. Garcia, “ISO 9001:2015 implementation of state university and colleges (SUCs) in region 3, Philippines,” Int. J. of Adv. Eng. Res. and Sci. (IJAERS), vol. 8, no. 9, Sept. 2021.
A. M. Gamit, A. R., Santos, K. L., Armas, and M. N. Villegas, “Implementation of ISO 9001:2015
in state universities and colleges: A quality management, organizational performance, and legal framework,” Corporate Law & Governance Review, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 94–102, Dec. 10, 2024. doi: 10.22495/clgrv6i4p9.
T. Brachnata and N. Wening, “The impact of the implementation of ISO 9001:2015 on the quality management system in various company sectors,” J. of Res. in Bus. and Man. vol. 9, no. 11, pp.-17-22. Nov. 14, 2021.
L. M. Fonseca, J. Domingues, P. Machado, and D. Harder, “ISO 9001:2015 adoption: a multi-country empirical research,” J. of Indt’l. Eng’g. and Mgt., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 27-50. Online ISSN: 2013-0953. Print ISSN: 2013-8423. Nov. 2018. doi: 10.3926/jiem.2745.
B. Neyestani and J.B. Juanzon, “ISO 9001 standard and organization's performance: A literature review,”
Int. J. Adv. Multidiscip. Res. vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 6-13, February 2017, doi: 10.22192/ijamr.2017.04.02.002.
M. Bannawol. “ISO quality management system in public higher education institutions: Basis for service enhancement,” Int. J. for Mul. Res. (IJFMR). vol. 6, no. 3, June 21, 2024, doi: 10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i03.23026.
C. Camango, and C. Cândido, “ISO 9001 maintenance, decertification and recertification: A systematic literature review,” Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, vol. 34, no. 13-14, pp. 1764-1796, Apr. 24, 2024. doi: 10.1080/14783363.2023.2203379.
J. Navarro, “Implementation of ISO at the office of the university registrar, Benguet State University: ISO 9001:2015,”. Master’s Thesis, Benguet State University, Benguet, 2023.
R. Sisno, “Conformance on quality management system of one state college in the Philippines as basis for ISO certification,” Asia Pacific J. of Multi. Res., vol. 5, no. 4, November 2017.
F. Mercado, “University of Rizal system’s quality management system toward sustainability framework,” Proceeding of the Int.l Res. Con. on Multi. Inn. and Best Practices in Edu., Philippine Christian University, Manila, Philippines, October 24 -25, 2023.
K. E. Santos, and L. David, “Difficulties and problems encountered in the ISO 9001:2015 in the Philippines,” Int. J.of Adv. Eng. Res. and Sci. (IJAERS). vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 455-461, Jan. 2021, doi:10.22161/ijaers.85.53.
B. Hussein, S. Abou-Nassif, M. Aridi, M. Chamas, and H. Khachfe, “Challenges and prospects of implementing ISO 9001:2015 in Lebanese higher education institutions” J. of Resources Dev. and Management, vol. 33, pp. 41-51, 2017.
I. Reyes, E.A. Barillo, “Challenges encountered in the implementation of ISO 9001:2015 risk management system Dnv-Gl”, Int. J. for Multi. Res. Vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 1-18, Mar.-Apr. 2024.
International Organization for Standardization, International Standard 9001:2015: Quality management systems-Requirements, 5th ed. Geneva, Swtizerland: ISO, 2015.
I. Abuhav, “The PDCA cycle and the ISO 9001:2015 standard,” ISO 9001-Quality management knowledge center, Nov. 17, 2014.
G. Salles, “Best practices for maintaining ISO 9001 certification, 2024.
M. Naeem, W. Ozuem, K. Howell, and S. Ranfagni, “A step-by-step process of thematic analysis to develop a conceptual model in qualitative research”, Nov. 2023.
P. Servan, “Document Control ISO 9001:2015 explained,” ISO Update, 2019.
N. Sato, “Document Control in ISO 9001”, 9001Simplified.
P. Guevara, “A guide to understanding management reviews,” SaferyCulture. Jun 13, 2024.
V. Avinash, “ISO 9001-Clause 10.3: Continual improvement, “ ISO Docs, Sept. 22, 2022.
M. Edwards, “ISO 9001-Clause 7.4-Communication,” ISMS Online, Mar. 21, 2024.
R. Keen, “6.1 Actions to address risks and opportunities explained [ISO Template],” ISO 9001 Checklist, 2024.
Y. Volyntseva, “Proactive measures for effective risk mitigation, “ Business Tech Weekly, 2023.
Quality Gurus Inc. , “The impact of ISO 9001 on product quality,” Quality Gurus, 2024.
ISO Update, “Risk management in ISO 9001:2015,” 2018.
International Organzation for Standardization, “The process approach in ISO 9001,” n.d.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jessie B. Martinez

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and acknowledge that the Indonesian Journal of Education Research (IJoER) is the first publisher licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges and earlier and greater citation of published work.