Making the most of multi-site quality management systems: motivational drivers and perceived proximity to headquarters

Journal article, 2025

Many companies are increasingly focusing on reducing costs and administration connected to quality management systems (QMS), for example by transitioning to multi-site certifications, where one QMS covers multiple sites. Thus, this study aims to develop an empirically based framework with archetypes illustrating how sites motivational drivers for QMS and perceived proximity to headquarters shape their views on multi-site QMS, as a way to guide the facilitation of a global multi-site QMS and to support organisations that are planning to transition from single- to multi-site QMS. Using a qualitative, embedded, multiple-case study design, the research analyses data from interviews and documentation across four globally dispersed sites within a company group. The study identifies four site archetypes based on QMS motivational drivers and perceived proximity to headquarters: Independent, Sceptical, Convinced, and Individualist. The findings suggest that understanding these archetypes can facilitate a contextualised approach to multi-site QMS, e.g. by implementing multi-site certifications based on clusters of sites with similar characteristics. The research extends previous findings on QMS focusing single-site certification, by offering a framework for facilitation of multi-site QMS in global organisations. It further provides practical implications for companies seeking to transition to a multi-site certified QMS.