Critical factors, food quality management and organizational performance

•Presentation of an instrument for food quality and safety systems effectiveness.•Investigation the critical factors for combined effective implementation of ISO 9001 and HACCP systems.•The combined effective implementation of ISO 9001 and HACCP influences the performance of the food firms.

This paper proposes a model for measuring the effectiveness of quality (ISO 9001) and food safety (HACCP) systems, based on their stated objectives, when these systems are jointly implemented in a food company. In addition, it investigates the critical factors for effective implementation (CFEI) of the ISO 9001 and HACCP systems; and examines the degree to which the combined implementation of ISO 9001 and HACCP influences the overall performance of the certified firms. To achieve these objectives, primary field data was collected through an empirical survey that was conducted among 347 food companies in Greece, which were certified to ISO 9001, HACCP and/or ISO 22000 systems. Initially, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and then Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were applied. The connections among the non observed model factors were verified through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) inspection. The findings suggest that “employee attributes”, “organizations' attributes” and “internal business motives” make a significant contribution to the effective implementation of the ISO 9001 and HACCP systems. In addition, the effective implementation of the ISO 9001 and HACCP systems contribute to the business performance of companies in the Greek food industry. The evidence provided in this study helps managers to realize the importance of CFEI and the effective combined implementation of these systems in order to provide the necessary resources and support and develop the necessary policies, practices and procedures.