Application of quality tools by the Saudi food industry

Purpose - The food industry in Saudi Arabia is continually challenged by fierce competition from giant international food processing firms. In spite of that, it constantly shows signs of growth as reflected in its exports. The competition is expected to propagate after joining the World Trade Organization. An investigation identified the readiness and quality status of the Saudi food industry to endure the new challenge and survive the free trade market. The purpose of this paper is to examine the application of the quality tools in the production setups of this industry and to explore signs of TQM to evaluate its competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach - A sample drawn from the Saudi food industry was exposed to an empirical survey supported by structured interviews to measure the quality standing of the industry. The survey results were statistically analyzed and presented. Findings - Evidence of the adoption of quality tools and an interest to exploit even more advanced quality measures indicate an encouraging future for the food industry in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, findings reflect enthusiasm of the sector to attain internationally recognized quality awards. Research limitations/implications - The motives that stimulate the Saudi industry to practice the quality standards were not investigated. Further exploration is necessary to diagnose the roots of these motives and ultimately suggests a set of guidelines to reinforce or alter the existing motives. Originality/value - The findings of this study contribute to the prediction and formation of the future of the industrial sector in Saudi Arabia, especially after joining the World Trade Organization. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.