The impact of an imposed quality standard over small and midsized translation service providers in Bulgaria.

Abstract

The present study aims to analyze the effects of governmentally imposed Standard EN15038:2006 over Bulgarian small and mid-sized written translations service providers - TSP. The research focuses on valuable measurement techniques, control models and management strategies related with quality of service. This dissertation explores the size market on a world, European and local scale. Various opportunities for penetrating the European market are reviewed. Numerous standards are briefly compared to the scoped EN15038:2006. Regulations and instructions of standard are related to the valuable quality models. The research problem is defined by aims and objectives. They are adopted by research questions in order to test certain hypotheses. The research design includes secondary and primary data collection by methods, approaches and techniques defined to the Methodology chapter. Literature review is the main component of this work which enlightens important facts to the topic. Secondary data is derived from academic articles and journals, industrial reports and surveys and institutional documents. The project adopts primary research of three focus groups separated from the total population. Probability sampling is used to collect Qualitative data by semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data is collected by non-probability sampling by questionnaires.. Data and content are presented in Findings chapter. The Discussion chapter provides answers of research questions and tests hypotheses using triangulation technique.. Conclusions are referred to Introduction chapter, summarizing valuable insights to the topic. In order to operate on the Bulgarian market, mainly processing simple institutional documents a TSP has to comply with governmental rules in the form of contract. There are thriving opportunities for Bulgarian TSP`s in European market, but significant investments of quality tools are required. Standard EN15038:2006 performs poor and represents threat if imposed compulsory to smaller size of TSP`s. In Recommendations chapter are clearly expressed gaps in literature and interesting themes beyond the scope of this research for future research.