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The impact of TQM implementation on the organizational performance of Iranian manufacturing SMEs

Changiz Valmohammadi (Islamic Azad University – South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran)

The TQM Journal

ISSN: 1754-2731

Article publication date: 23 August 2011

5229

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide reliable and valid constructs of total quality management (TQM) and a measurement instrument in the context of Iranian manufacturing small to medium‐ sized enterprises (SMEs) and to examine the effects of these seven TQM criteria, namely: leadership, process management, supplier, customer focus, employee management, communication and quality information system (QIS) and tools and techniques on the organizational performance of the Iranian manufacturing SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to search the impact of TQM practices on Iranian manufacturing SMEs a questionnaire was developed and distributed to quality managers of 65 Iranian manufacturing SMEs, resulting in a response rate of 81.5 percent. In particular, hypotheses were developed to evaluate the impact of TQM implementation on the organizational performance of the manufacturing SMEs.

Findings

Statistical analysis revealed that a number of significant relationships between TQM practices and organizational performance of the manufacturing SMEs. The result found that leadership plays an important role in enhancing organizational performance of the Iranian manufacturing SMEs; however, these organizations encounter some obstacles in fully utilizing some TQM criteria, namely tools and techniques and suppliers.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is restricted to only a single region and manufacturing, so it would be strongly recommended that data be gathered from various parts of Iran including both manufacturing and service industries. As the data in this study were collected from top managers of organizations on the basis of their subjective evaluations, objective performance indicators should also be employed in the analysis.

Originality/value

This study has the potential to enhance the understanding of TQM practices impact on organizational performance of the Iranian manufacturing SMEs amongst researches and practitioners. Also the research adds knowledge in the field of quality management within the context of developing countries and gives a particular focus on the Iran manufacturing SMEs; as a review of literature, has identified no studies that have undertaken a comprehensive analysis of TQM practices and organizational performance of manufacturing SMEs in the Iranian context.

Keywords

Citation

Valmohammadi, C. (2011), "The impact of TQM implementation on the organizational performance of Iranian manufacturing SMEs", The TQM Journal, Vol. 23 No. 5, pp. 496-509. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542731111157608

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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