TOPSIS approach to prioritize critical success factors of TQM: Evidence from the pharmaceutical industry

Abstract

Purpose

The pharmaceutical industry has a critical impact on health promotion. It is essential to identify and prioritize the critical success factors (CSFs) within this industry to ensure successful implementation of total quality management (TQM). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritize CSFs that affect TQM successful implementation in the pharmaceutical industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a thorough review of the literature and building on the earlier studies, a valid questionnaire was developed and sent to 320 managers in pharmaceutical sector. In total, 210 completed questionnaires were returned. The technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was used to rank and prioritize CSFs.

Findings

Results of the data analyses showed that information and analysis, management commitment, relationship with suppliers, and customer focus are the top four CSFs for the successful implementation of TQM in the pharmaceutical sector.

Originality/value

Using TOPSIS approach, this is the first study that determines CSFs that have impact on successful implementation of TQM in the pharmaceutical sector. There have been limited studies investigating the CSFs in developing countries. The findings will be useful in helping manager to successfully implement TQM in emerging markets. The approach will help future studies to examine the impact of successful implementation of TQM on firm performance in other industries and in emerging markets.

Citation

Mehralian, G., Nazari, J.A., Rasekh, H.R. and Hosseini, S. (2016), "TOPSIS approach to prioritize critical success factors of TQM: Evidence from the pharmaceutical industry", The TQM Journal, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 235-249. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-03-2014-0028