Influence of experience and collaboration on effectiveness of quality management practices

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the impact of experience in terms of time period on TQM's effectiveness in improving performance of Indian manufacturing companies. To establish the impact of TPM support on TQM's effectiveness.Design/methodology/approach: This is an empirical research with testing of hypotheses using t tests. The data are collected with the help of a questionnaire on six performance parameters, which are measured on a five‐point scale. The study considers three time periods (phases) of implementation and two improvement strategies, i.e. TQM alone and TQM supported by TPM (combined strategy), for the purpose of analysis. The analysis is based on valid responses from 111 manufacturing companies.Findings: The performance improvements contributed by TQM in the transition phase have been marginal due to initial investments and efforts required as well as to country‐specific factors. The effectiveness of TQM in the stability and maturity phases is established in an Indian context. The synergetic effect of TPM support on TQM's performance is also established in an Indian context.Practical implications: The paper establishes the long‐term effects of TQM on companies' performance in an Indian context. It also highlights various country‐specific factors, which led to marginal improvement during the transition phase. The paper also establishes that TQM with TPM support can be an effective strategy to improve competitiveness of Indian manufacturing companies.Originality/value: This paper studies the two important factors which influence TQM's effectiveness. Although the study has been carried out in an Indian context, it is equally significant in a global scenario. This paper addresses a pertinent issue of simultaneous implementation of TQM and TPM, which is commonly found in industry but not adequately researched.