Factors affecting total quality management in supply chain of manufacturing firms

Research in Business
Factors affecting total quality management in supply chain of manufacturing
firms.
Student Name
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Table of Contents
1.
Problem statement/ Introduction...............................................................................................2
2. Aims and Objectives..............................................................................................................3
3. A brief methodology..............................................................................................................3
4. Secondary data and data analysis method..............................................................................4
5. Conclusion..............................................................................................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................5

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1. Problem statement/ Introduction
Organisations always seek ways through which they are able to sustain competitive
position for which they adopt methods to have efficient total quality management (TQM)
processes (Vanichchinchaia & Igel, 2010). Zahari & Zakuan (2016) defines TQM as an
operating approach in management philosophy which aims to exceed current and future
prospects of stakeholders by continuous improvement in every processes, service and goods.
Despite implementing effective supply chain management (SCM), many manufacturing firms
find themselves with inefficient results and therefore search for solutions that can improve
SCM tasks to increase productivity (Chang, 2009). Talib, Rahman & Qureshi (2011) says that
previous research although have suggested TQM as a plausible process for SCM
improvements, prior research suggest implementing TQM solutions that can possibly overlap
SCM management techniques.
This overlap, as said by Aized (2012) can either damage or enhance firm’s current
SCM processes which have been fulfilling organisational requirements. Furthermore,
depending upon relationships with third party logistics and supply partners, TQM
implementation can affect SCM processes negatively or positively. Sadikoglu & Olcay
(2014) further emphasises on significant affects of TQM over performance outcomes and
reveals that obstacles faced by manufacturing firms like inappropriate structure and employee
involvement recommends firms to implement TQM only after recognising its improvement
variables. Ardianto & Natsir (2014) claims that SCM models focus on factors like customer
service level but neglects factors like cost and quality components and therefore suggest
integration of TQM with SCM for bringing positive outcomes. Kim, Son & Kim (2016)
therefore suggest that to bring opportunities for business practitioners, TQM shall be
integrated with SCM to maximise benefits and achieve organisational success.