Exploring soft versus hard factors for TQM implementation in small and medium‐sized enterprises
International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management
ISSN: 1741-0401
Article publication date: 1 October 2006
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to rank the emphasis placed on critical factors and quality management principles that determine the success of total quality management (TQM) as it applies to quality management system implementation in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a synthesis of the literature on TQM implementation in SMEs operating in a developing environment and identifies critical factors. These factors are prioritised according to the frequency in which they appeared by number of articles. The compliance requirements of the ISO 9001:2000 standard is mapped to one or a combination of quality management principles (QMPs) on which the standard is based. These principles are grouped as soft and hard and ranked in terms of the number of compliance requirements they represent.
Findings
The paper identifies critical factors of TQM implementation for SMEs operating in a developing economy. Although exploratory in nature, evidence shows that, while researchers have placed more emphasis on the “soft” factors, the compliance requirements of the ISO 9001:2000 standard stress more on the “hard” factors.
Research limitations/implications
The paper shows that the possibility of enriching the theories and practices of TQM implementation and extending the knowledge and applications of “soft” and “hard” factors need to be explored. Contrasting the eight QMPs of ISO 9001:2000 with the evaluation criteria of quality excellence awards needs to be addressed.
Practical implications
This paper reviews the relative importance of “soft” and “hard” factors, and relates the QMPs and compliance requirements of ISO 9001:2000 to TQM implementation in SMEs. It identifies strengths and weaknesses of the standard, and provides a source of information for top management of SMEs interested in implementing a quality management system.
Originality/value
The findings in this paper link the compliance requirements of ISO 9001:2000 to QMPs, and point to areas that tend to be least addressed by the ISO 9001:2000 standard. The paper also advocates a holistic approach to safeguard proper TQM implementation and continual improvement of people, product and processes in SMEs.
Keywords
Citation
Lewis, W.G., Pun, K.F. and Lalla, T.R.M. (2006), "Exploring soft versus hard factors for TQM implementation in small and medium‐sized enterprises", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 55 No. 7, pp. 539-554. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410400610702142
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited