Total Quality Management, Concurrent Engineering and Manufacturing Performance: An Empirical Investigation

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to empirically investigate the relationships among the dimensions of total quality management, concurrent engineering, and manufacturing performance for a sample of 204 Indian manufacturing managers. Using the resource-based view, a theoretical framework is proposed. Structural equation modelling was used to test the relationships between the dependent and the independent variables. Our research empirically indicates, that the dimensions of total quality management and concurrent engineering have a positive impact on each other and on the manufacturing performance the firm. However, customer focus was not found to have a significant impact on cost performance. The results of the study may not be generalizable as the study was conducted only in India. As future research, the relationships may be explored in other countries and cross-country differences may be investigated. To the best of our knowledge, no study has previously investigated the linkages between the dimensions of total quality management, concurrent engineering, and manufacturing performance in a unified context. Such investigations are crucial as the results of the research may provide a concrete support for the simultaneous implementation of total quality management and concurrent engineering and motivate more organizations to engage in such practices. Understanding the interlinkages between dimensions of these practices and the performance outcomes will also provide a theoretical as well as a practical platform for organizations to gain sustainable competitive advantage.