The Relationship between TQM Practices with TQM Tools and Techniques in Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs)

Abstract

Total Quality Management (TQM) is an approach which enforcing continuous improvement in all aspects in an organization for long term achievement. However, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have limited resources for implementing TQM tools and techniques in their organisation. Hence, the purpose of this research is to identify the extent level of TQM practices and TQM tools and techniques and to examine their relationship. Research hypotheses were examined while considering six dimension of TQM practices which considered important in TQM tools and techniques implementation. Random sampling and survey have been used by distributing questionnaire to 200 respondents for final study. The study result shows that the extent level in TQM tools and techniques is in high and moderate level. Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between TQM practices and TQM tools and techniques in SMEs. The study is important for SMEs to gain insight on the effect of TQM practices towards TQM tools and techniques in organizational performance and identify the most important tools and techniques for their companies in future implementation.