Quality management practices and organisational performance - a study of Indian manufacturing organisations

In the present challenging business environment, each organisation needs to continuously improve its performance. One method adopted by most manufacturing organisations is to implement quality management (QM) practices. This paper looks at automobile manufacturing organisations in India that have adopted QMS practices in order to win the Deming Prize. In the process, their performance in various business parameters has improved. This research study conducted by the author makes an attempt to establish a positive relationship between QM practices (leadership and development of new products) and organisational performance. Similarly, a relationship has been established among other related practices - improvement in product quality, process management and organisational performance. The findings are in line with the studies carried out in other countries in various manufacturing and service organisations. The implications of this study at the macro level should be useful for organisations that need to improve their performance on a continuous basis.