Relationship between total quality management (TQM) and technology R&D management (TM/R&D) in manufacturing companies in Mexico

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between Total Quality Management (TQM) and the Technology Management along with R&D management (TM/R&D) to answer two central questions: whether TQM favors or limits the development of technological innovation capacity in Mexican organizations, and if the TQM can serve as support to the TM/R&D. The statistical significance of the theoretical model that relates TQM to TM/R&D is evident through the analysis of bivariate correlations, structural equations and multiple regression based on the survey of 125 manufacturing companies operating in Mexico. The results indicate that there is a significant and positive correlation between TQM and TM/R&D. Among the facilitating elements, strategic alignment that amalgamates quality and technological innovation, customer focus, process management and the foundation offered by talent management processes are highlighted.