A critical study of TQM and TPM approaches on business performance of Indian manufacturing industry

Abstract

Total Quality Management (TQM) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) have gained considerable acceptance in Indian manufacturing industry to take on the challenge of transition from protected economy to global competition. These two improvement drives are being adopted and adapted for raising performance standards of Indian companies to world class level. TQM and TPM are considered complementary to each other and thereby being implemented simultaneously by many companies to achieve synergy. This paper aims to provide empirical evidences on the comparative contributions of two drives to improve business performance in the context of Indian manufacturing industry. It also tries to establish a synergetic effect of TQM and TPM, when implemented in tandem. The paper highlights that a combined application brings out significantly higher improvements than individual drives. The study is based on data collected through a questionnaire as a research instrument and statistical analysis using Microsoft EXCEL 2000. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.