Total quality management in Indian industries: relevance, analysis and directions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the various factors important for total quality management implementation in various manufacturing organizations and to assess their relevance for Indian manufacturing organizations. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted for important factors and a survey approach was used to collect relevant data from industries. Further data were used to establish a model. Findings It is shown that customer focus must be the prime objective for various industries to achieve total quality management. All the factors must be used systematically to achieve total quality management (TQM) and it can be done efficiently by using a model having four phases to implement TQM. Originality/value The paper will be useful for manufacturing as well as service industries that are in the starting phase of TQM implementation or have already failed to implement TQM at their works.