Title: An evaluation of business improvement through quality management principles in SMEs

Authors: Tariq Aziz; Ali Ahmad

Addresses: Advance Manufacturing Institute, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia ' Advance Manufacturing Institute, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: SMEs are the back bone of Pakistan's economy as out of 3.2 million units over 99% units employ less than 99 persons, i.e., 3.16 million SMEs. SMEs generate 78% of non-agri sector employment, 25% of manufacturing export earnings and contribute 35% in value addition and contribution to GDP is over 30%. SMEs of Pakistan are being negatively affected by the insufficient managerial skills. SMEs in Pakistan lack in adopting quality management practices, most of them are unaware of the importance of quality management principles. The purpose of the study is to elaborate the fact that how many SMEs have adopted quality management principles. After implementation of quality management principle, how much they achieved the business performance and excellence? A questionnaire was formed and data were collected from 25 different SMEs. After analysing the data, it was found that most of the SMEs are unaware of the importance of quality management principles.

Keywords: quality management principles; quality management practices; business performance; business excellence; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; business improvement; Pakistan.

DOI: 10.1504/IJQI.2013.057025

International Journal of Quality and Innovation, 2013 Vol.2 No.2, pp.193 - 216

Published online: 19 Jul 2014 *

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