Inter linkages between organizational culture and quality management system: a study of small and medium enterprises in indian auto component sector

Abstract

 Indian Auto component sector is one of the fastest growing within the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) category of industries.  This study investigates the relationship between cultural values and implementation of quality management principles in Indian  Auto component manufacturing SMEs. Empirical data was collected via a questionnaire survey, and 61 Indian Auto component manufacturing SMEs located in Delhi and National Capital Region were studied. Statistical analysis revealed a significant  difference between 'small' and 'medium' enterprises in relation to the prevalence of Cultural values like-Openness, Confrontation,  Trust and Pro-action. However, no significant difference was found in the extent of practice on each of Quality Management factors  between 'small and medium enterprises. An interesting aspect that has been highlighted is that both small and medium companies  have shown a higher level of implementation of all quality principles. The results indicate three cultural dimensions -Openness,  Confrontation & Pro-action which exhibited a significant positive association with all the quality management factors. Similarly,  Experimentation, Collaboration, Authenticity and Trust exhibited positive significant correlation with most of the Quality  Management factors. However, Autonomy is the only cultural dimension which was found to have non-significant low negative  correlation with four Quality factors. The findings suggest that the cultural dimensions -Openness, Confrontation and Pro-action  should be emphasized more given their association with all Quality Management factors. This paper presents new results  evidencing the importance of OCTAPACE values in TQM implementation. Overall, the research findings provide a useful reference 
for Indian Auto component SMEs in their efforts to sustain global competitiveness.