RK. Meshram

R. R. Lakhe

R. L. Shrivastava

Abstract

Quality aspect is an important criteria for the SMEs in India to compete in domestic and international markets. ISO 9001 quality system adoption enables SMEs to compete andface the emerging challenges. Its compliances develop the base for TQM implementation essential to meet the customer requirements and competitiveness. In order to assess the total quality practices being practiced in ISO 9001 certified SMEs in India this study has undertaken. The practices oriented to culture are consolidated through experts and evaluated using AHP methodology. The perceived total quality practices rated and found that the high weightage practices are related to management control for the quality environment and low priority weightages are for use of statistical tools, problem solving approach, continuous improvement and customer involvementindicating low level of TQM achievement.

Keywords- Total quality management (TQM), small mediumenterprises (SMEs),Analyticalhierarchical methodology (AHP),framework