Impact of hard and soft TQM on supply chain performance: empirical investigation of pharmaceutical industry

Abstract

This study identified the two forms of total quality management (TQM) practices 'soft' and 'hard'. The study further investigated the impact of soft TQM practices on hard TQM practices and their impact on plant level supply chain in pharmaceutical setup. The present study provides some meaningful implications to practicing managers, which are critical from pharmaceutical manufacturing point of view. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, employees may require more training and development as market is regulated by major drug administrations from abroad as well as domestic and top management support may help to achieve it. Research and development and to maintain the sustainable quality of products along with productive maintenance over a period of time results in supply chain performance. Soft TQM practices directly impact the supply chain performance, but hard TQM practices impact greatly supply chain performance as comparison to soft TQM. Soft TQM practices impact supply chain performance via hard TQM practices significantly.