Linkage between total quality and supply chain management practices and operational performance: a review

Abstract

This paper investigate the scope of total quality (TQM) and supply chain management (SCM) practices linkage to enhance the operational performance of an organisation. The selected research articles related to TQM and SCM from year 1984 to 2014 have been reviewed. The review has adopted study wise (empirical, conceptual and literature review), industry wise, country wise and year wise distribution, which leads to the identified research gaps through literature review. The literature review reveals that TQM and SCM are two different concepts that share most common goal which is customer satisfaction, but also have differences. However, TQM and SCM should be linked to have synergetic effect on operational performance of an organisation. This study will help the future researchers and professionals to preview the TQM and SCM from different angles for linking of the approaches. The study also highlight, a view that, how quality and supply chain practices can be customised according to the nature of products or services. This paper will be helpful for practicing managers, by offering a different view of linkage between TQM and SCM for enhancing operational performance.