Role of Supply Chain Management in Context of Total Quality Management in Flexible Systems: A State-of the-Art Literature Review

Abstract

In the global market conditions, the integrated Flexible Systems (FS) with Total Quality Management (TQM) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a growing field of interest for many a researchers and practitioners from the last decades. In the present paper, the ongoing integration process of aforesaid philosophies in flexible system, total quality management and supply chain has been highlighted through literature review. Many specific empirical studies have been carried out, and categories such as types of Flexibility and Total Quality Management have been studied to a great depth in the past. This paper focuses more on relatively unexplored categories, as they offer potential for further exploration and research. Classification developed to show supply chains and Flexible System in TQM context from a wider perspective. Based on problem context as classification and scope for future practice and research, an evolutionary timeline has been prepared taking into account all the relevant and seminal papers published in the area of Flexible system, TQM and SCM. The definition and scope of FS in the literature from Total Quality Management to Supply Chain context classification has been undertaken. The focus on TQM, Flexible Systems and Supply Chains aspects has been done in order to facilitate further study and research.