Supply chain quality orientation: Does company profile matter?

Abstract

This study examines the Supply Chain Quality Orientation (SCQO) in Malaysian manufacturing organisations. About 550 questionnaires were distributed to the manufacturing organisations in Malaysia and 142 completed questionnaires were analysed to determine the level of SCQO. One-way ANOVA was applied to determine if significant difference exists between organisation profile and SCQO. The study found that the SCQO is quite substantial in the Malaysian manufacturing industry. In addition, it was found that there is no significant difference between organisation profile and SCQO. However, there is a significant difference in the SCQO between organisations that have EDI linkages with supply chain partners and organisations that are not EDI linked. Consequently, quality needs to be continuously managed from the supply chain standpoint. This study provides empirical evidence of SCQO in the manufacturing industry in Malaysia. Having an end-to-end supply chain manager and adoption of EDI are deemed vital in enhancing SCQO.