Determining the Effect of TQM on Performance in R&D Environments (Case Study: Markazi Province Manufacturers)

Up to now, a lot studies have been done about the relationship between TQM and the different organizational performances, but it has been done a little studies concerning the relationship between TQM and R&D. Therefore, this research is going to study the impacts of TQM on R&D performance with regard to quality and innovation. In other words, this research includes identifying the way of applying the principles of TQM in R&D division as well as studying the impacts of TQM on R&D performance. Concerning TQM, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (six criteria) and concerning R&D, two criteria (quality and innovation) have been used. The needed data has been gathered from 128 manufacturing companies in Markazi Province. Structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques has been used to analyze the gathered data. The research results show the studied companies have effectively used the principles of TQM in their R&D division. Finally, it can be said that TQM has applying ability in all divisions of an organization.