Organisational characteristics and quality improvement: an exploratory investigation

A number of research studies have found that the extent of implementation of quality improvement practices varies from one firm to another, which produces different levels of quality improvement. Few studies have considered the characteristics of the firm (e.g. size, scope of operations and ISO registration) when examining overall quality improvement levels. The aim of this study is to examine the level of overall quality improvement and the link between the characteristics of firms and overall quality improvement practices. This study will draw data from the 255 Electrical and Electronics (E&E) firms in Malaysia, using a survey research method. The findings show that the Malaysian E&E firms generally adopted only a moderate level of overall quality improvement. In addition, large firms generally showed higher levels of overall quality improvement than smaller firms. Overall quality improvement levels in firms that had ISO certification were significantly higher than in non-ISO firms. Firms with multinational status had a higher level of overall quality improvement than local firms.